Hello, amazing readers!

It's a pleasure to have you at the Oasis -- thanks for visiting! This is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost!

And with this post, I will be wrapping up the series for the season and taking a break for the summer, but the Chitchat will resume at the end of August. So . . .

Get ready to enjoy this interview! Stretch your smiles wide, and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another awesome creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Lindsay Leslie is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the DOUBLE giveaway, and other offers at the end of this interview. 

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

A: Thank you so much for having me, Rosie! I wasn't one of those folks who dreamed of becoming an author, but I was one of those folks who could write. It was something I did to manage my emotions (lots of diary and journal writing), to stay busy and focused (on my high school newspaper; journalism major), and to secure myself a job (my career as a public relations exec). And we've all heard this before: it took me having my own children to fall back in love with picture books, but as a storyteller and not just a reader. I dove into craft and leaned on all the resources--SCBWI Austin, Julie Hedlund's 12X12, Picture Book Summit, The Writing Barn--and I also chased every avenue to get feedback and exposure to agents and editors--#PBParty, #PBPitch, #PitMad, and so on. I've met so many fantastic and talented authors and illustrators who inspired me to push on and keep at it.

​I never wanted to throw in the towel, but I often wondered if I could ever break through. And then my break came from a pitch during #PitMad for THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS. That's how I connected with Page Street Kids and my editor at the time, Charlotte Wenger. They not only offered on THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS (illustrated by Alice Brereton), but then two subsequent manuscripts of mine, NOVA THE STAR EATER (illustrated by John Taesoo Kim) and the picture book that just released, DUSK EXPLORERS (illustrated by Ellen Rooney). The text for DUSK EXPLORERS came to me from one of the presentations by Julie Hedlund called "The Verse Curse". The story poured out of me and really didn't require much editing. I was so in the moment when I wrote it. I was transported back to my childhood street of Fieldwood Drive in Richardson, Texas. Right now, I'm wishing another story would come to me like DUSK EXPLORERS did. I think a lot of it is being open to the memories, the experiences, and the observations, and being mindful when they cross the transom.

I think my biggest uphill battle with getting into this industry was the very beginning. I was coming out of a depression due to massive panic attacks, and I once again leaned toward writing to give me courage and to pull me out of the pain. What came of that was my debut, THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS. It was very autobiographical. I wasn't ready to share the story about how the book came about until recently. I wrote about it here.

I then had another big health scare in 2017 when I contracted Tick Borne Relapsing Fever, which landed me in the hospital. During my sickness, I had the wherewithal to post my pitches to #PitMad, which led to my first book deal. When I think about these health battles, the trials and tribulations of the creative process and publishing industry don't get to me as much as they would have had I not been knocked down a couple of times. I've built some amazing armor over the years and I'm full-on using it. I've always said, "It's always a 'no' if you don't put yourself out there."
 
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: Besides the waiting? OK, seriously, I think it is the feeling that you are just one creator among a sea of so many talented people. Your manuscript has got to shine and shine brightly. Often times I write a story and I love it. I'm head over heels, yet other folks read it and don't get what I'm trying to do. I'm often too conceptual, but I love working in that space and leaving parts of the story up for interpretation. What I find rewarding is when I connect. First I have to connect with my agent, then an editor, and then I get to connect to the readers and to the parents, teachers, and librarians. When they all get it and get the feelings I'm trying to express, nothing is greater. That's what keeps me motivated.

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: I feel I'm one of the worst people to ask about process. I'm so willy nilly, but, hey, that's a process, right? I let my manuscript lead me. But in the end, I always ALWAYS put my manuscripts through the ringer with at least a couple of critique groups. I read them aloud to my husband (a novelist) and children (seriously wonderful editors), and, wow, are they honest with their feedback. (Brutal!) I almost always dummy my stories. I would share the dummies for one of my three published books, but I threw them out. Now, why would I do that? Ugh. I won't do that in the future. Sorry folks! My dummies are 8 pieces of 8 1/2 X 11 pieces of paper folded in half. I write each word in with pencil, so that I think about each word. I often read it out loud as I am writing, so I catch words I've doubled up on or those words that just don't lend themselves to the story. I also use the drawer or the file folder and let the story sit for a while. I need space from my story to be able to really see it again for the editing process.
 
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 the type of exciting news I can't talk about. So, CLIFFHANGER! Also, I'm thrilled that DUSK EXPLORERS earned a starred review from Kirkus, Ellen Rooney and I were interviewed for the June issue of Kirkus (pinchable moment), and Amazon's editors picked it as one of the best books of June 2020 for ages 3-5 (jaw drop). I will be doing a live reading of DUSK EXPLORERS and answering questions over on Books & Books Instagram page (@booksandbooks) on July 4 at 11 a.m. ET. Swing on by! 

Wow, what an amazing journey! Congrats on all your success, Lindsay, and I can't wait to hear more about the exciting news you can't talk about now (what a cliffhanger indeed!). It was a pleasure having you and I hope you'll be back to share your next book with us, too!

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 post — comments and shares are appreciated. Thank you!

Connect with Lindsay Leslie:
Website: lindsayleslie.com
Twitter: @lleslie

Hello, wonderful readers!

Welcome back to the Oasis ― it's great to have you visit again (or for the first time)! This is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost, and I hope you'll keep coming back.

Now, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another awesome creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Katelyn Aronson is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the giveaway and my FREE webinar offer at the end of this interview. 

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

A: Thank you, Rosie, for having me!

After “dabbling” in writing off and on most of my life, I finally got serious about becoming a children’s author 5 years ago. 2015 marked a time of relative calm in my life, and I felt ready to pursue that old dream, finally giving it the focus it demanded. During that first year, I wrote a few stories, paid for some professional critiques, and tried querying a couple of publishing houses on my own. When that didn’t work, I started looking around for other solutions.

I’m indebted to the “brain children” of two great ladies of the children’s book industry: picture book authors Tara Lazar and Julie Hedlund. First, I participated in Tara Lazar’s “PiBoIdMo” in November of 2015 (now called Storystorm), and filled a notebook full of ideas. A few months after that, I stumbled upon Julie Hedlund’s “12x12 Picture Book Challenge” in January of 2016 and enrolled, with all those brand new ideas ready to be fleshed out. I threw myself into the 12x12 program, finishing one new manuscript per month, sharing my stories on the community forum, and giving and getting peer feedback. By May of that year, I had already signed with agent Christa Heschke of McIntosh & Otis, the second-oldest literary agency in New York.

I expected my career to take off from there, but it didn’t. Things took time. It isn’t always easy for a newbie to get their work noticed. The industry is cyclical and the wheel is always turning. Picture book biographies were selling like crazy at the time. Then, non-fiction in general seemed to take over. Unfortunately for me, I was writing mostly character-driven fiction. Should I have switched genres? Maybe. But I knew that by the time I’d created some worthy non-fiction pieces, the market would have changed yet again! So I stuck to what I loved best. The waiting part was arduous, and I was tempted to give up on many occasions. Oh, was I glad I hadn’t when 2019 rolled around! My first offer came from Viking of Penguin Random House, for my debut Piglette, releasing this year (only a year after signing it over). Incredibly, four other offers followed within the same calendar year. Words cannot communicate what it means to see a life-long dream coming true at last. Only happy tears can.

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: No newsflash here: The most challenging thing in this business is all the waiting! I produce a steady stream of new manuscripts, and it’s hard to wait for each of these projects to be subbed/read/replied to in due course. My only coping mechanism is to “distract” myself by jumping into a new writing project.
If my motivation is running low, it helps to re-read a bunch of my favorite picture books. That makes me fall in love with the genre all over again, and sometimes even sparks new ideas.
​
The most rewarding moment for me is seeing my story come to life through an illustrator’s talent. I get a bit misty-eyed the first time I see my manuscript illustrated. Then there are those three magical moments when the book is finally born: 1) receiving your box of author copies in the mail, 2) seeing your book in an actual bookstore and 3) seeing your book in a child’s hands. At every stage, you realize all over again: it’s real!

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: I’m a visual person, so I either storyboard my stories (actually sketching them out) or at the very least, I make a dummy to work out pacing and page turns.

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 had a couple of Piglette launch events scheduled for Paris this month, but everything has been postponed due to the pandemic! So I’ll be doing virtual events through indie bookstores in the US, and some in-person events in Switzerland. My first event scheduled is a virtual story time at “Mystery to Me” Bookstore in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 11th at 10:30 a.m. I’ll publish more details across social media soon!

Thank you so much for being my guest, Katelyn, and for your keeping-it-real answers! I appreciate the honest insight and I know our readers will, too. The ups and downs in this business can be quite contrasting and drastic indeed, and the waiting in between, truly excruciating, I agree. 

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

I hope you enjoyed this post — comments and shares are appreciated. Thank you!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Katelyn Aronson:

​Website: www.katelynaronson.com
Twitter: @MademoiselleK8
Instagram: @AuthorKatelyn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katelyn.aronson 

​Do you have a story idea for a children's book? Have you wondered about how to become a children's author? You might think writing a picture book is easy, but you may be surprised.
​
So how do you turn your idea into a good story by today's publishing standards? Do you know the current market and audience, and how to develop your idea into a publishable story? How do you even get started in children's publishing -- mistakes to avoid, the most important steps to take, what you need to know about writing for children. 
​
This seminar will answer all of these questions and introduce you to the craft and business of children's writing.

Hello, lovely readers!

Hooray for you! You are at the Oasis and it's great to have you visit again (or for the first time)! This is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost!

Now, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a nice chitchat because today we have another awesome creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Gabrielle Snyder is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the book giveaway and my workshop invitation to you at the end of this interview. 

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

A: Thanks for hosting me on the KidLit Oasis blog, Rosie. I’m honored to be here!

Back in the day (early aughts), I studied English-Creative Writing at The University of Texas, with a focus on writing fiction for adults. After earning my MA, I took a succession of jobs that used writing (like grant writing and instructional design), but I struggled to find time for my own writing.

Fast forward to 2013: when my kids were little (3 and 5), we moved from Austin to Corvallis, Oregon. With a break from work following the move, I found time to get back to my own writing. Only by then, I’d become immersed in the world of picture books and fallen in love with this form of storytelling. In 2014, I wrote my first picture books. And because I was already a writer, I (foolishly?) started submitting to agents and editors right away.

From 2014 to 2017, I received over 100 passes from agents and editors. But thrown in the mix were some champagne rejections and a few requests to see more work. Finally, in 2018, I found my agent, the fabulous Natalie Lakosil of Bradford Literary. I had sent Natalie three of my picture book manuscripts. When I received an offer from a small press for one of those manuscripts, I “nudged” the handful of agents who were reading my work at that time. Natalie responded that same day, requesting that we set up a time to chat. I had the impression that she’d already been considering me as a potential client and my “nudge” may’ve just moved things along.

Since signing with Natalie, we’ve sold two picture books. My debut, TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE, illustrated by Robin Rosenthal, is out now (May 19) from Abrams Appleseed. My second picture book, LISTEN, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, will be out in spring 2021 from Simon & Schuster/Wiseman.
​
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: Striking the balance between letting a project simmerand actually finishing the project – saying this is good enough (for now) and I’m going to send it out into the world – is a challenge. Most stories and other creative works benefit from multiple revision passes, but it’s also possible to revise the spark out of a story. I’ve found that sometimes happens when I try to revise too soon after receiving feedback.

On the publishing side of things, the waiting can be a challenge! I am not patient by nature and all the waiting for responses when out on submission can be nerve-wracking. I know that the best thing to do is throw myself into other projects, but that’s easier said than done! This quote about patience is becoming my new mantra: “Patience isn’t waiting – it’s the knowledge that to become exceptional takes time.”—Allyson Felix, US Track & Field Athlete. Maybe we can reframe how we deal with the snail’s pace of publishing. Instead of a passive waiting, maybe it’s taking the time to create/be a part of something phenomenal!

Accountability check-ins with writing partners help me stay motivated. Having multiple projects helps, too. When I’m feeling stuck with one story, I can set aside for a bit and focus on a different writing project.

Also, I think it’s important to choose writing topics that inspire you. Some things that consistently inspire and inform my writing are nature, my kids, and memories of my own childhood. Tapping into memories of the emotions of childhood – how it felt to be a child living through a particular moment or situation – feels especially helpful.
 
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:I like to start each writing session with a “free write” to clear away the cobwebs and to capture anything that’s worrying me or that I want to remember. After that, I try to stick to a schedule. I block out a certain amount of time for working on picture book manuscripts. And then, time permitting, I have blocks for revising my middle grade manuscript, writing critiques, etc. I try to work some exercise into the schedule, too. 

My revision process looks a little bit different for each project. But, in general with a picture book, I think it’s helpful to get a complete first draft down in one sitting. And then I like to let the draft sit and marinate for bit – at least a week. If, after marination, it still shines, still feels like a promising idea, I revise again. Sometimes I revise several more times before the manuscript feels ready for my critique partners. Once in a while I do send an early draft to critique partners if I want brainstorming help and I’m still open to ideas about what the story is about. But if I have a strong idea about what the story is about and the emotion it should evoke, then I think it’s better to wait until I’ve taken the manuscript as far as I can before sending it to critique partners.

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: Having a book released during a global pandemic isn’t ideal, but it’s been heartening to see the kidlit community rally around creators and indie bookstores. I’m currently planning some virtual book events. You can visit my website or sign up for my newsletter to stay apprised of events.
​
I’m super smitten with illustrator Robin Rosenthal’s art for TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE. Here’s a sneak peek at one of the interior spreads.

To see more, visit Robin’s website: robinrosenthal.com

Thank you, Gabi! It was a pleasure having you at the KidLit Oasis! I wish you all the best with this book and all 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 post and will be back for our next interview next week.  Comments and shares are appreciated. Thank you!

Connect with Gabrielle Snyder:
Website: gabisnyder.com
Twitter: @Gabi_A_Snyder
​

A T T E N T I O N,  P L E A S E!
You and your writer friends are invited to this epic kidlit workshop with Random House Editor Frances Gilbert! Don't miss the early bird registration and sign up for a written picture book critique from Frances before all the spots are gone.
​Check out the details for the workshop HERE

Welcome, Kataneh! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication.
​
A: The seed of the story of “Kat and Juju” was inspired by the time I first moved to America from Iran. My mother, my little brother and I left everything behind and came to this country with couple of suitcases, very little money and barely speaking any English.

The theme behind “Kat and Juju” (book 1 of the series) is about bravery and overcoming our fears even at a young age. All the childhood traumas and self-doubts can create insecurities and change lives. If we don’t face our fears when we are kids, they can become bigger issues down the line. I learned to be strong from my mother and also a fallen wild baby bird who once came to my life and inspired me to be brave. My Juju!

I always tell my students and the young creators/authors to be true to themselves when they write a story. Many powerful memorable stories are the ones that are based on the true experience and a raw emotion. This way we can touch the hearts of many, and hopefully bring a positive change.

I want to be honest and tell your readers that the journey to the publication was a long painful one. I had to go through many ups and downs. I knocked on several doors that never opened and many people in power doubted my abilities because I am a minority woman! But luckily, I never let that stop me. I knew I came to this country for a reason. I knew I was one of the lucky ones who got a chance to be free and have a voice. I knew I was responsible to tell a story that can hopefully make an impact. My drive and passion helped me to continue.

So, if you have a story that can heal and help others, never give up. Share your story with the world.

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: Favoritism is toxic in many industries including ours. Sometimes we get rejected not because our story is not good enough, but because we are not connected to the people in power. Also being a minority woman can make it really difficult to get a platform.

But times are changing and today many women including diverse women, are getting a chance to be heard. So, I encourage you to embrace your true self. Be honest, be proud, be you. Once my Juju taught me to open my wings and fly high and I want to inspire you to do the same.
 
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: I believe sometimes to be able to connect to our creative mind, we need to first try to disconnect. When I first want to write a story idea, I find a space (in nature or at home) where nobody else can distract me and I just zone out. It is a form of meditation and a massage for our brain.

I know we are all going through challenging times so I suggest finding that space where you can cleanse all your thoughts and find that moment when you can reconnect. Allow yourself to disconnect and then find the connection like rebooting your mind. The creative magic can be found there.

I am a visual storyteller and I illustrate my own projects. So, after finding the seed of the idea, I start thinking about shots. I start by writing down the story beats and then draw small thumbnails. This way I can look at the bigger picture and later make the adjustments.
 
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:“Kat and Juju” is my first children’s book and it will be a book series. These days I am working on the story beats of “Kat and Juju” Book #2.

I was always afraid to be visible and have a public platform. But yet again Juju taught me to be brave and face my fears. So, a few weeks ago, I made @KatandJuju Instagram account public and the support has been unbelievable!

Kat, Juju and I are so excited to meet all our friends (we call birdies) all around the world. We hope to be able to inspire them to face their fears, believe in themselves, open their wings and reach their full potential.

I’m grateful to say I am currently directing my feature animation movie. At this moment I can’t announce anything, but I’m excited to share the news with you and your wonderful readers once the time is right.

I came to this country barely knowing any English, with couple of suitcases and a dream. I worked hard and I didn’t give up even when others wanted me to stop achieving my dream.
​
Today I have a voice and my wings are open. Want to fly with me?

This was a fun chat, thank you! And congrats on all of your success -- I look forward to the animated movie, too, how exciting!

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

I hope you enjoyed this post — comments and shares are appreciated. Thank you!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Kataneh:
Amazon Page
Instagram Page: @KatandJuju
Twitter: @KatanehV and @KatandJujuLove
Facebook: KatanehVahdani and Kat Juju
Facebook Page: @KatandJuju

Hello, dear readers!

Once again, the Kitlit Oasis has summoned you because  it's the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost!

Now, as you're getting ready to enjoy our next interview, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another awesome creative on the Chitchat series... Children's author Sharon Giltrow is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the giveaway and my new workshop with Random House Editor, Frances Gilbert,  at the end of this interview. 

Welcome, Sharon, and Happy Book Birthday! Thank you for joining us on the blog. Please briefly describe your journey to publication.
​
A: My debut picture book BEDTIME DADDY’s, book birthday is today. Yay!

Thank you, Rosie, for interviewing me on this very special day!
​
BEDTIME DADDY’S road to publication was quite long. The ideawas sparked through Tara Lazar’s writing challenge – Storystorm. In June 2017, I took that idea and wrote my first draft of BEDTIME DADDY. Then with the help of my fantastic critique groups, I revised the story. In November 2017 I started submitting BEDTIME DADDY. After receiving a number of rejections, I decided that the story wasn’t quite ready. So, with more help from my critique groups and a publisher’s critique I started submitting again. In June 2018, I submitted it to EK Books and two weeks later,I received ‘the email’. I signed the publishing deal with EK Books in August 2018.
 
My Publisherthen matched my story with the amazing illustrator Katrin Dreiling. EK Books, shared the entire publishing process with me and Katrin, and were very open to any suggestions, changes or ideas that we had. Twenty-one months after signing the contract BEDTIME DADDY was released.

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 biggest challenge for me was at the beginning, when I was trying to think of myself as a ‘writer’. However, once I started calling myself a writer and telling my family and friends that I was a writer, it became easier. Not surprisingly, after this I also became more serious about being a writer. Although, it wasn’t until I signed the publishing deal for BEDTIME DADDY that I started calling myself an author. One of my most rewarding moment was when my family and friends started calling me this too.

Another challenge I found was marketing. This was something that I had to learn but with the help of my debut group 2020 Debut Crew, I learnt these new skills and fast 😊.  My most rewarding marketing moment was when my daughter and I produced the book trailer for BEDTIME DADDY.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOLMyE5TXnc
 
My next challenge will be getting book number two published. I have a number of picture book manuscripts that I am currently submitting. I hope I will have some more good news soon.
​
As all writers do, sometimes I question why I am putting in all this hard work, especially after I receive rejections. But, for me it is impossible not to write. I have an inner desire to write stories for children, which can’t be ignored. My greatest reward is seeing BEDTIME DADDY being read and enjoyed by children and adults 😊.

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: The most helpful thing for me as a writer, is being a member of a critique group. BEDTIME DADDY would not have been published without the help of my critique partners. They helped me to take a very rough first draft and through many, many, many revisions turn it into a polished manuscript.
​
Here is how, with their help, the beginning of BEDTIME DADDY changed from version one to the final version ten.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 debut picture book BEDTIME DADDY is releasing worldwide TODAY! Available through EK Books and all good ONLINE bookstores.

I have a blog tour happening in May. This blog is part of the tour.
​
Finally, as many schools around the world are now closed due to the Corona virus, I would like to share the links to BEDTIME DADDY’S teaching notes, for parents and educators. They can be found on EK Books and SCBWI – Australia West websites. In the near future I will also be recording and sharing short videos of some of these activities.

Great chatting with you, Sharon! Thanks for sharing your journey with us and the behind-the-scene of how your manuscript changed from its first draft to published book -- that's very helpful and I think writers will appreciate this example.  

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 post — comments and shares are appreciated. Thank you!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Sharon Giltrow:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharongiltrowwriter/
Twitter: @sharon_giltrow

Hello, marvelous readers!

Thank you for visiting the Oasis ― it's great to have you here! This is still the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost!

Now, stretch your smiles wide and get comfy and cozy for a lovely chitchat because today we have another great creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Lauren Heller Kerstein is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the giveaways, promo gifts, and other offers at the end of this interview.

Check out the double giveaway at this end of the interview, and if you missed my latest announcement, find it at the bottom of this post! 

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

A: In 1980, I wrote and … well… illustrated my first picture book. I used wallpaper as the book cover, and it still sits on my desk today. (Thank you, Mom, for saving it!) I’ve always loved writing and reading, but I quickly realized illustrating may not be my strength.
Fast forward… I took writing classes in high school and college. I wrote when I could while juggling a very full career as a child and family psychotherapist. My publication debuts were actually professional books in my field, and I never stopped working on my fiction.
But… I wanted more. More time for fiction. More time for writing. More time for studying the craft.

So… about 6 years ago, I signed a contract that two of my closest friends wrote out for me on a napkin at dinner. I agreed to drop one of my consulting positions so that I could write more.

And then, I dug in. I joined SCBWI, carved out Wacky Writing Wednesday time, studied craft, joined Julie Hedlund’s 12x12, and began submitting.

*BRAKE SCREECH!*

We sold Rosie and Charlie!

And from there… well… I revised, revised, revised until ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES swam to shelves June 1, 2019.
​
I have learned that this industry is 100% sheer will, determination, education, and persistence, and 40% luck and timing. (Please ignore the fact that the math doesn’t work at all!) It is a roller coaster ride, for sure. But, if you hang on tightly and keep on keeping on over and over and over again, you never know what magic may happen!
 
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 find the waiting most challenging. I try to focus on the fact that we have control over our craft. We have control over making our work THE best it can be. We have very little control over the rest.

I find the connections I’ve made with other kidlit writers to be incredibly rewarding. My critique partners are INCREDIBLE! The authors in my debut group are AMAZING! I also love the contact and interactions I’ve had with children (virtually and in-person). I write for children! It is thrilling to watch them enjoy Rosie and Charlie.
 
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: I write a lot of craft tools in my Quick-Read Crafty Tips, for my critique business, and in my #ReVISIONweek posts. I also have templates on my website.
The craft tools and techniques I use are generally different for each story, but the tools I consistently use for all manuscripts are:

• I love using a planning template (which is on my website) to help me ground myself in the manuscript, character, arc, comps, and any research I need to do.
• I listen to music on YouTube that is either “study music” or “positive thinking” music. The instrumental music really helps me get my brain going. When I write novels, though, I love listening to popular music.
• I use a sand-timer to clock uninterrupted writing time. This is a bit more challenging with everyone at home right now, but it really works, and it helps me focus. (Thank you Claudia Mills for this fabulous idea).
• I also devote Wednesdays to actual creation. I try to work on revising or drafting other days of the week, but administrative tasks (including keeping up with social media, marketing, author visits, my critique business, etc. etc.) often take precedence over actual creating. On Wednesdays, I devote the majority of the day to revision, creation, and planning new manuscripts.

My revision process includes:
​

• Lots of feedback from critique partners. (Critique partners make the world go round.)
• Printing out a copy of the manuscript and using different colored pens to add everyone’s feedback in one place.
• Sitting in different places (away from my computer) as I ponder revisions.
• Examining key components to make sure they are working, i.e., emotional arc/resonance, pacing, page-turns, motivation, narrative arc, and making sure I’ve threaded all of the layers and seeds through from start to finish.
• I also force myself to step away for a period of time before I re-read or send it back out. This period of time varies from manuscript to manuscript, but is never less than 24 hours.
• I make a dummy or lay the spreads out around the table to make sure the manuscript is working.
• Lastly, I challenge myself to dig deeper. Did I make the manuscript as intriguing and unique as it could be? Did I stretch as far as I can stretch? Did I craft a story/ character/ story problem in such a way that it has a chance in today’s market?

 
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: The second Rosie and Charlie book will hit shelves on September 1, 2020. It is called ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE SAY GOOD NIGHT (Two Lions). Nate Wragg illustrated again, which is terrific! He’s so talented. I’m excited to share this book with the world! Let me tell you, helping a dragon settle for bed is an interesting and fun challenge!

I also have a book called, HOME FOR A WHILE (Magination Press), coming out in February 2021. Natalia Moore is the illustrator. This is a book from my heart. HOME FOR A WHILE is about a boy in foster care. It provides children and their caregivers the opportunity to explore and highlight the beauty of their unique characteristics. It is my hope that Calvin’s resilience and courage will help children as they find their way through their own struggles.

In addition, I have a number of picture books (fiction, non-fiction, humorous, and more serious) out to editors, so please cross your fingers, legs, and toes for me! I’m working on a few new PBs, revising a YA (slowly), and an adult novel that I began years ago has been screaming at me to pay it some attention. We shall see where that leads.

Thank you so much for having me, Rosie! I have enjoyed sharing this writing journey with you, and look forward to all of your future successes! I can’t wait to hold SUNDAY RAIN in my hands.

Aw, that is so sweet, thank you, Lauren! Fingers, legs, and toes crossed for your projects on submission! And thank you so much for being a guest, and for sharing such great insight and a wealth of resources and tips with the blog readers! I know everyone who reads this interview will be inspired by your journey. 

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 post — shares are appreciated. Thank you!

Connect with Lauren:

Website: www.LaurenKerstein.net

Twitter: @LaurenKerstein

​The wait is finally over and we have the results! Yes, it's time to announce the winners.

But before I do, I'd like to thank every child who wrote a story and participated ― you are brave, creative, and you took action! You should be proud of yourself. It might seem like a small step, but it's a really important one because "Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try." ―Gail Devers

The judges and I had a great time reading each and every story! We all pulled for our favorites, arranged and rearranged our choices, discussed and reconsidered the submissions according to the evaluation criteria.

As a reminder, the stories were judged based on the following: connection to the theme (Pets), originality, twist, use of literary devices, creativity and overall appeal of the story/writing.

We saw strong writing, imaginative plots, and we really loved the twists! So picking the winners was not an easy task, but we had to stick to the rules. (We still couldn't help it and threw in some extra recognition in the end.)

Once again, thank you all for entering the KWEST Contest and a special thank you to all the teachers and librarians who assisted the students in sending their submissions. We hope you'll participate again next year when we'll make the competition even bigger and better!

I know you're all impatient to find out who the winners are. Just one more announcement before I reveal the results.
​
In April, which is poetry month, I am opening a poetry contest called Haiku Hype. I'll be giving away a kids Kindle e-reader plus a bunch of other cool prizes! Teachers will have a chance to win something, too. So stay tuned for guidelines when I announce the opening of the contest and be ready to jump in. It'll be fun!

​Note to the teachers and librarians from the winning schools: Please have children who placed in 1st through 3rd place pick their choice of prize from the appropriate box in the prizes chart (find it here) and send me their preference, i.e. Amazon or Toys R Us gift card, choice of book etc. Also, please send me your school's mailing address and name of teacher/librarian recipient. If I don't hear from you in the next three days, I'll just pick for the students and mail the prizes.
​
Prizes and special certificates will be on their way to the winners soon!

Thank you all again! A huge shout out to the wonderful judges for their time and contribution.

Kids, keep writing, reading, and creating!

​The KWEST contest is now open! I am happy to introduce this new feature on my blog for elementary school students in grades 3-5 that will run periodically (no set schedule for now). This is a nationwide competition for creative writing with a theme, a twist and , of course, PRIZES!

Teachers and librarians will have 30 days from the contest opening date to submit the best entries that they select to send me (see rules for the stories below). Please use the contact form at the bottom of this post and include the following with your submission:

--The student's first name & last name initial
--What grade they are in
--The name of your school
--The city and state

Prizes awarded will be for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. UPDATE: We are adding 4th and 5th place prizes as well! (Check below for the current list.) Speaking of prizes . . . 

Third place will get one of my books of their choice (valued between $10.99-$16.99). Second place prize is a boy or girl Lego set (valued between $15-$20). First prize is a $25 Amazon or Toys R Us gift card (winner's choice)! The three winning stories will be posted on my blog and bragging rights awarded with a special certificate :)

UPDATE: Author and Contest Judge, Jenna Grodzicki, will also donate a copy of one of her books to each of the first three winners!

Are you excited yet? Here are the story crafting rules:

1. Write a short story of no more than 160 words with a title, a beginning, middle and end. (Title not included in the word count.)

2. The story MUST have a twist of some kind (like a surprising ending).

3. The story must be related to the theme announced for each competition.

It's time to announce the theme for this installment . . .  and it is . . . PETS! Any type of pet -- real or imaginary. You can make your story funny, sweet, scary, clever, gross etc. Just remember to have a twist at the end.

Judging will be handled by our panel of professional writers and educators (listed below). Stories will be evaluated based on craft, execution, originality, use of literary devices, and how clever and surprising the twist is.

The contest closes on 2/16 at 11:59 p.m. If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments. There's a PDF file attached with the contest rules for teachers and librarians to print and distribute to students, just add the date you'd like the entries turned in, then submit to me no later than 2/16/18. 

I can't wait to read your submissions. Good luck!

Now, ready? Set! Go!

​*By submitting, you agree to allow me to post the winning story on my website and use excerpts for promotional purposes.

The contest is now closed.
The judges are reading and  evaluating submissions. Results and winners will be posted soon!