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October 15, 2021

What Successful Children’s Authors Know About Writing, Rejection, and Creativity

Writing is often portrayed as a magical process fueled by inspiration and creativity. In reality, most authors spend far more time wrestling with self-doubt, revising imperfect drafts, managing rejection, and learning how to stay consistent when motivation fades. To better understand the realities of the writing life, six accomplished children's authors share insights into their creative process, writing habits, challenges, sources of encouragement, and proudest career moments. Their answers reveal common themes about persistence, creativity, community, and the mindset required to build a sustainable writing career. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a published author, or simply curious about the creative process, these lessons offer a valuable behind-the-scenes look at what it truly means to be an author.

November 19, 2019

Earth Hour Book Interview: Nanette Heffernan on Writing Environmental Picture Books

Environmental challenges can often feel too large for any one person to influence. Climate change, conservation, pollution, and sustainability are global issues that affect billions of people. Yet meaningful change rarely begins with governments or organizations alone. It often starts with individuals who choose to take small actions and encourage others to do the same. Children's books have a unique ability to introduce these ideas early, helping young readers understand both the challenges facing our planet and their role in creating positive change. In this interview, author Nanette Heffernan and editor Julie Bliven discuss the creation of Earth Hour, a picture book inspired by the global conservation movement that encourages people around the world to turn off non-essential lights for one hour each year. Their conversation offers valuable insights into environmental storytelling, the picture book publishing process, and how books can inspire readers to think differently about their impact on the world.

November 5, 2019

Behind Go, Girls, Go!: Frances Gilbert on Writing, Editing, and Publishing Children’s Books

Few people get to see the publishing industry from multiple angles. Frances Gilbert has spent decades helping bring children's books into the world as an editor while also experiencing the uncertainty, vulnerability, and excitement of being an author herself. In this interview, Frances shares lessons from her work as Editor-in-Chief of Doubleday Books for Young Readers and discusses the release of her picture book, Go, Girls, Go! Along the way, she offers valuable insights into storytelling, publishing, platform building, creativity, and what separates successful children's book creators from those who never quite break through.

September 27, 2019

Illustrating Children’s Books: Lessons from Phyllis Harris on Creativity, Publishing, and Persistence

Children's book illustrations often feel effortless. A reader turns the page, smiles at the artwork, and becomes immersed in the story without ever considering the years of practice, experimentation, revisions, and professional growth required to create those images. Behind every published picture book is a creative process shaped by persistence, craftsmanship, and a commitment to continual improvement. In this interview, children's book illustrator and author Phyllis Harris shares lessons from a career spanning more than 30 books, discussing creativity, publishing, artistic development, resilience, and what it takes to build a lasting career creating work that resonates with children and families.

June 11, 2019

What Publishing Professionals Look For in Picture Books

What makes a picture book stand out to publishing professionals? Editors, agents, illustrators, and art directors all evaluate manuscripts through different lenses, yet certain qualities consistently rise to the top. To better understand what publishing professionals look for in picture books, I spoke with the teams behind Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader and What a Prickly Pear. Their insights offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at what helps a picture book move from manuscript to bookshelf.

August 3, 2018

Author Lisa Wheeler on Persistence, Picture Books, and 225 Rejections

Few aspiring authors realize how much persistence often lies behind a successful writing career. Author Lisa Wheeler spent years honing her craft, collecting roughly 225 rejections before selling her first book. Since then, she has become one of the most recognizable names in children's literature, publishing dozens of books while helping countless writers improve through workshops, critiques, and speaking engagements. In this interview, Lisa shares lessons on rejection, revision, creativity, picture book writing, and the mindset required to build a lasting writing career.

June 13, 2018

Lessons from Rhonda Gowler Greene: Persistence, Picture Books, and Traditional Publishing Success

Rhonda Gowler Greene is the author of more than two dozen children's picture books and has spent over two decades building a successful traditional publishing career. Her books have received numerous honors, including School Library Journal Best Book, ILA Children's Choice Book, Bank Street College Best Book recognition, and multiple starred reviews. What makes her publishing journey especially encouraging for aspiring authors is that it began with persistence through rejection. Before selling her first books and securing literary representation, Rhonda accumulated more than 220 rejections while continuing to study children's literature and refine her craft. In this interview, we discuss literary agents, publishing rejection, writing picture books, creative persistence, balancing family and writing, and what aspiring authors can learn from a lifetime spent studying children's literature. Although this conversation took place in 2018, the lessons about writing, publishing, and professional growth remain just as relevant today.