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? 
​
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! 

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 — social media shares are appreciated. Thank you!

1. How did you become an editor? Did you have any mentors who helped you along the way? And please tell us about Yeehoo as a publisher -- what are the company's values, goals, and missions?
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I’ve been passionate about writing and drawing since I was a kid, but I never thought it would be a career option growing up in China. After I graduated from the University of Georgia with an MS in Economics, I landed a job in the marketing field. I learned how to use and draw in Photoshop to make attractive marketing materials. I did digital drawings and put a portfolio online. To my surprise, someone asked me if I could illustrate their picture book. Gradually, I illustrated more self-published picture books. I got involved in every step of bookmaking—from illustration to layout to cover design, typography, and book printing. When my son was born, I was inspired to write and illustrate my own picture books. The positive feedback encouraged me to do more. In 2018, with 10 picture books that I wrote and illustrated under my belt, I realized I wanted more than just a book out there. My dream was to write a book that could reach a wider audience and be carried by libraries and brick-and-mortar bookstores. I knew I needed a professional team with an editor, designer, and art director and marketing resources to back me up. Traditional publishing was the route to take. I started taking classes and attending conferences.

In August 2019, I attended the SCBWI conference in Los Angeles and met Mr. Zhang, the publisher, and two editors from Yeehoo Press. Luyang Xue, the acquisition editor, told me they were looking for someone to take charge of their publishing house’s US division. They wanted someone who could speak Mandarin and English and had experience in children’s book publishing and connections to authors in the US. 

My background was a perfect fit for Yeehoo’s criteria. They invited me to visit their offices in Shanghai and Suzhou for an in-depth discussion with the whole team. After a few months of talks and planning, I officially joined the team in November 2019.
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Yeehoo Press creates and publishes fun, enchanting, and socially responsible children’s books for audiences worldwide, focusing on universal messages. Yeehoo publishes the English editions in the US and the simplified Chinese editions in mainland China. Starting with the US and Chinese markets—two of the largest children's book markets—Yeehoo’s goal is to find common ground between different countries and cultures and provide books with universal interest and appeal for readers worldwide.

2. What is your favorite part of the job and what is your least favorite part? What brings you joy in your position day in and day out?

Definitely getting the chance to think creatively—not only the book itself but also the whole collaboration process and all areas of the publishing business. To be the best advocate for your book, you have to know about contracts, subsidiary rights, the target audience, writing, art style, graphic design, marketing, publicity, sales, and so on. The goal is to support the author and the rest of the book team, including the illustrator, designer, and marketing team, in telling a compelling story. I love to see each step of how a book takes shape from plain text to a finished book. I always marvel at the journey of making picture books. You plant a seed and work hard to nurture it, and it surprises you months later with flowers! 

3. What is a typical workday for you? If there's no "typical" what are some of the tasks that have priority in any given workday?
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Last year, I focused more on acquisitions. I used to read and review picture book manuscripts before presenting potential books to the acquisitions board. Some weeks, I only had a few manuscripts to read, while I had too many in other weeks. It can be really hot and cold, but every day starts with reading and taking notes.
This year, I focused more on the marketing side of the business, and our other editors do more of the acquisitions. I’m constantly looking at timing and scheduling. I always start with things at the top of my to-do list, and I regularly check on deadlines. I’m in meetings, liaising with different departments for each book, including editors who write the descriptive synopsis and catalog copy, the production team, who prints and ships the books, the sales team, who handle ads and promotions, and our acquisition editors about our new lists and acquisitions. It’s the little bits and pieces you’re doing throughout the day and over the course of many months to bring books into the world. 

4. Are you actively acquiring new books at this time? What are some of the stories you're looking for? What appeals to you?

We’re developing a new list, and our manuscript wish list will be updated from time to time. The best way to keep informed of our most up-to-date list is to check our submission guidelines https://yeehoopress.com/submissions/ and follow us on social media.

5. How do you evaluate submissions? What marks does a manuscript need to hit to be considered for acquisitions?

We’re always looking for strong writing, compelling plots, and universal messages. We also have to think in terms of our list. We have four editors acquiring picture books, and the acquisition decisions are made by the whole team. We will do in-depth market research on the books we’re ready to acquire in the US and Chinese markets. Depending on the market, readers’ tastes differ, and the way to promote books is different. We try to find books with themes that have common ground in different markets. Once our books are published in the English and Chinese editions, I believe it will be easier to reach other countries and cultures and be enjoyed by readers around the world.
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For the acquisition process, our editors go through stacks of submissions, consider what we think may work for our program, create a memo to share with the team that includes a positioning statement about the book’s topic and why someone might want to buy it, a brief description of the story, an author bio, and comparable titles. In the US, the books will be published and promoted individually, while in mainland China, books by different authors and illustrators are commonly sold and promoted as collections or sets with a common theme. For a set of books, it could be from 3–10 books. We usually need to acquire at least three books about a particular theme—say emotions, STEAM, non-fictions about a particular topic—to establish a set of books. 

​6. What happens next? How is the acquisition process handled? Could you walk us through the process from submission to contract offer?

We usually have several rounds of acquisitions meetings. Occasionally, the manuscript might need some revisions, so we’ll also talk with the author about the possible revisions and make sure we’re on the same page and agree on the book’s direction. Acquisitions might take a few weeks to a few months, depending on our list. If we rush to complete a set of books, the acquisition will be faster. If we’re developing a new list, like we have been the past several months, we’re slow at acquisitions. When we’d like to acquire a book, we’ll send the author an offer with advances, royalty structures, and any other terms.

7. Are you currently taking submissions from illustrators?

Yes, we take submissions from illustrators. We’re actively looking for illustrators and browsing illustration agencies, portfolio websites, and social media. Submitting directly to us is a great way for us to get to know the artist.

8. What is the one thing people should avoid in submissions?

Some submissions don’t have a proper query letter. The query letter includes synopsis, pitch, age range, a short bio with the author’s writing experience, and three comparable titles. Though eventually, it’s the manuscript itself that we evaluate, a strong query frequently makes the difference in the submission grabbing our interest immediately.

9. How does Yeehoo support its authors and illustrators after the acquisition process and post-publication? Would you highlight some of the marketing, promotion, and distribution support your titles receive? For example, do you work with indie bookstores, big chains, school libraries, do you submit your books to journal reviews, awards etc.?

After the acquisition, we have several editors in the US who will do the actual editing with the author. They all have years of experience working in large publishing houses and will make the manuscript the best it can possibly be. It is also time to find an illustrator. We’d like to ask potential candidates to draw a sample character to see their interpretation. We select the artist based on the art style, character design, timeline, and budget. After we officially bring the illustrator on board, they will create a storyboard, then rough sketches, and then colored spreads. Our designer will jump in to start the layout design when 90% of the artwork is finished. The art director, the designer, and the illustrator will work together to ensure the final book is polished to perfection.

Our marketing starts about six months before publication. In China, we share the marketing channels and resources with our publishing partner, Phoenix Media & Group. We have distributors in different provinces in China and for online and offline bookstores. In the US, we also partner with the distributor here to make our books available to teachers, librarians, and booksellers through the regular sales channels. We send our books to be reviewed by all the major children's literature journals, such as Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, and so on, and submit them for national, state, and numerous other awards. We also reach out to blogs, podcasts, and social media influencers for reviews and shoutouts. We contact independent bookstores and libraries for author events and storytimes. There are so many marketing ideas and approaches, and we love to work with amazing authors and illustrators to achieve success in the literary world.

10. What projects are you working on right now for Yeehoo's list? What are you excited about and why? Any upcoming titles you could share with us?

We’re really excited about our upcoming titles this year. Milo’s Moonlight Mission (June 15) by Kathleen M. Blasi, illustrated by Petronela Dostalova, is an emotionally resonant, heartwarming tale of a parent and a child struggling to find quality time together—a challenge with which many parents and children can identify. The Perfect Party (August 10) by Laurel P. Jackson, illustrated by Hélène Baum-Owoyele, celebrates the beauty of different cultures and the strength of collaboration. The Whole World Inside Nan's Soup (August 24) by Hunter Liguore, illustrated by Vikki Zhang, in which Nan shares the wisdom that one bowl of soup contains an assortment of traditions and places. From farmhand to delivery drivers to market merchants, readers can see all the essential hands it takes to bring a meal together. Chameleon Can Be (September 7) by Carolina Farías is an adventure of guessing riddles, learning about animals, and discovering the importance of being true to yourself.

We’re also working on another eight titles for spring 2022, and we can’t wait to bring all these adorable books to life!

I cannot wait, either -- especially since one of those adorable books in my own! Aaah, I'm so excited and look forward to sharing it with the word. :) 

Thank you so much for your time, Helen, and for giving us such thorough insight into the publishing process at Yeehoo Press as well as sharing all these amazing books on Yeehoo's list! 

I know that you also have a new book of your own coming out, published by Beaming Books, so I hope you'll be back to KidLit Oasis as a guest author next time.

I wish you all the best on your journey and I look forward to many more books from you, personally, and from Yeehoo Press. 

G I V E A W A Y ! ! !
Helen Wu is giving away one non-rhyming picture book critique.
Here's how to enter the giveaway by 6/14/21:

1. Leave a comment on this post
2. Subscribe to KidLit Oasis
​
*Social media shares are optional, but encouraged and appreciated! Spread the word, and invite your writer and illustrator friends over to KidLit Oasis!
Don't forget to tag me (@RosiePOV on Twitter)

​>>>>>The winner will be announced on 6/15/21<<<<<​

​Helen H. Wu is a children’s book author and illustrator of over 20 picture books, as well as a translator, graphic designer, and publisher. Her new picture book, Tofu Takes Time, illustrated by Julie Jarema, will be published by Beaming Books in spring 2022. She illustrated the educational coronavirus picture book Be a Coronavirus Fighter by Songju Ma Daemicke, which received many praises all around the world and has been translated into 12 languages. Helen is the Associate Publisher of Yeehoo Press, a Los Angeles based children’s book publisher. Being fascinated by the differences and similarities between cultures, Helen loves to share stories that can empower children to understand the world and our connections. Born and raised in Hefei, China, Helen moved to the US in her 20s. Currently, she resides in sunny Southern California, with her family and two kids.

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?
​
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. 
                                                                                  * * * 

​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.

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

This week, my guest on KidLit Oasis is author and illustrator Amanda Davis, and I can't wait to hear more about her journey as a writer that led to the release of her debut, 30,000 STITCHES. Plus, a chance for you to win a copy of the book!

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

A: Hi Rosie, thanks so much for having me on the blog! I’m excited to be here to celebrate 30,000 STITCHES together! My love for art and writing stems back to my childhood. My father passed away when I was twelve, and I turned to art and writing to cope and process my emotions. This is what led me to teach art and later write and illustrate children’s books. I want to show kids the power in our stories-whether through writing, reading or visual art. In 2012, I took a continuing education course at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston called, Illustrating Children’s Books, with illustrator, Ilse Plume. This course was eye opening for me and kick-started my career in kidlit. I realized that children’s books combine all three of my passions: art, writing, and stories. After completing that course, I dove headfirst into the craft of writing and illustrating for children (while balancing my job as a full-time high school teacher). I joined SCBWI, 12x12, and found a local and online critique group. I tried to soak in all the knowledge I could about the kidlit industry. I began to query literary agents and editors with a few of my stories. Looking back, I probably queried those stories too early, but hey, that’s part of the learning process. The story that finally landed me an agent and later a deal is my debut creative nonfiction picture book titled 30,000 STITCHES: THE INSPIRING STORY OF THE NATIONAL 9/11 FLAG, illustrated by the amazing Sally Wern Comport and due out with WorthyKids/Hachette Book Group on May 4th.

I first learned about the story back in 2011 when I facilitated an art lesson around the story of the flag with my art students for the tenth remembrance of 9/11. The story lingered in my head, but needed time to flourish. Later, after visiting the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in 2014 and being overcome with emotion at the artifacts and the stories, it was a reminder of the importance of telling this story of the flag.So, I decided to try my hand at crafting a manuscript for it. I have a background in journalism, so it was a delight getting to research and interview primary sources for the story. From the Ground Zero Superintendent to Flag Tour Staff, the people who I spoke to about the flag, were incredible. Once I had the story polished up, which was many months later, I began to query agents and editors. The process of landing an agent and book deal was filled with ups and downs. I had many passes along the way but most were positive and many had personalized feedback, so I knew I was on the right track.  I even got a few requests to revise and resubmit. I submitted to WorthyKids by snail mail through the slush pile and after many months of not hearing back, I took that as a pass.

I continued to query the story and later, connected with agent, Melissa Richeson who signed me for the project. Seven months later, an assistant editor from WorthyKids contacted me to ask if the story was still available. Of course, I said a big and enthusiastic YES, connected her with Melissa. The rest is history!

Long story short, it took me about nine years to get my first picture book traditionally published! It can be a long and winding road to get there, but if you keep pressing ahead, you are bound to meet your destination.

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: Oooh, good question! There are many, ha! I think one of the biggest and most consistent challenges has been getting varying feedback from agents and editors when querying them with my stories-especially with nonfiction. As with any art, writing and illustrating are subjective. Each agent or editor has particular tastes and will have different opinions on how to make your story stronger (or you get little feedback at all). For example, when querying 30,000 STITCHES, some agents and editors wanted to see more of the factual information from the back matter directly in the text while others wanted to keep it more sparse. It’s hard to wade through these reactions and know exactly what to do. I remember putting so much pressure on myself to get the revisions right and thinking “this is my one chance!” In the end, many of those revisions didn’t end up landing me a deal but did lead me to a version of the story that sold to WorthyKids.  I think so much of what we do as creators is about taking risks, following our gut, crossing our fingers, and hoping for the best. On the business side of things, often times there are many factors that are out of our control, which can be also frustrating. For example, maybe a particular editor just recently acquired a similar story so they pass on yours, or perhaps their profit and loss statement doesn’t fall in your favor, or maybe they’re looking for very specific stories to balance out theirtheir list. Each of these scenarios has happened to me. So, with so many unknowns, all we can do is keep writing, revising, and lean into our critique groups and, loved ones for support. We must continue to remind ourselves to find the joy in creating and know that the more stories we write and illustrate, the better our chances will be that one will resonate strongly with an agent or editor. Most importantly, children need our stories. And, for me, if positive thinking and self-talk aren’t doing the trick, I turn to my rescue pup, Cora for comfort. She’s always willing to lend a listening ear. :)

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: My revision process for my writing is much like my revision process for my art. Many versions, and much research. My first drafts for my writing are like my rough sketches for my illustrations-loose and organic. As I get feedback, I begin to revise and the images and words get more refined. I thought it might be fun to take a look at revision from the illustration side so I included a few examples from the illustrations I recently did for The Writer’s Loft, Friends and Anemones: Ocean Poems for Children anthology. Before even putting pencil to paper, I had to do a lot of research on the creatures of the deep sea such as, vampire squids, angler fish, and sea pens. Finally, once I had a solid idea of what the creatures looked like, I put pencil to paper and completed a rough sketch.  Same thing for my narwhal illustration. You can see the different versions and how the images evolved. With the narwhal illustration, the original poem started off sad but then the author was asked by the editors to brighten the mood, which in turn shifted my dark and dreary illustration. I had to flex and mold my image to fit the cheery new poem, which meant a brighter color palette to create a joyful mood and revising the expressions and positioning of the narwhal characters. When writing, my revision process tends to be the same, it’s important to stay open and loose with first drafts, not get too attached to any version, and of course, leave room for the illustrations. 

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: Yes! Tonight is my first launch event at The Silver Unicorn Bookstore! I’m super pumped to be in conversation with members of the flag tour staff as we discuss their role with the flag and reflect on the upcoming 20th remembrance of 9/11.

You can register for the event HERE! If you register, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a five-pack of lovely notecards featuring art by Sally Wern Comport from the book. The winner will be announced at the end of the event and must be in attendance to win. I hope you all can join us!!

​30,000 STITCHES celebrations continue throughout the month! The complete schedule can be found HERE or see below for the full list. Allevents are virtual, FREE and open to all! Follow along my virtual blog tour for more giveaways and interviews as well! It’s been such a blast chatting with you, Rosie. Thanks again for having me, and best of luck on your own creative projects!! Cheers!

​Amanda Davis is a teacher, artist, writer, and innovator who uses her words and pictures to light up the world with kindness. Amanda is the author of 30,000 STITCHES: THE INSPIRING STORY OF THE NATIONAL 9/11 FLAG and has poetry and illustrations featured in The Writers’ Loft Anthology, FRIENDS AND ANEMONES: OCEAN POEMS FOR CHILDREN. When she’s not busy creating, you can find her sipping tea, petting dogs, and exploring the natural wonders of The Bay State with her partner and her rescue pup, Cora. 

​Welcome back to the Oasis!

Oh, do I have a double treat for you this week! Two awesome authors are chatting about their new books, sharing the ideas that prompted them to write those stories, what's hidden in the illustrations of one of the books, and talk about their collaborations with their illustrators plus much more! 

Ready to dive in? Here are Chana and Kathy in conversation. . .

Kathy Doherty: LET LIBERTY RISE! HOW AMERICA’S SCHOOLCHILDREN HELPED SAVE THE STATUE OF LIBERTY has received wonderful write-ups from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly...and a starred reviewed from School Library Journal. How did you get the idea to write this story?
 
Chana Stiefel: Thanks so much Kathy. As authors we are trained to keep our eyes and ears open for a good story. And to paraphrase Elizabeth Gilbert in Big Magic, when inspiration comes, you need to grab it by the tail and hang on to it before it runs away. In 2014, I invited my author friends Jackie Glasthal and Sue Macy to my home for Friday night dinner. Jackie shared that she had published a middle grade novel called Liberty on 23rd Street. The setting for that book is lower Manhattan in the late 1800s, when the Statue of Liberty was under construction. Jackie shared this little-known slice of history—that children contributed their hard-earned pennies to the pedestal fund to build the statue. Hearing that story, I knew that it had to become a picture book. After years of research, writing, and revising, it’s finally here! 

Congrats to you, Kathy, on the launch of THE THINGITY-JIG, which has received starred reviews from Kirkus and Foreword Reviews! How did you dream up this delightful story about a bear that discovers a fun, springy thing, but needs his friends to help haul it home?
 
KD: Chana, all your hard work paid off!...And thank you for your kind words about my book. As an author I love to play “what if.” So when I saw a discarded couch in my neighborhood, I wondered what if a bear cub found it...and what if he wanted to take it back to the forest and jump on it with his friends. I used intertextuality to combine aspects of the folktale The Little Red Hen and my own ideas to tell a brand new story.

Chana, your book’s illustrations are fabulous. Did you have any input in choosing the illustrator or in the art itself? And what do you like best about the illustrations?
 
CS: Thank you, Kathy! Scholastic chose Chuck Groenink as the illustrator, and I couldn’t be happier. I love the sweet faces of all of the children and the clothing of the time period. He did lots of research to capture Manhattan in the late 1800s, including the buildings, the ships, the printing press, and the red mailbox. He also hid two famous paintings from the late 1800s within the illustrations. (See if you can find them!) And there’s a lovely golden copper hue that shines throughout the book, which emanates from the Statue of Liberty’s original copper color. 

Your book also has a beautiful glow, Kathy! What was your reaction when you first saw Kristyna Litten’s illustrations? Were you able to give feedback during the process? What is your favorite spread and why?
 
KD: It was love at first sight! Kristyna’s illustrations were as whimsical as my text. I only gave a minor suggestion or two along the way. I wanted Kristyna to have free range. The spread I love most is when Bear starts bouncing on the couch for the first time. Bingity! Bing! Boing!

CS: There were so many surprises! First was the realization that although France sent America this glorious gift, America didn’t want her. Some people said they should send her back to France! Can you imagine? I was also surprised to learn about the many fundraisers to build the pedestal. Pulitzer’s campaign was the first crowd-sourcing campaign. He said that if anyone sent a penny for the pedestal, he would print their name in his newspaper. Other fundraisers included an art auction, which included Emma Lazarus’s infamous poem, “The New Colossus.” In addition, people could pay to take a ferry to Bedloe’s Island and see the statue in crates, or they could purchase a small model. In 1876, at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Liberty’s arm was on display. People could pay 50 cents to climb up to the torch. Many of these details didn’t make it into the text but can be found in the backmatter. 
​
What were some of the challenges in writing your story? Did you go through many revisions? What’s one takeaway you learned from the writing process?​

Besides learning about history, what do you hope kids will take away from your book?
 
CS: The major theme of the book is that when we work together, we can accomplish great things that have a lasting impact. One little girl sent in 60 cents. She wrote, “I wish I could make it $60,000, but drops make an ocean.” I hope kids (and adults) learn that even though we sometimes feel powerless, every little bit helps. Every contribution and action, no matter how small, can make a big difference.

I love the way Bear sees the world (and the cast-off sofa) differently from others. Beyond the giggles, what are some takeaways from THE THING-ITY JIG?
 
KD: I’d love kids to realize they can do hard things...and that they should never give up. I’d like to encourage them to find a way to make it happen. Good things happen to those who don’t give up.

When did you see the Statue of Liberty for the first time, and what were your thoughts?
 
CS: I have a vague memory of visiting the Statue of Liberty as a child. I grew up in Miami, so we probably visited the statue when we came up to New York to visit cousins. I have a much greater appreciation for it as an adult—from the perspective of understanding how my three immigrant grandparents arrived here, knowing what a colossal project the building was, admiring the engineering feat, and loving the story of children contributing to the pedestal. Now that I’ve written LET LIBERTY RISE, I see the Statue of Liberty everywhere. (Check out the trailer that my daughter made for me! https://youtu.be/ZNlN3eWEUnE) She’s such an icon!
 
Has writing THE THING-ITY JIG changed the way you look at found objects? How so?
 
KD: Yes! I wonder if there’s a story there. I’m always looking for writing ideas.
 
What’s next for you?
 
My editor has challenged me to write a story in which one of Bear’s friends goes into people town and finds something dazzling. I’ve only written a rough draft, so the story hasn’t taken shape yet.
 
CS: Awesome! Good Luck!
 
Thanks, Rosie, for featuring our new books!

​You're very welcome! These questions were fantastic and I learned so much fun and interesting tidbits-- I know my readers will enjoy this chitchat a lot! What a pleasure to have you both as my guests! I hope you'll be back in the future to share your upcoming projects 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!

Chana Stiefel is the author of more than 25 books for kids. She hails from sunny South Florida and now lives in New Jersey, just a ferry ride away from the Statue of Liberty. Chana loves visiting schools and libraries as well as sharing her passion for reading and writing with children. She earned a master's degree in Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting from New York University. To learn more, visit Chana at chanastiefel.com.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chanastiefel

Hello, amazing readers!

Here you are at the Oasis ― it's great to have you visit! As you know, this is the place to refresh your spirits, recharge your creativity, and get a literary mood boost!

Today, Children's Author Michal Babay is my guest and she'll share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, check out the giveaway at the end of this interview!

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

A: Hi Rosie, thank you for having me on your blog! My journey to publication was, like most picture book authors, full of unexpected zigs and zags. My first book sale was in 2019, after I’d already been writing seriously for a number of years. That book (which I should be able to announce officially very soon!) came about because of an editor critique I did at an SCBWI conference. After our conversation, I asked if I should submit it to her through the conference submission opportunity, and she said “definitely.”So I made her suggested revisions, sent it along, and seven months later – she made an official offer! With this official offer in hand, I contacted all the agents who were considering another manuscript of mine (the story that became I’m A Gluten-Sniffing Service Dog) and finally, joyfully, signed with my dream agent, Laurel Symonds of The Bent Agency. 
​

​The funny thing is, as part of my twisty zig-zag journey, I had previously queried Laurel. She’d been interested enough to request other stories, but they weren’t quite strong enough to hold an agent’s interest, so she ended up passing. However, I was determined. I kept writing, revising, and soothing my battered ego with chocolate, until I’d finally created a body of work that pushed Laurel’s “I like this but…” into a “YES!”
 
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: Staying focused enough to finish a first draft is the most challenging part for me. I’m a bit like Chewie. If I had a tail, I’d be chasing it instead of writing! Everything distracts me when the work is difficult. Which means, of course, that one of the most rewarding parts is actually finishing that first draft! It feels like a huge accomplishment for me every time I write the ending of a story. Once that painful first draft is completed, everything else is a pleasure. I love revising, so going back into the manuscript to tighten and change things is fun for me.

My critique partners and my hourglass timer help me stay motivated. If I haven’t produced anything in a while, they’ll check in and ask what’s going on. Having a group of creators who are ALWAYS on your side is the most essential part of my writing world. And by on my side, I also mean that they never let me send out a manuscript until it’s as strong as possible. They are honest about what’s working and what isn’t, so I know when they finally love it, it’s ready to send to my agent!

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: Since I’m so easily distracted, my wonderfully wise writing partner Lauren Kerstein suggested using a sand hourglass time so I get at least one hour of actual writing done  most days. When I need to pause, I just lay the hourglass on its side until I’m ready to come back and finish writing. Of course, this doesn’t happen all the time. Some weeks are just for thinking and percolating, instead of writing.

During the revision process, I use Google Docs so it’s accessible to me anywhere I go (after all, you never know when the perfect name for that character will pop out at you!). I also create a new copy each time I revise, so that by the time I’m finished there are usually 20-30 versions on my Google drive. This was another organizational tip from Lauren. That woman knows her stuff when it comes to staying on task and organizing files!

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 actually have two more books coming out in the next two years, so I can’t wait to share the details on both of those soon!

Thank you, Michal! It was fun chatting with you and learning more about your journey, writing process, and new projects! Please come back to visit KidLit Oasis in the future!

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!

​







Michal Babay is the author I’M A GLUTEN-SNIFFING SERVICE DOG (Albert Whitman & Company, 2021). After many years as a teacher and elementary resource specialist, Michal now spends her days writing stories, wrangling teenagers, convincing her three dogs to stop barking, and searching for the perfect gluten-free donut. Michal lives in Southern California with her family
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                                             Click on the book cover to order a copy!

Hello, wonderful readers!

New week, new interview, and new. . . logo design! Yay! I hope you like it and that it instantly gets you in a lovely literary mood.

So, let's give a warm welcome to our guest author and dear friend, Ellen Leventhal--I can't wait to chat with her about her writing career, her latest and upcoming projects, and also to hear her best revision tips. Check out the giveaway at the end, too!

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

A: My road to publication has been a bit different than some, but like many people, I’ve had lots of twists, bumps, and bruises. My first book, DON’T EAT THE BLUEBONNETS, written with Ellen Rothberg, was originally published with a very small local press due to winning a contest! Unfortunately, after a few printings (Yay!), that press decided not to do picture books anymore (Boo!) Eventually, another publisher picked it up, we revised it, and marketed it as a “Ten Year Anniversary” edition. My next book, LOLA CAN’T LEAP released a year later. There was a LOT of revision with that piece after I signed the contract, and although it was frustrating at times, I do love how it turned out. Revision at all stages is part of the process. All the while, I submitted and collected rejections. In 2019 I signed with a wonderful project by project agent who sold my upcoming book, A FLOOD OF KINDNESS in six months. I signed with WorthyKids/Hachette Book Group in 2019, and it will hit store shelves on April 13, 2021. Keeping it real, I still do the dance of write- revise- submit- read rejections-eat chocolate- do it all over. I get pages and pages of rejections, but I have learned to have a bit thicker skin. It’s not fun to get rejections, but again, it’s part of the process. I think the key to staying in the game is to think of it like riding a wave, and you never know what’s coming next. I have lots of stories that were never published. Perhaps I’ll try again. Who knows? My next release (a few years down the road) is a result of one editor liking my writing, but not the way I told  the story and another editor loving the way I told  the story. She signed me. This is a very subjective business! You never know! So, my road to publication? I’m still on it, and it’s still bumpy, but it’s where I want to be.
 
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: Creatively, when writing picture books, it’s a challenge for me to stay on one subject! I have so much to say! But I know now that I will work that out in revisions.

The publishing side of things is more difficult for me, and yet it’s not difficult at all since I have no control there. I like control! And The waiting…AKK! Waiting to hear if your manuscript is accepted. Waiting to sign a contract. Waiting for publication. People are always so surprised when they hear about publishing timelines. Marketing is also hard for me! No matter the size of your publisher, much of the marketing falls on the author. I am currently in a very collaborative relationship with the marketing gurus at WorthyKids, which is great, and I am thankful for that. Still, promoting my own work is uncomfortable for me. But again, it’s part of the whole deal, and I love the whole deal! I do enjoy speaking in front of kids and even adults, which is sort of marketing, but I don’t feel like I am pushing my book when I do that.

What helps me stay motivated? That’s an easy one. The love of writing and the love of connecting with people in the KidLit community. Without my critique groups and writer friends, I would have given up a long time ago.

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: There are a lot of tools in my toolbox, and most of them are things I’ve picked up from other people. One thing I’ve learned  to do is let my mind flow for the first draft. As a serial reviser this was hard for me for a long time, but I’ve found it helps. I start with an idea, but sometimes during the first draft, my idea changes and becomes something better. (Or sometimes it morphs into something worse, and that’s where my friend “revision” comes in.) Another little thing I do is something I learned from a critique partner. I try to get rid of as many “to be” verbs. Wherever I see one (“She was amazed!”), I circle the weak verb and change the sentence to something active. As far my revision process, as I said, I am a serial reviser. The problem is that I never know when to end! (That’s NOT a good thing). The first few revisions begin to tell me what I need to do story wise. I take a lot of what my critique groups say and decide what I want to incorporate into my story.(Thank you, Rosie Pova for giving me some great ideas over the years!) I think of revision as putting my story into a sieve. I shake out what doesn’t belong. Then, once I am pretty sure what I want to say after the first few drafts, I sometimes use the “Hamburger” method that I teach my writing students. As part of revision I need to make sure I still have a good story structure and that I didn’t chop too much. I check to make sure I have a really yummy top of a bun (Hook or intro). I add delicious condiments, etc. to the burger (middle) to make it “tasty.” This is where I’ll double check to make sure I have things like tension and emotion. And as with all great sandwiches, I can’t forget the bottom bun (strong conclusion). Without that, everything falls apart. I spend a lot of time trying to make my ending as exciting as the beginning. And then I do all of that over and over. And over. Please stop me! (I really have a problem.)

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 excited that although the actual Book Birthday for A FLOOD OF KINDNESS is April 13, my virtual launch is on April 24. My illustrator, Blythe Russo will be presenting with me. Here is a link to the launch. https://www.brazosbookstore.com/event/virtual-ellen-leventhal-flood-kindness

I also have a new book in the pipeline, but it won’t be out until 2023, so all I can say now is it was out of my comfort zone, but it’s something I’ve wanted to do for years!

Thanks so much for having me here, Rosie and for the great questions. 

Thank you, Ellen, for this wonderful insight into your writing world, your work, and your process! I hear you -- sometimes it's hard to stop revising, and other times, we want to be done, but we know there's more work needed to be put into a piece... Writer's life! ;) Eventually, we figure it out, and our critique groups are invaluable indeed!

Please come come again to KidLit Oasis -- I can't wait to celebrate with you that 2023 project in the pipeline and many more to come!

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!

Hello, wonderful readers!

Welcome back to KidLit Oasis ― 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, because today we have another awesome creative on the Chitchat series... children's author Karla Valenti is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, she's giving away a copy of her new book,  Alan Turing and the Power of Curiosity to one lucky winner! 

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

KV: Brief does not describe my journey! :) Like many authors, I’ve been writing my whole life, but it wasn’t until 2010 that I was able to take my storytelling seriously. I began by learning everything I could about kidlit publishing and the craft of being a pro storyteller (by the way - two of the most valuable things I did in this regard were joining Julie Hedlund’s 12x12 challenge and becoming an SCBWI member).

Like everyone in this shared journey, I wrote and wrote and wrote. I queried and queried and queried. I was rejected and rejected and rejected (between us, I stopped counting after 500). So naturally, I fretted and despaired and dabbled with the thought of giving up.
And then this little boy showed up in the deepest recesses of my mind to tell me a story of such profound grief that it broke my heart. I had no choice but to sit down and write it. 40,000 words poured out into a MG novel that resulted in three agent offers (elation!). Most importantly though, I was back at my desk writing (which helped when the novel went out on submission and never actually sold).

Eventually (and for unrelated reasons) I parted ways with my agent. Even though I was (sort of) back where I had started, I had a lot more resilience, some important knowledge about the business of being an author, and the courage to put my heart onto a blank piece of paper.

Fast forward many years and I found out about a call for submissions hosted by a global science association looking to partner with an author to write a picture book about Marie Curie. I do not write non-fiction, and there were already many great biographies of Marie Curie.

However, I saw an opportunity to flex my creative muscles and in the process deliver a new perspective of what it means to be a scientist. The premise was simple: the book would not be a biography of Marie Curie, but rather a story about a trait, a skill, a super power she embodied and which played an important role in helping her succeed in life.
Drawing on select moments of Marie’s life, the story would highlight how she used that power (persistence!) in overcoming challenge after challenge—represented by her nemesis, a monster aptly named, Mr. Opposition—to ultimately reach her dreams.

I submitted the story to the science association, and to my great delight, they loved it! I began working with them on an Indiegogo campaign to fund the publication of the book. Before the month was over, we had far exceeded our fundraising goal and Sourcebooks had made us an offer for world rights to the story.

The whirlwind that followed was magical, and “Marie Curie and the Power of Persistence” came out in April 2020. We are now launching book two in the My Super Science Heroes series, this time with a focus on the power of curiosity. The brilliant Alan Turing is our hero, as we focus on select moments in his life that showcase his unfailing curiosity and how it helped him solve some of the most enigmatic challenges of his time (including battling his nemesis, Miss Enigma, who only speaks in code)!

My journey started over ten years ago, and so much of it has been heart-breaking and confidence-shattering. Fortunately, the kidlit community (all the authors and illustrators and storybook makers), is unparalleled in kindness, generosity, and support. Without them, I would never be where I am (I just sold my 7th book!).
 
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: Most challenging - being patient! Ugh, the worst.

Most rewarding -
1. Working with so many creative and inspiring people.
2.Reading all the beautiful stories coming into the world by so many creative and inspiring people.

Most motivating
1. My critique partners who are incredibly smart, supportive, and invaluable in helping me shape my ideas.
2. Illustrators. All of them. I’m especially grateful to Annalisa Beghelli, whose inspiring artwork graces the pages of the My Super Science Heroes series.
3. My amazing agent (shout out to Ammi-Joan Paquette!) who is a real pro and makes me feel like one too.
 
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 tend to overthink all of my stories and also pepper them with darlings (so many darlings!). This makes revisions a nightmare. I have found that the very best thing I can do is fall in love with something new (i.e. write a new story) and put my current WIP away for six months (or more!). I have to put a ton of distance between me and the story in order to be able to see it with fresh eyes and be inspired by it once more.

It also helps that I write both picture books and novels. Jumping between genres is a great way to disconnect from whatever I’m working on and gain a fresh perspective.
 
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 MG novel, LOTERIA (Knopf) comes out September 7, 2021. Set in Oaxaca, Mexico, this magical realist adventure follows a young girl who becomes an unwitting pawn in a high-stakes game of Lotería being played by Life and Death. If your readers are interested, the book is now available for pre-order on my site (and there’s a great interview by Mr. Schu!)

I also recently sold two new pictures books (which I first wrote in 2014). Moral of the story: keep writing, keep revising, stay in the game!  

Thank you, Karla -- it was a pleasure chatting with you and learning more about your amazing journey! Wishing you many more successes and all the best with your books!

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!
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Author Karla Arenas Valenti writes stories for and about kids, taking readers on journeys seeped in magical realism and philosophical questions. Her storytelling is heavily influenced by her Mexican heritage and layered with ideas and concepts she’s picked up in her many travels around the world. She currently resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband and three kids, two cats, and hundreds of books. Karla writes picture books (she is the creator of the “My Super Science Heroes” series) and middle grade novels.
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Connect with Karla Valenti
Website: karlavalenti.com
Twitter handle: @KV_Writes

Jackie, congratulations on your new editor position at Blue Whale Press! This is such happy news and the beginning of an exciting journey! I am thrilled for you, and honored to have the exclusive interview with you as an editor — thank you for being my guest!
 
Please tell us a bit about your background and how you stepped into the editor position. What led to this new role, how did you get the news, and what was your initial reaction?

JK: I served as the Regional Advisor for my chapter of SCBWI from 2016-2019. During this time I met incredible kitlit creatives including Blue Whale Press editor Alayne Kay Christian. We became fast friends and attended many SCBWI events together. I was nervous to submit my work to a friend as I didn't want our friendship to seem contingent on career advancement. I ultimately chose not to submit.

We were out to lunch one day when she asked, "why haven't you submitted to me?" I confessed my apprehension and she assured me she knew I was not angling for a contract. She also told me one would only be offered if my work was up to par and not because we are friends. I decided she was exactly the type of no-nonsense editor I wanted to work with, so I sent in a project I had been working on for a few years. After a couple of revise and resubmit rounds she offered a contract for my upcoming picture book Mixed-Up Menagerie.

When Alayne decided to retire from BWP she suggested me as her replacement to our parent publisher Clear Fork Publishing. I was honored, elated, speechless, and a million other adjectives! I had a Zoom interview with Callie Metler, whom I had also met during my time as SCBWI Regional Advisor, and now here I am being interviewed as an editor. Life is certainly unpredictable.

Life certainly is unpredictable! And I'm glad that you and I have been friends for many years and I can say I knew you back when... Okay, so what comes next? What are your duties at Blue Whale Press? What does your day-to-day look like?

JK: My responsibilities at BWP is to read and review picture book manuscripts before presenting potential acquisitions to the Clear Fork Publishing advisory board.  I am also a participating member of the advisor board which means I get to review manuscripts and proposals from other imprints. I love this part of my job! I get to read excellent works and discuss marketing strategies for upcoming releases.

Once a manuscript is acquired for BWP it is time to find an illustrator, create a story board, and ensure the final product is polished to perfection.

As far as my day-to-day, I like to read submissions in the morning over a cup of coffee. Once my editor duties are done then I can focus on my personal projects and fun stuff like a blog interview with my good friend Rosie.

Ah, glad to be contributing to the fun stuff of your day, my friend, as I wouldn't want to add more work or chores to it ;)!

On a broader scale, what is the Imprint's mission overall with the books they publish? Do you anticipate any changes now that you've taken over?

JK: My predecessor, Alayne Kay Christian, had a wonderful eye for quality writing and a passion for projects that were informative and timeless. I mirror her vision and will focus on fiction and nonfiction for mass market distribution.

It is my goal to see BWP  books in every library, store, and gift shop as well as featured on blogs, podcasts, and other social media outlets. I want to help jump start careers and smile with pride as our amazing authors and illustrators find success in the literary world.

Are you actively acquiring new books at this time and are you currently open to submissions? Who can submit -- authors, illustrator or both? Do you take agented, unsolicited, or both? Do you reply to all submissions or only if interested, and what is the timeframe for a reply?

I will be open to submission for the month of March (with a few exclusive opportunities...wink wink). I will then be closed for a few months as I ease into my new role, but plan to open again later this year. Follow me on Twitter @JackieKruzie and like Blue Whale Press on Facebook to stay informed.

Wink wink back -- I am honored, Jackie, and thank you for your generous offer to my readers! (See below for details.)

What kinds of books will Blue Whale be publishing? How many per year? What would be the focus of your titles? And more personally, what appeals to you? What types of stories are you looking for? Where can we find the complete submission guidelines?

JK: The BWP imprint acquires picture books with a STEM focus. A few of our current titles include Randall and Randall, Who Will? Will You?, The Weed that Woke Christmas, and An Old Man and His Penguin all which have STEM related storylines. I will continue to search for books that are entertaining and informative. Though picture books will be my focus I would love to see a short chapter book in inbox.

​I personally love books that are fun to read out loud. As a former librarian I understand which books make wonderful storytime reads and which do not. As an author I know that I want my books read to as many young readers as possible, so for me having a book featured in a library storytime is the ultimate compliment. I am looking for books that librarians and teachers will be excited to share with eager young minds. 

What should writers not submit to you?

JK: I am not the right fit for novelty/board books or graphic novels. I am also not looking for middle grade or young adult novels, however our parent publisher, Clear Fork Publishing, has other imprints that focus on these books. You can learn more about them on the Clear Fork website https://www.clearforkpublishing.com/copy-of-our-imprints

What projects are you working on right now for Blue Whale's list? I know that your own book , Mixed-Up Menagerie, was previously acquired by Blue Whale, could you give us an update on that? Where is the book in the process and could you share any behind-the-scene tidbits? What else are you excited about from the upcoming list and why? Any other Blue Whale titles in the pipeline you could share with us?

JK: My book Mixed-Up Menagerie is scheduled for release in Spring 2022. Nicole Allin is an amazing artist and is currently working on illustrations. I am so excited for this book and cannot wait to share it with the world.

As for other projects, Alayne will continue to work on the manuscripts that she has acquired seeing them through to completion. I will be observing every step of the way absorbing all I can from Alayne.
 
Any advice to authors/illustrators who plan to submit to you, beyond following the submission guidelines, of course, and targeting their submissions to your wish list?

JK: I love one sentence tag lines. I am always impressed with authors who can hook me with a few short words. Often the pitch you create will be used on the back cover of the finished book so it must be flawless.  My favorite one-line hooks are from Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levin and Princess in Training by Tammi Sauer.

Author Susanna Hill has a feature on her website called Would You Read it Wednesday where authors submit their pitches for review. This is a wonderful resource to learn the art of creating a seamless pitch.

Also, take advantage of your local library or bookstore and read the back covers of picture books to hone this invaluable skill.
 
Are there any events/workshops/conferences you'd be a part of?
​
JK: Not yet but hopefully soon! 

Thank you, Jackie, for spending time with me and my readers and for giving us the scoop! I wish you all the best on your journey, both as an author and an editor, and I can't wait to celebrate the many exciting milestones with you as we continue to nurture our wonderful friendship! We've been supporting each other over the years and we've grown together as writers, and I am very thankful to have you in my life!

Also, thank you kindly for the generous offers of a picture book critique that you're giving away to one lucky reader of KidLit Oasis, and an exclusive submission opportunity window for all of my readers!!! 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Special offers from Jackie Kruzie to KidLIt Oasis readers:

PB critique giveaway 
>Subscribe to KidLit Oasis (via the pop-up or the upper right corner form)
>Leave a comment for this post
>Share this post on Facebook or Twitter (don't forget to tag me @RosiePOV)

Exclusive Submission Opportunity Window for KidLit Oasis Readers 4/20 to 4/30
 >>>>>This Submission window is now closed<<<<<

Jackie Kruzie is the Acquisitions Editor at Blue Whale Press, an imprint of Clear Fork Publishing, and author of MIXED-UP MENAGERIE, a STEM picture book introducing fascinating animals and their unique traits. It is scheduled for release in Spring 2022.
 
Jackie has master’s degree in Library Science and is a contributing author to a sensitivity and inclusivity training textbook published through the American Library Association. Her contribution educates and informs librarians on how to better serve library users who use AAC devices to communicate. As a parent of an AAC device user this project is near and dear to her heart. 
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When not sharing stories or writing her own, Jackie enjoys farm life on a 60-acre farm with her husband where they raise a mess of kids, horses, cows, longhorns, sheep, goats, and a cacophony of chickens, roosters, ducks, and turkeys. 
 
Find Jackie’s Storytime Picks and Book Talk videos on her website at jackiekruzie.com and follow her on Twitter @JackieKruzie
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