Critter Lit

Write. Draw. Read. Repeat.

Authors

new book

Interview with Author Terry Pierce Part 2

Authors, Book Reviews, InterviewsLindsay Ward8 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! We are taking a few weeks off here and there throughout the summer to spend some time resting and relaxing, BUT today we have a fantastic interview with author Terry Pierce, who we were lucky enough to connect with a while back. You can read our first interview with Terry from 2020 here. Terry is back with a new book, HELLO, MEADOW! illustrated by Nadja Sarell, which published with Yosemite Conservancy last month. I’m thrilled to have Terry with us again and can’t wait to catch up and hear about all the fantastic work she’s been doing.

So without further ado, please welcome Terry Pierce!

Where do you live?

I‘m very fortunate to live in the beautiful mountain community of Mammoth Lakes, California, a small town nestled in the heart of the Eastern Sierra. My husband and I moved there in 2019 when he retired. 

How many years have you been in publishing?

I began writing in 1999, after closing my Montessori preschool, so it’s been almost twenty-four years now! I wanted to stay connected to young children and had been thinking of trying my hand at writing children’s books for a while, (like so many teachers!), so it felt natural to give it a try.

How did you first get published?

My first publications came in the form of pet magazines. When I first started writing, I gave myself a 5-year deadline to get a book published or else find a different career (I know, very naive of me!). I also made the mistake of submitting picture book manuscripts too soon, so when I became frustrated with all the rejections and wanted any kind of “win,” I tried writing for pet magazines and succeeded. I also re-strategized and decided to write children’s joke books, which turned out to be my first published children’s books. Three months after my first joke book manuscript, Greatest Goofiest Jokes, was accepted, I received an offer on my first picture book, Two Tales of Hawaii. Both books were published within my 5-year deadline!

Do you write full-time?

At the moment, I’d say I write part-time with a full-time heart. Because my husband retired and we moved to a place that constantly calls to me get outside, I’m not writing quite as much as I used to, but it’s certainly enough to keep me busy! Although I do write outside, in nature, a lot more than I used to, which is inspiring and joyful.

When I was writing full-time, I looked at it as my full-time job. I would “clock in” at 8:30 every weekday morning, take a 30-minute lunch break, and “clock out” around 3:30-4:00. I spent my mornings writing, and the afternoons doing marketing and book promotion. Now, I write when the muse calls, which is a lot of fun.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Inspiration can come from many places, but lately, I draw much inspiration from nature. I’m surrounded by some of the most beautiful wilderness in the world, in a place of wild animals, towering trees, and dynamic waterways, which always stirs up story ideas in my mind.

For example, when I heard about Yosemite Conservancy’s call-out for board books, I thought about what I’ve learned about bear conservation since moving to Mammoth Lakes—important concepts such as proper food storage and trash disposal, locking a dumpster after you use it, and not leaving any food in your vehicle. It occurred to me that this would be a great idea for teaching very small children how to be good stewards of the environment. Yosemite Conservancy loved the idea and Eat Up, Bear! was born.

Eat Up, Bear! has had so much success that Yosemite Conservancy asked me to write a board book about meadow conservation, using a similar structure to our bear book. Now, we’re celebrating the release of Hello, Meadow! on April 11, 2023. I didn’t have to wander too far for this book’s inspiration. I took trips to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park and ventured out into my own backyard, which has many gorgeous meadows to inspire.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

Initially, I was most surprised at how long it takes for an idea to become a published book. When I talk with my UCLA writing students about this, they’re always surprised at this, too. I think the longest it took for one of my ideas to get published was Mother Earth’s Lullaby (Tilbury House), which took ten years from idea to publication. I’ve always joked that book publication works in “glacial time” even though I understand why now. A writer and editorial team need time to perfect the text, the illustrator typically needs 6-12 months to create the artwork, and you can add another six months for the printing process. If any unexpected extraneous global or economic factors occur, they can delay the process even further. So, if you want to write children’s books, put on your “patience cap!” 

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love having a creative outlet, where I can play with words and language. It took me a while to discover that my “sweet spot” for writing is rhyming picture books, but this is where I thrive. I’ve dabbled in other children’s book formats (chapter books and even a middle-grade novel), but I’m most happy when writing for very young children.

I also enjoy knowing that my books are having a positive effect on children’s lives. I missed that from my Montessori teaching days, but now, I can have an even broader influence on kids, whether it comes in the form of helping them learn to read with my easy readers, or helping get them off to a great start in life by snuggling up on someone’s lap and sharing a board book or picture book. In the case of Hello, Meadow! and Eat Up, Bear!, I love knowing that I’ve had a hand in creating future conservationists who understand that the natural world—while seemingly resilient—can actually be fragile and needs good stewards to care for it. Collaborating with the Yosemite Conservancy publishers and the National Park Service to make sure our message comes through in a kid-friendly way that’s inviting to little ones and their families was a great experience.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Waiting for responses to queries and submissions can be exhausting! And it’s not just about the time. When I first began writing, the wait typically ended with a response of some kind from an editor. I loved it when an editor wrote an encouraging note, even if they passed on the manuscript. Nowadays, as you know, most houses don’t give any kind of reply, unless they're interested in the work. I understand their need to save time and energy, but I find it frustrating because I have no idea if I was close, if the idea has merit and is worth pursuing, or if it needs a fresh perspective. I do miss the human connection with the submission process.

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

I get outside! In the summer, I’ll go on a hike or long walk. In the winter, I’ll strap on my snowshoes and go for a walk where I can be alone and think. The fresh air, the cadence of my steps, and wide-open spaces always gets the creative juices flowing!

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I like it to be quiet when I write. No music, TV, or any background conversation when I’m working. I find it too distracting and can’t focus very well. Once, when my family was visiting and I had a deadline, I drove to a nearby trailhead, parked, and worked in my car! I figured if I needed a break, I was right at a trailhead and could walk in the woods to clear my head.

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

Amongst the many positive experiences I’ve had with the Kid Lit community, one of the most memorable came very early in my writing experience. Let me preface this by saying I’m basically a shy person. The year I started writing, I joined the SCBWI and signed up for a Writers’ Day event in Los Angeles, which was held at a school. I drove three hours to the event and found a seat inside, pretty much keeping to myself but noticing how many people knew each other. It was like a reunion of old friends for many! 

At lunch, I took my boxed lunch and went out onto the football field where many other participants chose to eat. I was sitting on the 50-yard line, all alone, when a woman came over from a nearby group and asked me if I was meeting anyone. I said no, and she invited me to join them. I was so grateful for her kindness, and found that the group was actually from my chapter of the SCBWI! I’m still friends with some of those writers, and many of them went on to become published authors. For a very shy person who found the courage to drive by herself to Los Angeles to attend a writing conference, this was the ultimate reward! It made me realize that joining the SCBWI was more than just learning about children’s writing—it was about networking and finding like-minded friends.

Recommended reading?

I don’t have any specific books to recommend because so many terrific titles come out all the time, but what I do recommend is to pay attention to titles from resources such as the ALA Caldecott Medal nominees, or Betsy Bird’s “Best Books” list she does each December at her Fuse#8 Production blog. (https://afuse8production.slj.com/)

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

For me, the highlight of my career was when I received an offer of representation from a reputable agency a few years ago. It was validating, after 68 agent queries, to see that my work had enough merit for an agent to want to represent my work (actually, I had two agencies interested at the same time). I loved networking with other authors from the agency and being so connected with them. Unfortunately, I eventually let my agent go as we just weren’t a good match, but still, the experience was an important part of my writing journey. 

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

Great question! Two things would have been good to know at the beginning. First, I wish someone could have explained how much work it takes to get published—learning the craft, networking, submitting and querying, handling rejections (because we all get passes on our work), and continuing to get published after your first book comes out. 

Second, I would have liked to have had an idea of how much money children’s authors are paid. Books, particularly picture books, are a huge investment for publishers sometimes costing them up to $25-30K. And many picture books are only in print for two or three years, so most authors’ earnings are limited unless they’re fortunate to have a top-selling book. According to Hannah Holt’s author survey (2017), the majority of published picture book writers earn less than $10K annually. That wouldn’t have deterred me from writing, but it would have been good to know before I started!

Can you tell us about your newest book?

I’d love to! Hello, Meadow! is my second board book with Yosemite Conservancy, illustrated by the talented Nadja Sarell. In the early summer of 2021, our editor, Nicole Geiger, approached me with an idea from the publisher about writing a book about meadow conservation, in a similar style as our first book, Eat Up, Bear! Of course, I said yes! I dove into researching the importance of meadows as wildlife habitats, water filters, carbon retainers, and places of peace and beauty for humans. 

Interior art from HELLO, MEADOW! by Terry Pierce, illustrated by Nadja Sarell, published by Yosemite Conservancy

After a couple of initial drafts, we landed in a place where everyone liked where the book was going; then, for me, it was a matter of fine-tuning the text. I was thrilled when my editor confirmed that Nadja Sarell was interested in doing the illustrations for the book, as her artwork in Eat Up, Bear! was charming, inviting, and perfect for the project. It was a collaboration between myself, Nicole, Yosemite Conservancy, and the National Park Service to determine specific species of flora and fauna to include in the art, along with a diverse cast of humans. Nadja did an amazing job! Her colorful illustrations will invite young children and their families to pour over the pages finding animals, flowers, and other plants, all while experiencing the message that meadows are fragile yet important places that need our care and respect.

Interior art from HELLO, MEADOW! by Terry Pierce, illustrated by Nadja Sarell, published by Yosemite Conservancy

Interior art from HELLO, MEADOW! by Terry Pierce, illustrated by Nadja Sarell, published by Yosemite Conservancy

Interior art from HELLO, MEADOW! by Terry Pierce, illustrated by Nadja Sarell, published by Yosemite Conservancy

What’s up next for you?

I have another board book, I’m a Baby!, coming out in Fall of 2024 with Familius. I’m also working with Yosemite Conservancy on another possible board book, but it’s too early to give any details on that one. Stay tuned!

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

I always recommend aspiring writers join the SCBWI. It’s a terrific organization and a great place to learn about children’s writing. Their workshops, conferences, and resources such as The Book, are incredibly helpful. And of course, it’s a great way to network and find like-minded writers.

Another suggestion I make to new writers is to take a writing course on the genre they’re interested in writing, as it gives a structured look at the craft. It’s so important to develop your craft before you start submitting your work! Early in my career, I took some courses through UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, and now I teach for them. They offer a variety of classes on writing for children and teens, in a variety of formats (online, remote, on-campus). Their website is https://www.uclaextension.edu/writing-journalism/creative-writing/courses#PS0032.

And last, but not least, who is your favorite children’s book character?

Oh gosh, that’s a tough question! As a child, my favorite character was Pippi Longstocking. I saw myself in her because she was such a tomboy! She was also bold and outspoken, two qualities I wish I had, as I was a very shy child. I also loved Wilbur the pig from Charlotte’s Web. He was so sweet and humble. I always thought he had the characteristics of a good friend. As an adult, one of my favorite characters is Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Katniss was a brilliant mix of strength, determination, and resilience, combined with compassion and kindness.


Huge thank you to Terry for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book!


TERRY PIERCE is the author of twenty-six children’s books, including Eat Up, Bear! (Yosemite Conservancy), Love Can Come in Many Ways (Chronicle Books), Mama Loves You So (Little Simon) and Soccer Time! (Random House). She has an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, including Picture Book Concentration certification. She's been writing since 1999; with her work appearing in children's and parenting magazines, and the children’s book market. Terry also teaches online children’s writing courses for UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. She lives in the mountain community of Mammoth Lakes, California where she can be found writing, enjoying the outdoors, or watching wildlife from her living room. To learn more about Terry, please visit her website at https://www.terrypiercebooks.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Terry follow her online:

Facebook: @TerryPierceAuthor

Twitter: @terrycpierce

Instagram: @tlcpierce

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of HELLO, MEADOW! click here.

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

Interview with Author Amy Baron

Authors, Debut InterviewsLindsay Ward4 Comments

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 Debut Author Sarah Bagley Steele

Authors, Interviews, Debut InterviewsLindsay Ward2 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Sarah Bagley Steele, whose debut picture book, THE HAPPIEST KID, illustrated by Elsa Pui Si Lo and Clarice Yunyi Cai, releases with Yeehoo Press this month. I’m thrilled to have Sarah with us today to talk about her new book, writing process, and start in kidlit.

So without further ado, please welcome Sarah Bagley Steele!

Where do you live?

Brooklyn, NY.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I started writing picture books in 2017 and sent out my first query almost exactly four years ago. 

How did you first get published?

The Happiest Kid is my debut book and I sold it directly to the publisher, Yeehoo Press. I submitted it in February 2020 after reading they had an interest in children’s books about emotions. In June 2020, I received a revise and resubmit request from my future editor, along with the most helpful, insightful feedback that led me to an “aha!” moment with the manuscript. I tore through a revision, sent it back, and received an offer the following month. 

Do you write full-time?

I do. I produced theater for many years and pivoted to writing for children when my company shuttered. It was always a dream of mine, and I was fortunate to have a window of time where I could pursue it. 

What inspires you to create picture books?

I love the shared experience of a picture book, both for the creators and the readers. Picture books are usually read together – parents reading to children in bed, teachers to classrooms. There’s a ritual to picture book reading that I find very moving. As a writer, I’m inspired by the way the illustrations and the text dance together to tell a complete story. 

What surprised you the most working as an author?

The timeline surprised me. There was a busy period with a lot of activity and back and forth with my editor, then long stretches of quiet once the text was set. It made me appreciate even more just how much work and time goes into creating a picture book. 

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love the moment when I first think of a new story idea and my mind starts racing with possibilities. It never gets old.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Finishing a first draft. I enjoy rewriting, but the initial process of getting something new down on paper, however messy and imperfect – and with an ending – is always hard. 

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

I love a good, long walk in the park, quietly thinking and looking at the world. I like to work stories out in my head before I ever start typing. I walk, and I mutter to myself. 

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I like to write in silence, which often means I work at late at night once everyone has gone to bed. My husband and children love to listen to music while they work, but I can’t do it. I have difficulty writing in cafés or crowded library reading rooms. I think I just get easily distracted!

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

Being on Critter Lit is a positive experience! Thank you so much for having me. The willingness of Kid Lit creators to support and lift each other up has been so inspiring and I hope to carry that forward. 

Recommended reading?

I love a good bedtime story, and Goodnight Ganesha by Nadia Salomon and illustrated by Poonam Mistry has such beautiful language and rich cultural details, and the artwork is stunning. My whole family was fascinated by the nonfiction picture book Battle of the Butts by Jocelyn Rish, illustrated by David Creighton-Pester, about how animals use their behinds for evolutionary advantages. And in middle grade, a recent favorite was The Wolf’s Curse by Jessica Vitalis, which was magical and mythic and dreamy and had me feeling all the feels. 

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Last week the preorders of The Happiest Kid began arriving and my friends and family kept texting me photos – my father proudly holding the book, my best friends’ children sitting together on the floor reading it. My daughter asked me to sign her book. Sharing something from your heart with the people you love is hard to beat. 

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

Do your research. Join Julie Hedlund’s 12x12 Picture Book Challenge, join SCWBI, join the KidLit411 Facebook Group, follow writers you like on Twitter, read the deal announcements in Publishers Weekly. There are so many wise and generous creators out there willing to offer advice and answer your questions, but first you have to ask them.  

Can you tell us about your newest book?

The Happiest Kid, illustrated by Elsa Pui Si Lo and Clarice Yunyi Cai, is about a happy kid who wakes up one morning not feeling happy. Where she normally sees a bright sun, there is now a cloud. She doesn’t know why it’s there, but she doesn’t want anyone to see it—not her parents, not her teacher, and not her friends—so she hides it away. She stuffs it in her pocket, and zips it in her backpack. But as the day goes on, the cloud grows too big and heavy for her to carry, and she must find the courage to let it out. It’s a reassuring book about big feelings and understanding that everyone feels sad sometimes, and that’s okay. 

Interior art from THE HAPPIEST KID by Sarah Bagley Steele, illustrated by Elsa Pui Si Lo and Clarice Yunyi Cai

What’s up next for you?

I’m getting ready to submit a new picture book and am also determined to return to the unfinished middle grade manuscript that keeps haunting my dreams. 

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

Something that I still struggle with is knowing when to keep working on a manuscript that isn’t getting any bites, and when to move on to something new. It’s important to believe in your work, but also to keep growing and moving forward.  

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

Adventures in Babysitting. Please tell me I’m not the only one who used to lip sync along to the opening scene with a hairbrush microphone!


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


Sarah Bagley Steele is a children’s author who loves stories of all kinds that not only make you feel, but help you see the world differently than when you began. 

Before turning her attention to her own writing, Sarah worked in the theater industry, developing new plays and musicals off Broadway. She founded a summer theater company in Pennsylvania and produced ten seasons of free Shakespeare in the Park. 

Sarah lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, two children and rascal puppy. When not writing, she loves reading, cooking, and crafting of all sorts. On her Instagram feed @sarah.writes.for.kids she shares book recommendations, and activity and craft ideas. You can also find her at www.sarahbagleysteele.com.

BUY THIS BOOK To order THE HAPPIEST KID, click here.

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

Interview with Debut Author Melanie Ellsworth

Authors, Debut InterviewsLindsay Ward12 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! Today on Critter Lit we have an interview with Melanie Ellsworth whose debut picture book, CLARINET AND TRUMPET, illustrated by John Herzog, comes out March 2021 with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Originally slated to come out this week, the release date has been changed to next year. So please make sure to preorder a copy and support Melanie’s debut book!

I love a punny book and this one is full of them! It also features a music-making shaker built into the book for an interactive component. You can join the orchestra too! How fun is that?!

So without further ado, please welcome Melanie Ellsworth to Critter Lit!

Screen Shot 2020-08-26 at 6.32.52 AM.png

Where do you live?

In mid-coast Maine in an old house with an old barn attached.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I’ve always loved picture books at every age and stage of my life. During my teen years, I toted a bag of favorite picture books with me to every babysitting gig, and later I shared them while teaching ESOL and doing literacy coaching. Just for fun, while traveling through Kenya in my twenties, I wrote (and a friend illustrated) a picture book inspired by our time spent in the Kakamega Rainforest. When my daughter was born years later, I got inspired to finally follow that dream of writing picture books, and I wrote after work and during my daughter’s naps.

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

When I first started seriously writing in 2012, I joined SCBWI and quickly found a wonderful local critique group. For a time, I was actually in three critique groups! That got to be a bit much, so now I’m part of two groups. I attended the New England SCBWI conference and found a community of writers there as well, and I followed several writers on-line. There are so many brilliant blogs out there about the industry and the craft of writing. In February 2017, I was fortunate enough to get a three-month mentorship with picture book author Beth Ferry through the “Writing with the Stars” contest, and that experience gave me confidence to keep querying agents and editors. Then in September 2017, at the “Agents Editors Writers” conference in Belgrade Lakes, Maine, an editor from HMH expressed enthusiasm for my picture book Clarinet & Trumpet when it was read anonymously during the slush-pile panel. I sent the book to that editor after the conference, got a revision request, revised and re-sent it, and got a contract in June 2018! From there, I signed with my agent, and sold a second picture book to HMH. Those books are coming out in August 2020 and February 2021, and we have several more books on submission now.

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

For me, I think the most effective thing to do is just to keep writing. When I’m not working on something new, I don’t feel as energized. Ideas come to me at any time of day, often in the form of silly titles involving puns. Some of them work better than others when I try to turn them into picture books!

Tell us about your debut book:

My debut book, Clarinet & Trumpet, illustrated by John Herzog, is somewhat autobiographical. I played the clarinet in bands and orchestras for many years and noticed a friendly rivalry between the woodwinds and brass. My book is about a friendship between Clarinet and Trumpet that falls flat when they divide into factions but reignites when they realize that every instrument and every section must come together to make the music amazing. I had a blast putting lots of musical puns into this book. I hope readers enjoy the friendship story while also learning about the different instruments and sections in an orchestra. John Herzog really made the characters come alive with his vibrant illustrations!

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

It’s a tie between Stand By Me and Back to the Future. (As a Mainer, I have to lean towards Stand By Me since it’s based on a story written by Stephen King!)


Huge thank you to Melanie for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited for your debut! Congrats!


Melanie Ellsworth dreams and writes in lovely mid-coast Maine, where her family (especially the dog), provides daily inspiration for her picture books. Her debut book, Clarinet & Trumpet, illustrated by John Herzog, comes out with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in March 2021, followed by Hip, Hip…Beret!, illustrated by Morena Forza. 

WANT TO KNOW MORE about Melanie or her books, visit her online at www.MelanieEllsworth.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter (@melanieells)

Instagram (@melaniebellsworth)

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Melanie’s new picture book, CLARINET AND TRUMPET, illustrated by John Herzog, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of CLARINET AND TRUMPET?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, September 3rd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Paulette Bochnig Sharkey

Authors, book release, Debut InterviewsLindsay Ward6 Comments

Happy Thursday Critters! It’s so nice to be back with you all. I hope you are staying healthy and safe during this quarantine.

I’m thrilled to be sharing today’s interview with you because today is the very first time I’m interviewing a debut published author who I had the chance to work with through Critter Lit’s critique service! It’s so wonderful to see a project come full-circle. Frank and I receive lots of critique requests through the site, sometimes we get to work with people again, but most of the time we have no idea what happens to the manuscripts we critique. Generally, we are a stop along the publishing journey for many picture book authors. But with Paulette’s manuscript, I’m thrilled to say she got published! I was so excited to hear she sold her manuscript when she reached out to let me know. It’s wonderful to be apart of that process. I’m so excited for Paulette and can’t wait to share her debut book, A DOLL FOR GRANDMA, illustrated by Samantha Woo, with all of you today.

So without further ado, please welcome Paulette Bochnig Sharkey!

Paulette Sharkey headshot.jpg

Where do you live?

I live in East Lansing, Michigan, home of Michigan State University. Go Green! 

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I didn’t grow up with picture books. The first childhood books I remember are the ones I read to myself, starting probably around 4th grade, like Nancy Drew mysteries and the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. I still have all my hardcover copies.

My introduction to picture books came much later, when I became a mom, which was in 1984. My daughter and I shared huge stacks of books every bedtime. I loved the minimalism of picture books and decided I wanted to write one. But decades passed before I made that happen.

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

When I was a stay-at-home mom, I sold a lot of nonfiction articles and word games to children’s magazines like Highlights, Ladybug, Cricket, and Hopscotch.

But it wasn’t until I retired from my job as a reference librarian that I got back to my goal of writing a picture book. I joined SCBWI and took a Writer’s Digest University course, “Writing the Picture Book.” During that 4-week course, I drafted a manuscript that, after many critiques (including a very helpful one from you, Lindsay!), became my debut picture book. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

Because I write more nonfiction than fiction, my process usually starts with research. I like hunting for interesting, even elusive nuggets of information. I think it’s the reference librarian in me. The problem is, I enjoy it so much that I sometimes have a hard time stopping the research and getting to the actual writing!

I like to have a fairly good opening line before I start writing. Of course, the opening often changes multiple times, but I seem to need it to get me going on a story. Recently, I’ve started writing a pitch before I write my first draft. I put the pitch at the top of my WIP to keep me on point.

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

Like many others, I often get ideas when I’m not at my desk. I find walking helps clear my mind to make room for new ideas. I read a lot for inspiration, heeding the advice of poet Jane Kenyon that writers need to "Read good books, have good sentences in your ears." 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, when it has been hard to focus on writing at all, I’ve turned to one of my favorite anxiety-tamers for word lovers: crossword puzzles. It’s hard to worry about your problems when you’re solving a crossword.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I need my computer, a good light source, and complete quiet. It’s nice if I have a cup of hot green tea, too, but that’s not a requirement! And I prefer to write first thing in the morning, before my mind gets cluttered with concerns of the day. I’m not a go-to-a-coffee-shop-to-write kind of person (and we can’t do that right now anyway). Too many distractions there. I’m happiest writing in my upstairs home office, with a nice view of squirrels scampering through the evergreens. 

Any authors who inspire you?

Oh, there are so many! I adore the writing of Kevin Henkes. So much humor and heart. A Weekend with Wendell is the first picture book I remember reading with my daughter that made us both laugh. In fact, I’m sure I laughed harder than she did. 

I’m a big fan of picture book biographies and am working on one myself. Two titles that I greatly admire and return to again and again for their lyrical language are Margarita Engle’s Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln and Jennifer Berne’s On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein.

And there have been some beautiful picture books about memory loss published in the last few years, like The Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros, The Tide by Clare Helen Welsh. Travels with My Granny by Juliet Rix, Finding Grandma’s Memories by Jiyeon Pak.

Dream project to work on?

I’m a pianist and have written several music-themed picture book manuscripts, including a biography of 19th century pianist Clara Schumann. I like projects that let me shine a light on lesser-known female musicians.

I also have an idea for a book about adoption that’s dear to my heart but I have not yet been able to find a way into that story. 

Tell us about your debut book.

A Doll for Grandma: A Story about Alzheimer’s Disease, illustrated by Samantha Woo (Beaming Books, May 2020), is a picture book about a little girl named Kiera, whose grandmother develops Alzheimer’s disease and moves into a memory-care home. There, Kiera embraces Grandma’s altered sense of reality and figures out a new way for the two of them to play together and sustain their close relationship. It’s a story about empathy, kindness, and the special bond between grandparent and grandchild. It’s about loving and accepting people as they are, even when they change.

My inspiration to write A Doll for Grandma came from many years working as a volunteer pianist in memory-care homes and from caring for family members with dementia. The best way to interact with people living with Alzheimer’s is to enter their reality, rather than trying to bring them back into our world. My main character models this behavior when she gives Grandma a baby doll. Kiera and Grandma care for their baby dolls together, sharing moments of joy and meaningful connection.

I’m fortunate to be able to donate all my author proceeds from the book to support Alzheimer’s research. We must find a cure.

What’s up next for you?

I’m querying agents and hope that 2020 is the year I receive an offer of representation!

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

Big, from 1988, a sweet, funny Tom Hanks movie, directed by Penny Marshall. There’s a great scene where Hanks and Robert Loggia play “Chopsticks”—with their feet—on a giant keyboard at an FAO Schwarz toy store.


Huge thank you to Paulette for joining us on Critter Lit today! Congratulations on your debut!


PAULETTE BOCHNIG SHARKEY worked for many years as a librarian, first in her home state of Michigan, and later in Australia, Nevada, and Wisconsin. She is the author of two library reference books and dozens of articles for children’s magazines. Paulette has also worked as a recipe indexer, braille transcriber, developmental editor, proofreader, and ghostwriter. A DOLL FOR GRANDMA is her first children’s book.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Paulette, visit her online or follow her on Twitter @PBSharkey

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

WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of Paulette’s debut book, A DOLL FOR GRANDMA?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, May 14th! US addresses only please.

Making Brobarians - A Look Back At Last Summer

book release, Authors + Illustrators, Authors, IllustratorsLindsay WardComment

To say that last summer was crazy would be an understatement. Within a matter of three months I finished Brobarians and we sold our house. By the end of the summer, we were in tow with a baby and dog and no place to live (our house sold much faster than we anticipated). Thankfully our parents were willing to take us in until we could close on a new house (we bid and lost out on FOUR houses until we found our current house, which was totally worth the wait, but still it was crazy!) Here’s a look at some of the photos I took while making Brobarians last summer:

The beginning of making a picture book. Lots of staring at a wall filled with drawings.

The beginning of making a picture book. Lots of staring at a wall filled with drawings.

This was the first color sample I did for Brobarians.

This was the first color sample I did for Brobarians.

The tiniest Brobarian you've ever seen!

The tiniest Brobarian you've ever seen!

Making a Brobarian in cut paper (back + front!)

Making a Brobarian in cut paper (back + front!)

Illustrating my own dog Sally into the book.

Illustrating my own dog Sally into the book.

Seen here with her own Brobarian.

Seen here with her own Brobarian.

Adding in the rain.

Adding in the rain.

In order to make the Map of Brobaria endpapers look like it was actually drawn by a kid, I drew it left-handed. It was much harder than I thought it would be.

In order to make the Map of Brobaria endpapers look like it was actually drawn by a kid, I drew it left-handed. It was much harder than I thought it would be.

The red squares = complete. This is how I kept track of which spreads I had finished as I typically don’t work chronologically.

The red squares = complete. This is how I kept track of which spreads I had finished as I typically don’t work chronologically.

The aftermath of a picture book. I’m usually finding bits of paper from a book months after I’ve finished it. The paper gets EVERYWHERE!

The aftermath of a picture book. I’m usually finding bits of paper from a book months after I’ve finished it. The paper gets EVERYWHERE!

Not to worry, even thought I finished the book, I still have my own little Brobarian who keeps me on my toes.

Not to worry, even thought I finished the book, I still have my own little Brobarian who keeps me on my toes.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Lindsay

Making BROBARIANS, or How to Be Inspired to Write a Picture Book by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Illustrators, Authors + Illustrators, Authors, book releaseLindsay WardComment

At the end of this month, my newest picture book BROBARIANS with Two Lions, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, will pub on March 28th. I'm so excited to share this book with all of you for many reasons, but mostly because I never thought this book would be published. I honestly didn't think anyone would get it. It's weird and quirky and has nods to the writing of John Milius, who isn't exactly the poster boy for childhood. Yet here we are, a month out from publication thanks to all the fabulous people at Two Lions who believed in it too.

Let me start from the beginning. My husband has this list of must-see movies. He's very particular about them and feels that they are necessary to be a well-rounded viewer/human being. In other words, if you haven't seen them, he won't think much of your movie taste. What can I say, he's particular about his movies. One of the movies on his list is Conan the Barbarian, written and directed by John Milius, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. I know what you're thinking. Really, that's on the list? Yes. And like all of you, I thought could this movie really be worth two hours of my life? But my husband insisted. Apparently my life would be stunted without it this viewing experience. So we watched it. And to be honest, I hated the first half hour of it. It was campy, cheesy, and completely ridiculous. But then something strange happened, I started to enjoy the campy, cheesy, and completely ridiculous dialogue. It was so over the top. This movie represented everything I would typically pass on, but for some reason it all worked. By the end of the two hours I loved it. And better yet...and book idea was forming.

I realized that the voice of Conan the Barbarian is what really sets it apart. I don't mean Arnold's voice, but rather the words of John Milius, the writer. This is the same guy who wrote Red Dawn, Apocalypse Now, Dirty Harry, etc. An over the top, larger than life writer and director in the movie business. In fact, if any of you have seen The Big Lebowski (another movie on my husband's list) the character played by John Goodman is based on Milius. I imagine you have to be pretty bold to create his resume. Days after watching Conan, the voice stayed with me.

And then I remembered a story my husband told me about he and his brother when they were little. My husband is two years older than his younger brother. By the time his younger brother was walking around with a bottle, my husband had already been weened off of them. But that didn't change the fact that he still wanted one all the time. So on occasion my husband was known to steal his younger brother's bottle and go hide behind a chair while he gulped it down. This lasted a whole of five minutes before their mom would figure out what had happened and take the bottle away. Apparently this became a household routine.

So between the Conan voice bouncing around in my head and the story my husband told me...BROBARIANS was created. As soon as the idea popped into my head, I wrote the first draft in one go. The story went through many, many, many drafts and revisions. But finally I was ready to create a dummy and send it to my agent. She must have thought I was crazy the first time she read BROBARIANS. I knew it was going to be a tough sell because the voice was so adult. But I also knew that's where the humor was. This idea of babies juxtaposed with this over-the-top narration was too funny not to try.

We went out on two rounds of general submission and magically two houses were interested! I couldn't believe someone was going to let me publish this book. Even now I still feel that way. Ultimately we felt that Two Lions and Amazon were a great fit for BROBARIANS.

After finishing the book, I received the best editorial letter yet, to which my editor said:

"I can say with certainty that this is the only time I have ever said this to anyone: thanks for watching Conan the Barbarian."

So...here's the point of this post: you never know where your ideas will come from, least of all a movie night with your husband starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Who'd of thought?

I'm thrilled to share BROBARIANS on March 28th! I hope you all find it as funny as I do!

Lindsay

To pre-order BROBARIANS, please click here.

Make sure to check back during the month of March for more posts about the making of BROBARIANS!