Love, Laughter, and Life

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Just One Pebble. One Boy’s Quest to End Hunger by Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky: Author Interview

Just One Pebble. One Boy’s Quest to End Hunger

Written by Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky

Illustrated by Sara Casilda

(Clavis; September 15, 2023)

I’m excited to have Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky visit my blog today. Dianna is the author of the soon-to-be released picture book, Just One Pebble. One Boy’s Quest to End Hunger. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dianna’s newest book.

Welcome, Dianna! I’m so glad you are stopping by today to visit. Tell us a little about yourself.

Thanks so much for having me, Angie! I have always wanted to write but only in the last few years have I found the time to do so.  I’ve always loved picture books. I particularly enjoy and appreciate what illustrations bring to a story. What draws me to these books, other than simple delight, is the endless opportunity to create something wonderful – bringing to life the next story waiting to be told.  And, in the process, hopefully creating a book a child will love and remember forever.

I agree with your thoughts regarding picture books. They are truly delightful!

Congratulations on your new picture book Just One Pebble. One Boy’s Quest to End Hunger (Clavis, September 15, 2023). This is such a beautiful book! I love the message. What inspired this story?

I first read about Braeden and his work on The Hunger Site. I knew immediately that I wanted to write about this amazing 9-year-old! I started writing and researching within days. Once it was written, I reached out to Braeden’s family.

Wow! You jumped right into this story. It is an amazing story!

What writing journey did you follow as you wrote Just One Pebble. One Boy’s Quest to End Hunger? How long did it take from idea to publication?

I started writing the story in the Fall, 2020 and began submitting to publishers the following Spring. Clavis purchased the story in June, 2021 and the Dutch edition was published Fall 2022. The English version will hit bookshelves this September 15, 2023.

That’s interesting that it was printed in Dutch first. I’m glad that it is being printed in English as well. It’s such an important message and cause.

The text is perfectly enriched by Sara Casilda’s illustrations. How much input did you have as your book went to Sara to be illustrated?

I always say that Sara’s beautiful work is the magic that brings my books to life! We emailed regularly and having websites showed her what Braeden and his mom looked like. I’m not sure if that made it easier or harder! Illustrating a living person must be stressful but Sara did a stellar job. They look true-to-life and simply amazing! It is my sincere hope that we’ll have the chance to work together again.

She did an amazing job, and I imagine it would be harder to illustrate a living person. At least I would be challenged. But then I only draw stick figures. It’s neat that you could email back and forth. I hope you get to work together again too!

And thanks, Dianna, for sharing the website for Braeden. Read more about Braeden here.

What special plans do you have for the book birthday (book release) of Just One Pebble?

Well, it’s a double birthday as the book comes to shelves on September 15, my 65th birthday! I haven’t given it much thought, to be honest, but will certainly celebrate our joint appearance on this beautiful planet.

Happy birthday! What a special release day AND birthday! I hope you have a wonderful birthday (both the book AND you). CONGRATULATIONS on the Kirkus review. Wow!

What tip(s) could you offer to picture book writers who are seeking to get their books published?

I know it’s difficult and we often feel like we are writing in a void. Write the stories of your heart; don’t write to trends; find reliable critique partners – they will be your strongest support; keep learning – take advantage of all the free webinars out there and purchase the ones you are able to that will further your craft and answer your specific questions and needs. The world needs our stories, so please keep writing them.

Excellent advice. Thank you!

Your first picture book, James’ Reading Rescue, came out in 2021. What other projects can you share?

I’m very happy to share that JRR has published in 8 languages, including English. Sara and I are so excited to have our book reaching so many children around the world. We can only hope for the same with Just One Pebble!

I’ve been busy writing and revising this summer. I have a couple of new stories that I’m really happy about, one with an inanimate MC. This was a revision challenge from my critique group and it really threw me, at first, but I’m so pleased with the outcome. I am hoping to submit a few stories in the coming months. I’m also querying agents, as well.

How exciting! Eight languages for James’ Reading Rescue. And at least two languages for Just One Pebble! Best wishes with your querying. I’m so curious about your inanimate object main character. Fascinating.

Surprise us. What else would you like to share?

Well, both Sara and I love cats. I try to have one in almost every story! In addition to picture books, I’m a huge fan of history, mystery and time-travel stories. I am a cookie decorator and love to make gingerbread houses. I also paint but lately that has taken a back seat writing. There are only so many hours in a day!

Thanks so much, Angie!

Having a cat in almost every one of your stories—that’s a fun idea! I love cats too. And sadly, yes, there are only so many hours in each day. I love doing so many things, but one must at least occasionally sleep.

Thanks again, Dianna, for stopping by. All the best wishes to you!

Connect with Dianna.

Facebook

Twitter


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Haiku Moment: crazy beans

the beans are going

crazy-climb, bloom, grow, dangle

veg for every meal

crazy beans by Angie Quantrell

photo by Angie Quantrell, Yakima Valley


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Haiku Moment: paper bug

sunflower world dwarfs

ghostly guest, wrinkled yet strong

eerie paper bug

paper bug by Angie Quantrell

photo by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley, WA

P.S. Does anyone know what this paper bug is actually called? Because of the massive forelegs (for its size), I wondered if it was a relative of a praying mantis. But the rest of the body doesn’t seem to fit that category.


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Haiku Moment: feed me

waiting, hungry, watch

feed me feed me feed me-me!

waiting, hungry, watch

feed me by Angie Quantrell

photos by Angie Quantrell

flycatchers in the Yakima Valley

Every year, we have a pair of flycatchers nest in our parking shelter, an old cattle loafing shed. They LOVE this space to nest. Sadly, the first batch of hatchlings were all destroyed by a variety of cannibalistic birds! It was terrible. But I’m happy to say that all 4 in batch 2 have made it to the fledgling stage, are flying around willy-nilly, and will soon learn to hunt for themselves (the above exhausted parent and I both agree this needs to happen very soon).


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Haiku Moment: summer hunger buzz

summer hunger buzz

seek, discover, pollinate

satiating feast

summer hunger buzz by Angie Quantrell

photo by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley


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Haiku Moment: feast here

bees at work, seek host-

summer blooms shout, come! feast here

happy all around

feast here by Angie Quantrell

photo by Angie Quantrell, Yakima Valley


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Haiku Moment: sunflower summer

open for business

come one, buzz all, let’s gather-

sunflower summer

sunflower summer by Angie Quantrell

photo by Angie Quantrell, Yakima Valley


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Haiku Moment: garden gift

summer garden gift

hens, chicks, offspring given by

grandma who is missed

garden gift

photo by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley

descendants of hen and chicks from Grandma Wheetley


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Haiku Moment: goodnight wish

sun sends goodnight wish

illuminating hearts of

plethora at rest

goodnight wish by Angie Quantrell

photo by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley


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Author Interview: FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE written by Candace Spizzirri, illustrated by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne (Gnome Road Publishing)

Finley: A Moose on the Caboose

Story by Candace Spizzirri

Art by Chantelle and Burgen Thorne

Gnome Road Publishing (April, 2023)

Thanks for joining us today for this special author interview. With that, we’ll jump right in.

I’m pleased to introduce Candace Spizzirri, author of Finley: A Moose on the Caboose, which just celebrated its book birthday in April. I first met Candace (author) through my critique partner, Beverly Love Warren (illustrator), when they had a had a book come out, Fishing with Grandpa and Skye (Spork, 2022).

Welcome, Candace! Let’s get to it and learn more about your newest book, Finley: A Moose on the Caboose. Congratulations!

Thanks so much, Angie, for having me on your blog again! I’m delighted to be here.

It’s always fun when an author makes a return visit to my blog!

Tell us how you came up with your idea for Finley.

The idea for FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE came to me while visiting the gorgeous town of Talkeetna, Alaska. The scenery was spectacular in every direction! During my stay, an enormous moose appeared in the town center, wandered about a bit, then disappeared into the woods next to the railroad tracks. I was delighted to see this big-eyed moose up close (but not too close as they are extremely dangerous) as I’d never seen one before. Later that day, I came across a little shop called Once in a Blue Moose and it sparked an idea for a picture book about a friendly moose who longs to ride the rails.

This is the perfect “where did your story come from” story! I love adventures!

How long did it take you from idea to publication? What happened during the process?

I came up with the idea for FINLEY in June of 2019 and wrote my first draft shortly thereafter. After I write a new story, I like to put it away for a while as was the case with FINLEY. Then, I did a bit of revising and sent it off to my critique partners. (I am a member of several groups and don’t know what I would do without them!) After each person had weighed in, I carefully considered their comments/suggestions while staying true to the vision for my story. FINLEY did require a lot of tightening and cutting of darlings.

After FINLEY was “ready”, I participated in the Twitter Pitch Party in March 2021 and got a like from Sandra Sutter at Gnome Road Publishing. Most of the heavy lifting/editing was done during the “revise and resubmit” process with Sandra and I signed my contract in April 2021. After FINLEY was acquired, Sandra and I tightened the text a bit more and worked on line edits until we both were happy with the story. Then, Chantelle and Burgen worked their magic with the illustrations!

So, from idea to publication was just under three years.

Wow, amazing! It’s so interesting to read about the process from idea to book.

I see that Chantelle and Burgen Thorne illustrated your picture book. The illustrations are fabulous! Did you have any input for the illustrations?

I agree!  I couldn’t be more thrilled with Chantelle and Burgen’s illustrations for FINLEY! I saw character sketches and thumbnails of the spreads along the way. I loved it at every step of the way. I must admit that when I saw the final art, I cried tears of joy. It was everything I had hoped for and so much more.

Sandra Sutter, at Gnome Road Publishing, already had Chantelle and Burgen in mind when she acquired FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE. And my input was YAY! How lucky am I?!!

All I can say is wow!

Did anything unexpected happen during your writing of Finley?

While I was still working on some final edits for FINLEY (revising, revising, always revising) I decided to participate in the Twitter Pitch Party I mentioned above. 

At that time, Sandra Sutter and the acquisitions team for Gnome Road were considering another one of my stories for publication. After Sandra liked the pitch for FINLEY. I sent in my manuscript, it joined my other story in acquisitions, and came back with a revise and resubmit. The team felt that the ending wasn’t strong enough. Oh no! But I was thankful for the R&R and worked at it until I was happy with the new ending. 

I resubmitted, waited, and wondered about both stories. I was thrilled when Sandra contacted me saying the acquisitions team had fallen in love with Finley Moose. She added, “Finley has stolen our hearts, and he won’t let go.” What an unexpected delight!

That’s the best kind of feedback!

How did you celebrate the April release of Finley: A Moose on the Caboose?

I celebrated FINLEY’S book birthday on April 18th with a festive family dinner. I also had a book launch on April 22nd at my local Barnes & Noble with a story time, kids’ craft, (handprint moose with wobbly eyes) and special homemade FINLEY cookies. (Thanks to my bff, Susan, and daughters, Lauren, and Katharine!) Yum! It turned into a party!

So much fun!

What advice would you give to new picture book writers and illustrators?

Never give up! 

Take classes, attend conferences, find critique partners, join writing groups, and connect with the kidlit community. What an amazing, supportive group they are! 

Try to relax and enjoy the process. Publishing is a slow go. There will be ups and downs along the way. Patience and persistence are the names of the game. I have trouble with the patience part. Persistence comes much more naturally. 

You’ve got this!

All true. Thank you for the advice AND encouragement!

What surprises are you working on now?

I always have lots of stories I’m revising and new ideas rumbling around my brain. Right now, I’m excited about several manuscripts I’ve worked on for the past couple of years. I also have something in the works that I can’t talk about just yet but will share as soon as I’m able.

Congratulations on the “something in the works!”

www.candacespizzirri.com

Twitter @CCSpizzirri1

Instagram @CCSpizzirri

Facebook @CandaceSpizzirri

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you check out Candace’s books! Enjoy!