Celebrating the Winter Wonders Season with Chelsea DiCicco

Welcome Chelsea and thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your writing journey. I always enjoy reading your blog at Chelsea’s World of Books and I feel honored to have you join me here.

Me: Do you have any special plans for the winter? Or are there any activities that you participate in related to the season? Do you have a favorite season?

Chelsea: This winter, I’m planning to cozy up by our electric fireplace and drink lots of coffee. I also plan to wear each of my sheep sweaters (currently I’m up to three… I have one in red, one in green, and one in blue). This winter (as of November), I’m also out on sub with my first manuscript with my agent. We’re taking a pause in December, as publishing often shuts down this time of year, and then we’ll be back at it again, fresh starting in January 2026. Currently, for my writing projects, I’ve just completed the first draft of my third book in my early reader series and am now starting on the fourth. I will be sending both off to my editor toward the end of December 2025 and the beginning of January 2026.

Me: How long have you been writing?

Chelsea: The short answer is always. Literally as far back as I can remember. I’ve always had stories running through my head, and it only seemed natural to let them out by writing them down. I feel like it’s the only way I could think clearly or get anything done. Otherwise, my brain would be crowded with noisy characters making all kinds of ruckus.

As for my writing career, I started with independent publishing back in 2015. I published a few young adult novellas and a children’s book with my younger sister. At that time, I wasn’t really looking at my writing as anything more than a creative outlet and was writing just for the joy it brought me. But that changed with the publication of my first picture book, ADHD and Me, which was published in its first edition in 2017. This book was received with a great deal of love from readers. And suddenly, the writing wasn’t about just what it brought me anymore. It was about what I could bring to others.

A few years later, in 2019, after several life events that had me sidetracked, I found my way back to writing, and at the start of 2021, I made the decision to seriously pursue traditional publishing for the children’s market. And I never looked back. I fully immersed myself in the literary world, dedicating myself full-time to learning the craft of writing for the traditional kidlit market… something I had no prior knowledge of. I learned everything I could about all there was to know about kidlit rules and industry standards, from word counts, story structure, voice, pacing, age-appropriate problems, you name it. I formed my first critique group and joined organizations like Julie Hedlund’s 12×12, SCBWI, Courage to Create Community, attended webinars and took classes with writing schools like The Writing Barn, and Write Academy, and began participating in writing events and contests like Storystorm, Fall Writing Frenzy, 50 Precious Words, and many more.

Fast forward to four and a half, nearly five years later, my perseverance paid off. I landed my first four-book deal with an editor in August 2025 and signed with my dream literary agent in November 2025.

Me: Congratulations on landing your dream agent, that’s wonderful! So, what, or who inspired you to write your book, ADHD and Me?

Chelsea: ADHD and Me was a labor of love inspired by my childhood and personal experiences and feelings while growing up with ADHD. I wrote this book because I desperately wanted to give a voice to kids like me who shared these, or similar, big feelings and struggles, but didn’t know how to express them. And that is exactly what this book has been able to do.

The response I’ve received from parents and children at events I’ve done at local bookstores/schools, /libraries has been nothing short of wonderful. When I see someone tear up while reading (which happens often), and they thank me for writing this story for them, for their grandchild, or someone else close to them, or when a little reader tells me “that’s how I feel sometimes,” or a parent says, “I feel like my child is truly seen,” it touches my heart and brings me a happiness that I can’t fully put into words. I think at the core, what it really brings me, and the reader, is a special moment of connection, belonging, and recognition. It’s a moment that says, “I see you. You aren’t alone. You are loved.” For me, that’s the greatest feeling to share with another person.

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.

Chelsea: The route to publication for this book was definitely a learning experience. From book formatting, marketing campaign, hiring a contract artist, connecting with local community businesses, arranging events, and the list goes on. I learned so much during this time. And the experience helped me to make an important realization about what I wanted for my writing career. I realized that I wanted my books to be as easily accessible as possible to all kids, and for me, that avenue was through school and library distribution, so I knew that moving forward, I wanted to pursue traditional publishing to help reach that goal.

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?

Chelsea: The first piece of advice I have is to identify the answers to the following questions: 1. Who do you want to write for? 2. What avenue of publishing do you want to take and why? Different paths will lead you to different places. It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. One answer may be right for someone and not for someone else.

For example, if you’re writing a memoir and simply want to publish a book that you can hold in your hands and maybe share with a few close friends or family members, there are a lot of indie platforms that you could use to help you accomplish that, at a relatively low cost, and within a reasonably short period of time. But if you want to publish a novel and see it sitting on a Barnes and Noble shelf, that’s an entirely different story. That will require a lot more time, and most likely, you’ll need an agent, or at most, an editor, at a traditional house/press, to accomplish that goal.

For myself, I had to figure out what my goals were as a writer. And my goals aligned with the school and library market, which meant that I needed to go the traditional route. This all being said, make sure that you know your big why for writing. Why do you write? What does it bring you? And what do you hope it will bring others? If you don’t know what your “why” is, find it. The publishing industry is full of roadblocks, rejections, and setbacks. It requires a great deal of patience and perseverance to stay on the path for the long haul, and if you don’t know why you’re here, it will be easy to give up. But I hope you won’t, because you and your story matter.

Me: What are your plans for the future? Writing or otherwise, traveling, hobbies, etc.

Chelsea: I plan to publish many books! Or at least as many as my editor/agent can manage. As of right now, I do have set plans for the first four books of my early reader series to come out with Capstone in the spring of 2027, which I’m ecstatic about. These are my first “traditional” books- so really, it’s my debut! I’m also going out on sub with two picture book manuscripts at the beginning of the coming year, 2026. I’m very excited about this because both manuscripts mean a great deal to me. And one of them is the one that landed me my agent!

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 and share it with my readers.

Chelsea: Oh, a recipe. Hm… I’m really more of a “wing it” kind of gal when it comes to recipes, and I’m always adapting/adding things. My husband is very good at following the rules, but me… not so much. I get rather creative in the kitchen… and just have fun trying to figure out my measurements!

But, let’s see… I do love making low-carb bagels. I found the recipe online, and it’s very simple. You just take one cup of plain Greek yogurt and one cup of self-rising flour and combine them. Then, if you want to make them “extra fancy,” you can do an egg wash coat on the top to help them turn that pretty golden-brown color in the oven, and you can add everything seasoning to the top before baking. I bake mine in an air fryer for about 12 minutes at 300 degrees, or until they’re golden brown. Some ovens/air fryers may vary, so I suggest just using this as a jumping-off point and experimenting. It’s always more fun that way anyway. At least, in my opinion. And the bagels really are quite delicious.

Thanks so much for having me join you and your readers today, Patricia. I appreciate you and all that you do for the kidlit community!

Me: Thank you for the kid words and for your time, it’s always fun getting to know writing friends! I look forward to seeing many more books of yours in the future. And of course, to trying those low carb bagels. I hope you have a wonderful day.

You can connect with Chelsea here:

Lighthouse Literary Agency

Celebrating the Winter Wonders Season with Brian Gehrlein

I’m so excited to celebrate this season of late fall into winter with Brian Gehrlein. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Brian both as an author and a person. I have worked with him on several of my manuscripts and highly recommend his critique services. I was fortunate to be part of the advanced reader team for This Is Not a Sleepy Bear Book, which was published on November 11^th of this year.

Welcome Brian. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your writing journey. I know this interview is going to be fun!

Me: Do you have any special plans for the fall or winter? Or are there any activities that you participate in related to these seasons? Do you have a favorite season?

Brian: I love when the fall comes in and refreshes everything after the muggy heat has been lingering far too long. We live in Kansas City, so May and June are wonderful, but July and August are just ick. You walk outside, and that shower you took is completely wasted. There’s so much to look forward to in the fall, and as a teacher, I do tend to look forward to the routine and resetting effect of a new school year. Between Christmas and spring, I’m a bit of a grumpy bear. I LOVE the anticipation of summer break and when the thaw of winter seems imminent. So…all that to say…I think I mostly love the anticipation of fall and the anticipation of summer. That change from extreme hot and cold is lovely. This book is all about the anticipation of a coming change—fall into winter. The snow is on the way. That approach of something makes us anxious. Bear has to hibernate and fast! There’s just so much to love this time of year. We get really into spooky season as a family. Halloween to Christmas is magic.

Me: How long have you been writing?

Brian: Forever. Left a nice in-utero message for my brother to find as a fetus. In all seriousness, I don’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t like to write. That’s a lie. There was that time when I was working on my Master’s in Education, and I had to write a twenty-page statistical analysis essay. Yepp. You read that right. A twenty-page math essay. It was my Everest. Never again. Aside from the occasional academic writing that wasn’t sunshine and rainbows, I’ve always enjoyed playing with words. I saw their impact on people from an early age and that I could exert social power over people through making them laugh. Not in a manipulative sort of way, but I loved the cause-and-effect process of experimentation. The timing of a joke. Listening to my audience respond. Sometimes it was a classroom of my peers. Sometimes a teacher. My family and friends. Words entertain and can elicit emotion like magic. I think I realized this very young. Part of that was a survival mechanism. My father was a soldier in the United States Army, and we moved around a lot. I learned how to make friends and be “liked” as fast as possible so that I felt in control when life felt out of control. But sometimes I don’t need words for others. Sometimes they’re for me. To make sense of my thoughts and feelings. Journals are very important for my mental and spiritual health. Even though I had been keenly aware of my use of language in both written and oral expression, I didn’t take my writing seriously until college. I was a Theatre Education major, and so I was reading and writing plays constantly. Hyper-focusing on language and all the amazing ways one can tell a story theatrically was life-changing for me. This is an already longish response, so I’ll end with a specific memory. My junior year of college we were going to do Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night, and I remember staying up until about 2 AM by myself in the student union while it was storming and pouring rain outside. I just had to finish this gut-wrenching autobiographical family drama because I needed to know what was going to happen to Edmund, Jamie, James, and Mary Tyrone. The beauty of O’Neill’s prose (I ended up playing Edmund) still impacts me today. All in all, I think literature and language can be transformative. I’m addicted and I don’t see any end in sight.

Me: What, or who inspired you to write this book?

Brian: My tendency to push against things and be silly inspired me to write this book. Back in 2019, I was working as a librarian and happened to notice a decent amount of wintery bear hibernation stories. Or maybe there was just two. The exact number isn’t important. What matters is I noticed a pattern. These winter bear stories were usually cozy and lyrical. They were gentle and sweet. The kind of story that might lull a child into their own form of hibernation. Kids are fascinated by bears and hibernation, and I don’t think that’s going away. It made me curious about my own version of a sleepy bear book. I wondered what it might be like to make it seem like it was a more typical hibernating bear book but then totally go in a wild and unexpected direction. So much of comedy is rooted in a dynamic chaos and order—unexpected juxtaposed against something expected. In other words, I wanted to do a bear book that was THE OPPOSITE of this pattern I was perceiving. I thought kids might enjoy a bedtime book that refused to behave like the other books.

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.

Brian: This book really evolved from early drafts to its finished form. There was always a narrator trying to get a bear to sleep for hibernation and there was always a disrupting element to that process where things were not going to plan. At the beginning, Bear’s den was magical. It was a “magical den of infinite possibility.” But when EVERYTHING is possible, nothing is possible. It’s too much chaos. Too much abstract and the mind hungers for the concrete. So the disruptions to Bear going to sleep needed to be grounded in something real—something with purpose. That eventually turned into Bear’s friends throwing him a surprise party to send him into hibernation with a bang (and some delicious jazz flute, too!) The first draft sent to Little, Brown caught their attention, but they weren’t satisfied enough to buy. They asked for a revision and I was reluctant at first. Through the encouragement of my agent, Jennifer Mattson, I attempted to execute their notes and mildly adjust the story. While they appreciated my attempt, it still wasn’t working enough to acquire. I let the story incubate in the creative crockpot for several months so that I could work out what needed to be changed unconsciously. I firmly believe taking breaks from a project for several months is not just healthy but vital to the process of solving creative problems (if you’re stuck, you should give this a try!). Eventually, I was able to come back to the manuscript and revise with more gusto (and an open heart to their feedback). Nearly a year after we initially sent the manuscript, they offered the book deal. Start to finish, from initial draft to book deal was 3.5 years—it would be 3 more years before the book came out!

Through this second book, I’ve learned to be patient in the acquisitions process and that revision is the secret ingredient to good writing. Effective revision cannot be rushed, and it won’t be just a one-time thing. Thinking about the finished product, and the AMAZING illustrations by Jenn Harney that help tell this hilarious story, I am fully convinced that nothing worth having comes easy. Take your time. Listen to feedback. Take a walk. Do the dishes a thousand times.

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?

Brian: The word “NO” can either crush you or push you to create. We can’t control whether we get a YES or a NO, but we can control our response and that next step after we’ve had a chance to feel whatever we need to. I vividly remember getting rejections and then re-doubling my motivation to write new work or to send out new queries to regain my confidence and sense of control. It was the only positive thing I could do with all that emotional turmoil. Expect “NO” and be ready for a show of force to wow yourself. Don’t stop reading. Don’t stop writing. Don’t stop knocking on doors. Doors open to the ones who knock! You got this, friend!

Also, keep that fire burning that’s part of why you’re putting yourself through this torture. That means you need to know what fills your tank and inspires you. A rejection will empty your tank. How will you refill it? This is part of the creative life—even on “this side of things.” (psssssst…hey, you! It isn’t all that different on this side of things. I know I’m not supposed to say the quiet part out loud, but it really isn’t all that different. It’s still a lonely road filled with anxiety and self-doubt. People say “NO.” So, you have to get good at self-care and riding out the seasons like a good farmer. There will be feast. There will be famine. Just don’t sit on your hands while you wait for seeds to sprout—there’s barns to clean!)

Most importantly, be kind to yourself and be patient. This endeavor is sssssllooooooow.

Me: What are your plans for the future? Writing or otherwise, traveling, hobbies, etc.

Brian: I have a new book coming out. It’s called THIRD KID… ; ) No, it’s not a book—it’s a baby! We have a third kid on the way (hitting shelves, April 2026!). I’m thinking this bundle of joy will take over all my future plans and prevent any traveling or personal hobbies from happening for a while! But this is a very good thing that we’re excited about. Boy or girl…we’ll see! I definitely feel the anticipation for our family, but while we wait, I’ve always got books cooking up and in various stages of development. Of course, with this third child, the provider instinct in me is coming in pretty strong, so I’m feeling a strong desire to make some book deals happen. All good things!

Me: Congratulations! It’s wonderful that your beautiful family will soon have a new addition!

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.

Brian: One of my favorite meals my wife, Katherine, makes pairs really well with This is Not a Sleepy Bear Book and fall into the winter season. It’s guaranteed to warm and fill you up for hibernation! Enjoy, sleepy bears!

Ingredients:

4-32 oz boxes of chicken broth (+1 extra)

1 tbs of chicken paste (add more if needed)

3-16 oz bags frozen egg noodles

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of celery soup

1 tsp nutmeg

Pepper to taste

1 rotisserie chicken (de-boned)

Recipe:

Combine chicken, broth, cream of soups in large pot & bring to boil.

Add nutmeg, chicken paste, & pepper at any time.

Once liquid is boiling, add the noodles & cook until done.

Serve or freeze.

When de-thawing, add chicken broth to soup.

Thank you Brian! As always, you have inspired me and made me laugh. And I can’t wait to try the cozy recipe you shared with us.

You can connect with Brian here:

https://www.pbspotlight.com/

Celebrating Women’s History Month with Lisa Rogers

I feel honored to celebrate Women’s History Month with Lisa Rogers, the super accomplished author of JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY, just out from Calkins Creek; HOUND WON’T GO, BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE MUSIC OF JOHN CAGE, and ELVIS PRESLEY, A LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK BIOGRAPHY.

Lisa has another upcoming picture book biography WOODY’S WORDS: WOODROW WILSON RAWLS AND WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS, out on September 9 from Calkins Creek.

She also has a poem in Irene Latham and Charles Waters’ anthology, IF I COULD CHOOSE A BEST DAY: POEMS OF POSSIBILITY. All of the poems start with IF and Lisa’s poem is the title poem. That will come out on March 4.

Welcome Lisa and thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your writing journey.

I love all your books and am so happy that you have more coming out in the world! JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY is certainly the perfect book for Women’s History Month.

Lisa: Thank you so much, Patricia! I’m so excited to have this book out in time for Women’s History Month! 2025 is also the centennial of Joan Mitchell’s birth, and her foundation is planning celebratory events around the globe!

Me: Do you have any special plans for the Women’s History Month?

Lisa: I’m partnering with accomplished author Alison Goldberg for a Women’s History Month storytime and art activity on March 8 at An Unlikely Story, in Plainville, MA, the beautiful bookstore created by the super-duper worldwide bestselling author Jeff Kinney.

I’ll be sharing JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY and Alison will be sharing her beautiful book EIGHTEEN FLOWERS FOR GRANDMA.

We’ll be on the stage where I’ve seen authors Kate Messner, Heather Cox Richardson, Kwame Alexander, and so many other fabulous presenters, and then we’ll lead fun art activities that relate to our books.

On March 26, I’m sharing JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY and moderate a women’s artists chat through the arts organization ArtWellesley at the Wellesley Free Library in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

I’ll be speaking with Carolyn Mackin and Crystalle Lacouture, both abstract artists, about how they conceptualize and approach their work. I’ve admired both of these artists for a long time and am eager to learn more about what inspires them and how they bring that inspiration to canvas.

Me: You have such wonderful things planned for Women’s History Month! So, do you have a favorite season? Is it spring?

Lisa: Spring is such a beautiful season! With longer daylight and warmer temperatures, I take lots of walks through the woods and around ponds, sketching blossoms and leaves as they appear. I love chronicling the progress of the seasons, but I wish spring would last a little bit longer! Here in Boston, it’s usually so cold it’s hard to enjoy spring; it seems as soon as it arrives summery heat withers the blossoms.

The event I always look forward to, like many citizens of our Commonwealth, is the Boston Marathon. The marathon is held on Patriots Day, which commemorates the beginning of the American Revolution, and 5 miles of the route is in my town. After the searing tragedy in 2013, many daffodils were planted along the route. That year was the first time I ran a marathon, and though it’s an emotionally tough day, I‘m always thrilled to cheer on the runners. I choke up just watching the enormous dedication and effort that goes into running this storied race. It’s a high point of spring for me.

Me: How long have you been writing?

Lisa: I took the first step toward my lifelong goal of becoming an author in 2010 when I joined SCBWI; two years later, I was a founding member of the 12 X 12 Picture Book Challenge. But I didn’t fully dedicate myself to that goal until the fall of 2015. In early 2016, I signed with my agent, and she sold my debut almost immediately. That partnership has led to a career I hadn’t dared to imagine.

Me: What/who inspired you to write this book?

Lisa: I researched Joan Mitchell for DISCOVER HER ART: WOMEN ARTISTS AND THEIR MASTERPIECES, a look at 24 women artists and their paintings from the 1500s to 1960. While researching, I learned that Mitchell painted a group of massive artworks, inspired by a valley she’d never even seen.

The beauty of her work and power of that inspiration was something I wanted to explore and share with readers—how do artists use their emotions and memories to create visual art, music, dance, theater, literature? What can we learn from them to inspire our own creations?

Lisa: This was a dream of a journey—almost unbelievable. I sent the brand-new manuscript to my agent in September 2021. I felt that it was something special. She responded right away: “Love it.”

The offer came in early February 2022 from editor Carolyn Yoder, the editor of Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers that focuses on US history. in early February 2022. Only a few weeks before, I had accepted an offer from her for WOODY’S WORDS: WOODROW WILSON RAWLS AND WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS. That picture book biography, about Rawls’ very difficult journey to publication, comes out in September, with glorious illustrations by Susan Reagan. I am so grateful to my agent, to Carolyn, and to Astra, for believing in me!

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?

Lisa: Write from your heart. Write not to a trend, but what is important to you. That deep-seated emotion is what will make your manuscript unique and stand out.

Me: What are your plans for the future? Writing or otherwise, traveling, hobbies, etc.

Lisa: I lose myself in making art, mostly painting and drawing. I’m taking a printmaking class and love it; I’ve done a lot of traveling and look forward to exploring more of the world; I like challenges, so I’ve been taking ballet classes though I was born to run; and I’m tackling some important writing projects that I’d love to see in the hands of readers someday.

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.

Lisa: Fruit is my go-to for many recipes. This rice salad, Riso e Frutta, is easy and delicious. It’s best when made with strawberries fresh from the field. I’ve adapted it from Cucina Fresca by Viana LaPlace and Evan Kleiman. I first tasted their thoughtfully prepared food long ago at the Los Angeles restaurant Angeli.

The recipe calls for ½ cup sugar; I don’t use that as the fruit is sweet enough for me, but that’s up to the cook!

Riso e Frutta

2/3 cup arborio rice
1 pint of strawberries (I always use more!)
2-3 nectarines
2 kiwi
Juice of 2 oranges and 1 lemon
Fresh basil

Cook the rice until al dente, drain, and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Dice the strawberries, nectarines, and kiwi. Add the fruit and juices to the rice and toss. Chill. I like to chiffonade fresh basil and sprinkle it over the chilled rice and fruit mixture.

Delish! The perfect salad for a warm spring or summer day!

Me: Thanks so much for your time, it’s always fun getting to know writing friends, I hope you have a wonderful day. I am so inspired by your writing journey, and I can’t wait to try your Riso e Frutta recipe!

Lisa: It is so great to connect with writing friends. Our writing community means the world to me! Thank you, Patricia!

Bio: Lisa Jean Rogers is the award-winning author of JOAN MITCHELL PAINTS A SYMPHONY, called “simply marvelous” by Kirkus Reviews in a starred review; BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE MUSIC OF JOHN CAGE, which received the Golden Kite Honor Award, the Julia Ward Howe Notable Book Award, and three starred reviews; 16 WORDS: WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS AND “THE RED WHEELBARROW,” which received two starred reviews and was called “a fine introduction to a celebrated American poet” by The New York Times; and the bestselling ELVIS PRESLEY: A LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK BIOGRAPHY.

She’s also authored RONALD REAGAN: A LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK BIOGRAPHY; HOUND WON’T GO; and DISCOVER HER ART: WOMEN ARTISTS AND THEIR MASTERPIECES. She has poems in several anthologies, including the title poem in the just-released IF I COULD CHOOSE A BEST DAY (Irene Latham and Charles Waters, eds.).

Lisa was inspired to write for children during her career as an elementary school librarian. A former news reporter and editor, Lisa lives just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband and hound. Find her at https://lisarogerswrites.com/ and on IG & Bluesky @ LisaLJRogers.

Celebrating the Christmas Season with Susan Drew

I’m so excited that we will be celebrating the Christmas season with Susan Drew, the author of Sadie Does Not Like Sorries, which was released in August of this year. Susan is also one of my critique partners, which makes her picture book debut extra special to me.

Welcome Susan and thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your writing journey.

I know we’ve talked about how busy our lives can be, and I’m sure you’re as busy as I am preparing for Christmas. But no matter how busy life gets, this is still my favorite time of year! So, do you have any special plans for Christmas? Or are there any activities that you participate in related to the holiday?

Susan: Both of my kids and their partners will be home for Christmas this year so that makes it special. We have a tradition that started when they were in elementary school that we still keep on doing. On Christmas Eve after church, we have fondue and watch a Christmas movie. When the kids were little, after the movie they’d go to bed and then my husband and I would fill the stockings and do any last-minute battery adding, toy building, and wrapping. These days, after the movie we go to bed, and they stay up. I fill the stockings in the morning since I get up early. Yes, I still do stockings. I love them!

Me: How long have you been writing?

Susan: I’ve been seriously writing for about five years. Like a lot of writers, I wrote and made up stories before I got serious about it. I never really thought about being a writer myself until I was inspired by a friend.

Me: What/who inspired you to write this book?

Susan: I wrote Sadie Does Not Like Sorries during Covid. My agent at the time, Dawn Dowdle, said that books about little animals, which is what I had been writing, weren’t selling well. She suggested that I’d do better writing about children, and to pick a social emotional learning theme. I went to Pinterest to see what types of themes I could come up with. Not saying you’re sorry stuck out to me. It’s a tough topic even for adults. I sat down and wrote the story almost exactly like you see it now. That doesn’t usually happen, as you know! You’ve seen many versions of some of my stories while I’m trying to get them right.

Me: That’s true, and one of my favorite things about being in a critique group is seeing the different versions of stories and how they develop into the final story. I remember critiquing Sadie Does Not Like Sorries, and it’s thrilling that I now have my own copy of this wonderful book. 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.

Susan: The publication journey of this story was fairly easy, too! Sadie was out on submission for about a year when it sold to EverImagine Books in August, 2023. Then it was only a year until I got to hold my first published book. During that year the book was edited, and the illustrations were done. I was lucky to have the wonderful Zonaisha Arshad as my illustrator. I got to look at sketches and give input, and give my opinion on the cover image. Every step was so exciting! Oh, I almost forgot – early on the main character’s name changed. I had written her name as Patty Lou, but my editor asked for a more modern name, and one that went better with Sorry. That was the only bump in the road, and I wouldn’t even call it a bump. It was more like a pebble.

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?

Susan: I think the most important thing is not to give up. I’ve been in many critique groups, and it can be such a long road to getting an agent, and then a long road to getting published. I’ve seen a lot of writers whose work I loved give up because it can be so bruising. The rejection, the waiting, the feeling that you’re not good enough. It’s hard. Do whatever you have to do to keep at it.

Me: What are your plans for the future? Writing or otherwise, traveling, hobbies, etc.

Susan: Besides continuing to write, I want to find new avenues for my art. I love to paint and create using alcohol inks. I’m thinking about what’s next with art – maybe making cards, or other types of illustrations. I sell at craft fairs in the fall, but maybe there’s another type of venue where I could sell all year round? Writing will always come first, but when I need a break, art is where I turn.

Susan: This is a simple recipe from my grandmother that I always loved when I was little. If I was home alone, I’d sneak into the cabinet and eat spoonfuls. I couldn’t wait for the hot water!

Grandma Gelting’s Hot Chocolate

1 large can Nestles Quick

1 small box powdered milk

1 cup sugar

1 small jar coffee creamer

Mix well. Add several spoons of mix to 1 cup of hot water. Yummy!

This is one of my favorite pictures of my grandma and her twin sister.

Me: Thanks so much for your time, it’s always fun chatting with you Susan, and I’m sure that I’ll see other books by you out in the world soon. The picture of your grandma and her twin sister is precious! I love creamy, chocolatey beverages, and will definitely be trying this recipe. I hope you have a wonderful day and a very Merry Christmas!

You can contact Susan here:

Susandrewwrites.com

Blue Sky

Instagram

You can purchase Sadie Does Not Like Sorries here.

Celebrating the Winter Wonders Season with Joyce P. Uglow

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.

Pre-order on Amazon here!

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.

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:

https://joyceuglowauthor.com/

Blue Sky

Facebook

Celebrating Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos with Stephanie Wildman

I’m so excited that we will be celebrating Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos with Stephanie Wildman, one of the authors of Ghost Writer, along with Cecilia Populus-Eudave and illustrated by Estefania Razo from Lawley Publishing. (also available in Spanish as Escritor Fantasma)

Me: Welcome Stephanie and thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your writing journey. As we begin to enjoy the cooler fall weather, thoughts of Halloween, pumpkins, and goblins enter my mind. I always enjoy a good Halloween story, especially one that shares traditions with us. I can’t wait to hear more about this story and how it came about. Speaking of the Halloween season, do you have a favorite season? Is it Fall?

Stephanie: While fall would be a better answer for this post and for the sake of the book, I confess spring is my favorite season because that’s when my birthday occurs. But my half-birthday is in October, and I celebrate that too!

Stephanie Wildman

Cecilia Populus-Eudave

Estefania Razo

Me: How long have you been writing?

Stephanie: I did create a pen name for myself in fourth grade, so it’s fair to say I’ve always wanted to be a writer. And I wrote a lot in my day job as a law professor – books, articles, op-eds. But I didn’t start writing for children until 2018, when I took a class from Maxine Rose Schur.

Me: What or who inspired you to write this book?

Stephanie: Several inspirations came together to create Ghost Writer. The initial idea came from my grandson asking me repeatedly over months, “Grandma, did you know Julio died?” Julio was their beloved Boston Terrier, and I knew he was trying to process his sadness and the death itself. At the same time, I was working with illustrator Estefania Razo on the second Flor, Roberto, and Luis story – Breath by Breath. I love Estefania’s artwork, and I thought what fun it would be for her to illustrate a story about Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. I interviewed her about her own family customs. I also interviewed Cecilia Populus-Eudave, who has been the Spanish translator for the series about how her family celebrated Dia de los Muertos, and that’s how we became co-authors in telling the story.

Stephanie: The publication journey was smooth, because Ghost Writer is the third book in a series – so we had all worked with the team at Lawley Publishing before. But a wonderful aha moment came when Kid Lit author and blogger/podcaster Gina Soldano interviewed me. One of the headings on her website said Ghost Writer and that’s how this book found its title!

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?

Stephanie: I always beat the drum about rejections. I think many writers get devastated by bad news, but honestly, there are so many opportunities for rejection in this business – not just from agents and publishers, but from bloggers who don’t want to interview you or bookstores who won’t carry the book. So I urge writers to embrace the rejection – it means you are out there doing what you love – being a writer.

Me: What are your plans for the future? Writing or otherwise, traveling, hobbies, etc.

Stephanie: I’m happy to share that another Flor, Roberto, and Luis book is in the works. It’s coming on October 14, 2025, and is titled Story Power! and the co-author is my grandson Simon Wildman-Chung (because the book was his idea). And I have another book coming out in November – Miri’s Moving Day, coauthored with Adam Ryan Chang and illustrated by Dream Chen from Kar-Ben Publishing. Maybe next time you interview me, we will talk about co-authoring.

Me: Yes, that sounds like a plan! I love that your grandson is a co-author of a book with you; I’m looking forward to hearing all about that. 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.

Stephanie: I’m happy to share my chicken soup recipe, which combines my grandmother’s recipe with a NY times recipe.

Not My Grandmother’s Chicken Soup

(Although my grandmother Lena Sokol did tell me she put beef short ribs in her chicken soup.)

Place in a large pot & barely cover with water (I have a little of the chicken not covered in water):

1 3 ½ to 4 ½ lb. chicken (whole) – (take any chunks of fat out of body cavity opening &include all inner parts, if available)

1.5 lbs. beef short ribs (optional if prefer no beef)

1/2 tsp. sea salt

bunch of cilantro (washed and tied with string)

1tbsp. dried oregano

1 large yellow onion, chopped

Before adding water, season with pepper, paprika, and turmeric – a few healthy shakes of each

Cook for 1 to 1 ½ hours until chicken is done. Remove chicken and parts, ribs, and cilantro with string.

Add to the pot and bring back to a boil before lowering heat to simmer:

handful of diced ginger

1 large yam (peeled and cut)

8-10 small red potatoes (cut in half)

2 – 3 ears of corn — broken into halves or thirds

cubed Butternut squash (I use about 3-4 cups, often sold pre-cut)

1-2 jalapeno chili(s) – seeds removed and diced

After another ½ hour to 1 hour stir and add to the pot:

2-3 large tomatoes – chopped

2-3 zucchini, cubed

Return diced chicken (I don’t use the innards, except the liver) and beef to the pot and let simmer for at least ½ hour, but the soup is very forgiving as to how long.

About 15 minutes before serving stir and add 1 bag of washed spinach to the pot. Stir again before serving.

Serve with these garnishes:

capers

sour cream

chopped avocado

This recipe combines my grandmother’s recipe with inspiration from this recipe in the NY Times food section for Columbian-Style Chicken, Short Rib and Potato Stew.

Me: Thanks for taking time to chat with me during this spooky Halloween season. It’s always fun getting to know writing friends! I look forward to interviewing you again, and, I plan on making your chicken soup recipe, I like that it has a little ginger in it to spice it up.

You can learn more about Stephanie at http://www.stephaniewildman.com/

You can connect with Stephanie here:

You can purchase her books here.

Celebrating Summer Solstice with Jeanette Fazzari Jones

I’m so excited that we will be celebrating Summer Solstice by interviewing Jeanette Fazzari Jones, the author of MEATBALLS FOR GRANDPA, which was released in March of this year by Two Lions Press. In this sensory-rich picture book, a little girl and her grandparents make the family’s traditional spaghetti and meatballs recipe together and hope to jog Grandpa’s fading memory.

Me: Welcome, Jeanette and thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your writing journey. It’s hard to believe that summer is upon us, it seems like just yesterday that the trees were beginning to bloom, and now we are in full swing barbecue season!

Jeanette: Yes! I just returned from a short trip out of state and arrived to find my garden had tripled in size! My pumpkin plants seem to be ready to overtake our back yard, and my tomatoes are threatening to burst out of their cage-stands!

Me: Do you have any special plans for the summer?

Jeanette: Our big trip this summer just wrapped up. We returned to my hometown in New Jersey to see family and do a few book visits. One of them was my own elementary school—a special, sweet little place nestled in one of those towns you think only exists in Hallmark movies. Seeing how it’s both changed and stayed exactly the same over the years was definitely a highlight. Of course, while I was in town we went to the beach and got our fill of the best pizza in the world.

Me: Are there any activities that you participate in related to the season?

Jeanette: As for summer activities—I’d love to lie and say that I’m enjoying lazy-days, but actually I’m zooming around the house cleaning and organizing all the things I didn’t get to during the school year. People ask how I take on so many things—teach, write, bake, and be a mom. I tell them to look at the state of my living room and that will speak volumes!

Me: Do you have a favorite season?

Jeanette: I don’t have a favorite season, honestly because I love how they are constantly changing and offering us new ways to appreciate nature. The vibrant greens of summer with the smack-you-in-the-face heat; the crisp evening air during the fall; watching a silent blanket of white cover the earth during winter; and the spring morning smell of dew on grass. There’s always something to look forward to!

Me: How long have you been writing?

Jeanette: I’ve always enjoyed writing and found little ways to hone my skills over the years. Truly learning how to be a children’s author came about when I started back to work as a kindergarten teacher. I wanted a new hobby, I LOVED reading to my own young children and students, and I loved how books could transport you through any time, place or topic. So, writing seemed like a good fit. Then, the pandemic hit. While locked inside with nothing but time, I decided to look into the publishing industry. Fast forward 4 years, and here I am!

Me: What or who inspired you to write this book? June is Alzheimer’s Awareness month, and I understand that is one of the themes in your book. Can you tell me about that?

Jeanette: Yes! MEATBALLS FOR GRANDPA is based on my real grandfather. Sadly, he passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease when I was 17. The book was also inspired by the spaghetti-sauce and meatball recipe in the back. One day, I set out my sauce to simmer, then took a walk. I was playing around with words that sounded and smelled like my kitchen in those moments. So, it started as a poem. One my critique partners suggested adding a layer from my family history, and one of them showed me a similar story she was working on. Combining the concepts really helped me hone in on the big why behind the story—the little things we do can have a big impact on those we love.

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, amazing, aha-moments? You can share the good, bad, ugly, or not lol.

Jeanette: This book actually had a pretty quick turn around when it comes to the snail-paced publishing industry… about three or so years from start to finish. There were a few false starts—a R&R from one publishing house that became a no. When Marilyn, my editor at Two Lions Press got a hold of it, she helped me develop the vision for the story even further. Then, Jaclyn Sinquett came on board and pure magic happened! My aha-moment was definitely in there—the collaboration process and the little tweaks everyone brought to the project made it so much stronger than I could have ever done by myself.

My other aha goes hand-in-hand with the first… There is always another revision. Even after publication! Every time I read MEATBALLS FOR GRANDPA, I think of a sentence I can change or a word I can remove. I’m thankful for my editor and critique partners who tell me that it’s time to stop, haha!

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?

Jeanette: It’s the same advice that I give myself:

One – Figure out what you want to say to the world and don’t give up. Your voice has value, even if an editor or an agent says you’re not the right fit right now.

Two – Find a way to make it fun. Writers invest a lot of time and even money into our craft. We all get in slumps; we all wonder if there is any point to pushing forward. BUT—if we can shift our thinking and enjoy the different aspects of the writing community, then it’s never a waste! I love my critique group, entering writing contests, playing with words, and coming up with concepts that make me chuckle. Sometimes we just have to take a step back and embrace those moments.

Me: What are your plans for the future? Writing or otherwise, traveling, hobbies, etc.

Jeanette: I have a second book, DUCK, DUCK, GROOVE(The Little Press), coming out in Fall, 2025, so that’s super exciting! Hopefully there will be more down the road as well! By day, I’m a kindergarten teacher and by night I’m a chauffeur to my amazingly extroverted daughter and base-ball playing son. I also accidentally started a mini-bakery out of my kitchen a few years back when my friends suggested I sell my decorated cookies…so in my spare time, I take on orders.

As for writing, right now I’m back in the query trenches. Sadly, my sweet agent, Dawn Dowdle, passed away last fall from a sudden heart attack. I’m a member of SCBWI and 12×12, so I’ve been using all their resources to build up my portfolio. I’ve sent a few queries out, and I think I’ve wound up in some “maybe piles.” But I really want to have about 6-8 polished, amazing, ready-to-wow manuscripts to present to a prospective agent before I get serious about querying. I plan to do that next year, so for right now I’m writing-revising-rewriting and revising some more!

Me: I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your agent. I know it’s tough to be in the query trenches, but it sounds like you’re on the right track. SCBWI and 12×12 are full of helpful resources for Kid Lit authors, and the 12×12 community offers a lot of friendly help and support for its members.

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.

Jeanette: Well, since MEATBALLS FOR GRANDPA has a recipe in the back, I’ll give you all some desert! I mentioned I love baking, and everyone loves a good story, so this one even comes with a little laugh.

When my husband and I were dating, he told me that he once said he’d marry the first girl that baked him his favorite cookies—Snickerdoodles. Well, I took that as a challenge! I’d been baking cookies for as long as I could remember, and Snickerdoodles were one of my favorites. I wanted him to have his fill so I doubled the recipe… all except the butter. He was away at grad school, and so I mailed him cinnamon flavored bricks! It worked out for me though; we’re celebrating our 16^th anniversary this year and have two beautiful children!

Snickerdoodles (or Cinnamon Cookies … but not Cinnamon Bricks!)

1 c. butter

2 c. sugar

2 eggs

2 ½ c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon sugar

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs.

Combine the dry ingredients. Add to the wet ingredients.

Refrigerate the dough for 30+ minutes.

Roll into balls and dip in cinnamon sugar. (I make them about the size of a golf ball, but you can make them bigger or smaller based on your preference. Just adjust the cooking time).

Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes. Let sit on the warm tray for about 2-3 minutes before cooling on a wire rack.

Me: Thanks for taking time out of your very busy schedule. It’s always fun getting to know writing friends! I hope you enjoy the rest of the summer, and I look forward to seeing more of your books out in the world.

Jeanette: You’re very welcome, thanks for letting me be a part of your blog.

You can contact Jeanette here: Website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, Bluesky