 KLiC: What was your inspiration for Do You See Me? RGM: It sparked from observing my son and his school mates. Seeing how kids want to know that you notice them, what they are doing - do you see me? especially something they are excited about. I thought how their perspective of do you see me? is about being noticed and their parents or adults in their life sees more, something deeper - beyond the immediate, momentary thing. I thought that juxtaposition was an interesting concept, ultimately leading to the child’s reflection on the words spoken to them and expressing their new view of themselves. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? RGM: From idea to publication was about nine years. A couple of months ago, I looked back through old files and saw that I logged the idea in early 2017. I also found the initial, incomplete draft from May 2017. At that time, for one reason or another, I set it aside. Then in late 2019 there was a lot of public discourse about black girls and black women in terms of invisibility. That discussion brought me back to this manuscript. Although the desire to be seen is universal - and how the manuscript started, it was this specific conversation that reignited the spark and path to completing a submittable manuscript. It went on submission at some point in 2020, I received feedback from an editor that liked the concept, provided feedback, and was open to a rewrite and resubmit. I sat with the feedback but ultimately, I realized they didn’t fully connect with my intent for the manuscript. It would have been a completely different book. Then in early 2021 my former agent informed me that an editor at Roaring Brook Press was interested in the manuscript and wanted to talk to me about some points for revision and their vision for Do You See Me?. We had a great conversation - she got it! Within a couple of weeks, I received an acquisition offer.  KLiC:What are your favorite illustrations in the book? RGM: I love Reggie Brown's vision for the book, the blustery beach day setting. Some favorite illustrations include a scene where water splashes through rocks/boulders as the characters navigate the terrain with varying expressions - delight, caution and curiosity. The tender moment between mom and daughter sitting, looking out at the ocean as the mom asked the important reflective question. And I’m really drawn to the spread about facing fear. The way Reggie positioned the girl on that tree trunk, the expression on her face - it really pulls me in. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? RGM: I want children to know their value and understand what it truly means to be seen. KLiC: What’s next for you? RGM: I’m actively seeking new representation, looking at some manuscripts with fresh eyes for revision opportunities and working on completing a picture book dummy.  LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss is the author of I Love Me! (Beaming Books, 2020) and Do You See Me? (Roaring Brook Press, 2026). She also illustrated Meet Freida Amenze Friday by Doris Imahiyerobo-Umoinyang (Clear Fork Publishing 2025). LaRonda discovered writing by way of motherhood. Her son’s love of story time immersed her in the wonderful world of picture books. Enjoying books with various themes and approaches to storytelling, from the quirky to the quiet, eventually inspired her to begin writing stories of her own. She hopes to someday both author and illustrate her own books. Books that will entertain, enlighten and empower children across the globe. She lives in North Carolina.
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 KLiC: What was your inspiration for PECOSITA? AKN: I've had a tough relationship with my freckles my entire life. My editor and publisher, Denene Millner, always admired them and eventually convinced me that there should be a children's book celebrating freckles--and celebrating your differences. I think I *just* fell in love with my freckles while writing the book! KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? AKN: This one was very different. I usually write books for adults. My first children's book, Keep Your Head Up, was published a few years ago, and it was an amazing process; the words poured out. Pecosita was much harder. It took me a while to get into the mind of a young girl who was gutsy and spunky and loved her freckles. I put it down several times, frustrated. My husband Shane, also a writer, asked if he could take a crack at it, and he just understood Pecosita right away. We then worked on it together, and that was new too. I've never co-written anything before.  KLiC: What kind of research did you do for Pecosita? AKN : I just looked in the mirror! Also, Pecosita's images are based on my daughter, Mazy. And, we live in a world now where freckles are very trendy, so I kept an eye on the beauty world. There are freckle pens out there now! KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? AKN: The cover is my very favorite because it's based on a photo of my daughter. We sent lots of family photos to our illustrator, Eric Velasquez. But when I saw the book, I gasped when I saw myself in there--like a real image of me! SO amazing. KLiC: What's the one thing you want children to take away from your book? AKN: The things that make you different are the very things you can celebrate! It's okay to feel your feelings about anything. But look in that mirror and see YOURself not anyone's perception of you. Keep a journal. At the top, everyday, write: I love myself because __________. And fill it in. And if you have access to music, make a playlist that makes you happy and listen to it! KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? AKN: Always be ready to tell an editor or a publisher what your book is about very briefly. For this book, it was simple. Imagine the famous book "Freckle Juice" but for little girls who already have freckles and love them. KLiC: What's next for you? AKN: My next book for adults: Model Behavior is out next summer from Amistad/HarperCollins. Shane's work can be seen on his YouTube channel (@shanepaulneil), and his next essay will appear in the book Darling Nikki, a collection of tributes to Nikki Giovanni.  Aliya King Neil is an award-winning journalist and the author and coauthor of books for teens and adults. Her work has appeared in Vibe, Giant, Uptown, Essence, King, Ms., Us Weekly, and Teen People, among others. Her picture books include Keep Your Head Up and Pecosita’s Freckly Freckle Face. Visit her at AliyaSKing.com. Photo Credit: Shane Paul Neil  Shane Paul Neil is a writer, journalist, and photographer. His words and images have appeared in several publications including Gothamist, NPR, NBC News, and Ebony. Pecosita’s Freckly Freckle Face is his first book. From the Bronx, Shane now resides in New Jersey with his wife, Aliya King Neil. Follow him at @ShanePaulNeil across all social media platforms.
Photo Credit: Shane Paul Neil  Photo by Briah Christia We are so excited to have DeAndra Davis on our blog today with an exclusive guest essay! Read more below: Should I Stay or Should I Go? College Pathways and Indecision in The Lovers, the Liars, and Me By: DeAndra Davis Deciding what to do once high school is over is one of the biggest decisions a young adult can make. There are many pathways but a common one is college but within that college decision lies a larger conversation and a huge question: do I stay close to home or spread my wings and leave? Now, there are clearly different reasons why anyone may make either decision and in The Lovers, the Liars, and Me, Jaliya struggles with this very decision. She begins the book feeling insecure and unsure that she’s ready to be out on her own. Her initial decision is to stay at a college close enough that if anything goes wrong, her father—her family—is right there to save her. I was similar coming out of high school. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to leave and felt unprepared—a lot of this was exacerbated by the fact that I had skipped a grade and was younger than others and only freshly 17 when I graduated and when college started. I also wasn’t technically beginning as a freshman due to the amount of credits I had amassed through dual enrollment and AP courses. The thing is, I was less brave than Jaliya. I didn’t just stay close to home at first, I stayed home totally—opting for community college, but later transferred and crossed the country to complete my undergraduate degree in North Dakota in my third year. So I’ve seen both sides, let’s talk about the pros and cons of each! Staying Close to Home - Pros Your Family is Close By For those who have familial support, one of the benefits of staying close to home in any capacity is that your family is close by. If you are very attached to where you live as well, this means you’ll never be homesick. Having family close by is great if you need help, if you want to live at home instead of on campus, and if you worry about a reliable support system. It Is Typically Cheaper Staying in-state is typically cheaper as well since many colleges charge non-resident tuition and fees. Staying close to home means you can stay home, if you’re close enough, or save money on extra fees at the least. Oftentimes the cost of college can be prohibitive to many people so staying close can make it more realistic and there’s no shame in that. Doing what I did, which is starting at a community college for general education courses, can save even more money since community colleges are even cheaper. So splitting the time and going to a larger college after can financially make college a reality where it may not have been before. You May Know More People At College There’s the possibility that other people are staying close as well, so if you stay home, you may have friends from high school and people you know in your courses. This can feel comfortable and familiar and make the ease of transition into college easier when everything isn’t brand new all at once. Keeping your friend group or some semblance of it can ease a lot of stress in an already wild transitional time of life. Staying Close to Home - Cons Your Options May Be Limited Staying close, especially depending how close you want to stay can limit your options. If you’re staying in-state but are willing to go a few hours away, then you may have more opportunities but within reasonable distance to where I was after college was one public four-year university and one community college. There was also a private university, but the cost was too high. Limiting school options also limits your fields of study if they don’t have your particular interests or strengths at the schools nearby. This can make things very restrictive. You May Not Gain As Much Independence Having family close by also means you won’t have to rely on yourself as much. Graduating high school and entering college is an interesting time where you get to practice adulthood while still having help. If you’re still living at home or aren’t too far away, you may lack getting that experience of having to live with new people, figure out some things for yourself, and not turn to your support system for every answer. You May Miss Out On Unique Experiences Larger colleges can also have experiences you can’t get at community colleges or maybe even at a home college. Living far away or in a new state is also a unique experience and a chance to maybe reside in a state you’ve never visited before. If you’re home, you’re exploring the same areas you’ve always known and having experiences you’ve always had, so it may lack the novelty that leaving home can bring and the growth that novelty adds to your life. Leaving Home - Pros Amazing Experiences With new places come new experiences. Experiences like having a dormmate or roommate. Sororities and fraternities. Student associations and groups. The exploration of new places. There is a lot that can be gained from leaving home—many of it tied to simply being around people you’ve never met in a place you don’t know well. Homecoming games and week with traditions specific to that school. A whole culture tied to the university that you get to learn and take part in. Start building those neural pathways with all the fun things you can’t do at home. Increased Independence and Freedom The best thing about doing all those new things? Not as much oversight as if you’re at home. This is good and bad because there’s no one to wake you up on time, no one to ask if you did your homework, no one checking to see what time you came in last night. You have to manage yourself and your responsibilities but that’s as much a con as it is a pro because if you’re practicing for adulthood, that’s all it is. You’re getting a crash course and building those skills for after graduation. Getting everything done the right way is on you but it gives you necessary life skills that you’ll need. And who wants to stumble in after a hangout and come face-to-face with their guardian? Am I right? Everyone’s dad isn’t seeing them off to parties like Jaliya’s in my book. And if you come from a very restrictive family where you haven’t gotten to be your full and complete self. Well, there’s your chance. More Options Clearly, leaving home means you have more options. A whole country of colleges to explore and consider. A plethora of universities at your disposal and cities to go to. Not being location-restricted gives you a lot of leeway in where you go and what you do and that’s a huge boon. Even if you don’t want to spend the rest of your life there, pick that school in Washington and take a day trip to Forks because you love Twilight. Choose that school in Arizona to experience desert weather and the beauty of Lake Havasu. Pick the school in New York City and experience the vibrancy of the city and the fast-paced living. Leaving Home - Cons It Can (Potentially) Be Expensive Leaving home in any capacity is expensive. There’s the cost of tuition, cost of living, the moving itself. It can be a lot. Now, there are some schools that don’t have exorbitant out-of-state fees and of course scholarships and financial aid exists for those who can get them, but cost is, again, a major factor of what keeps many away from higher education already so it goes without saying that cost matters and for many. It Can Be Scary And of course leaving home is terrifying. You’re on your own and even if you can get help and have a good sup[port system, nobody is around the corner to save you or pick you up when you fall. You may be scared you aren't ready or that you’re not good enough to do well on your own. That’s frightening but also can be invigorating and a chance to build a new support system of people wherever you go. Open your network. Spread those wings. Create a found family—like Jaliya in The Lovers, the Liars, and Me. Verdict So is there a right answer? No. There’s only the right answer for you. Maybe you’re like Jaliya and wanting to get into that specific school—the one that feels worth it to leave home for. Maybe you’re like me, worried you’ll fall on your face and needing just an extra year or two to get ready before striking out. No matter what, your life is changing. And even if you don’t believe it, you’re ready to meet those changes head on. You’re ready to tackle the way the world looks for you now in whatever way you’re most comfortable. You’re ready to take things on, even when you don’t feel it. And the best part? No matter what you choose. You get to change your mind. Leave and come back. Stay and then go. But don’t let fear of falling hold you down. Because after a fall, all you can do is rise. -- A born New Yorker and a first-generation Jamaican-American, DeAndra Davis, an award-winning, autistic, and neurodivergent author of young adult, middle grade, and adult novels, was raised in South Florida. DeAndra is a graduate of Florida International University where she earned a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction. A reader since the age of 3, DeAndra’s finest memories are inside book stores and libraries with her mother where she devoured books well above her age range very early on. From Junie B. Jones to Eragon, DeAndra’s tastes varied wildly and she never stopped reading. Then, inspired by the characters she loved, she also never stopped writing. Now, a neurodivergent wife and mother of neurodivergent children, an advocate and survivor of mental health struggles, and a passionate creative writing professor, DeAndra writes the worlds that she lives, that she dreams of, and that she wants to tear down. Though Brooklyn runs in her veins, Florida and Jamaica have her heart. You can find her rapping Glorilla as quickly as you’ll find her singing Beres Hammond. She loves raging about everything from Game of Thrones to Attack on Titan with her husband, children, their goldendoodle named Luna, and English Mastiff named Zeke.   Many years ago, I was researching Black New Yorkers in the 19th century and stumbled upon a line about the Colored Orphan Asylum. I had never heard of the institution before and was stunned to learn that rioters intentionally targeted the orphanage during the Civil War Draft Riots. I had to learn more. The Colored Orphan Asylum (COA) was the first of its kind for Black children in New York. Before then, orphaned Black children lived on the streets or in asylum institutions for adults in unsafe environments. Quaker women saw the need for an orphanage for Black children and opened the asylum in 1836. The children quickly outgrew that first noble building, and the founders acquired land to have a larger building constructed. This is the setting of my book, The Four Seasons of Florence Wallace. Florence spends a year at the orphanage living, learning, growing, and nurturing a dream within her. But all that changes with the Civil War draft lottery. The lottery took place on July 11, 1863, in New York City. Many Irish immigrants were upset at being drafted to fight a war for enslaved Black people. Rich men could pay a surrogate $300 to take their place in the draft, but no such luck for poor men. For months the press had fueled this anger and rage. The newspapers published outlandish stories of every freed slave making the journey north to steal Irish and other immigrant jobs. This was untrue and akin to the fake news that is spread today. This bubbling tension erupted on the second day of the draft, with men, women, and even children taking to the streets to riot.  They targeted the orphanage, believing that no Black person, including Black children, deserved to live on 5th Avenue. This wasn’t the luxurious 5th Avenue of today, yet the rioters didn’t believe Black orphaned children even deserved the basics of shelter, food, and clothing. Imagine feeling that way toward anyone, but especially children. This story has been in my head and heart for many, many years, and I am grateful it is finally out in the world. With America’s 250th birthday fast approaching, I hope readers discover this little known piece of history and delve even deeper into our collective and complex American history.  Kirstie Myvett is the author of several books for children. Kirstie is the co-founder of KidLit in Color, a blog that amplifies BIPOC and indigenous voices in the publishing industry. Kirstie believes that representation matters in all places and spaces, especially in the pages of books. When Kirstie isn't writing, she's spending time with her family in the unique city of New Orleans.
To learn more visit: https://www.kirstiemyvett.com/  We are so excited to interview author Dr. Haleh Massey about her graphic novel Say Something, Poupeh Babaee!, illustrated by Ghazal Qadri. Read more below. Kidlit in Color: What was your inspiration for Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! ? Dr. Haleh Massey: I originally wanted to name the book Poopy Baby, but that didn’t go over well with my editor. I get it. It’s an important topic and probably shouldn’t be listed in the scatology category. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? HM: After I went to school for a loooooong time to become a clinical psychologist, I finally sat down to write my first book. Problem was, besides a creative writing class in high school, I didn’t know the first thing about writing for fun. Let’s just say that original manuscript was a lot of talking heads and long-winded Shakespearean monologues about my childhood that I thought were funny. Thankfully, my stubborn mule personality was determined not to give up. Oh, and at the beginning, all my protagonists were white because that’s all I ever read growing up. My husband/BFF, therapist and author, Christopher Massey aka William DeNoyer, gently reminded me that I should write about my own experiences as an Iranian immigrant. So, I went back to the proverbial drawing board. Ten long years and many, many rejections later (sob), I was finally able to land an amazing agent, Heather Cashman, at Storm Literary Agency. A few years after that, with Heather’s patient guidance on explaining what a plot is, she sold my first book to Little Bee. And the rest, really, is history. KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? HM: I love the Nowruz scene because it is literally me, every single year, trying to balance that darn egg on Iranian New Year. And I’m not like some other people who, we won’t name names, balance the egg using the cracks and crevices in the floor. I do it for real. And then someone accidentally knocks it over and I have to wait till the next year to balance my egg again. Although, according to Poupeh’s cousin, Afrooz, the egg balancing thing on spring equinox is all phony boloney and can be done any old day of the year. I refuse to fact check because it will ruin the magic of Nowruz for me. Kind of like construction at Disneyland, but worse. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? HM: All kids matter. And all feelings matter. And people should be nice to each other. Period. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? HM: Take on my stubborn mule personality and NEVER. GIVE. UP. If I could learn to write a book after not knowing what a plot was, or setting a scene, or having all my characters float around in time and space, so can you. KLiC: What’s next for you? HM: My semi-autobiographical book My Name is Harriet Mansoor (NOT Hairy Man Suit)! (Lee & Low) is coming out on May 26! It’s sequel, My Name is Hangameh Mansoor (NOT Harriet Mansoor)! (Lee & Low) is coming out Spring ’27! Yippeeeeee -- Dr. Haleh Massey is a licensed clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist and shares a private practice in the suburbs of Los Angeles with her husband/BFF, author Christopher Massey aka William DeNoyer. In an effort to promote herself on social media without having her clients find her, Dr. Massey shadows as Dr. Wood E. Woodchuck, Ph.D, LRAT, LMNOP, a dapper school psychologist—and rodent—at Rodentia Elementary School in Rodentia, USA. In addition to marrying her husband/BFF and having two beautiful children, Dr. Massey’s lifelong dream has been: 1) to have an unlimited supply of turkey sandwiches and, 2) become a published children’s book author. While she’s still working on the first dream (any/all deli partnership inquiries welcome), her debut middle grade graphic novel, Say Something, Poupeh Babaee! illustrated by Ghazal Qadri (Little Bee Books) was recently released. Dr. Massey's middle grade novel, My Name is Harriet Mansoor (NOT Hairy Man Suit!) illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh (Lee & Low), comes out Spring '26, and its sequel, My Name Is Hangameh Mansoor (NOT Harriet Mansoor!) (Lee & Low) in Spring '27. My website is: DrHalehMassey.com. I also have another website: AskDrWoodchuck.com   We are so excited to interview author Priya Swaminathan on our blog today. Read about her newest book, Deepa, M.D. below. KidLit in Color: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? Priya Swaminathan: The idea for Deepa, M.D. had been kicking around for a while. Over the course of many years, I jotted down ideas, wrote chapters, and outlined different mysteries. In 2021, I had more time to focus. It took a while to get together a coherent draft that got an agent’s attention. Lilly Ghahremani at Full Circle Literary gave me invaluable notes that helped me find Deepa’s voice. Many months and a few drafts later, Lilly shared the book with publishers. Dainese Santos at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers saw a spark in what I had. With her guidance, I was able to shape the manuscript into the book that’s on shelves now! KLiC: What kind of research did you do for Deepa MD? PS: I used to make documentaries and love research. I read books and academic papers. I listened to kids and families talk about their experience with chronic illness. I picked the brains of nurses and doctors. My brother, an emergency room physician and educator, read through early drafts and gave me advice on how to make Deepa, Uncle Jai, and their patients more realistic. But my favorite research was talking to kids about what the 7th grade was really like. I could do that all day. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? PS: I want kids to laugh! That’s what I’ve gotten out of my favorite books. Also…I’ve gone through tough times I wanted to wish away and pretend never happened. Looking back, those experiences changed me in big, sometimes beautiful ways. Deepa learns how to draw strength from the worst thing that’s ever happened to her. I hope her story sheds a little light on how difficult experiences can give you unexpected superpowers. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? PS: The best advice I got (thank you Gitty Daneshvari!) was to just keep writing. Before Deepa M.D., I worked on a book that never sold. It was discouraging. I felt really sorry for myself. There was a while when I wanted to give up and get into macramé (turns out, that’s a lot harder than I thought). The only thing that got me through it was writing more. I journaled. I tried my hand at different genres. I journaled some more…and eventually, I got enough mojo back to throw myself into Deepa’s world. Along the way, I figured out that I get a lot out of writing that goes beyond a finished product. That’s helped me keep going. KLiC: What’s next for you? PS: I’m working on the second book in the Deepa, M.D. series! It’s a whole new mystery with a complicated 13-year-old patient that kicks up all the feels for Deepa. I’m also graduating from UCLA’s School of Nursing this June and hope to find a job working with oncology patients. -- Priya Swaminathan lived the dream of making movies and TV shows for twenty years before deciding to become a children’s author. In addition to writing, she is embarking on a new journey into medicine by studying nursing at UCLA. She lives in Los Angeles with her family and hopes that someday she’ll convince her husband to get a dog. For more information, click here.   KLiC: What was your inspiration for Every Breath, Every Blessing? DW: This story is a gem forged through the fire. Three years ago, our community was rocked by the tragedy at Covenant School here in Nashville. In the days following, I journaled my longing and lament. The tension was palpable in our community, balancing the care our young ones needed while acknowledging our own difficult emotions. I perceived how parents and leaders were navigating difficult conversations with children, and I had a heightened awareness of our collective need to wrap ourselves in warmth, love, and reassurance. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? DW: I wrote reflections during those tender days to comfort my own heart. As a Pastor and leader who regularly shares words in various formats, I considered that the reflections that helped me could also be a blessing for others. One of my passions in writing children’s books is shaping perspectives on relevant issues. I realized that a book like this would be in line with the type of work I’ve been pleased to publish. So began the process of editing my reflections and formatting a manuscript. I was thrilled when HarperCollins imprint Zonderkidz eagerly jumped on board to partner in sharing this story.   KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? DW: I always champion rich racial representation, and am pleased with how Paran Kim painted the kids with beautiful skin tones. The presence of a child with a cochlear implant is one of the book’s most precious inclusion. One spread shows a Black mama pushing her daughter on the swing. Their joy wraps around my heart and reminds me to delight in simple pleasures with my loved ones. Illustrating rainy and sunny day scenes helps kids understand how the seasons flow together in life and how we can embrace each day. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? DW: In the journey of life, we all face ups and downs. I want children (and adults alike) to be empowered to take life one breath at a time and count the blessings in each day. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? DW: Place yourself in a community to encourage others and be empowered in your writing journey. Whether it is around shared identity or similar genres, we are better together. Be your biggest fan! Stay excited about the words you hope to put out into the world. As often as possible, grow through webinars, conferences, and resources to be ready for the publishing journey. KLiC: What’s next for you? DW: My tenth picture book, Love Lives On, releases in August. In addition, I am working on collaborative projects and branching into middle-grade writing. I also have non-fiction stories to share with the world. The writing life is a wild and wonderful adventure!  Dorena Williamson is a best-selling author of nine children's books showing how differences in race, ability, and background can be curiously explored and joyfully celebrated. She is a longtime bridge-builder and clergy in a multicultural faith community in Nashville. She and her family call Smyrna, TN, home.
Visit her at http://dorenawilliamson.com  KLiC: What was your inspiration for HEIRESS OF NOWHERE? SL: The story began with a question: What would happen if someone who had always lived on the margins suddenly inherited enormous power? Lucy has spent most of her life in the background—first as a maid, then as a research assistant to a magnate who runs his shipping empire from Orcas Island. When she unexpectedly inherits the estate and the business, it throws the entire island into turmoil. I was also inspired by the edge-of-the-world setting of Orcas Island in Washington State. It’s a beautiful place with deep history, rugged landscapes, and a strong sense of community. Putting a mystery inside such a small, close-knit world creates wonderful tension—because everyone knows everyone, and secrets are very hard to keep. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? SL: I start with a healthy dose of curiosity. A story has to absorb me for the entire journey, so I need to be hooked from day one. I knew I wanted to set the book in the San Juan Islands, and when I closed my eyes and imagined the story, I saw a girl walking down a beach and coming across the remains of someone very important to her. From there the questions began: Who was this person? Why was the discovery so meaningful to her? We sold the book off a proposal and a few chapters to my wonderful editor, Sarah Dotts Barley, for her new imprint, Sarah Barley Books. The first draft of HEIRESS OF NOWHERE took about a year to write. After that, I spent several more months revising the manuscript with my editor, shaping the clues and strengthening the characters. Mysteries require careful plotting, so I spent a lot of time making sure the pieces of the puzzle fit together. From the first idea to the finished book, the process took about two years. KLiC: What kind of research did you do for HEIRESS OF NOWHERE? SL: Research is one of my favorite parts of writing. For this book, I spent time learning about the history and ecology of the Pacific Northwest and the San Juan Islands. I read about the plants and animals of the region—things like murrelets, tide pools, forests, and coastal wildlife—because the natural world is such an important part of life on the island. I also visited the island and spoke with experts at the local museum as well as longtime residents to better understand early 20th-century communities in the Pacific Northwest. I toured fish canneries (cooler than you might think!) and learned about fishing methods, the kinds of boats people used, and the many different people who worked in those industries. And somewhat unexpectedly, I also became an expert on lime production. KLiC: Tell us about your cover art (cover provided by Sarah Barley Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's) SL: HEIRESS OF NOWHERE isn’t an illustrated book, but I do love the atmospheric cover art. I think it captures the intense mood of the story and hints at the gothic mystery readers will find inside. And I always encourage readers to check out the case under the dust jacket—it has a fun surprise. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want readers to take away from your book? SL: I hope readers come away thinking about courage in a new way. Lucy doesn’t begin the story as the most powerful or confident person in the room. She isn’t even sure where she belongs. But over time she learns that leadership doesn’t come from status or inheritance—it comes from integrity and the willingness to face problems head-on. Sometimes the people who seem least likely to lead are exactly the ones who change things. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? SL: My biggest advice is simple: keep writing and keep reading. Writing is a craft that improves with practice. Every story teaches you something new. Reading widely is just as important, because it shows us all the different ways stories can be told. And finally, be patient with yourself. Publishing can take time, but every book begins the same way—with someone sitting down and writing the first page. KLiC: What’s next for you? SL: Right now I’m back in the forest, following story trails. It’s a great place to be. I love sniffing out story ideas and following them to wherever they lead. And of course, I’m excited to share HEIRESS OF NOWHERE with readers and hear what they think about Lucy’s story.  Stacey Lee is the New York Times bestselling author of historical young adult fiction, including The Downstairs Girl, a Reese’s Book Pick; Luck of the Titanic, which received five starred reviews; and Outrun the Moon, winner of the Asian Pacific Award for Literature. A native of southern California and fourth-generation Chinese American, she is a founder of the We Need Diverse Books movement and writes stories for all kids (even the ones who look like adults).
  We are so excited to interview debut picture book author, Nazneen Akbari. Read our Q&A with her about her book, Home Away from Home, below. KLiC: What inspired Home Away from Home? Nazneen Akbari: It was one of those ordinary afternoons that unexpectedly changed everything. I was nursing my baby while reading a book to my three-year-old when he asked, “Mama, are there any books about Oman?” That question made me pause. I realized there were very few books in mainstream American children’s literature that represented Middle Eastern children or told joyous stories from the region. That’s how it began. I was also in the middle of the pandemic, raising children and wondering how I might reshape my career in a way that allowed me to be present for them. Writing this story felt like something calling me. KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take to write and sell this book? NA: My daughter was six months old when I began writing, and she was six years old when the book finally came out into the world! I come from a journalism background, so writing wasn’t new to me, but picture books are an entirely different craft. The early versions of this story looked nothing like the book you see today. I revised it over and over again at one point I counted and realized I had 80 drafts saved on my laptop. It also took three years to sell the manuscript. There were several rounds of revisions with editors before it was acquired. And after that came another wait while the publisher searched for the right illustrator. But when the artwork came in, I knew immediately, it was worth that wait. KLiC: What kind of research did you do for the book? NA: In many ways, this book came more from memory than research. As a child, I visited the Omani market many times a year. It was always a magical place -- the colors, the sounds, the smells of spices and frankincense, the chatter of people. So while writing the story, I simply returned to those childhood memories and the sense of wonder I felt walking through the market as a little girl. KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? NA: If I absolutely had to pick one spread, it would be the moment when Nuha first arrives in Oman. There are so many details in that scene -- the women in traditional dress, the men, the colors of the mountains, the expressions of the people. And then there’s Nuha’s face, which says everything without a single word. It captures that moment of wonder and uncertainty all at once. KLiC: What’s the one thing you hope children take away from this book? NA: I hope children realize that their culture and their family roots are something to be proud of. Those roots make them unique. They’re not something to hide or tuck away; they’re something to wear proudly, like a crown. KLiC: Do you have any advice for pre-published authors? NA: Most will tell you to keep reading and keep writing and that advice is absolutely true. But here’s something important: take breaks. Writing for children is a beautiful journey, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of constant comparison and endless productivity, always feeling like you should be writing, marketing, or doing the next thing. That leads to burnout. At one point I pushed myself so hard that it began affecting my health. I eventually stepped away from writing. During that time, I focused on rest, family, yoga and spending time with friends. When I returned to writing, I came back healthier, clearer, and joyful. So protect your joy and your well-being. KLiC: What’s next for you? NA: My agent is currently out in the world with a few more of my manuscripts, so fingers crossed! I’m hopeful some of those stories soon find their home too. Nazneen Akbari is an Indian American, who grew up in Oman, and has lived all over the world thanks to school, work, and a healthy dose of wanderlust. She’s no stranger to the question, “Where are you from?” a puzzle she answers with her parent's Indian roots and her deep love for the Omani culture she grew up in. Though she’s lived in many countries, Oman remains close to her heart and is a place she will always call home. By day, she works for the U.S. Department of State. By night, she’s dreaming up picture books and enjoying life in Pennsylvania with her husband and three kids.   KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell Rica Baptista: The Box of Possibilities? JCB: I am a ‘pantser’ by nature. A single sentence will often come to mind and, without a clue of where the story is going, I start writing. Some people have great success writing this way, but I find that when I write longer pieces, my plot falls flat even though I’ve been told that my characters are strong and the voice is spot on. The problem is that when I try to be a ‘plotter’ and carefully lay out all of the details beforehand, I lose the voice. My remedy was to find middle ground - I’ve become what I call a ‘quilter.’ I allow myself to write scenes as they come to me. With a very slight outline, so slight that I don’t know if I can even call it an outline, I begin to weave the pieces together. Some scenes make it into the story and some don’t, but this ‘quilting’ method allows me to have some idea of where the story is going while keeping the voice strong. I’m not a fast writer but, since THE BOX OF POSSIBILITIES was sold on proposal (I already had a contract for the first book in the series), I had no choice but to write it somewhat quickly. Luckily, it flowed! KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book? JCB: As a chapter book, THE BOX OF POSSIBILITIES has black and white illustrations on some, but not all, of the pages. But even in black and white, Gladys Jose managed to capture the personalities of the characters perfectly. That’s evident even from the first illustration you see, which is the book’s cover. Rica and her best friend Laini’s expressions reveal their excitement about what could potentially be in the box while Rica’s older cousin Serenity looks completely annoyed at their excitement. When I saw the very first illustration of Rica (for the first book in the series, LLAMAS, IGUANAS, AND MY VERY BEST FRIEND), I was excited because the day before I had just put my granddaughter’s hair in the same style, including the clip on the side of her hair. I was happy to see an authentic representation of a young Black girl. KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book? JCB: I want kids to be encouraged to dream! Imagination is the building block for anything that ever has ever been or will ever be accomplished or invented. KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors? JCB: Build community. Find the people who will encourage you when you’re feeling discouraged, who will offer honest feedback, and who will genuinely celebrate your wins. Fortunately, there are an abundance of wonderful people in the kidlit community. If I ever decide to quit writing (which I might have done a few times - it didn’t take), I will still find ways to stay connected to the kidlit community. KLiC: What’s next for you? JCB: I’m very excited about my next project! Read to Grow, a Connecticut based literacy organization, asked me to write a board book for them. LOVE GROWS HERE will be donated through the organization’s partner hospitals. Last year their Books for Babies program distributed books to 25,000 expecting families and families with newborns in Connecticut.  Janet Costa Bates is proud to share her Cape Verdean American heritage through the RICA BAPTISTA series and picture book, SEASIDE DREAM. Honors for her picture book TIME FOR BED, OLD HOUSE include an NAACP Image Award nomination, starred reviews, and multiple 'best books' lists. Her latest book, LOVE GROWS HERE, will be gifted to 70% of newborn families in Connecticut through the Read to Grow organization. When she's not doing bookish stuff, she enjoys letting her grandchildren wear her out. You can find Janet online at janetcostabates.com and on Instagram @jcostabates.
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