Interview with Author Julie Murphy

Happy Friday Critters! I know— it’s Friday not Thursday but we are here! And this week has been crazy! So although this post is a day later than our normal posting, today we have a fabulous interview with Julie Murphy, a trained zoologist and zookeeper turned author! I’m such a huge fan of books that focus on fascinating facts about animals and nature— my boys pour over books like Julie’s. I’m so happy Julie is with us today, all the way from Australia, to talk about her books (19 and counting!), road to publication, and experience in the publishing industry.

So without further ado, please welcome Julie Murphy!

Where do you live?

I live in Melbourne, Australia

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book was published in 2008. That’s also when I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

How did you first get published?

I had been writing and submitting picture book manuscripts for a couple of years, and receiving quite positive feedback but no offers to publish. Around 2007, I decided to approach education publishers for prospective work-for-hire, using my science background as a selling point to try and get my foot in the door. 

After hearing about a new local packager (a company that makes books to sell on to publishers) during a writing course I was attending, I wrote to them and crossed my fingers. I was fortunate to hear back within the week! By chance, one of their writers had just pulled out of a project at short notice, and they needed someone to step in right away. I was given the task of researching and writing a children’s non-fiction book (about nutrition!) in six weeks. Luckily, my science background trained me in how to effectively research scientific literature, which was very useful in meeting the strict deadline.

For anyone who doesn’t know, work-for-hire involves writing a book according to a specific brief provided by the packager or publisher. So, in this case, although the idea for the book wasn’t mine, the research and writing certainly was, and I was the attributed author.

This first book led to others, which allowed me to build a list of publications that led to finding work-for-hire with other publishers. That led to eventually getting my own manuscripts published. 

Do you write full-time?

No. Besides not earning enough from my writing, I learnt through the recent Covid lockdown that writing full-time would drive me crazy. I am happy writing part-time, and working part-time as an Education Officer who leads junior school groups through education programs at an urban farm. I find the mix of solitary writing and in-person teaching the perfect balance.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I am most inspired to write picture books about animals and nature because that’s what I am most passionate about. I am fortunate that the city where I live, Melbourne, has forests and beaches within a few hours’ drive. I love walking in nature, and find it an important way to stay centered in a hectic world.

Working in a big city, I meet many kids who lack a connection to nature. I aim through my books to inspire children to seek out nature for themselves, for their own physical and mental wellbeing.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

I think the fact that I never feel like a “real” author. “Imposter syndrome” sets in quite regularly, but in some ways it’s useful because I’m always learning and trying to write the best book I can.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love the freedom the lifestyle fosters - that a walk in the park might lead to a new story; that my job is to be curious like a child, to play with words, and to turn a thought into something fun, uplifting, important or even profound that can be shared with children.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

It’s often difficult to work out that special hook that will bring a fresh approach to a well-known topic, to give an edge over existing books in the market about that topic.

Finding the right hook requires patience and persistence. (It needs a new angle, but not too new or publishers will run a mile.)

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

I leave my computer and do something different – walk my dog, visit a friend, do some gardening, watch a movie or documentary, or go out into nature. Once I stop thinking about my writing, that’s often when new ideas or a fresh approach come along.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

That’s an interesting question, which seems a bit paradoxical at first because I believe that creative ideas cannot be planned or forced. But you are right! Once I’ve got the idea or spark, I need to habitually sit at the computer to get the hard work done - writing the manuscript.

My daily routine is to check emails and social media first (for no more than half an hour) before then starting work on a manuscript. This seems to get me into the right frame of mind to do the work.  

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

The Kid Lit community is awesome! Your invitation to talk with you on the CritterLit blog is a wonderful example of the support and sharing that goes on. Thank you for having me here!

I must say that it took me a while to establish connections in the Kid Lit community because I’m basically an introvert. It’s easier for me to write a few sentences on Twitter than to talk person to person. However, my local SCBWI meetings were worth the initial awkwardness I felt at not knowing anyone. Through those meetings, I have found a tribe of like-minded, supportive friends and colleagues who attend each other’s’ book launches and help to spread the word of our new releases on social media.

Recommended reading?

For me, lots of picture books - fiction and non-fiction. You never know where the next idea will spring from, and it’s a great way to keep up with what’s being published, by which publishers, and to work out what (I think) works in a book and what doesn’t.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

While every step in my career has been exciting and beyond what I ever expected, the highlight is always the release of my NEXT book.

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

Looking back, I think it may have been useful to have been forewarned how looooooong things take to happen in publishing. Persistence is truly as important as doing the writing.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

ODD BODS: The World’s Unusual Animals is a non-fiction picture book (with photos instead of illustrations) about how animals that look different from the norm are just as great at surviving as familiar-looking animals. ODD BODS was released in March this year through Lerner Publishing Group (Millbrook Press). It’s aimed at children K-3. 

Here’s the blurb:

Long snouts, bright-red lips, pointy heads,,,the animal kingdom is full of critters with unique features. Learn about the incredible adaptations that help these creatures – and their odd bods – survive and thrive around the globe.

What’s up next for you?

I’m expecting the release of MOUNTAIN PYGMY-POSSUM: A Tiny Survivor through CSIRO Publishing (Australia) in October 2021, covid permitting. It is a narrative non-fiction picture book about a year-in-the-life of the endangered (and ultra-cute) Mountain Pygmy-possum, which is a native Australian animal that lives in only one tiny region in Australia’s highlands. And this book’s illustrations are beautiful!

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

While it’s important to attend training and information courses to hone your skills, and to get critique feedback on your manuscripts from colleagues, it’s also good to trust in yourself. With the wealth of information out there, you’re bound to discover conflicting information and suggestions that contradict each other, or which don’t suit your way of working. That’s okay. Don’t force these opinions onto yourself – follow your gut. Because if you’re in it for the long haul, you HAVE to enjoy the ride!

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

The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

In 1977, Star Wars rocked my world. (Yes, I was a kid then.) But then the three-year wait for its sequel (Empire) was excruciating. Fortunately, the wait was worth it. Empire was one of those rarities – a sequel that was even better than its predecessor.

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

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JULIE MURPHY was trained as a zoologist and zookeeper, and has been writing fiction and non-fiction books for around two decades. Her 19 picture books and information books about animals and nature have been published by Trade and Education publishers in the USA and Australia (where she lives). Several books have won or been short-listed for major awards, including the Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature.

Julie is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) and the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA), and volunteer as a reviewer for the CBCA’s Reading Time, www.readingtime.com.au.

Julie writes books to inspire young readers to become lifelong readers and conservation stewards. She hopes to encourage kids to be more curious about nature and to become motivated to experience the natural world for themselves - even a park or back yard will do!

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Julie, visit her online: www.juliemurphybooks.com

Or follow her on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/juliekidsbooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/157536.Julie_Murphy

BUY THIS BOOK To order Julie’s book, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of ODD BODS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 28th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Lindsay H. Metcalf

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

So without further ado, please welcome Lindsay Metcalf!

Where do you live?

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

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tell us about your debut books.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FOLLOW LINDSAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter and Instagram: @lindsayhmetcalf

Subscribe for updates: lindsayhmetcalf.com/newsletter

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

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

Interview with Debut Author Lisa Rogers

Happy Thursday Critters! This will be our last interview post for a couple weeks until October 3rd, as I’m about to have baby no. 3 any day now…!!! BUT today, I’m thrilled to be featuring the work of debut author Lisa Rogers, whose new non-fiction picture book, 16 WORDS WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS AND “THE RED WHEEL BARROW”, illustrated by Chuck Groenink, releases on September 24th with Schwartz & Wade books! So exciting! This fantastic book has received multiple starred reviews and is a must read for any picture book or poetry lovers out there! I’m so happy Lisa could share her work and process with us today…so without further ado, please welcome Lisa Rogers!

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Where do you live?

Just west of Boston, at the halfway point of the Boston Marathon. It’s the place to be each year on Marathon Monday, cheering on all of the participants—my hands always are sore from clapping. Actually running it—which I’ve done four times—is even better. What a thrill and honor! 

When did you know you wanted to write picture books? 

As a child, I was a huge reader, fascinated by folktales, fairytales, and poetry, and the illustrations that accompanied them. My goal was to be a writer and artist. I wrote poems, drew all the time, and started a little family newspaper. I grew up to become a news reporter and editor. Then, when I thought it wise not to be working on deadline with a small child on my lap, I changed careers and eventually became an elementary school librarian. After years of immersion in children’s literature and learning from my students, I realized that writing picture books was what I had to do.

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

You would think that my two careers would set me up perfectly—and they have—but I had so much to learn! Writing for children is incredibly complicated. This year one of my students wrote to me, “You taught me that a book is not just for reading, it is more.” Getting to that “more” is my goal. For me, it means writing about a topic close to my heart. I was lucky to submit the manuscript for my debut to an agent who saw its potential, and she sold it very soon after we signed. In the meantime, a committee of writers also chose that manuscript for a Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award. That award was a wonderful boost as I pursued publication. Groups like SCBWI, the 12 x 12 writing challenge, and The Writers’ Loft in Sherborn, Mass. have been crucial to supporting me in my learning.

Can you share a bit about your process?

I don’t have a standard routine, partly because it’s hard for me to sit down. I do most of my writing in my mind while I’m doing something else. A phrase or sentence comes to me and that starts the whole process. I can sit down and set goals and get writing and revisions done (that’s where my deadline experience kicks in), but the inspiration really has to be organic. My favorite spot to get words down is on my patio where hummingbirds sometimes mistake me for a flower.

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

I live on a beautiful pond, and love to take a break on a late summer afternoon, hop in my kayak, and boat over to our little town beach for a swim. The combination of exercise and quiet boosts my creativity. If it’s blustery, I get out a canvas and do some painting.

Anything you can’t live without while you write? 

A pencil and any scrap of paper. Writing for me needs to be tactile, at least when I’m beginning a story, but also when I’m trying to find the heart of it. I’ve even written in the sand while on a run at Goose Rocks Beach, Maine, because I didn’t want to forget my thought. 

My daughter gave me a Moomin notebook with an attached pencil, which I adore, and which I used to write my next book, HOUND WON’T GO. Speaking of which, a big dog is essential to get me moving after I’ve been sitting too long. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?  

So many! I adore picture book biographies and nonfiction, and so do my students. When we read a great biography, they are so absorbed that they can’t believe it’s true. I look for that sense of wonder in any book, like Sophie Blackall’s Hello Lighthouse, Jessixa Bagley’s Boats for Papa and Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead’s collaborations. Margaret Wise Brown has been a longtime favorite, and I love Mac Barnett’s new biography of her. Illustrators: Shane Evans, Juana Martinez-Neal, Christian Robinson, Melissa Sweet and of course 16 WORDS illustrator Chuck Groenink! When I find a picture book that resonates, I want to live in that world.

Dream project to work on?

16 WORDS has been a dream project from beginning to publication! I couldn’t be prouder of this book.

Tell us about your debut book.

My debut, 16 WORDS: WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS AND “THE RED WHEELBARROW” (Schwartz & Wade Books) is about the inspiration for Williams’ favorite, and most famous poem. He wrote those sixteen words after noticing Thaddeus Marshall’s wheelbarrow outside in the rain and felt it was the most profound, moving image he had ever seen. 

Williams was a doctor as well as a poet, and Marshall was his neighbor and patient. The book parallels their lives of work and caring. The poem was written nearly 100 years ago, but Marshall’s role was only recently identified. When I learned about him, I had my own inspiring moment, and that’s what started this whole adventure!

What’s up next for you? 

I’m excited about HOUND WON’T GO, inspired by my incredibly stubborn, lovable, gigantic rescue hound. He’s brought so much fun and joy to our lives. One day when he, as is typical, refused to move because he wanted to go one way and I the other, the first few lines ran through my mind. My editor, Christina Pulles at Albert Whitman & Company, loves the manuscript as much as I do. HOUND will be unleashed, with delightful illustrations by Meg Ishihara, in spring 2020.

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

Working Girl! That puffy hair, those padded shoulders! Sneakers with office wear! I love it for its iconic 80s fashion. You’ll never see me in shoulder pads, but that was one empowering movie. 

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Huge thank you to Lisa for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut! We can’t wait to see HOUND WON’T GO next!

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LISA ROGERS is an elementary school librarian and a former newspaper reporter and editor. She grew up in West Long Branch, NJ, not far from where Thaddeus Marshall, the inspiration for William Carlos Williams' poem "The Red Wheelbarrow," tended his garden. 16 WORDS: WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS AND “THE RED WHEELBARROW,” (Random House/Schwartz & Wade Books) is her first book for children. HOUND WON’T GO, illustrated by Meg Ishihara, will be published in 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company. Lisa lives near Boston with her family and hound dog.

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

Twitter: @LisaLJRogers

Facebook: LisaLabancaRogers

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of 16 WORDS: WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS AND “THE RED WHEELBARROW”?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, September 26th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Natascha Biebow

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with Natascha Biebow, author of THE CRAYON MAN: THE TRUE STORY OF THE INVENTION OF CRAYOLA CRAYONS, illustrated by Steven Salerno, which just released last month. How cool does this book sound?! I’m so excited about this biography and I can’t wait to share it and Natascha’s work with all of you!

So without further ado…please welcome Natascha Biebow!

Where do you live?

I live in London, England.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I published my first book in 1995, and have worked as a children’s book editor since 1993.

How did you first get published?

I wrote my first book, Eleonora, a true story about how elephants mourn each other, as part of a children’s literature course at Smith College. It was kicking about for a couple of years before I decided to show it to the publisher of a small children’s picture book imprint, ABC. I was surprised and delighted when she said she’d like to publish it. The publishing industry was very different then – no social media (!) or easy way to get the word out – so, though it sold reasonably well, it is sadly now out of print.

Do you write full-time?

I wish! But I’m lucky that I have a day job that I love – I edit children’s books freelance for big and small publishers, and coach and mentor authors and illustrators to fine-tune their work pre-submission through my literacy consultancy Blue Elephant Storyshaping.

What inspires you to create picture books?

Picture books are my passion. I have an affinity with this young age group and love the synergy of words and pictures working together.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons is my first non-fiction picture book, so I was surprised by the amount of research and fact-checking that was involved, even in late stages of book production, and how much time this took. But I enjoyed doing it!

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love that you get a printed book at the end of your creative journey that you can share with young readers so that you can enthuse them with the story too. I love connecting with young readers (and grown-ups’ inner child).

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Possibly the most challenging aspect is that picture books evolve in the course of their editorial journey and sometimes you have to reconcile aspects of your original vision with the final version. This is part of the creative, collaborative approach, though, and leads to a better book ultimately.

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

I look for ideas all around me – from people, pets, the news and experiences . . . I try to learn at least one new fact a day. A walk is often great for getting unstuck and figuring out stuff too. 

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I don’t keep extensive notes – most of my work is done in my head! I love stationery though – so doodling with colored crayons is a great way to brainstorm ideas and tap into my inner child.

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

I have volunteered for over 20 years as the Regional Advisor for the SCBWI British Isles region. It has led to so many great opportunities to help learn new skills and make connections with people in the industry. I learned how to make a book trailer from fellow volunteers. I met my agent at the SCBWI conference in LA. I took a non-fiction writing course recommended by another writer that got me connected to the non-fiction Kid Lit community. And so much more! People are really very giving and supportive.

Recommended reading?

Yes, read read read every new picture book you can get your hands on. In terms of craft-based reading, I love Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass– though it’s about novel-writing, all the elements and thinking logic are the same for picture books.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I love that you get a printed book at the end of your creative journey that you can share with young readers so that you can enthuse them with the story too. I love connecting with young readers (and grown-ups’ inner child).

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I was awarded a SCBWI Marketing Grant to fund a mini-book tour this May, and so I’m excited to be able to connect with young readers in person!

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

That I’d have to teach myself all about marketing and then implement it!

Can you tell us about your newest book?

The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons is a non-fiction picture book biography: the true story of Edwin Binney, a man who had a knack for listening and making what people needed, whose love for color led to the invention of one of America’s most iconic toys – Crayola crayons. In a world where we take crayons for granted, what must it have been like to only have slate and chalk? It’s a fabulous journey of color and creativity, an inspiring story for the next generation of inventors who will be our future.

What’s up next for you?

Hopefully more non-fiction picture books. I am also writing a series of chapter books, which is a new venture for me.

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

I’ve realized that if you’re serious about writing for children and getting your work published, you need to make a real effort to carve out the focus and time and just do it. There is no greater writing tip than butt on seat.

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

E.T. heart-warming, flying bicycles, “E.T. phone home!” – all part of my childhood.

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Huge thanks to Natascha for stopping by Critter Lit today! We love your new book and can’t wait to see all your upcoming projects!

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NATASCHA BIEBOW’S favourite crayon color is periwinkle blue because it makes her heart sing. She loves to draw and make stuff, just like the inventor of the Crayola crayons. She lives in London, where she writes, edits, coaches and mentors children’s book authors and illustrators at Blue Elephant Storyshaping, and is the long-time Regional Advisor of SCBWI British Isles. In 2018, she was awarded an MBE for her services to children's writers and illustrators.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Natascha and her work, visit her online here or follow her on social media:

Facebook

LinkedIn

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of THE CRAYON MAN: THE TRUE STORY OF THE INVENTION OF CRAYOLA CRAYONS ?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, 25th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for an interview with author Julie Falatko!

Interview with Debut Picture Book Author Beth Anderson

Photo Credit: Tina Wood

Happy Thursday Critters! I'm so excited for today's interview with debut author Beth Anderson, whose debut book AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET: BEN FRANKLIN AND NOAH WEBSTER'S SPELLING REVOLUTION (illustrated by incredibly talented Elizabeth Baddeley) is a non-fiction picture book about how two patriots teamed up to create a uniquely American spelling system. I'm a huge fan of non-fiction picture books, they are a wonderful resource for kids and a great way to expose them to interesting and important topics in an approachable way.

An Inconvenient Alphabet: Ben Franklin & Noah Webster's Spelling Revolution written by Beth Anderson, Illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley

So what's AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET: BEN FRANKLIN & NOAH WEBSTER'S SPELLING REVOLUTION all about?

Once upon a revolutionary time, two great American patriots tried to make life easier. They knew how hard it was to spell words in English. They knew that sounds didn’t match letters. They knew that the problem was an inconvenient English alphabet.

In 1786, Ben Franklin, at age eighty, and Noah Webster, twenty-eight, teamed up. Their goal? Make English easier to read and write. But even for great thinkers, what seems easy can turn out to be hard.

Children today will be delighted to learn that when they “sound out” words, they are doing eg-zakt-leewhat Ben and Noah wanted.

How cool does this book sound?! I can't wait for you all to check it out September 25th when it hits bookstores near you!

So without further ado...please welcome Beth Anderson!

Where do you live?

First of all, thank you so much for inviting me to visit your blog!

I live in Loveland, Colorado, but have been fortunate to experience life in various parts of the country. I grew up in Grayslake, Illinois, then moved to Wisconsin, Ohio, Connecticut, Georgia and Texas. Now, I’m a flatlander who wakes up every morning and marvels at the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

When did you know you wanted to make picture books?

I was a kid who always enjoyed writing and received a lot of encouragement from teachers. I took a few feeble cracks at writing for children during my adult life, but (pre-internet) never learned about the industry, studied specifics of the craft, or found my path. 

Then for years, as an ESL teacher, I used literature as a medium for language learning as well as teaching curriculum objectives. I experienced picture books on many levels and witnessed the magic they offered in the classroom and connections they built for learners from every corner of the world. When I retired from teaching, my students asked me what I was going to do. That old “someday” idea bubbled to the surface, and I came clean and admitted I’d always wanted to write for children. Their excitement at the prospect stuck with me. How could I tell them to chase their “someday” if I wasn’t willing to do it?

Can you share a bit about your process?

Once I discovered the joys of narrative nonfiction and historical fiction, I dove in. To start with, I look at various news feeds and other sources for interesting bits of history and current events. If an idea intrigues me, I read everything I can find online first to get an overview, then dig into other sources once I have a bit more direction. Often, what first interested me is the tip of the iceberg, and I discover that there is a more important story behind it. So I gather and organize information (a post on my method HERE), then brainstorm on vital ideas, kid hooks, and structure possibilities.

After all that, I start drafting and revising, getting the story down. Then I examine it, share with critique partners, and start asking the hard questions. How can I frame it to create a marketable hook? How can I enhance the story and emotional arcs? How can I make it matter? (the list goes on…)  Then I dive back into the research for specifics. I read other random articles about the topic or theme or a concept within the story – looking for something that will spark new thoughts. I search out more quotes from the main characters to understand them better. And the revisions continue.

An example of a second dive into research - After revising AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET per an editor critique, I felt like I had lost some of the emotion. So, I reread and looked at additional sources for evidence of just how strong Ben Franklin and Noah Webster’s friendship really was.

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

As I mentioned above, newsfeeds from various sources can spark ideas. Also, I often stumble upon interesting tidbits for more stories while researching a manuscript. New ideas can spring from something I randomly read or saw or heard. 

When I’m stuck, really stuck, in the midst of a manuscript, it helps to widen my understanding – reading related articles, checking for You Tube videos on setting or another aspect of the story. And recently I’ve realized (I don’t know why it took this long) that when consulting sources, I need to go beyond the chapters related to the topic and read the introduction and concluding chapter. As writers we know this is where the essence, interconnections, and implications are discussed.  

One example of how exploring related articles can help a story – While revising what will be my second picture book, LIZZIE DEMANDS A SEAT: ELIZABETH JENNINGS FIGHTS FOR STREETCAR RIGHTS, an article on how we tell our hero stories caught my attention. I was already seeing Lizzie’s story as a centerpiece in the context of “standing on the shoulders of those who came before us,” but this article had something more. We tend to portray heroes as super capable people who bring about change on their own. But in reality, no one does it alone. Kids need to know that. The idea that these super people take care of things leads kids to think they don’t have a role. Each of us may not be a leader, but we all can participate.

Anything you can't live without while you write?

A computer with an internet connection, of course! Coffee and snacks also help. 

And taking “while you write” in a larger sense, I can’t live without my critique partners!

Favorite authors?

As I seek out mentor texts and learn from other picture book writers, I’ve definitely found some favorites who help me along this narrative nonfiction path: Barb Rosenstock, Mara Rockliff, Suzanne Slade, Deborah Hopkinson, Jen Bryant, Andrea Pinkney, Michelle Markel, Candace Fleming, and Lesa Cline-Ransome come to mind immediately.

Dream project or book to work on?

I can’t think of any specific project. Just any idea that grabs my heart, knocks my socks off with an urgency to be written, and has a hook that no editor can resist. (And no one has already written it!) 

Tell us about your debut book?

AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET hit me in the heart from the very beginning. Franklin’s quote, “Those people spell best who do not know how to spell,” brought to mind the endearing spelling of young children learning to write using “invented spelling.” I connected as a teacher, as a parent, as a linguistics major, as a history lover. I thought, wow, kids are writing just as Ben Franklin had hoped! 

In many ways, Ben and Noah are opposites, drawn together by their love of language and education and their determination to make reading and writing English easier. When their revolutionary attempts are rejected by the public, Noah keeps trying, and in the process learns that neither fame nor force can sell an idea that people see as just too inconvenient. Though the two great patriots don’t achieve their initial goal, Noah does end up with his great success, the first real American dictionary.

Children deal with our inconvenient alphabet every day as they learn to read and write. This book is my answer to all those students who asked why English spelling is so crazy. Another layer that drew me was “sounds easy, does hard.” I think it’s a great example for kids of how one seemingly simple, sensible idea may have so many consequences. The historical layer not only gives a hint of what life was like in the 18th century, but also introduces the idea that revolutions are not only military, but seep into daily life in varied forms. Elizabeth Baddeley’s creative illustrations enhance every layer of the story and bring a spirit of spunk and joy. 

The manuscript seemed to have special messages for me as a writer about the need to be flexible, patient, and persevere. But what I really internalized was the need to let our ideas “take a chance in the world,” and that often, no matter how hard we push, others will decide the success of our endeavors. So I offer up the book in hopes kids will laugh and learn, connect and question, and be inspired to share their ideas and let them morph and grow into something they didn’t imagine. 

What’s up next for you?

I’m looking forward to sharing AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET with children and experiencing a few more picture books come to life with illustrations and an editor’s magic…

A civil rights story from 1854, LIZZIE DEMANDS A SEAT: ELIZABETH JENNINGS FIGHTS FOR STREETCAR RIGHTS with Calkins Creek is scheduled for spring 2020. I’m currently in suspense waiting to see E.B. Lewis’ sure-to-be fabulous illustrations! 

Then comes “SMELLY” KELLY AND HIS SUPER SENSES: THE MOSTLY TRUE STORY OF AN ORDINARY MAN AND HIS EXTRAORDINARY NOSE, also with Calkins Creek, illustrated by Jenn Harney, scheduled for fall 2020.  Set in the labyrinth of the 1930s New York City subway, a humble immigrant learns to use his natural talents for the benefit of all—and also finds out what it takes to be a true hero.

And there’s one more under contract that hasn’t been announced…

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

Definitely, The Princess Bride! A classic! Masterful storytelling, unforgettable characters, for young and old, the joy of story, grandfather and grandson, twoooo love, lines that live forever.

AND there just happens to be one line in AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET that was inspired by a line in the movie…can you find it?

Thank you for chatting with us today Beth! We can't wait to see your upcoming titles!

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Beth Anderson, a former English as a Second Language teacher, has always marveled at the power of books. Armed with linguistics and reading degrees, a fascination with language, and penchant for untold tales, she strives for accidental learning in the midst of a great story. Beth lives in Colorado where she laughs, wonders, thinks, and questions; and hopes to inspire kids to do the same.

For more information about Beth Anderson and her books, visit her online at www.bethandersonwriter.com or you can follow her on Twitter @BAndersonWriter, Facebook, or Pinterest.

TO PRE-ORDER AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET ring up your local bookstore, or click here.

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BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a SIGNED copy of AN INCONVENIENT ALPHABET: BEN FRANKLIN AND NOAH WEBSTER'S SPELLING REVOLUTION?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, September 13th! US addresses only please.

What's up on deck? Tune in next week for Critter Lit's interview with debut author/illustrator Jen Betton!