Interview with Author Amy Baron

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have our second post of the week, an interview with author Amy Baron, whose debut picture book, THE GENTLE BULLDOZER, illustrated by Rogério Coelho, published with Yeehoo Press in August. This story features a gentle giant with a fantastic art and story. I’m thrilled to have Amy with us today to talk about her road to publication, process, and debut book.

So without further ado, please welcome Amy Baron!

Where do you live?

I live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I’m originally from Florida, but have lived in the Boston area for the past fifteen years.

How did you first get published?

After submitting my manuscript to publishers and literary agents, I was thrilled to hear back from Zhiqiao Wang, an editor at Yeehoo Press, saying he liked the manuscript! Zhiqiao asked me to revise a few parts, which I did. We emailed back and forth a few times, and the manuscript kept growing stronger. I could tell he believed in the story, and it meant so much to me.

Prior to this manuscript, I had pitched several young adult novels and picture books to literary agents and publishers without success. In hindsight, the novels weren’t quite query-ready anyway.

Do you write full-time?

I’m an optometrist, but I’m currently home with my two kiddos. I write full-time when I’m not busy with them.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I think there’s something magical about a picture book that has layers of depth. It might mean one thing to a four-year-old, and something different to a five or six-year-old, and something different to an adult. If a picture book can do all that while staying short and fun, I’m hooked.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

How much I learned by going through the process of development editing, line editing, and copy editing with the team at Yeehoo Press. It made me a better writer, and I’m able to bring those skills to future projects.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

At my book launch event, the kids in the audience were eager to participate and answer questions. It was so rewarding. The wonderful illustrator, Rogerio Coelho, definitely hooked the readers on his book with his amazing artwork, too. I wish he could have been there!

What do you find difficult working as an author?

I’m prone to self-doubt, like “who am I to write a book?” I remind myself that if you love doing something, your enthusiasm will shine through and others might just love it, too ;)

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Spend time with my kids. They have such creative minds. When I hear the specific things they remember—what actually stood out to them about an activity or a day—I realize their view of the world is different than mine.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Prior to getting a book deal, I wasn’t on social media at all. In some ways I think that was cool—I wrote THE GENTLE BULLDOZER for fun, without worrying too much about it.

I joined the Kid Lit community after receiving an offer of publication. I found it really supportive and I learned a lot from other writers. I’m lucky to have a few writer friends in real life, too, and it’s nice to talk to them about the whole process of writing and marketing a book. I really enjoy those friendships.

Recommended reading?

I love reading middle grade. My favorite book is There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom by Louis Sachar. I’ve had the same copy for over thirty years. I can still remember the parts of the book that stuck with my as a child—even some of the character descriptions. Some of my newer favorite middle grade authors are Tae Keller and Sarah Allen. I definitely go for books with heart.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

When I opened my email, and saw Rogerio’s first illustration for the book. It was beautiful! I loved how expressive Bulldozer was.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

Your writing skills will improve naturally over time, with practice. Writing is never wasted because it’s all practice.  

Can you tell us about your book?

THE GENTLE BULLDOZER is about an unfulfilled bulldozer living at a construction site with his family. He’s capable of destroying, but he doesn’t enjoy it. He sets off on a journey, and by the end…drum roll…he finds his true calling. He shares this new passion with his family, and together, they create something amazing!

Interior art from THE GENTLE BULLDOZER written by Amy Baron, Illustrated by Rogério Coelho, published by Yeehoo Press

Interior art from THE GENTLE BULLDOZER written by Amy Baron, Illustrated by Rogério Coelho, published by Yeehoo Press

Interior art from THE GENTLE BULLDOZER written by Amy Baron, Illustrated by Rogério Coelho, published by Yeehoo Press

Interior art from THE GENTLE BULLDOZER written by Amy Baron, Illustrated by Rogério Coelho, published by Yeehoo Press

What’s up next for you?

I’m writing a middle grade novel for children eight through twelve. The working title is FEROCIOUS. It’s pretty messy right now, and will likely take a bunch of drafts, but I’m excited about it.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Finishing a rough draft, or even a chapter, or finding that missing piece of your character’s arc…that’s all good stuff.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

When Harry Met Sally because I love the dialogue. Or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! You can’t make me pick just one.

---

Huge thank you to Amy for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

AMY BARON fell back in love with her childhood hobby of writing while reading stories to her kids. Now she's excited to introduce her debut book to the world. Amy is an optometrist, but she promises not to recite children's stories during your eye exam. Born and raised in Florida, she now lives in Cambridge, MA with her husband and their children.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Amy, visit her online: www.amybaronbooks.com or follow her on social media: Twitter: @amygbaron

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase a copy of THE GENTLE BULLDOZER, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of THE GENTLE BULLDOZER?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 3rd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author + Illustrator Berrie Torgan-Randall

Happy Thursday Critters! Today I’m interviewing a fellow Syracuse alum, and I’m so thrilled to have her with us today! Berrie Torgan-Randall’s debut BELLA & BLUE: BELLA MEETS BLUE is the first in a new graphic early reader series with Blue Bronco Books, Jr., which just released this month. I love the art and limited palette for this series, it’s incredibly sweet and charming.

So without further ado, please welcome Berrie Torgan-Randall to Critter Lit!

Where do you live?

I live in a small town, Media, southwest of Philadelphia, PA. It’s a lovely Philly suburb with a thriving downtown with shops and restaurants. Water is pronounced “Wooder” and you can order a cheesesteak “Wit or Witout (cheez whiz).”

When did you know you wanted to write and illustrate picture books?

I loved everything about art class – the burlap and glue collages, the linoleum prints, and the smell of the Tempera paint. In pursuit of this passion, I went to art school where I took all sorts of fine arts classes. I loved being in the art room, and there was one other special place where I loved to be—the school library. After working odd jobs after art school that weren’t very gratifying, I reconsidered my career options and remembered the joy of my time spent in the school library. I went to grad school to become an elementary school librarian.   

Being a librarian is my bread and butter, a profession that I love. However, my true passion is illustrating and writing children’s books.  It wasn’t until later after my kids went to school did I really pursue my dream of writing and illustrating for children.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

Every Monday (sometimes it’s a Tuesday), I participate in a self ritual of “Marketing Monday” where I send out a portfolio query. Most often I hear crickets from my queries but one day I got a, “yes, we are interested in having you write and illustrate an early reader graphic novel.”

Can you share a bit about your process?

I set a timer for six minutes and write down as many ideas as I can in my sketchbook. I choose one or two of the ideas and then sketch very loose thumbnails on a storyboard. I write a script to go along with the thumbnails so that my editor can figure out the sketchy thumbnails. Once the script and thumbnails are approved, I start working on the character sketches and tighten up my thumbnail sketches. 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I don’t allow my mind to stew and obsess about a story. Allowing only six minutes for an initial idea helps my ideas stay fresh. That being said,  I have several manuscripts that I have stewed over which are now shelved and waiting for me to see them with fresh eyes.

Anything you can’t live without while you write/draw?

Podcasts. My favorites are mysteries, docudramas, swindlers, and sci-fi. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Melissa Iwai, Dan Santant, Judy Byron Schachner, Patrice Barton, Jennifer Hansen Rolli, Monica Carnesi, Michael Rex, Jennifer E Morris, Zachariah Ohora, Maurice Sendak, Steph Fizer Coleman, to name a few!

Dream project to work on?

I would love to illustrate and write an early chapter book - much like the Owl Diary series and to write and illustrate a book for babies and toddlers. I would also love to license my illustrations and my surface pattern designs so that I can see my illustrations on cards, fabrics, and gifts. I would love to illustrate for Highlights Magazine and continue receiving assignments for Ladybug Magazine. Oh and I like to garden so I would like to have a flower garden with flowers that are showie and beautiful and give away bouquets to everyone - currently my garden is a deer smorgasbord.

Tell us about your debut book.

Bella & Blue: Bella meets Blue  is a graphic early reader series that celebrates life's everyday struggles, silliness, and surprises. Eight year old Bella has anxiety. Small things aren't so small for Bella. But with the help of her colorful dog, Blue, and her grandma, Gigi, who has a flair for all things French and over-the-top hats, Bella can handle every day's twists and turns. Blue is the companion children dream of having. He's the therapy dog that plays paddy-cake to calm Bella's nerves & take away her blues. Celebrate the beauty of being blue, in this first of the graphic early reader series, Bella & Blue. Book 1 contains 3 short stories, perfect for the stamina of emerging readers ages K-3rd grade.

Sample art from BELLA & BLUE: BELLA MEETS BLUE written and illustrated by Berrie Torgan-Randall, published by Blue Bronco Books, Jr.

What’s up next for you?

I  have a six-panel illustration in the Nov/Dec issue of Ladybug Magazine. I will continue to query my art and stories and put myself out there on “Marketing Monday - sometimes Tuesday.” Also, I will plan and dream about next year’s garden.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

The Breakfast Club - I was (and still am) the Ally Sheedy character - weird by lovable.

---

Huge thank you to Berrie for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

---

BERRIE TORGAN-RANDALL has been passionate about children’s literature since she was a little girl and has fed her desire by becoming a children’s librarian and by pursuing a career as an illustrator and writer of children’s books. Berrie studied at Syracuse University earning a BFA in Media Arts and Surface Pattern Design. Pursuing her desire to work with children, she returned to school and earned a Masters Degree in Information Studies at Drexel University. As a teacher/librarian and mother of three, Berrie has created and developed her stories drawn from real-life experiences and her imagination. Berrie is the Illustrator Coordinator for Eastern Pennsylvania Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) where she coordinates events and classes for illustrators. Bella & Blue is Berrie’s debut early reader graphic novel.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Berrie, visit her online at www.berrietr.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter | Instagram

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of BELLA & BLUE: BELLA MEETS BLUE, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of BELLA & BLUE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 13th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Shachi Kaushik

Where do you live?

I’ve lived in Austin Texas for almost 10 years and currently I live in Vancouver, British Colombia. I love living in both parts of the world. 

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I volunteered at the Round Rock Public Library, where I hosted a bilingual Hindi-English Storytime.  I found very few books, with South Asian characters. Seeing that gap i wanted to fill that void with my work and wanted to bring stories with universal themes yet holding elements of my South Asian culture.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

I had no idea of publishing, and I was convinced to self-publish.  But then I joined the Writing Barn class in 2019 and after my first class, the world of publishing just opened. I joined the writing communities like SCBWI and 12x12. Took classes, attended events, and continued to write.

I found my agent in 2020 and sold my book in 2021. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

I start off by answering a few questions –

Character and settings- What they want and why- The conflict- The solution. 

Ones I have clarity I start off with my first draft, get it critiqued and improvise (this is on repeat). I also do storyboard as it gives me a better picture of structure, page turns and flow.  

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

To get the rust off I go for walks, visit the library, bookstores, and the museums. I feel we are always surrounded by ideas; we just have to catch them. I’ve been more observant to the nature and my surroundings.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

My notebook and my special magic pencil. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I have so many authors and illustrators that I inspire, but if I had to pick one it would be Author Mitali Perkins and illustrator Kadir Nelson.

Dream project to work on?

Write a book series and develop a show. 

Tell us about your debut book.

Diwali In My New Home, illustrated by Aishwarya Tandon, is a story about Priya, who loves to celebrate Diwali, (an Indian holiday) with family and friends. But this year Priya and her parents are living in North America, and no one seems to know about the holiday. Priya misses the traditions in India. But as she strings lights outside and creates rangoli art, Priya introduces the festival of lights to her neighbors. And even though the celebration is different this year, it's still Diwali.

Interior art from DIWALI IN MY NEW HOME by Shachi Kaushik, illustrated by Aishwarya Tandon

What’s up next for you?

More books to write, more shows to work on.  I just finished working on the YouTube original animated series ‘The Guava Juice Show’.  

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Growing up in India, we had very limited access to Hollywood movies. The ones that were available became my favorite.  

Hollywood: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. 

Bollywood: Mr. India

---

Huge thank you to Shachi for stopping by Critter Lit!

---

Shachi Kaushik is a bilingual Hindi-English children’s media enthusiast who is passionate about sharing stories. Part of the Children's Media Industry, she creates content for children that is entertaining, enlightening, and educational. Raised in India, Shachi currently lives in Vancouver with her husband. Shachi loves taking walks on the beach and eating gelato.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Shachi or her book, visit her online or follow her on social media:

Website: storiesbyshachi.com

Twitter: @KaushikShachi

Instagram: @storiesbyshachi

LinkendIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shachi-kaushik/

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of DIWALI IN MY NEW HOME, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of DIWALI IN MY NEW HOME Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, September 29th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Kimberly Wilson

Happy Thursday Critters! I’ve been in the blackhole of deadlines for the past few weeks— but I’m thrilled to be back this week with an interview with author Kimberly Wilson. I was lucky enough to read Kimberly’s manuscript a couple years ago as a Critter Lit critique submission— and now it’s a published book! (Congrats Kimberly, we are so excited for you!). A PENNY’S WORTH, illustrated by Mark Hoffmann, published by Page Street Kids just released in April. Don’t you just love when things come full circle like that?!

So without further ado, please welcome Kimberly Wilson!

Where do you live?

I’ve lived in Charlotte, NC, for almost 22 years, but I grew up in Upstate NY.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I knew I wanted to write from the time I was in third grade. Inspired by reading L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, I spent many days outdoors, pouring my imagination onto the paper. My favorite subject in high school was English and I continued studying creative writing through college. Though it wasn’t until my girls were born that I experienced a spark of interest in picture books. 

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

A decade after that initial spark, I finally decided to dive into following my dream. That’s when I joined the SCBWI, took every picture book craft class I could, found my amazing critique groups, and began attending conferences. In fact, a critique for A Penny’s Worth at the SCBWI NJ Conference in June 2019 turned into an R&R with Page Street Kids. And a few rounds of revision later, it became an offer! After four years of working full time on writing, revising, critiquing, and querying, my debut picture book hit the shelves!

Can you share a bit about your process?

I like to start with a pitch. This way, I have all the elements of the story formulated before I begin writing––character, setting, problem, stakes, solution, and the hooks. Sometimes this can evolve over the course of months, and other times it comes quickly. Once I have it fleshed out, I paste it at the top of the page and refer to it while I write my first draft and all the way through revision.

I’m also a list maker, so I write down every pun and idiom I can find about my topic so I can puzzle piece them into the manuscript as I write. Many times, I add too many and end up cutting some later––but at least I’m never short on this type of word play!

The first draft is my biggest challenge! I do a lot of legwork before I’m able to get my story on the page (75% preparation, 25% procrastination). It also really helps to have a critique meeting on the calendar to give me a deadline.

Revision is my favorite part of the process. I love layering in the emotional arc, sneaking in educational tidbits, and infusing characters with their own unique personalities. Writing and revising dialogue is so much fun!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I have several go-to moves to get my brainstorming juices flowing. I either head outside for a walk, dive into an online pun and idiom search, or take a shower (this one is the clear winner!).

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

The biggest must-have, without a doubt, is coffee. My most-used tools are a Thesaurus, the Idioms by Free Dictionary site, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library app, my bookshelf, and my TUL colored gel pens. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I could go on all day answering this question! 

I’m so lucky to be in a community with super-talented critique partners and an incredible debut group who inspire me daily.

I’ve always been captivated by Ame Dyckman’s humor. Reading books like Misunderstood Shark, Dandy, and You Don’t Want a Unicorn made me realize one of my goals is to make kids giggle through my writing. 

I also connect with books like Ben Clanton’s Rot, The Cutest in the World! and Jory John and Pete Oswald’s The Good Egg. I really love reading and writing about anthropomorphized inanimate objects! 

Some mentor texts I admired while writing A Penny’s Worth were Linus the Little Yellow Pencil, by Scott Magoon, Eraser, by Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant, Brick: Who Found Herself in Architecture, by Joshua David Stein and Julia Rothman, and Oliver: The Second Largest Living Thing on Earth, by Josh Crute and John Taesoo Kim. The last two have an informational spin, another thing I enjoy including in many of my manuscripts.

Dream project to work on?

Gosh, every project is a dream to me! I have an informational manuscript with a twist that is very close to my heart, and another one in the works. I find it’s these connections with stories that make them dream projects for me. It’s also a goal of mine to collaborate on a humorous early graphic novel series. It’s such a fun genre––and I get a kick out of writing the dialogue!

Tell us about your debut book.

A PENNY’S WORTH (Page Street Kids), illustrated by Mark Hoffmann, is a pun-filled story of a shiny new cent who feels like a million bucks. But when she’s told she’s not enough to slot-surf like Quarter or even pay for penny candy like Dime, she begins to doubt her value. Refusing to be short-changed, Penny sets out to find her purpose at any cost and ends up learning an important lesson about self-worth in the process. 

The story also incorporates beginner money-math as well as back matter filled with penny fun facts and history, money equivalents, and resources to learn more.

What’s up next for you?

A DOLLAR’S GRAND DREAM (Page Street Kids), also illustrated by Mark Hoffmann, hits shelves spring 2023. In this punny sequel to A Penny’s Worth, Big Bill is a wranglin’ change makin’ dollar. Until he learns about the glitz and glamour of the grand life and wishes he were bigger. But when he gets his wish, he realizes livin’ large might not be as one-derful as he thought. Sprinkled with humor and money math (and more puns!), readers will learn about place values and the age-old lesson that the grass is not always greener on the other side.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

As you wish (haha!)––The Princess Bride––hands down!

---

Huge Thank you to Kimberly for stopping by Critter Lit today!

---

Kimberly Wilson’s prized childhood possessions included a butterfly Trapper Keeper full of her stories, an overflowing bookshelf, and a pocket thesaurus. But it took many years (and a couple careers) before she pursued her dream of writing for children. A lover of puns and wordplay, Kimberly enjoys mixing humor, heart, and educational details into her writing. A PENNY’S WORTH (Page Street Kids), illustrated by Mark Hoffmann, is her debut picture book. The sequel, A DOLLAR’S GRAND DREAM, releases in 2023. Kimberly lives in North Carolina with her husband, two daughters, and their puppy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Kimberly, visit her online or follow her on social media:

Website: www.kimberlywilsonwrites.com

Twitter: @authorkimwilson

Instagram: @kimberlywilsonwrites

Goodreads: @kimberlywilsonwrites

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of A PENNY’S WORTH, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of A PENNY’S WORTH?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, June 23rd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Serena Gingold Allen

Happy Thursday Critters! I hope all of you in the Midwest and on the East Coast are staying warm this morning! We are covered in snow here in Ohio! Today we have a fabulous interview with a debut author Serena Gingold Allen, who has TWO new books out with Chronicle Books this April, SUNRISE DANCE and MOONRISE PRANCE, illustrated by the amazingly talented Teagan White! I personally can’t wait to get my copies, as my youngest son is all about novelty books about nature right now— and these books are stunning! I’m thrilled to have Serena with us today to talk about her beautiful books, road to publication, and experiences in kidlit.

So without further ado, please welcome Serena Gingold Allen!

Where do you live?

I live in El Cerrito, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I started writing picture books and board books in 2013 (Although I did have two articles published in Cobblestone Magazine when I was a teenager in the ‘90s, so if you count that it’s been a lot longer).

How did you first get published?

I submitted Moonlight Prance on my own to a small handful of publishers in early 2017. I got a few rejections almost immediately and then after six months, Chronicle Books emailed to see if the manuscript was still available. My editor and the acquisitions team liked it so much that I was asked to write a companion title (Sunrise Dance). They acquired both of them!

Do you write full-time?

I consider writing to be my full-time job, but my two young kiddos would disagree with me. 

What inspires you to create picture books?

I adore reading and the joy it brings me and I want to write books that will spark these feelings in children. My inspiration comes from my kids, things I read, conversations with friends and family, and the inspiration fairy who visits me on sleepless nights (OK, there’s no fairy, but I really do have ideas just pop into my head out of nowhere in the middle of the night).

What surprised you the most working as an author?

Two things surprised me: how long it sometimes takes between acquisition and release, and how difficult it can be to deal with constant rejection.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

For me, one of the best things is when I’m writing in rhyme and struggling to get my idea across and I finally find the perfect sequence of words that fit the meter and rhyme perfectly. 

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The biggest struggle is writing something that I believe in and think is great and then having other people not get it.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

If I’m really out of ideas, I’ll turn to my favorite picture books and try to get an idea from them (I’ll look at things like the structure and topic and try to come up with my own story to go with that).

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I have an idea notebook and any time I have a new idea (even if it’s just a title or a character name) I’ll jot it down to come back to later. Each idea gets its own page so I have some space for brainstorming or to record everything I’ve thought of so far. If I think of an idea in the middle of the night, I’ll write it in the notes app on my phone. Then I transfer it to my notebook in the morning (or the next time I open the app).

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

I wound up starting a low-key book promo group with a few other debut authors and what I love is that even though most of us didn’t really know each other to begin with, we immediately became really supportive of each other. It’s nice to not be alone!

Recommended reading?

My favorite picture book right now is Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder. It’s hopeful, uplifting, and makes me smile every time I read it.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

So far it’s tied between opening the first email from my editor where she asked if Moonlight Prance was still available and opening the second email from my editor where she wrote with the news that Chronicle wanted to acquire Moonlight Prance and a companion title (I printed this email out, framed it, and put it on my desk). 

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing?

I wish someone had told me how hard it is to let a story go when there’s no interest in it.

Can you tell us about your newest books?

Moonlight Prance and Sunrise Dance are my twin debut books, illustrated by Teagan White. They should be in bookstores and for purchase online on April 5, 2022. Moonlight Dance: At the end of the day, nocturnal animals aren’t getting ready for bed—they’re getting ready to play! Push and pull the sturdy tabs to make foxes frolic and hedgehogs hustle through a fun-filled night. Sunrise Dance: As the sun rises, playful animals are already waking up. Push and pull the sturdy tabs to make dragonflies dance and bear cubs bustle as they prepare for a sun-filled day. 

Interior art from SUNRISE DANCE by Serena Gingold Allen, illustrated by Teagan White published by Chronicle Books, April 2022

Interior art from SUNRISE DANCE by Serena Gingold Allen, illustrated by Teagan White published by Chronicle Books, April 2022

Interior art from MOONLIGHT PRANCE by Serena Gingold Allen, illustrated by Teagan White published by Chronicle Books, April 2022

Interior art from MOONLIGHT PRANCE by Serena Gingold Allen, illustrated by Teagan White published by Chronicle Books, April 2022

What’s up next for you?

I am deep into revising several picture books and getting ready to submit.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Follow your dreams—they’re within your grasp. And don’t give up—the publishing world is so subjective, you just have to keep trying until you find someone who gets you. 

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Finally, an easy question! Spaceballs.

---

Huge thanks to Serena for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your books!

---

Serena Gingold Allen is the author of Moonlight Prance and Sunrise Dance  (Chronicle Books, April 5, 2022), both novelty board books about wild animals. Growing up outside of Yosemite, Serena had many close encounters with wildlife. Most notably, she chased a 300-pound black bear out of a campsite–alone! She now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, but she still spends a lot of time hiking and climbing in the great outdoors with her husband and their two young children.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Serena online at https://serenagingoldallen.com/

or follow her on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSerenaGingoldAllen/

https://www.instagram.com/serenagingoldallen/

https://twitter.com/SerenaGingold

BUY THIS BOOK To order MOONLIGHT PRANCE and SUNRISE DANCE, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of MOONLIGHT PRANCE and SUNRISE DANCE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, February 10th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Karen Greenwald

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with a debut author who found her way to picture books through the law— which I love! It’s always fascinating to me to hear how debut authors and illustrators find their way to kidlit. I’m thrilled to share Karen’s story and road to publication with all of you today in celebration of her debut picture book, A VOTE FOR SUSANNA: THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR, illustrated by Sian James, with Albert Whitman Books.

So without further ado, please welcome Karen Greenwald!

Where do you live?

Maryland.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I decided in fourth grade that one day I would write a book. Then in law school I took “Literacy and the Law.” We delved into book banning history, civil rights issues, international law issues, et al—but we also had to tutor a child and create our own picture book. It was a gift to my artistic soul! The book I wrote and illustrated (inspired by Rawls’ Theory of Justice and John and Evelyn Dewey) actually won two brand strategy industry international awards and was spoken about by the Majority Leader of Congress to a room full of women leaders a few years ago.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

I began seriously studying the art of children’s literature around five-ish years ago. One of the things that surprised me the most was how vast the difference is between the average person’s opinion/knowledge of picture book publishing versus the reality.

When I happened on a reference to Susanna Salter, I was hooked immediately. I knew I had to tell her story—especially since Salter’s history has been left to a 1954 article (and the blogs/articles, etc that use the same information). My journey from beginning to sale took about two a half years. After spending several hours over the phone with amazing librarians and genealogists at Kansas State University, I was deeply saddened to hear the next weekend that the library had burned to the ground. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. I did wonder, however, if it was a “sign”…like, don’t do this one!

For over a year and a half, in spite of various hurdles, I kept researching, trying to access anything that would give me that special something the story needed. But little could be found that fit picture book story requirements. As we know, an interesting moment or tale doesn’t necessarily fit this genre.

 Then I met (virtually) Susanna Salter’s great granddaughter. She and her brother shared with me beautiful letters, pictures, and the like. When I wrote the final draft two years in, I kept one of her letters open on my laptop desktop. I think I actually teared up when I typed the final words. (Ssh! Don’t tell anyone!)

Can you share a bit about your process?

I never knew this prior, but apparently I am a major researcher—I will not stop until I get that everything I need to make the story my own. I enjoy and am inspired by building relationships with a circle of people surrounding the topic I’m working on. This makes the experience meaningful for me. I write out the idea (I do this for art, too) in my head, moving parts around like magnetic poetry pieces. Once I feel like I have the concept, then I get typing.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Good question! I’ll let you know when I figure that one out!

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

A lack of distraction, my favorite thesaurus, and my dog napping (if you’ve ever been on the phone with me, you know why! Lol!)

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Who doesn’t inspire me?! I cannot go in a book store for this very reason. I have to pull out every book I go near.

Dream project to work on?

I feel like I’m living my dream right now with my debut. What could be better than shining a light on an incredible woman who changed American politics and world history? To be the first and only person to write her story is an honor.

Tell us about your debut book.

As I mentioned, this is a story I am so proud to tell. Susanna Salter made international history in 1887-1888. I am still surprised to the reaction I get when discussing her with everyone from elected officials to educators. Even those who think they know the story mostly have their information from this 1954 article. Her impact has never truly been taught, discussed, or considered. In all of the news coverage that she received, nobody ever asked a very important question. I wanted to tell a deeper story. Thanks to the generosity of two of her great-grandchildren and my own research, I was able to discover her heart.

What’s up next for you?

Hmm…what is next?;)

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

This is actually the hardest one of your questions—lol! Can I give a few? Clearly, When Harry Met Sally, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (the creativity of the post ending-ending), and St. Elmo’s Fire (because I’m a Georgetown alum—though, it was actually filmed at University of MD)…I really could go on… 

---

Huge thank you to Suzanna for stopping by Critter Lit today!

---

Karen M. Greenwald has a wide range of government, campaign, and branding experience. She’s won international awards for STEM creative, writing, video, rebranding, and self-promotion. Bylined credits include online, print magazines, and The Washington Post. Karen belongs to SCBWI, 12×12, and co-founded #SunWriteFun—a NF/Info Fic. summer contest that raises money for kidlit charities. Her picture book, A VOTE FOR SUSANNA, THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR, debuts in October (Albert Whitman). It has held steady since February on two of Amazon’s Hot New Releases lists for kids. A Phi Beta Kappa, she earned undergraduate and JD degrees from Georgetown University. Before turning to branding, Karen worked as an attorney and focused on international environmental compliance issues.

FOR MORE INFO about Karen’s work, visit her online www.karenmgreenwald.com or follow her on social media @karenmgreenwald

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Karen’s book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of A VOTE FOR SUSANNA: THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 7th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Charlotte Offsay

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with a debut author who has had her first TWO books come out this year, followed by a THIRD which will come out in March of next year! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her work, road to publication, and writing process.

So without further ado, please welcome Charlotte Offsay!

Where do you live?

I was born in England, grew up in Boston and now live in Los Angeles California with my husband and two young children, Eliana (7) and Thomas (5).

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I have always loved creative writing, but I didn’t pursue it for a long time and actually worked in corporate finance for a number of years before leaving to become a stay at home mother after my daughter Eliana was born. After my son Thomas was born, I joined a parenting group where the coordinator encouraged us all to carve out time for ourselves and do something just for us. Everyone chose something different, and I decided to sign up for Writing Picture Books for Children: A Beginning Workshop, via UCLA extension online. My children were tiny, and I didn’t have time to attend an in-person class, but an online class seemed manageable and I knew my instructor was right that I needed something outside of caring for my family that was just for me. I fell head over heels for picture books in that class, kept writing and taking classes and never looked back. 

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

I took my first picture book class via UCLA extension’s online program in the summer of 2017 and fell in love with all things picture book. From there I joined numerous groups such as SCBWI, 12x12 and Inked Voices and spent the next couple of years attending conferences, taking webinars, enrolling in online classes (Children’s Book Academy, Lyrical Language Lab etc.), as well as reading every picture book and craft book (Big Magic, Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books etc.) that I could get my hands on. 

Through these various groups and classes I connected with my invaluable critique partners and wrote countless manuscripts. In early 2019 I found myself between agents and while waiting to hear back on outstanding queries, I looked around to see how else I could get my work seen. I decided to pitch How to Return a Monster in a twitter pitch contest called #PBPitch to see if I could drum up any agent interest that way. 

I didn’t get any agent requests but to my delight I did get one from a publisher! Andrew DeYoung at Beaming Books liked my tweet/pitch and asked me to send him the manuscript. Shortly after I sent the manuscript over to Beaming Books, I signed with the wonderful Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary and we signed a contract with Beaming Books for How to Return a Monster a few months later!

Can you share a bit about your process?

Every manuscript I write seems to follow its own path but usually an idea crawls under my skin and won’t let me rest until I write and rewrite and have a completed crummy first draft. Now that my kids are a bit older, I tend to write in the mornings after dropping them off at school but as anyone with young kids knows, I have to be flexible and often find myself writing in the cracks (school pickup line) or after my kids are asleep. Once I have a draft that isn’t too embarrassing, I share it with my closest critique partners who have become my dearest friends. They help me to see what is and isn’t working and we go back and forth via email and phone until I feel ready to share it with my agent Nicole Geiger of Full Circle Literary. From there, Nicole and I figure out if there are changes that still need making, if there is a market for the story and where in our submission schedule the story should go.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Personally, my best stories tend to come from the things that take up the most room in my heart. I tend to mine the emotions and events in my life that I am currently consumed with and try to write about those events or emotions through a child lens. If my well is feeling particularly dry, I like to go back through my old manuscripts to see if I can take a nugget from one of them in a new direction (POV, story structure, different characters etc) as well as reading as many new picture books as I can get my hands on. 

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I prefer to write when it is quiet, and I have a good few hours all to myself. Coffee and chocolate have been known to make regular appearances during those times. That said, I have learned to make the most of the carpool line so nothing is a must!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

SO many. Julia Donaldson is my hands down favorite picture book author - I think the woman is a rhyming story telling genius. My critique partners continue to inspire me with the incredible projects they keep producing – I won’t list them though for fear of leaving anyone out. I am also continually inspired by the incredible illustrators that I follow on Instagram via accounts such as @theillustrationstation and @illustration_the_best.

Dream project to work on?

A true dream project would be any manuscript that doesn’t fight back in the revision process ☺. 

Tell us about your new book.

How to Return a Monster is a humorous how-to story about a girl who can't believe it when her parents bring home a fussy, stinky, attention-stealing monster. She hatches a plan to send it back to where it came from, with hilarious results . . . and along the way, she learns that maybe monsters--and baby siblings--aren't so bad after all. 

It is illustrated by Rea Zhai and publishes with Beaming Books on September 7, 2021. 

Interior art from HOW TO RETURN A MONSTER by Charlotte Offsay, illustrated by Rea Zhai

Interior art from HOW TO RETURN A MONSTER by Charlotte Offsay, illustrated by Rea Zhai

Interior art from HOW TO RETURN A MONSTER by Charlotte Offsay, illustrated by Rea Zhai

What’s up next for you?

I am excited to share that my next picture book, A Grandma’s Magic, illustrated by Asa Gilland publishes on March 1, 2022 from Doubleday Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House.

Description from my publisher: 

"When a child is born, a grandma is born too. Grandmas aren't like regular grown-ups. Grandmas are filled with magic."

In this charming picture book tribute to grandmas, a grandma's magic bursts through the door as soon as she comes to visit and can be seen in every wonderful thing she does: playing, exploring, baking, gardening, and in all the many ways a grandma and grandchild connect.

Filled with adorable scenes featuring a diversity of grandmas and their grandkids, this is a book that will families can enjoy together. Grandmas will love snuggling with their grandchildren as they share their love and "magic" through cuddles, kisses, and many repeat readings.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Fun question! The Princess Bride!

---

Huge thank you to Charlotte for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your wonderful books!

---

CHARLOTTE OFFSAY was born in England, grew up in Boston, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two small children. Through her work, Charlotte hopes to make children laugh, to inspire curiosity, and to create a magical world her readers can lose themselves in time and time again. 

Charlotte is the author of The Big Beach Cleanup, illustrated by Kate Rewse (Albert Whitman, 2021), How to Return a Monster, illustrated by Rea Zhai (Beaming Books, September 2021), and A Grandma’s Magic, illustrated by Asa Gilland (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, March 2022). 

FOR MORE INFO about Charlotte's work at charlotteoffsay.com and follow her on Twitter at @COffsay and on Instagram at @picturebookrecommendations. Charlotte is represented by Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary.

BUY THIS BOOK To order copies of Charlotte’s books, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of HOW TO RETURN A MONSTER?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, September 30th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Ana Siqueira

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview an author who is releasing her first book here in the states, BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS, illustrated by Geraldine Rodriguez, with Beaming Books, but began her writing career in Brazil, where her first books were published. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to share her road to publication, experiences, and upcoming books.

So without further ado, please welcome Ana Siqueira!

Where do you live?

I live in Palm Harbor, Florida. 

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I always loved creating stories, but my teachers didn’t motivate me since they thought my stories were too confusing, too much going on. Hahaha. I still have that problem, but with the help of my critique partners, I have been able to learn how to streamline.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

I had two books published in Brazil, a loooong time ago. But when I moved to this country in 1992, I stopped writing for a looong time. I just restarted writing in 2019 when I wrote my Spanish Easy Reader - EL PATO QUIERE UVAS. I then got motivated to start writing picture books. I studied a lot, read many books, took courses, and watched zillions of webinars. I also got into many critique groups. 

So in September, I participated in a pitmad Twitter. I got a like from Naomi Krueger- Beaming Books. I sent her my story a few hours before my mami died. In November, I got an offer. In December, I got my agent Andrea Walker. And that’s how my debut book BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS was born. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

I used to be a pantser, but now I write my ideas and let them marinate in my head. Each time I have an idea for a scene or a sentence, I jot it down in a Google Doc. When I have enough information I outline my story. And only then I write it. It helped me cutting from 1000 revisions to about 30. Then it’s time to submit to my critique partners. I’m in five critique groups. 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I love participating in Storystorm. But also, I get ideas by reading a lot and by watching my grandkids playing. Most of my ideas come from my memories. 

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

My Google Docs. I love being able to write, make a copy, write a new version, etc. Also, I can’t survive without my critique partners.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I love all books from Anika Denise and Monica Brown. Elisa Chavarri, the illustrator from my Abuela’s Capa book, is an illustrator that inspires me. Irena Freitas, the illustrator from my Bruja’s book, is also amazing. I also get inspired by the stories from my critique partners. 

Dream project to work on?

A TV show with one of my characters. That would be amazing. 

Tell us about your debut book.

I got this inspiration from my gifted and perfectionist daughter. It is about Bella and how she quits what she barely tries because she feels she is desastre. She asks her Abuela to help her with baking, but her polovorones are as hard as a rock. She is not good at anything, she thinks. But Bella will learn that making mistakes is part of the process and that practice makes it perfect or almost perfect. 

Interior art from BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS by Ana Siqueira, illustrated by Geraldine Rodriguez with Beaming Books

What’s up next for you?

I have other books coming in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Now, I’m learning to write Chapter books and Nonfiction. 

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

I love so many. But my child’s heart still loves E.T. I also love all Eddie Murphy’s movies such as Coming to America and Trading Places.

---

Huge thank you to Ana for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut in the states! We are so excited to share your work!

---

ANA SIQUEIRA is a Spanish-language elementary teacher, an award-winning Brazilian children’s author, and is published in the Foreign Language educational market – EL PATO QUIERE UVAS. Her forthcoming picture books include BELLA’S RECIPE FOR DISASTER/SUCCESS (Beaming Books, 2021) and IF YOUR BABYSITTER IS A BRUJA/CUANDO TU NIÑERA ES UNA BRUJA (SimonKids,2022), ABUELA’S SUPER CAPA/ LA SUPER CAPA DE ABUELA (HarperCollins, 2023) and one more book to be announced. Besides writing, Ana loves to read, teach, and play with her Cuban-Brazilian-American grandchildren. T

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Ana visit her online or follow her on Twitter: @SraSiqueira1307

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of BELLA’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 22nd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Corey Finkle

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have debut author Corey Finkle with us to talk about his road to publication, debut picture book, and much more! I’m so excited about Corey’s debut, YOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT, illustrated by Shelley Couvillion, a rhyming, graduation themed picture book that follows a group of children as they dream about their futures, which just released with Henry Holt. It’s a fantastic new book and perfect for any little one who dreams big, getting ready for their bright futures!

So without further ado, please welcome Corey Finkle!

Where do you live?

I live in Rhode Island, just outside of Providence.

 When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

Not only was I the oldest kid in my house, I was also the oldest in my generation of grandkids, so I grew up taking care of kids. When I was in college, while spending time with my two-year-old cousin, I read him one of his favorite picture books. At one point, the main character looks at the Northern Lights, and he said to me “Is that the Aurora Borealis?” I was blown away. I barely knew what that was, but because of a picture book, this little boy had it cemented into his mind. From that day on, I dreamed of one day writing a book that might inspire other little kids to learn something that they might not otherwise know.

 Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

That very year, I wrote my first picture book manuscript for college credit, and then basically spent the next twelve years occasionally sending it out to a few agents, and waiting to be discovered.

 About ten years ago, I realized that I needed to get serious if I really wanted this dream to come true, so I finally started taking the advice that everyone always tells you, but I had theretofore ignored. I started writing (a LOT) more, joined a critique group, signed up for SCBWI and began attending their events, and really invested my time, energy (and occasionally money) into cultivating this skill.

 I got my first lucky break in 2016 when I attended a writer’s retreat, and hit it off with someone who turned out to be a guest speaker, who turned out to be an editor. He invited me to send him some manuscripts (I had dozens by this point), and when he liked what he read, he helped me get an agent. (I had spent five years querying constantly; one week after this interaction, I had three offers!)

 My agent (the great Sean McCarthy from McCarthy Lit) basically broke me down as a writer and built me back up again, only sending books out when they were READY. And while the first few didn’t sell, we seemed to get closer each time. After the fourth one, we received feedback that, while that book was a pass, the editor wanted a graduation book and liked how I wrote in rhyme, and so would I like to have a crack at it? I said yes, and about five months later, Your Future is Bright was sold.

Can you share a bit about your process?

In general, when I come up with an idea, the first thing I try to do is come up with an ending. Those are always the hardest part of any story, so if the idea can’t lead to a fun, satisfying, and hopefully surprising ending, I tend to let it go.

If the idea sticks, I then have to decide if it’s a rhyming book or not. To me some concepts benefit from the structure and discipline that comes with a rhyme scheme, while others need more freedom.

From there, I’ll begin writing. This means giving myself permission to write a terrible first draft, so that I can see what flows and works, and what doesn’t.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

For new ideas, I just try to keep my ears open, and workshop everything. In any given day, I’ll probably hear 3-5 turns of phrase that I think could be potential PB titles. Most of them won’t pan out at all, but I find that thinking them through keeps me in a creative space most of the time.

 As for rust, I am pretty forgiving of bad writing days. I was at a book signing years ago with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon, and someone asked him about his process. He said that he hated to START to write, but that once he got into it, he got over that initial feeling. This has always meant a great deal to me. If someone as accomplished as him can feel that way about something he is so great at, then it’s surely okay for me to feel the same way on occasion, right? But like him, once I get started, I always feel good, even if I only end up with one or two good lines. It’s a slow business, so there’s never any rush, you know?

 Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I am VERY strict with myself when I write in rhyme. It is a huge pet peeve of mine, when I’m reading rhyming books to kids, if the author has left a lot of work for the reader to do. In other words, if the meter changes halfway through, or the meter is inconsistent from line to line, verse to verse, or anything else happens to make you stop and have to figure out the right way the line flows, it drives me crazy!

So for me, I want my reader to hear my rhythm from the start and then get carried off into the story like a current on a river. For that reason, I always have a thesaurus and a rhyming dictionary (or a web equivalent) with me while writing, so that I can keep working with a verse or idea until it meets my requirements.

 Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I am honestly and truly inspired by all the writers I meet at conferences, both published and pre-published, who remain dedicated to their craft throughout all the ups and downs of this at times brutal industry.

But in terms of a singular writer or work, the truth is that I think Norton Juster’s The Phantom Tollbooth is just about the most brilliant piece of fiction I’ve ever read. (Seriously, if you only read it as a child, have another look). It’s not only a cool story, but it’s also clever, witty, and extremely profound. At some level, every book I write is an attempt to try (and fail) to write something even half as good.  

Dream project to work on?

While you can’t necessarily tell this from my debut book which is more of an “ode to childhood” than a traditional story, I tend to come up with high-concept plots for my ideas that I fall madly in love with, and then get told they’re too advanced for the PB audience. (I recently pitched a concept as “Indiana Jones meets Ocean’s Eleven, by way of Sliding Doors”). I would love to one day get the green light to prove that even younger kids would love a great story, even if they contain advanced concepts like pirate ghosts, or the Aurora Borealis.

And when I do, I hope Dan Santat gets to illustrate.

Tell us about your debut book.

Your Future is Bright is an ode to childhood and the potential that every kid has within them.

When I was first asked to come up with a graduation book, my first thing I thought of was how scared I was about the prospect of becoming an adult, and how much hard work was coming my way. So my first draft tried to address that fear by saying “Don’t be scared about how you’ll do in the future, because I’VE seen how far you’ve already come, and that journey was MUCH harder!” and then providing all the examples of how they’d developed from a helpless baby into the capable person they are today.

Interior art from YOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT by Corey Finkle, Illustrated by Shelley Couvillion

My agent gently pointed out that a graduation book should look to the future and not the past. That’s how the story evolved to what it is today, where we look at various gifts and interests that make kids special and unique today, and sort of speculate about how that MIGHT inform who they become as they grow up.

What’s up next for you?

I just recently signed my second book deal for Pop’s Perfect Present, a story about a girl who sets out to give her dad one perfect memory as a gift for being so great, but ultimately learns that she succeeded in her effort just by spending the day with him. In addition, I’m working on several concepts (I have 4-5 in various stages of development at this point), and we’re waiting to hear about a few others as well.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

I’m tempted to say The Goonies, or Superman II, or Batman, or any of the movies that I loved when I was young, but I can’t. Field of Dreams is the one. Amazing story with an ending that gets me EVERY SINGLE TIME.

---

Huge thank you to Corey for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

---

COREY FINKLE wrote his first children’s book as a senior project in college. From there he spent ten years tinkering with and pitching it, and finally put it aside after he realized it wasn’t actually very good at all. Corey sold his first book, Your Future is Bright, almost 20 years to the day after completing that senior project. Between those two decades were a lot of manuscripts, and a LOT of revisions. When not working on his next book, Corey spends his time writing business-y words for companies, enjoying life with his wife and two kids, or collecting t-shirts from unusual or lesser-known sports teams.

Visit Corey online at www.CoreyFinkle.com

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of YOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a signed copy of YOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, June 17th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Tina Shepardson

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with a debut author whose book, WALKOUT, illustrated by Terry Sirrell, takes on the topic of school safety for kids. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her road to publication and process of taking on such a difficult topic in a picture book.

So without further ado, please welcome Tina Shepardson!

Where do you live?

Syracuse, New York.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

Since grade school in the 70s, I wrote stories, tied them with string, and shared them with children I babysat for. After college, I started teaching. I was so busy teaching my students books, I didn’t have the time to write my own, but I did keep a journal of ideas for a some day. 

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

In 2016, I began to carve out consistent writing time. In addition, I began looking for courses to learn the craft and for critique and professional writing groups. This way i could learn from them as well as help them with their craft. I participated in The Children’s Book Academy The Craft of Writing Picture Books and joined the 12x12 Writing Group. Both were so instrumental in me learning from others and meeting my current critique partners. I wrote several different drafts and was open to all the ways the piece needed to improve as well as the ways I needed to grow as a writer. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

Sure! I have taught English Language Arts for 33 years so I have many planners to choose from when brainstorming a story. Once I have notes organized onto a graphic organizer, I let it sit while I look at several mentor texts to help me determine a possible structure or format that may work with a particular piece. After the first draft is written, I leave it alone for a week so that when I return, I am reading it with fresh eyes. Once I revise it to the best of my abilities, I submit it to my critiques groups and look forward to their wonderful suggestions. So often they see things that I may not see on my own. Once I have their feedback, I continue to revise and then write it out on Post-its. I have a PB template on my wall so once all the Post-its are on the pages of the template, I can read it aloud, listen to the pacing, etc. 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Teaching and parenting have been amazing opportunities to find ideas. Simply listening  and working with children there are so many ideas. Also, participating in Tara Lazar’s Story Storm each January is such an inspirational experience. Each day, a different author presents an idea for finding ideas and topics to write about, These talented and diverse authors provide so many creative strategies for spotting more ideas. 

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Great question! I have to have The Children’s Word Book and The Emotion Thesaurus. Of course there has to be a few snacks, so chocolate chip cookies or Lindt’s dark orange chocolate squares are nearby but only if I have completed section or accomplished a certain goal.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Yes! When I was a child, my favorite characters were found in E. B. White’s books Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web, A. A. Milne’s Winnie The Pooh, and Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad series. These characters were staples in my life. I adored their stories, the illustrations and their journneys, and the messages they shared. Throughout my teaching career, I bring these stories into lessons and our character education programs.

Dream project to work on?

I would absolutely love for a book to become a series and eventually a program for kids. This would provide more opportunities to make a difference and be in contact with children in ways that help them grow and become their best version of themselves. I think about this all of the time!

Tell us about your debut book.

In 1999, when Columbine experienced tragic school violence, my students and I sent them (and other schools like Sandy Hook) care packages of poems and seed packets to express our care and compassion to the communities. By the time the shooting in Parkland, Florida occurred in 2018, I was taking children’s writing courses. I didn’t find picture books helping kids understand they could advocate for safe schools in positive, proactive ways that united others and thought perhaps I could write one. Once I did, around that same time, I found a NYT article that really helped me structure it the way it needed based on the true events of the article itself. I was so excited to find this.

Interior art from WALKOUT by Tina Shepardson, Illustrated by Terry Sirrell

Interior art from WALKOUT by Tina Shepardson, Illustrated by Terry Sirrell

Walkout is a picture book inspired by a true story. Walkout shows democracy in action as Maddie organizes a safe school’s anti-violence walkout. Other kids throughout the States are walking out. But Maddie’s principal has announced that only older grades can participate. At the same time, Maddie’s best friend Stella is too scared to help. Readers wonder if Stella will find her courage and join Maddie in walking out. 

Interior art from WALKOUT by Tina Shepardson, Illustrated by Terry Sirrell

What’s up next for you?

In early 2022, I have a chapter book releasing with Clear Fork Publishing entitled Canines Unleashed. Hank, an Akita, finds himself in Canines Unleashed, a doggie daycare, when his owner starts kindergarten. He is nervous about this new adventure. How will he surf the kitchen counter for crumbs after lunch? Hank must find a way to face his fears, take responsibility for his actions and accept new challenges he never experienced in his once sheltered world. Follow the real Hank on Instagram @hank_madeleine. This project is near and dear to my heart because I was able to incorporate my daughter and akitas as main characters. I am working on creating a podcast to accompany this as well…. and hopefully more books!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

That is a tall order! I will have to go with 1989’s When Harry Met Sally. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan together create such a heartwarming and hilarious story line. The soundtrack is beautiful. I love films that entertain and share a lesson.

---

Huge thank you to Tina for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your upcoming books!

---

An award-winning teacher for 33 years, TINA SHEPARDSON has shared thousands of books with children. As a passionate advocate for children and reading, she finds her best stories are inspired through her favorite roles in life: mother and teacher. Find her in Upstate New York with her family, enjoying the latest snowstorm with her akitas.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Tina or her books, visit her website, or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @ShepardsonTina

Instagram: @hank_madeleine

Facebook: TinaShepardson

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of WALKOUT click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of WALKOUT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, June 2nd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Tracy C. Gold

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with an author whose debut board book, EVERYONE’S SLEEPY BUT THE BABY, illustrated by Adele Dafflon, will be released on April 13th with Familius. I love original board books and this one is very funny— especially for all you fellow parents out there who know the struggles of getting a baby to sleep. I’m thrilled to have her with us today, so without further ado, please welcome Tracy C. Gold!

Where do you live?

I live in Baltimore City, Maryland, in a tree-lined neighborhood full of houses from 1900.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I actually never even considered it until I had a kid of my own! After she was born, I started reading tons of picture books and getting ideas for my own. I jot down ideas on my phone whenever they come to me and one of those became Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby!

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

Oh goodness, it has been a long and winding road indeed. I’ve been writing novels for ten years and haven’t had one published yet. Despite getting into big contests like Pitch Wars and getting lots of interest from agents, ultimately, I faced down hundreds of rejections from agents across four different novels. At an SCBWI MD/DE/WV conference, my friend Kathy MacMillan raved about her picture book publisher, Familius. So when I had a draft of a picture book I thought was special, I just sent it straight to them as a cold query, without mentioning Kathy. I was utterly shocked when they wrote to me only ONE WEEK later saying they wanted to publish it as part of their board book line. That book is Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby. For my second book, Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat, the path was a bit more “traditional,” though still twisty. Somewhere in my novel writing education, I interned for literary agent Carrie Pestritto for a year or so. I wrote to her to tell her about my deal for SLEEPY, and that I was looking for an agent for other picture books. She said she’d represent me herself! It wasn’t until many months later, after we’d submitted 3-4 other picture books, that Sourcebooks said they wanted to publish my Halloween book about bats, Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat.

Can you share a bit about your process?

All of my books, novels and picture books alike, are inspired by real life. That could be looking around my house and noticing that my dog and my husband were snoring, and I was exhausted, while my child was wide awake, for Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby, or seeing a million bats fly out from under Congress Bridge while traveling in Austin, TX, and turning it into a picture book years later. I’m also working on a historical novel about a ship of Jewish refugees turned away from the US, Cuba, and Canada in 1939 that was inspired by a friend posting about her relatives who were on the ship amidst revelations of poor treatment of refugees in the US during the Trump administration. So, I never know whether I’ll get an idea right away or if something needs to marinate for a while, but the whole world is full of amazing stories.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I try not to stress too much about it, really! I like to take breaks between heavy writing periods to refill my well. So if I’m not writing, or if I don’t have good ideas, I consume lots of media—reading books in many genres, watching great tv shows, and especially paying attention to interesting stories in the news. I play close attention to media coming from The Maryland Zoo and the National Aquarium, near me, as I love writing about animals. When I’m in the middle of an intense writing project, I close myself off to a lot of outside media, because if I’m reading a really good novel, I won’t put it down to work on my own writing. So I’m very aware that my creativity goes in cycles. Natalie Goldberg, who has a great craft book called Writing Down the Bones, compares this process to composting. Sometimes you’re loading the compost heap with all the raw material, and sometimes you’re taking out that rich soil to plant your garden.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I am actually quite flexible especially now that I am a parent—sometimes the only time I have to work all day is when my daughter is in the bath. I pull up a chair and open my laptop and hope I don’t get splashed! But if I had my way I would have my ergonomic keyboard and chair, huge monitor, black coffee in the morning, and peppermint tea at night. Plus lots of dark chocolate!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Well, Kathy MacMillan who I mentioned earlier is such an inspiration because in addition to being a wonderful writer of picture books and YA, she gives back to her community so much as the Co-RA of our region of SCBWI. I also admire Linda Sue Park, who also writes stories based in non-fiction, from the sparse yet stunning A Single Shard set in ancient Korea, to the hard-hitting A Long Walk to Water about the Lost Boys of Sudan, to Gondra’s Treasure, a sweet picture book about a dragon who’s a mix of different mythologies.

Dream project to work on?

Hello, Universe, hire me to do a Star Wars picture book? I would also completely flip out if the WWII refugee novel I am working on was published and *gasp* turned into a movie. I love working on picture books because of the collaboration with artists and think film would take that to a whole new level. I also think the message of this refugee story, and any refugee story, really, is so important. The United States needs to do a better job of living up to that Emma Lazarus poem in the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Any US Citizen could have been a refugee if we had been born into different circumstances.

Tell us about your debut book.

Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby, illustrated by Adele Dafflon, is a short, sweet and slightly sassy book about a baby who will just not sleep! It is directly inspired by my exhaustion as a new mother and I’d like to think it’s a version of Adam Mansbach’s “Go the F**k to Sleep” that you could actually read to your child. It will bring laughs as a baby shower gift book, but also actually help soothe fussy babies and toddlers to sleep.

Interior Art from EVERYONE’S SLEEPY BUT THE BABY written by Tracy C. Gold, illustrated by Adele Dafflon

What’s up next for you?

After Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby is well out in the world, I will be focusing on launching my second picture book—technically my debut hardcover picture book, as SLEEPY is a board book. I have an additional book contracted with Sourcebooks as well, but I don’t know what it will be yet, so that will be fun to work out! I have a ton of ideas and drafts already!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

I’m going to have to say The Breakfast Club! When John Bender comes in, he goes out of his way to knock little things over because he just has so much energy and wants attention, and that makes me laugh so hard because it reminds me so much of my very hyper little brother. (Who is an adult now but just as full of energy as he was as a teen.) The whole movie is hilarious with an ultimately sweet message. Plus random 80s dance scene?!

---

Huge thank you to Tracy for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

---

TRACY C. GOLD loves bringing characters to life. She is a writer, freelance editor, and mom living in Baltimore, Maryland. She has two picture books forthcoming in 2021, Everyone’s Sleepy but the Baby from Familius in March and Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat from Sourcebooks in August. She also writes short stories, essays, novels, and poems. Her work has been published in several magazines and anthologies. Tracy earned her M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts at the University of Baltimore and earned her B.A. in English from Duke University. When she’s not writing or editing, she’s playing with her toddler, or hanging out with her horse and dog, both rescues. You can find out more about Tracy or sign up for her newsletter at tracycgold.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter @tracycgold

Instagram

Facebook author page.

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of EVERYONE’S SLEEPY BUT THE BABY, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of EVERYONE’S SLEEPY BUT THE BABY?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, March 25th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Sita Singh

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Sita Singh. Her debut picture book, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman, released this week with Philomel Books. I love the message of this book and the art is fantastic! A new picture book perfect for any collection.

So without further ado, please welcome Sita Singh!

Where do you live?

I was born and raised in India and moved to the United States in 1999. I have been living in the suburbs of South Florida since then. But my dream is to someday live in a small town where everything is walkable.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I was never a writer, but I was always a reader. I grew up reading illustrated stories from Panchatantra, Ramayana, and Mahabharat. These were mainly fables and mythological tales, and my favorite type of books to read as a child. Luckily, my husband also grew up reading illustrated stories in form of comic books. So when we moved to the United States, it was only natural for us to look for similar form of stories to read with our own children. While searching the libraries and book stores, we were both pleasantly surprised to have discovered the magical genre of “picture books”. Additionally, every time we went to India, we came back with stacks of illustrated stories. As a family, we enjoyed reading “stories with pictures”. I’d say the seed to becoming a picture book writer was planted early. But I didn’t take up writing until my children were much older and I felt the need to have a creative pursuit of my own. By that time, I had also discovered a lack of representation in children’s literature and was excited to explore the possibilities of writing illustrated stories. How hard can it be to write picture books? With that naïveté, I jumped into writing!

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

My road to publication wasn’t relatively long, but I wouldn’t call nine years, a short time either. As mentioned earlier, I jumped into writing without any knowledge about the craft. Initially, I was writing only in rhymes and my writing was all over the place. But once I discovered SCBWI, one thing led to another, and in 2014, I attended my first conference which left me in awe of the talent and resources the Kid Lit community had to offer. There, I also found my critique partners, and I clearly remember coming home with a zest to learn and connect. Soon, I was a participant of PiBoIdMo, 12 x12, Making Picture Book Magic, and Children’s Book Academy. And within no time, I felt confident enough to start seeking representation. Of course, I was wrong again! I got rejection after rejection, but I kept learning and revising, and in 2017, my story won the Florida SCBWI Rising Kite award. With that, I soon landed an agent, and in 2019, we sold Birds Of A Feather. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

When I have an idea, I start by studying mentor texts. As the idea brews in my head, words and lines come to me, and a story begins to take shape. I start with a synopsis. Of course, it changes through the process of writing, but a synopsis helps me stay on track. I write in long sentences and paragraphs, without any inhibition. It’s more like a story I’m telling myself. Then, with the process of elimination, I turn it into a picture book manuscript. I let it simmer for days and after a few revisions, I read it to my critique group. Their feedback helps me revise further, and once I’m happy with the story, I share it with my agent. 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I step away from the computer and engage myself in other things I like to do—reading a book, trying a new recipe in my kitchen, styling and taking food pictures, or simply hanging out with the family helps me shake the rust off. In terms of getting new ideas, it hasn’t been a struggle, yet. I have a long list of ideas waiting to be explored. 

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

A water bottle, and a window.

I’m always armed with a water bottle and I have to be sitting by a window, when I write. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

This one is hard. There are so many! But if I had to pick, I’m inspired by the works of Jacqueline Woodson, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and Beth Ferry.  

Tell us about your debut book.

Birds of a Feather is the story of Mo, a colorless peacock who learns to love himself in a jungle full of color. It is a story about finding strength in the things that make us different, and beauty in all its forms. 

Interior art from BIRDS OF A FEATHER written by Sita Singh, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

Interior art from BIRDS OF A FEATHER written by Sita Singh, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman

What’s up next for you?

I have two picture books on submission and I’m working on a few more manuscripts.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

When Harry Met Sally.

---

Huge thank you to Sita for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

---

SITA SINGH was born and raised in India, and moved to the United States in 1999. She currently lives in South Florida with her husband, three children, and an immensely cute and curious dog. An architect in the past, Sita now enjoys writing heartwarming picture books with a South Asian backdrop. When Sita isn’t reading or writing, she can be found trying new recipes in the kitchen, experimenting with food photography, walking with the dog, or movie-marathoning with the family. Her debut picture book, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman, will be published on March 2nd, 2021 by Philomel Books. Find out more about Sita on www.singhsita.com and connect with her on Instagram and Twitter @sitawrites.

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of BIRDS OF A FEATHER, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of BIRDS OF A FEATHER?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, March 11th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Erin Silver

Happy Tuesday Critters! Today we have a fantastic interview with the incredibly talented Erin Silver who is jumping into Kidlit with TWO debut books this month! How exciting is that?! JUST WATCH ME, a middle grade novel, released October 7th with Common Deer Press and WHAT KIDS DID: STORIES OF KINDNESS AND INVENTION IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 releases TODAY with Second Story Press. I’m thrilled to be sharing Erin’s work, road to publication, and insights with all of you today.

So without further ado, please welcome Erin Silver!

Where do you live?

I live in Toronto, Canada.

When did you know you wanted to write?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer—since I was a little kid. I can’t remember wanting to do anything else. The path to having my first book published took 40 years but I’m finally doing what I love!

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

The road to publication was a long one! I went to journalism school, after my undergraduate degree, and worked in communications for several years until I had my kids. All of a sudden, they gave me the inspiration to write other things! I worked as a magazine editor and wrote articles (mostly about them!) for newspapers, magazines and blogs before deciding it was time to pursue my dream of becoming an author. I went back to school when I was 35 to get my Master’s of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction. 

Even after I graduated, it was tough going. I took writing workshops, went to conferences and retreats and submitted work to agents, editors and publishers. I wrote and wrote and wrote. I even experimented with writing romance novellas under a pen name before realizing I wanted to write books my kids could read! I got lots of rejections—and I mean lots—but I knew if I gave up I would never get the one “yes” I needed to become an author. I kept at it. There was nothing else I wanted to do or was qualified to do, so I kept writing things I was interested in or things I thought my kids wanted to read. Things I thought would make a difference to young readers. I wanted to show my kids what it meant to be resilient and persevere. 

Less than two years ago, I finally got a yes from a small Canadian publisher to write a nonfiction book for kids about Canadian LGBTQ athletes. Called Proud to Play, it was such a thrill to write stories that mattered. It was going to be my first book. Then the pandemic hit and the book was put on hold. Someone told me that it’s always good to be working on several things at once, and I took that to heart. While I was working on Proud to Play, I had also submitted a middle grade novel, Just Watch Me, to a contest held by Common Deer Press, another small Canadian publisher. (They are all so great to work with!) My book won third place and a publishing contract! It was published earlier this October. 

It was also during the pandemic that I was emailing back and forth with an editor at Second Story Press. They asked if I wanted to write a book about kids around the world who helped during the pandemic. I said “yes,” of course! I had a month to scour the whole internet and tell some amazing stories so the book could be published this fall. I’m so thrilled and honoured to have a middle grade novel and a picture book published in the same month.

Spread from WHAT KIDS DID by Erin Silver

Spread from WHAT KIDS DID by Erin Silver

Can you share a bit about your process?

When I have an idea or a deadline, I sit down and just write. I write until I can’t think straight and my eyes blur and my fingers cramp from typing so much. I get really motivated, inspired and energized when I have a project that I know will make a difference. Nothing makes me happier than working on a book. It’s honestly the thrill of a lifetime for me and there’s nothing else I’d rather do. When I don’t have a deadline or I’m just working on my own projects that I hope will one day be published, I end up moving at a slower pace and making time for other things, like going to yoga class and for walks with friends. I also enjoy being involved in the writing community and going to critique groups, writer’s meetings, conferences and taking writing workshops. It’s all online these days, though, so most often I’m sitting at my desk in my office!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Ideas are everywhere. I listen to what my kids are talking about or what they’re interested in. I jot down funny stories I hear from friends. I was even in traffic one day, complaining about how slowly we were moving—and how late my son would be for baseball practice—when I got the idea for a nonfiction book about traffic. I did some research, pitched it to an editor at Orca, and ended up getting a book contract. Another time, I was overwhelmed by how much food I had in my fridge. Between the overripe fruit and leftover chicken, I didn’t know how we’d eat it all. It felt wasteful. I searched up “food waste” online and was shocked at how much food gets wasted. I typed up a proposal, sent it to my editor at Orca, and got another book contract. Ideas are all over—even in your fridge.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Coffee!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Oh gosh there are honestly so many. I don’t know where to begin. I read as many middle grade books as I can. I really love Canadian authors Susin Nielsen, Kira Vermond, Tanaz Bhathena and Heather Camlot. I recently discovered Meg Medina, Kate Messner and Sharon M. Draper. I just read Draper’s book, Out of My Mind, and Wow! I will never forget that title.

Dream project to work on?

I am particularly proud of What Kids Did. There are so many amazing kids who used their skills, abilities and tenacity to help other people at a time when even adults were paralyzed by fear and anxiety. To be able to write a book that highlights their accomplishments and puts it on display for other kids to emulate is really meaningful. And I’ve really enjoyed working with the Second Story Press team to pull it all together in such a short time. I love the concept, the design, how we’re promoting it. They even created an e-book version, since how else will kids read it when many are learning virtually and even school libraries are closed? My publisher made it happen and I’m beyond excited to share these inspiring stories.

But honestly, every project that an editor or publisher wants me to write is a dream project. I’m 40, but I’m very much a new children’s author at the beginning of my career. I have so much to learn and accomplish, but I never thought I’d get this far. It’s surreal. It felt like it took forever to get that first “yes,” and now I’m looking ahead with several book projects underway and hoping for a whole career. I will never take it for granted. I hope I can continue to write books kids like, books that inspire people, make them laugh or help them see things in a new light. I’m learning as I go, too!

Tell us about your debut book.

My debut book is my middle grade novel called Just Watch Me. It’s about social media, video games and divorce. I started it a few years ago when my kids were younger and struggling with my divorce from their dad. I remember reading to my kids when they were small and noticing that all the books had a mom and a dad. I was mad that my kids were growing up thinking that having divorced parents wasn’t “normal.” I wanted them to know that even if they lived in a single-parent home, they would be ok. And since there was nothing for them about the topic written in a way that interested them, I decided to write it myself. I made it really funny, with lots of embarrassing bloopers, and I based it around the themes of social media and video games because these are really important in the lives of pre-teens today, but if you read until the end, you’ll see that there’s a bigger message. It’s dedicated to my boys and to every other kid whose parents have gone through a divorce.

What’s up next for you?

I’m so excited to be promoting my books. Especially during a pandemic, What Kids Did is particularly relevant and timely. The world feels like it’s been turned upside down, and there’s a lot of anxiety. I hope this book teaches kids that they can make a big difference, even if they’re small. I hope readers are inspired to help someone and that they realize that even the tiniest gestures can have a huge impact. I’m also working on a few other projects with some amazing Canadian publishers. I have a picture book and three nonfiction books in the pipes, plus other books I’m pitching or working on for fun. I always like to have something on the go.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

I can’t pick just one! Princess Bride, Grease, Dirty Dancing…there were so many. My sister and I had dance routines and knew the lines for all of them!

---

Huge thank you to Erin for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your success!

---

ERIN SILVER is a children’s author and freelance writer with nearly 20 years of professional industry experience. Her work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, Today's Parent, Chatelaine, ParentsCanada, Best Health and Clean Eating magazine, among others.

Erin’s middle grade novel, Just Watch Me, won a publishing contract with Common Deer Press and is available in October 2020. What Kids Did, a picture book about the amazing ways kids around the world helped during the pandemic, is available in October as well (Second Story Press). Proud to Play (Lorimer, spring 2021) is about the experience of LGBTQ athletes in Canadian sports. Erin also has two more books coming out with Orca in 2022.

Erin has a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction from King's College in Halifax, a postgraduate journalism degree from Ryerson University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.

She is a member of IBBY, The Writers Union of Canada, CANSCAIP, SCBWI, and Authors Booking Service.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Erin online at www.erinsilver.ca or on social media:

www.facebook.com/erin.dym

ca.linkedin.com/in/silvererin

twitter.com/1ErinSilver

www.instagram.com/erinsilver1/

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of WHAT KIDS DID or JUST WATCH ME click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of WHAT KIDS DID?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, November 5th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Angela Burke Kunkel

Happy Thursday Critters! Today, I’m thrilled to feature an interview with Angela Burke Kunkel, whose debut picture book, DIGGING FOR WORDS: JOSÉ ALBERTO GUTIÉRREZ AND THE LIBRARY HE BUILT, illustrated by Paola Escobar, releases this month and has received multiple starred reviews! I’ve been so excited about this book and can’t wait to share with all of you! So without further ado, please welcome Angela Burke Kunkel!

Where do you live?

I live in tiny “city” (if you call it a town, residents will correct you) of 2.5 miles in beautiful Vermont, near the shores of Lake Champlain. Before that, my family and I lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The desert is beautiful, too, but in a very different way!

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I’ve always loved to write, but I didn’t consider picture books a possibility until I had my own kids. I take them to the library at least once a week, and have from the time they were infants. Rediscovering picture books through their eyes helped me build a new appreciation for the form. I was familiar with well-loved books from my own childhood, but exploring the library with my children helped me discover new titles and artists on a weekly basis. I didn’t know it yet, but I was embarking on an intensive study of the form.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

In my “day job” is as a school librarian, I developed relationships with local authors and independent booksellers in Albuquerque. When I shyly confessed I wanted to write while at a bookstore event, others were kind enough to tell me about the local chapter of SCBWI. From there, I heard about both StoryStorm and the 12x12 challenge. The structured approach to both, as well as in-person encouragement and support, helped me to establish a more regular writing routine. 

In February 2017, I happened upon a viral video of José Alberto Gutiérrez, a Colombian trash collector who established a library for the children of his neighborhood, entirely from books found along his garbage route. At the time, I was working as a librarian in New Mexico, and much of my work involved helping students and families get access to books despite socio-economic or linguistic barriers. José addressed similar inequities with his own project. I found his story and his warmth so inspiring that I tried free writing about him one morning, and that casual free write evolved, after many drafts and revisions, into my debut picture book,  DIGGING FOR WORDS!

Can you share a bit about your process?

My process is kind of all over the place, and it varies from project to project! I will say that I am a total research nerd, and I have to cut myself off at a certain point and get to the actual writing. I find that starting by hand in a messy notebook and freewriting really helps. And, even though I am not an illustrator, I always make a storyboard using Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s template. Once I’m a few drafts in, I use a 32-page blank books (you can buy a pack from school supply stores) to get a feel for pacing and page turns. I’m starting to become more comfortable with Scrivener, and it’s a helpful place to organize my research, but I like the tactile experience of sketching out my vision and cutting up and rearranging text. 

Interior spread from DIGGING FOR WORDS: JOSÉ ALBERTO GUTIÉRREZ AND THE LIBRARY HE BUILT written by Angela Kunkel, illustrated by Paola Escobar

The process for DIGGING was interesting because I had the idea for the dual narrative from the very beginning, and I never varied from that structure. I wrote the first draft based entirely on the video that served as the original inspiration, and then went back and did much more extensive research on José and his library, as well as Colombia and Bogotá. I did not contact José until much later, because I wanted him to be able to read a polished draft of the story I had in mind. Considering my tendency to wander down too many rabbit holes and prolong my research, I should probably revisit this approach with other projects!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Although it isn’t happening much right now, I always find myself inspired when I travel. Even if it is just a simple day trip to an art museum or a historical site, getting away from my desk and seeing something new always reinvigorates me.

I also try to make sure that I read widely and vary what I read--- from picture books to adult nonfiction and everything in between. I find that if I cast my net really wide and just stay curious, good ideas come along. My problem isn’t so much generating ideas as it is finding time to write about all of them!

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Coffee in the morning and Earl Grey tea in the afternoon. So basically, caffeine.

I’m also a huge fan of Inkjoy pens, .5, not .7 thickness! And I love buying cheap-but-pretty composition books. I prefer composition books to spiral notebooks because I’m less likely to tear pages out or attempt to throw away “bad” ideas, and they’re so inexpensive that I don’t get too precious about them. It’s ok if they just become messy notebooks, and I’m freer with my ideas that way.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

There are so many that I’m having trouble listing just a few! One thing I love about kidlit is that other creators are so willing to share resources and encourage one another. 

Kate Messner inspires me with how prolific she is, and how she writes across age groups and genres. I learn so much from the writing resources she shares!  I’m also amazed by Mac Barnett’s ability to break with convention in The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown. And I love the lyrical language of picture book biographies by Anika Aldamuy Denise, Kyo Maclear, Amy Novesky, and Laurel Snyder. 

I’m constantly drawn to color and texture, and the interplay between text and image, so I love following illustrators on Instagram. Some of my favorites are Paola Escobar (who illustrated DIGGING), E.B. Goodale, Vanessa Brantley Newton, Oge Mora, Melissa Sweet, and Isabelle Arsenault. 

Dream project to work on?

Ack! This is a tough one to answer, because I had a dream project that went in the drawer recently for . . . secret reasons. I think it goes back to the question about generating ideas, though. The exciting part of writing is looking for that next idea that sets your heart and brain on fire. I’m not sure what another dream project would be, but I know I’ll have fun exploring until I get there. And it’s always fun to daydream about being paired with an amazing illustrator whose work I admire.

Tell us about your debut book.

I can’t wait for readers to meet José! DIGGING FOR WORDS: JOSÉ ALBERTO GUTIÉRREZ AND THE LIBRARY HE BUILT is based on the true story of a Colombian garbage collector who found a single discarded book on his route--- only to expand that moment of discovery into an entire library for the children of his barrio, entirely from books found in the trash. It’s a story about the power of literature and the power of community, and it related to a cause near and dear to my librarian heart: equitable book access for all.

Interior spread from DIGGING FOR WORDS: JOSÉ ALBERTO GUTIÉRREZ AND THE LIBRARY HE BUILT written by Angela Kunkel, illustrated by Paola Escobar

The book is beautifully illustrated by Colombian artist Paola Escobar, and she’s incorporated so many amazing details from José’s real-life neighborhood and library, as well as nods to literary works that impacted José. 

Interior spread from DIGGING FOR WORDS: JOSÉ ALBERTO GUTIÉRREZ AND THE LIBRARY HE BUILT written by Angela Kunkel, illustrated by Paola Escobar

I also want to add that I am thrilled that Schwartz & Wade decided to simultaneously publish DIGGING in Spanish as RESCATANDO PALABRAS. This idea came to me while working at a school with an incredible dual-language education program, and I hope it will find a wider audience by being accessible to children in both languages.

What’s up next for you?

I wish I could say! I have two more picture books under contract, but I’m not able to share just yet. They’re two very different stories in two very different styles, and I’m so excited about both. 

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Oh, Princess Bride, hands down.  

---

Huge thank you to Angela for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your beautiful debut!

---

ANGELA BURKE KUNKEL is the author of the forthcoming DIGGING FOR WORDS: JOSÉ ALBERTO GUTIÉRREZ AND THE LIBRARY HE BUILT, illustrated by Paola Escobar and published by Random House/Schwartz and Wade. After soaking up the sun in the Southwest for a number of years, she now lives in Vermont with her family, two dogs, two guinea pigs, and one rapidly-growing bearded dragon (really, it’s rather alarming). Angela currently works as a school librarian and is a former English Language Arts teacher. DIGGING FOR WORDS is her first picture book--- look for both English and Spanish editions on September 8th.

FOLLOW ANGELA ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter

Instagram 

or visit her website: www.angelakunkel.com

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of DIGGING FOR WORDS, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of DIGGING FOR WORDS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, September 17th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Lindsay H. Metcalf

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with a debut picture book author that has not one, not two, BUT THREE picture books coming out this year! What a debut year! I’m thrilled to have today’s author with us and I can’t wait for you to read about her fantastic lineup of books this year.

So without further ado, please welcome Lindsay Metcalf!

Where do you live?

I live in rural Kansas, just three miles from the wheat, corn, and soybean farm where I grew up. My whole family lives here now, so my kids are blessed with abundant grandparent and cousin time. 

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I knew the day my youngest went to preschool and I finally had a few hours to myself. I had left my job as a newspaper reporter and editor a few years earlier to be a stay-at-home mom. In those early years caring for my sons, we read together constantly. The irreverent, funny new picture books we found surprised and delighted me. I wanted to try writing one, especially for my oldest, who was born with microtia/atresia—a malformed ear and no ear canal. I wanted him to see himself in a book. The day my youngest son went to preschool, I snuggled up with my Cavalier King Charles puppy in a cozy armchair and drafted the picture book of my heart, which spilled out way too long, descriptive, and didactic. But I couldn’t stop scratching the itch to write. I read up on how the heck people got published, and later that fall, in 2015, I found SCBWI and my first critique partners. The rest is herstory.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

Because I had been writing daily for many years, I hoped my trajectory would be shorter than others who had less experience in writing. Ha. Pretty pompous, eh? Picture books spare no one, and my learning curve was steep!

I submitted that first story to all the editors and agents on faculty at my first regional SCBWI conference in 2015. Of course I submitted waaaay too soon. Fortunately, all those rejections included glimmers of kindness and encouragement. I began to understand what I had to do: attend more conferences and small, craft-focused workshops; collect critique partners; and devour craft books such as Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books. I learned the basics in Susanna Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic course, began to thread nonfiction narratives in Kristen Fulton’s Nonfiction Archaeology course (which is no longer offered, unfortunately), and refined my craft in Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab. In the meantime I signed up educational webinars and participated in ReFoReMo, Storystorm (which was called PiBoIdMo at the time), KidLit Summer School, and other free craft challenges. I subscribed to newsletters such as KidLit 411 and joined writer-focused Facebook groups such as Sub It Club while following every kidlit blog I could find. 

Then in 2017, on the same day I won a mentorship through Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie’s Writing with the Stars contest, I had “the call” with my agent. That was probably the best day of my kidlit career thus far. It took another year and a half to sell my first book. 

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I get a lot of my ideas from reading the news. I subscribe to four newspapers — two local ones as well as the digital editions of the New York Times and the Washington Post. Email newsletters are also essential for nonfiction ideas. My favorites include the Smithsonian, JSTOR, Library of Congress, and the National Archives. I shake off the rust by playing with my kids. Whenever they say something clever, I sneak away to record it on my phone.

Tell us about your debut books.

I have three nonfiction picture books coming out in fall 2020. I consider all of them my debuts, so I hope you don’t mind if I tell you about all three.

BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST, illustrated by Junyi Wu (September 1, 2020, Albert Whitman & Company), is a picture-book biography focused on the interplay between the author's foundational love of science and burgeoning talent as an artist. As a child, Beatrix kept a meticulous cabinet of labeled and pinned insect specimens, and even boiled her pets after they died so she could articulate and study their bones. Then, as she traveled northern England and Scotland as a young woman, she fell in love with fungi and fell down a decade-long rabbit hole of obsession that ended with her breakthrough science on spore germination being presented to the Linnean Society, which wouldn’t allow her to attend because she was a woman. 

NO VOICE TOO SMALL: Fourteen Young Americans Making History (September 22, 2020, Charlesbridge) is a picture-book poetry anthology co-edited by me, Keila V. Dawson (THE KING CAKE BABY) and Jeanette Bradley (LOVE, MAMA), and illustrated by Bradley. It features short biographies about contemporary young activists who are taking the lead where grown-ups aren’t moving fast enough. Subjects include literacy activist Marley Dias, water protector Jasilyn Charger, Scout for Equality founder Zach Wahls, and immigration reformer Viridiana Sanchez Santos. Contributors include Nikki Grimes, Joseph Bruchac, Lesléa Newman, Guadalupe García McCall, Carole Boston Weatherford, Traci Sorell, Hena Khan, G. Neri, and more. You can find a complete list of our amazing contributors at the link above. 

FARMERS UNITE! Planting a Protest for Fair Prices (November 10, 2020, Calkins Creek) will be illustrated with archival photos and targeted toward more of a middle-grade audience. In the late 1970s, grain prices had tanked, farm auction notices filled newspapers, and people had forgotten that food didn’t grow in grocery stores. So, on February 5, 1979, thousands of tractors from all parts of the US took to the highways and flooded Washington, DC, in protest. Farmers wanted fair prices for their products and demanded action from Congress. After police corralled the tractors on the National Mall, the farmers and their tractors stayed through a snowstorm and dug out the city. Americans were now convinced they needed farmers, but the law took longer. I grew up on a Kansas farm, so this rarely told story of grassroots perseverance and economic justice hits home for me. I wrote it imagining that it would be illustrated traditionally and reach an audience of children about age 5-9. My editor, Carolyn Yoder, saw the potential for a 9-12 audience using photos, and although my manuscript hasn’t changed fundamentally, the book now spreads over 64 pages! It’s strange how these three are all coalescing at the same time. I started writing FARMERS in October 2016 as part of the Nonfiction Archaeology class. That story has been through thirty-plus major revisions. I began researching BEATRIX a year later. NO VOICE TOO SMALL sold first, though—on proposal in a whirlwind collaboration in 2018 that began in a private Facebook group for #kidlitwomen. 

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Eighties me would say it’s a toss-up between “Mannequin” and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” These were my go-to sleepover flicks. My friends and I would fantasize about winning a TV dance contest or being a time-traveling mannequin while we played on a three-in-one pool, table tennis, and air hockey table and ate greasy pizza.

---

Huge thank you to Lindsay for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congratulations on your THREE debuts! We can’t wait to see what you write next!

---

LINDSAY H. METCALF is a journalist and author of nonfiction picture books: Beatrix Potter, Scientist; Farmers Unite! Planting a Protest for Fair Prices; and No Voice Too Small, her co-edited poetry anthology about young change-makers. Lindsay lives in north-central Kansas with her husband, two sons, and a variety of pets. You can reach her at lindsayhmetcalf.com.

FOLLOW LINDSAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter and Instagram: @lindsayhmetcalf

Subscribe for updates: lindsayhmetcalf.com/newsletter

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copies of Lindsay’s new books, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of BEATRIX POTTER, SCIENTIST?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, September 10th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Carrie Finison

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with Carrie Finison, whose debut picture book is one I’ve been excited about all year, DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS, illustrated by Brianne Farley! It’s got math, it’s got animals, it’s got rhyme, AND it’s got DOUGHNUTS— one of my absolute favorite treats (seriously, they were the favors at my wedding, that’s how much I love them)! What more could you ask for?! I’m thrilled to have her stop by Critter Lit today to talk about her road to publication, process, and upcoming books. So without further ado, please welcome Carrie Finison!

Where do you live?

I live in Arlington, Massachusetts. The town’s former name is Menotomy, which the teenagers snarkily call Monotony. But it’s actually a fun and interesting town filled with fun and interesting people. Especially the teenagers.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I think I always thought writing picture books would be a really cool thing to do, but kind of in the same way that you think of climbing Mount Everest or going to the moon as a really cool thing to do. It was probably around 2010 that I started to think I could actually try to write picture books and maybe even get one published. I was already writing for children on a work-for-hire basis for educational publishers at that point, and I was reading TONS of picture books with my own two kids. I think the combination of those two factors made it feel slightly possible — or at least slightly *more* possible than climbing Everest or going to the moon.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

It’s been a long and bumpy road. I took my first picture book writing class in 2010. I had been doing work-for-hire writing as I mentioned above, and also had some success getting acceptances with children’s magazines so it felt like a natural next step. I joined a few writing groups including SCBWI, and took more classes like Susanna Hill’s Making Picture Book Magic. I started going to conferences. I joined several critique groups. I kept writing, sending a few manuscripts to editors, but set my sights on landing an agent. I was honored to win the Barbara Karlin Work-in-Progress grant from SCBWI in 2014. I thought for sure that manuscript would sell and, while it came very close at several houses, it didn’t. It wasn’t until 2017 that my agent was able to sell the first manuscript — one that I never thought would be my debut — and DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS was on its way to publication.

Can you share a bit about your process?

I tend to write in spurts, so once I have an idea I’m off to the races with a rough draft. Then I share with my critique groups for feedback, revise, share again, and so on. At some point I usually get stuck and then it goes in a drawer for anywhere from 2-6 months so I can look at it with fresh eyes later.

Also, even though I’m a writer-only, I always make a dummy book by folding together half-sheets of paper and taping my cut-up manuscript to them. Sometimes I draw little stick-figure pictures on each page, or just pencil in a written description of what I think could appear there. I carry this little mini-book around with me for several weeks so that whenever I’m sitting around at a kid’s soccer game or dentist appointment, I can take it out and page through it, making edits to the text as they occur to me.

Since I often write in rhyme, a big part of my process involved staring off into space trying to come up with different ways to say the same thing, and combing through Rhymezone.com and other rhyming dictionaries to come up with interesting rhymes. I also ask other people to read the manuscript aloud to me so I can hear it in someone else’s voice. My family is very patient!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

There’s an exercise that Ann Whitford Paul mentions in her book Writing Picture Books, that I do quite often. Her recommendation is to type out the text of an already-published picture book in order to study the page turns, how much text is on each page, and so on. I find it valuable for that kind of study, but also to ease myself into the writing mood — just the act of typing sentences written by someone else gets my ear, voice, and fingers ready to do my own writing.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Rhymezone.com for sure, if I’m writing in rhyme! 

I also like to make myself a cup of decaf coffee or tea, take a few sips, and then let it go stone cold while I get absorbed in what I’m doing. Then I reheat it in the microwave, but forget that I have done so and rediscover it around dinner time. It’s all part of the process.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

There are so many! 

Picture book authors: I love Ame Dyckman’s work. It’s always clever and unexpected. Pat Zietlow Miller gets heart on every page. Laura Gehl is an incredible writer with great language, and her humor really appeals to me.

Illustrators: Oge Mora is my favorite author/illustrator at the moment. I loved Saturday and Thank You, Omu, and her illustrations for Rita Lorraine Hubbard’s The Oldest Student were brilliant. Ekua Holmes’s work in The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer blew me away, and I was equally starry-eyed over Diana Sudyka’s illustrations in Hayley Barrett’s gorgeous book, What Miss Mitchell Saw.

All genres: I always look for anything new by Grace Lin, in any genre. I also love Kelly Starling Lyons’s work. Linda Sue Park blew me away equally with her picture book Xander’s Panda Party (rhyme I can aspire to) and the middle-grade A Long Walk to Water. Cece Bell cracks me up, always.

SOMEBODY STOP ME!!! Really, I could go on all day.

Dream project to work on?

I don’t know that I’ve dreamed it up yet! I tend to get very enthusiastic about whatever I’m working on currently, which actually makes the inevitable rejections that roll in a little easier to take. My advice to picture book writers is, always be so in love with your current project that rejections on your older projects don’t sting so badly. That’s been true for me so far.

Interior spread from DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS written by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Brianne Farley

Tell us about your debut book.

My debut is called DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS. It’s about a bear named LouAnn whose getting ready for hibernation by making herself a giant batch of doughnuts (as one does). However, her neighbors begin to drop by and she ends up dividing all her doughnuts between them and forgetting to save any for herself. Then she runs out of ingredients. LouAnn expresses her feelings about this rather loudly, scaring her friends. But (surprise!) they come back with an apology, and pitch in to make a giant doughnut party with plenty for everyone. So it’s about sharing, friendship, math (as each batch of 12 doughnuts is divided by the factors of 12 – 2, 3, 4, and then 6) and of course DOUGHNUTS! And, the illustration by Brianne Farley are absolutely delectable. Fair warning – if you read it, you will want a doughnut!

What’s up next for you?

My second book, DON’T HUG DOUG, comes out in January, 2021, from Putnam. It’s about a boy who says “no, thanks!” to hugs, and is meant to (humorously) spark conversations about consent and bodily autonomy with children. Daniel Wiseman is the illustrator and his child characters are colorful and full of fun.

After that, HURRY, LITTLE TORTOISE will hit the shelves in 2022 from Random House. It’s about a little tortoise who has grand illusions of herself as speedy. She tries her hardest to get to school on time, but keeps getting passed by her classmates. There’s a funny twist at the end that I hope will bring a smile to readers faces. Erin Balzer is illustrating the story. She recently posted some hint on Instagram that she’s beginning the illustration work and I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT. Also, I love it when illustrators do that.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Pretty tough to pick just one! But if I had to, I think I’d say Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Ohhhh YEAH!

---

Huge thank you to Carrie for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut and all your upcoming books! We can’t wait to read them all!

---

CARRIE FINISON began her literary career at the age of seven with an idea, a box of markers, and her father’s typewriter. She has been writing off and on ever since, though she has (somewhat regretfully) traded in the typewriter for a laptop. Her debut picture book is DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS (July, 2020), and a second picture book, DON’T HUG DOUG, will follow in January, 2021. She also writes for children's magazines including Babybug, Ladybug, High Five, and Highlights. When she’s not writing, Carrie enjoys reading mystery novels, trying new recipes, and curling up on the couch for family movie nights. She lives outside Boston with her husband, son, daughter, and two cats who permit her to write in their cozy attic office. Find her online at www.carriefinison.com or follow her on social media:

Website: https://www.carriefinison.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrie.finison

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarrieFinison

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriefinison/ 

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Carrie’s debut picture book, DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, August 20th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author AJ Irving

Happy Thursday Critters! Today I’m not only celebrating my oldest son’s fifth birthday BUT we also have a fabulous interview with debut picture book author AJ Irving! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her new book, DANCE LIKE A LEAF, illustrated by Claudia Navarro, which comes out with Barefoot Books in August. This book has received a starred review from School and Library Journal (woo-hoo!). It’s a lovely, beautiful story about the connection between a child and grandmother. Make sure to check out DANCE LIKE A LEAF!

So without further ado…please welcome AJ Irving!

Where do you live?

My family moved from Seattle to Etna, Wyoming, in late December 2019. Etna is a tiny town 45 miles south of Jackson Hole. It’s a gorgeous area. I recently went on a hike in Grand Teton National Park. My friend and I saw waterfalls, moose, and a grizzly cub. The cub was only a few feet away from us. We couldn’t see the mama bear so we were pretty freaked out! 

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but I rediscovered my love of kidlit after I became a mother. I started writing picture books after my twelve-year-old son was born. 

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

Honestly, I didn’t know what I was doing at first. My stories were too long and didn’t leave room for art. I submitted to a few houses that accepted unsolicited manuscripts. I received one form rejection. In 2014, I discovered the online kidlit community. I joined SCBWI, attended my first conference, signed up for 12x12, and connected with critique partners. My craft slowly improved. In 2017, I was selected for a mentorship with Laura Gehl through Writing with the Stars. In 2017 and 2018, I was a #PBParty finalist. I pitched my debut picture book, DANCE LIKE A LEAF, in #KidPit in 2018, and received a heart from my fabulous editor, Kate DePalma. I signed with my wonderful agent, Jordan Hamessley, shortly after I received an offer from Barefoot Books. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

First of all, I think it’s important to read a wide variety of recent picture books, and really study them. My story ideas come from everywhere: things my kids say, photos, videos, life experiences, relationships with my friends and family. 

Word strings come to me out of the blue, especially when I’m hiking or walking by myself. I type these lines on my phone immediately. When I get home, I piece them together on paper. I almost always write a first draft on paper. I feel more connected to my pen. There’s something magical about the hand moving across the page. It’s the best feeling in the world when words just flow out of you. Never stop writing when you’re in the zone! I usually revise a manuscript several times before I send it to my critique group. If my critique group is excited about a project, I send it to my agent.  

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I couldn’t create anything at all when the pandemic started. I watched a lot of webinars which definitely inspired me. I’m thankful the kidlit community has offered so many free resources during this time. Little bits of good news also help me shake the rust off. They give me hope and remind me that this is what I’m meant to do. I got out of my writing funk and was excited to return to my craft after I received requests for more work from two editors and a starred review from School Library Journal.   

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I have grown close with three of my agent sisters. We have a private group called The Candle Coven. Now, I always light a candle when I write. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Is there a word limit for this interview? So many! Laura Gehl will always be one of the most inspirational authors to me. She is prolific. She had two books come out on the same day last week! She sends me inspirational emails, which I print off and put in my writing space. We swap manuscripts, and I ask her for advice all the time. She’s a wonderful friend and an incredibly talented picture book author. 

Arree Chung! Arree gives so much time and energy to help kidlit creators. He is a brilliant author/illustrator and a beautiful human being. I worked closely with Arree on a manuscript in Storyteller Academy. He boosted my confidence and taught me how to make dummies. I’m sure he’d be excited to learn that the manuscript he helped me with is currently on submission. 

I also have to give a shoutout to all the members of my debut group. I’d be lost without Perfect2020pbs. It has been an honor to share my debut year with all of you!

Dream project to work on?

The fastest manuscript I’ve ever written was inspired by our Weimaraner, Charlie. She passed away from lymphoma in March. Charlie shared so many first experiences with my children. I just had to tell this story. I’ve always admired Loren Long. He is an amazing author/illustrator, and he has a Weimaraner. It would be a dream come true to work on this book with him. 

Tell us about your debut book.

DANCE LIKE A LEAF was inspired by my grandma. I spent summers with her in Montana every year when I was growing up. We were also pen pals for most of my life. I wrote a letter for her when I learned that her life was nearing the end. I read this letter at her service. Several folks approached me after the service to let me know how much they were moved by my words. That’s when I knew I needed to write DANCE LIKE A LEAF. Autumn was my grandma’s favorite season. She loved tea and scarves and dancing. The story shows the special bond between a grandmother and granddaughter as they enjoy autumn together. Grandma’s health gradually declines, and after she passes away, the granddaughter continues their autumn traditions. I think it shows children a lovely way to remember loved ones after they are gone. 

What’s up next for you?

There’s so much waiting in publishing. I’m crossing my fingers and toes for my submissions. In the meantime, I am excited to revise my queer girl picture book, revisit some old manuscripts, and go on a lot of hikes before the snow returns.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Pretty in Pink! I was obsessed with Molly Ringwald when I was a kiddo. And Duckie is pretty much the best character ever. One of my favorite scenes is when he lip syncs “Try a Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding. That song used to be my ringtone. My dad still teases me about forcing him to watch this movie SO many times, but he admits he enjoyed it much more than Rainbow Brite. I introduced my daughter to Pretty in Pink. She loves it, too. 

---

Huge thank you to AJ for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

---

AJ Irving grew up in Boise, Idaho, writing stories and daydreaming about becoming an author. Now, she writes picture books and poetry on her big back porch in a tiny town near Jackson, Wyoming. AJ reads kidlit every day and dances every chance she gets. Her debut picture book, DANCE LIKE A LEAF, releases from Barefoot Books on August 21, 2020.

As an author and former bookmobile librarian, AJ is passionate about inspiring children to read. She received a B.A. in journalism and women’s and gender studies from the University of Oregon. AJ is represented by Jordan Hamessley of New Leaf Literary.

Learn more at www.ajirving.com or follow her on social media:

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/aj_irving

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ajirvingauthor/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/aj_irving/?hl=en

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of AJ’s debut picture book, DANCE LIKE A LEAF, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of DANCE LIKE A LEAF?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, August 6th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Frank Tupta

Happy Thursday Critters! Today is a very exciting day! TODAY I’m interviewing my husband, Frank Tupta. Most of you know Frank as the other half of Critter Lit. He helps me handle all the critiques we get and run the site. But today we are celebrating his new book!

His debut picture book, HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE, illustrated by Kyle Beckett, comes out with Two Lions this month. I love this book so much. And I say that not as Frank’s wife, but as the mom of three boys, who this book is tailor made for. It’s funny, silly, and oh so clever. Kyle’s art truly brings the story to life— I’m not sure which spread is my favorite!

As you know, this is a really tough business to break into and survive in. I have worked in publishing for the last ten years, and let me tell you, it is completely different to watch someone you love go through the trials and tribulations of this business with a full understanding of what it all means. To say I’m proud of Frank and his debut book would be an understatement. We work together on nearly every manuscript, going back and forth and helping edit each other’s work. I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without him. I’m thrilled his debut book is finally coming out and I can’t wait for all of you to see how fantastic it is! Okay, I’m done gushing now….

Without further ado, please welcome Frank Tupta!

Where do you live?
I am snuggled in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Peninsula, Ohio.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?
I never actually wanted to do children’s books. My first foray into writing started in the medical business as an EMT. It was then followed by the appraisal business, assessing personal property. I wrote my first novel series in a month in downtime between jobs. Since then, I’ve been trying to break in wherever I could. After eight novels and zero interest, I decided to try my hand at a kid’s story. I thought about what I would’ve wanted to see as a kid. Then I realized that may’ve been a little too psychotic (child of the ’80s— that was a different time). So I tapered back some and thought more of what my kids would like to see and found a happy medium. And that’s how I came up with How to Build A Haunted House.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?
It has been a bumpy road, and that road continues. Never a dull moment, with the exception of the down time trying to figure out new ideas. There are constant ups and downs. Phases of grieving post rejection and finding a way to get after it again. I will say those initial phases where you have to thicken your skin are the toughest. Being sensitive about your work is something I would think everyone struggles with, myself included. Being angry after a bad review or a rejection is comforting but only for so long. Eventually, you just move on to the next one. I think that’s when you know you’re battle-hardened, and it’s something more people should face. You don’t know who you are until someone crushes you and you get back up.

Can you share a bit about your process?
Oh, the process. I wish I could say it was always the same. The one thing I can say is a constant for me is listening. Listening is the best way to hear what is going on in the world around you. Some like to talk; I like to listen. Listen to kids, listen to adults, listen to politicians (okay, maybe don’t listen to politicians). I was told once, let no man be your enemy, and let every man be your teacher. Hearing the bounce and melody in people’s voices is key to finding your own rhythm and voice. Another thing for me is music is key. Music is something I’ve always loved. If you can sing, I have nothing but praise for you. My mom was a singer; it could be where I get my rhythm in my rhyming pattern.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
The key to shaking off rust is never stopping. If you fight through terrible writing, then rust is an edit or a delete away. This writing will be terrible. It will make you question your choices in life, but you can always learn something from it. How to Build A Haunted House came on the heel of a crime fiction novel series I was working on. That’s just how it happens sometimes. New ideas come from anywhere and anything. Architecture, nature, farms, the grocery store, the old man in a hat doing 25 in a 50. You don’t know when that sledgehammer of creative exuberance is going to smash you right over the head, and you have the next great idea.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?
Music and headphones. If there is any other kind of noise, I can’t write anything. Some people can do radio or books on tape— no, not me, never. There’s a time to listen, and there’s a time to go into autopilot.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
Early wake-ups, a priming routine of pull-ups, pushups, and sit-ups. And Most recently, I’ve made a switch from coffee to tea. This was mind-blowing for my friends. But I also didn’t start drinking coffee until I was 30.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?
I grew up with Syd Hoff, Steven Kellogg, and Maurice Sendak. For me, they are the greatest. In the current market, I don’t think you can beat Julie Fogliano. Honestly though, I get most of my inspiration from film and music. Oh, and children under the age of 5. They have the best ideas, the smallest filter, and they are relentless.

Dream project to work on?
My dream project would be a middle-grade thriller/adventure/mystery graphic novel. Think Goonies. I know— I try to think of it all the time.

Tell us about your debut book.
My debut picture book titled HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE brings the world of classic horror movie monsters into the real world. Well, maybe not the real world, but they have real-world jobs. They are owner/operators of their own contracting businesses, and when a Vampire Family is chased out of their house by zombie garlic plants, the town monsters work together to build them a new house. It’s trucks, it’s monsters, it’s chainsaws and tools, and a shrunken head wind chime. It rhymes, and it’s awesome. Shout out to Kyle Beckett for an outstanding job illustrating my text.

What’s up next for you?
As anyone who’s got one book knows, you’re only as good as the second one, and then the third one and then the fourth one, and so on, and so on. Right now, I’m working on a graphic novel series idea with my wife.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
Never join the pity party when you’re down and never smell the perfume when you’re up.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?
This is by far the hardest question you have asked. There’s a massive part of me that wants to drop Tango and Cash right here, right now, but I won’t. There’s also Predator which I could watch any day at any time. But I’m going to have to say Beetlejuice. Judge how you will.

---

Huge thank you to Frank for sharing with us on Critter Lit today! Congrats on your wonderful book!

---

FRANK TUPTA (TUP like UP) grew up in a haunted house in Cleveland. His favorite holiday is Halloween. He still dresses up every year. He currently lives in Peninsula, Ohio surrounded by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park with his wife, children's book author + illustrator Lindsay Ward, their three boys, and Sally, a rambunctious pit-bull\lab mix who keeps things interesting by chasing coyotes in their backyard.

If you'd like to know more about small Frank and the kind of shenanigans he used to get into, read BROBARIANS by his wife, Lindsay. The character Otto is based on him.

Most days you can find Frank writing, walking Sally with his family, driving around on his tractor, or co-running www.critterlit.com with his wife, a website offering free critiques and advice for up-and-coming authors and illustrators.

For more information about Frank, visit him online at www.uptasomething.com or follow him on social media:

Twitter: @FTupta

BUY THIS BOOK To pre-order a copy of Frank’s debut picture book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a SIGNED copy of HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 16th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Vicky Fang

Happy Thursday Critters! I hope this post finds you healthy and safe. Today, debut author Vicky Fang has stopped by Critter Lit to share her road to publication in celebration of her TWO debut books! I’m so excited to share these books with you.

So without further ado…please welcome Vicky Fang!

Where do you live?

I live in Mountain View, California with my husband, my two amazing little boys, and two pet death feigning beetles.

When did you know you wanted to write children’s books?

I had been designing technology products and experiences for kids for several years. When I began reading books to my kids after they were born, I became really excited about books as an interactive experience. That's when I knew I wanted to write books.

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

I guess you could say it was a series of fortunate events. I joined SCBWI and 12x12, I won a Writing With the Stars mentorship with Peter McCleery, and met my critique partners at an SCBWI conference. I worked with Stortyteller Academy's Arree Chung and found my agent, Elizabeth Bennett. There have been so many amazing people and moments along the way, but those feel like the most critical ones. It took me little under two years to get my first offer, which is pretty fast in picture book time!

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

I find that I just need to let things go and not worry about new ideas all the time. Giving my brain space to breathe, and even to not do anything for a while, is the best way for me to come up with something I'm actually excited to write. My other trick is to email my amazing agent and ask her if there's anything she'd like to see from me. She's remarkably good at suggesting things that play to my strengths but stretch me in a new direction.

Tell us about your debut book.

I actually have two debut books!

The first is my debut chapter book, Layla and the Bots: Happy Paws, illustrated by Christine Nishiyama and launched on May 5 from Scholastic Branches. It's about a rockstar-slash-inventor and her crew of Bots who design, build, and code awesome inventions to help people they meet at their shows!

The next is my debut picture book, Invent-a-Pet, illustrated by Tidawan Thiapinnarong and launching on June 2 from Sterling Children's Books. It's about a girl who discovers a mysterious machine in her living room and must figure out the formula for her perfect extraordinary pet. It introduces the basic concepts of problem solving, inputs and outputs, functions, but most importantly - the idea that the extraordinary can be found all around us.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

Goonies. I watched it every Tuesday for a year with my best friend, Amanda. Usually followed by Ferris Bueller because it was on the same VHS tape - but Goonies was the real event.

---

Huge thank you to Vicki for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on not one, but TWO debuts!!!

---

VICKY FANG has designed technology experiences for kids at Google and Intel Labs, where she’s designed robots, installations, games, activities, and more. She started writing to support the growing need of early coding education, particularly for girls and minorities. You can visit Vicky at vickyfang.com or on Twitter @fangmous.

FOR MORE INFORMATION you can visit Vicky at vickyfang.com or on Twitter @fangmous.

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase Vicki’s books, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of Vicky’s debut book, INVENT-A-PET?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, May 28th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Elisa Boxer

Happy Thursday Critters! Well…since we last shared an interview in late February, the whole pandemic thing hadn’t really blown up yet, so needless to say things have changed quite a bit in the last few weeks. I hope you are all safe and well! Our household has become a little more chaotic now that we’ve got three kiddos at home and no school. Yet, even amidst all the crazy right now, if feels really good to sit down and do something positive, like sharing another fantastic debut author and their new book. So let’s keep it going, maintain our social distancing, and celebrate this week’s Critter Lit author…

…please welcome Elisa Boxer!

Where do you live?

I live in the southern Maine town of Scarborough. We have a foot of snow on the ground right now and just got our power back after an ice storm. Is it spring yet?

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

As soon as I could hold a magic marker! Here are a few books from my younger years:

Tell us about your road to publication, what did that involve for you?

Even though I've loved writing children's book manuscripts for as long as I can remember, I never really considered making a career of it. I was always busy in the trenches of newspapers and then tv stations, churning out stories on daily deadline. After that, I became a journalism instructor at the University of Southern Maine. And then, a couple of years ago, I got sidelined with Lyme disease, which left me short of breath and energy. Some days it hurt to move. Most days I couldn't leave the house.

So I decided I would re-visit my childhood passion, and began querying agents with a picture book manuscript. A couple months later, I signed with the amazing Steven Chudney. And while that first manuscript was out on submission, he emailed me about the upcoming 2020 suffrage centennial, asking if I might like to write a book about it. I've always been drawn to stories about little-known figures in history, so I started researching unsung heroes in the women's suffrage movement. When I came across the story of Febb Burn, I knew hers was a story I wanted to tell.

It was going to be a tight turnaround to get this manuscript ready for submission and hopefully publication in time for the suffrage centennial. So I dove into the research, stayed up late and got up early to write, and a few weeks later we sent out the manuscript. It couldn't have found a more perfect editor than Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press. From the editing process, to seeing the initial sketches, to holding the book in my hand, to connecting with teachers, parents, bookstores and librarians, the process has been more delightful than I can even convey. It still seems surreal. With newspaper articles and tv stories, the work is kind of a one-and-done. But books last. They convey messages and feelings that children can hold in their hands and absorb again and again. It's a sacred process, and I am beyond grateful that I get to participate in it.

Can you share a bit about your process?

As a nonfiction writer and a journalist, I spend a lot of time researching. During this phase, I hole up and dig deep into my subject matter, mining for facts and threads to weave into a story. I write everything down in notebooks, on index cards, and on pieces of paper that I spread out over the floor and tack up on bulletin boards. During this phase, it's often hard to find an empty surface in the house. But while this process is going on, I am also thinking deeply about the heart of the story, and the emotional pull that drew me to it in the first place. I try to identify early on the messages and themes I want readers to take away from the book, and I keep those at the forefront throughout the writing process. In THE VOICE THAT WON THE VOTE, for example, the message is: Your voice matters. Important themes include courage and, more specifically, standing up for what you believe in even when it's unpopular.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Whenever I hit a writing wall, I give my brain a rest and a treat by reading, doodling, or just sitting in stillness. Or eating chocolate. As for new ideas, the more I try to think of them, the less they come to me. Instead, they pop up while I'm driving, at the grocery store, or other times when I am least likely to be able to jot them down. And they generally first come up in terms of feelings, sensations and emotions, from which a research angle or a narrative arc will emerge.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

My crystals. And dark chocolate. And apparently lots of clutter, because every time I try to clear it away, it comes back.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Oh, so many. I've always been inspired by Ruth Krauss' classic The Carrot Seed. My parents read it to me when I was young, and it was one of my favorites to read to my son when he was little. The message is ageless: Never give up on what you know to be true, regardless of what others are telling you. As for more contemporary books, I love anything by Kate Messner, Andrea Davis Pinkney, Jess Keating, Jacqueline Woodson, Gary Schmidt and Susan Hood. I'm inspired by all of the pre-published creators I see on social media, putting themselves out there and taking risks. I'm inspired by my fellow picture book creators in the Soaring 20s debut group, who have such a diverse range of talents and give their time and energy every day to help the collective.

Dream project to work on?

I'm working on it right now! So unfortunately I can't say what it is. Ack! Sorry. But it involves attempted silence and voices being heard against the odds...

Tell us about your debut book.

THE VOICE THAT WON THE VOTE: How One Woman's Words Made History, is published by Sleeping Bear Press, and tells the little-known story of the mother who saved suffrage. She did that by writing a letter to her son, who happened to be the swing vote in Tennessee, the battleground state that was deciding whether to give women the right to vote. Illustrator Vivien Mildenberger has done a phenomenal job bringing the characters and setting to life in a way that truly makes you feel like you're back in 1920! Since we're in the suffrage centennial this year, and also given the upcoming election, it's an exciting time to be releasing this book!

What’s up next for you?

I'm in the process of writing four more picture books and a middle grade.

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

I love this question. And it's always fun to read how my colleagues answer it. For me, Molly Ringwald all the way! Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink... I remember feeling so much teenage angst in the 80s, and Molly's characters always seemed to validate it and reflect it back.

---

Huge thank you to Elisa for stopping by Critter Lit today. Congrats on your debut! We can’t wait to see what you write next!

---

ELISA BOXER is an Emmy-winning journalist and columnist whose work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, Inc. and Fast Company. She has been a newspaper, magazine and television reporter, and has been writing children's stories for as long as she can remember. Elisa is especially drawn to unsung heroes, like the ones in her first book: The Voice That Won the Vote: How One Woman's Words Made History.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Elisa, follow her on social media:

website: http://elisaboxer.com/

twitter: https://twitter.com/eboxer

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boxerelisa/

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase Elisa’s book, click here.

TEACHER’S GUIDE To download a teacher’s guide for THE VOICE THAT WON THE VOTE: HOW ONE WOMAN’S WORDS MADE HISTORY, click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of THE VOICE THAT WON THE VOTE: HOW ONE WOMAN’S WORDS MADE HISTORY?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, March 26th. US addresses only please.