Interview with Author Susan Hughes

Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author Susan Hughes. Her newest book, HOORAY FOR TRUCKS, illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, just came out with Owlkids this month. I’m thrilled to have Susan with us today to tell us about her new book, road to publication, and experience as a writer, editor, and story coach. She also has fantastic taste in movies!

So without further ado, please welcome Susan Hughes!

Where do you live?

I love in Toronto, Canada.

How many years have you been in publishing?

My first book, a juvenile novel, was traditionally published in 1990, and I’ve been writing children’s books (and editing them too) ever since. I’ve been fortunate to have over 35 books traditionally published, including fiction, informational fiction, and non-fiction, and including board books, picture books, chapter books, MG novels, and a YA novel.

Do you write full-time?

I'm a full-time editor, writer, and story coach. I'm so fortunate to work with words and ideas--either my own or those of my amazing clients--all day long!

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Every time I have a new children’s book published, it’s the highlight of my career. It’s such an exhilarating feeling, one I really treasure. 

Can you tell us about your newest book?

Sure! Hooray for Trucks! is my newest picture book—and my very first rhyming story to be  published. The story is for kids 2 to 6. It’s playful and fun and … beep! beep! yes, the pages are loaded with names of trucks from bulldozers to forklifts and sparkling with lively illustrations by Suharu Ogawa.

Here’s a quick intro …

Splash and spray, slather and slosh.

dunk and swish—wash, wash, WASH!

It’s time for all hardworking trucks at the construction site to get clean—but when the narrator tries to round up the muddy machines, they dig in their wheels and refuse to move. They don’t want to waste time taking a bath! Trucks want to be USEFUL.

They want to flatten that soil and haul that dirt.

Trucks like one thing: trucks like WORK!

Interior Art from HOORAY FOR TRUCKS, Written by Susan Hughes, Illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, published by Owlkids

Then the narrator reveals they’re cleaning up for an extra special purpose — a truck parade! Soon, the machines are sparkling and shiny and rolling down the street to the cheers of a diverse group of truck fans.

Interior Art from HOORAY FOR TRUCKS, Written by Susan Hughes, Illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, published by Owlkids

Interior Art from HOORAY FOR TRUCKS, Written by Susan Hughes, Illustrated by Suharu Ogawa, published by Owlkids

What was your favorite part of writing this book?

I loved researching all the many names of trucks that could work on a construction site. I came up with quite a list: not only bulldozer and forklift but bucket truck, pickup truck, bobcat, cement mixer, grader … and more. It was super fun to try to work as many as I could into the text while keeping to a strict rhythm.

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

This isn’t new advice. Far from it. We all know how important it is. 

And so that’s why it bears repeating:

Read, read, read. 

If you write picture books, read picture books. If you write MG or YA, read MG or YA. And then read beyond … Read for fun, of course, but also read to learn. Ask yourself, what did I like most about this book and why? What did I like least, and why? How did the author create this effect? 

And then, (again, of course) write. Sit down and do the work. Get the words on the page, for better or worse. Once they’re right there in front of you, you’ve begun—and now the magic can begin.

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

Ha! I’m going to take over this question—and revise it (like a true editor/writer) and tell you my favorite 1950s movie, which, yes, is before I was born but oh, what a movie! It’s Roman Holiday, the classic romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. It was filmed in black and white, and entirely shot in Rome, Italy. It’s so wonderful! 

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

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Susan Hughes is a Canadian award-winning writer of many traditionally published children's books, including fiction and non-fiction—from board books, picture books, and chapter books to MG novels and YA novels, including titles such as Hooray for Trucks! (Owl Kids, 2022), Walking for Water: How One Boy Stood Up for Gender Equality (Kids Can, 2021), and the Puppy Collection chapter book series (Scholastic). Susan is an experienced freelance story coach and editor who works with writers, both novice and experienced, providing critiques and developmental edits, and guiding them in their writing practice. She frequently serves as a juror for book awards and has volunteered her expertise with organizations such as CODE and the CNIB.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Susan at visit her online: www.susanhughes.ca.

Or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @childbkauthor

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of HOORAY FOR TRUCKS!, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of HOORAY FOR TRUCKS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, October 20th! US and Canadian addresses only please.

Interview with Debut Author Frank Tupta

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

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

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

Without further ado, please welcome Frank Tupta!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Twitter: @FTupta

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

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

Raising My Market

These days, I'm surrounded by trucks. Literally. If it's not the toy trucks I'm constantly picking up around my house, it's the real ones driving up and down my street. We live in a national park, so there are always front loaders, dump trucks, and skid steers readily on display, working on the trails, dealing with fallen trees, or some other park-related need. And this week, my neighbor is having his driveway paved, so bonus, we have a cement mixer on full display. My two-year-old is in heaven. He could sit and watch these trucks all day long. Seriously. Needless to say, he loves trucks. Here's a sampling of our current bedtime rotation:

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Notice a pattern? All trucks, all the time in this house! I had always heard that kids go through phases. The truck phase. The dinosaur phase. The princess phase. And so forth and so forth. But it's not until you're in the midst of it that you realize how all-consuming it is. Obviously, my household is currently living through the truck phase.

This is the first time I've experienced being a parent of the same age group I'm writing books for. It's a rather strange thing. Every night we read three books, and my son always requests at least one book he specifically wants to read. The rest are up to me, which allows for some variation. Thankfully, most of the books he loves, I love too. But then again, I do this for a living so I'm picky about what I add to our home library.

Over time I started to notice a pattern amongst all the books he loves. And no, it's not trucks. We do actually read books without trucks in it...sometimes. Trucks or not, all the books we end up reading together over and over again offer additional details in the pictures for my son to spot. He pours over each page, trying to find Goldbug (Cars and Trucks and Things That Go) or Zombie Truck (Monster Trucks) or identifying all the different types of trucks (Truck Truck Goose). More importantly, though, he can connect to the characters. He's at an age where he understands wanting to help (Little Blue Truck), being sad or protective (The Digger and the Flower), getting confused (The Mixed-up Truck), or being impatient (Sheep in a Jeep). All of these books have total kid appeal. Does it get cuter than Betsy Snyder's elephant driving the fire truck on the cover of Tons of Trucks? No, it doesn't. Could you get a better hook than Anika Denise's Monster Trucks? Nope. Because kids LOVE monsters and trucks! It's brilliant. We literally read that book on repeat.

The 2-3 age is amazing. Kids are sponges, soaking up everything you give them. His memory astounds me and he is learning words at such a rapid rate. One night we were reading Truck Truck Goose, which if you haven't read it, only contains a few words. My son didn't know the word "piano" before reading that book. But he kept seeing Goose pulling around a big, red piano on each spread. Which is a hilarious thing to drag to a picnic in the first place. But that's what makes this book so great. Because kids drag around ridiculous things all the time. Like when my son goes to the potty and has to bring his monster truck with him. He's not going to play with it in there. He just wants to know it's close by. Like Goose and his piano. My son kept asking me what the piano was until he'd committed it to memory. Now we read that book and he points out the piano every time. The word piano isn't even in the book. But the story and illustrations provided him with a new vocabulary word and an interactive way to learn it. Now that's pretty cool.

So what does this all mean? It means don't underestimate kids. Ever. THEY ARE REALLY SMART. Seriously, they pick up on everything. Recently, I had a conversation about using the word "digger" vs. "excavator" in one of my books. The concern was that kids might not know the word "excavator," which is a fair point, some may not. But in all the time I've heard my son talk about trucks, he's never once said "digger," unless he's referring to a name like Digger in The Digger in the Flower. Because he knows it's an "excavator." It's like those kids who can't spell their own name, but they can rattle off the most ridiculously long dinosaur names, unpronounceable to most adults. Unless of course, your household is going through the dinosaur phase...in which case, kudos to you!

So if you don't have a kid on hand to watch like a science experiment for your next book idea like I do, then you need to do your research. Read everything you can get your hands on in the age group you are writing for. Which books are doing really well in that group? Which books aren't? Find the pattern, then find the hole and figure out how you can fill it. I don't think I would be creating a wheel-based board book series with HarperCollins next summer if it weren't for my two-year-old and his obsession with wheels and all things trucks. It's a strange thing to be raising my market, but I'm having a blast.

Until next time, happy writing!

Lindsay

(Want more info on the books I mentioned? Click on the cover images above.)

What's up on deck? Check back next Thursday for an interview and giveaway with GO FISH and KNOCK KNOCK author Tammi Sauer!