Persistence

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January 31, 2019

Heather Macht on Persistence, STEM Picture Books, and Building a Publishing Career

Children's author Heather Macht combines storytelling, science, and curiosity to create engaging books for young readers. Author of THE ANT FARM ESCAPE, REX THE…WE-DON’T-KNOW, and YOU MAY JUST BE A DINOSAUR, Heather writes picture books that encourage children to explore the natural world while embracing creativity and discovery. In this interview, she shares lessons about publishing, literary agents, rejection, STEM education, perseverance, and building a long-term career in children's books.

January 16, 2019

Abi Cushman on Publishing Picture Books, Creative Persistence, and Finding Your Artistic Voice

Author-illustrator Abi Cushman knows firsthand that creative success rarely happens overnight. Before selling her debut picture book, Soaked, she spent years refining her craft, joining critique groups, revising manuscripts, entering contests, building industry relationships, and developing her illustration portfolio. In this interview, Abi shares lessons about literary agents, traditional publishing, creative persistence, critique groups, branding, illustration, and the realities of building a long-term career in children's books.

January 8, 2019

Valeria Wicker on The Ugly Doodles, Literary Agents, and Traditional Publishing

Children’s book author and illustrator Valeria Wicker joined me for a second interview to discuss her debut picture book, The Ugly Doodles, working with literary agent Adria Goetz, and what the traditional publishing journey actually looks like behind the scenes. We talked about creativity, self-doubt, illustration, submissions, editor feedback, and the emotional highs and lows of getting a picture book deal. If you haven't read my first interview with Valeria, be sure to check it out so you're up to speed on her backstory.

August 22, 2018

Author Stephanie Campisi on Persistence, Creativity, and Writing for Children

Author Stephanie Campisi knows what it feels like to spend years pursuing publication, navigating agent changes, balancing a demanding career, and continuing to write anyway. An Australian-born author now living in Washington State, Stephanie writes picture books filled with humor, heart, and imagination. Her books include The Ugly Dumpling, Luis and Tabitha, and The Five Sisters. Along the way, she has built a successful publishing career while working full-time as a copywriter and continuing to develop projects for both children and adults. In this interview, Stephanie shares lessons on persistence, creativity, finding your voice, working with literary agents, balancing writing with everyday life, and why success in publishing is often a much longer journey than most people realize.

February 10, 2018

Lessons on Illustration, Creativity, and Building an Artistic Career from Katy Halford

Katy Halford is a children's book illustrator whose work spans publishing, commercial illustration, art licensing, and character design. After earning a degree in illustration, she built a successful freelance career through consistent practice, portfolio development, and a willingness to keep learning. In this interview, we discuss creative growth, working with publishers, building relationships with clients, overcoming rejection, and what aspiring illustrators can do to develop a sustainable artistic career. Although this conversation took place in 2018, many of the lessons about creativity, persistence, and professional development remain just as relevant today.

November 4, 2017

Lessons on Writing, Discipline, and Publishing from Science Fiction Author Thane Keller

My brother, Thane Keller, is a science fiction author, U.S. Army veteran, husband, and father. His experiences serving in Iraq and Afghanistan have influenced both his worldview and the stories he writes. In this interview, we discuss self-publishing, writing discipline, military influence on storytelling, building fictional worlds, and what aspiring authors can learn from the long process of finishing books. Although this conversation took place in 2017, many of the lessons about persistence, creativity, and craftsmanship remain just as relevant today.

August 23, 2017

Why Writers and Illustrators Struggle With Rejection (and How to Push Through It)

Depression is a very real, very damaging, very painful experience that can be short term or long term and have long lasting consequences. This perspective of author depression in no way is intended to come across flippantly as if to compare on the same level as chronic or acute depression. An author, however, can learn a great deal about how to process the feelings and thoughts encountered during the road to publication by examining depressive symptoms.