Chitchat with Author Heather Macht

Hello, dear readers!

Yay, you're back at the Oasis ― it's great to have you here! 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 lovely chitchat because today we have another fabulous creative on the KidLit Oasis series... Children's author Heather Macht is here to share some wisdom, insight, and inspiration with us! Plus, there's a double giveaway, too! 

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

A: Thanks so much for having me, Rosie! Wow, I’ve been interested in publication ever since I was a young girl. But my interest really peaked when I was 18 and graduating high school. I told my teachers and classmates that I was going to be a children’s picture book author. I knew there was nothing else I wanted to do. I spent years in libraries looking through the bookshelves, writing, querying, and yes, even receiving boatloads of rejections (and I mean BIG boatloads). However, after years of perseverance, I finally received my first YES. That was almost 13 years later after my journey started! My first book, You May Just Be a Dinosaur, was published in 2015. It was worth the wait. 😉
 
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: You know, I was under the impression once I had my first, second, or even third book published that things would get easier. Yeah, I was wrong. It’s equally as difficult to get a book published the fourth or fifth time around. And it makes sense, too. The writing community is so talented! Publishers are constantly getting swamped with incredible manuscripts. You must keep studying and working on your craft. And, you must keep up to date on what’s getting published. This helps you make sure you have a fresh take and put a fresh spin on what you’re writing, so you can offer publishers something new (not something they’ve seen over and over).

What’s most rewarding and what helps me stay motivated actually share the same answer: I love reading to kids. My favorite type of events are school visits where I get to read and inspire students, and hopefully make them laugh (which I thankfully usually do). This is always a reminder of why I keep trying and trudging through rejections. It’s worth seeing their faces light up and making a connection with them! Added bonus: I have at least a handful of students tell me they want to be a writer, too, after my presentation. That makes my heart melt every time.
 
Q: Could you share any craft tools or techniques that you find most helpful to you when working on a project?
​
A: Yes, I have three techniques I swear by. Hopefully some of these will help other writers, too.

1. Are you stuck on a part of your manuscript? Do you have writer’s block? Take a break and read! Reading something else seems to help me relax, get inspired, and pick right back up with a new perspective.
2. Does something just not feel right with your manuscript? Open a new word document and retype/restart your story (without looking at your first version). It’s almost like a factory reset! Sometimes we become so stuck on our project we feel hesitant to make any changes. This gives you a fresh start and can unlock new wording and new inspiration!
3. Do you think your manuscript is ready to be sent off? Don’t hit send just yet. Before you query a publisher or agent, or before you send your manuscript to your critique partners, print it out! Read through a hard copy. Just seeing it in a different format can help you pick out any typos or errors. 

 
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 next book, Rex the…We-Don’t-Know, is coming out April 6th! It was the most difficult book I’ve written, probably because it means so much to me. Since Rex is a blend of all the animals I had growing up, I knew I had a special duty (to them) to make it extra heartfelt. 😉 Needless to say, I’m SO excited to have this book released into the world! I’m currently planning blog tours, book readings, school visits, and more so stay tuned for updates!

Thank you, Heather! It's always a pleasure chatting with you. All the best with Rex the…We-Don’t-Know and your future projects! 

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

I hope you enjoyed this post and will be back for our next chitchat. Shares this post with writer friends, teachers, librarians and parents. Thank you!

Comment on this post for a chance to win a copy of 
Rex the…We-Don’t-Know AND a picture book critique! 
(One winner for both; US only; prize will be mailed after quarantine)

Connect with Heather:
Website: www.heathermacht.com
Twitter: @AuthorHMacht 

Heather Macht, author of REX THE...WE-DON'T-KNOW (Pelican, 2020), THE ANT FARM ESCAPE! (Pelican, 2019), and YOU MAY JUST BE A DINOSAUR (Pelican, 2015), is an active children's author who has been creating stories since the third grade! She earned her degree in fine arts from Florida State College at Jacksonville and holds a career as an I.T. professional and a full-time mom. Macht’s an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, is a volunteer judge for Rate Your Story, and lives with her family in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. In her spare time, she dwells in poetry and picture books and enjoys painting. For more, visit www.heathermacht.com

Sunday Rain
(by Rosie J. Pova, illustrated by Amariah Rauscher) 
is now available for pre-order!
Also, please add it to your Goodreads 'Want to Read' list. Thank you!

And the giveaway winner is . . .

Pippa-Chorley!!! Congratulations!