© Cynthia Cliff, cynthiacliff.com

Cynthia, welcome! I am super excited about having a share in launching your beautiful new picture book THE WILD GARDEN that came out today! As you know, I've been a fan of your work ever since I discovered it on the Mid-Atlantic SCBWI's Illustrator Gallery. And I must tell you that when I read THE WILD GARDEN, I fell in love not only with your illustrations, but also with the sweet ode your words sing in honor of all that is beautiful and bountiful growing and living in wild, open spaces. Thanks so much for stopping by!

​No, thank you, Dionna! I'm delighted to be here! 
 
The honor is all mine! So, why did you decide to create a story that celebrates that which grows and lives in wild open spaces?

I think that I actually “wrote” this story when I was a child. I loved the wild places that surrounded my rural childhood home. I spent hours and hours outside exploring those places—the woodlands, meadows, and waterways. It was a magical place and time that made a big impression on me. The elders in my family would take us out to forage for edible plants and fruits like sassafras for tea. There were wild asparagus in the early spring, all kinds of wild berries for pies in the summer, and nuts in the fall that my mother would bake into a cake for Christmas. Being out in nature was always like a treasure hunt for the delightful, the delicious, and the curious. So, when tasked by Prestel to develop a garden themed story, The Wild Garden narrative developed organically as I mined my childhood memories.

Did you name the village of your story Mirren after the Village of Mürren in Switzerland?
 
Is there a Mürren in Switzerland? I had no idea. My Mirren is a totally made-up place. The name just popped into my head. I liked the sound of it. It is a lyrical word. I liked that it almost sounded like mirror. I thought that was useful in the story as the two settings in the book—the wild place and the community garden—share many similarities. In the book I bounce between the two places and compare them to each other. I tried out other names for the village but kept coming back to Mirren.

​Your color palette in THE WILD GARDEN reminds me of redbuds dressed up for Spring! Why did you choose it for this story?
 
I first started by developing a color palette for my main characters to make sure they would stand out against all the greenery in the story. I do have a palette that I tend to use, which felt right—colors that are bright but a bit earthly as well, so I leaned into those inclinations. Nature is colorful and I wanted the book to be colorful too.

Do you, like your main character Jilly, have your own wild place to explore? If so, what do you love about it and how does it inspire or inform your kidlit work?  

These days I do have a favorite local place to hike and go there as often as I can. It is a very large public space that has both grand vistas and small, intimate woody spaces. I enjoy that mix. In my life I’ve been lucky enough to spend time in many amazing wild places, but my very favorite place to hike is in northern Maine along the coast. In that place, the earthy, mossy, and dreamy woodlands run alongside a granite strewn shoreline, which makes these trails full of magic and wonder--a perfect mix of restfulness and energy. When you look closely, you can find tiny flowers, lichens, and all kinds of little creatures every step of the way. This is the kind of place where I like to recharge, explore, and draw. It’s a place that feeds the soul and inspires, which is important for everyone, and especially for creative people.

As you worked with your Prestel Junior editor Doris Kutschbach going from original submitted manuscript to the finished proof, what about the process surprised you, and/or did you enjoy the most?

I guess what surprised me the most was how incredibly hard it is to write a picture book story for children! The general public has no idea. It’s like catching lightening in a bottle, at least that's how it was for me. There were many, many drafts. Doris was so helpful, she offered encouragement and wise advice. For me the most enjoyable part of the process was making the artwork, of course. 
 
Why do you hope kids will enjoy reading your book? Is there a theme or lesson you'd like for them to carry away?

I think the main lesson is about understanding why the wild landscape is important. Those wildflowers, nuts, berries, and mushrooms are food for wild creatures. It is their garden, in a sense. And those little saplings, rocky hillsides, and mossy ponds are their homes. Often, when children are outside, they might not take the time to look around and think about that connection. On another level, a second lesson might be about speaking up to protect what you value and to not be afraid to do so. But it's my hope that the biggest lesson learned will come through kids enjoying and discovering wild places just like Jilly, my main character, does. I hope my book will encourage children everywhere to experience the richness and excitement found in nature, if they take the time to look. 

Wonderful lessons, indeed! Well, thanks so much, Cynthia, for allowing me to shine a spotlight on THE WILD GARDEN and on you today--your Book Launch Day! (WOOT!) Can't wait to read about Jilly's next adventure.

Thanks for having me!

©Cynthia Cliff, cynthiacliff.com

Thanks so much for stopping by, Doris! All the way from Munich, Germany! Hope your trip went well. HAHA!

The smoothest trip ever! I'm delighted, of course, to talk about The Wild Garden, Cynthia's latest picture book with Prestel Junior. 

The delight is all mine! So, when you received Cynthia's submission for THE WILD GARDEN , why did you want to acquire it?
 
I had worked with Cynthia on her first book Pie for Breakfast, which has been published by Prestel Junior in both English and German. For me, it was such a pleasure to work with Cynthia, and I really loved the result of our collaboration, so I knew that I wanted to work with her again. I guess that the idea to make a book about gardening and nature came from me! I believe that a mindful, respectful handling of nature is extremely important for the future of our planet and our children. Saving our planet is such a strong message of our time. Cynthia was excited about the idea. She came up with a range of proposals based around that topic and we developed the book from there.

 What do you love about Cynthia's illustrations found in THE WILD GARDEN?
 
Above everything else I love her fine sense of color and color combinations. How she uses tones, shades, accents and contrasts. Her images are not just colorful. There is a beautiful underlying harmony that ties the illustrations throughout the book together. I also love the attention to detail in her pictures. Each detail tells a little story and children can discover so much. Cynthia seems to understand really well how children view the world.

I adore Cynthia's color palette too! ​What do you love about the story's characters--Jilly, Bleu and Grandpa--and their love for wild, open spaces?
 
Jilly and her grandfather know their beloved wilderness very well. The story really shows the joy they feel when they're there. It's very nice that they find a clever way to share this joy and love of nature with the other townspeople and bring about a positive change in the way other people think. Their protest is peaceful, friendly and full of empathy--important things in our aggressive times!

So true! Do you have your own wild open space you enjoy? If so, describe what you love about it and what kinds of things you like to 'gather' there.
 
I am fortunate enough to have my own garden! It has old fruit trees and it is a bit overgrown, which means many animals feel comfortable there: insects, hedgehogs, squirrels, toads, newts and birds. My family and I enjoy the garden very much and look forward to fresh organic apples, plums, pears, berries, tomatoes and vegetables. The garden was a great gift, especially during the lockdown. Nature can really ground us and give us a sense of calm in stressful times.

I agree! Why do you hope children everywhere will read this book?
 
I hope that the book will encourage children all over the world to have fun discovering nature, learn mindfulness and understand the importance of protecting our planet. Every child, no matter how small, can make a difference. The book can also help children learn about peaceful communication--which can be applied in so many aspects of life!

I couldn't agree more, Doris. WOW! I have really enjoyed your visit. Thanks so much for allowing me to share in launching THE WILD GARDEN. Or should I say Danke! May it have many more printings!

​Doris Kutschbach wears many kidlit hats. Besides being a program manager and editorial director at Prestel Junior, she's an art historian who has written several children's books about art, including Art Detective: Spot the Difference. Doris is a passionate amateur gardener who lives with her family in Munich, Germany. You can find Doris's books HERE.

​​Filled with charmingly rustic illustrations of people, plants and animals, THE WILD GARDEN, written and illustrated by Cynthia Cliff and published on May 3, 2022, by Prestel Junior, is about community and biodiversity introduces children to the variety of ways things can grow and flourish in nature. Purchase your copy today, HERE!

Salutations, Wendy & Madelyn! So excited to have you stop by!

We're happy to be here!

I've always wanted to know more about coauthoring books, so thank you for sharing with me how you worked together to write THIS IS JUST A TEST and NOT YOUR ALL-AMERICAN GIRL.

Delighted!

Wendy, I'd like to pick your brain first. 

Shoot!

How did you and Madelyn meet and who came up with the idea that you'd be able to write a book together?

I met Madelyn at the Mid-Atlantic SCBWI conference, back when it was at a church in Arlington and you had to help put away chairs at the end! My first image of Madelyn was her holding an enormous bag of recycling to take home, which, if you know Madelyn, is perfectly fitting. Her books, like TAKE CARE and ONE SMALL HOP, have really strong environmental themes.

As it turned out, I ended up joining a writing group that Madelyn belonged to, and then, as another coincidence, Madelyn and I ended up with the same agent. It seemed like we were destined to be friends. We were starting our writing journeys at the same time, our kids were around the same age, and we both were terrible at playing tennis, so we could play together without anyone feeling bad. 

I started campaigning to write together after I found out that Madelyn had written a book with another friend. I remember thinking, “Huh, you can do that? You can get paid to hang out and write? How do we get in on that?!” 

Very interesting! After coauthoring THIS IS JUST A TEST with Madelyn, why were you excited about working together on your second book, NOT YOUR ALL-AMERICAN GIRL?

When you’re starting a story, you have to make so many decisions, it’s kind of exhausting, right? You have to figure out your character, where they live, what’s going to happen, who their family is, etc. One of the nice things about going back to the same world is that you’ve already gotten a lot of that figured out, so you can focus more on what’s going to happen next. I loved THIS IS JUST A TEST, the way it came together and the way the prose just bounced, so I was excited to return to that world of defined characters (and it’s in the ’80s, so there’s an unmistakable vibe).

I’ll also tell you that when we write together, my goal is to make Madelyn laugh. Not that she’s a hard sell, but Madelyn has really good taste, so if she laughs out loud, I know it’s a keeper. 

Making a friend laugh is a cool thing! What did you enjoy about doing events together, both in-person and virtual ones? 

After working together for so many years, we’ve really developed a comfortable patter together where we can kind of sense when to jump in or throttle back. We didn’t have a joint book come out this year, but we each had a book come out on the same day (again! coincidence!) so we had an online event with One More Page Books. This was one of my favorite events to date because we talked about each other’s books (a distinct improvement over talking about your own book), and then Madelyn had this brilliant idea that we should prepare trivia questions based on the topics in each other’s books, sort of like Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me. The audience really loved it. It was kind of a quirky detour from the usual book event, and more than that, you could see we were cracking each other up with these oddball questions. 

It’s not important who got more questions correct. The point is everyone had fun. Okay, fine, it was Madelyn. There will be a rematch. 

Haha! I'm sorry I missed that.

Time to pick your brain, Madelyn!

Pick away!

Two authors writing a story with one voice and from one character’s POV sounds hard! Did you and Wendy have to spend loads of time outlining each stage of the plot?

You know that age-old question: Are you a plotter or a pantser? For this one, Wendy and I were both “pantsers” so there wasn’t so much outlining. Or, you know, any. We did do some brainstorming. Lots and lots of brainstorming. We took turns writing chapters, but as we wrote, the other person would edit the previous chapter and then move the story forward. Then the next person would come in and edit the edits. Honestly, by the time the book was finished, I feel like we both touched every sentence. Each of us added layers. With each edit, we went deeper into our character and the story. It worked that way with humor, too. With each edit, the other person made it funnier. It was story building in the truest sense.

Whoa! That required a lot of mental muscle and discipline! I reckon, like with exercising, having someone by your side to sweat it out with helps with motivation and staying the course.

For sure!

After coauthoring THIS IS JUST A TEST with Wendy, why were you excited about working together on your second book, NOT YOUR ALL-AMERICAN GIRL?
 
I was excited to get back into that world, of course, and I was also excited to get more time hanging out with Wendy. When we wrote together, we worked on a lot more than just our writing; we worked on our lives. We figured out what to eat for dinner (chicken and dumplings, carnitas), how best to help our kids, how to deal with certain situations without losing it. We need to work on something else because I miss having her voice in my ear every day.

That's so sweet! (I LOVE chicken and dumplings, BTW!) How would you compare the coauthoring experience to writing solo? What part of it do you like better? 

They say you should write books only you can write; as coauthors, we wrote books we could only write together. As a solo writer, it can be a pretty lonely experience, so it was lovely to be able to share my brain. Writing with a partner, it was easier to break through writer’s block because there was someone who had ideas when I was out. We could also talk through things to move our character ahead. There was just less being stuck. And of course, the copy was cleaner because we had both been over it so many times. Also, it’s much easier to promote a book if you’re promoting the work of a friend. I was less self-conscious about saying, “Please read this!” And I’m also so chicken when it comes to reviews. I made Wendy read them first.

So what's NOT YOUR ALL-AMERICAN GIRL about?

It's about Lauren, who is Jewish and Chinese, and used to being the side dish alongside Tara, her best friend. But after Lauren’s audition for her school’s “All-American” musical goes extraordinarily well, Lauren wonders if it’s her turn to be the star. Lauren’s hopes are dashed when the director tells her she doesn’t look the part to play the lead. And who is cast instead? It’s blonde-haired, blue-eyed Tara! Lauren can't bring herself to sing anymore, jeopardizing her role in the ensemble and her friendship with Tara. But with the help of a button-making business, the music of Patsy Cline, and her two bickering grandmothers, Lauren just might find her voice again. 

Considering your backgrounds, I can see why you and Wendy were the perfect coauthors to tell Lauren's story! Well, as fun as it's been, I reckon it's time to go. Thank you both for being here. It was great fun learning about your process. And do let us know when Book 3 comes out!

Our pleasure, and will do!

​To learn more about NOT YOUR ALL-AMERICAN GIRL, a middle-grade full of heart and hilarity that explores what it truly means to be all-American, check out these reviews: HERE, HERE and HERE.

​Wendy Shang is the author of several books for children, including The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, which won the Asian Pacific American Librarian Association Award for Children’s Literature. Wendy's latest picture book illustrated by Lorian Tu is entitled  The Rice in the Pot Goes Round and Round, released this past fall by Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Learn more about Wendy at wendyshang.com.

Madelyn Rosenberg is the author of a dozen books for children, including One Small Hop, a Junior Library Guild selection, and Cyclops of Central Park, a picture book about seeing the world that came out just when the pandemic began and we couldn’t. You can find Madelyn online at squealermusic.com.

Hi, Tom! I am superdy-dooperdy delighted to have you here on my blog! Thanks oodles for stopping by!

You're welcome, Dionna. Happy to be here!

I must confess, while being present during one of your author visits, I was absolutely amazed at your ability to fill the room with electric-fun! The kids were soooo excited to engage with you (and your character drawings). It was obvious to me that you love doing school visits!

You're right. I absolutely love doing school visits! 

Any advice for us kidlit creators who might be hesitant about doing school visits, or who are afraid of boring the kids to tears?

First, I'd say, don't view doing school visits as an obligation. View them as an unmatched opportunity of getting energized by kids! I recommend doing them even for authors who are just getting started. View your visit as a chance to just talk to kids about books, writer's block, or whatever else the kids want to talk about. If you're not ready for a whole gym-full, try talking to a single class or even a small book club. 

​What message do you try to get across to the kids while doing a visit?

I don't think educating is my purpose at all. My job is to energize everybody—to read, to write, to draw. The kids don't need to remember anything I said as long as they remember that I have a great time making stories and they can, too.

Since the Pandemic, have you missed doing in-person school visits? How have virtual visits worked out for you?
​
I do miss the in-school visits, but I don't miss the travel and hassles that can go with it. It can be absolutely exhausting, especially at schools with bad microphones. I do not miss the bad microphones! But I totally miss the direct connection with the kids.

Virtual visits have their technology problems, too. But now that EVERYBODY knows how to use Zoom, it's a lot different than the days when I might be the first Skype visit a school had ever had. Also, I can do so many more visits in one day! I think my record is twelve in one day! But six is a much better number. Meanwhile, four in-person visits in one day are too many.

Twelve Zoom visits in a single day? That’s incredible! What works for you when doing an in-school visit? What doesn't?

I don't think the hard sell works. Don't try to be a commercial for your book. Instead, be a champion of reading in general!

Something that works great is this: “I love to write books, but I also love to READ books. I'm looking for a new one to read, can anybody tell me about their favorite book?”
 
Using a white board, you can either make a list or make a mash-up drawing with characters from each book. I tell kids I'm going to take the list to the library so I know what to check out. They are SO excited to tell me what to read next. (And, of course, it's a lot of fun to pretend I've never heard of the books or that I've misunderstood the title.)

Tom, it’s been so fun having you here! Thank you so much for sharing some school-visit tips, and please, do tell your talented wife CeCe Bell I said “Hi!” and congrats on El Deafo becoming a cartoon series! 

It’s been my pleasure! And will do.

Tom Angleberger is an author-illustrator with more than thirty books to his name. His Origami Yoda series is so deliciously packed full of fun that kids have gobbled them up by the millions. (Thankfully, the books don’t reciprocate.) His pen of choice is the Pilot G2 gel roller, 1.0 for everyday doodling, and the .7 for illustrating Origami Yoda. Tom gets inspiration from Star Wars, Fumiaki Kawahata, Daniel Pinkwater, and his own social disasters. Tom’s superpowers include Asperger’s and making a room full of preteens roar with laughter during school visits. His latest books include titles in his Geronimo Stilton and DJ Funkyfoot graphic novel series and in his Didi Dodo, Future Spy chapter book series set in the Flytrap Files universe. HIs graphic novel Two-Headed Chicken will be released this year by Walker Books US. His latest kidlit news (and how to fold an origami Yoda) can be found at origamiyoda.com.

Welcome, Collen, to my blog! I'm so excited to introduce everyone to you, Kelly Dyksterhouse's newest Kidlit Raven!

Thanks, Dionna, for having me here. Being part of Raven Quill Literary is a dream come true!

It's a great welcoming place, for sure. So tell me, how did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author-illustrator?

I've always been an artist. I tried everything to share my art with the world, from making bags and purses, home décor, murals, etc. One day my husband was watching the news and they had a segment on Jan Brett. He said, "Hey, you should do that." Until that moment I didn't even think of a children's book illustrator as a job. About a month later, I received a mailing for classes at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where I would occasionally take classes. They were offering a Children's Book Illustration class and I thought it was so serendipitous. From the first class I was hooked. I have never tried to do anything with my art other than children's books since that moment in 2006/2007.

Serendipitous, indeed! What happened next?

As for the writing part, it naturally evolved after learning to tell a story visually. I started taking classes at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. They offer lots of classes about writing for children and now (silver lining to COVID) you can take them online! I joined a critique group online and then a local group formed from one of the Loft classes. We still meet once a week and Lindsey McDivitt and Cynthia Surissi are both members. Our critique group is amazing and so helpful, keeping me motivated to generate new material. 

Learning from and being supported by others is truly a part of the kidlit journey! 

Yes it is!

​(c) Colleen Muske, colleenmuske.com

​What do you love about producing work with children in mind?

I will try and not sound like a sap when I say this, but it is truly the best thing! Children are so imaginative and observant. They love to learn new things, as do I. It's such a challenge to write for children, you can't be lazy, they notice everything. I really love the thought of one of my books connecting with a child and making them feel something. I love trying to tell a story in 500 words (or less). It's so hard. Also, I've learned my stories have to have heart and a sense of hope, even for a tough subject, or they just won't work for young readers. 

How is being an illustrator of children's stories especially fun for you?
 
Whether I am illustrating my story or someone else's, adding a visual backstory for kids is a lot of fun. I have to push beyond where I am comfortable to keep up with their imaginations. I love finding details in a book where every time you read it you discover new things in the illustration, and I think kids love that too. 

I agree! So how did you and Kelly find each other, and why are you glad?

I've been working on Kelly for a while! Cynthia first suggested I submit to Kelly after I parted ways with my first agent. I was getting really nice rejections, but could never get over the getting-acquired road bump. I really needed an agent to find the right home for my stories. When Kelly mentioned she was looking for an author/illustrator, Cynthia reminded her I was both (Isn't Cynthia the best!!!). I feel so lucky to have a friend who is such a great cheerleader for my work. This time I sent Kelly a couple of dummy books and it worked! YAY!!! 

Congrats! Kelly is great!

To be honest, I'd been watching Kelly do her thing as an agent for years. Since she represents two people in my critique group, I saw her feedback and suggestions frequently. She always has such insightful, helpful things to say about a manuscript. I've been impressed with her for a long time! I knew I needed someone editorial, organized, and someone who could make a plan for my career. Kelly is all of those things and more. And she is sooooooo nice!

You're right about that! Well, thanks for stopping by. And do let us know when your work is finally acquired!

Will do, and thanks for having me!!

Welcome, Lindsey, to the final day of my blog party, celebrating Raven Quill's mini-flock that belongs to the amazing Kelly Dyksterhouse!

Huge thanks Dionna! Glad to be here. It's been wonderful learning more about the other members of Kelly's Crew!

I've enjoyed it, too! Now, your turn. How'd you get interested in writing for kids?

An especially challenging year in my life that got me writing--the abrupt loss of my healthcare job and coping with my mom's terminal illness in the middle of Minnesota's winter. I'd long wanted to write, but mainly procrastinated by reading books on the craft. But the burning need to escape the house led to hours in busy, cozy coffee shops and actual attempts at writing. It was stumbling onto picture books filled with stereotypes of older people that prompted me to try writing picture books with a more accurate, upbeat account of the aging process. 

Upbeat While Aging--that's my metaphorical work-in-progress! Are there any other topics that excite you, the author?

I've known so many fantastic, older role models and I'm totally drawn to reading and writing about people that have enjoyed the different stages of their lives. It's very inspiring to realize a person accomplished something in later life that absolutely required the life experience they'd acquired. I'm also drawn to topics related to nature, to our environment and our changing world.

Seeing Nana compete in the Senior Olympics would inspire a kid, to be sure! So what do you love about working with Kelly?

I feel incredibly fortunate to be represented by Kelly. Cynthia Surrisi, another client of Kelly's, introduced us. Lucky me! One thing I love about Kelly is how talented she is at helping me fine tune my picture book manuscripts. She unerringly puts her finger on things that bothered me about the manuscript, albeit subconsciously! Each manuscript has been so improved by Kelly's knowledge of writing and the current market.

I agree. Kelly knows her stuff! Well, thank so much for closing out our blog party. It's been super fun "meeting" everyone. Don't make yourself a stranger. 

I won't! Thanks again for hosting the party.

Greetings, C.M.! Big WOOT! for stopping by, despite your crazy editing schedule right now.

No problem. No raven left behind, right?

Exactly! So, how'd you get interested in writing for kids?

I was a born mimic. From the first time a picture book was put in my hands I wanted to copy the drawings. As soon as I learned to read, I wanted to write my own stories. In third grade, I filled spiral notebooks with stories of two sisters who solved mysteries of missing crayons and cookies. I see, I read, and I want to make. I particularly dug in to middle grade and identified with the outsider-girls. I do not connect with the term "popular." So, making stories for the rest of us has been my joy. And I love a good pager turner, so mystery is a fun challenge. I love introducing kids to a genre that they can continue to enjoy as an adult.

A well-spun mystery makes for a great read. What subject excites the author in you?

I am one of those people who'd test smack dab in the middle of the left-brain/right-brain function scale. That probably explains why, when I practiced law, I wanted to sing and dance my opening statements in trials. That also translates into wildly diverse interests as a writer. At the moment I am working on two books that will be published in ’22 and ’23. One is a YA non-fiction on a female Viking warrior, and the other is MG fiction on fangirls and influencers. I have written picture books, a MG mystery series, YA non-fiction, and an adult mystery! If there is a rule about having a groove, it's not for me. 

I think more trial lawyers should dance and sing! Sounds like the workings of a whole-brain kind of gal!  Do tell, how did you find Kelly Dyksterhouse as an agent, and what do you love about working with her?

Kelly and I were in the same MFA class at Vermont College of Fine Arts. We ate too many carbs together at Dewey Hall, laughed in the wine pit, cried on laundry day, and experienced all the joy that is that program. We became great friends and I met her family and watched her children grow up. I know her to be a lovely, principled person, a great mom, and community member. She’s a superb writer and fabulous editor. When she told me she was considering becoming an agent, I immediately knew my work was a good fit for her, and she would be a great addition to the agenting side of the kidlit community. I love that she is committed to transparency, nurturing, and finding great matches.  We make a great team!

You've got the inside scoop on all things Kelly, sounds like. Well, thanks again for hopping on over during my blog party. So glad you made it!

Glad to be here.

C. M. Surrisi is the author of THE BEST MOTHER, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard picture book selection, and of The Quinnie Boyd Mysteries, an Agatha-nominated series for middle grade readers. C. M. practiced law for many years before pursing an MFA at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Since her graduation, she has taught writing in UNC’s Great Smokies Writing Program, as well as many SCBWI and librarian conferences. She is a member of the Author’s Guild, Mystery Writers of America, and The National League of American Pen Women, and is the current president of the Minnesota chapter of Sisters in Crime. She lives on five acres in Minnesota with her husband, loveable Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Sunny, and two incorrigible cats, Cosmo and Casper. C. M. is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse. 
Watch for her two new books, BONE QUAKE: AWAKENING A FEMALE VIKING WARRIOR from Chicago Review Press in 2022, and  THE UNOFFICIAL LOLA BAY FAN CLUB from Putnam in 2023. C. M. is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary.

Hi, Tom! Delighted you could make it to Day Ten of our Blog Party!

Glad to have made it!

So how did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

Unlike many writers who were born with a book in their hands and always love to read, I had trouble learning to decode text on a page, and was not drawn to books as a kid. Reading was hard enough, but writing? It was my least favorite subject—all of that spelling and grammar and punctuation stuff. The best way to spend time at school, as far as I was concerned, was on the playground at recess. It wasn't until I was in my early 20's that I got bitten by the reading bug, and early 30's when the writing bug struck. I've been scratching those itches ever since.
 
It's a scratch that must be itched (or is it the other way around?) Do share! What project of the heart have you been scratching out recently?

I've just started a new YA, tentatively titled Blowup. It's about 17-year-old Riley Lowe, a sensitive, good-hearted kid who, in a moment of teen brainlessness, throws an M-80 off the bridge into Salvation Creek Canyon, and starts a wildfire that blows up and threatens everything he loves. As you can see, it's a comedy . . . 

Kidding. Although not completely. I find that life, even when it's hard and is pushing us to the point of breaking, inevitably has funny moments in it. To leave those out of a story would paint only a partial picture of the human struggle to overcome adversity. It's not just about me, the author, providing a bit of comic relief, giving the reader a break from the intensity of conflict; it's about depicting characters living life fully, in all of its nuances, including humor. 

A tragicomedy for teens? Sounds like something teens will really enjoy reading. What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

After 30+ years with another agency, the culture there shifted and I realized it was time to go. I wanted a smaller, more intimate, hands-on agency, and an agent that was aligned with my sense of literary aesthetics. Kelly fit the bill perfectly. She has fantastic editorial chops, and is diplomatically relentless in her expectations, guiding every step of the way. She brings out the best in me. Working with her has been everything I hoped for. I could not be more happy with the change. 

Change can often be good for the soul! Well, thanks again for hopping on over! I've enjoyed having you!

Happy to acquiesce! 

​Tom Birdseye was decidedly uninterested in writing as a kid – or any academic aspect of school, for that matter – never imagining that he would eventually become a published author.  And yet nineteen titles later – novels, picture books, and nonfiction – that is exactly what has happened. His work has been recognized for its excellence by the International Reading Association, Children’s Book Council, National Council of Social Studies, Society of School Librarians International, Oregon Library Association, and Oregon Reading Association, among others. Combined, his books have either won or been a finalist for state children’s choice awards 43 times. Life, it seems, is full of who’d-a-thought-its. He lives and writes in Corvallis, Oregon, but launches mountaineering expeditions to his beloved Cascades on a regular basis. Visit his website at tombirdseye.com.

​Welcome, Nedda, to Day Nine of my Blog Party! I'm super honored to have you here!

Thank you for asking me to participate!

How did you find your way to becoming a kidlit author and what do you love about it?

My path to writing kidlit began during a time of extreme change in my life. I had just moved across the country to California with my husband and children. After many joyous years of teaching early childhood, I decided to take a step back from the classroom to help my daughters acclimate to their new home. But while they were at school, I was left wondering, “What about me? What do I do now?” That’s when I decided to fulfill a goal that had always been on my bucket list—writing a novel.

Since I was young, writing has always been a powerful creative outlet and means for processing the highs and lows of life. So it wasn’t a surprise that I was turning to it again when I was feeling lost. I knew right away that whatever I ended up writing would be for kids. Both as a teacher and a mother, I have learned way more from children than I’ve taught. Their journeys, coupled with my own childhood experiences, were begging to make their way onto the page.  

Nicely put! Do tell about the project of the heart that you queried to agents, the one that snagged Kelly Dyksterhouse's heart? 

Happy to share! It's a middle-grade fantasy inspired by my experience growing up as a second-generation Egyptian-American and by the Arabic folktales I heard as a child. Fantasy and adventure stories have always been my favorites as a reader. Bring on all the important themes, but entertain me first. While my novel explores issues, i.e., identity, family, and home, my main focus has always been to write a fun story filled with twists and turns. 

I can't wait to read it! What made you decide to sign with Kelly?

I recently signed with Kelly, so the reasons I chose her are fresh in my mind. First and foremost, I was blown away by Kelly’s understanding of what I set out to do with my novel. It’s like she was in my head. Her attention to detail also impressed me. There were elements in the story I labored over to get just right that she astutely picked up on. She also cares greatly about getting meaningful books in the hands of children. As a teacher and parent, this was very important to me. 

Thanks for sharing! Do let us know when your book is acquired!

Will do, and thanks again for interviewing me on your blog.

Hi, Deborah! Thanks for coming!

Hi, Dionna! Thanks for throwing this party for us! 

Do tell, please, how did you find your way to becoming a kidlit author? 

To be honest, I'm not completely sure what drove me to become a writer. It has always felt so natural to me, I've never seriously questioned why I'm willing to wake up early every morning to scratch out stories before work! But, I know exactly why I have chosen to write for children. They are the dream audience--open-minded, enthusiastic, curious, and brutally honest. As a teacher, my favorite part of the day is when I read out loud to my students and see the pure delight of their reactions to a well-crafted story. My dream is to one day write the book that makes students ask, "Is it read-aloud time, yet?"

Do you have a project of the heart you're working on?

The manuscript I have currently on submission was definitely a work of the heart--a middle grade fantasy story based on Jewish mythology and folklore. When I was a kid, Jewish characters in children's literature were confined almost entirely to historical fiction, in stories of pogroms, immigration, and the Holocaust. While those stories are incredibly important, I was aching for Jewish characters in the fantasy and science fiction books I loved best. Today there's a growing movement of Jewish fantasy, and diverse Jewish characters across all genres, that I would be so honored to be part of.

Sounds exciting! So, what do you love about being represented by Kelly Dyksterhouse?

What don't I love about working with Kelly? From the beginning, she has been so supportive of me and my strange little manuscript. She's given me the feedback I needed to elevate my book to the next level, but she's never made me feel like I have to change in order to be successful. Because this is my debut manuscript, I'm still learning the ropes of the publishing process, and she has been so patient in answering my questions and making sure I feel comfortable about the decisions we're making. I really couldn't imagine a better experience!

Thanks for stopping by, and do let us know when your manuscript is being released!

Will do, and thanks for having me! 

Salutations! Leslie, and welcome!

Happy to stop by!

How did you find your way to becoming a kidlit author, and what do you love about it?

I started out as an illustrator, something I'd wanted to do since I was very young, but along the way I became interested in writing, too. Illustration is very time consuming and I've always had a day job. The work was every evening and weekend until the job was finished. What I love about writing is it's a creative endeavor that I can pursue anytime, anywhere.

I've always wished I could illustrate! So what project of the heart are you working on?

I started working on a historical novel about 8 years ago. It's centering around the experiences of Choctaw people during the time of removal and resettlement in the 1830's

I was just researching a little about that time period. History is fraught with injustice, isn't it.

Yes, it is. 

What do you love about working with Kelly?

I can tell that Kelly loves what she does, and that she believes in me. I can't imagine having anyone else as my agent!

Thanks, Leslie, for participating in my blog party!

No problem, Dionna. Glad to do it! 

Salutations, Ashley! So happy to feature you here during Day Six of my Blog Party!

Excited to he here!

Please, tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

I'm a kidlit author with a confession: I didn't read much as a child. Instead, I climbed trees and tracked butterflies and dreamed about flying to the moon. By age five, I'd set my sights on becoming an astronaut, and I pursued that goal all the way through college. But as I squinted up at my engineering degree, I saw that I'd become too near-sighted to pilot a ship to far-off places. So, I flew (coach) to grad school and started work in robotics, determined to launch something, if not myself. Oddly enough, that's where my interest in writing began.

Interesting! Tell more!

Science requires a lot of reading and reporting, and I was slow at those tasks due to what I later learned was dyslexia, but I eventually found my way into the world of academic literature. Eventually, paper writing became a source of joy and pride. Though I never built a robot to visit mysterious other worlds, I used machines to model mysteries of this terrestrial one, including honeybee navigation, bat sonar, and whale songs. My interest in these topics didn't stop when I left academia to nurse a sick kid back to health. That's when I started thinking about exploring science and technology in kidlit.

Fast forward many years (and manuscript drafts), and I'm a Raven Quill Literary Agency author! What I love about writing for young people is that I can approach topics in many different ways—inside a novel with a beating heart, as creative nonfiction, across picture book spreads and comic book panels. And I'm always thinking about ways to engage young people (like my kid-self) who are reluctant to read.

What project of the heart are you working on?
 
This year, I've divided my time between two totally different projects of the heart. One is an MG novel about loyalty and loss and ligers (captive big cats). The idea came to me nearly ten years ago, and figuring out how to make the story catch fire has required patience and vulnerability. But the book is now on submission! My other project is a YA biography collection that I proposed to a publisher just ten months ago. It has required action and organization (to make connections with pioneering women in the music industry). I'm writing with a friend and fellow music lover, Maureen Charles, and we're excited to share these inspiring bios with young readers next year. Music Mavens will be published by Chicago Review Press in fall 2022. 

CONGRATS! What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

In an interview on this very blog, Kelly said, "I think that a true writer is someone who is always growing their craft." One of the many things I love about working with Kelly is her commitment to career development. Kelly shares craft resources and book recommendations with her "mini flock." She offers imaginative insight about new work and detailed feedback on finished drafts. I lost count of how many times Kelly read my MG novel during a recent revision, but her comments were always supportive and spot-on!

I also have to highlight Kelly's community spirit. When I arrived (virtually) at the agency in the long winter of 2020, the birds-of-a-feather culture I found there was such a surprise and delight. The agents host Zoom hangouts. The authors meet in Slack and FB groups. And everyone’s deals, awards, and book birthdays are celebrated. Participation in RQLA's many group activities is optional, of course, but for me, this connection has become an essential piece of support in my writing life. And I'm so grateful to Kelly and the other agents for making the "nest" such a warm and friendly place. 

A nurturing place to land, to be sure! Well, thanks for participating in my blog party.

Absolutely! Thanks for having me!

Welcome, Kellye, to Day Five of my blog party! Thanks so much for coming!

Hi Dionna! It’s so great to be here. Thank you for all you do to support kidlit authors and illustrators! 

Your turn to tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

I grew up reading and loving kidlit and never stopped! For a few decades now, I believe some of the best, most ground-breaking writing has come from picture books, middle grade and YA novels and non-fiction.

After working 14 years as a newspaper reporter, I quit to become a full-time, self-employed freelancer. My first year went surprisingly well, and my boss (me!) rewarded her only employee (me!) with a trip to Los Angeles for SCBWI’s annual conference. That was in 2000, and I’ve been a member ever since. Both the Iowa and Rocky Mountain chapters have been so important in helping me learn about the industry and connect with a creative community, which I think is critical. At the national conference, I heard a woman speak about her experience as a student in Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. It sounded amazing, and I wanted to do it. But with a job, a spouse, and our young son, I didn’t have much time and even less money.

Four years later, I took out student loans and entered the program! I graduated in 2006 and have been writing fiction for young people seriously since then. 

SCBWI and MFA programs like VCFA are true-blue learning opportunities for anyone in this industry, to be sure! Do tell more!

I signed with Kelly in May 2020 (my birthday week and during a pandemic!). Fourteen years is a loooooong time to write seriously, dream of being published, and not be! One issue: I was a reluctant querier. After writing six novels, the one I sent Kelly was only the second I’d queried. I also experienced a serious illness during that time. Anyway, Kelly sold my middle grade novel about a year after I signed with her.

Awesome sauce!

It was awesome!

The answer to your second question—why do you love it?—is why I kept writing. I love how writing allows me to constantly learn, experiment, and improve. The “kidlit years” offer such rich material, and I very much still feel like a kid inside! When I was young, books were a lifeline, and it is my biggest dream to pay it forward and create work that inspires young readers, makes them think, and gives them hope.

Hope is so important in these uncertain times. I heard one of your projects of the heart was acquired recently. Do tell, what's it about?
 
I  just turned in a revision for Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties, a contemporary middle grade novel and my debut, which is scheduled to be published in the fall of 2022 by Albert Whitman and Co. The story was inspired by my move to Denver in early 2015. After living in Iowa for about 100 years, the only thing I knew about Denver was that my spouse had a job there. (That “young son” of ours had just graduated from high school!) I was in a bit of a funk about my writing, and my dear friend, Sarah Aronson, suggested I take a playful approach. I took her words to heart! Colorado was so different, and I knew I’d never again see it with new eyes. Everyone loves Colorado, including me, and it was fun to write my protagonist’s contrarian view.

Here’s the book's blurb that ran in Publisher’s Weekly: "When her father takes her to Colorado to meet his girlfriend for the first time, 12-year-old Ava must come to grips with both her newly diagnosed anxiety disorder and her rapidly changing family. But she learns from the mountains that it's okay to want two opposite things at once, and that the bravest people are the ones who are scared but do what's right anyway."

My move to Colorado was the shakeup I didn’t know I needed, and it also triggered a lot of anxiety. I was diagnosed with anxiety in the late ’90s, as an adult, but I believe it’s something I probably was born with and always have had. I finished the first draft of this story in late 2016 and, even then, anxiety in young people was a growing concern. Obviously, the pandemic has made it so much worse, creating serious mental health challenges for many young people. I’m glad that mental health is being discussed more openly now, and I hope my story can serve as a mirror or window and sliding glass door—to use literary scholar Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s iconic metaphors—for middle grade readers.

Dad's Girlfriend and Other Anxieties sounds like a great MG read! What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

I love everything about working with Kelly! She’s scary-smart! She’s also kind, funny, responsive, and grounded. She’s very insightful and an excellent editor. She has solid industry experience and, at the same time, as a relatively new agent, she’s highly motivated to build and deepen relationships with editors. I also appreciate how genuinely positive she is. It’s about keeping the focus on what’s important—the joy of creating and making a difference in young people’s lives. I love how Kelly is helping her clients create our mini-flock community, too!

I also feel incredibly grateful to be part of the bigger flock! Shout out to founder and agent Jacqui Lipton, the other agents Kortney Price and Lori Steel, and assistant Lindsay Flanagan, who are really working hard to create something special at Raven Quill Literary Agency.

I agree! Raven Quill is an amazing kidlit place to be planted! Thanks for stopping by Kellye, and do let us know when your book releases so we can throw it a launch party!

Thanks for having me, Dionna, and will do!

Kellye Crocker is the author of Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxieties, a contemporary middle grade novel coming in the Fall of 2022 from Albert Whitman & Co. She’s a former newspaper reporter and freelance journalist who has written for Better Homes and Gardens, Parents, and Glamour. She’s also worked in library youth services and has taught writing at two Iowa universities. Now, she’s encouraging the next generation of writers as part of the Young Writers Program faculty at Lighthouse Writers Workshop, the largest literary nonprofit in the Mountain West. Kellye, who lives in Denver, holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a bachelor’s degree in news-editorial from the Missouri School of Journalism. Like her protagonist, Kellye lives with anxiety and is always up for some belly breathing. She also loves to read, make art from the recycling bin, and explore the mountains with her husband and their naughty black lab. You can connect with her at kellyecrocker.com, on Twitter @kelcrocker and on Instagram: @kellyecrocker. Kellye is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary.

Hi there, Jess! Thanks for stopping by during Day Three of my blog party!

Wouldn't have missed it!

Tell us, please. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?
 
I was a creative writing major in college. I weirdly enjoyed reading what my fellow students wrote more than I enjoyed reading what I wrote. And they sure could write better than me. About 20 of us graduated from the program each year. There were about 200 such programs around the country, which meant that every year there were 4,000 better writers than me entering the market. I was so screwed. So instead, I thought, maybe I could continue to do that joyful discovery of what others wrote. I’d be a book publisher!

I did exactly that.  Sometimes as a publisher when I thought there should be a book and it was of a sort that even I could write—like a collection of quotes or a quiz book or a hot dog cookbook—I’d do that.  And holy smokes, I ended up being the author of quite a few adult books.

At one point, I saw a market opportunity for “stealth learning” books—classroom content that didn’t smell or look like classroom content that could be published in a way to be kid-driven versus teacher-driven.  I started an imprint (Planet Dexter) at Penguin to publish those.  When I couldn’t find somebody to write the type of books I wanted, I just wrote them myself.  It was easier, quicker, cheaper.  Soon I ended up being the author of quite a few children’s books.

Thereafter, if I had an idea for a children’s book, publishers and co-conspirators (illustrators) were open to the possibility.  So I ended up having random picture books and nonfiction books published.

(I hesitate to use the word “love” as I think you expected me to.  I’m the odd one out.  Maybe I don’t belong in this wonderful Raven club.  I often feel like an undercover Philistine.)

Being completely honest, I'd say that the publisher part of me loves spotting an opportunity and creating something that nails a response more that the writer part of me loves writing. 

Sounds like stealthy kidlit shenanigans to me! What projects of the heart are you working on or have you acquired?
 
Picking up from where I exited the previous question, I get jazzed by spotting an untapped slot on the bookshelf. So I've got two projects right now.  

One, I was lucky enough to first publish Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which was a matter of shaking up things with a journal format for a middle school audience. It had never been done before (I love doing stuff like that). And ever since I’ve been waiting for somebody to do a journal format for the market under Wimpy Kid, for younger kids.  Nobody has. Finally, I found an illustrator to work with me as the author on that notion. Fingers crossed.
 
Second, I’ve always wanted to write a mystery.  I’ve got over 25 years of failed starts.  I could never get a comfortable voice. Then I wrote a blog this past year for 134 straight days. I was incredibly comfortable with that voice. Winder of wonders! Why not write a mystery in blog format?

I’ve always loved pushing content and narrative to unexpected places. I first published Wimpy on a computer screen at a time when everybody told me kids would never read it.  Kinney and I then created Poptropica, my notion to publish stories via a gaming literacy.  I published a book for sick kids printed on tissues in a box. And I’m working on a collection of inspirational quotations printed on rolling papers. I’ve tried as a publisher for decades, to fight the urge to confine narrative and content to stacks of paper bound on the left. So this storytelling via a blog thing has my interest right now.


Cool stuff, Jess! What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

Kelly puts up with my weirdness and madness. She’s honest. She doesn’t give up. And most of all, she just doesn’t take my stuff and hand it off to publishers. Writing is a lonely thing to do.  I often get a manuscript to 85% of what it could and should be. And then I’m stuck. Whereas at the office or with a staff, a full team working together got the work to 100%. But I don’t have that with the loneliness of writing. I’ve found many agents hand off that 85% to editors. But Kelly puts the brakes on and is very talented at helping and guiding me to closing that 15% gap.

Wow, Jess! Thanks for sharing your exciting kidlit journey during our blog party!

Enjoyed it, Dionna!  

Jess Brallier, a native of Ligonier, PA, has served on the executive teams at Harcourt, Little Brown, and Abrams. Jess at Funbrain, was the first to publish Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid two years before it was published in print. With Kinney, Jess launched Poptropica, a gaming literacy program that quickly became the world's largest virtual world for kids.  Jess has authored many books for kids, including Tess’s Tree, Whaddaya Doin’ in There?, Bouncing Science, Thumbs Up Science, Y2Kids, Instant Creature, and others. His series title with Penguin, Who Was Albert Einstein, has sold 400,000+ units. Jess and his wife, Sally Chabert, reside in New York City, They share  two grown children who are the greatest. Learn more about Jess at jessbrallier.com. Jess is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary.

Howdy, Dolores! Thanks for coming by on Day Four of my Raven Quill Blog Party!

Thanks for inviting me, Dionna!

Do tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

I started off writing adult books, and never thought I would be a kidlit author. It was such a foreign concept to me. But then I had my own children and became immersed in children's picture books and literature and my love for it grew exponentially. I was also a preschool teacher and got to see the joy on the students' faces when I read books that they identified with. 

When I first started writing, I had my own kids in mind, and knew they needed to see positive images of characters that looked like them represented in books.

What project of the heart are you working on?

My middle grade story centers a contemporary, Black female warrior, and is my absolute heart. The protagonist a pretty good cyclist, and whenever I ride my bike, I'm always thinking about scenes with her. I've also been teaching myself animation and had a blast animating a picture book that I self-published a few years ago with my husband who illustrated it. You can check that out HERE. 

What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

​When I first received an offer from Kelly, I had another offer on the table as well. But I remember thinking that even if I didn't sign with Kelly, I planned on using the critique she gave on my work, and that sealed it for me and let me know she was the one. She's very honest and upfront. One of my questions was: "When do you plan on sending out my work?" And her reply was "When it's ready." It's wonderful when an agent wants to make sure your work is in the best light. 

Greetings, Callie! So glad you could join in on Day Two of my kidlit celebration!

I love a good party, Dionna!

Me too! Do tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?

Even as a kid, I was always writing stories. In college every creative project I did ended up being written for children, and when I realized the Vermont College of Fine Arts offered an MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults, I was off to the races! I write picture books through middle grade, and love that kids in those age demographics are still so ready to believe in magic and to embrace the impossible.
 
"Embrace the impossible." Love that! What project of the heart are you working on?

I’m working on a couple of silly picture books, and a new middle grade fantasy (I have a never ending list of upcoming projects). I’m also developing some fun animation projects.
 
What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?

I love everything about working with Kelly! She loves her authors and their work, and LOVES being an agent. She's also so incredibly smart when it comes to editing a manuscript. She's a very editorial agent, and her suggestions always elevate my vision for what I'm writing and make the story stronger. 

Kelly's editorial skills certainly do rock kidlit socks! Thanks so much for participating in my blog party!

Happy to be here!

​Callie C. Miller is an animation and children's book writer. A lifelong purveyor of words, she delights in the quirky, and is a sucker for black sheep stories. Callie wrote a Star Wars fanfiction novel when she was thirteen, and loves high fives and toast. Callie received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and has twice placed in the Katherine Paterson Prize competition for her middle grade science fiction and fantasy works. Her animation credits include LEGO Monkie Kid, Polly Pocket, and several other shows that are still a secret. Callie, online at calliecmiller.com, is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary.

Salutations, Amy! Thanks for opening up my blog party--Day One of Kidlit Fun!

Happy to be here!

Do tell. How did you find your way into becoming a kidlit author and why do you love it?
 
I love the magical power of a well-told story…the power to bring understanding, compassion, growth, and empowerment to little people and big people. As a very visually-inspired person, I fell in love with the picture books story form as a child and still remembered it’s magical powers in college as I studied the intricates of such works as Shakespeare’s tragedies, the Bhagavad Gita, and T.S. Eliot’s, The Waste Land.

While working in the university library cataloging department, thumbing through new pictures books as they came in, I realized that the themes and emotions of humanity portrayed by those complex works I was studying, could be just as effectively portrayed in picture book form, with the added bonus of beautiful illustrations. I love that these literary story gems are accessible to every age of human. So, when I couldn’t find a grad school literature program that emphasized kidlit (since they didn’t’ exist back then), I have instead spent over twenty years reading and studying stories as I have taught middle school, high school, preschool and every other type of school, as well as at home with my seven children. After sharing many magical story moments with children of all ages (along with plenty of adults), I began to dream of writing my own magical stories.
 
Words certainly do have power! So, what project of the heart are you working on?
 
I started out writing the stories I wanted to read to my own children, but could not find. Since my children have grown up in the military with frequent moves and the burden of their dad’s repeated combat deployments to the Middle East, I searched for books that they could connect with their experiences and emotions in even the slightest ways. There were very few. That is what inspired me to start writing my own stories about military families. After years of honing my writing craft and writing many types of stories (some out on submission now), I am currently returning to working on yet another military family story. 
 
Write what you know, right? What do you love about working with Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary?
 
Kelly is literally the perfect-fit agent for me. She is professional, kind, forthright, patient, responsive, transparent, and takes a long-term vested interest in her clients. It is so much fun to brainstorm with her as a partner! She has the editing capacity to let me know when a story needs work, the creativity to help me get it to the next level, and often puts as much thought into my submission revisions as I do. She is a great partner. She is thoughtful about strategy, proactive in developing relationships with editors, and most importantly, shares my passion for kidlit. I feel very blessed to work with her.

Thanks so much, Amy, for getting my blog party off to a wonderful start!

Delighted, Dionna!

​Amy Harding grew up in the middle of a great big family with a book in her hand and a love for the power of sharing stories. With a B.A. in English and a professional certification in Writing for Children, she now creates stories celebrating the value and empowerment of the individual. As a military spouse and mother of a great big family of seven kids, Amy has made her home in every corner (and even island) of the U.S. and has fallen in love with all kinds of people, all kinds of places, and all kinds of stories. She currently calls the Olympic Peninsula of Washington home, where she loves hiking in deep dark woods, kayaking in search of orcas, taste-testing all the best chocolates and watching comedy with her teens. Find Amy on Twitter @a_hharding, on Instagram @amyhansenhardingwrites, and at amyhansenharding.com. Amy is rep'd by Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary.

(c) JOANIE STONE, joaniestoneart.com

Welcome, Joanie! So happy to have you here! I just love your work!

My pleasure, Dionna. And thanks!

Wondering, did you love to draw as a child?

I loved to draw from a very young age. I remember always adding illustrations to my book reports in elementary school and I would spend a lot of time writing and illustrating little stories at the dining room table. Any days that we had art class in school were my favorite days. I cherish the memories of those early creative years when I would make things just because it was fun, it felt like play and I never once had the thought of wondering if what I was making was good or not.

As I got a little older, those anxieties about wanting to be good at it and worrying that I wasn’t good enough crept in and dimmed my creativity a bit. I was afraid of being judged, so even though I still loved to draw, I kept it private and didn’t like to show my drawings to anyone. However, my parents were completely supportive and gave me a lot of encouragement to keep going. I think that’s something a lot of kids go through and I’m even seeing it now with my own daughter. If I’m honest, it’s still something that I struggle with today (imposter syndrome anyone?) but I don’t let it stop me, because I just love making pictures too much!

How did you find your way to becoming a kidlit illustrator? Do tell a little about your first published project, how you were hired for it?

Once I made the decision to try and pursue work in children’s books, my very first step was joining my local SCBWI and attending their conference. My goal was to learn as much about the industry as I could and to get feedback on my portfolio. The first year, the feedback on my work was that it wasn’t up to a professional level yet. It was hard to hear, but it gave me fuel to keep going, keep practicing and learning. The second year, the feedback was much improved and I felt like I was at least headed in the right direction. I started submitting my portfolio to two agents to test the waters. One said they really liked my work, but they just took on another illustrator who’s style they felt was too similar to mine, so they passed and I never got a response from the other.

​I was about to email a few more agents when out of the blue I got an email from the agency at the top of my dream list asking if I was seeking representation. She had found my work online and I couldn’t believe it! We had a six-month-long back-and-forth, sort of a trial period with me making new portfolio pieces and them giving me feedback. It was during this time that my agency landed me my first job illustrating a book with a small educational publisher. At the end of the trial period, I was offered to sign with them and they have kept me busy with amazing book projects over the last four years.

Do tell a little about your latest picture book. 

My latest picture book, Secrets of the Sea, written by Evan Griffith (Clarion Books), was one of my favorite projects to date. It tells the true life story of Jeanne Power, a Victorian era French scientist who was the first to design and build an aquarium for scientific study of sea creatures. She faced a lot of misogyny in trying to get her research seen with some men even trying to take credit for her work. She worked very hard to not only conduct her research, but to ensure that she was given the proper credit for it.

As an illustrator, how do you get into the character's head, so to speak? 

For Jeanne Power, there was a black-and-white photo of her that I used as my starting point in designing her character. I also knew that she worked as a dressmaker, so I imagined her being very fashionable, which in Victorian times meant she wore a lot of beautiful dresses with big puffy sleeves. I gave her a different dress on every page and I especially loved the idea that Jeanne did not hide her femininity to try and fit in with her male, scientist counterparts. In my mind, she fully embraced the idea that she could be brilliant, strong, hard working, all while loving to wear beautiful dresses and being feminine at the same time. For authenticity, I did a lot of research on Victorian-era clothing, hairstyles and furniture, which was so fun.

Whenever I sit down to illustrate a book, I like to imagine who the character is outside of the book. How do they live their life outside of just this one story? That helps me to think of them not just as a character but as a real person.

When creating, what gives you the greatest pleasure?

My favorite part of the process is always the coloring-in stage. That is the most fun where the drawing is already there and I can enter the flow of bringing it to life. The initial sketches always give me anxiety. Starting on a blank page and having to create something from nothing can be scary. There are so many possibilities and a million ways to visually tell every story. Once the sketches are done and approved, that’s when I can relax more and the fun really starts for me.

What are you working on now and are you enjoying it?

I am working on two books at the moment. One is a chapter book series which I’m not allowed to talk much about yet, but I think I can say that it involves mermaids (so fun!) The other is a Little Golden book, which will actually be my third one. They are the absolute best clients! Getting to work on a Little Golden book was always a dream of mine and the fact that they are so amazing to work with is just the cherry on top.

Joanie Stone was born and raised in Virginia, where she still lives today with her husband and young daughter. She spends her days painting in her light filled studio in the country, surrounded by nature. She has a love for all things vintage, especially children’s book illustration, advertising and fashion from long ago. She hopes her images will inspire kids to pick up a pencil and create their own worlds through stories and art. She is represented by Painted Words. Her latest picture book, Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist, written by  Evan Griffith is a 2021 JLG Selection. Find Joanie and her lovely work online at  joaniestone.com.

Welcome, Jacqui! I'm so happy to be interviewing you!

Hi, Dionna! Happy to be interviewed.

All right, here's your first question. How is a raven like a writing desk?

Haha! Why don't you tell me. 

I'm asking the questions here. Seriously, do tell a little about yourself, I'd especially like to know how you found your way to becoming a kidlit agent, and if you're enjoying it.

I always loved writing (and reading of course) ever since I was very young. In college, I took some writing classes and majored in theater studies where I was able to do a lot of script writing. Then I turned to legal studies and became a lawyer, and then a law professor. I did that for a LONG time--probably too long!--and eventually turned back to writing when I had my first child.

​After taking a bunch of online writing classes, I decided to enroll in an MFA program, which I loved, but I found the business/legal side of publishing just as intriguing and invigorating as the writing side. I ended up interning for a terrific literary agent in the kidlit area for many years and then decided it was probably time to fish or cut bait. So I ended up merging my interests in business/law with my interests in writing (especially writing for children) and that's how I ended up where I am now.

I know quite a few former lawyers turned writers. Curiouser and curiouser! Please do share a little about your agency, Raven Quill Literary Agency. Why did you choose that name? What type of books/clients do you hope to represent?

Raven Quill was really a joint effort between me and some of my initial clients when we struck out on our own. The name actually is an homage to the daughter of my very first client who has been with me since the beginning. Her name is Raven. Then we played around with "raven" symbolism for a while, eventually ending up with Raven Quill because of both the flying and writing connotations of a raven feather.

​We generally represent kidlit from early board books through to YA and some of us (including me) take on selected projects for older audiences. I have a particularly sweet spot for romance. I love the clients I have today and am always on the lookout for new and exciting voices. The agency is particularly committed to raising the voices of historically underrepresented groups in kidlit.​

Even before you became my agent, I always enjoyed reading your informative legally speaking articles in the SCBWI Bulletin, and just purchased a copy of your recent release, Law and Authors: A Legal Handbook for Writers. (Congrats, by the way!) So, what motivated you to write this book?

This one was kind of a labor of love for me. After spending some time observing the business side of the industry, it dawned on me that there were very few easily accessible and user-friendly legal resources for authors, while authors have a lot of questions about things like copyright, trademarks, defamation, privacy law, etc. There are some great resources on legal issues that are a little more sophisticated and complicated than many authors need to get, and some (often misleading) blog posts and generally available information online.

I wanted to create something in the niche between a short blog post and a complicated legal book: a resource that authors could dip in and dip out of without needing to prepare themselves for too much legalese. I made the tone of the book more like an informal chat to smart sensible authors who have an interest in their rights and obligations. The key takeaway from the book (I hope--and I stress this in the first and last chapters ) is not to let the law freak you out or get in the way of writing what you need to write. There are always ways to deal with legal problems and I've tried to touch on those in the book and to suggest ways for finding effective and affordable legal advice where help is actually needed.

Can't wait to read it! Well, Jacqui, thanks so much for stopping by. I really enjoyed it!

I enjoyed being here!

Jacqui Lipton is the founder of Raven Quill Literary Agency, having previously worked as an associate agent and intern at several leading kid lit agencies. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. A law professor and attorney with American and international experience in commercial and intellectual property law, she is the author of Law & Authors: A Legal Handbook for Writers (University of California Press, 2020). She also writes columns on legal issues for writers for the SCBWI Bulletin, Luna Station Quarterly, Catapult Community Page, and Savvy Authors. She is a frequent presenter on these issues around the country. Jacqui focuses on representing authors of middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. Find Jacqui on Twitter @jacqui_lipton.

(c)"Raven Emperor," fine art photograph by June Hunter, urbannature.blog

Salutations! Kelly, thanks for coming by!

You're welcome!

I would especially love to know how you found your way to becoming a kidlit agent. 
 
Really, the way I found myself as an agent at Raven Quill Literary Agency goes back to what we’ve always tried to teach our kids: whatever you do, do to the best of your ability with a constant willingness to learn, and doors will be opened to you. That is how I’ve tried to live, and while my road to Raven Quill Literary Agency was unexpected, each step led organically to the next, landing me where I am today. 

So what were those steps?

I knew I loved kidlit, both reading and writing it, so in 2014, I got my MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. My goal was to both hone my writing craft and to earn a degree that would give me a skill so that I could work once my kids were out of the house. At the time, I was thinking I’d write and teach writing and children’s literature at the college level. While at VCFA, I interned at The Bent Agency, reading slush, full manuscripts and refining my editorial skills. I later followed Susan Hawk to Upstart Crow, where I worked as an assistant and editorial reader and really learned all things agent-y. I was very content working for Susan—I was doing everything I loved: editing, teaching, reading, working with people. I got to work with writers, help them develop their manuscripts from idea to polished draft, and eventually saw their books on the shelves. The job was (is) a perfect blend of left brain/right brain, which suits me great!

But I still hadn’t considered agenting myself until Jacqui approached me and asked me to join her at Raven Quill. At this point, I’d had several years working in literary agencies, and Susan was incredibly encouraging that it was time I made the leap to taking on my own clients. I took a couple of months to think and interview agents whose practices I really admired, and in February I joined Jacqui at Raven Quill. I think the move surprised no one other than myself.

Are you enjoying it?

I’m having the time of my life. So there you have it: proof that good things have happened in 2020!

What type of books/clients do you hope to represent?

I think the books I am most drawn to walk the line between commercial and literary. In other words, they have a big hook and ask big questions. I love books that have that holy trinity of amazing character/engaging plot/compelling voice. All of that can happen in any genre for any age group. I have clients that achieve it in PB, CB, MG and YA, both fiction and non-fiction in all genres.

In terms of clients, my ideal client is someone who is never done learning and who is willing to take a risk and try new things--whether that be in yet another draft of the same book or in taking the leap into another kind of writing. I think that a true writer is someone who is always growing their craft.

As a children's book writer, what type of books do you enjoy penning? How do you juggle the role of writer and agent?

Oh, this is a great question! One I am still trying to find the answer to. I have several of my own projects in the works at various stages. I write mostly MG, I think because that’s the age I was when books really made a big impression on me. I will get into a great writing groove--I’m most productive first thing in the morning--and then a client project will come in, or be ready to go out on sub, and I will lose my own momentum. I have a very hard time focusing on myself if someone I’ve committed to needs my attention. But I am learning to give a bit of grace to myself and find productivity in that ebb and flow. 

I think your clients would understand! Does one skill set (writer/agent) inform the other?

Yes, I do think that writing informs my skill as an editor. Absolutely. It’s the difference between understanding something at a purely academic level and the deeper understanding that comes from truly experiencing it. Also, I think it helps me relate to my clients better. I understand what it means to be stuck, how hard it is to cut a character you love, how messy that middle can be. And mostly, how excruciating the waiting game is and demoralizing rejection can be. I think this deeper understanding makes me a better advocate and cheerleader.

That you do amazingly well! Thanks for stopping by, Kelly. I really enjoyed your visit.

I enjoyed being here!

Oh, before you go. Do you know how a raven is like a writing desk?

Perhaps I do. You'll just nevar know. 

​Kelly Dyksterhouse, literary agent with Raven Quill Literary Agency, grew up with a book always in her hands and a story always in her head. The important role that books played in her early years developed into a passion for children’s literature in her adult life. Kelly holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults for Vermont College of Fine Arts and has interned as an editorial reader at leading literary agencies and worked as an independent developmental editor and writing mentor. She considers the opportunity to help bring books into existence to be a great honor, and it is a particular joy for her to work alongside authors as they develop their project from idea to polished manuscript. The best feeling of all is when those manuscripts end up as books in the hands of children. Find Kelly on Twitter @KellyDHouse.