I’m so excited that we will be celebrating the Winter Wonders season with Joyce P. Uglow, the author of STUCK! THE STORY OF LA BREA TAR PITS, a lyrical non-fiction picture book that explores the origin story of La Brea Tar Pits. STUCK! is coming to book shelves on March 4, 2025 just in time for us all to unearth ourselves from all our winter outwear.
Welcome Joyce and thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your writing journey.
I can’t believe it’s already December and before you know it, winter will be here! I don’t mind, since I love the holiday season, and the cold weather gives me an excuse to stay in and read some great books. I can’t wait to hear all about your book, and how it came about. So, do you have any special plans for the winter?
Joyce: I’m mostly a warm-weather kind of person. But during the colder months here in southeastern Wisconsin, I bundle up and go wonder-walking on the country roads near our home anyway. Fresh air, you know? It’s good for the mind and body. My favorite seasons involve anything that gives me opportunities to admire trees, notice everything nature, and cheer from the sidelines at our grandsons’ games. Oh… that means I love all four seasons. I also love traveling to the places where I can enjoy family, ocean, mountains, and wildlife. I prefer movement over staying stuck in one place.
Me: How long have you been writing?
Joyce: In fourth grade, Mrs. Jaske turned me on to creative writing. I typically wrote and told stories about my horses, family, and friends. Of course, I had a diary in which I wrote my biggest secrets. Hehehe! What secrets? I come from a family of seven, so we knew everything… At least I thought we did.
Writing became a part of my teaching style when I saw that some of my students needed a differentiated teaching styles to in order to learn to read. The kids would tell me their experiences, I’d write their words, and then we’d read their stories together. Soon, the tables turned and they wrote for themselves, wrote some of mine, and read our stories at the Author’s Chair. I also loved using picture book mentor texts to teaching writing to my students. I’d read aloud, we’d think about the author’s techniques word choices, make charts for our walls, and then we’d create our own. Because I wrote at the same time, I built up a stack of manuscripts. When I retired from teaching and leading in elementary schools, I began to study the art of the picture book in earnest. I joined SCBWI, Julie Hedlund’s 12 X 12 Picture Book Challenge, and accumulated more manuscripts. Being a part of critique groups helped me to realize nuances and the rules When I was a kid, my mom modeled that writing is a part of life by submitting editorials, articles to women’s magazines, and her stories to publishing houses. Reading and writing are, and have always been, an important part of me.
Me: Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Joyce: When visiting Los Angeles for the SCBWI summer conference in 2018, my son and I visited La Brea Tar Pits. There, I became mesmerized by the notion that an entire ecosystem of ice age megafauna (big animals) got trapped in sticky stacks with insects, birds, fish, and plants in asphalt seeps over the course of 50,000 years. At the museum, I couldn’t tear myself away from Smilodon fatalis and all its fossil glory. I knew I needed to write a picture book about Smilodon and other unsuspecting animals that got mired in the mysterious muck. If you ever get the chance to visit La Brea, take a stroll through the museum, pause at the sticky seeps in the park, and get mesmerized by fossils’ story.
Me: Tell me a little bit about this book’s journey to publication, were there any bumps and bruises along the way, obstacles you had to overcome, aha-moments? You can share the good, bad, ugly lol, or not.
Joyce: STUCK! THE STORY OF LA BREA TAR PITS, written by me and illustrated by Valerya Milovanova was originally scheduled for release on November 5, 2024. However, the publication date moved to March 4, 2025. It is not hard to understand that many moving parts go into publishing a book and schedules sometimes have to be changed due to a variety of circumstances. The process of getting a book into the hands and hearts of young readers takes the time it takes. Right? I’m looking forward to wearing my Smilodon hat while talking to kids about the book, its story, and of course – the fossils’ story.
I was honored to be a part of the Bushel & Peck Books booth at the 2024 American Library Association conference in San Diego in June 2024. I got the chance to meet and talk to a wonderful line of readers, librarians, publishers, and book buyers who came get an autographed copy of STUCK. I have to say, I had an absolute blast meeting my amazing editor, Ryan G. Van Cleave and Stephanie and David Miles, the inspirational owners of Bushel & Peck Books.
It is exciting to share with kids that paleontologists study the connections between the climate, environment, and fossils. Fun fact: In the 4000 dire wolf individuals found at La Brea, scientists have discovered that over thousands of years, the shape of the skull, snout, and body size evolved as their ice age environment changed.
Me: What is one piece of advice you can give to writers who are just starting out, or who are still in the query trenches?
Joyce: Take the time to notice how the marriage of art and words make the picture book a masterpiece. In terms of the query trenches… Are you patient? While you’re waiting to hear back from agents and editors, continue to read more and write new manuscripts. Don’t get lost in the mysterious muck of thinking that first one is the ONE.
Even though you asked for one piece of advice, here’s another tidbit. I believe you’ll come to know picture books and writing on a deeper level by participating in the amazing Julie Hedlund’s 12 X 12 Picture Book Challenge and be elevated by the inspirational Bethany Hegadus at her Writing Barn top notch courses within the Courage to Create. And it goes without saying that membership in SCBWI is essential.
Me: That is some wonderful advice you gave for those of us who are still in the query trenches. So, what are your plans for the future? Writing or otherwise, traveling, hobbies, etc.
Joyce: It is important to me that I leave a legacy of respect for the planet. I treasure nature and love traveling to places where I find surprises. Those experiences spark my curiosity and inspire me to write kidlit poetry and picture books of wonder that keep kids curious. I’m hooked on the discovery process.
Me: I’d love for you to share a recipe with me, I have a collection of recipes from friends and family that goes back many years. I would love to include yours, as well as share it with my readers.
This easy, no-bake cookie is loved by all.
Peanut Butter Candy Cookies
Yield 3 dozen
Ingredients
- 2 C. granulated sugar
- 1 stick butter
- ½ C. milk
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1/3 C. baking cocoa powder
- 3 C. quick oats
- ½ C. peanut butter (I use chunky peanut butter.)
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan, bring sugar, butter, milk, salt and cocoa to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 75 seconds (no longer!!) and remove from heat.
- To the hot mixture, add oats, peanut butter, and vanilla. Stir well to combine.
- Drop by the spoonful on the parchment paper or wax paper and let harden.
- Store in a tightly covered container – if there are any left.
Me: It’s been great getting to know you, and I’m inspired to learn more about the La Brea Tar Pits, which sound quite fascinating! And of course, I’ll have to try your no-bake cookie recipe, it sounds scrumptious.
You can connect with Joyce here:
Pat Brown Books 