Interview & Giveaway with Author Lindsay Leslie

Today, I’m honored to welcome to the blog, author, Lindsay Leslie. Be sure to check out the giveaway that follows the interview. Lindsay is offering a copy of her latest picture book, NOVA THE STAR EATER, and a critique of a picture book manuscript.

About Lindsay:

Connect with Lindsay:

Twitter: @lleslie

Instagram: @lindsaylesliewrites

lindsayleslie.com

1) What do you love most about writing picture books?

What I love most is that first draft and getting into the heads of my characters and figuring out how they would behave and why. When I’m in their worlds, nothing around me exists. The process for me is so immersive, I don’t even hear my children yelling, “Mom … MOOOOOOOOM!”

2) What’s your greatest challenge when writing picture books?

Of all the challenging things, because there are so many to choose from when writing a picture book, I think my biggest hurdle is having access to my creative well when I’m under a tight deadline.

3) About how many picture book manuscripts did you write before your debut picture book, This Book Is Spineless, was acquired for publication?

I had a chapter book series (three completed) and five picture book manuscripts, not including THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS.

4) You stated in a past interview that you pitched four manuscripts during the Twitter Pitch contest, Pitmad. Of those manuscripts, one received a ‘like’ directly from an editor, Charlotte of Page Street Kids. She acquired the manuscript which evolved into your debut, This Book is Spineless. How did Page Street Kids come to acquire your first three picture books, and what was the process like considering your book was acquired before you had an agent?

I did get a heart from Page Street for THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS, but it was actually from Kristen Nobles, the publisher. A little over a month after I submitted the manuscript, I received a revise and resubmit request from Charlotte. We went back and forth a couple of times, and then Charlotte did end up acquiring the book. Once THIS BOOK WAS SPINELESS was under contract, Page Street requested first right of refusal on my next picture book manuscript. My agent, Stephanie Fretwell-Hill, sent on NOVA THE STAR EATER. Charlotte acquired. The same process repeated for DUSK RAIDERS WANTED.

In regards to getting a contract for THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS and not having an agent, that was an interesting position to be in. I first reached out to agents who had my manuscript and to let them know I had an offer. They passed for various understandable reasons. I thought that I might be in this on my own. I was given the name of a literary lawyer from a friend, so I contacted her. During our chat, she offered to refer me to her agency, Red Fox Literary, and I was able to connect with Stephanie.

5) Congratulations on the upcoming release (May 21st) of your second picture book, Nova the Star Eater! Would you give us a brief synopsis of the book?

Thank you so much and I’d love to tell you about Nova! Nova has a big appetite for stars, so when she decides to gobble up Earth’s Sun, panic erupts around the globe. Earth needs its Sun to survive! How will it get it back from Nova? World leaders gather to brainstorm, but it is an off-the-wall idea from one bright little girl that just might do the trick.

I call NOVA THE STAR EATER my reverse mullet. It’s party in the front and business in the back. The story is a fantastical space adventure sprinkled with a few facts, and then in the back the reader will find information about the Sun’s importance to Earth as well as a glossary.

6) What was your research process for it like being that it’s a STEM story?

The process was a little silly, because I had to balance my concept of this very absurdist and fantastical story with a sprinkling of factual elements. First, I started my research with what would really happen if the sun were to disappear. Now that kind of research will make the hairs on your neck stand up. I decided from there what my rules were going to be in Nova’s story and what served her story. Then I did a dive into research about the Sun and its benefits to our Earth, as well as research about other classifications of stars, which was fascinating. Once I had the story where I wanted it to be, I reached out to the University of Texas at Austin’s astronomy department and connected with Dr. Keely Finkelstein, who facilitates and co-instructs K-12 teacher professional development workshops. Dr. Finkelstein made sure I was describing the factual elements of my story correctly and concisely for my intended audience.

7) What, if any, were the challenges to creating a main character that’s essentially an inanimate object?

It’s funny, I never saw her as inanimate in my mind. She is very much alive to me and her personality came through strong and fierce in my first drafts. Nova is just not very aware of the cause and effect of her actions. She’s hungry…so hungry! She is also super silly and sweet. I think when you have an inanimate object as a character, the sky is the limit. You aren’t bound by preconceived notions.

8) What, if any, were the differences between writing your debut picture book and your second picture book?

The differences were that I struggled with writing THIS BOOK IS SPINELESS, but I knew I loved the title and concept and was determined to make it work. With NOVA, her story came flying out of me. I finished the draft and sold it within a few months.

9) What’s it been like debuting and promoting two picture books in such close succession?

A little taxing. I do feel like Nova is like my second child. I’m not as ramped up about it emotionally and trying to do and be all of the things. I love her just as much, though.

10) What have been the greatest challenges for you as a debut picture book author? Any tips and tricks for fellow debut authors?

Not knowing what the heck I’m doing. But, I’ve found that one of the greatest resources around was the debut group I started up with Kim Chaffee (HER FEARLESS RUN/Page Street) and Katrina Moore (ONE HUG/HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books/Dec. 10, 2019) called New In Nineteen. Not only do we support each other, we share resources and ideas. In addition to the debut group, my publisher and the Page Street publicity team have been incredibly helpful. Lean on your team and ask the questions. They are experts and will guide you. Also look to those who have been there before and ask them questions. Many authors put tips and tricks up on their websites. Seek out that information. My biggest tip is to join SCBWI and get to know your fellow members. So many of the established authors who belong to my local chapter helped me out with moral support and guidance.

11) How far in advance of your debut picture book’s publication did you seek out a debut author group? And would you describe what that collaboration’s been like and how debut authors might benefit from joining such a group?

Author and friend Cate Berry, who debuted in 2018 with PENGUIN & TINY SHRIMP DON’T DO BEDTIME (Balzer & Bray), suggested I create a group. So, I did with Kim Chaffee and Katrina Moore. We formed the group in early 2018 and didn’t launch our existence until around October of 2018. There are 45 members of our group, with some participating a lot and others not at all, which is to be expected. But of those who participate, I think the benefits have been numerous – from cheering each other on and helping spread the word on social media to collaborating on conference proposals to reviewing each other’s books. I highly recommend joining one of these groups to any debut.

12) You’ve now written meta, STEM, and lyrical picture books. Was that a conscious effort and what’s that experience been like, tackling different types of picture books in such a condensed publication period?

There was no conscious effort. I was enticed by an idea and that is how the idea came out of me. I do love to write in different styles and do not want to be pigeonholed. I’m the type of writer who requires a lot of projects going at the same time, so I can give proper room to each manuscript and let them breathe. The fact that they are different styles really exercises my brain. This helps me stay out of the weeds with each manuscript and see it with fresh eyes.

13) What are some dreams and goals you have for yourself as an author?

My dream is to be prolific, to be around for a long while, to keep selling, and to connect with the kids, librarians, educators, and folks in the kidlit world over the love of books.

14) What’s in the works for you?

Right now, I have a couple of R&Rs with publishers, and I’m playing around with a few picture book manuscripts. Also, I’ve finally gone back to revising a middle-grade novel I wrote back in 2017. It’s time to dust that one off and see what I can make of it. I really adore the concept, and I want to challenge myself to make it shine. I’m also ready for summertime. Whose with me???

WILDCARD QUESTIONS

I saw in a previous interview that you’ve talked Pokemon with your son. So, thoughts on the new Pokemon movie, Detective Pikachu? And if you could be any Pokemon, which would you be and why?

I’m such a Pokemon newb, and I haven’t seen the new movie, but will soon! If I could be any Pokemon, I think it would have to be Charmander.

What’s your favorite space-related, fun fact?

My favorite fact came from seeing the “Dark Universe” show at the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History. Based on findings by Edwin Hubble, our universe is not static. It’s expanding. Quickly. Think about that. Will space expand forever? If not, then what will it do and why? Whoa. This makes my brain boggle with so many ideas.

Thanks for your time Lindsay!

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