Diving Deep: Exploring Your Depths to Tap into Your Mer-Magic: MerMay Entry #2

We're back with our second installment of the MerMay fun!

Today's entry:

Diving Deep: Exploring Your Depths to Tap into Your Mer-Magic

In an industry with so many creators, stories, genres, etc, it is essential that you find your voice—your song that will help guide you through the dark depths as you discover treasure (golden nuggets of connection), conquer krakens (imposter syndrome and burn out), and discover the stories from deep within.

I've always said that dance was my first language and as a dancer, I know how to communicate my emotions, thoughts and story through my body. That expression is so clear to me but when I stepped out onto the children's publishing "stage," I felt lost, and honestly, couldn't fathom how I would even begin to contribute to the massive ocean of publishing "creatures." When there are so many voices, how do you connect to your own authentic voice. Your siren song. I've always felt an overwhelming need to create but what did I have to offer? What do I have to say that wasn't already said by someone else?

A song I always go back to is "Move On" from Sunday in the Park with George, performed by Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin. A gorgeous duet between George Seurat and his muse/lover, Dot, it is a beautiful song about making your art and moving on. Making decisions and then, moving on. Loving, living, making mistakes, being scared. And moving on.

"Anything you do, Let it come from you, Then it will be new, Give us more to see..."

It is your job to create and not judge. It is your job to tell your story, because if it "comes from you, then it will be new." This has been an anthem for me and as I've pivoted throughout life, I think back to seventeen year old Justin who was embarking on his adventure and listened to this song ad nauseam and continues to when I need to be reminded of my voice. 

Here are some of the things I do to keep the spirit of creativity, learning, and play alive. These tips help me stay connected to my authentic self and allow me to swim with confidence as I explore the deep blue sea. 

1. Journaling

I try to journal every single day. 

Whether it is one question in my 5 Year Q&A book (I just finished it this year), my leather bound notebook (she's gorgeous and practical) or my current obsession, comic journaling, I am always trying to center my thoughts and feeling to ground myself. 

Check out Drewscape, who introduced me to his Diary Comics, HERE. He breaks it down and shows you an easy way to begin which now has been my favorite way of journaling when I don't want to write.

Yes...

I have a lot of feelings. 

And yes, they need a place to go. So into the journal they go. I document anything that stood out to me, or made me laugh, cry—feel alive. I frequently revisit my entries to remind myself of how rich, complex, beautiful and full of life—well—my life is. Whether I am dreaming of the future, reconciling the past or just appreciating the present, journaling is an essential way to keep tabs and tap into your voice.

Cause your life is magical, baby, no matter how you slice it. 

2. Solo Dates/ Art Outings
SO-LOW-DATES! I am such a fan of these. I love being by myself. As they say, "I am alone, not lonely." I love adventuring on my own, exploring new places, experiencing new things. I mean—how are you to know what your taste is, what you like and dislike, if you don't go out and discover it. I visit museums, galleries, bookshops, libraries. I go to the movies to see something new, sometimes something old. I am a huge theater goer! I try to see everything! Last year alone I saw every nominated Broadway show. First time ever!And I don't mind doing it myself. 

Don't be afraid to explore those uncharted waters; that deep blue expansiveness, the dark trench. Prioritize filling your cup.  You never know what you'll find. Once you find that courage, you will start to see a shift in your spirit and you may start to dive deeper internally as well. Art is a reflection of what it means to be human, so as a merperson, it will help you discover the humanity in you!

3. Build your Artistic Library 
This is a no brainer and I know if you're reading this, then I'm probably preaching to the choir but I try to read as much as I can. I also am a big advocate on finding those books that help you really grow into the person you wish to be. Find those books that you keep within arm's reach. Surround yourself with stories that resonate with you because like an echo in the ocean, sometimes we need something solid out there in the wilderness to have our voices reflected back at us.  Here are some of my book recommendations as an artist and part-time human/merman:

Life Lessons: Two Experts on Death and Dying Teach Us About the Mysteries of Life and Living by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross & David Kessler

Shoutout to my theater teacher and mentor, Joseph Farina, who introduced all of his students to this wonderful book. Broken down into a plethora of themes on life, we read this book in acting class before we dove into any theatrical work because Mr. Farina used to say "I must teach you how to live first, before I can teach you how to act." I revisit this book when I need to be reminded of how wonderful, complex and rich live is. As storytellers, we are tapping into what it means to live, to be human, to feel so we can help little humans discover it for themselves and understand how to navigate their big feelings.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Another Farina recommendation, this book has gotten me through some major rough patches as an artist, creator, and honestly, a "mer"person. Pressfield frames all things that keep you from your work as "Resistance" and this book is a guide to pushing pass all that to realize what you've been trying to achieve on the other side of the hurricane storm.

I always revisit this when I am starting a new process to remind myself of the literal war we sometimes face when pursuing anything we are passionate about—not just art. 

Highly recommended! Just writing this is reminding me that a reread is overdue.

Book Club, anyone? 

"Writing and Illustrating Children's Books For Publication: Two Perspectives" by Berthe Amoss & Eric Suben.

Recommended to me by my friend and another amazing mentor, Erica Rand Silverman, I keep this book on my art table whenever I need some keep navigating my creativity. Walking you from start to finish, this book has helped me mine, cultivate, and explore the little treasures of my life and my particular perspective in order to create and shape my voice and my work. It also has exercises at the end and throughout each chapter, guiding you through techniques and examples of ways to make your story come to life. 

I've rediscovered wonderful moments and perspectives of childhood thanks to this book. If you feel stuck and need a little mini workshop of your own, I recommend this book, hands down. 

Honorable Mention:

Picture This: How Pictures Work

by Molly Bang

Wonderbook (Revised and Expanded): The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction

by Jeff VanderMeer

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art

by Scott McCloud

Welp, kelp, we've come to the end of entry #2 but I hope this helped inspire and guide you a little closer to your personal magic. Remember you are not alone in this vast ocean of publishing, and that there are buoys to keep you a float when you get tired of swimming against the current. 

That's all for now! See you next Thursday for entry #3. Till then, just keep swimming!

Register NOW for Inside the Illustrator's Studio!

SCBWI University - Elevate Your Craft, Expand Your Career

"Guidance, information, and honest answers to vulnerable questions are the pillars of support that every creator needs during the publishing process. SCBWI University is that support: an invaluable resource for both writers and illustrators as they navigate their projects and their paths to publication.” 

Sara Sargent, Editorial Director, Penguin Random House

Inside the Illustrators Studio:

A new 3-part online course starts TODAY, May 12th, specifically for author/illustrators and illustrators! The series focuses on using thumbnails to build your story, visual character development, and the secrets to building a winning portfolio.

Register HERE!

Be Best Friends with Thumbnail Sketches with Marla Frazee

Tuesday, May 12, 2026: 1-2:30pm Pacific/ 4-5:30pm Eastern

Thumbnail sketches will be the foundation on which you build your story. They will be the map that leads you to your treasure. They will help you feel calm and happy. And they will keep you out of trouble! Please bring about a dozen pieces of 8.5” x 11” copier paper and a pencil to the session.

On Dastardly Rats, Cephalopods, and Other Characters Great and Small with Isabel Roxas

Tuesday, May 19, 2026: 1-2:30pm Pacific/ 4-5:30pm Eastern

Where do characters begin—and what do they want? SNACKS. Obviously. Author-illustrator Isabel Roxas shares a character-led approach to storytelling for children. Through drawing and guided exercises, we’ll explore how shape, gesture, and small visual decisions suggest a whole inner life, and what happens when they get hungry. Bring a handful of characters who’ve been living in your drawer (or quietly shelved). We’ll tease them out, set them in motion, and see what trouble they get into. You may find one or two already carrying a story.

The Good, The Bad, and the Anatomically Incorrect: What Makes (or Breaks) a Portfolio with Lauren Rille
Tuesday, May 26, 2026: 1-2:30pm Pacific/ 4-5:30pm Eastern

Discover the secrets to creating a portfolio that attracts the attention of agents, editors and art directors.

Embarking on Your Own Adventure: MerMay Entry #1

So as you might know...I love mermaids.

And I mean—I love mermaids, and every May, there is a celebration of mermaids through art and creativity called MerMay, where there are official prompts for each day in May. I've participated once upon a time, and every once in a while, I'll pop in on the party but this year, since this is my first May as the Official SCBWI Chief Blogger, I wanted to do MerMay in my own style. 

What I love about mermaids, and merfolk in general, is that everyone belongs—no matter who you are, what you look like and where you are from, much like children's publishing.

So this month, I want to "dive deep" and explore the depths of what it is to be a part of the kidlit community, through the lens of MERMAIDS! What it means to navigate the deep sea of resources, publication, story making and community building!

Let's dive in!

EMBARKING ON YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

The ocean is a vast place. As deep as it is wide. Brimming with stunning and incredible creatures, full of numerous possibilities. And you, my little merling, are amongst this tapestry of wonder. With a simple map in your hands, and the depths before you, you start flipping your fins. But in what direction? You don't really know. 

As a self-proclaimed merman myself, I knew I wanted to embark on this adventure to explore the "seven seas," but without a compass, a comprehensive map or prior knowledge/experience, I was a bit overwhelmed. Thankfully, I had the deep seated feeling that I had to take this journey so I followed the strongest current, and was on my merry way.

This audacity to take the dive resulted in me discovering resources out in the wild, which led me here, to SCBWI which in turn, introduced me to so many others spaces, humans (with legs) and endless possibilities. Joining the SCBWI community has been life-changing, and starting out as a solo merman, I now have a kaleidoscope of creators in this vast ocean we call children's publishing.  

When you join as a member to SCBWI, you gain access to loads of treasures. Highlighted in SCBWI monthly INSIGHT, SCWBI keeps you tapped in to the current of it all!

A great resource that I've found and have put in my personal grotto has been the Essential Guide to Publishing for Children. Updated yearly, it is full of "new and essential" articles that ranges from "maximizing your social media" and "creating book trailers" to "best practices in independent publishing, and grassroots promotion." Full of directories like The International Market Survey, and The Agents Directory, the Essential Guide is a great treasure map to lead you in the right direction. 

Another fin-tastic way to maximize your adventure and make some waves in the children's book space is through SCBWI's Awards and Grants! Built to help support "emerging authors, illustrators, and translators" who are both published and pre-published, members have access to a slew of amazing opportunities to help when your fins can't get you as far as and you need a boost. 

Also, have I mentioned that SCBWI offers discounts to Publisher's Weekly, so keep a look out for those specials throughout the year. Publisher's Weekly is a sure way to keep a thumb on the pulse of the industry and help you discover seas you've never even heard of. There is a lot to learn, to know and to experience so adding this to your grotto is a perfect way to immerse yourself in the cool, cool waters of all things publishing. 

Here are some other online resources I have used in the past:

- Writer’s Market: I still have my copy from many moons ago, but this is a great publication and partner when you begin to query and search for agents and publishers. Also, a great resource for information about the industry.

- The Official Manuscript Wishlist: A directory to make agents "more accessible" and "research more convenient." Used for query, this is a definitely a bookmark-able website for all those who will be seeking out agents and their wishlists.   

So as you embark on this journey, no matter where you are in it, there are always ways to engage with the kidlit community to further you on this incredible tidal wave of possibilities!

Alright, merfolk, that's all for today! See you next Thursday with the next installment to our MerMay celebration! Till then, keep flipping your fins!

xo Justin 

Crystal Kite Awards are NOW OPEN May 1- May 31

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Submissions for the 2026 Crystal Kite Awards are NOW OPEN, from May 1st to May 31st! 

Check out the 2025 winners of the Crystal Kite Awards!

Eligibility:

You must be a current member to nominate your book and at the time the award announcement is made. This award is open to SCBWI authors, illustrators, and translators.

Nominated books must be a PAL book first published within the previous calendar year.

This award is for PAL books; independently published books cannot be nominated.

For Guidelines, visit the Crystal Kite Awards page in SCBWI's Awards and Grants page!

Nominations/Submissions: May 1 through May 31, midnight PST.

Round 1 Voting: June 1 through June 22, midnight PST.

Final Round Voting: June 26 through July 17, midnight PST.

Winners announced: July 24, 2026.

Winners are announced in July in a press release and on the SCBWI website/social media. Winners receive a crystal, engraved kite award, a silver sticker for their winning book, and one winner will be chosen to present at the SCBWI Summer Conference.

My Author Origin Story Pt.4: Launching Glorious Ideas

In our first three installments of My Author Origin Story, we checked some important things off of the list:

✅Believe in myself

✅Find community

✅Write manuscript in my voice…revise…revise…revise, get critiques, get professional editting

✅Find AMAZING illustrator and complete illustrations

Now all that was left to do was print, publish and launch! Here we go!

SCBWI conferences were the gifts that kept on giving. The 2024 Winter Conference delivered direction for the year, so I arrived at the 2025 Winter Conference more comfortable, informed, and focused than the year before.  Besides taking workshops that allowed me to dive deeper into the craft, Felipe and I finally met in person. And yes, Felipe was just as lovely to work with in person as he was virtually. Together, we checked out conference sponsors for printing options, and met Rachel Kerr and the folks from OnPress Book Printing. As a self-publisher I had two printing options: print on demand or offset printing.  I wanted the book to look as close to traditional publishing as possible, so I decided to go with offset printing. I knew it was going to cost me, but I wanted the book to stand out for its content, not for its lack of quality. I visited the OnPress conference table at least 6 times, went to their conference workshop session and even went on a private tour of their printing plant. Yeah, I’m that girl; I wanted to make sure my investment was with a reputable, customer service oriented company. Each interaction with OnPress exemplified professional competence, grace and courtesy, so I ordered 500, 10x10 paperback books to be printed and delivered to my home!

I was not going to be the author with boxes of books sitting dormant in the basement so I needed to set a release date and get Got Ideas, Anyone? launched. The books were delivered in early December.  I’ve heard that December is not a good time to release books, so I set the release date for after the holidays, January 21, 2026. That gave me enough time to firm up details with my local bookstores, get help from Misty Black Media for Amazon setup and to soft sell holiday gifts to my friends, family, and colleagues that didn’t want to wait. But for a larger local impact January 21st was the right official release and launch date. It was the Wednesday after MLK Jr. Day. Typically books are released on Tuesdays, but this particular Wednesday was perfect timing for me because my school was having its annual multicultural book sale and a parent assembly. 

It was a glorious day. Felipe came in from New Jersey. The school gave us the honor of launching the book as the first author/illustrator visit in the newly built library. Margaret, the same author and librarian that inspired me, introduced me, and I introduced Felipe.  It made sense that Felipe should go first because after all it’s a PICTURE book. Whenever I handed people the book, they always commented about the art before they read one word of text. Felipe talked about his art process and did some live illustrations based on crowd requests.

Then I read.

The parents received it wonderfully, but what made it even better was the children. Each classroom presented a page from Got Ideas, Anyone? Teacher Resources, found on my website. Sixty plus children and many of their parents got to see how the book could be enjoyed in the classroom and at home. 

After assembly, Felipe and I got to visit classrooms and sign books, and Got Ideas, Anyone? was officially launched. Like I said, it was a glorious day. 

Since the launch, I’ve been keeping busy. I’ve worked on more manuscripts, been mentored by Alliah Agostini through the PB Rising Stars Mentorship Program, and had a great showing at a bookstore signing. I am having a good time. Has every moment been rainbows and roses? No.  Do I get frustrated by the publishing industry at large? Yes. Does it take a village to raise an author? Absolutely yes, even a “self-published” one. Do I fight back thoughts of doubt and insecurity? Sure. Am I always motivated? No. Have I made a million dollars? Not many of us will, but it’s been a good ride, and I’ll do it again, and again. Just you watch and see.

While growing up in Boston, Tischa D. Brown enjoyed the locations and lessons great stories had to offer.  She holds a MS in Early Childhood Leadership and Policy from Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education and Child Development and a BA in Psychology from the University of Hartford. For the last 30 years Tischa has put her love for storytelling to work in early childhood education. That’s why Tischa’s debut picture book, Got Ideas, Anyone?, highlights the classroom in all of its glory! While proud of her academic and professional accomplishments, nothing brings her more joy than traveling the world with her family, and when faced with a seemingly impossible challenge, she reminds herself that she and her daughter have been lost in a desert and survived!

You can contact her through her website: tischadbrown.com

And follow her on Instagram:@tischastake.

Felipe Blanco is an illustrator and freelance artist currently based in New Jersey, USA, but originally born and raised in Brazil! He shares his home with his beloved wife and cat, Haroldo. His creative path began early, always surrounded by drawings, colors, and stories. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and a Master’s in Digital Design. He’s been working as a freelance artist for almost a decade, collaborating with indie game studios, teaching digital painting, and even experimenting with 3D printing for fun projects and products! He loves creating stylized, colorful art filled with personality and charm. Now his main focus is picture book illustration, where he combines his love for storytelling and visual design. 

You can contact him through his website:  Felipe Blanco Illustration

And follow him on Instagram:@blancoilustra.

SCBWI Virtual Summer Conference

It's OFFICIAL!

The 2026 Virtual Summer Conference has been announced! The conference will be July 31st through August 2nd! 

Logo by John Hendrix

And even more exciting news! The keynote speakers for this year's event will be none other than Pam Muñoz Ryan and Brian Selznick! Check out their bios below!

Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Pam Muñoz Ryan is an "American author and the 2026 U.S. nominee for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award. She is the author of ECHO, a Newbery Honor book and the recipient of the Kirkus Prize. She has written over forty books, including the novels ESPERANZA RISING, BECOMING NAOMI LEÓN, RIDING FREEDOM, PAINT THE WIND, THE DREAMER, ECHO, and Mañanaland. She is the author recipient of the National Education Association’s Civil and Human Rights Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award for Multicultural Literature, and is twice the recipient of the Pura Belpré Medal and the Willa Cather Award."

"Honors include the PEN USA Award, the Américas Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, and the Orbis Pictus Award."

To read more on Pam Muñoz Ryan, visit her website HERE!

Brian Selznick is an award winning author and illustrator of many books for children and young adults, including The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Run Away With Me, Wonderstuck, Big Tree and many, many more. 

"To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beloved Harry Potter series, Brian created new covers and a box for all seven books."

"Other books include The Marvels, The Doll People trilogy by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin, The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley and Amelia and Eleanor Go For a Ride by Pam Muñoz Ryan."

His work ranging from novels to short stories to works on the big stage, Brian has "written the story for a new version of The Nutcracker at the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, choreographed by Tony Award winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (An American In Paris). Brian has worked professionally as a puppeteer with Basil Twist, and he’s created three toy theater pieces directed by Dan Hurlin."

To read more on Brian Selznick, visit his website HERE

My Author Origin Story Pt.3: Navigating the Self-Publishing Author/Illustrator Relationship

In the first two installments of My Author Origin Story, we explored how community helped me push past Imposter Syndrome, how I decided to keep my voice even though it isn't always embraced, and how I persevered to create a strong manuscript. Now let’s tackle the next big hurdle:  illustrations.

I wish I could illustrate, but I can’t. I’m not even confident about drawing stick figures. Many, many times I’ve heard the correct advice not to contract an illustrator for your manuscript, because the publishing company does that. However, that advice is for those going the traditional publishing route. I had decided to self-publish and that meant finding, hiring and successfully working with an illustrator.  Problem is, I had never done that before.

As a school administrator I’ve hired for many roles, but illustrator wasn’t one of them. I didn’t know how much they should be paid, nor how quickly they worked and I was still learning the language involved: spot illustrations vs. pages vs. spreads. True to form though, I ventured forward anyway. I started by using postcards I’d gathered from the conference. These helped me decide what kind of style I was looking for.  Then I moved my search onto the SCBWI illustrator database. It felt like a dating app, keying in important qualities and adding in filters as options appeared on the screen.  One portfolio was a perfect match for me: Felipe Blanco Illustration.

Amongst other things, Felipe’s portfolio showed a diversity of children. 

He presented a Little Red Riding Hood Book Dummy. It gave me confidence that he understood the layout of a picture book, something I knew nothing about. It also showed that he could draw characters consistently across spreads…yeah, I learned the terminology…and I liked how he still kept the “scarier” parts of the story child-friendly. 

That’s how I knew Felipe would be the one…that is if he agreed to it… and if he didn’t cost too much money… and if we could communicate effectively and respectfully.

When I reached out to Felipe, he got right back to me. He was personable and knowledgeable. This would be his first time professionally illustrating a book, and he expressed excitement for the opportunity. I presented him with the concept of the book, and he provided a sketch. I was smitten with his art right away. I had gotten guidance from Veronica Miller Jamison on fair pay for illustrators, and Felipe and I agreed on a price. He presented a contract; we negotiated the payment schedule and locked in. Phew! With the finding and hiring done, now it was time to actually work together. 

As a self-publisher, I couldn’t totally ignore the market and business side of publishing.  I knew I wanted to target children ages 3-7 and their caregivers, but I also wanted to create a book that early childhood professionals would be drawn to use in home visiting, school readiness and educator preparation programs. I felt that the writing had done that; now I needed illustrations to support and even carry these ideas forward even more. 

Because Felipe hadn’t spent a lot of time in early childhood settings, and I desired certain aspects of the classroom to be included, I sent reference materials about classrooms and playgrounds. All the while I kept some more of Veronica Miller Jamison’s guidance to allow for the illustrator's interpretation of the project. That was good advice. It was Felipe that came up with the idea of the lightbulb character. We needed that character to create continuity between the pages and to move the story along. 

Of course there was stuff we had to work out. In his initial sketches, Felipe had drawn some of the characters as animals. Representing diverse children was important to me, so he changed the animals to children..

Felipe initiated regular email and virtual check-ins, and we worked like this until we had a beautiful finished product. Don’t worry. I didn’t always get my way. Sometimes he voiced different opinions than what I suggested and we went with it. Creatively, Got Ideas, Anyone? is just as much his book as it is mine. Our next steps were getting this book formatted, printed and launched.  Yes, there was more work to be done and I’ll be happy to tell you about it next week in our last installment of My Author’s Origin Story. Hope to see you there!

While growing up in Boston, Tischa D. Brown enjoyed the locations and lessons great stories had to offer.  She holds a MS in Early Childhood Leadership and Policy from Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education and Child Development and a BA in Psychology from the University of Hartford. For the last 30 years Tischa has put her love for storytelling to work in early childhood education. That’s why Tischa’s debut picture book, Got Ideas, Anyone?, highlights the classroom in all of its glory! While proud of her academic and professional accomplishments, nothing brings her more joy than traveling the world with her family, and when faced with a seemingly impossible challenge, she reminds herself that she and her daughter have been lost in a desert and survived!

You can contact her through her website: tischadbrown.com

And follow her on Instagram:@tischastake.

Felipe Blanco is an illustrator and freelance artist currently based in New Jersey, USA, but originally born and raised in Brazil! He shares his home with his beloved wife and cat, Haroldo. His creative path began early, always surrounded by drawings, colors, and stories. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and a Master’s in Digital Design. He’s been working as a freelance artist for almost a decade, collaborating with indie game studios, teaching digital painting, and even experimenting with 3D printing for fun projects and products! He loves creating stylized, colorful art filled with personality and charm. Now his main focus is picture book illustration, where he combines his love for storytelling and visual design. 

You can contact him through his website:  Felipe Blanco Illustration

And follow him on Instagram:@blancoilustra.

Resources: SCBWI Podcasts

Hey.

Do you have to deal with chaos of your city's metro system? 

Subways, trains, buses, planes? 

Are you stuck behind the wheel in crazy traffic? I have a brother who lives in Los Angeles so I know that traffic is wild!  

Are you tired of listening to that one new song over and over because you are currently in a musical transition, and haven't really found your sound?

Well, look no further because did you know...SCBWI has a podcast! 

Hosted by archivist Theo Baker, SCBWI interviews publishing pros as well as award-winning and best-selling children's book writers, illustrators, and translators who inform and inspire about the ins and outs of the children’s book industry. Find out about the craft and creative process behind young adult novels, picture books, middle-grade fiction, graphic novels, and nonfiction for kids. 

Listen to the podcast: 

On Spotify: HERE

On Apple: HERE

On Amazon: HERE

Here are some recent podcast, featuring some fantastic creators! 

How Jason Reynolds Creates

The Life of a Storyteller with Selina Alko

The Real Deal with Kate DiCamillo

My Author Origin Story Pt.2: Pursuing Serenity and Finding My Voice

 Last week in My Author Origin Story, I told you a bit about what made me think I could become an author. It started with a broken leg and ended with finding a wonderful community at the SCBWI conference. Now, let’s see what happens next.

 I left the SCBWI 2024 winter conference empowered by the affirmation of my peers and equipped with new knowledge and advice. Now it was time to put it all together and write. I sat down to apply my first piece of advice: write what you know. It only took me a moment to decide on a rhyming picture book. It only made sense. I’d read so many of them. Actually, that’s an understatement; I don’t just read rhyming picture books, I perform them.  My voice undulates with the rise and fall of the rhythm. My face contorts playfully to interaction with the text. I feed off of children’s expressions and gleeful voices as they chant a clever repeating phrase. Without a shadow of a doubt, rhyme is an important part of my voice, and stanza after stanza flowed from my fingertips. That was until I remembered another piece of advice from the conference: If you can tell the story without rhyming, do so. UH OH! For me, these two pieces of advice conflict, so I had to think about this thing.  In fact, the more I thought about it the more I remembered that it seemed every time someone mentioned rhyming books, there was a hesitation, sometimes a pause accompanied by a stutter and an explanation that boiled down to rhyme needing to be almost, if not, perfect. The very thought of perfection as an onramp to being published intimidated me. I began to spiral: What if my rhymes aren’t strong enough….What if I do all of this writing and no one wants to sign me....Publishing is a business…and on and on and on. My writing was stifled. 

Then in a moment of sobriety, I remembered another piece of advice in the form of a prayer. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.” And I started talking to myself again, “Okay, settle down, Tischa. You cannot control the publishing industry, BUT you can control your attitude about it. You cannot control if someone decides to sign you BUT you can prepare and go through the process. You cannot control whether or not someone likes your rhymes, BUT you can make strong rhymes and YOU CAN publish them. With that certainty, I got back to work. I watched webinars and wrote. I shared with critique partners and revised.  I recorded beta readers, noted the hiccups, and revised some more. There was only one thing left to do, take it to a professional.  That professional was Autumn Allen.

At the 2024 Kweli Color of Children’s Literature Conference, I pushed aside the delicate parts of my ego and signed up for a critique.  I asked for and was paired with author, editor and professor, Autumn Allen. I was delighted that I got Autumn, because I knew as an editor at Barefoot Books she had a pulse on early childhood rhyming books.  Also, I was fangirling over her YA novel, All You Have To Do, so with giddy nervousness, I was eager to hear what Autumn had to say about my rhymes. Autumn handled me with great care. Initially, she didn’t mention anything about my rhymes. Instead she told me that my ending was unsatisfying, and even gave me an idea for a sequel. I could see her point about the ending and took note of the suggested sequel, but what I really wanted to know was if the rhymes were good, so I asked. Without hesitation, stutter, wary tone or qualifier, she said my rhymes were strong. I felt my shoulders go down. Autumn corroborated what I believed, that I could write a rhyming picture book, and that’s just what I had done.

Every publisher knows that a strong manuscript is just the beginning of a book.  I had mine, but there was so much more to do, and I’ll tell you about that next week. Hope to see you there!

For over 30 years Tischa D. Brown has enjoyed working in early childhood education.  It’s been an adventure filled with laughter, tears and extraordinary ideas.  That’s why in Tischa’s debut picture book, Got Ideas, Anyone?, she highlights the classroom in all of its glory! Currently she juggles marketing and promoting her recent release while preparing for the next one and writing new material for querying agents.

You can contact her through her website: tischadbrown.com

And follow her on Instagram:@tischastake.