Interview with Debut Author Anitra Rowe Schulte

Happy Thursday Critters! Can you believe we’ve made it to December?! Today we have an interview with debut picture book author Anitra Rowe Schulte, who I’m thrilled to be featuring on Critter Lit! Not only is she a fellow Two Lions author who I share an editor with, but her debut picture book has received glowing and starred reviews and was just named a best book of 2021 by Kirkus Reviews. So exciting! Anitra’s book, DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, is a truly spectacular debut and one that is not to be missed!

So without further ado, please welcome Anitra Rowe Schulte!

Where do you live?

I live in Geneva, Illinois, which is 30 miles west of Chicago, where suburbia ends and pumpkin patches begin.

When did you know you wanted to write picture books?

When I was in kindergarten, I joined my first writer’s group at my local elementary school. At the Young Authors Club, I worked on developing ideas and turning them into picture books. I was hooked! There were lots of clues along the way, leading me back to this first love, but I really started working on my craft seriously about five years ago, in 2016.

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

My road to publication was a little windy at first. As I was learning the craft, I played around and experimented a lot. But the stories that always seemed to connect most with others were those inspired by emotions and experiences that I lived through first-hand. I met my agent, Stephanie Hansen, at a live pitch session in 2017. The story that I pitched her that day never sold, but it jumpstarted a wonderful relationship. After a kidlit author friend suggested that I lean into telling my family’s story, I gave that a go and found it to be so natural and powerful! My debut, DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen, is very much based on my family life. That story went on submission in 2018 and sold within a couple of months. I cannot say enough good things about my editor, Kelsey Skea, and the Two Lions team! The entire experience has been a total dream come true.

Can you share a bit about your process?

For me, a new idea usually arrives unexpectedly, like a colorful string just outside my door. I pick it up and twirl it around a bit, to see what it wants to be. Then, with an idea in my mind, I start pulling that string. I pull and pull and loop and weave until something starts to take shape. I will not stop until I run out of string or hit a nasty snag. Most of the time, I’m writing at my kitchen table. But if the string is still coming while I’m out driving my daughters to therapy or soccer or piano, I will not hesitate to write in parking garages, parking lots or someone’s driveway. My laptop never leaves my side! 

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

I am in three critique groups, and one of the things that keeps me from getting stuck is sharing stories with these three groups in separate waves. I send my first polished draft to one group. When the story is a little further along, I’ll send it to the second group. When it’s close to polished and final, I’ll send it to the third group. That way, I’m always inching a story forward, toward becoming the best story it can be, but also getting fresh eyes at every step along the way. 

I get a lot of new ideas from my three daughters and from tuning into the things that I love and make me tick. I also received great advice at a writing conference once: To think of something that you really want to impart or share with someone in your life. I’ve found that concepts conceived in this way have a built-in audience and point of view and an emotional clarity that never wavers – a true north.

Anything you can’t live without while you write?

Black coffee or green tea and peanut butter spoons topped with mini M&Ms. If you’ve never tried this, I warn you: It’s life changing and dangerously good. 

Any authors and/or illustrators who inspire you?

So many! I love picture books by Margarita Engle, Kelly DiPucchio, Pat Zietlow Miller, and Kelly Starling Lyons. They always choose the perfect and most-poignant words and grab hold of your heart. I also love everything that illustrators Marla Frazee, Cindy Derby, Corinna Luyken, and Sophie Blackall create. 

Dream project to work on?

There is a middle grade story inside me, about small-town life, sister bonds, and magical circumstances that I keep noodling. I’d love to figure that story out. There is so much I want to say about what it’s like growing up with big dreams, hungry for an artistic outlet, all the while wrestling with a love + disdain for the isolating endless rows of corn and soybeans. It keeps swirling in the grain bins of my mind. Someday…  

Tell us about your debut book.

When my husband Dan was about to take our three girls to a father-daughter dance, I started imagining what the night would be like. The story that resulted was DANCING WITH DADDY. The main character of the story is inspired by my oldest daughter, who has a chromosome deletion (4p-), which is called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. After years of checking out library books, and not finding any PBs with characters that reminded me of our family, I decided to write something that I wanted to see on the shelves. Here’s the story summary:

Elsie can’t wait to go to her first father-daughter dance. She picked out the perfect dress and has been practicing swirling and swaying in her wheelchair. Elsie’s heart pirouettes as she prepares for her special night. With gestures, smiles, and words from a book filled with pictures, she shares her excitement with her family. But when a winter storm comes, she wonders if she’ll get the chance to spin and dance her way to a dream come true.

Interior Art from DANCING WITH DADDY by Anitra Rowe Schulte, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen, published by Two Lions

Interior Art from DANCING WITH DADDY by Anitra Rowe Schulte, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen, published by Two Lions

Interior Art from DANCING WITH DADDY by Anitra Rowe Schulte, Illustrated by Ziyue Chen, published by Two Lions

What’s up next for you?

My second picture book, WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise, will be released in Fall 2022. I’ve seen sketches and a few pieces of final art, and it is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Christopher captures the mood with such gravity and tenderness. WILLOW AND BUNNY, a story about a small bunny and a protective willow tree, is inspired by the scary moments that thrust people under the same canopy, and how difficult it can be to find light on the other side of devastation. With friendship, love and courage, we can make it through tough times – it’s a message that I really wanted to convey to my children, and I hope other readers feel it in their hearts, as well. 

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

This is a real toss up – it’s gotta be either Muppets Take Manhattan or Footloose. I’ve watched each of them at least 50 times. I’ve always been a real Kermit lover (he was on my 4-year-old birthday cake), and I love all the over-the-top characters and dance numbers. This probably why I also love Footloose. Plus Kevin Bacon.

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Huge thank you to Anitra for stopping by Critter Lit! Congrats on your fantastic debut! We can’t wait for WILLOW AND BUNNY!

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Anitra Rowe Schulte is a children’s book writer, whose picture book debut DANCING WITH DADDY, illustrated by Ziyue Chen (Two Lions) publishes on Dec. 1, 2021. Her second picture book WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise (Two Lions) is set for Fall 2022. Anitra is a proud member of the 2021 debut group PB Debut Troupe 21 and the upcoming group PB Tales of 2022. Anitra is represented by Stephanie Hansen of Metamorphosis Literary Agency. She lives in Geneva, Illinois, with her husband, three daughters, and super-sweet kitty Pancake. Anitra is an active member of SCBWI and 12x12 and a 2021 PBChat mentor.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Anitra online at www.anitraroweschulte.com or follow her on social media:

Twitter: @anitraschulte

Instagram: @anitraroweschulte

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

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of DANCING WITH DADDY?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, December 9th! 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 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 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.