Interview with Author Amani Uduman

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fantastic interview with an author all the way from Australia! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her newest book, CEDRIC’S TAIL, illustrated by Agnès Ernoult, published by Yeehoo Press, which came out this past March.

So without further ado, please welcome Amani Uduman!

Where do you live?

I live in Melbourne, Australia. I’m originally from Sri Lanka, but my family migrated to Melbourne at the age of six.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I have been writing for over twelve years. During that time, I have published numerous titles in the non-profit sector and been included in several anthologies. 

How did you first get published?

My first publication was in an online children’s magazine where I wrote short stories for specific age groups. 

I also self-published an Ebook called, ‘Snakes in Class,’ which is a fun story about a school incursion featuring snakes.

Do you write full-time?

I would love to write full-time. However, with life being extremely busy as it is, I endevour to write whenever I get a chance. 

Sometimes, I’ll scribble notes on a piece of paper if inspiration suddenly comes to me and use it later as springboard for a new manuscript. 

What inspires you to create picture books?

I loved reading picture books as a child. Particularly, if they were humorous and quirky. 

Some of my favourite authors include Jon Klassen, Enid Blyton and Aaron Blabey. 

It’s a joy to reread stories that bring a smile to my face.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

The biggest surprise for me being an author was the fact that learning never ceases to exist. There is always room to refine my craft, and it’s exciting to venture into different genres of writing. 

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

My favourite thing about being an author is being able to contribute to the world of children’s literature. To have children and adults alike, enjoy my work and discuss their favourite stories with one another. 

It’s also exciting to see my story with the accompanying illustrations for the first time. The illustrations add a whole new dimension to my manuscript, and the illustrator does an amazing job of bringing the story to life. 

What do you find difficult working as an author?

The most difficult aspect of being an author is finding the time to write. And to write without distractions. However, I find that little tasks can be put aside to focus on my passion in life- which is to write!

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

I find walking helps me with new ideas. Generally, inspiration comes suddenly and from now nowhere in particular. So, when a new idea does come into my mind, it’s often a pleasant surprise. 

I have even woken up in the middle of the night to record a new story idea.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

A nice cup of green tea is always a must!

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

The Kit Lit community is one of encouragement and support. I found that joining organisations such as SCBWI, attending festivals and writing workshops helps build a supportive network of people, with whom I could share my love of writing.

Recommended reading?

There are so many books which I could recommend. However, if I had to pick my top five children’s books/series. they would include the following:

1. This is not my hat by Jon Klassen.

2. The Bad Guy Series by Aaron Blabey.

3. The Faraway Tree Series by Enid Blyton.

4. I’m Coming to Get You! by Tony Ross.

5. Stephanie’s Ponytail by Robert Munsch.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

My career highlight is collaborating with talented illustrators, editors and publishers who have been encouraging and supportive of my work and provided valuable feedback on how to make to make my story shine.

I’ve also met diverse authors at writing conferences and festivals who share a love of writing and children’s books.

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

I wish that someone had told me that writing is a continuous growth journey and not to feel too dejected by the dreaded rejection letter. There are various reasons as to why work can be rejected, and it’s simply a case of dust yourself off and move forward. There was one particular manuscript of mine which made it to an acquisition meeting, and although the editors loved my work, there was simply no room on their list for another picture book.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Cedric’s Tail, illustrated by Agnès Ernoult, published by Yeehoo Press, is a light-hearted story about a little boy who wishes for a tail on his birthday after examining his pets. When his wish finally comes true, Cedric must deal with the advantages and limitations of having his tail.

What’s up next for you?

I will continue to write stories as I visualise new ideas. I’m also editing and revising several manuscripts which I have previously completed. I usually take a long break from my work, so I can get back to my stories with a fresh pair of eyes.

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

I think it’s important to follow your heart and write what inspires you and what you believe in. Even if a story isn’t published, relish the experience of immersing yourself in the creative process.

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

Pretty in Pink is my favourite 80’s movie of all time.  Jon Cryer is absolutely hilarious!

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Huge THANK YOU to Amani for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on CEDRIC’S TAIL!

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Amani Uduman is a children’s author and poet. She studied at Deakin University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Science (Health Promotion) and a postgraduate degree in Teaching (Primary and Secondary).

Having worked as primary school teacher, her favourite lessons involved reading and writing stories with her students. Over the years, Amani’s interest in children’s fiction continued to strengthen and she found herself immersed in the world of writing children’s literature.

Amani has published many titles within the non-profit sector. Her books include levelled readers, picture books, and non-fiction texts. Her books are translated into different languages including Lao and Tetun. 

Amani enjoys writing stories which are both humorous and quirky. Her favourite children’s authors include Jon Klassen, Aaron Blabey and Enid Blyton.

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

Twitter: @TarsheemAmani1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amani.uduman/

Website: www.amaniuduman.com.au

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of CEDRIC’S TAIL, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of CEDRIC’S TAIL?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, May 19th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Susan Lendroth

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Susan Lendroth, whose newest book, PIPER AND PURPA FOREVER, illustrated by Olivia Feng, just released this month with Yeehoo Press! I adore the cover of this book— it makes me want to snuggle up and read. I’m thrilled to have Susan with us today to share her road to publication, process, and Piper!

So without further ado, please welcome Susan Lendroth!

Where do you live? 

Southern California.

How many years have you been in publishing? 

My first picture book came out in 2005, so 16 years from that date or 19 years if you count from when I began writing PB in 2002.

How did you first get published?

I sold a book on my own to Tricycle Press, which was an imprint of Tenspeed. It no longer exists because Tenspeed was acquired by Random House, but there are other smaller presses out there who give unagented authors a chance.

Do you write full-time? 

No, with a book released every couple of years, I also work full time for the Los Angeles Public Library.

What inspires you to create picture books? 

I love the final product! I love trying to find the essence of a story and editing away the extraneous bits. Even if it's not in verse (which I have a terrible tendency to write), a PB is very much like a poem, sparing of words, but often rich in feelings. Plus, an artist draws picture for it, which is the icing on the cake for me.

What surprised you the most working as an author? 

Until you try writing story arcs that conclude in a few hundred words, you do not realize how tough a challenge it can be.

What is your favorite thing about being an author? 

From my standpoint as an author, one of my favorite aspects is seeing for the first time how the illustrator envisions the story.

What do you find difficult working as an author? 

That only a few stories I have written will enter the publishing chrysalis and emerge as that winged wonder we call a book. Many manuscripts never find the right publishing home.

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

Every time I think of an idea -- even if it is only the smallest wisp of one -- I whip out my phone and email it to myself. Those ideas now comprise a very long potential story list. And if I look at that list, and none of those ideas feel ready to germinate, I sometimes just let my mind dance all over the place to see if there is some other idea ready to surface that feels like the right match for the moment.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity? 

Editing. And editing again. And again. And again. That may sound counterintuitive, since we associate creativity with the juices flowing and editing as snipping and paring. But editing, really strong editing, burnishes the story so that the imagination and creativity shine through.

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

I have spent half my career submitting on my own and half with an agent. When submitting on my own, some kind editors still read my unagented work even when their publishing house policy stated no unsolicited manuscripts.

Recommended reading? 

Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls. Beautiful PB with amazing illustrations by David Litchfield. When I read what they created, I feel more creative myself.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I'm glad you added the words "thus far" as I like to think there are highlights (plural) still to come. But I did find it exciting when my book HEY HO, TO MARS WE'LL GO was read by an astronaut on the International Space Station for Story Time from Space. 

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

Enjoy your moments, whatever they are, such as seeing your book in a bookstore for the first time or having someone ask you to sign a copy. Don't compare your success to the greater fanfare you think someone else is receiving. Enjoy YOUR moments!!

Can you tell us about your newest book?

PIPER AND PURPA FOREVER, illustrated by Olivia Feng, is about a little girl named Piper whose constant companion for years is her favorite purple sweater. Piper finds it in a box of hand-me-downs at age 2, and simply falls in love, saying "purpa" because she can't yet pronounce the word "purple." Knowing how attached my own kid was to her lovey, I found the humor in Piper's determination to hold fast to a sweater that has become far more than a piece of clothing. But inevitably the day comes when Purpa no longer fits, and Piper must find a way to let go while still holding on to an old friend.

What’s up next for you?

I hope that I will have news to share in the near future about a new project. 

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

Study the craft and you will be far ahead of the curve with your submissions. Join the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) to read what they have to offer and attend some of their events. Subscribe to Publishers Weekly's free children's newsletter to see what titles editors are buying RIGHT NOW (not 20 years ago) and to read articles about the industry. Study interviews with editors and agents and authors -- like this one! And, of course, read recent picture books. Read them at the library, and buy a few you find inspiring. Not only will you be supporting the children's writing community -- and your local bookstore -- but you will also always have on hand books you admire to spark your own creativity. And, finally, learn what to say and what NOT to say in a cover letter.

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

"Star Trek IV" when Kirk and crew go back in time (coincidentally to the 1980s) to save humpback whales and Earth's future. It is a funny, funny movie, so even if you are not a Star Trek fan -- though how could you not be?! -- it's an enjoyable romp. 

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

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Susan Lendroth’s picture books range from science to history to children finding their place in the world because she loves science and history and is still finding her own place in the world! She has nine published PB with her most recent, PIPER AND PURPA FOREVER!, inspired by her kid's childhood love of purple. Susan works for the Los Angeles Public Library and devotes her spare time to a needy cat named Kitten.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, follow Susan on social media:

facebook/susanlendroth

Instagram: @susanlendroth

BUY THIS BOOK To order PIPER AND PURPA FOREVER, click here.

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

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Annelouise Mahoney

Happy Thursday Critters! Today’s interview is a fellow author/illustrator at Two Lions, who shares the same editor with me (shout out to the fabulous Kelsey Skea!). I’m such a fan of the books Two Lions publishes and am thrilled to interview one of their newest author/illustrators and share her fantastic debut picture book!

So without further ado, please welcome Annelouise Mahoney!

Where do you live?

I live in Southern California.

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

I fell in love with picture books as a child but I didn't realize it was something I could do until I was in college. I was studying illustration at UMass Dartmouth and I was lucky enough to have Karen Klingon as an illustration professor, she suggested writing and illustrating for children to me and that is when the seed was planted.

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

I began with SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). That is my number one recommendation to everyone who asks me where to start. When I was ready to dedicate myself to the craft of writing for children I enrolled in, Writing Picture Books For Children, with Sherry Shahan through UCLA Extension. I went on to take Intermediate Picture Book Writing with Terry Pierce.  My daughters were very young and the online classes made learning accessible to me. When I was ready to dive deeper, I enrolled in Art Center College of Design, Finding Your Voice evening class. That class was taught by Marla Frazee. She taught me to find the emotion in the story and to dig for the heartbeat and pull that thread through the book to tie it in the end. She taught me that it’s okay to be afraid and to feel vulnerable — and do the work anyway. With her encouragement, I began posting art on social media. While I was actively involved with SCBWI art challenges, such as DrawThis, Anna Olswanger reached out to me through email and asked if I might be interested in writing for children, seeking representation and if I had any work I could show her. Anna and I worked on revising JULIUS AND MACY for about a year until she felt it was ready for submission. I'm very grateful that during that submission process Kelsey Skea at Two Lions took a chance on me. I feel incredibly lucky. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

Sure. I'm still learning and growing but I found that waiting on the words and sticking with the pictures first is my way of finding the story. I'm very messy and experimental in the beginning of a story, my sketches are loose and not pretty. I'm very open to feedback and, as hard as revisions can be, I really enjoy them. It's a refocus and revision and reseeing that clarifies the story and I enjoy that digging part. 

When the story is forming and I can see it, I start cleaning up the illustrations a bit to focus on composition and expression. 

As for the illustration part of the process, I like to make small thumbnail color sketches of the book before painting the final art. The color sketches are there for me to work out my color palette, and to get a sense of light and shadow before I begin the final art. Once I have a sense of the color, I draw everything out in pencil then scan that into the computer.  I print out the illustration on watercolor paper, I do this because I get nervous about redrawing the illustration on a light table and it saves me some time too. The next step is painting in watercolor and scanning it back into the computer when it is dry. I can make adjustments in photoshop and make sure each spread is fitting in the template of the book.

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

To get new ideas flowing I need to play, and not be precious. I find that if I get too precious with a story, I freeze up and get stuck. It's like trying to make something perfect before it's had a chance to  grow. For myself I find the best kind of "shaking the rust off"  is loosely sketching, daydreaming, watching kids play or being out in nature. I find animals endlessly fascinating, spending time with our pets, a walk around town, a hike to see wildlife, all of that gets me inspired. 

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

Hmm. My favorite thing is quiet, but during this past year and a half with everyone home...that is hard to come by. I do like to settle in and have coffee, water and snacks nearby. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Oh my goodness, so many! Some of my favorites are Lisabeth Zwerger, Stephanie Graegin, Emily Winfield Martin, Holly Hobbie, and Marla Frazee.

Dream project to work on?

I feel JULIUS AND MACY was a dream project for me. Something I wanted to make so very much. I know the next book will be made with all the love and care I can give it and that will make it my next dream project.

Tell us about your debut book.

My debut book, JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT, released on April 1, 2021 with Two Lions publishing. It's a woodland tale about bravery and friendship. My main characters, Julius and Macy, like to play heroes. Julius pretends he’s the defender of the forest, while Macy has a quieter strength. When their snack disappears one night, they decide to track down the only one who could have taken it—the Night Goblin. They both have to be brave in their own ways, and they ultimately discover that the real thief isn’t anything like they imagined.

Interior Art from JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT by Annelouise Mahoney, Published by Two Lions

With its endearing characters, this gently told tale reminds us that we each have courage within us and that kindness can make all the difference.

Interior Art from JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT by Annelouise Mahoney, Published by Two Lions

What’s up next for you?

I'm working on another picture book dummy, and continue to jot down ideas as they come. I'm excited to be a Spotlight Speaker at SCBWI CenCal Writer's Day this October and other literary events this fall. 

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

Oh my gosh, that's a fun question. I have to say, The Princess Bride. I love that fairytale movie, and how it begins with the reading of the book.

Thank you for having me on Critter Lit today! It's wonderful to spend some time with you. 

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

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ANNELOUISE MAHONEY was born and raised in Massachusetts, where she spent her childhood playing pretend, making up stories, and drawing pictures. She moved to Los Angeles after college, where she worked in animation and comics. She loves to explore the forest, can’t resist a cave, and has a lot of love for all those named Julius in her life. Annelouise lives in Southern California with her family.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Annelouise, visit her online: www.AnnelouiseMahoney.com

or follow her on social media: Twitter: @WoodlandAbbey | Instagram: @Annelouise_Mahoney

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of JULIUS AND MACY: A VERY BRAVE NIGHT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, August 19th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Kristy Everington

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a fantastic interview with a debut author whose book ISOBEL ADDS IT UP, illustrated by AG Ford, just released this past June with Random House Studio. I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her debut, road to publication, and process.

So without further ado, please welcome Kristy Everington!

Where do you live?

I’m from Perth, Australia, and now live in the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s a beautiful area  – I enjoy all of the local wildlife, especially the tiny baby deer right now! And we have a neighborhood owl, Howard. 

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I discovered picture books when I was studying for my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. I came into the program writing young adult fiction and hadn’t even really read any picture books! In my first semester, I had Kathi Appelt as my advisor, and thought it would be a waste not to try picture books with a picture book master! 

I invested my time in reading and writing picture books, and fell in love! There’s so much to love in the picture book space – the brevity of the stories, the interplay between the text and art, the humor, the heart. I’ve learned a lot of things I didn’t know from reading non-fiction picture books too – I firmly believe picture books aren’t just for children!

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

After I finished studying, I started going to conferences and learning more about the business side of writing. I spent a lot of time researching agents and how to go about querying them. I started querying with other picture books first and then moved onto Isobel Adds It Up. It was one of the very first picture books I had written, but it went through a lot of revisions before I started querying it!

I had just revised it at the Big Sur Writing Workshop when I sent the first query for that manuscript to my now-agent, Jordan Hamessley. It was the first manuscript we put on submission to editors. It went through some more revisions before selling. It sounds simple when you summarize it, but it all took a lot of time and there was definitely a lot of angst involved! 

Can you share a bit about your process?

I write picture books by hand first. I like to write with a pencil rather than a pen – there’s something freeing about the pencil not being permanent and having the ability to erase what I’ve written! I often think of titles first. It usually doesn’t take very long to write a first draft, but then it can take some time to hone the story. 

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

I go for daily walks around the neighborhood, and there’s always lots of things to see and think about. Ideas come from everywhere, so just paying attention to news stories, pop culture, and regular happenings in life gives me ideas. My cats alone give me lots of inspiration for stories!

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I like to light a candle and have a cup of tea. My favorite writing tea is white tea with pomegranate, but it’s been discontinued and my supply is dwindling so I need to find a replacement!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

So many! Some of my favorites are Oliver Jeffers, Carolyn Crimi, Jon Klassen, Sophie Blackall, Sean Ferrell, and Mac Barnett.

Dream project to work on?

One of the very first picture books I wrote was based on my cats when they were kittens called Chicken Face and Lily, and I have dreams of that being made into a picture book series and maybe even a TV show! I would never get sick of writing about their adventures.

Tell us about your debut book.

Isobel Adds It Up, illustrated by the talented A.G. Ford, is about a girl who loves math, but she is interrupted by the ruckus caused by her mysterious new neighbors. The inspiration came from my own noisy neighbors, which is something I think a lot of people can relate to after spending the last year at home!

Interior art from ISOBEL ADDS IT UP by Kristy Everington, illustrated by AG Ford with Random House Studio

Interior art from ISOBEL ADDS IT UP by Kristy Everington, illustrated by AG Ford with Random House Studio

What’s up next for you?

I’m working on a few picture book ideas – mostly funny ones with animals. 

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

Ooh, it’s a toss up between Dirty Dancing and The Lost Boys, but I will have to say Dirty Dancing. My friends and I were all obsessed with it when it first came out. I even saw Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights at the cinema when it came out. My friend who I saw it with swore me to secrecy because she was embarrassed (sorry, Al)!

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

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Originally from Perth, Australia, KRISTY EVERINGTON now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and quite a lot of cats. She enjoys exploring the California coastline and visiting as many lighthouses as she can. Kristy holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Kristy online: https://www.kristyeverington.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmeverington

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

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy ISOBEL ADDS IT UP, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of ISOBEL ADDS IT UP?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 15th. US addresses only please.

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Interview with Debut Author Corey Finkle

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

So without further ado, please welcome Corey Finkle!

Where do you live?

I live in Rhode Island, just outside of Providence.

 When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Can you share a bit about your process?

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Anything you can’t live without while you write?

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

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

 Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

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

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

Dream project to work on?

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

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

Tell us about your debut book.

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

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

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

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

What’s up next for you?

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

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

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

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

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

Visit Corey online at www.CoreyFinkle.com

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

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

Interview with Debut Author Hayley Diep

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have a debut author who just self-published her first picture book AND she also happens to live in my hometown, San Jose, California! I’m thrilled to be featuring her work and share her publishing story with you all today.

So without further ado, please welcome Hayley Diep!

Where do you live?

I live in San Jose, California.

 When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

 It started maybe two or three years ago. At first I wanted to write a picture book about my parents’ journey to America. 

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

 My husband was the first real fan of this book. He pushed for me to self-publish it after I shared it with him, saying that it had a great message for girls in the world.

I resisted at first because I wasn’t sure if the book was good enough. I, unfortunately, had and still have a major case of imposter syndrome. But the book wouldn’t leave me alone. I’d find myself revisiting it, re-reading it every few months, and daydreaming about the illustrations, so I decided to just take the plunge and self-publish it. 

I researched different distributors and learned that if I published through IngramSpark, they would distribute my books to bookstores and other retailers. I wouldn’t have to worry about selling the book myself if I didn’t want to so I decided to go with IngramSpark. 

After that, I had to figure out how to find and hire an illustrator, write a contract, set up a website, build my social media, market my book, sell my book, and everything else that self-publishing entails. It has been a JOURNEY, and I honestly could not have done it without my very talented illustrator, Braden Hallett. He did such an incredible job bringing this book to life. 

Can you share a bit about your process?

My writing process is to sit down with a hot cup of water, write, write, write whatever comes to mind, revise, share it with critique partners and as many people as possible for feedback, revise again, solicit feedback again, and then revise it again. I usually let the manuscript sit for a few months after the final revision before revisiting it and making more revisions.

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

I read books or go outside for a bike ride or hike.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Hot water, I am always drinking hot water while I write. Sometimes I drink chamomile tea as well. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I love Lesa Cline-Ransome’s work. She is a phenomenal children’s book author. Her book Before She Was Harriet is one of my favorite books of all time. I love her word choice, writing style, everything. I wish I could write like her.

Dream project to work on?

If I could work on a Star Wars related book, it would be a total dream come true. I love Star Wars.

Tell us about your debut book.

If You Give a Girl a Bike features an Asian main character and her two friends mountain biking, skateboarding, rock climbing, and surfing. This book is so important to me because I didn’t grow up seeing people like me in picture books, and even though there has been a huge influx of Asian characters in picture books, a lot of them still revolve around culture. 

Interior art from IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A BIKE by Hayley Diep, Illustrated by Braden Hallett

These topics are obviously extremely important, but I honestly identify more as a female outdoor enthusiast or amateur athlete than anything else, and I wanted to see people like me represented in books where the focus wasn't necessarily on culture or race. I just wanted people to see that girls like me can have fun outdoors and kick butt at male dominated sports, too. This book does that. 

Interior art from IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A BIKE by Hayley Diep, Illustrated by Braden Hallett

It is written to inspire young girls, specifically young girls of color, to get outside and try these sports that are mostly dominated by White men. It is written in a circular story style and includes vocabulary from each sport. 

What’s up next for you?

I am working on a few picture book biographies and a middle grade book. I’m just having fun and seeing where these projects go. 

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

The Little Mermaid. Honestly, I googled a list of 80s movies and picked my favorite from that list :)

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

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HAYLEY DIEP writes and teaches in the Bay Area. When she isn't doing either, you can usually find her reading a book, mountain biking, rock climbing, or riding her longboard with her husband and friends.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Hayley or her book, visit her online: www.hayleydiep.com

Or follow her on social media:

Instagram: hayleydiepwrites

Facebook and Twitter: hayleyrdiep

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A BIKE, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of IF YOU GIVE A GIRL A BIKE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, March 4th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Jeff Goodman

Happy Thursday Critters! I hope you are all staying warm out there— because it is freezing in Ohio! So it seems fitting that we are chatting with a debut author today from sunny Los Angeles to warm things up a bit.

Please welcome Jeff Goodman to Critter Lit!

Where do you live?

My wife, daughter, and I live in Los Angeles, where I was born and raised. It’s a crazy metropolis that doesn’t make sense in many ways, but it’s beautiful all the same.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

Writing a children’s book has been a goal of mine for many years. I really got inspired to make it happen after the birth of my daughter, which reconnected me to children’s literature in a new and more meaningful way.

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

It all started with a birthday present: Through an elementary school auction, my wife bought me a consultation meeting with a local publisher. That initial meeting led to many months of revising, editing, and market research — all before finding an illustrator, creating a draft layout, and putting the finishing touches on the book before making it available to the public. The process required ample collaboration, and as a debut author I was grateful to have the guidance and encouragement of experienced professionals. I now have a much better understanding of how much work goes into the creation of a 24-page children’s book! 

Can you share a bit about your process?

My concept — a children’s book about a dozen eggs, each cooked differently to reveal a different emotion — became an exercise in trial and error. It required lots of mixing and matching! In addition, since I wanted to make a rhyming book, it took significant time to find age-appropriate words to fit into the ABCB stanza structure. It helps that I’m a bit of a word nerd; I enjoyed the challenge of emphasizing the right syllables in each line while maintaining the desired meaning. My thesaurus got a great workout.

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

Spend time with children. As a parent, uncle, and literacy volunteer (shout-out to Reading to Kids), I’m always amazed at the new insights and fresh perspectives I glean from the little ones in my life. Their curiosity, fascinations, and sense of wonder are contagious!

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I love listening to music, but I find that I often get distracted by lyrics when I’m writing. So, I usually opt for instrumental artists: Ludovico Eindaudi, Lance Allen, Chris Thile, The Greyboy Allstars, and The Six Parts Seven, to name a few.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I’ll always admire Shel Silverstein’s clever use of language; his work manages to be fun, memorable, and poignant. And I’m truly inspired by the brilliance of Gabriella Urbina, who illustrated my debut children’s book; I still marvel at her technical skills and her ability to convert ideas into images.

Dream project to work on?

I’m a huge basketball fan, so it would be pretty special to incorporate my love of hoops into a children’s book somehow.

Tell us about your debut book.

Feel Like Eggs? is about a carton of a dozen eggs, each cooked a different way to reveal a different emotion. It’s the rhyming answer to the question, “Why express yourself when you can eggs-press yourself?” Featuring plenty of wordplay and charming illustrations, the book is a fun foray into social-emotional learning for the little ones in your life.

What’s up next for you?

I have a few additional manuscripts for children’s books in the works, and I hope to bring them to life in the near future.

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

Hmm ... either Ferris Bueller’s Day Off or Rain Man, depending on my mood.

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

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JEFF GOODMAN wrote Feel Like Eggs? to help kids understand and express the feelings they experience in their daily lives. As an award-winning journalist and school communications specialist, Jeff has written extensively about education, child development, and social-emotional learning. He currently works in communications at UCLA. An alumnus of UC Berkeley, Jeff lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Jeff and his book, visit his website at jeffgoodmanauthor.com or follow him on social media:

Facebook: fb.me/jeffgoodmanauthor

Twitter: @jeffgodman2

Instagram: @jeffgoodman2

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of Jeff’s book, click here.

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

Interview with Author/Illustrator Eva Byrne

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m thrilled to feature an interview with author and illustrator Eva Byrne today! I was first introduced to Eva’s work when she released her debut as an author/illustrator, Along Came Coco: A Story About Coco Chanel, which I adore. If you haven’t read it— go out and pick up a copy. It’s utterly fabulous!

Many of you may be familiar with Eva’s illustration work, as she was the illustrator for Savanah Guthrie and Allison Oppenheim’s Princesses Wear Pants, a New York Times bestseller, which will soon be made into a Netflix series. I can’t wait for you all to meet Eva and her wonderful work!

So without further ado, please welcome Eva Byrne:

Where do you live?

I am lucky enough to live in the West of Ireland, right beside the sea in County Sligo. It is a beautiful part of the world.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I have been a freelance illustrator since I graduated from FIT in 94, I’m old enough to remember running into the editorial offices of newspapers with hand-drawn barely dry illustrations!

How did you first get published?

I was first published in national newspapers here in Ireland and in women’s fashion magazines. It was such a thrill to see my work in print. The very first children’s book I illustrated was for a French educational company, the editor had seen my work in a French fashion magazine and thought my fashion illustrations were a nice match for a book aimed at young teenage girls.

Do you write and illustrate full-time?

I do write and illustrate full-time.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I’m inspired by people’s stories, as a child I loved being around my grandmother and great grandmother and hearing the stories of their lives, also I worked for years as a fashion illustrator and I adore bringing fashion in the children’s books I illustrate.

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

I’m surprised by how fond you become of the characters you have brought to life, I suppose it makes sense, you spend a lot of time alone in the studio figuring out the characters and drawing their reactions to the situations they find themselves, it’s a pretty personal relationship. 

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

There are so many wonderful things about being an author/illustrator, from the excitement when you sign with an agency, then when you are offered a book deal, to building a relationship with an editor whose work you have admired and then the thrill of seeing your book in print!

What do you find difficult about working as an author/illustrator?

I find the few days after you have finished a book quite difficult, you have spent quite intense amounts of time alone and then you hit send and its all gone, then you turn around and the laundry room looks like a tornado just hit it and never mind the rest of the house. There is also that weird phase when you have become so used to your own company that you have to remind yourself to make an effort to see your friends and when you do you feel a tiny bit awkward because you need to brush up on your social skills! Luckily I have very understanding friends.

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

I love stories about women and hidden histories particularly when they link into fashion so I tend to reach for my huge stacks of Vogues and Harpers Bazaar and try to find articles about trailblazing women in history/fashion.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I habitually buy new sketchpads for each new project I’m working on however I also habitually end up drawing on envelopes, receipts  and another bits of paper I can find in my car while my brand spanking sketchbooks sit untouched in my studio. I need to work on that!

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

I had the pleasure of visiting the Conte West school in Connecticut last year with Along Came Coco (my first author/illustrated book) and the response of the children  was so joyous and welcoming it just blew me away. 

Recommended reading?

I would recommend reading the new children's books that come into your library, I do get funny looks from the other parents when I am sitting on a tiny chair surrounded by picture books, I would also recommend Show Me A Story by  Leonard S. Marcus for an enjoyable and informative read.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

There are so many highlights in a children’s book career, each time you walk into a bookstore and see a book you have worked on sitting there, it’s such a cool moment, I recently walked into a store and saw Along Came Coco which I wrote and illustrated and Piglette, written by Katelyn Aronson, illustrations by moi, sitting side by side, that was pretty thrilling. (I probably need to get out more).

One definitive highlight was when Princesses Wear Pants made it onto the New York Times bestseller list. That was incredible.

Also, when I got the email that Piglette was getting her very own sequel, Piglette’s Perfect Plan, which comes out next year, that was pretty special and then when Abrams bought my latest book, SuperNana which I wrote and have just finished illustrating a few days ago, that was a real highlight!

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

I wish someone had told me to stop waiting for the perfect story. Agents and editors know if a story appeals to them and if it’s something that they can work with and what I’ve found is that it is a collaboration, and it is all the better for that.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

My newest book out in the world at the moment is Piglette by Katelyn Aronson, it is an absolutely gorgeous book about a little pig with big city dreams.

Interior art from PIGLETTE by Katelyn Aronson, illustrated by Eva Byrne

Jacket from PIGLETTE

It is a whimsical and gentle, perfect for cosy reading bedtimes. I loved illustrating this book and found being in the studio with Piglette was the perfect antidote to all the news beyond the studio door.

Art from SuperNana by Eva Byrne to be published by Abrams 2021

What’s up next for you?

Coming up next would be the revisions for SuperNana— tweaking the artwork here and there to get it as close to perfect as I can. I’m really excited about this book! When I started writing SuperNana I had no idea she would turn into such a spandex wearing powerhouse!

Also, I have been itching to get stated on a non-fiction picture book bio about Catherine Dior, Christian Dior’s younger sister who was a member of the French Resistance during WW2, the world famous perfume Miss Dior is named in her honor but so few know the story behind this remarkable woman.

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

To younger illustrators/authors I would say keep drawing and writing, really hone your craft so that it is your voice and vision that comes through the work.

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

The 1980s movie that sticks in my head is Flashdance not because I’m such a great dancer more because of all the family vacation photos where I’m wearing a pink headband, in a misguided attempt to look like Jennifer Beale but in reality I’m looking a lot more like the Karate Kid. My mother did try to warn me…

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Huge thank you to Eva for stopping by Critter Lit today! We love your books and are so excited to see Piglette and SuperNana out in the world!

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EVA BYRNE has worked as a professional Illustrator since 1994 in editorial, advertising, package design and children’s book publishing. Recent clients have included Viking, Penguin Random House, Abrams Books for Young Readers, Collins Press, Orion, Simon and Schuster, American Girl, Netflix, Atomic Cartoons, Claire’s Accessories.  

In 2017, Eva illustrated the New York Times bestselling Princesses Wear Pants and her follow up book Along Came Coco was chosen for a Bank Street Book of the Year award.

Eva’s background is in Fashion Illustration, where she has worked with clients such as Estee Lauder, Calvin Klein and Brown Thomas. Her work has been commissioned as gifts for front row guests during London Fashion Week.

This year Eva worked as a wardrobe consultant with Atomic Cartoons and Netflix on the upcoming series based on Princesses Wear Pants. She is currently writing and illustrating a new book, SuperNana, which will be published by Abrams in 2021 and illustrating Piglette’s Perfect Plan to be published by Viking Press 2021.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Eva online.

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of PIGLETTE, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of PIGLETTE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 22nd! US addresses only please.

Interview with Author and Illustrator Kyle Beckett

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m thrilled to be sharing today’s post with you all. It’s always lovely to have another illustrator stop by Critter Lit, especially one as talented as Kyle Beckett. I was first introduced to Kyle’s work through my husband, Frank Tupta. When Frank sold his first picture book manuscript, HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE, to Two Lions, I got a sneak peek into another side of the publishing process. Even after ten years in this business, I’d never seen the author-only perspective of making a picture book.

Two Lions shared Kyle’s work with Frank, and immediately both he and I knew it was a perfect fit. We were so impressed with his color palette and knew he’d be able to pull off a book set entirely at night— which I’ll be honest, as an illustrator, intimidated me about Frank’s manuscript. Frank loves all things spooky and Halloween so who ever was going to illustrate his text needed reflect that same enthusiasm in their work, which Kyle totally did!

There are so many wonderful details Kyle added into the art of HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE that don’t exist in the text— that’s the magic of a great match between author and illustrator. They both bring something to the table to really make the whole book sing. Personally, my favorite detail is the shrunken head wind chimes…classic!

So without further ado, please welcome Kyle Beckett!

Where do you live?

I live in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. It’s about 25 minutes away from downtown Atlanta, so I just say that most of the time.

How many years have you been in publishing?

I’ve been in publishing for about three years now. After a year and half of applying all around, the Bright Agency took me on as an illustrator!

How did you first get published?

There are actually two answers here! Before I started working with Bright, I self-published a book called A Lovely Day for a Drive on Amazon. It was just something to do so that I could show people I can make a book. 

After that, I got a few books published with Bright.

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

I do! Or perhaps it’s best to say that I am trying too. Right now, it’s all I do for work. There are some days it seems like a mountain I’ll never be able to climb. But so far I am making it work, in no small part due to my fiancée’s support. 

What inspires you to create picture books?

It all started with an instructor I met in college; his name is Regan Dunnick. The class was called ‘Children’s Book Illustration’ and I figured it would be a fun and easy class. By the time the semester ended, though, I was full-force into picture books. While studying for the class, I remember reading the book Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen and thinking to myself, ‘yep, that’s how it’s supposed to be done.’

Beyond that, I’m inspired daily by other picture book makers. Abner Graboff, Benji Davies and Jon Klassen in particular got me into this form of storytelling. 

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

The most surprising thing for me is definitely how collaborative it can be! Before I graduated from college, I made all of my art quite personally. There were critiques and discussions in class, but for the most part I was drawing into the late hours of the night all alone by the light of a single desk lamp.

Now that I am a working professional, I’ve started working with authors and illustrators and agents and designers. It’s more than just me making these books now, and my work is all the better for it.

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

I love getting lost in research. I think my favorite part of making books is the beginning stages where there are no wrong answers and you’re just throwing everything you can possibly think of down onto the paper. It’s like being an explorer without ever leaving the house.

What do you find difficult working as a author/illustrator?

The mental side of being a storyteller is really difficult, even terrifying. There are days you get up, knowing you have to work, but not quite knowing where to start. It’s easy enough to tell yourself you’re going to write a book, but it’s another thing altogether to actually do it.

For me, that’s the most difficult thing; trying not to worry about tomorrow and focus on the task at hand today.

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

New ideas can come from anywhere. The trick, for me, is to keep your creative engine running at all times. Even in the grocery store, I might see something and make a mental note of it for later.

That being said, sometimes you need to distract yourself to ‘hit the reset button’ so to speak. To hit my reset button, I read books and I run a whole lot. Your reset button can be anything at all; meditation, TV, baking, whatever works. 

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

Reading! I think one of the best ways to come up with ideas consistently is to be experiencing other people’s ideas as much as possible. For me, reading books does the trick. Watching a good movie will work too, but you have to be engaging with it, not just watching it to entertain yourself.

I try to think of creativity as a combination of different experiences or stories. The more you experience, the more you have to combine.

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

There are so many. The first one that comes to mind is from back when I was living in my hometown in Illinois. I had just self-published my book A Lovely Day for a Drive when my old grade school asked if I would come in and read for the kindergartners. 

I agreed, somewhat reluctantly, because I get very anxious if people are looking at me. I showed up on the day, and they took me to the gym and gave me a microphone. 

“Will I really be needing this?” I asked. “I think the kindergartners will be able to hear me just fine.”

“We want to make sure everyone can hear you,” they replied.

That was when I realized that I would be reading my book and doing a live drawing in front of the entire 300 person school.

Obviously I was nervous. But when the time came to start talking, it just happened. I read my book, did some drawings and answered a few questions. I wasn’t nervous at all. In the end, I realized that as long as I was talking about something that I truly loved, there was no reason to be scared. That’s when I knew I was on the right path.

Recommended reading?

That’s a good question! There are lots of picture books I would suggest; The Flight of Mister Finch by Thomas Baas, or Billy Twitters and his Blue Whale Problem by Mac Barnett and Adam Rex. If you’re into the oldies like me, I would suggest A Fresh Look at Cats by Abner Graboff.

As far as middle grade or young adult books go, I love The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (anything by Mr. Gaiman, really), and The Doctor Dolittle Series by Hugh Lofting is quite incredible.

And then there are the more adult novels and comics as well; I have been really into H.P. Lovecraft lately, as well as the Barsoom novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Headlopper by Andrew Maclean is a great comic, and so is Tale of Sand by Jim Henson and Ramón K. Pérez.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

I have loved every minute of being in this industry so far, but I think the greatest experience has been seeing How to Build a Haunted House all wrapped up and bound together for the first time. It really felt great to have that story in my hands.

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

I wish I was told how much of the experience of making a book really feels strange. Most mornings it takes me an hour or so to settle down and stop asking myself, ‘wait, am I doing this right?’ 

It’s something I’ve come to accept now. If you feel like you’re doing it right, you might not be trying hard enough. It’s easy to slip into a ‘comfort zone’ when you’re working, and I wish someone had told me to keep pushing harder.

Dust Jacket from HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE written by Frank Tupta, Illustrated by Kyle Beckett

Can you tell us about your newest book?

I would love to! My newest book was written by Frank Tupta, and it’s called How to Build a Haunted House. It’s a fun, nighttime tale about some not-so-scary monsters trying to build a house for some displaced vampires. The whole thing is told with incredible rhymes that make you practically want to sing through the whole thing. 

Interior spread from HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE written by Frank Tupta, Illustrated by Kyle Beckett

My goal for this book was to have the illustrations really create a unique mood. I wanted it to feel dark and spooky but super light-hearted at the same time.

Interior spread from HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE written by Frank Tupta, Illustrated by Kyle Beckett

What’s up next for you?

I have another book coming out later this year, called The Knight Who Might by Lou Treleaven, as well as a book I wrote and illustrated called The Dog Ate My Homework that is publishing in simplified Chinese. I’m excited to see those two books in print.

Interior art from THE KNIGHT WHO MIGHT written by Lou Treleaven, illustrated by Kyle Beckett

Jacket from THE DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK by Kyle Beckett

Besides those books, I am working every day to write and illustrate new stories and get them published! There are loads of picture books I want to get out there, and even a middle grade book I’m trying to write.

Interior art from MY DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK

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

The only advice I feel qualified to give is to make sure you’re making the stories you want to make. I tell myself everyday that the stories in my head aren’t hiding anywhere else, and only I can get them out. 

Even if they aren’t perfect, keep telling stories.

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

This is Spinal Tap. No question! Without a doubt! (Don’t tell the Ghostbusters I said that)

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Huge thank you to Kyle for stopping by Critter Lit today! Needless to say, Frank and I love the illustrations you did for Frank’s text and we can’t wait to pick up your next book!

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In the third grade, KYLE BECKETT sold a drawing of a bluebird in sunglasses for a chocolate chip cookie at lunch. From that first commission, he was hooked. He knew he wanted to be an illustrator. 

He grew up in Rockford, Illinois, and later moved to Sarasota, Florida, to study illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design. He previously published A Lovely Day for a Drive, which he both wrote and illustrated, and he has more books forthcoming. He currently lives in Atlanta with his fiancée, Lauren, and his dog, Goose. They spend most of their time hiding behind doors to scare each other.

Follow him on Instagram @kylebeckett

PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK To pre-order a copy of HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE or THE KNIGHT WHO MIGHT, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of HOW TO BUILD A HAUNTED HOUSE?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 1st! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Joana Pastro

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Joana Pastro, whose debut picture book LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS, illustrated by Jhon Ortiz, comes out with Boyds Mills Press next month! I’m thrilled to have Joana with us today and I hope you all check out her wonderful new book!

So without further ado, please welcome Joana Pastro!

Where do you live?

I’m originally from Brazil, but I have been living in South Florida for the past twenty years. Time flies!

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I always loved picture books, but I didn’t understand how someone could write one without being an illustrator or without working side-by-side with one. One day, I wrote a short story, and took it to my critique group. They suggested I make it into a picture book and told me about Carrie Charley Brown and Kirsti Call’s Read for Research Month (ReFoReMo). After participating in ReFoReMo in 2016 I was hooked, and all I wanted to write was picture books.

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

I had been writing a middle grade novel for a few years, but after doing ReFoReMo in 2016, I slowly started transitioning to picture books. The following year, I joined 12x12, and in June I participated on PBPitch and caught the attention of Natascha Morris from BookEnds Literary Agency. I signed with her in September. Almost exactly a year later she sold my debut, LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS to Jes Negron at Boyds Mill & Kane. (At the time it was Kane Press.)

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

I step away from the computer and allow my brain to work without pressure. I’ve had some of my best ideas while walking around my neighborhood, watching a movie, looking at old photos and even cleaning the house.   

Tell us about your debut book.

LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS, illustrated by Jhon Ortiz, is about a little girl who loves being a damsel, but loathes the idea of ever being in distress. Soon enough, she finds herself in danger and uses her smarts to save herself. It’s about girl power, but not only for girls. I truly hope this book appeals to all children, because it’s also about and friendship, standing up for yourself, and accepting others. And we all need that, right?

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

I always have a hard time picking anything “favorite”. The first 80s movie that came to mind is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Such a fun movie! 

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

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JOANA PASTRO always wanted to be an artist of some sort. So, she became an architect. But once her first child was born, all the visits to the library, and the countless story times made Joana start dreaming of becoming a children’s book author. After a lot of reading, writing and revising, her dream is coming true. Her debut picture book, LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS, illustrated by Jhon Ortiz, will be published by Boyds Mills Press, an imprint of Boyds Mills & Kane, on October 20, 2020. Her second book, BISA’S CARNAVAL, illustrated by Carolina Coroa will be published by Scholastic in Fall/2021. Originally from Brazil, Joana now lives in Florida with her husband, her three extremely creative children and a rambunctious Morkie. You can find her on Twitter @jopastro, Instagram on @joanapastro, on her website at www.joanapastro.com.

PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK To pre-order a copy of LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS, click here. Follow the instructions below and receive bonus goodies from Joana!

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, September 24th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Angela Burke Kunkel

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

Where do you live?

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

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

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

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

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

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

Can you share a bit about your process?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

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

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

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

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

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

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

Dream project to work on?

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

Tell us about your debut book.

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

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

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

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

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

What’s up next for you?

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

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

Oh, Princess Bride, hands down.  

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

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

FOLLOW ANGELA ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter

Instagram 

or visit her website: www.angelakunkel.com

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

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

Interview with Author Marsha Diane Arnold

Happy Thursday Critters! Today is our SECOND interview of the week! I’m thrilled to be sharing today’s interview with the prolific and talented Marsha Diane Arnold because I love her new book, LIGHTS OUT, AND because it happens to be illustrated by my incredibly brilliant friend and critique partner, Susan Reagan. LIGHTS OUT addresses light pollution, which is a topic I didn’t know much about and found fascinating while reading Marsha’s text. The art is stunning and I was lucky enough to see Sue working on this book from the very beginning. It’s always a magical thing to see a book created from start to finish. Marsha has an incredible list of books to her name and I’m so happy she could be with us today to share her creative process and journey in publishing.

So without further ado, please welcome Marsha Diane Arnold!

Where do you live?

Currently, I live in the sweet little “town” of Alva, Florida. My husband and I moved here six years ago from another sweet little town – Sebastopol, California. The move was a big change after living in Sebastopol 35 years, raising my children there and creating a half acre garden with heirloom roses and fruit trees. But I am grateful to be in Alva now, with nature preserves on two sides of our home, my daughter’s family close by, and my son’s family, at least, on the same coast.

I was born and raised in Kansas, lived in Northern California most of my life, and now call southwest Florida my home, so I’ve spanned the USA. My husband and I also had a casita in Costa Rica for years and loved having toucans and monkeys as neighbors.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first picture book, Heart of a Tiger, was published in 1995, but I wrote homegrown treasures, an award-winning newspaper column, for ten years prior to that. Though I always loved reading and majored in English literature in college, I didn’t start writing until I was in my thirties. It’s wonderful that you can come to writing at any time of life. It doesn’t matter how young or how old you are.

How did you first get published?

That was a long time ago to remember! First, I studied up. I joined SCBWI, started a writer’s group in Sebastopol (Luckily, there are many creative people in Sonoma County.), read everything I could find on the business and craft of writing picture books, and read hundreds of classic, current, and award-winning picture books (That was fairly easy as I had two young children during the time I was learning.) After thirteen rejections for the first manuscript I felt was worthy to submit, I found a wonderful editor at Penguin who loved my story as much as I did. 

Do you write full-time?

No. I have too many interests to write 40 to 80 hours a week and I can be terribly unfocused. However, it has been my main profession for most of my life. I was a stay-at-home mom and I loved it. During that time, I began writing my homegrown treasures column, which mainly revolved around home and family. Some said it was a bit like Erma Bombeck. One judge in the Best Local Columnist contest said, “she finds a universe in her back yard.” That’s really what I try to do with my picture books too: find a universe in my back yard.

Of course, things related to writing keep me busy, just as they do other writers. I enjoy school visits (now virtual), doing manuscript consultations https://marshadianearnold.com/manuscript-consultations, and sharing manuscripts with my two online writer’s groups.

What inspires you to create picture books?

So many things – children, nature, funny things I overhear. 

What surprised you the most working as an author? 

I don’t think there were a lot of surprises. I’d done so much homework and reading before I started submitting. I knew it would be a challenging career. But I suppose it’s always surprising how long it takes for a manuscript to find an editor and also that some of my most beloved manuscripts never find the right home.

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

Getting the author copies of my books in the mail. Publishers usually send ten to twenty “author copies” to an author right before launch date. It’s wonderful to see the book that may have taken you years…or decades… to write, and to start sharing it with others.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Working from home is such a blessing, but it’s also a challenge. There are always things that draw me away from my writing studio.

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

I am rusty most of the time. Ha. I get new ideas often, sometimes too often. I also have files and notebooks full of old ideas, some of them still wanting to be published. The hard part, of course, is to take an idea and craft it, with artistic flair, into a fabulous story that others will want to read, over and over again.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I am one of those people who stop in the middle of something to follow another course. I’m often distracted, always curious about something new. The only thing that is habitual is sitting myself down in a chair and starting to write. That’s the only thing that works. 

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

There have been so many wonderful experiences, at conferences and literature festivals. 

Often the positive experiences happen at school visits – the enthusiasm and interest of the students, the art and writing projects they do before and after my visits. That all happens because the educators have first shown enthusiasm and interest in my books. I’m so grateful to them.

One of the most delightful experiences I’ve had happened at Jane Yolen’s and Heidi Stemple’s very first Picture Book Boot Camp. It was held in Jane’s home and I stayed in the Aerie (the attic) where Jane used to do most of her writing, surrounded by her awards and books. You can read more about it here: https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/blogonauts/a-weekend-with-a-legend-by-marsha-diane-arnold

Recommended reading? 

Sheila Turnage’s middle grade books are so well written and such fun. You will fall in love with Miss Moses LoBeau and the other characters in the Mo & Dale Mysteries. I love all or Sheila’s books, but Three Times Lucky is my favorite.

For picture books, Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings is one of my current favorites. I have loved A Sick Day for Amos McGee for a long time; Philip Stead is a treasure.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

So many wonderful things. 

I’ve been extremely lucky to work with some of the best editors and illustrators in the business. My book Lost. Found.’s editor was the famous Neal Porter and the illustrator is Matthew Cordell, who later won the Caldecott Medal.

I’d also had a dream to one day work with the lovely and kind Kate O’Sullivan and have Renata Liwska illustrate one of my books. What a delight to have that dream come true in one book: Waiting for Snow.

Two more highlights have to do with honors, one from early in my career and a more recent one. 

When Heart of a Tiger won the Ridgway award for Best First Book by a New Author, my editor told me it was a “sweet little award,” but it meant the world to me. A ceremony was held in New York City and Penguin paid my expenses to come from California. My husband came along to celebrate. I always say it’s an award you only get one chance at; I was blessed that Heart of a Tiger won.

Recently, my bilingual Galápagos Girl, illustrated by Angela Dominguez, was chosen as the 2020 Little Read Lakeshore book in Michigan. This community read involves over 25 elementary and pre-schools, 13 libraries, and 4 plus non-profit organizations. I’m delighted so many will be enjoying my book. Sadly, I won’t be able to travel to Michigan during these times, but we are going to do some fabulously fun visits virtually.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

I’d love to! I’m passionate about the subject of Lights Out - light pollution – and I adore Susan Reagan’s spectacular illustrations, which show the play between light and dark so brilliantly.

In a world filled with 

“House lights 

Car lights 

Truck lights 

Streetlights,” 

Interior art from LIGHTS OUT written by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Susan Reagan

Fox and Firefly begin their search for the Dark of Night. Along their journey, across the wide, wide world, they encounter other distressed animals affected by too many artificial lights. Eventually the group comes to a seashore where baby turtles are hatching. Disoriented by the land lights, they need help to find their way into the ocean. The little group guides them into the water, swimming onward, until…well, you’ll have to see. Because at the end you will see true light in the middle of darkness. 

“Great Bear, Little 

Comet play 

Dancing moonbeams 

Milky Way”

Interior art from LIGHTS OUT written by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Susan Reagan

As a child, I lived surrounded by Kansas farmland, far from city lights. I remember crawling out the second story window of my home and sitting on the roof for hours, enchanted by the constellations. My father also loved the night sky. Years after his farming work was done, he saved his money to buy a telescope and enjoyed sharing the wonders of the night with neighbors.

Today, we see less than 1 percent of the night sky compared with people of the 1600s. As Henry Beston said in Night on the Great Beach, “With lights and ever more lights, we drive the holiness and beauty of night back to the forests and the sea.” I am grateful for those who are working to reveal the night skies to the world. I look forward to finding ways to work with the International Dark Sky Association, that works to protect and restore the night sky for present and future generations.  As the Lights Out book flap says, “In a world marred by light pollution, this quest for true darkness is a clarion call to turn out the lights—so that all may see.”

Interior art from LIGHTS OUT written by Marsha Diane Arnold, illustrated by Susan Reagan

What’s up next for you?

I have another book coming out, hopefully in 2022, but it hasn’t been announced yet. So, mum’s the word.

My wonderful agent is always sending out my manuscripts, which we love, but which we can’t always find an editor for. Yes, I still get many rejections. But I keep writing. The stories I’m working on now include one about a lizard, a train, and another about a smiling monster.

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

There is so much available online, much of it free, to help you with your writing craft. So, Google, join Facebook writing groups, and connect with others to find information.

When I talk with children and adults about writing, I often mention the three P’s – Patience, Perseverance, and Practice. All are vital for a writer. Another thing to strive for is to not be envious and jealous of other’s success. I’m still working on this one. But remember, only you can write your stories. Focus on your unique stories and write them the best that you can.

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

You’ve probably noticed I can’t just pick one. Moonstruck, Field of Dreams, E.T.

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Huge thank you to Marsha for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited for LIGHTS OUT and can’t wait to see what comes next!

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Called a “born storyteller” by the media, MARSHA DIANE ARNOLD is a multi-award winning picture book author with over one million books sold. Her books have garnered honors such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (Roar of a Snore), Smithsonian Notable (The Pumpkin Runner), and the bilingual Galápagos Girl being chosen as Michigan’s Little Read Lakeshore community read for 2020. Marsha shares her love of story through school visits (virtual now), manuscript consultations, her Writing Wonderful Character-Driven Picture Books e-course (https://www.childrensbookacademy.com/writing-character-driven-stories.html), and reading to her grandchildren. Past joys, that she doesn’t do quite as much anymore, include camping at 10,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada and scuba diving to 140 feet in the Blue Hole. Life has its ups and downs! Current joys are family, books, and nature.

WANT TO KNOW MORE about Marsha Diane Arnold and her books, visit her online or follow her on social media:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/marshadianearnold

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marshadianearnoldauthor/

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Marsha’s new picture book, LIGHTS OUT, illustrated by Susan Reagan, click here.

TEACHER’S GUIDE Lights Out: Activities for Educators & Readers

Download the Entire Kit: https://bit.ly/LOActivities

-or-

View a Menu of Individual Activity Downloads: https://bit.ly/LOKitIntro

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of LIGHTS OUT?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, August 27th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Tina Mowrey

Happy Tuesday Critters! This week at Critter Lit we are featuring TWO interviews— so today is extra special as we typically only do interviews on Thursdays. So please join me in welcoming debut author Tina Mowrey! Her first picture book, WHAT A PRICKLY PEAR, illustrated by Sarah Williams, comes out with Spork on August 25th!

Where do you live?

Austin, Texas.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

As an elementary teacher for 17 years, I was surrounded by picture books (and children). Reading to the children and discussing the stories was always one of my favorite things to do during the day. I fell in love with the experience and wanted to be able to write stories for children and teachers to enjoy together. 

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

I didn't become serious about a pursuit to publication until 2016, when I was 44 years old. I set my mind to it, wrote multiple manuscripts, researched the querying process and started my journey. After two years of querying and a handful of twitter pitch events, I connected with my agent. She sold my debut book a year later and it will be published this month on the 25th! Now, I was writing poetry and songs for years before I attempted to write my first picture book, so there were many years of "practice" writing. Also, I was reading picture books every day. Something that is essential if you are going to write picture books. Read, read, and read some more!

 Can you share a bit about your process?

I am a pantser for the most part. I come up with an idea and let it roll around in my head for awhile. If it starts to take shape, I might write down the basic plot so I don't forget it. Then, I do some research if it's necessary and start writing soon thereafter. I use actual pencil and paper for the first very rough draft. I revise as I go and when the story has a beginning, middle, and end, I move to the computer. Then, it's time for multiple revision sessions before I send it to CPs. Sometimes, I rewrite a story based on feedback I receive and other times, I don't much revising at all. And of course, not all stories end up being sent to my agent. I try to pick the "special" ones and that usually means CP approved.

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

I give myself time. I read. I listen to family members, friends, and students. I also like to research unusual phenomena and new inventions. Research almost always ignites a creative spark from which ideas can grow.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I like to listen to music when I write. Music has always been a part of my life, so it feels like it belongs in the background. I also like snacks. Salty and then, sweet. Or both at the same time!

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Tara Lazar's sense of humor inspires me daily on Twitter and her books are in a league of their own; so clever! And Jacqueline Woodson is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she weaves words together to tell such important stories.

Dream project to work on?

I would love to have one of my stories illustrated by Raissa Figueroa. Her illustrations are gorgeous!

Tell us about your debut book.

Roxy and Stumpy, two clever raccoons, are known for their dumpster diving abilities. Most mornings, their bellies are full and sleep comes easy. Until one day, they aren't so lucky. Tired and hungry, Roxy and Stumpy meet a handful of unique animal friends who eat prickly pear cactus. Yes, that's right - CACTUS! Join the raccoons as they decide whether or not this spiny food is worth the trouble.

What’s up next for you?

I have two more picture books coming out in 2021. BEING BAILEY RAE by MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing and one other that has not yet been announced. I also teach full time, so that is literally what's up next for me tomorrow! 

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

Only one? I guess it would be E.T. I recently watched it with my own children and cried so much they didn't know what to do! I really wanted E.T. to be able to stay.

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Huge thank you to Tina for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut picture book! We can’t wait to read what comes next!

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A transplant from Massachusetts, TINA MOWREY lives in Austin, TX, where she was introduced to the prickly pear cactus! Having been a singer/songwriter for years, Tina decided to put pen to paper and try her hand at picture book writing. It was much harder than expected, but she loves it. When she isn’t writing picture books, Tina spends her time working as an 8th grade language arts teacher and keeping up with her family of 4 humans & 5 pets!

WANT TO KNOW MORE about Tina Mowrey and her books, visit her online or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @tmowtx

Instagram: tina.mowrey

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Tina’s debut picture book, WHAT A PRICKLY PEAR, illustrated by Sarah Williams, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of WHAT A PRICKLY PEAR?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Tuesday, August 25th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Candy Wellins

Happy Thursday Critters! I’m very excited to share an interview with debut author, Candy Wellins today. Her debut picture book, SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA, illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan, releases with Page Street on August 11th— an it’s received a starred review from Kirkus! (Congrats, Candy!) I’m thrilled to have Candy with us today to tell us about her debut, upcoming projects, and process.

Without further ado, please welcome Candy Wellins!

Where do you live?

My family and I live in rural Central Texas—not too far from Austin when we need our big city fix.  

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

I feel like I’ve always wanted to do it, but it seemed like an unlikely dream. Even though my background is in writing (I have a degree in journalism) and working with children (I was an elementary school teacher for a decade), I felt like picture book writers were on a different echelon than the rest of us. In 2016, I met a neighbor in an exercise class who told me she was a children’s author. Hearing her story and how she broke into the industry (a lot of hard work and gumption) inspired me. I joined SCBWI and started taking craft classes and, of course, wrote lots and lots. I signed with my agent later that year and we sold this manuscript about two years later.  

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

Well, it’s a notoriously rough road. I feel fortunate that my agent and I connected pretty early into my writing career, but I’ve still faced a lot of rejection. We submitted several manuscripts and got loads of rejections (some nice and some not so nice) before we sold SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA to Page Street. I had spent so long waiting for that YES! that when it finally came, I was totally unprepared for it (but still overwhelmingly thrilled).  

Can you share a bit about your process?

I keep an idea journal, but I do all my actual drafting on my MacBook. When a story comes to me, I usually have to buckle down for as long as it takes to get the story out. Then I let it sit (for days to weeks), share it with critique partners, read it to my own kids, and revise. Each time I make revisions, I start the process over again (it can be tedious, but it is effective). When it feels right, I share it with my agent.  

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

Reading a stack of brand new picture books always inspires me. I am amazed at the brilliant ideas that people come up with and how they share them so effectively. It’s impossible for me to read new stuff and not want to go tackle some of my own projects.  

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

I can write with paper and pencil just fine, but really prefer to draft on my MacBook. The instant editing abilities are so helpful for my scattered brain. So that and a quiet house—naptime is the golden hour for writing where I live.  

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I grew up on Beverly Cleary books and, man, they still hold up decade after decade. She’s a master. Mo Willems is a genius. He has an ability to take such obvious, simple ideas and turn them into masterpieces. I love Bob Shea’s humor too.  Abby Hanlon wrote a series called DORY FANTASMAGORY which is absolutely hilarious and seriously underrated. And Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales are a perfect blend of history, great writing and humor.  

Dream project to work on?

I really love history and biographies so I’d love to publish some true stories that are inspiring and really deserve more attention.  

Tell us about your debut book.

SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA is a tribute to the grandparent-grandchild relationship.It began in 2016 as an idea of writing a love story between grandparent and grandchild. My MC George looked forward to his Saturday dates with Stella and made a big deal of cleaning up for her and bringing her flowers. Stella kept pictures of George all over her walls and gushed about him to her girlfriends. I took it to my critique group and they thought it was sweet, but needed more. I decided having Stella die would give the story some emotional impact, but I couldn’t figure out how to end the story on a positive note. I had written the scene where George is blacking out all the Saturdays on his calendar and it reminded me of the times I had marked the weeks during each of my pregnancies. Suddenly I realized the cure to George’s sadness was a new Stella.

Charlie Eve Ryan (whose work reminds me of Tomie de Paola’s) did the illustrations and I think they’re just fabulous: warm and sweet and lovely. She captured George and his Stellas perfectly.  

We sold the manuscript to Page Street Kids in 2018 and the book (finally) comes out on August 11.  It’s been a long journey, but worth every step along the way.  

What’s up next for you?

I’m really excited about my next book. It’s a picture book biography of Edward White, the first American to walk in space.  

In 2018 I was teaching a middle school class on the US Soviet Space Race and White’s name came up. I read an article where he was quoted as saying the end of his space walk was “the saddest moment of (his) life.” My picture book writing ears perked up at that because it’s such a kid-thing to say. I thought it was a great story…for someone else to tell. I’m not a big space buff and it seemed way out of my comfort zone. But the story wouldn’t leave me. I kept thinking about it, doing a little researching here and there and wondering if I could pull it off. During a summer road trip, our plans changed at the last minute and we suddenly had a free day on the east coast of Florida. My husband suggested a stop at NASA and I agreed without really thinking about Edward White. We bought tickets and rushed into the first exhibit we could without even consulting a map. I opened the door and looked up and saw a huge photograph of White and an exhibit dedicated to the Apollo 1 mission he was a member of. At that point, I felt like fate was telling me what to do. I went home thinking about it more and more and literally dreamt the first line. After that, it was a matter of hunkering down and getting the rest of the story written. 

We sold the story to Philomel and the book THE STARS BECKONED: EDWARD WHITE’S AMAZING WALK IN SPACE comes out April 2021. Courtney Dawson illustrated it and really captured Edward and the midcentury period well. It’s been an incredible experience working on a nonfiction piece. White died in 1967, but I was able to share the manuscript with his children and they’ve given feedback every step of the way so I feel like what we’ve produced is completely authentic, but also a really loving, lyrical story.  

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

Pee Wee’s Big Adventure has everything you could want in an 80s movie!  Mystery, romance, horror (Large Marge), bar top dancing, a trip to Texas and Mr. T.  What could be better?  

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Huge thank you to Candy for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut! We are so excited to hear about all of your projects!

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CANDY WELLINS is a lifelong writer and book lover.  A former elementary school teacher, Candy has a BA in journalism and an M.Ed. in literacy education. She’s now a full-time mom to three wonderful children who keep her up-to-date and immersed in kid’s literature. When she’s not reading, writing or mother, Candy loves running, traveling and naps! Her debut picture book Saturdays Are For Stella  (Illustrated by Charlie Eve Ryan, PAGE STREET KIDS) earned a Kirkus-starred review and comes out in August 2020. Her Debut picture book biography The Stars Beckoned: Edward White’s Amazing Walk in Space (Illustrated by Courtney Dawson, PHILOMEL) comes out in early 2021. Candy and her family make their home in Central Texas. For more information visit her online at www.candywellins.com.

Follow Candy on social media:

Instagram @candywellins

Facebook @candywellins

BUY THIS BOOK To order a copy of Candy’s debut picture book, SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of SATURDAYS ARE FOR STELLA?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, August 13th! US addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Abi Cushman

Happy Thursday Critters! I’ve been so excited to share today’s debut author interview for a while now, as Abi Cushman’s new picture book, SOAKED, is one I’ve been anticipating the release of for quite some time now. SOAKED officially released this past Tuesday with Viking Books for Young Readers and has received glowing reviews all around.

So without further ado, please welcome Abi Cushman to Critter Lit today!

Where do you live? I live in the same town I grew up in -- Niantic, CT. Seventeen-year-old Abi did not see that one coming.

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

I remember trying to draw Huckle Cat and Officer Flossy from the Richard Scarry books when I was in elementary school. But it took me thirty more years to nail down my own voice and get my characters and storylines to fit into the unique format that is a picture book.

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

My road to publication, in some ways, has been relatively short. It took me three years to get a book deal after I decided to make a serious effort at becoming a published author-illustrator. In 2015, I was a new mom reading lots and lots of board books and picture books to my daughter. I had an idea for a story, so I created a dummy and joined a local critique group. Nine months later, I landed an agent with that story. In 2017, I won the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award for the second dummy I wrote, as well as the Tassy Walden New Voices Award (for CT unpublished authors). I thought this was IT. That this was the story that would sell, because it had won those awards and got editor interest immediately after my agent sent it on submission. But things never lined up for that story, and I was crushed. Luckily, I used those feelings of dejection in a new story called SOAKED! which featured a very glum bear stuck in the rain, and I ended up selling it in 2018!

I should note too that throughout my publication journey, I’ve found the support of the kidlit community to be absolutely wonderful. The friendships I’ve made online and in-person have bolstered me up when I most needed it. This is something I’ll always treasure.

Can you share a bit about your process?

When I’m creating a story, I do a lot of rough sketches first and then piece everything together like a puzzle. I’ll draw thumbnails and then a rough mini dummy to figure out page turns and pacing.

After getting feedback, I make a larger dummy with more polished sketches. Once everything is approved, I create the final art by first drawing the characters with a mechanical pencil on computer paper. I scan those into Adobe Photoshop and adjust the levels to make the outlines nice and dark.

Then I apply the color with a Wacom Cintiq tablet. I keep most of the characters on their own layer/group in Photoshop so that I can move them around if necessary. And after drawing in the background and building up the colors and details, I arrive at the final art!

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

I write ideas or snippets of text down in my ugly sketchbook [https://taralazar.com/2020/01/04/storystorm-2020-day-4/] along with rough drawings of characters and scenes. When I’m in between projects, I go back through my sketchbook and see if anything catches my interest. And if so, I do more sketches to try to develop the idea further and see if it has legs.

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

If I’m doing final art, I need a mechanical pencil with a good eraser. I definitely don’t get things right the first time for the most part. I also prefer peace and quiet while I work.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

I am inspired by so many authors and illustrators, but to name a few who not only excel on a technical level but also stand out for their perseverance, resilience and drive:

Maral Sassouni (illustrator of The Green Umbrella)

• Maral Sassouni (illustrator of The Green Umbrella)

• Ken Lamug (author-illustrator of the upcoming graphic novel Mischief and Mayhem)

• Arree Chung (author-illustrator of Mixed, founder of StorytellerAcademy.com)

• Rebekah Lowell (author-illustrator of the upcoming MG novel in verse The Road to After]

• The Soaring 20s crew (2020 debut picture book authors and illustrators)

Dream project to work on?

One thing I love about being an author-illustrator is the ability to create my own projects. True these projects have to be pitched by my agent and then accepted by an editor (and the editorial team, and the sales & marketing team, and the publisher), but at least I’m not waiting for something awesome to just land in my lap. I’m out there making something out of nothing. So usually my dream project is the one I’m working on now! That said, if an art director or editor had a manuscript they thought would be a perfect fit, I would love the opportunity to illustrate it.

Tell us about your debut book.

Soaked! is about a bear caught in a rainstorm- his ice cream cone is soggy, his cashmere sweater has shrunk, and he definitely does not want to try hula-hooping with a hula-hooping moose. But his trio of friends help him see that having fun isn't dependent on sunshine and clear skies.

What’s up next for you?

I am wrapping up final art for my second book with Viking, Animals Go Vroom! It challenges readers to guess what goes roar, hiss, or honk and has little peekaboo windows. I think it’s a fun read-aloud, and I’m really excited to share it with everyone next summer.

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

The Princess Bride. But I didn’t watch it until the 90s when a teacher put it on at the end of a field day to pass the time before dismissal. We only watched the beginning and I remember thinking, “WOW. What is this?? It’s absolutely awful. The color and scenery look so fake!” But then slowly but surely, I came to realize it was the greatest movie I’d ever seen.

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Huge thank you to Abi for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on all your success! We can’t wait to see ANIMALS GO VROOM! when it comes out next summer!

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ABI CUSHMAN is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. She has also worked as a web designer for over 15 years, creating websites for libraries, towns, and local businesses. She runs two popular websites of her own: My House Rabbit, a pet rabbit care resource, and Animal Fact Guide , which was named a Great Website for Kids by the American Library Association. In her spare time, Abi enjoys running, playing tennis, and eating nachos. (Yes, at the same time.) She lives on the Connecticut shoreline with her husband and two kids.

For more information about Abi, visit her online or follow her on social media:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Sign-up for Abi’s newsletter here for totally top secret sneak peeks and giveaways!

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

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

Interview with Debut Author and Illustrator Rob Justus

Happy Thursday Critters! We are officially back for 2020 and I can’t wait to share all the fantastic interviews we have scheduled this year. So let’s kick things off with the first debut interview of the year…

Please welcome Rob Justus!

Where do you live? 

I live in the capital of Canada, Ottawa. In fact I’m fortunate enough to actually just live a few blocks away from the Parliament buildings, which to me, is pretty nerdy-cool!

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

Growing up all I wanted to do was draw comic books. It was all I read, and all I drew was superheroes. Fast forward almost twenty years, I started writing and drawing simple, very bad, stories for my sister’s children. I shared them with some friends and their children, and they all seemed to enjoy them, so I thought I’d take a serious stab at doing this professionally. 

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

I feel like my journey to publication started before I even knew I wanted to work in children's books.

Like many people, I wasn’t happy with where I was in life - I just didn’t know what it was that I wanted. Then I started drawing again...and I remembered how much I loved it! 

Life took several very difficult turns for me, but at the same time I felt it pushed me more and more towards a creative lifestyle. I had played it safe, and that hadn’t worked for me. So I thought I’d take a chance seriously pursue writing and illustration as a career. I went to SCBWI conferences, landed an awesome agent, Molly O’Neill, and started sending out submissions. I had a lot of rejection, but tried to learn from every pass that I got.

Then I took a shower...and during that magical shower I came up with what would eventually become Kid Coach. I shared it with my agent and several dozen revisions later we had something to share with publishers. 

Soon after, I was fortunate enough to be able to sit down and have lunch with Kristen Nobles of Page Street Kids. I drove five hours to have a GREAT two hour lunch only to turn around and drive five hours back home. It was the best decision I had ever made. A few days later, hours after a tornado or two had ripped through the city where I live - leaving me without electricity for a few days. I received a call from my agent saying that Page Street Kids would like to offer me a two book deal! Oddly enough, all my friends and family were out of town that weekend so I celebrated my long journey to publication alone and in the dark. It was the best.

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

I step back for a day or two. Get out and see friends. 

Most new ideas come to me when I’m not really thinking about writing or in places where you zone out, like when I’m running. These ideas are either just an image of a character in a certain setting, or a turn of phrase, or bouncy line, but from that stories blossom and snowball.

Tell us about your debut book.

Kid Coach is a slamtastic book about a son who is determined to change his dad from a couch potato to a champion. Of course the only way to do this is by signing Dad up for WRESTLE-RUMBLE-MANIA-KINGDOM TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS!!! Surprisingly, Dad is really good at wrestling, but not so good at sportsmanship. It’s up to Kid Coach to help Dad become a better winner and right his wrongs, and hopefully make some friends along the way.

Kid Coach is a fun, action packed, read-out-loud book with colours and colourful characters that pop right off the page! Not gonna lie, I’m really proud of this book.

Illustration from KID COACH by Rob Justus

Illustration from KID COACH by Rob Justus

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

Does it have to be just one? The 80s were a pretty good time for sci-fi ...So if I have to pick just one it’d be...Aliens. No wait. It’d be Back to the Future. Wait! It’s definitely Ghostbusters...Or is it E.T? Actually you want to know what? When it doubt, you gotta go with the bacon...Kevin Bacon that is, and the best movie of all time: Footloose. 

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Huge thank you to Rob for stopping by Critter Lit to chat with us today. Congrats on your debut book! We can’t wait to see what you’ll create next!

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ROB JUSTUS chopped his way out of a career in market research and slammed into the publishing ring with his jammin’ debut book, KID COACH! Wrestling words and art as the Screaming Scribbler, Rob has wrangled many big guys, bad guys and bald guys with his signature move: THE DOUBLE-DARE DOODLE DEVASTATOR! Rob trains to be a true champion in Ottawa, Canada. He’s rep’d by Molly O’Neill at Root Literary.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Rob, visit him online at www.robjustus.com or follow him on Instagram: @robjustus

BUY THIS BOOK To purchase a copy of Rob’s debut book, KID COACH, click here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of KID COACH?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, February 13th. US addresses only please.

Interview with Author Lydia Lukidis

Happy Thursday Critters! This is our last interview of 2019— what a year it has been! I’m so thrilled that Critter Lit had the opportunity to interview so many talented authors and illustrators in 2019 and can’t wait to dive into 2020 with you all! We have lots of exciting things planned. Thank you all for being apart of Critter Lit and our small contribution to the Kidlit community.

Today we have author Lydia Lukidis joining us. Lydia has written over 40 picture books for kids! I’m so excited to share her work and experiences with you all.

So without further ado…please welcome Lydia Lukidis!

Where do you live?

I live in Montreal, Canada. I’m a Canuck, eh!

How many years have you been in publishing?

I’ve been a freelance writing and journalist for the last 20 years, and have been exclusively writing for children since 2013. Before that, I was writing children’s plays and putting on marionette shows.

How did you first get published?

My first published trade picture book was in 2014. It was with a small independent publisher and though I didn’t make much money, it was a fantastic experience and I learned a lot about the industry.

Do you write full-time?

Yes, I write full time. My writing is split in three directions: trade writing for my own projects, writing work-for-hire projects for educational publishers, and giving literacy workshops and author visits in elementary schools. I think it’s important (and fun!) to work with children.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I love kidlit in general. I would say my favorite, so far, are chapter books. There’s something magical about creating stories for children who are just learning to read independently. That said, I also love picture books. I appreciate how you can sum up a whole story with heart and feeling in such a short read. Picture books can have quite the impact on their audience.

What surprised you the most working as an author?

I was surprised at how slow everything is, and how frequently agents/editors don’t reply. But now that I’ve been at this for a while, I totally get it. It’s a competitive industry, and agents/editors don’t have enough time either. But…it’s still slow!

What is your favorite thing about being an author?

I LOVE the fact that children get to hold my books in their hands and enjoy them. I remember when I got my first “fan mail.” A child actually took the time to write me a letter and tell me how much he adored my book. That experience blew my socks off. Sure, big advances and working with the big 5 are real dreams, but that child’s letter reminded me of what’s truly important.

What do you find difficult working as an author?

Apart from how slow the industry is, I find the constant slew of rejection challenging at times. Over the years, I’ve developed very tough skin and I don’t get phased by rejections. But when you get close, or your book goes to acquisitions but then they pass, it can sting.

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

I’m never at a loss for new ideas. In fact, I have way too many. The discipline and magic happens when I go through the ideas, and figure out which ones have the most potential, and focus on developing those.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I think it’s important for all writers to read a lot, both the classics and contemporary work. You need to keep reading, especially in your genre, as much as you can. You also need to do continual research of the industry. You need to know what’s happening, and who’s who etc. Subscribe to blogs and newsletters, get involved in online writing groups, these are essentials. Once you immerse yourself in the world, the ideas and inspiration will flow.

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

They are ALL positive experiences! The writing community is very generous and kind. Writers tend to support one another, and share information and resources. For example, groups like Kidlit411 and Sub it on Facebook have literally helped shape my career.

Recommended reading?

So much! Right now, here are some I currently bought and am excited to devour:

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman 

Who Wet My Pants? by Bob Shea 

Nine Months: Before a Baby Is Born by Miranda Paul

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina 

Dory Fantasmagory (entire series) by Abby Hanlon

Two Dogs in a Trench Coat (entire series) by Julie Falatko (everything she says and writes is hilarious!)

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

My book The Broken Bees’ Nest just got nominated for a CYBILS Award! When I found out, I think I nearly fainted. It’s a big honor, especially since their picks are based on kid appeal.

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

I wish I had become a member of SCBWI right away. I didn’t know about them for a while, and literally spent a few years compiling information about publishers. Little did I know, they send you a large comprehensive book listing publishers when you become a member.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

My book NO BEARS ALLOWED was published in July 2019 by Blue Whale Press. I’m proud of this book because it’s a story that helps cultivate empathy, which I think is very much needed in the world today. The story is about overcoming your fears, and also, not judging others. The main characters Rabbit and Bear seem quite different at first, but eventually develop an unlikely but beautiful friendship.

What’s up next for you?

I’ve been working on a lot of new projects, nonfiction seems to be my favorite passion right now. I have a new nonfiction picture I’m excited about which was vetted by several experts in the field, and have been querying agents with it. 

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

Here’s a lesson I learned over the years:

That even though it may sometimes feel that your actions do not get noticed, they DO MATTER. You just might not see it right away. For example, let’s say you’ve been querying some dream agents but have not been getting favorable replies. Just remember this: you never know what may happen in the future. I had this interesting experience where one of my dream agents chatted with me once, and mentioned one of my past queries. All this time, I thought my queries were getting lost in cyberspace, but- they were still being received and read. Agents and editors may feel moved by your work though they may not offer you a contract (right away). It’s often a question of timing.

The moral of the story: keep working hard towards your goals. Your path to success may not be linear, but in time, you will find your way.

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

Easy, CLUE! I can’t even count how many times I’ve seen that movie. It’s completely ridiculous and right up my alley in humor.

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Huge thank you to Lydia for joining us on Critter Lit today! Congrats on your new book and all that you have accomplished! We look forward to seeing what you do next!

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LYDIA LUKIDIS is a children's author with a multi-disciplinary background that spans the fields of literature, science and puppetry. So far, she has 3 trade picture books, 33 eBooks, as well as over dozen educational books published. Her latest STEM book The Broken Bees’ Nest was nominated for a CYBILS Award. Lydia is also passionate about spreading the love of literacy. She regularly gives writing workshops in elementary schools across Quebec through the Culture in the Schools Program. Her aim is to help children cultivate their imagination, sharpen their writing skills and develop self-confidence.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on Lydia Lukidis, follow her on social media:

Website: http://www.lydialukidis.com/

Blog: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLukidis/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LydiaLukidis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydialukidis/?trk=hp-identity-name

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 Debut Author Amanda Jackson

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we are joined by debut author Amanda Jackson, whose new picture book, MY SHAPE IS SAM, comes out September 17th! I’m so thrilled to be sharing this brilliant book with you all today! And bonus— Amanda’s book is illustrated by fellow illustrator, Lydia Nichols, who I studied illustration with at Syracuse. I can’t wait for you to all see this fantastic book these two incredibly talented women created.

So without further ado…please welcome Amanda Jackson!

Where do you live?

I live in Beaverton, Oregon, about 10 minutes from downtown Portland.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

My husband and I moved to California in 2016. We’d gone for his job and quickly realized we wouldn't be staying for as long as we’d planned. In the meantime, I was offered a job working with a child with autism. However, without a commitment to staying in the area, I couldn’t, in good conscience, accept the position. It was that instability that kept me jobless, and presented a gift in disguise. I remember having to make the decision to stop worrying about what to do with myself, and try to make the most of this unstructured, uncertain time.

I’ve always loved writing, but had never tried writing for kids. Because most of my professional life has been spent with picture book readers/listeners, I started there. I wrote my first picture book story (which will of course never see the light of day) and realized this was “my thing.” That realization made me feel like the luckiest person in the world. And it was such a clear realization too. Like stumbling across something I’d been looking for my whole life. It was magic, and I dove in head-first.

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

In mid-2017, I participated in a Twitter pitch even called Pit2Pub. That’s where I connected with Charlotte Wenger, then an editor with Page Street Kids. She requested the manuscript for My Shape is Sam, and made an offer a couple months later! So exciting. It’s been a wonderful couple years of working with Charlotte and all the wonderful people at Page Street. They’re so collaborative and honoring of their makers’ hopes for their work.

Can you share a bit about your process?

Sure! I’m not a routine writer. I spend a lot of time at my desk, but it happens whenever I have the time. But I love to write, so there’s rarely a day I don’t do it. I’m always in the midst of a few projects at different stages. My favorite stage is revision. It’s not as overwhelming as a blank page, and it always reminds me of throwing pottery - the calm of having already done the work of getting something on the wheel, and then I just have to keep shaping it until it’s beautiful.

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

The best thing I’ve found for new ideas is reading. Lots. Good work is so inspiring, especially if I’m feeling stuck in one of my own stories. Like a palette cleanser, it helps me push “reset” and see my work with fresh eyes.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Hmm the only thing I can think of is quiet. It sounds fun to write with music on (especially to influence the mood of my story), but my brain just doesn’t work that way.

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

Oh my gosh so many. Several picture book authors that come to mind first: Julie Fogliano, Ryan T. Higgins, Anna Walker, Oliver Jeffers... there are so many more. I’m inspired by the ability to pack a punch with a few simple words. That’s one of the reasons I adore this craft. And a few of my favorite illustrators: Lydia Nichols, Fiona Lumbers, and Beatrice Alemagna.

Dream project to work on?

A series. I would LOVE to work on a project that extends beyond one picture book. To create characters that readers get to know (and look forward to!) through multiple books. Ah that sounds like so much fun.

Tell us about your debut book.

MY SHAPE IS SAM is about Sam, a square who lives in a world of shapes. Everyone has a job to do, depending on their shape. But Sam doesn’t like stacking like the squares. He wants to roll like the circles.

My hope is that this story helps readers challenge norms that don't fit them. And that they continue to discover who they are, in spite of prescriptive expectations.

What’s up next for you?

I’ve always got projects in progress, so for now, more writing and revising!

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

Ha! Hmm. Crossing Delancey is way up there. It stars Amy Irving and Peter Riegert, and it’s not super well known. I’m such a sucker for the unlikely lovers trope, plus the music is great (I think it’s the only soundtrack I own!), I’ve seen it a million times.

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Huge thank you to Amanda Jackson for stopping by Critter Lit today! We are so excited for your debut and can’t wait to see what you do next!

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AMANDA JACKSON writes stories for kids and their grown-ups. She's pretty sure there's nothing better in the world. She grew up in Pennsylvania, where she discovered her love of making: drawing, crafting, sewing, cooking, storytelling. Anything to give her imagination a voice. When she was six, someone gave her a journal. She instantly felt at home with the magic that happens when words come from inside, pass across the page, and connect with someone else. In her twenties, Amanda moved to Portland, Oregon, and cozied right into the land of gray skies and creative living. She finished her degree in Human Development, worked with lots of awesome kids, and married her love. Of all the happies in her life, writing is one of the happiest. And she’s beyond thrilled to share her words with you.

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

Twitter: @Amanda2Jackson

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

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Want a chance to win a copy of MY SHAPE IS SAM?! Comment on this post or share it on Twitter. One lucky winner will be selected Thursday, September 19th! US addresses only please.