PART 2: The Interview

Hello, dear readers, and welcome back!

As promised, I have Author Kathleen M. Blasi as my guest this week for Part 2, the continuation from last week's post in which I  I reviewed Kathleen's latest picture book, Milo's Moonlight Mission (if you missed Part 1, find it here). 

So, let's get to know Kathleen better and hear what she has to share with us!

Welcome, Kathleen, and happy book birthday! Milo's Moonlight Mission releases today -- how exciting!

​I'd love to find out what the backstory is that led to this moment. Please briefly describe your journey to publication, leading up to this book. When and how did you first get started writing for children and what was the path for you in becoming an author?

I fell in love with picture books when my children were young. It made me remember the picture books I loved as a child—those stories stuck with me, well into adulthood. Books like Ferdinand, The Snowy Day, Make Way for Ducklings, and Blueberries for Sal. I read them over and over.

I had always loved to write and set out to create stories that children (and parents) would want to read again and again. What was the trick? I studied the craft, took some classes, and connected with other children’s writers. My first published book, A NAME OF HONOR, began as a picture book, mainly because I made two false assumptions: 1: that picture books are short, so therefore easy to write (Ha!), and 2: that I was not capable of writing a novel. I learned both lessons, and A NAME OF HONOR was published as a middle-grade historical fiction book in the educational market. That was 2006. Shortly after that, my nonfiction book about youth sports came out. Then…many years of writing, submitting, revising, critiquing, revising, and most importantly…learning. Learning to improve my writing, learning to be both patient and persistent. In 2020, HOSEA PLAYS ON, illustrated by Shane Evans, was published with Sterling Children’s Books. I’m so pleased that my second published picture book will be out in the world on June 15th! MILO’S MOONLIGHT MISSION, illustrated by Petronela Dostalova, published by Yeehoo Press, is a joy to see come to fruition.
 
What do you find most challenging in this business, either on the creative or publishing side of things? What do you find most rewarding? What helps you stay motivated?

On the creative side, showing up is difficult when self-doubt tells you that you are not worthy of doing so. In the face of the required patience and inevitable rejection that accompanies putting yourself out there, it’s sometimes hard to keep going. But I firmly believe that hard work and opportunity will eventually intersect. I just have to remind myself of that every now and then.

There are two things that I find most rewarding—obviously, seeing a manuscript come take the form of a real book is very rewarding. But also rewarding is finishing a project I’ve put so much into. When I discover nuggets for a story in the research process—I think my heart actually skips a beat. It’s thrilling to see a story come together, when in the beginning it feels like a big mess. Where do I begin? What do I include? What do I need to take out for the sake of telling this story in the best way possible? Sharing my works-in-progress with my critique partners and being lifted by their encouragement is phenomenally rewarding. Meeting readers through author visits, seeing how my journey can contribute to their seeing themselves as writers is a true gift.

I stay motivated by recognizing all the little things along the way. I can’t let publication be the measure of my success. I need to pause and recognize that revision is an accomplishment. Submitting polished work to editors or agents is an accomplishment. And validating my choice to stay in the game by investing in my writing career—by attending workshops and conferences—is an accomplishment. Staying connected with my writing peers, to share both the joys and the disappointments, helps keep me motivated, too. It’s important to know I’m not alone.
 
Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project? What does your revision process look like?

For all of my projects, big, unlined paper is a necessity for brainstorming. It feels unrestrictive and non-judgmental. Let it rip! Write big, write small, make crooked lines and messy arrows. I love it. Makes me more open to the possibilities. I also love to storyboard for picture books, in all stages.
 
What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any new releases, exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
I am having a book launch for MILO on June 19th, in a park near my home. A local indie is co-hosting with me. Other projects in the works – both new pieces and old-to-be-revisited. There’s always room for improvement!

Thank you, Kathleen -- it was a pleasure having you at KidLit Oasis! Best of luck with the launch and many more successes to you! 

Welcome back, everyone!

Today, I'm introducing a new picture book to you, Milo's Moonlight Mission, by Kahleen M. Blasi, illustrated by Petronela Dostalova, that will be released from Yeehoo Press on 6/15/21. You will also get a chance to win a copy, so make sure to enter the giveaway!

PART 1: The Review
PART 2: The Interview (Come back next Tuesday for my chat with the author, Kathleen M. Blasi!)

Here's my review . . .

Milo is ready for an important space mission, but his Second-in-Command (a.k.a. Mom) did not report to the ship on time. What's taking her so long?

Well, there's work to be done first. Milo is patient and tries to help, too. All done! Is it time for the mission now? Not yet. It's dinnertime. No one can fly to the Moon on an empty stomach! Again, Milo helps his mom prepare a good meal and clean up afterward.

As it gets late in the evening, launch seems unlikely. Just before Milo heads off to bed, he hears about a huge meteor shower on the news, and now his space mission becomes more important than ever! But it has to wait until the morning.

Something big like this is not to be missed! Milo is tossing and turning in bed, then he decides to do everything that he can to get ready for the event.

And when Captain Milo and his Second-in-Command finally accomplish their mission, amid the spectacular show they witness together, an out-of-this-world memory is created.

This sweet, lyrical story will launch space enthusiasts into an adventure and keep them captivated! Milo's imaginative play and kindness will have readers rooting for him while following his mission to completion. As Milo marks it accomplished, he discovers that patience, planning, and being prepared do pay off in the end.

The bright illustrations in bold, contrasting colors complement the story quite well, adding additional layers of child play in the art that kids will relate to. 
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                                          A peek inside the book . . .

From the Publisher:

Key Selling Points:
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Emotionally Resonant: A heartwarming tale of a parent and a child struggling to find quality time together – a challenge with which many parents and children can identify.
Adorable Space Setting: With a playful, expressive setting, this book is perfect for space fans and young budding astronauts.

Vivid, Atmospheric Storytelling: Children will love how much this midnight adventure feels like a real mission complete with a spaceship—and will wish that they could journey to the world beyond.
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A Clever Combination of Fiction and Non-Fiction: Interwoven in the fiction text are unique facts about meteor showers. Educational back matter offers opportunities for discussions about cosmic phenomena.

Description

Outer space is there for exploring, and Captain Milo is ready for takeoff! If only he didn’t have to wait for his Second-in-Command—or as he also calls her, Mom—to report for duty. Yet Mom’s list of daily tasks grows ever longer, and she can’t launch until they’re done. So, like any good captain, Milo offers to help! Work? Check. Dinner? Check. Cleanup? Check. When the weather forecast predicts a middle-of-the-night meteor storm, Captain Milo wants desperately to witness it. But will his Second-in-Command have enough time to accomplish this magical mission with him?
In lyrical prose and charming illustrations, Kathleen M. Blasi and Petronela Dostalova capture how the most spectacular night skies are revealed when we plan for the perfect moment—with loved ones by our sides. This heartwarming tale is perfect for space fans and young budding astronauts!
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Author Bio:

Kathleen Blasi writes books for young readers, including Hosea Plays On (illustrated by Shane W. Evans), A Name of Honor, and Are Organized Sports Better for Kids than Pickup Games? Active in the children’s writing community, Kathleen has served as Co-President of Rochester Area Children’s Writers & Illustrators and is former Co-Director of the Rochester Children’s Book Festival, for which she and her Co-Director received the 2015 New York State Reading Association Literacy Advocate Award. Kathleen lives in western New York, where, along with writing, she enjoys fostering the curiosity of young storytellers. Visit her at kmblasi.com.

Illustrator Bio:
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Petronela Dostalova graduated from the Cambridge School of Art with a MA in Children’s Book Illustration. Before the MA she was studying Fine Arts at the University of East Anglia. In 2015 her children’s book The Reds and Greens was highly commended for the Creative Conscience Award. The project promoted equality. Petronela comes from a Czech-Slovak-Hungarian background but decided to nest into the heart of Suffolk where she currently lives and works with her partner and their dog Haribo. If you don’t find her drawing at her desk, she will be out traveling or cycling somewhere. She likes to be near, in, on, or underwater at any time of the day except when she is drawing–she is still working on a way to be able to do these things at the same time. Visit her at https://www.petroneladostalova.co.uk/.