Interview with PB author Justin Colón

Photo by: Sal Peretti

We are thrilled to host Justin Colón on our blog today! Read our interview with him below and check out this hilarious and fun picture book:

KLiC: What was your inspiration for The Quacken? 

JC: To all who are reading this, please entertain me (and yourself) for just a moment and shout this in your most grandiose, Zeus-like voice: “RELEASE THE QUACKEN!” 

Go ahead, try it again! 

Fun, right? Now, imagine shouting that as hundreds of hungry ducks are headed somewhere on a mission. Apparently, some duck owners do exactly that when they release their ducks for feeding time. This hilarious pairing of dialogue and imagery is one I saw through a combination of random GIFS and Youtube videos I encountered while scouring the internet to ensure someone hadn’t already used this title and/or concept. 

Almost immediately, the ‘what ifs’ invaded my brain. What if the Quacken was a gigantic duck? What if someone unintentionally created or unleashed this beast? What if that beast wanted to eat them? And where could such an imposing creature go unnoticed?  
One thing was for certain: The Quacken was too good a title to pass up. How often do you get a portmanteau, funny-sounding letters, a fresh concept, and the lead character all rolled into a single, super catchy picture book title, and one that is only two words? The title practically sells itself.

The incongruity of “RELEASE THE QUACKEN” being so foreboding and theatrical, only for a giant duck to appear quacks me up. Sadly, the actual phrase didn’t make it into the book. But I’ve got plans to work it into some fun promo.  Maybe I’ll even have all the students shout it in unison during school events. Now that would be fun! 

KLiC: That would be fun!  Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell The Quacken? 

JC: The idea for The Quacken came to me in March of 2020. The manuscript went on submission to editors in March of 2021, two weeks after I signed with my agent. Six days on sub, we received word that The Quacken was heading to its first editorial meeting. Ultimately, two Editorial Directors, each at a different Big 5 publisher, requested changes via Revise and Resubmits (r&rs), and I spent my summer producing a combined total of 5 r&r’s for them. 

In mid-August, my agent and I decided to go on a mini submission round to a very select list of editors. Within a month, Kendra Levin, another Editorial Director, this time at a third Big 5 house (Simon & Schuster) emailed my agent, and my agent called me asking if I could take a call. I wrapped up my workout at the gym, raced home, and hopped on a Zoom call. About thirty minutes later, my editor emailed my agent saying she knew the timing was a bit inconvenient (it was the Friday before Labor Day weekend), but she was offering us a two-book deal. No r&r desired. I’d hardly call that “inconvenient.” 

KLiC: Definitely not inconvenient in this case! What are your favorite illustrations in the book?

JC: Well, first I have to give a shoutout to illustrator, Pablo Pino, and Art Director Lucy Ruth Cummins—two super experienced picture book creators. They brought the spookiness, humor, and adventure to this story through fun, commercial visuals. 
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It was important to me that I worked with a Latin creator on this story, which features a Latino protagonist. I want BIPOC creators to have the opportunity to work on all sorts of stories, and not just ones centered around their identity. This is why four out of five of my books are illustrated by BIPOC creators. I request illustrator and art consultation before accepting any offer, and I remain involved throughout the selection process and vocal about wanting to lift BIPOC voices. For this reason, it was especially rewarding that my team at Simon and Schuster honored my request and selected Pablo, who was on the wish list of illustrators I shared with them. Okay, back to the original question.

One of my favorite scenes in the book is a play on the concept of birdwatching. It was a favorite of mine as I drafted the manuscript, and I love it even more with Pablo’s illustration. In it, the protagonist, Hector, has just escaped the Quacken, but now he’s alone in a quiet forest with this creature, and he senses its somewhere out there. Using a pair of binoculars, he searches for signs of the beast. Little does he know, the Quacken is staring right back at him with its own set of binoculars. It makes me laugh every time. 

Below is a screenshot of the manuscript with the art notes for the scene. Underneath it is the final spread as it appears in the book. I couldn’t be more pleased with it. The graphic novel-style panels, color scheme, expressions body language, props, etc.—Pablo nailed it. 

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KLiC: I love those illustrations! What’s the one thing you want kids to take away from your book?


JC: Not to feed the ducks! (that’s actually a disclaimer at the beginning of the book).

But seriously, there’s no big takeaway with this book. This story is fast-paced, lighthearted, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. And I’m content with that. Its life purpose is purely to provide entertainment. 


KLiC: Ha! Do you have any tips for pre-published authors?


JC: Think about who you are as a creator, the type of work you want to create, the career you envision for yourself, your short and long-term goals, etc. Get specific, and then create a plan of action with SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) goals that will move you closer to your target. This will also help give you more control and fulfillment within your creative journey. That said, it’s okay to pivot throughout the process. We grow as people and creators. Our dreams evolve. And our goals and plans change. 


Publishing isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon, one that requires persistence. You will likely receive many rejections. And sometimes it’s hard not to take them personally. They can start to weigh on you. But I promise, these rejections aren’t personal. There are plenty of reasons why an agent or editor might pass on your work, even if it’s a great story that is well-written. It’s possible they represent a creator/project that’s too similar. It might be a story within a genre and/or format that’s not their editorial strength. Maybe the market is challenging for that type of project at the moment. The list goes on and on. 


Rejection is redirection, and your journey will be filled with many redirections. In fact, the further along you get, the more abundant the redirections will become. This means you’re putting you and your work out there. You’re making choices and you’re taking chances. Otherwise, change wouldn’t be possible. Don’t be afraid to push back and advocate for yourself either. And remember, it only takes one yes. 


Also, while we’re working toward all these yeses, we can hone our craft and develop our skill set, read books and learn the market, connect with the community and celebrate others. 


But please, take breaks as you need. It’s important to refuel and reset. 


KLiC: Great tips. What’s next for you? 


 JC: The Quacken publishes July 16th with Simon & Schuster BFYR. Three months later, on October 22nd, my sophomore picture book, Impossible Possums (illustrated by the brilliant James Rey Sanchez) publishes with Disney-Hyperion. It’s a hilarious, high-octane book starring a villainous possum with plans to take over the world.


Then, The ZomBees (illustrated by Kaly Quarles) publishes with Simon and Schuster BFYR in Summer of 2025. It’s a spooky, rhyming picture book with light humor. That same year, Impossible Possum for Mayor (the sequel to Impossible Possums) publishes.


My most recent book, Vampurr, which just sold at auction and is being illustrated by Lenny Wen, publishes with FSG/Macmillan summer of 2026. It’s an atmospheric, lyrical tale about a vampire kitten who struggles to find a loving home because of her hilariously unusual appearance and abilities.


I’ve got several funny picture book manuscripts in the submission queue and am hoping to sell some nonfiction soon as well. I’ve also got a really spooky, action-packed middle grade novel in the works. 


KLiC: Wow so many amazing books! Is there anything else you want readers to know about you or your book(s)?


JC: I offer freelance editorial services, mentor, and teach picture book writers of all levels through my small business, The Kidlit Hive. Whether you need a manuscript critique, assistance finding comp. titles, crafting pitches, etc. I’ve got you! To learn more, please visit kidlithive.com

​Justin Colón is a NY-based author whose forthcoming picture books include THE QUACKEN, IMPOSSIBLE POSSUMS, IMPOSSIBLE POSSUM FOR MAYOR, THE ZOMBEES, and VAMPURR. He is the owner of The Kidlit Hive and previously founded/hosted PBChat, a free community and annual mentorship program that assisted over 100 upcoming picture book creators on their publication journey. In his other life, Justin is a professional, formally trained voice and on-camera actor and SAG-AFTRA member who has co-starred on hit shows such as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Gotham, and Sneaky Pete. He invites you to visit him at justincolonbooks.com.