Just because the world falls into a pandemic doesn’t mean books stop being published. Authors still dream, publishers still acquire, and curious minds still want to know. Writing books during a pandemic is a different ballgame all together. Book launches, library and school visits, and building relationships face-to-face are all different. One thing remains the same: the essence of a successful author as so clearly manifested by creativity, hard work, and determination. Experienced children’s book author Heather Macht takes us along for the socially distant ride of publishing books during a pandemic. Learn what’s changed, what’s remained the same, and enter into a drawing to win a very special giveaway– one of Heather’s picture books OR a picture book manuscript critique. Read more to find out how to win!

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Heather Macht is the author of The Ant Farm Escape! (Pelican, 2019), Rex the…We-Don’t-Know (Pelican, 2020) and You May Just Be a Dinosaur (Pelican, 2015). She is represented by Lynnette Novak of The Seymour Agency.

Heather’s passion for writing and her imagination has childhood roots. In third grade, Heather would get scolded for turning her English and Science class’ writing assignments into creative stories. Although her teachers often frowned, her classmates enjoyed and encouraged her writing. She has a degree in Fine Arts is a volunteer judge for Rate Your Story, and is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). While Heather isn’t working hard to bring a new book into the world, she enjoys painting, poetry, watching scary movies, and spending time with her husband and children.

Heather, it’s great having you back for another spotlight on your ever-growing publishing career! During our last author interview, you had just brought The Ant Farm Escape to market in 2019 and were beginning work on the soon to be released Rex the…We-Don’t-Know. This latest book marks your third piece publishing with Pelican. Bring us up to speed on your third book and tell us what it’s like working with Pelican.

Thanks so much for having me again, Rhys! I get asked this question a lot, by the way, and I always say the same thing: Pelican is a lot of fun to work with!

They’ve included me in their entire process of planning my picture books, which is so cool. This allows an entire glimpse of the whole process. They’ve always started by asking my opinion on illustrators (and they have chosen amazing illustrators for me, might I add! I feel so fortunate.). They’ve allowed me the first look at sketches for input, and the same goes with the final, full-color color images. Their editorial team is precise and thoughtful with their edits.

Overall, their final products are beautiful! I’m so thankful I’ve been given the opportunity to work on three books with them.

It sounds like Pelican is a top-notch publisher, extending respect to everyone involved in bringing books to life. As you bring your third book to stores, you’ve likely seen and learned quite a bit of the workings behind-the-scenes in the publishing industry. How has the experience changed for you from your first book to your third? Have you done anything differently this time or are there any tried and true methods that are still critical to a successful book launch? And I must ask the age-old question…what do you do in all the ‘waiting’?

They really have been wonderful to work with! And, seeing the behind-the-scenes process with them has been extremely eye-opening. But I really will say the experience hasn’t changed much for me at all, other than being more familiar with the steps needed to take a book from a manuscript to a published book. Also, even though it’s the third time around, I’m just as excited to review sketches, go through editing, and to review the final images and typeset before it goes to print. The whole process is so fascinating and I’m thankful they make their authors such a big part of it!

In prepping for my third launch party and appearances, the most important tip I can pass along is to have fun! If planning blogs posts or attending school visits and book launch parties isn’t fun for you it won’t be that much fun for those reading along or attending either. So, have fun with the whole process and enjoy!

I treat my book launch parties like a big birthday party, complete with fun activities and party favors. A lot goes into planning one, but it’s so rewarding to look out and see everyone laughing and participating. And, I may or may not keep a few of the party favors for myself.

I wouldn’t say there’s that much “waiting”. While I’m “waiting” to review the newest book’s sketches, I’m still very active and busy planning school visits or author events for the other two books I have. I stay very busy between author events and writing new stories.

What an exciting experience! Many authors and illustrators describe themselves as shy introverts. Was gearing up for these social activities ever a challenge for you and how have you gotten through it? Or, do you always look forward to the activity and how do you stay focused on the goal of successful book launches despite all of life’s busyness?

This is tough! I’d say I’m a good 50% introvert and 50% extrovert. Some topics and situations, I shy away from. However, the one thing I love to talk about is books! One of the most surreal experiences I’ve had so far was my first book launch party. Around 80 people showed up at my local Barnes and Noble. The amazing staff saw the crowd size and asked if I wanted a microphone for the people in the back to hear. Me? A microphone? So intimidating at first! But I guaranteed them I could talk loudly. Then, I heard them go on stage and talk about me (like I was someone special?!).

It all happened so fast, like a rip of a Band-Aid, but I excitedly went to the stage, read You May Just Be a Dinosaur to them, and had a fantastic time. Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to even larger groups – sometimes up to 300- it’s such a fun experience.

It is definitely hard to juggle a book launch with kids, work, and everything else in between. They often take a month or longer to plan! Staying focused can be difficult but it’s important to stay on track. I constantly go through my checklist, make sure everyone’s invited and postcards are made and distributed, make sure I meet to discuss with Barnes and Noble in person, make sure I find the perfect swag (wait till you see what swag I’m passing out at Rex the…We-Don’t-Know!), make sure I keep the end goal in mind: to have fun! Keeping the end goal front-and-center helps with an amazing outcome!

**READERS NOTE** At about this time during our interview, the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 hit full-swing. Life as we all knew it began screeching to a halt. Heather’s new day job in healthcare information technology became incredibly demanding and I (the interviewer) moved halfway across the country. We were able to soon reconnect and finish the interview. **END READERS NOTE**

It’s difficult imagining an author releasing a new book without some form of book launch party or story time reading event. But the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the literary industry just as it’s impacted all others. How has the health crisis, social distancing, and generally people staying out of book stores and libraries affected your book launch plans for Rex the…We-Don’t-Know?

It’s been difficult having a book release amid the pandemic. I did a lot of footwork and had 6 events already planned with more being lined up. In an instant it all changed, plans were cancelled, and uncertainty has been surrounding the book industry.

I have a great relationship with the Barnes and Noble I was planning the launch party with and we decided to wait until Fall (or longer) depending on how things go. Right now, it’s looking like all the events I have planned may be postponed until next year. But, I understand, safety first, always! We had to treat this virus seriously.

What I will say is my marketing plans for this has definitely changed from past events. My goal is to throw a huge re-launch party for Rex once things are better outside. And, can I just say, I can’t wait? I miss in-person reading and book events so much, so I’ll definitely make sure it’s a blast.

Sorry to hear that, Heather. It’s been a real shame not being able to visit libraries and enjoy events like book readings. With many industries trying to create a new normal using online video conferences, what have you noticed in the literary industry for video conferences? Has there been an uptick in video calls replacing traditionally in-person activities? With children as the intended audience for book readings, I imagine it’s difficult engaging them and getting word out about the new book. How might you and other book creators engage young minds during this pandemic?

It’s definitely been a shame, but you know what? The #KidLit community is so remarkable. They are pulling together like never before! Authors have been hosting virtual book readings and virtual book launch parties, illustrators have been teaching drawing classes, and publishers have been so generous to allow their books to be presented over these forums.

Hosting virtual events is a great way to capture audiences. For example, I held a coloring contest for kids to celebrate Rex’s release and I had so many parents say how much their kids enjoyed it. I’m also looking forward to Skyping with schools this next school year and I’m still holding out hope that in-school visits may be a thing that happens in 2021.

#KidLit folks are awesome! As a healthcare and information technology professional, your job demands a lot of your time. Add family and personal interests to your weekly schedule and I can’t imagine there is much time left for focusing on your books or writing new ones. What does your schedule look like and how/where do you fit in books and new manuscripts? What would you say to other authors and illustrators with a passion to create books but consumed by other careers and life demands?

This year has been filled with change.

In February, I took a job that really interested me, working in the IT department at a healthcare company. Little did I know how busy things would become the very next month!

Fast forward to now, 4 months into the pandemic with a hectic work schedule: my day typically starts at 5 AM and it’s filled with work, meetings, taking care of a toddler, helping the older kids with virtual school work, walking the dog, making lunches and dinners, and it finally winds down at around 10 PM when the kids are in bed.

My writing time now either occurs on work or lunch breaks, at night, or during early weekend mornings when the kids are still asleep. It’s definitely a challenge for everyone right now.

What’d I’d say is this: make sure to find some writing and editing time, no matter how hectic your day/week/month is. Whether it’s during a 15 minute break or an hour before bed, it’s important to keep at it!

With that demanding schedule, have you had to change how you attack your writing projects? Do you feel more focused with less writing time or is the rush and time limitation leaving you feeling like you just need more time to give the words better attention?

During the week, when I’m writing in between breaks, I find editing manuscripts works best. On the weekends when I have more dedicated, and uninterrupted time, it’s easier to work on new manuscripts or works-in-progress (WIPs).

I’m reminded of our first interview where we learned all about The Ant Farm Escape. You had shared a lot of insight with us about life as an author, your involvement with SCBWI, painting, poetry, and your love for scary movies. We looked ahead and heard your plans for more books; non-fiction, blended / STEM, and fiction. You were focused on girl protagonists and science books for everyone. Could you give us an update on some or all of the above? What stories are in the works and when can we expect to see a bee book from you? Oh yes…I have not forgotten!

I have so much in the works right now. And, it involves ALL of the above. But, in world of publishing, you know how it goes. I can’t say too much about it. What I will say is, YES. I’m still working on all the above and more.

Ah, the clandestine industry that is creating a book! We hate it and love it all the same. Let’s end our interview with a call to action. The writer’s life is filled with toil and passion. It’s often lonely and isolating, with brief moments of subjecting ideas to others. How can people connect with you and stay up to date on your upcoming developments and book releases? How can schools or libraries engage you virtually or in-person for readings or question and answer activities?

Thanks for asking, Rhys! My favorite place to connect with people is via Twitter @AuthorHMacht and Instagram @HeatherAuthorMacht! I’m on these two platforms most and enjoy connecting with readers, writers, agents, and editors. Schools can connect with me via Twitter or via my “Contact” page on my website: Contact Author Heather Macht.

One of my favorite activities, by the way, is presenting to schools and connecting with students! Where it may not happen as much in person this year, I’d love to connect with schools via Skype this year! Thanks, as always, for having me Rhys! It’s been a pleasure!

Heather and I hope this behind-the-scenes publishing interview was encouraging, helpful, and insightful for you. If you enjoyed it, would you consider doing three simple things? Leave your thoughts in a comment below, subscribe to my site using the email subscription box on the sidebar (or below if you’re on a mobile device), and share the post on social media.

As a token of our appreciation for your time, and a way of saying thank you to the book loving community at large, Heather has graciously offered up a special giveaway prize- one of her picture books of your choosing, or a picture book manuscript critique. All you have to do to enter is include what you would like the prize to be if you’re selected within your comment below by August 25, 2020. It’s as easy as writing Ant Farm Escape, You May Just Be a Dinosaur, Rex the…We-Don’t-Know, or PB Manuscript Critique after your comment!

The winner will be selected using a random number generator and then tracked down to be notified of the prize. We’ll also post the name or moniker of the winner at the bottom of this interview upon confirmation.

Be sure to connect with us on social media and stay up to date on Heather’s latest books!

**8/25/2020 UPDATE** We have a winner, folks! Sherry Fellores was selected by our incredibly advanced Random Number Picker via Google and has won a MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE by Heather Macht! CONGRATULATIONS, Sherry!!!

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