Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author and illustrator Emma Reynolds, whose debut picture book, AMARA AND THE BATS just released with Atheneum Books for Young Readers. I’m such a fan of this book, and connected with it immediately. When my now six-year-old was a baby, he loved to watch the bats at the zoo— he would sit in the stroller staring up at them, fascinated. Now we have bats that live around us, and every once and while I catch him staring up just like he used to as a baby. Emma’s book is a wonderful story about activism, climate change, and how kids can make a difference in their own communities. There are also fun bat facts woven throughout the story too! I’m thrilled to have Emma with us today to chat about her new book, road to publication, and advice for up and coming authors and illustrators.

So without further ado, please welcome Emma Reynolds!

Where do you live?

Manchester UK!

How many years have you been in publishing?

I signed with my agent Thao Le in August 2018, and my first illustrated book came out in June 2020. My author-illustrator debut ‘Amara and the Bats’ is out now in July 2021! So about 3 years in total.

How did you first get published?

I got my first book deal as an illustrator shortly after signing with my agent, as Justin Chanda at Simon & Schuster had seen the announcement and my illustrations suited a book project.

‘Amara and the Bats’ began as a dummy book that I made when I was applying to agents, and was actually why my agent signed me. We then worked on the book some more, and pitched to publishers, and we announced the book deal with editor Julia McCarthy at Atheneum Simon & Schuster in May 2019!

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes, and I currently also teach illustration one day a week at a university.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I absolutely love the format! For me they are the perfect balance of words and images, and I love how powerful picture books are, as humans first experiences of stories. They can change lives.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

I used to work as a character designer for kid’s TV, and it was a very fast paced job. With publishing, I found the phrase ‘hurry up and wait’ to be true! It was a huge shock to me that a three week plus wait for the next round of feedback was normal, when I had been used to much quicker turnarounds. And then when final art is signed off it’s go go go! I am (almost haha) used to it now, but that was the hardest adjustment for me.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

I love love love telling my own stories! I am so excited that I get to craft a whole world, it is an amazing experience and job to have and I am so happy I get to do this.

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

Live life! After a big project and a busy period, it’s good to take a break and live life, see friends, absorb some new experiences and remain curious. This is when I naturally find that I’m in a place for new ideas. It’s important to remember to take time off as a freelancer, or you’ll find yourself just working constantly, and that isn’t healthy or conducive to inspiration long term.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I listen to the same music a lot. There are particular mixes I listen to a lot on YouTube, and I have listened to them so much there are no surprises that make me jump, so I can hyper focus and stay in the zone with them on.

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

Yeah for sure – I met some absolutely lovely author-illustrators who are also repped by my agent, and we have become close friends. Having people in the industry to talk to, bounce ideas off and ask questions is so important, and I’m so grateful for this – they are my rocks!

Recommended reading?

Ooo so many! I recently really loved picture book ‘What Will You Be?’ written by Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Kate Alizadeh. And for 16+ readers I love graphic novel ‘Woman World’ by Aminder Dhaliwal.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Honestly, being able to make my dream book – ‘Amara and the Bats’, I have dreamed of making my own books since I was 5 years old, so 28 years later it is a reality and I am just so grateful and happy! Amara is my whole heart, and it was selected as a Junior Library Guild gold standard selection which is a huge honour and I am so proud of this.

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

Ooo definitely related to what I’ve said above – that long waits for feedback are normal, and to make sure to take down time, because you’ll need it! And, protect your weekends.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

'Amara and the Bats' is about a little girl who loves bats and is sad when she moves to a new town and finds out that the bats no longer live there due to losing their habitat. She is inspired by real life youth climate activists to take action, and rallies her friends to save the bats! It is all about bat conservation and rewilding, showing how amazing bats are, and giving hope for the next generation struggling with climate anxiety. Bat facts are weaved in throughout, and there are practical steps to take action to help bats and useful links in the back too.

*Interior art from AMARA AND THE BATS by Emma Reynolds, Atheneum Books for Young Readers*

What’s up next for you?

Since the beginning of this year I’ve been working on my next book. We got the offer a year ago but we haven’t announced it yet, and I can’t wait to be able to share more about it soon! Hint – fans of the themes in Amara will enjoy this too.

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

Make the art of your dream project that you want to be hired for, and post it online and send it to clients and agents you want to work with! Manifest :D That is exactly what I did with ‘Amara and the Bats’, and it worked!

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

PREDATOR!

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

EMMA REYNOLDS is an illustrator and author based in Manchester, UK. Amara and the Bats is her author-illustrator debut. Passionate about storytelling and creating unique characters, Emma has been dreaming of making her own books since she was five. Emma started the #KidLit4Climate illustrated campaign, bringing together thousands of children’s illustrators and authors from more than fifty countries in solidarity with the youth climate strikes. She is inspired by nature, animals, adventure, and seeing the magic in the everyday.

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

http://www.twitter.com/emmaillustrate

http://www.instagram.com/emmaillustrate

Amara and the Bats is out now in the US and UK editions, order worldwide here:

emmareynoldsillustration.com/amaraandthebats

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of AMARA AND THE BATS, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of AMARA AND THE BATS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 29th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Norene Paulson

June 17, 2021Authors, InterviewsLindsay Ward6 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Norene Paulson, who debuted her first book, BENNY’S TRUE COLORS, illustrated by Anne Passchier, during the pandemic, quickly followed up by her second, WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR?, illustrated by Camila Carrossine, which just released this past March! So exciting! I’m thrilled to have Norene with us today to talk about her road to publication, books, and process.

So without further ado, please welcome Norene Paulson!

Where do you live?

I live almost in the center of Iowa on a country acreage just north of Lynnville, a small town about 45 miles east of Des Moines.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I fell in love with picture books while reading Berenstain Bears books and Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter books to my young sons. I loved the merging of the words and pictures and the cadence of the sparse text as the words tumbled off my tongue. I was the one who most often wanted to “read it again”. I’ve always loved to write and I’ve always loved to read, so at some point, it just clicked and I thought…I want to do THIS.

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

My road to publication was long and bumpy with a lot of detours. When I knew I wanted to write for children I signed up for a couple ICL courses where I received the encouragement I needed to believe maybe I really could do this, and because of those courses, I did. I sold nonfiction articles to multiple children’s magazines. However, once I started teaching full-time my writing lapsed. I lost contact with my magazine editors. When I decided to take start writing again, I thought back to those Berenstain Bear and Little Critter books and my original dream of writing picture books, so I joined SCBWI, found some critique partners, started submitting, and acquired piles and piles of rejections, but I didn’t quit. I took an early retirement from teaching in 2017 and that’s when things took off…literally three decades after I decided I wanted to write picture books. In Feb. 2018, I landed an agent through #PBPitch and in less than 6 weeks, my debut story, BENNY’S TRUE COLORS, sold to Imprint/Macmillan.

Can you share a bit about your process?

Sure, it’s a bit hit ‘n miss. I’m a big-time procrastinator so an idea will spin around in my head for quite a while until I have mentally fleshed out a rough beginning, middle, and end. Then it’s time for the first draft which takes as long as it takes. Some are drafted quickly. Others not so much. Once the first draft is done (huge sigh of relief) the fun begins…revising. After feedback from various critique groups, I revise, rewrite, revise, and rewrite for as long as it takes to shape the idea into a polished story.

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

New ideas usually globber me over the head. Something I see, read, or hear sparks an idea. I never know when it will happen so have to be prepared to jot it down when it does or it’s gone. I envy people who are creative enough to elicit ideas “on demand”. Needless to say, I’m not a good candidate for any story idea-generating challenges.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

My laptop. When I started writing I wrote all my drafts in long-hand but can’t even imagine doing that now. I also enjoy tea…hot or iced depending on the season.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

The kidlit world is filled with so many amazingly talented authors and illustrators I couldn’t list them all. However, my critique partners are the writers who keep me writing. Reading their early drafts and witnessing the process of how they develop those into amazing picture books is what keeps me inspired and motivated. It’s a privilege to be a small part of that process, and their spot-on feedback keeps me moving forward with my own writing.

Dream project to work on?

I’d love to do a sequel to WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? maybe even a series. I’ve developed quite a fondness for Bea, the main character, and would love to see where other adventures take her and her BBF Shaleah.

Screen Shot 2021-06-17 at 6.07.34 AM.png

Tell us about your debut book.

My debut picture book, BENNY’S TRUE COLORS, released in Nov. 2020 and is the story of Benny, a bat, who knows inside he’s really a butterfly. This book highlights friendship, inclusion, empowerment, and living authentically. In simplest term--don’t judge someone by their outward appearance.

My second book, WHAT SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? released March 23 and it, too, is a story of empowerment, friendship, and inclusion. Bea, a girl with alopecia, has to figure out a way to participate in her school’s Silly Hair Day when she doesn’t have any hair.

*Interior art from WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? by Norene Paulson, illustrated by Camila Carrossine*

What’s up next for you?

I’m back out on submission with several newer manuscripts. Very excited about several in-person events I have scheduled this summer. Since both books published during the pandemic, I missed out on traditional book promoting opportunities, so really looking forward to being out among people (masked, of course).

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

Ha! Seems like the only 1980s movies I watched were kids’ movies. Ghostbusters is probably the one I watched the most simply because my boys loved everything Ghostbusters My personal favorite movie is a 1999 movie, The Sixth Sense. I was literally dumbfounded by the ending. I didn’t catch any of the foreshadowing.

Thanks so much for featuring me on Critter Lit. It’s been fun!

Huge thank you to Norene for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your back to back releases! We can’t wait to see what you write next!

NORENE PAULSON loves words. As a former language arts teacher, she was fortunate to share that love with middle school students in a rural Iowa school district for almost twenty years. Now, as a picture book author, she writes stories that celebrate friendship, acceptance, and inclusion. She is the author of BENNY’S TRUE COLORS (Macmillan/Imprint, November 2020) and WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR? (Albert Whitman, March 2021). Norene lives on an acreage with her husband and rescue pup, Ellie, and when she isn’t reading or writing, you will find her playing—you guessed it! —word games.

Visit Norene online at: www.norenepaulson.com

Or follow her on social media:

Instagram - nrpaulson

Twitter - NorenePaulson

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy Norene’s books click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of WHAT’S SILLY HAIR DAY WITH NO HAIR?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, June 24th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Corey Finkle

June 10, 2021Authors, Debut Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

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!

Corey+Finkle_Children's+Book+Author.jpeg

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 Sita Singh

March 4, 2021Authors, Interviews, Debut InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

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*

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 Debut Author Jess Hernandez

December 3, 2020Authors, debut interview, InterviewsLindsay Ward5 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season! Today, we have an interview picture book author Jess Hernandez. Her debut book, FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum, releases with Capstone on January 1, 2021. I love that this book is a fresh take on a first day of school book— but with unicorns! It’s sure to be a big hit so make sure to check it out!

Without further ado, please welcome Jess Hernandez!

Where do you live?

I live in a little town in Western Washington. I grew up here, left, moved around, and wound up coming back.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

Growing up, I always liked writing, but I didn’t think I could make it a career. I’m diabetic, so health insurance was slightly more important than artistic fulfillment. But I grew to love picture books during my grad work in librarianship. There’s so much room for creativity within such a small space. When I got to a place in my life where I knew health insurance was taken care of, I let myself follow my passion.

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

My first attempt at writing for publication was a memoir. I worked on it for three years, then queried for another year. I racked up 140 rejections before I trunked it. I was devastated. So much time and work and agony for nothing!

I wasn’t sure I could commit myself to a longer work like that again, so I turned to picture books. With two kids at home, it was what I read most anyway. I found a critique partner, read all the new picture books I could get my hands on, and followed writers on Twitter. Most of all, I kept writing and querying and getting better. But each time an agent requested more work, they would like this manuscript but not that one. It was super discouraging.

Eventually another writer noticed my pitch on Pitmad and invited me to be in their critique group. That was the turning point for me. I found my people. I kept writing and querying, but I knew my stuff was leveling up. There were more agent requests, but still more rejections. I felt like I was going to spend my life being good, but not quite good enough.

I decided to query the unicorn book to every agent on my list and then trunk it. One of those agents was Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency. I almost didn’t send her the unicorn query because she so seldom takes on picture book authors. Plus, she’s repped some really IMPORTANT BOOKS (New York Times Bestseller and multi-award winner Dear Martin by Nic Stone, for example) and I didn’t think she’d like my silly story about a donkey with imposter syndrome. But she was on my list, so I sent it any way. Two months later, she emailed asking to set up a call.

Even then, it was still a struggle. In the 18 months I’d spent querying the book, the market was flooded with unicorn stories. Every rejection we got from editors was some version of “nice, but we’ve already got one.” I was content to shelve it until unicorns stopped being the picture book version of YA vampire novels, but Rena was convinced it was different enough to sell. And thank heavens, she was right.

Can you share a bit about your process?

My story ideas always come in chunks – there’s a character but no story. A mood but nothing else. I try to stay open to these story blips and write them down as they come. Sometimes it takes years for the rest of the story to materialize, but it’s almost always worth the wait. Once it comes, I can usually draft the whole picture book in one go. With longer things, I write scenes out of order as they come to me and try to connect the dots later.

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

I take a walk, talk to my kids, or take a shower. Sometimes I need those quiet moments to let my brain do its thing and come up with whatever crazy idea or plot hole solution it wants. Other times, interacting with my kids really helps me get on their level and see the world through new eyes.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I’m all about those cheap composition notebooks you get on sale in September. Every stupid idea, every plot hole fix, every genius line I have to write before I forget it goes in the notebook. It’s a mess and nobody would understand it but me, but I can’t function without it.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

There are SO MANY. Jacqueline Woodson is a genius and every single one of her books has changed my life in some way. I love Ame Dyckman’s work. She’s so effortlessly funny and has such a quirky way of looking at the world. I’m also a huge fan of Tara Lazar, both of her books and the work she does to lift other authors. Yuyi Morales is super talented. Julie Falatko is another that I really respect. She’s super funny and real. Traci Sorell’s books are all really poetic and beautiful. There’s more but I’ll stop there.

Dream project to work on?

I would love to branch out and try writing middle grade and YA. Right now, the one I’m dying to do is a middle grade about a group of girls having a sleepover when a crop circle appears in the field next door – something that actually happened in my town when I was 13.

Tell us about your debut book.

FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL is the story of Milly, a donkey with dreams of attending the prestigious unicorn school. With a few creative photos in her application, she’s accepted and must make it through the school without anyone realizing what she really is: a donkey in a party hat.

What’s up next for you?

I have two picture books on sub right now, and I’m drafting a picture book about a little girl with sensory processing disorder who is obsessed with pirates. I also have an adult SFF short story coming out in the anthology DON’T TOUCH THAT!: An Anthology of Parenthood in Science Fiction and Fantasy, edited by Jaymee Goh.

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

I love Princess Bride (though I wish Buttercup’s character wasn’t interchangeable with a lamp).

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

JESS HERNANDEZ is a writer, librarian, teacher and all-around word girl. When not being used as a human canvas for baby food art, she writes books for kids. Her debut book, FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum, comes out in Spring 2021 from Capstone. Sometimes she writes essays, poems, and short stories for grown-ups, too. Jess lives in a very small, very LOUD house in Washington with her husband, their three children, a blind Labrador, and seven chickens.

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

Twitter @FinkHernandez

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, December 10th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Rajani LaRocca

July 2, 2020Authors, Debut Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward9 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I hope you are all doing well— staying healthy and safe. Today we have an interview with debut picture book author Rajani LaRocca! Although this is Rajani’s first picture book, her debut book, a middle grade novel, MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM, came out last summer and received rave reviews, a starred Kirkus review, and was on many ‘best of 2019’ lists! Rajani’s debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: A TALE OF MUSIC AND MATH, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan, comes out with Lee & Low Books on October 20, 2020! Make sure to pre-order this one!

Here is the description of the book:

In this clever, convivial picture book, an Indian boy untangles a mathematical conundrum to win a place at the Rajah's court.

In ancient India, a boy named Bhagat travels to the Rajah's city, hoping to ensure his family's prosperity by winning a place at court as a singer. Bhagat carries his family's entire fortune--a single coin and a chain of seven golden rings--to pay for his lodging. But when the innkeeper demands one ring per night, and every link snipped costs one coin, how can Bhagat both break the chain and avoid overpaying? His inventive solution points the way to an unexpected triumph, and offers readers a friendly lesson in binary numbers--the root of all computing.

How wonderful does this book sound?! The story and art are fantastic! I’m so excited to be sharing Rajani’s work with you all today.

So without further ado, please welcome Rajani Larocca!

Screen Shot 2020-07-02 at 6.21.58 AM.png

Where do you live?

I live in the beautiful (and literary) town of Concord, MA.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

When I started writing a few years ago, I didn’t intend to write picture books. I saw myself as a novelist. But then I took a workshop on different types of children’s literature at Grub Street, a creative writing center in Boston, where the instructor showed us some mind-blowing picture books, including The Jupiter Stone by Owen Paul Lewis. That book, and the intersection of words and pictures, blew my mind, and inspired me to write my very first picture book. I went on to write many more, and each one has brought its own special joy…including my debut picture book, SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS.

Tell us about your road to publication. What did that involve for you?

I’ve always loved books but spent a very long time away from writing while I went to medical school, residency, and started working as a physician. A few years ago, when my children were in school and I was established in my medical practice, I started taking writing classes online and in person. In about 2013, I got more serious about pursuing publication. After writing four to five picture books I thought were “ready,” I first started querying agents in 2015. I had some close calls but no offers, and in the meantime, I revised a middle grade novel and started querying it in 2017. When I received offers of representation, I also shared five picture books with the agents and got their feedback. I signed with my wonderful agent, Brent Taylor of Triada US, in November 2017. The past couple of years have been incredible, and I now have five picture books coming between 2020-2022!

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

I feel like ideas are all around me if I allow myself to be open to them. Participating in Storystorm is super helpful to generate new ideas, and I sometimes jot notes in my phone when inspiration strikes. The idea for a book may come in the form of an image, a title, or a memory. I’m always inspired by my children and our sweet little dog. In fact, taking a walk in nature, especially with my dog, often gets the creative juices flowing.

Screen Shot 2020-07-02 at 6.13.55 AM.png

Tell us about your debut book.

SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS is set in ancient India and tells the story of a boy named Bhagat who wants to save his family from poverty by earning a place at the Rajah’s court as a singer. He travels to the Rajah’s city with all the wealth he and his mother have left in the world: a single coin and seven tiny golden rings. But when he gets to an inn, and the innkeeper demands one ring per night and breaking a ring costs one coin, Bhagat must figure out a way to stay in the city while not wasting any of the rings. Bhagat succeeds in solving this mathematical conundrum, and the story introduces the concept of binary numbers—the basis of how computers work—in a fun and accessible way.

Interior Art from SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: A TALE OF MUSIC AND MATH, written by Rajani Larocca!, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan — Interior Art from *SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: A TALE OF MUSIC AND MATH, written by Rajani Larocca!, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan*

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

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!

Huge thank you to Rajani for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your success! We can’t wait to see what story you share with us next.

RAJANI LAROCCA was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area with her wonderful family and impossibly cute dog. After graduating from Harvard College and Harvard Medical School, she spends her time writing novels and picture books, practicing medicine, and baking too many sweet treats. Her middle grade debut, Midsummer’s Mayhem (Yellow Jacket/Little Bee Books 2019), is an Indian-American middle grade mashup of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and competitive baking. Her debut picture book, Seven Golden Rings (Lee & Low, 2020) introduces binary numbers through a story set in ancient India. She is also the author of Bracelets for Brothers (Charlesbridge, 2021), I’ll Go and Come Back (Candlewick, 2022), Where Three Oceans Meet (Abrams, 2022), and other forthcoming books.

For more information on Rajani, visit her online at www.rajanilarocca.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter and IG: @rajanilarocca, Facebook

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

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS: A TALE OF MUSIC AND MATH?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 9th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Sarah Kurpiel

May 14, 2020Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Debut InterviewsLindsay Ward6 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! I hope you are all staying healthy and safe. Today, we have an interview with author and illustrator Sarah Kurpiel, whose debut picture book, LONE WOLF, comes out on May 19th. Congrats Sarah! I adore Sarah’s illustrations and I can’t wait to share this sweet book about belonging and family with all of you today.

So without further ado, please welcome Sarah Kurpiel!

Where do you live?

A suburb outside of Chicago. I’ve lived in the Midwest all my life.

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

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, but it was always just a hobby, a way to relax. Then, in college, one of my English professors included graphic narratives in his course. Those books had a profound effect on me. That was the first time I started thinking seriously about drawing stories. Flash forward a few years to my first library job as a part-time cataloger. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Stead and illustrated by Erin Stead crossed my desk. I read it on the spot. It had such heart and reminded me how much I loved picture books growing up. I knew that was the kind of story I wanted to make. It wasn’t until a few years later that I started drawing with the goal of publication, but these were the moments that set me on that path.

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

In 2018, a popular illustration account on Instagram shared one of my drawings. Thanks to that stroke of luck, I was contacted by Allie Levick and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House, who became my agents later that year. Their guidance and expertise was (and continues to be) invaluable. They helped me get my story, Lone Wolf, submission ready and secure a book deal with a great editor. In the months that followed, I went through several rounds of revision before starting the final art. The publication process is long and fluctuates between rushing and waiting. It’s helpful to have another project to focus on during the downtime.

Can you share a bit about your process?

I mostly use dry media brushes in Photoshop on a Wacom tablet connected to my computer. I started drawing digitally in 2016 and it clicked for me right away. I love the flexibility and possibilities of digital. I do a lot of sketching with pencil and pen on paper too. I always have a sketchbook.

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

Doodle. I love drawing for no reason at all. I love not knowing what I’m going to make before I begin. Sometimes I doodle a character who sparks a story idea. I also keep a list of things I could draw a thousand times without getting tired of drawing them and then use that to limit the possibilities of stories I might tell. That said, I’m very new to this. I’m still learning my own process.

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

Nothing in particular, but I do enjoy having coffee close at hand!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

So many. Erin Stead, Molly Idle, Christian Robinson, Oge Mora, Richard Jones and Rebecca Green, to name a few. I follow artists of all kinds on Instagram, and seeing their work brings me so much joy.

Dream project to work on?

I’d love to make a wordless picture book one day. I admire those who’ve done it well. Some of my favorite picture books are wordless. I’m also fascinated by the wordless woodcut novels of the 1920s and 30s.

Tell us about your debut book.

Lone Wolf is about a Siberian husky mistaken for a wolf so many times that she starts to believe she is one. The main character, Maple, is inspired by my childhood dog, a husky who was goofy and stubborn in all the best ways. Lone Wolf is about identity, belonging, and family. I’m honored that it received a starred review from The School Library Journal. Lone Wolf will be published by Greenwillow/HarperCollins on May 19, 2020.

What’s up next for you?

I’m currently working on final art for my next picture book which hasn’t been formally announced yet.

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

Back to the Future. (Part 1. Definitely not Part 2.)

Huge thank you to Sarah for dropping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on LONE WOLF, we love it! We can’t wait to see what you create next!

SARAH KURPIEL is a librarian and author/illustrator from the Midwest. Her stories are inspired by nature, animals, and everyday life. Sarah has been doodling in the margins of notebooks for as long as she can remember. She started drawing digitally in 2016 and never stopped. Sarah uses a power wheelchair and considers her disability an important part of her identity. Her debut picture book, Lone Wolf, will be published by Greenwillow/HarperCollins in May 2020.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Sarah, visit her online or follow her on Twitter @SarahKurpiel and Instagram @sarah.kurpiel

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase a copy of Sarah'’s book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of Sarah’s debut book, LONE WOLF?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, May 21st! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Ashley Franklin

August 22, 2019Authors, book release, debut interview, InterviewsLindsay Ward9 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today, I’m thrilled to feature debut author Ashley Franklin! Her new picture book, NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE, illustrated by Ebony Glenn, released this past July with HarperCollins. I love the story, message, and charming illustrations in this book, which I think Kirkus Reviews sums up perfectly:

“A feel-good picture book and a great reminder that classic princess roles can be reimagined to embrace inclusion, diversity, and body positivity.”

So without further ado…please welcome Ashley Franklin!

Where do you live?

I currently live in northwest Arkansas.

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

I didn’t know I wanted to seriously write children’s books until I had kids of my own. I wanted to write books that had characters that looked like them and their family members. I also wanted to write books that I felt I needed as a kid.

Can you share a bit about your process?

I’m a work from home mom, so my process is probably a bit unorthodox for most. For example, I don’t write every day. I spend a lot of time thinking things over in my head and taking notes on my phone.

I’m still trying to get the hang of waking up early to write, but I do find that I am most productive once the kids are in bed and I’ve chugged some coffee.

I’m a quick writer and a slow reviser when it comes to picture books because those early drafts are really me compiling those mental and phone notes and seeing what comes of them.

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

Honestly, I do two things: watch cartoons and consult with my kids. I watch cartoons to check out popular themes and see how they’re tackled and why they worked. My kids are in elementary school, so their perception of things is still pretty spectacular.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

A good pen! I prefer to draft using pen and paper, but I cannot stand a pen that doesn’t write smoothly!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Tara Lazar—I admire people who can be funny on purpose. That’s not my gift at all!

Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow—I love her way with imagery. She’s very detail oriented and can really paint a picture. Reading her work challenges me to slow down and really be more deliberate with imagery in my own work.

Vashti Harrison—Everything she does is ridiculously gorgeous. She’s just amazing. That’s not much more you can say.

Dream project to work on?

That’s a tough call. I don’t really have an answer for that because right now I feel like any project I’m working on passionately is a dream project.

Tell us about your debut book.

NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE features a talented young girl named Tameika who is great at singing, dancing, and acting. Tameika auditions for the lead role of Princess Snow White in her school’s musical because it’s one of the few roles she hasn’t played and Snow White is her favorite princess. Unfortunately, Tameika’s confidence is shaken when her peers question if she is right for the part because of her appearance. Tameika has to decide if she will let what others say keep her from pursuing her dream role.

What’s up next for you?

I’m continuing to write picture books, but I’m expanding into middle grade. The middle grade bug bit me thanks to a middle grade short story I wrote as a contributor to an upcoming middle grade anthology. It’s called Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices and is scheduled to be released May 5, 2020.

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

Umm...I was born in the 80s, so I’d have to go with a movie I remember most vividly, and that’s Oliver & Company.

Huge thank you to Ashley for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut book— we can’t wait to see what comes next for you!

ASHLEY FRANKLIN is a writer, mother, and adjunct college professor. Ashley received her M.A. from the University of Delaware in English Literature, where she reaffirmed her love of writing but realized she had NO IDEA what she wanted to do about it. Ashley currently resides in Arkansas with her family. Her debut picture book, NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE, was released July 9, 2019 by Harper Collins.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Ashley visit her online: www.ashleyfranklinwrites.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @differentashley

Instagram: @ashleyfranklinwrites

Facebook: Ashley Franklin

TO ORDER Ashley’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, August 29th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Hannah Stark

August 1, 2019Authors, Interviews, debut interviewLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with debut picture book author Hannah Stark. Her first book, TRUCKER AND TRAIN, illustrated by Bob Kolar, comes out on August 6th with Clarion Books and has received fabulous reviews. Vehicle books are big in our household so I can’t wait for this one to come out! We are so excited to have her with us today to share about her debut book and her road to publication.

So without further ado…please welcome Hannah Stark!

Where do you live?

I live in Brooklyn, NY.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

Ever since I was a kid I enjoyed writing but never thought I’d share it with others, namely keeping travel journals and pocket notebooks. In 2004 I started teaching third grade in the New York City Public Schools. We did a project with the book Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier. I was inspired by how this picture book grew awareness for the organization Heifer International and was positively impacting so many people.

My boyfriend at the time ran a non-profit in Senegal and we spent a summer living in Dakar. While he worked I did a ton of reading, writing, and exploring. I started writing down stories I heard the kids tell and making up stories of my own. By the end of the summer I had a notebook of stories drafted. I never did anything with those stories but for the first time my writing had arc. For the first time, I wondered if I could someday write my own picture book.

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

In 2013 I decided to apply to author/illustrator Pat Cummings Picture Book Boot Camp in Brooklyn with half a draft of TRUCKER AND TRAIN. Pat saw potential in the story from the beginning. She really challenged me to walk out of Boot Camp with a polished project and somehow I did. Afterwards, she encouraged me to start submitting the manuscript. Five editors passed on the project before Lynne Polvino at Clarion Books/HMH Kids believed in it and helped me bring my story into the world.

Can you share a bit about your process?

As a third grade teacher and single mom I write in spurts when my schedule (and energy level) allow. The first drafts of TRUCKER AND TRAIN were actually pecked into my phone while riding the subway to work. There are post-its of first lines hanging on my kitchen wall. I add to them when I cook or clean. Sometimes my boys help me with them over dinner.

I like writing by hand and draft in pencil in an oversized artist’s book. When I feel ready to move forward with a page or draft I type it up, print it, and then revise on that page in pencil. When I’m happy with my revisions I edit them on the computer, print it, and repeat the process over and over.

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

For me, there are many ideas but not enough time. When I don’t get to look at a project for a few weeks because things are busy I usually start by just sitting and reading beautiful writing. These days that tends to be something by Jacqueline Woodson or Mary Oliver.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

There’s nothing concrete. I think the only thing I really need is a reminder to be patient with myself.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I’m really inspired by Sophie Blackall and how she persisted with her career as a single mom. The Horn Book just printed her Caldecott Medal acceptance speech and she describes working on books at the kitchen table while her kids did their homework. That sounds a lot like my home.

I’m also inspired by Rob Sanders who I was in a course at the Highlights Foundation with in 2018. He’s also an elementary school teacher and has been creating books in the hours when school is not in session. I’m so inspired by his career that started as a teacher with a writing passion side hustle. I’m so happy to see his career really take off with the releases of PRIDE and STONEWALL. He’s also a super sweet person.

Dream project to work on?

I’d love to write humor. We laugh a lot in my classroom and I think I get kid humor but I’ve never tried anything like it before.

Screen Shot 2018-10-15 at 3.14.24 PM.png

Tell us about your debut book.

My book TRUCKER AND TRAIN is about a big rig named Trucker who loves to rule the road with his size, strength, and mighty horn. One day he meets the larger, stronger, and louder Train. Trucker quickly realizes that Train is bigger, stronger, and louder but isn’t using his might for power. Instead, Train is well-adored by the other vehicles. TRUCKER AND TRAIN is a story about using our strengths for good.

I was inspired to write the story when my son was three. I saw how some kids in his class relied on their size and strength during play since their verbal expression was just starting to develop. I hope the book is seen as more than a book about trucks and trains for vehicle loving toddlers. I hope young readers and their adults will use it to open up conversations about kindness, compassion, and the idea that with great power comes great opportunity.

What’s up next for you?

I’ve been working on three non-fiction and historical fiction manuscripts. I love history and untold stories that kids can connect to today. The projects are geared towards an older reader than TRUCKER AND TRAIN but they are true passion projects and I love developing them. My goal is to get two of them submitted this summer. Fingers crossed!

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

Without a doubt it has to be Sixteen Candles.

Huge thank you to Hannah Stark for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut picture book, we are so excited for you and can’t wait to see it on shelves!

HANNAH STARK grew up watching her mom, Marisabina Russo, create picture books in her studio. She remembers a house filled with children's books as well as bags of teaching materials because her father was a teacher. Today Hannah's home is filled with picture books and teaching materials, too. Hannah has been teaching elementary school in the New York City Public Schools for fifteen years. She loves making and sharing resources for other educators and teaching kids to write. She was inspired to write her debut book, TRUCKER AND TRAIN, while playing with her sons, Jackson and Travis. When not writing or teaching, Hannah can be found taking road trips and train rides to unfamiliar places.

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

Twitter

Instagram

TO ORDER Hannah’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of TRUCKER AND TRAIN?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, August 8th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Ishta Mercurio

June 13, 2019Authors, Debut Interviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward2 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with debut author Ishta Mercurio. I’m thrilled to have her with us today and I can’t wait for you to hear about her wonderful debut picture book, SMALL WORLD, illustrated by Jen Corace, which will release with Abrams Books for Young Readers on July 2nd.

So without further ado…please welcome Ishta Mercurio!

Ishta-high res happy author - square.jpg

Where do you live?

I live in Brampton, Ontario! I haven't always lived here, though. I grew up in Cincinnati, OH. I come from a long line of people who moved around.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I've always loved storytelling, and I studied theater in college. There was something about using my whole self--my body, my gestures, my facial expressions, my voice--to tell a character's story that I really loved. But when I had kids, I realized that paying someone to look after them was going to cost more than I was earning! So I decided to stop working for a while and stay home with my littles. I read to them every night at bedtime, and I fell in love with the storytelling in picture books: the rhythm of the language captivated me, and the way the words and pictures came together to make something that is greater than the sum of their parts is an alchemy that I had to be a part of.

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

Reading! I didn't know the first thing about how to get published, so I googled it. This is what's so great about living in the 21st century--you can google how to do almost ANYTHING! So I googled it, and I read a whole bunch of blogs by agents (like Nathan Bransford and Rachelle Gardner) and writers (like Shannon Messenger and Casey McCormick and Shannon O'Donnell and Debbie Ohi), and I joined SCBWI and CANSCAIP (which is like SCBWI, but Canadian), and I invested a lot of time (years!) in learning how the industry works.

I also learned very quickly that my writing was not very good, but I knew that that was okay because you can improve as a writer, so I focused on doing that. I joined critique groups through SCBWI. I took a class in writing for children at the University of Toronto. I became part of the community of kidlit writers in the Toronto area. I went to conferences where I paid for my work to be critiqued, and I kept revising and writing new things until the rejections I got sounded less like one-line form rejections and more like "I loved these things about your story, but this part just isn't working." Meanwhile, a friend from my critique group was writing non-fiction in a series for a publisher, and she asked me if I wanted to write the next non-fiction book in the series with her, so I did, and that was great. It was my first experience working with a publisher, but I was doing it with someone who had worked with them before, and that was really valuable.

And then eventually, an agent pulled my query for a chapter book out of the slush and loved it and asked to see more and loved that, and we met and I knew that I wanted her on my team. She really got me, which is important. You want an agent who really gets you and who absolutely loves your work. And the thing is: that chapter book still hasn't sold, but the next thing she sent out did. And that book is SMALL WORLD. So even after all that, you have to know and accept that rejection is part of the process, throughout your career. And that's okay. Write the next thing.

Can you share a bit about your process?

I usually get an idea that's just a seed, and I write that down--just a sentence or two--and let it marinate for a while. Then I jot down ideas and doodle until I think I have enough to make a story, and then I write out what I call a "bare bones" draft: it's mostly flat, language-wise, with maybe a couple phrases that touch on the lyricism or whatever tone I'm going for, but it has the basic plot. And then I doodle some more, and think about what layers I can build in, and at that point I write one sentence that encompasses the heart of the story, and I tape that to my desk where I can see it while I work through the multiple drafts it takes to get the story right. It's like my compass: it keeps me heading in the right direction.

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

I read a lot, and I watch movies. I take walks and garden and watch the bugs do their thing. I catch up on the news. Mostly, though, I go out in the world, to museums or to parks, and I just take it in. And I have conversations with people about things that have nothing to do with writing children's books. Ideas are everywhere; you just have to be open to them.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Coffee! But everyone probably says that. I also have a process book, and that's where I write early drafts and doodle and work out niggles in my manuscripts. Even when I reach the type-it-all-out stage, I like to have my process book close by.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Oh, gosh--so many! It would be easier to list the ones who don't, but that would be mean.

I love Marla Frazee's work; her illustrative style is just so gorgeous, and at the same time, so rooted in the messy reality of childhood. She's amazing. I am in awe of Angie Thomas and S. K. Ali, whose books feel so effortless (even though I know they take A LOT of work!). Ekua Holmes' experiments with different illustrative styles and art techniques is blowing me away. Linda Sue Park and Kate DiCamillo both wrote books that made me want to be a better writer. And John Green's books always feel like home.

Dream project to work on?

I have a HUGE bucket list, but one of the things on it is to write a wordless picture book. I know that sounds contradictory, and it's hard to pull it off, but there's no fun without a challenge, right?

Tell us about your debut book.

SMALL WORLD follows Nanda from the day she is born, wrapped in the circle of her mother's arms, right up until the day she goes to the Moon and looks back at the Earth from far away. It's about wonder, and the amazing places your explorations can take you. It's about dreaming big for your future, and finding your place in the vastness of the Universe. It's my love letter to this planet, which is our shared home and which contains innumerable wonders. And it's about joy. Jen Corace illustrated it, and it's a match made in heaven. My editor is a genius for pairing Jen's art with my words.

What’s up next for you?

I'm not allowed to say yet, but I sure hope everyone likes it!

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

The Princess Bride, of course!

Huge thank you to Ishta for stopping by Critter Lit today! We can’t wait for your debut to come out! Congrats!

ISHTA MERCURIO is an author and actor. Raised in Cincinnati by an Irish-German-Italian-American father and a Polish-American-Filipino mother, she has traveled to England, Scotland, Italy, France, and all over the United States. She now lives in Brampton, Ontario, where she films and photographs plants and wildlife, from the tall to the small, in her backyard. Small World is her debut picture book. Find her online at www.ishtamercurio.com, on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/theoneandonlyishta/ , on twitter at @IshtaWrites and on instagram at @ishtamercurio.

TO ORDER Ishta’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a SIGNED copy of SMALL WORLD?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, June 20th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Mikela Prevost

May 30, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Interviews, Debut InterviewsLindsay Ward3 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fabulous interview with debut author and illustrator Mikela Prevost whose book, LET’S HAVE A DOG PARTY! came out in March. I adore this book so much! It’s cute, funny, and oh so charming with a lot of heart— my favorite combination. Here’s a sneak peek for those of you who haven’t read Mikela’s wonderful debut yet…

Kate and Frank are best friends. To celebrate Frank's birthday, Kate throws him a party with all her favorite things: lots of friends, dancing in circles, loud singing, and sparkly confetti everywhere. But best friends don't always have the same taste in parties. Frank prefers quiet, sun-drenched naps on his favorite rug. So he hides. Kate must find a way to bring Frank back to the party--on his own terms.

I’m thrilled to have Mikela with us today, so without further ado…please welcome Mikela Prevost!

Where do you live?

In the Valley of the SUN! Phoenix, Arizona.

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

As a kid, I wasn't terribly good at reading but I always had the pictures in books to help guide me through the story in one way or the other. But by 2nd grade, I had started to grow in my reading abilities and at that point, the Harry Potter books of my day were Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends and The Light in the Attic. I devoured these books, for the brevity of the poems and the child-like pen and ink illustrations.

Silverstein's illustrations seemed so approachable, something that I could do. Drawing came much easier to me than reading, so seeing how a story could be encapsulated in such a brief poem along with an outlandish drawing was so attractive to me. The worlds he created through his poems always had me wondering what else happened beyond that last sentence.

As a writer and illustrator now, I want to try and give young readers that sense of "seen" as Shel Silverstein did for me.

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

Signing with a literary agent was the best way for my work to evolve. I attended SCBWI's Winter Conference in 2017 where Rebecca Sherman of Writer's House came across my work. She loved my illustration work and knew that my writing had potential. Over the course of several months, I was writing stories and sending sketches to Rebecca but she really wanted to start my career off on the right foot, so she pushed me to produce my best work. I'm so thankful she did, as I look back and see those earlier stories - I would not want them out in public! When the story idea for Let's Have a Dog Party! came, Rebecca made me feel like I had struck gold! We sent the text, dummy and two finished illustrations out, it went to auction and we found a great home for the story with Joanna Cardenas who (at the time) was the editor for Viking/Penguin.

Can you share a bit about your process?

Writing and illustrating is such a balancing act - having just enough of the best words while allowing the illustrations to do some heavy lifting. I try to write more than I need then weed out what is superfluous to the story.

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

I "squeeze the sponge dry" on a topic until I've exhausted every possible story idea. I write out ideas until I reach the end of the page. 95% is garbage worthy, but I will stumble on a gem that makes me so excited, I won't sleep at night.

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

While writing, I listen to a curated instrumental playlist that cues up my brain to stay focused on just that story. While illustrating I binge podcasts and watch/listen to old Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes. And I keep the coffee flowin'.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

My illustration friends Molly Idle, for her graceful, luscious line work and joyful colors and Juana Martinez-Neal, who captures the essence of children so innately. Also, her talent with patterns is second to none! An author I aspire to emulate is Jon Agee - his humor is so wry yet it translates to children in the perfect way. My Rhinoceros was my own personal masterclass in writing.

Dream project to work on?

Anything that results in a kid loving a book so much, it falls apart. That, to me, is the true mark of a successful book.

Tell us about your debut book.

With Let's Have a Dog Party! I was sitting in my office, wracking my brain for a good story idea, while my kids and a few neighbor kids were running back and forth by my door chasing our little dog Pepper. She's a good-natured dog that will tolerate anything, but I knew eventually the chaos would reach a crescendo and she would take off running. If I wasn't there to stop this fiasco, I imagined a party breaking out. That's where the idea came from - I liked the idea of the kid characters just deciding out of the blue that "today" was Frank's birthday and using whatever they had on hand to celebrate. Like my kids, I knew a point would come that the characters would realize the poor dog had hit his limit and need to de-escalate the situation.

What’s up next for you?

I can't say just yet - but I can say I'm excited!

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

Ghostbusters! And it still is my favorite movie! I saw it in the theater with my Dad, so I'll always have the good memories to associate with the movie.

Huge thank you to Mikela for stopping by Critter Lit today! We can’t wait to see your debut book and all that you do!

MIKELA PREVOST is an author and illustrator currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and their three kids. Born and raised in Southern California, she received her BFA from the University of Redlands, and an MFA in Illustration from California State University of Fullerton. Writing and illustrating for children has been her life-long pursuit and passion. Her work is driven by the desire to capture the whimsical innocence and unique perspective from which a child sees the world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Mikela visit her website or follow her on social media:

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

TO ORDER Mikela’s books, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of LET’S HAVE A DOG PARTY?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, June 6th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator and Husband and Wife Team Megan and Jorge Lacera

April 4, 2019Authors + Illustrators, Authors, Debut Interviews, Illustrators, InterviewsLindsay Ward7 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today, we have an interview with debut author and illustrator Megan and Jorge Lacera! A husband and wife team, their debut picture book, ZOMBIES DON’T EAT VEGGIES!, released this week in both English and Spanish! I’m thrilled to share their work with you today!

So without further ado…please welcome Megan and Jorge Lacera!

Where do you live?

Our home is Cypress, Texas, y’all—a suburb of Houston.

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

Collaborating has always been our jam. We met while we were both working in the kids’ entertainment studio at American Greetings in Cleveland, Ohio. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we both love everything about stories—reading them, watching them, critiquing them, arguing over them! Creating stories together is magical.

Once we got married, we started thinking more about picture books. We loved that we could create something from beginning to end and execute the full vision that we collectively dreamed up. Super appealing.

After Jorge attended a week-long illustration seminar with faculty that included amazing creators like Adam Rex, James Gurney, and Rebecca Leveille Guay, we were both inspired and excited so we started to really go for it. Our first attempts didn’t exactly come together (re: they were a mess), but we kept evolving. When a little zombie kid character named Mo shambled his way into Megan’s brain, we knew we were onto something that we couldn’t let go.

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

We put a ton of time and energy into learning and sharpening our craft. Years. We attended local and national SCBWI conferences. Read countless books, studied their structures and forms. Founded a critique group that was very focused on achieving publication-level work. Completed a seminar with Mira Reisberg’s Children’s Book Academy. Made dummies, critiqued the heck out of them, threw them out, started over.

After all that we felt confident in querying agents. We’re now represented by John Cusick at Folio Jr. (he’s awesome!). ZOMBIES wasn’t on submission all that long before the offer from Lee and Low came in. We absolutely love Lee and Low and have so much respect for their integrity and dedication to multicultural stories and creators. Editor Jessica Echeverria’s offer letter was unbelievable….she got EVERYTHING we were going for with ZOMBIES and more. Perhaps cliché, but collaborating with Jessica and Lee and Low feels meant to be.

From signing the deal to the book’s release, two years have passed. Much of that time has been on revising, revising, revising. Some days were challenging, but holding the final book in our hands is totally worth it!

Can you tell us about how you work together as a husband and wife team?

Usually when we tell people that we work together they look totally mystified. “On purpose?!?” they ask.

Yep. We really do love working together.

We work at home. After we get our son off to school, we talk over coffee and breakfast. Usually that includes some debate over the latest news stories or a movie we watched the night before. But there’s also a review of our goals for the day, ways to divide up the work, reminders of our big vision and where we’re headed. In addition to our books, we also consult and freelance for companies together—so there are those projects that require collaboration and sometimes quite a bit of negotiation on how it will all get done on time.

The day from there depends on where we are in the process. At the concept stage of a book, we’re together a lot….sketching out ideas, outlining a plot, building art reference, watching movie clips. Once we’re on the same page, we both go off separately; Megan to write the manuscript, Jorge to draw. Then we come back together to review and critique everything we’ve both done.

People often want to know if we argue. Of course we do! Part of we’ve learned while collaborating at companies is how important healthy disagreement and creative conflict are to the process. Ideas and stories get better when you can push each other to go even further. Respectfully, while keeping your focus on the work. We welcome the “conflict” now because we know it means there’s room to grow…our standards are pretty high and holding each other accountable to those standards is key to our process.

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

Consistent exercise is really important to both of us. Jorge does Cross-fit and Megan does hot yoga. Sweat seems to clear space for creative work. We take walks most days and talk about where we’re at with a project or hammer out details of what’s working and what isn’t.

It isn’t always easy to remember (okay, you might have to drag us kicking and screaming) but taking days off from working to go see a movie, eat Torchy’s Chips and Queso (it’s amazing and totally dangerous), or just do a whole lot of nothing can open up room for ideas and fresh energy.

Getting new ideas isn’t really an issue; it’s zeroing in on the ones that speak to us most urgently, knocking them around enough to slough off the dust and craggly parts, and then carefully cultivating them into the special somethings that they become.

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

Jorge: I work digitally primarily. I recently made the switch to a Dell Canvas and I’m not sure how I survived before. It’s upped my game and I love it.

Also, Cuban crackers. Nom, nom.

Megan: My Macbook Air. So not unique, but I love me some coffee while clicking and clacking away.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Gosh, there are tons. To name just a few…

Adam Rex

Paulo Coelho

Yuyi Morales

Kate DiCamillo

Judy Blume

Peter Brown

Mac Barnett

William Joyce

Tony and Angela DiTerlizzi

Alice and Martin Provensen

Jon Klassen

Dream project to work on?

This is our dream. We loved creating ZOMBIES, we love our current projects, and we really can’t wait to get started on all the stories we have popcorning around in our heads. We’ve been planning for this time in our lives, working day and night to make it happen. So eternally grateful!

Tell us about your debut book.

Mo Romero is a zombie who loves nothing more than growing, cooking, and eating vegetables. Tomatoes? Tantalizing. Peppers? Pure perfection! The problem? Mo's parents insist that their niño eat only zombie cuisine, like arm-panadas and finger foods. They tell Mo over and over that zombies don't eat veggies. But Mo can't imagine a lifetime of just eating zombie food and giving up his veggies. As he questions his own zombie identity, Mo tries his best to convince his parents to give peas a chance.

The Spanish edition ¡Los Zombis No Comen Verduras! is also available and features details exclusive to that edition. Our story has a lot of puns and zombie jokes that wouldn’t work with a straight translation. Yanitzia Canetti adapted ZOMBIES and did a wonderful job!

We hope you’ll love our quirky story about family, self-discovery, and the power of acceptance!

What’s up next for you?

We signed a two-book deal with Lee and Low Books (their first for picture books!) so we are already working on book #2 (monsters may or may not be involved). We also have several other projects in the works, including more picture books and illustrated middle grade series.

We’ve also created several animated series for kids. One is currently in development…stay tuned for more news on this in the coming months!

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

Megan: A hard choice of epic proportions, but I have to go with The Neverending Story. What I wouldn’t do for a luck dragon like Falcor!

Jorge: Impossible to pick just one. Okay, fine! Monster Squad.

Huge thank you to Megan and Jorge for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your wonderful new book, we can’t wait to see all your upcoming projects!

JORGE LACERA was born in Colombia, and grew up in Miami, Florida, drawing in sketchbooks, on napkins, on walls, and anywhere his parents would let him. After graduating with honors from Ringling College of Art and Design, Jorge worked as a visual development and concept artist for companies like American Greetings and Irrational Games. As a big fan of pop culture, comics, and zombie movies, Jorge rarely saw Latino kids as the heroes or leads. He is committed to changing that, especially now that he has a son.

MEGAN LACERA grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, with a book always in her hands. She became a writer and creator of characters and worlds for entertainment companies like American Greetings, GoldieBlox, and Hasbro, and later formed her own creative company (Studio Lacera) with husband Jorge Lacera. After reading many stories to their son, Megan realized that very few books reflected a family like theirs--multicultural, bilingual, funny, and imperfect. She decided to change that by writing her own stories.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Megan and Jorge and their work, visit them online here or follow them on social media:

Twitter: @Jlacera @MeganLacera

Instagram: @Jlacera

Facebook: @MeganAndJorgeLacera

LinkedIn: @Jlacera @MeganLacera

TO ORDER Megan and Jorge’s book, ring up your local bookstore or click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of ZOMBIES DON’T EAT VEGGIES?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, April 11th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with debut author Cathy Ballou Mealey!

H E L L O C R I T T E R S !

My name is Lindsay Ward. I'm a children's book author + illustrator, wife to author Frank Tupta, mama to three wild boys, and an 80s baby who loves to bake. Most days you can find me writing and drawing in my studio at home in Peninsula, Ohio.

Welcome to Critter Lit! A place where you can receive real advice from practicing authors, illustrators, and author/illustrators like me.

Tune-in to Critter Lit's Curated Content every Thursday for interviews and information about writing and illustrating picture books.

Like what you see? Subscribe below:

Critter Lit is always looking for debut and veteran authors, illustrators, and author/illustrators to interview. We want to share your work!

To schedule an interview, please click on the button below:

Reach out

lindsaymward

RT @SuperJaneArtist: So excited 2 B chatting up my #hilarious new #funnybunny #picturebook, NAKED BUTT BUSTS OUT w/ @lindsaymward on the… https://t.co/mzVTSPK9Kg
Mar 31, 2023, 9:50 PM

New to CRITTER LIT? Check out the critiques we offer below:

Featured

Picture Book Manuscript Critique

$125.00

Manuscript Critiques include comments on the following:

strengths of the manuscript
areas for improvement
character development
plot + structure
word choice
voice
marketability in the current children’s picture book market
Manuscript Critiques are returned within 2 weeks.

Dummy Critique

$300.00

For author/illustrators looking for insightful feedback regarding their picture book dummy. Dummy Critiques include notes on the following:

a general review of both text and art
line comments
composition
pacing of the dummy as a whole.
All Dummy Critiques are returned within 2 weeks.

Picture Book Manuscript Critique THREE ROUNDS

$500.00

For the writer who would like to delve in a bit more to the revision process.

Includes (1) 30 minute video chat critique session, plus two rounds of revisions with feedback provided after each revision via email.

Manuscript Critiques include comments on the following:

strengths of the manuscript
areas for improvement
character development
plot + structure
word choice
voice
marketability in the current children’s picture book market
Manuscript Critiques are returned within 2 weeks.

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Emma Reynolds

Interview with Author Norene Paulson

Interview with Debut Author Corey Finkle

Interview with Debut Author Sita Singh

Interview with Debut Author Jess Hernandez

Interview with Author Rajani LaRocca

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Sarah Kurpiel

Interview with Debut Author Ashley Franklin

Interview with Debut Author Hannah Stark

Interview with Debut Author Ishta Mercurio

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Mikela Prevost

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator and Husband and Wife Team Megan and Jorge Lacera

Powered by Squarespace