Hello, everyone!
​
I am so excited to host this wonderful author, joining me on the Chitchat series!

​Welcome, June! Thank you for being my quest on KidLit Oasis! Please briefly describe your journey to publication. 

JS: The road feels like it passed in a blink, but it was long and winding. I started writing seriously in 2013. That is when I said, “Someday I’ll make money from this and see my books on shelves.” I joined SCBWI and slowly entered the realm of writers.
 
In about a year I sold my first book, but that publisher was purchased by another company and the book was never published. It wasn’t until late 2017 that I had interest from another editor on a new manuscript. In the year that followed I sold my debut book, ODD ANIMAL ABC’S, two educational work-for-hires, and the second trade book SHE LEADS: THE ELEPHANT MATRIARCH.
 
And of course, now I’m introducing my latest book HE LEADS: MOUNTAIN GORILLA, THE GENTLE GIANT.
 
Q: I can't wait to read that one! 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?

JS: Publishing is static. You may have radio silence for six months, you may get three contracts in the next six months. It isn’t like a 9-5 job that is predictable and constant.
 
I stay motivated because I have to daydream, I can’t function without it. Those ideas in my head are sometimes crap, but every now and again one is shiny and rough. You can see the potential! You have to see where it goes. 
 
Plus, nothing is more rewarding than doing author visits and seeing kids get excited about your books, the topics you discuss together, and the ideas they come up with thanks, in part, to you as an artist. We are building readers and thinkers and artists and that is pretty cool.
 
Q: It certainly is, I absolutely agree there! 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?

JS: When I finally stopped trying to get a story perfect on the first try, I became a better writer. 

Sometimes I have to take one idea and write it from a different character’s POV, or go from humorous and goofy to lyrical and serious, or play with the structure itself. It is a lot more work, but I get to know my story better this way. 
 
I look back at what I kept in every version. That is the heart of my story. Once I figure that out I can focus better during the revisions.
 
Q: What do you consider your biggest publishing career accomplishment so far? On the flip side, what are some of the things you'd like to accomplish in the next year from now? 

JS: I think getting a Kirkus starred review and going into a second printing before my pub date with SHE LEADS was a huge accomplishment. And SHE LEADS becoming a series was amazing.

For the next year, I’m hoping to find an agent who gets my work, both sweet and lyrical, and pun-filled goofiness. I’m looking for the long haul and want a solid partner along the way.
 
Q: That is impressive indeed! Congratulations! And I'm rooting for you finding that perfect partner soon. What is your vision for your new book? What kind of impact do you hope it would have on readers?

JS: For HE LEADS: MOUNTAIN GORILLA, THE GENTLE GIANT and the whole LEADS series, I hope they help make kids curious about amazing animals, makes them want to help and protect endangered animals, and most importantly, I want them to think about what makes a good leader.

The silverback gorilla is strong enough to flip a car, but he’ll play gently with the young. He has canine teeth as long as your finger, but he’ll fade into the forest with his troop to avoid confrontation.
​
It isn’t just the biggest and toughest. It is the smart, patient, protective, calm, caring that helps keep their groups or family safe, healthy, and happy. I want us to learn from nature.

                                                       Interior spread, art by Yumi Shimokawara

Q: 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?

JS: HEAR THEM ROAR is a novelty sound book about endangered animals from around the world. You’ll be able to hear the real chirps, booms, songs, cries, howls, and of course, roars of each animal highlighted.
 
THEY LEAD will follow the gray wolf breeding pair (aka alphas) and shows how teamwork makes a pack successful. 

I cannot stress enough how important teamwork is! What a strong message!

​Thank you, June, that was a great insight and I hope readers are inspired by your journey. I encourage everyone to check out your books and also other titles from Familius as they are a wonderful publisher! 

June Smalls is a children’s author of fiction and nonfiction including Odd Animal ABC’s and He Leads: Mountain Gorilla, the Gentle Giant. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and a lover of literature. She resides in northern Virginia with her family and an ever-growing assortment of animals.

Hello, wonderful readers!

Today, I am excited to revisit with author Beth Anderson who's returning to the blog with some beautiful new picture book titles!

Welcome back, Beth! Thank you for returning to the KidLit Oasis as my guest—which means you liked my hospitality the first time ☺, but it also means you have a new book coming out (or books in your case!) that you'll be sharing with our readers! Congratulations!

So, first, let me ask you this: I know that every book is special to its author in a particular way—how are these two books special to you? Dear to your heart in a different way? What was the experience like, compared to previous ones? Is there an interesting behind-the-scenes about the idea for the story, its creation, an unusual journey to publication perhaps? What stands out?

BA: Thank you so much for inviting me to share REVOLUTIONARY PRUDENCE WRIGHT: LEADING THE MINUTE WOMEN IN THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE and FRANZ’S PHANTASMAGORICAL MACHINE! These are definitely two very different stories!

FRANZ’’s story, based on Franz Gsellmann and his “World Machine,” was one of my early manuscripts. It grabbed the child in me who loved to tinker, putter, and build. A celebration of curiosity, it explores the power of wonder and challenges us to put aside traditional expectations and judgements. Just as Franz’s machine faced criticism before finally finding appreciation, my creation built with words faced rejection before someone appreciated it, too. It’s funny how every story ends up ringing with personal relevance! Lots of learning happened with Franz’s story—such an important part of my writing journey. This was the manuscript that interested agent Stephanie Fretwell-Hill in my writing. She “got it.” And FRANZ opened the door.

REVOLUTIONARY PRUDENCE WRIGHT had a long journey, too. My attempts at a creative structure didn’t work. In addition, some missing details seemed to sap the strength of the story. That story waited in “the drawer” for a year while I struggled with how to write it. But in time I realized that the emotional truths were what powered Prudence’s story, and that thread didn’t depend on the missing details. I loved that her story offered a window into life behind well-known events like the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’s Ride, and the battles at Lexington and Concord. The uniqueness of this untold story convinced me to take a historical fiction path using the most verifiable details and find a way to tell it. If we don’t tell a story because we can’t find every detail, then there are many important stories that will never be told. Researching her story, I connected to some local historians and discovered how her story was personal and continued to inspire people today. That helped me find the “heart” and a way to tell Prudence Wright’s story.
 
Q: And to piggyback on the questions above, did anything surprise you with the books or the publisher's approach (whether it was the same publisher or a new one)? Did you learn anything new? Was it harder or easier to bring the books into the world?
 
BA: FRANZ’S PHANTASMAGORICAL MACHINE is my first book with Kids Can Press. And REVOLUTIONARY PRUDENCE WRIGHT is my fourth book with Calkins Creek. Each publisher works a little differently, and I think each book offers different challenges in the publishing process. With FRANZ, I worked with several editors, and the story stalled a bit as we sought permissions. This was my first experience with the world of permissions—the machine can be seen as art, so would be copyrighted, and the story features the Atomium, a structure that requires permission for illustrations.

PRUDENCE’s story brought new awareness when it was time to vet illustrations. When I wrote the story, I didn’t think about the potential challenges in illustrating a cast of 30 women. But when it was time to vet the art, the question of diversity came up. I was fortunate to find someone who dug into historical records and found African American and Native American families and women in the town of Pepperell.

Every story stretches you in new directions and widens your awareness and thinking for the next one!
 
Q: When did you find out who the illustrator was for the project and were you asked for an input? What was it like working with the illustrator for this book? When did you first see the art and what was your reaction?

BA: For both books, I was consulted as editors considered who might illustrate. I’m always grateful for the editor’s skillset in choosing just the right illustrator who can bring a specialness that will enhance the text.

With FRANZ, Caroline Hamel surprised me with her whimsical style and bright palette, making a story from the past thoroughly modern. She brought a playfulness and a European look which really makes the story sing.

With PRUDENCE, Susan Reagan brought strength and beauty and a gorgeous palette. I was amazed by all the historical details and so delighted by her creative spreads that incorporated documents. And the dramatic spreads—Wow!

I think my favorite part of the publishing process is seeing the sketches for the first time and then watching the art develop. The illustrations are always more than I had imagined!
 
Q: What do you hope to accomplish within the next 2-3 years? Any specific goals or aspirations—personal or writing related—that you could share with us?

BA: I don’t have any lofty goals. :) At this point in my life, I’m thrilled to be on this writing journey. I hope to keep on discovering ideas, people, and events to write stories that engage kids and open up their world, and also to be a positive part of the kid lit community. It’d be fun to write a middle grade novel and something really sparse and lyrical. In general, I’m looking forward to being WITH people, going on some traveling adventures, and hanging out with my grandkids. AND…I’m striving to grow a bumper crop of tomatoes!
 
Q: What's coming up for you next? Please tell us about any other exciting news, upcoming events or anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
​
BA: I’m excited about the next books in the publishing pipeline. I’m over-the-moon amazed with Jeremy Holmes’ illustrations for THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE: BIAS, TRUTH, AND A MIGHTY MOOSE. Can’t wait to share that story! I have a couple others on the way that are unannounced so will have to stay mum on those. 

Thank you, Beth! As always, it was a pleasure chatting with you and featuring your amazing books on my blog! Wishing all the best with these titles, your upcoming projects, and all future stories you'll be bringing to life for young readers!

Connect with Beth Anderson:

Website: https://bethandersonwriter.com
Twitter: @BAndersonWriter

>>> Click in the book covers to purchase Beth's books <<<

​Hello, everyone, and happy Spring!

I am so honored and excited to have the amazing Rajani LaRocca visit KidLit Oasis and chat with me! I've been enjoying her spectacular journey in the kidlit world and couldn't be happier for her! Rajani is having a wild ride and I cannot wait to hear more about it! Plus, one lucky reader will win a copy of her new picture book, I'll Go and Come Back. 

Welcome, Rajani! Thank you for joining me on the blog. Congratulations on all your successes and your new release! How did it all start for you? Please briefly describe your journey to publication. 

RL: My first career is as a doctor, and I came back to writing later in my life. In 2011, I started taking online and then in person writing classes and connected with other writers. In 2013, I became more serious about trying to be traditionally published. In 2014, I finished the first draft of my first novel. I signed with my agent in late 2017 after many, many rejections. He offered representation on the basis of my middle grade novel, but I also had five picture books I thought were “ready” at the time. In 2018, we sold five books, and since then we haven’t stopped!

When I first started writing, I was worried I’d run out of ideas. Now I know that I’ll never have the time to write all the ideas I have.

I’ll Go and Come Back is the first book we ever sold, way back in March 2018…and here it is, releasing four years later! It’s been a long wait, but it was worth it. The beautiful illustrations by Sara Palacios perfectly fit this story of my heart.

Q: 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?

RL: It can be a challenge to balance writing new books, editing current ones, doing marketing, and coordinating appearances while still working at my job in medicine and having a family life.

Revising is so rewarding — it’s such a joy to shape a story into what you want it to be!
Meeting kid readers motivates me so much! Kids are wonderful and funny and wise.

Q: 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? 

RL: Revision is where the magic happens for me! With picture books, I like to think about the big picture — what I’m really trying to say — and make sure my writing serves that. I also paginate to make sure that the plot points of the story are falling in the right places, and that each spread has a unique, illustratable scene. Then I go through and get rid of any extraneous words and try to ensure the language is as vibrant as possible.

Q: What do you consider your biggest publishing career accomplishment so far? On the flip side, what are some of the things you'd like to accomplish in the next year from now?

A: I’m so incredibly honored at the recognition that some of my books have gotten — in particular, Red, White, and Whole, which has won a Newbery Honor, the Walter Dean Myers Award, the Golden Kite Award, and the New England Book Award. But in terms of things I can control, I’m proud to be writing and publishing books for different age groups, fiction and nonfiction, in prose and poetry.

In the next few years, I’d like to try writing for different formats and age groups: YA, chapter books, and maybe even graphic novels!

Q: That's wonderful! So happy for you, these are outstanding accomplishments! What is your vision for this book, I'll Go and Come Back? What kind of impact do you hope it would have on readers?

RL: Book description for I’ll Go and Come Back:
When Jyoti visits her grandmother halfway around the world, she is overwhelmed by the differences between India and home. At first, she feels lonely and out of place, but soon, despite a language barrier, she and Sita Pati are able to understand each other. They form a bond—looking at books together, making designs with colored sand, shopping at the market, playing games, eating chapatis, and sipping warm milk with saffron to bring sweet dreams. When it’s time to part, Jyoti doesn’t want to leave, but then she remembers that in Tamil, people don’t say goodbye, they say “I’ll go and come back.” Sure enough, the two reunite the next summer when Pati visits Jyoti in America, and it’s Jyoti’s turn to make her grandmother feel welcome. Can they create some special memories that will last until the next time they see each other?

I hope that anyone who has ever been separated from someone they love (we all have experience with this over the past 2 years!) resonates with this story of love that stretches across the world and the promise to come back.

Q: 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?

A: I’m going to be at many conferences, online and in person this year! People can find out more on my events page: https://www.rajanilarocca.com/events/

Thank you, Rajani, it was a pleasure chatting with you! Wishing you many more successes, literary joy, and never-ending inspiration! 

Rajani LaRocca was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor winning middle grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She’s always been an omnivorous reader, and now is an omnivorous writer of fiction and nonfiction, novels and picture books, prose and poetry. She finds inspiration in her family, her childhood, the natural world, math, science, and just about everywhere she looks. 

​
​Q: 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?

A: I have three projects forthcoming, two of them have not been announced. But I am very excited about the third, in particular, because it is a manuscript that I actually wrote in 1998 while in France.

Wow, that was such a great chat, and I'm glad you shared all those resources with my readers. Thank you so much again, Lynne Marie, and I look forward to the new announcements soon too!

Readers, please support our guests in any way you could and connect with them on social media.

Thank you, Nikki, for being my guest. That mosaic looks amazing, and I loved learning about your journey. Wishing you the best of success with LILA LOU'S LITTLE LIBRARY and all future projects as well!

Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, requesting their book through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books. 

Connect with Nikki:
Website: www.nikkibergstresser.com
Twitter: @NBergstresser
IG: @nikkibergstresser
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                                             Click on the book cover to order a copy

Nikki Bergstresser is an educator and children’s author of Seasons for Stones (illustrated by Kelly O’Neill) and Lila Lou’s Little Library (illustrated by Sejung Kim) releasing Oct.1/21. When not writing, she teaches online book clubs and writing classes to learners in grades 3-7.  Nikki makes her home on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada with her husband and two teen daughters. Nikki’s best day has her lost in nature, coffee in hand and a good story to share. ​

Welcome back, KidLit Oasis fans (and future fans)!

I am so excited to chat with a wonderful author today--Charlotte Offsay is in the house, and I cannot wait to hear about her journey, her amazing books, and what advice she has for writers! (Spoiler alert: Charlotte shares a fantastic revision checklist you don't want to miss.) Plus, she's generously giving away a copy of her new picture book, HOW TO RETURN A MONSTER. Find out how to enter for a chance to win this adorable book at the end of the interview. 

Besides being an amazing author and a lovely person, Charlotte is also a passionate supporter of the kidlit community, highlighting picture books on her Instagram account @pictirebookrecommendations so make sure you follow her there.

Okay, let's hear it from my awesome guest...

Welcome, Charlotte! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. 

A: I have always had a passion for books and creative writing, but becoming a published author always felt like a far-fetched dream and was something I fantasized about but never actually took any steps toward. That all changed after my children were born. I love reading to them and after an afternoon of baking with them I began writing a rhyming how-to story for them based on our weekly challah baking tradition. I loved the entire process of writing that story for them, and when an instructor of a parenting group I was in at the time encouraged each of us to sign up for a class or spend some time doing something that was just for us – something outside the responsibilities of our families – I jumped at the excuse to sign up for my very first writing class. I took an online introduction to writing picture book class through UCLA extension, and fell head over heels for all things picture book. The more I learned the more obsessed I became. I spent the next few years taking classes and attending conferences. I joined various kidlit groups such as SCBWI, 12x12 and Inked voices and met my very first critique partners and felt at home in the kidlit community.

I signed with my agent, Nicole Geiger of Full Circle Literary in early 2019. Nicole is fantastic - she is my biggest advocate, she pushes me, she questions me, she guides me, believes in me and makes me a better writer. Together we have sold three picture books including How to Return a Monster which I am excited to be sharing more about today here on this blog!

How to Return a Monster is a humorous how-to story about a girl who can't believe it when her parents bring home a fussy, stinky, attention-stealing monster. She hatches a plan to send it back to where it came from, with hilarious results . . . and along the way, she learns that maybe monsters--and baby siblings--aren't so bad after all.
It is illustrated by Rea Zhai and publishes with Beaming Books on September 7, 2021.
 
Q: 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?

A: I think the most challenging part of this business for me is the waiting. I am not a naturally patient person and there is a lot of waiting - from waiting to hear back on queries, to waiting to hear back from editors, waiting for your book to be announced/illustrated/published etc. I decided long ago that in order for me to handle the waiting I needed to celebrate every step, even the small ones. Staying positive and celebrating the steps along the way helps me to keep creating even in those extremely quiet periods that I find so difficult.

The most rewarding part of this business is definitely the writing community. The kidlit community is such a wonderfully warm and welcoming place. From the very beginning strangers went out of their way to help me learn the ropes, figure out which classes to take, which blogs to read, which mentor texts to get my hands on – all because of our shared passion for picture books. I have made some of my closest friends through the kidlit world, they understand me and support me and I am so grateful for how full they make my life.

I am fortunate to have an incredible support network to help me stay motivated. There is a lot of rejection in this business and it takes a thick skin to keep going. My critique partners, my children and my husband are my biggest cheerleaders and supporters and I wouldn’t be where I am without them. 

Q: 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? 

A: When I first began writing I used to pour over the pages of craft books such as Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books. I used those craft books and picture book classes I was taking at the time to create a picture book evaluation form which I utilized as a revision tool. Here are a few of the categories as an example:

• Main Character:
  • Will the reader care about them?
  • Does the MC solve their own problem?
  • Is the MC active in their own story?
  • Are the MC actions believable?
• Dialogue:
  • Is it believable? 
  • Does what the characters say help flesh out the story?
  • Is it simple?
  • Does it move the story forward and reveal character?

• Plot:
  • What happens?
  • Do any of the characters change?
  • Is there tension?
  • Does the story start before it needs to?
  • Are scenes included that are unnecessary and don’t move the story forward?
  • Is the ending satisfying? Logical? Predictable? Is there a twist?

 
I didn’t need to check every box on this revision sheet, but I found it helpful to think about and be purposeful about each of these areas as I revised.

These revision questions have become engrained in my head and while I no longer pull out my self-made handout every time I revise I often find myself thinking about these questions whenever I create a new manuscript or critique someone else’s.

Q: 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?

A: I am excited to share that my next picture book, A Grandma’s Magic, illustrated by Asa Gilland publishes on March 1, 2022 from Doubleday Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House.
 
Description from my publisher:
 
"When a child is born, a grandma is born too. Grandmas aren't like regular grown-ups. Grandmas are filled with magic."

In this charming picture book tribute to grandmas, a grandma's magic bursts through the door as soon as she comes to visit and can be seen in every wonderful thing she does: playing, exploring, baking, gardening, and in all the many ways a grandma and grandchild connect.

Filled with adorable scenes featuring a diversity of grandmas and their grandkids, this is a book that will families can enjoy together. Grandmas will love snuggling with their grandchildren as they share their love and "magic" through cuddles, kisses, and many repeat readings.

Congratulations on all your success, Charlotte! It was a pleasure chatting with you! Thank you for being my guest, and I hope that you'll return to KidLit Oasis with your future books. I'm so happy to support your work and look forward to your upcoming titles as well.

Connect with Charlotte Offsay:

Website: www.charlotteoffsay.com
Twitter: @coffsay
IG: @picturebookrecommendations

CHARLOTTE OFFSAY was born in England, grew up in Boston, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two small children. Through her work, Charlotte hopes to make children laugh, to inspire curiosity, and to create a magical world her readers can lose themselves in time and time again.

Charlotte is the author of The Big Beach Cleanup, illustrated by Kate Rewse (Albert Whitman, 2021), How to Return a Monster, illustrated by Rea Zhai (Beaming Books, September 2021), and A Grandma’s Magic, illustrated by Asa Gilland (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, March 2022).

Welcome back to KidLit Oasis, everyone!

I hope you all had a great summer and that you're excited about fall. I have so many fabulous guests lined up and giveaways planned for you, I cannot wait to spread all the excitement!

I am happy to be back as the new blog season is finally here, and we're kicking it off with a fun celebration. My guest, Author Henry Herz, is stopping by to talk about his latest picture book release, I AM SMOKE. Today is extra special, too, because it's the book's birthday! Hooray! Congratulations, Henry!

Okay, I can't wait to hear what Henry has to share with us and I'm ready to get the scoop on this book which is already making a splash. 

So, let's get started...

Welcome, Henry Herz! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication. 

A: Years ago, I wanted to share my love of fantasy with my young sons. They were too little for watching most of the fantasy movies. Struck by inspiration one day, I came up with a way to share the joy of entering the magical realms of fantasy. I would write a fantasy book for them. That decision had two unintended consequences.

First, I did not anticipate was that my boys would give me feedback on the story.  They devised some of the character and creature names, and made plot line suggestions.  And who better to help make the story appealing to kids than other kids?  So, the goal of interesting my sons in fantasy transformed into also encouraging them to write.

Second, I discovered how much I loved writing for kids. We ended up self-publishing that book. I was hooked. I joined SCBWI, joined a critique group, and kept honing my writing until I sold my first picture book, MONSTER GOOSE NURSERY RHYMES to a traditional publisher, Pelican. I kept at at and continue working on my writing skills. I AM SMOKE will be my tenth traditionally published picture book. In the last couple of years, I have written two middle-grade novels (on submission) and a number of adult short stories in the fantasy, science fiction, and even horror genres.

Q: 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?

A: I suppose it's a tie between the pain of waiting and the agony of rejection. Those of you who are not authors may not be aware that authors endure a potentially soul-crushing amount of rejections. Even short stories and books eventually bought by a publisher may suffer multiple rejections from other publishers first. Authors must develop a thick skin and recognize that a rejection is not necessarily a critique of their writing. A publisher may decline a manuscript because they already have something like it, or the topic is not suitable for their current needs, or they don't feel there's sufficient market potential.

Waiting to hear back is another challenge of being a writer. Whether you're submitting directly to a publisher, or querying an agent, you can be facing a wait of weeks, months, or even years. Yes, I once got a rejection years later, after I'd already sold that manuscript (and a second one) to another publisher. Waiting is an unavoidable part of the game. The trick is to distract yourself by staying busy—write more stories or novels in the mean time.

As for what is most rewarding, it's a three-way tie—this time between the thrill of getting a signed contract from a publisher, seeing a illustrator bring my story to life, and receiving artwork drawn by young children inspired by my book. We don't do this for fame and fortune. We do this to bring smiles to kids' faces and to inspire them.

Q: 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? 

A: For writing novels, there are two resources I really find helpful. SAVE THE CAT WRITES A NOVEL by Jess Brody is a novel-centric adaptation of the screenplay-focused original, SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder. Jess analyzed how the beats of successful novels are organized. Her book provides a template, a starting point, which was invaluable when I had never before written a novel. It helps you create an engaging story arc, with good pacing and tension.

Another excellent resource for writers is WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL HANDBOOK by Donald Maass. It asks the author a number of questions to help you flesh out and better understand your own characters.

My revision process is straightforward. I share my first draft with a critique group, consider their feedback, and update my manuscript based on which advice I choose to take. Once the manuscript has been run through the “meat grinder” of one or two critique groups, then I share it with beta readers to get their perspectives. Outside pairs of eyes are so valuable, because the author unavoidably has blinds spots. What is clear to us may not be obvious to most readers. What is funny to us may not work for readers. The process is akin to sculpting. We go over our manuscript again and again, striving to create an engaging story arc featuring characters who feel real and fully fleshed out. The dialog, thoughts, and actions of the characters as they face challenges and transform in a meaningful way must evoke emotion that drives the reader to keep turning pages.

Q: 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?

A: My creative nonfiction picture book from Tilbury House, I AM SMOKE, launched September 14, 2021. Upcoming events and book launches include:

-Moderating a DragonCon panel with actors from Netflix's Norsemen series.

-Launching my contemporary magical realism early chapter book, THE MAGIC SPATULA from Month9 Books.

-The middle-grade #ownvoices anthology from Albert Whitman & Co., COMING OF AGE: 13 B'NAI MITZVAH STORIES, will feature my sci-fi/humor short story, Bar Mitzvah on Planet Latke.

-The adult horror anthology from the Denver Horror Collective, THE JEWISH BOOK OF HORROR, will feature my short story, Demon Hunter Vashti.

-The young adult horror anthology from Blackstone Publishing, THE HITHERTO SECRET EXPERIMENTS OF MARIE CURIE, will feature my short story, Cheating Death.

-Highlights for Children has purchased two of my stories, but I don't know when those will come out. See topic of patience above.

Thank you so much, Henry -- it was a pleasure to have you as my guest! Best of luck on your journey, congrats again on all of your success,  and I look forward to your future projects!

Readers, please support our featured authors/illustrators by following them on Twitter, requesting their book through your local library, posting reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and of course, purchasing their books.

I hope you enjoyed this interview — join in the celebration and leave us a comment.  Social media shares are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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Connect with Henry Herz:

Website: https://www.henryherz.com 
Twitter: @HenryLHerz 
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                                               To purchase IAM SMOKE click on the book cover

Henry authored 11 traditionally published books for children: MONSTER GOOSE NURSERY RHYMES, WHEN YOU GIVE AN IMP A PENNY, MABEL & THE QUEEN OF DREAMS, LITTLE RED CUTTLEFISH, CAP'N REX & HIS CLEVER CREW, HOW THE SQUID GOT TWO LONG ARMS, ALICE'S MAGIC GARDEN, GOOD EGG AND BAD APPLE, 2 PIRATES + 1 ROBOT, THE MAGIC SPATULA, and I AM SMOKE.
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Henry Herz authored over 25 traditionally published short stories, including for Daily Science Fiction, Blackstone Publishing, Albert Whitman & Co., Highlights for Children, and Ladybug Magazine. He edited three anthologies: BEYOND THE PALE, COMING OF AGE (Albert Whitman & Co., MG #ownvoices), and THE HITHERTO SECRET EXPERIMENTS OF MARIE CURIE (Blackstone Publishing, YA horror).

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, Annemarie! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication.
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A: Thanks for having me! My road to publication began in April 2016 when I decided to write my first-ever children's book. Little did I know that my attempt would quickly become my first published work. I was teaching first grade at the time, and I was having a bit of difficulty finding lesser-known folktales to read aloud to my students. Every time I pulled out a book, I was met with, "We read that last year." So, in my quest to find new material, I poured over anthologies from the early 1900s that contained dozens of folktales and fairytales (my aunt handed down her collection to me). As I was thumbing through them, I came across the original version of How the Finch Got Her Colors and decided to put my spin on it. That was how my book How the Finch Got His Colors was born.
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After I wrote it, I joined SCBWI, and that is where I met my dear friend Sarah who graciously mentored me through the whole publishing process. Sarah helped me edit Finch, craft my query letter and marketing plan, and get everything ready for submission.
After everything was set, I began to research houses that were open to unsolicited manuscripts (I did not have an agent at the time). I scoured the internet and the SCBWI PAL list and wrote down all the publishers I felt would be a good fit for my story. I started out small by sending Finch to just six houses. I wanted to see the kind of feedback I would receive before subbing more widely.  To my surprise, by June 16th, just two months after I subbed it, I received four offers of publication! Since I did not have an agent at the time, I hired a lawyer to go through each contract with me. We ended up signing with Familius, and the rest is history! My story is not the norm―lightning in a bottle, really. I know that people spend many years in the trenches. I feel really blessed.
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Yes, my first shot was a lucky one. I know that. But that’s not to say my path has not had its challenges, too. I have had my fair share of rejections. I have had my first agent quit the business. I have made it all the way to acquisitions several times, only to be turned down at the last minute. But you can't let the bumps along the way deter you. If we choose to give up and not persevere, our books will never make it out there.  So, keep on striving. The world needs to hear your story.

Q: 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?

A: The most challenging thing about this business is the wait time. It can take months (up to a year) to hear back on a submission you’ve made. I think the other thing about this business that can be a challenge is when you don’t hear back at all. That can be disheartening.
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The flip side to this question is the reward that you get when you do hear that YES. There is nothing like knowing that your written word will be out in the world, touching the hearts and minds of young children. It’s a pretty amazing feeling, and that is what keeps me motivated. It never gets old.

Q: 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? 
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A: This may sound very basic, but when I used to teach writing (former elementary teacher), I always had my students fill out a story map prior to crafting their stories. The story map is a simple sheet of paper where one plans out the characters, setting, problem, plot events, and resolution parts of a story.  I have a similar template on my computer and use that to jot notes for each picture book. Once I have that set, I begin to craft my story. I will say, though, even with that structure in place, my writing doesn’t always go according to plan.  This is why it’s crucial to have critique partners. Sometimes I get so focused on creating a solid beginning and ending that my plot falls entirely flat. My critique partners are vital in helping me to identify the weak spots in my story and tighten them up.
 
In terms of the revision process, sometimes it is easy―a tweak here or there, and sometimes it’s a beast. I have one story sitting in my WIP box that has been there for almost two years! I just can’t seem to get it right, and that’s ok. It will happen when the time is right. With stories that work off the bat, I take notes from my critique partners, agent, editor, etc., and let their words soak in. If they resonate, I make the necessary changes. It really depends on the feedback that I receive. 

Q: 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?
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A: I have so many forthcoming projects. I have 6 books releasing in the next 3 years, and I hope even more than that!

Forthcoming:

1. Thundermaestro (Familius, Spring 2022)
2. Finding Mr. Trunks (Familius, Fall 2022)
3. A deal that I can’t announce just yet… LOL (Coming Summer 2022)
4. 123 Counting on Community (Familius, 2023)
5. Monsters Hide and Seek (Familius, 2024)
6. Turn on the Night (Hurn Pub Kids, 2024)
 
And many more projects in various stages in publishing. 

Wow! Congratulations on all your success, Annemarie, I'm so happy for you and glad that we're on this journey together! I can't wait for all of your upcoming books, and I know there will be many, many more! 

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I hope you enjoyed this post — social media shares are appreciated. Thank you!

Hello, everyone!

This week, I am so excited to welcome an author and editor team to KidLit Oasis! Nicholas Solis and his editor at Sleeping Bear Press, Sarah Rockett, will give us the inside scoop of their collaboration on The Color Collector, the behind-the-scenes details from submission to acquisition and beyond, plus much more!

But that's not all! Sleeping Bear Press is also kindly giving away a copy of the book to one of my blog readers -- check out the details at the end of the interview.  

And now, without further ado, here are Nick and Sarah! Thank you both for being on KidLit Oasis and for sharing this wonderful book with my readers! Let me start with my first question to Nick...

1. Nick, please tell us about the journey of publication for The Color Collector -- from the inspiration for the story and writing the first draft to how it ended up on Sarah's desk. I love hearing about the story behind the story and my readers do, too!

My inspiration for The Color Collector was a piece of art that was hanging up at The Austin Art Garage in Austin, TX. It had a lonely little girl, with the saddest eyes I had ever seen, catching falling leaves and placing them in a knapsack. The painting stuck with me for days and I just kept wondering about why she was so sad. I wrote several rough drafts, but none of them felt right. Then one night I woke up at two in the morning with the entire story. I quickly wrote it down before I forgot it. It was much sparser than the original drafts, but the text felt like it fit the lonely little girl with the sad eyes. I continued to work on the draft over the next few years, and started taking classes at The Writing Barn, where I was able to edit it with the help of the fantastic authors who taught there.
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In 2018, I was at the International Literacy Association Conference where I started talking to Sarah about books. We traded contacts and I sent in some of my stories to Sleeping Bear Press, and she liked The Color Collector!!!  
 
2. Sarah, please guide us through your thoughts and the process from when you first read The Color Collector to acquiring the story. What made you fall in love with it? What stood out?
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Meeting Nick at the ILA conference was such a joy! I could tell how passionate he is about his students and writing for kids—I knew he would be a wonderful author. Nick ended up submitting a handful of manuscripts to us. They all had a ton of potential, and most were really funny, but Color Collector felt really intentional and soulful. The themes of finding beauty in the discarded and being a friend felt really timely. There were so many directions a reader could go with the story. And it had such amazing illustration potential. Luckily, our acquisition team agreed and we were able to sign the project!

3. Nick, how different is the final, published story from the draft that Sarah saw?
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It’s pretty similar to the draft that Sarah saw. Sarah has a fantastic eye for editing, and she helped me really tighten up the story. But overall, it was just losing a word or phrase here or there. We did lose one page of text, but that was replaced with the amazing illustrations of Renia Metallinou!
 
4. Sarah, what was the revision process like after acquisitions?

Nick is right. Not a ton changed with the manuscript in the revision process. But when you’re working with a picture book manuscript—and especially one like Color Collector that is lyrical in nature and already has a tight word count—every single word and punctuation mark is really important. We made a handful of word choice and style edits, but not much more than that. Nick was collaborative and flexible as we worked on the story. It was a great partnership!

​5.  Nick, what surprised you the most in the journey of this book?

The thing that surprised me most was the editing process. This is the first book that I ever worked with an editor on. I wasn’t exactly sure how it would go. When you sell a book, you’re just happy to get it out there and you’ll pretty much agree to anything. But you struggle with questions like, “What if they change my entire book?” or “What if they get rid of a part that I really love?” But when Sara came back with edits, I thought they were all really great suggestions.
One thing that I absolutely appreciated was when I asked Sarah if we could change the characteristics of the narrator and she enthusiastically agreed. I wanted someone who looked more like me. I’m Mexican-American and I’m trying to push for more representation in the books I create. Sarah and Sleeping Bear Press were on board without question. We gave the boy character tan skin and dark hair like mine and many of the students I teach. I love that they can see themselves inside this book.   
 
6. Sarah, please tell us how the illustrator was chosen and how the selection process works at Sleeping Bear Press. What was your vision for the art and who were the people involved in the decision? Are authors asked for input?
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The illustrator selection process is really a team effort at Sleeping Bear. I always ask the author for input on what they see as the style for the book. And then the art director and I talk about what we see working and narrow down a list of choices. Sometimes we all see something different for a particular story, but in this case I think we all wanted to see something creative with dramatic colors. Our art director is wonderful and always guides this process in the right direction. She has a knack for seeing artist portfolios and knowing how they might be able to use their style to make the book shine. And then our authors are looped in for notes throughout the sketch and final art process. The illustration process can be stressful for authors. It’s like sending your kid to sleepaway camp or daycare for the first time! But this is the author’s story and we want them to love the book 100%.

7. Nick, what do you hope readers will take away from the story and what do you believe would resonate with them? How do you envision young kids connecting to your characters?
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The main thing I would love readers to take away from this book is that even a small act of kindness can make a huge difference. The narrator is curious about what Violet does with all of the things she collects. He basically asks her a question and then just listens. That’s it. But that small act of kindness made a huge difference in her life. My parents divorced when I was young, so I had to move schools in the middle of the year. I had no friends and no one to talk to. I was absolutely miserable. But one day in class a kid named Dylan said hi to me. We talked for a bit and I met some of his friends. That small interaction changed the course of my entire life. I was a shy, introverted kid. But as the school year progressed, I came out of my shell. I made more and more friends. I later became a teacher that used my story to help spread kindness throughout my classroom. And now I am a writer with a book hoping to spread that message to a wider audience. It all happened with a simple, “Hi.” But it completely changed my life. I hope the readers will do the same for someone else they meet along the way. 
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​Nicholas Solis is an award-winning elementary teacher and author. In 2018, he was the recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Grant from We Need Diverse Books. Growing up, he didn’t have a lot of friends. He moved around a lot and being the new kid at school wasn’t always easy. But in junior high, one kid reached out and was simply nice to him. That gesture of friendship has shaped Nicholas’s entire life. He regularly brings up that story with his students in the hopes of motivating them to reach out to others whenever they can. He lives with his wife, Morgan, their dog, Charlie, and their amazing son, Leo, in Austin, Texas. Learn more about Nicholas at nicholassolis.com

​​Sarah Rockett has been working in the children's publishing industry for more than a decade and truly believes that picture books have the power to change the world. She loves traveling, spending time outdoors, and--of course--reading. She lives in Michigan with her husband, young son, and lazy cocker spaniel.