Featured Titles
About DAD AND POP (forthcoming)
DAD AND POP is a celebration of fathers—all kinds of fathers. My children, Max and Alexis, have two fathers: a biological father, Steven, and a step-father, my husband, Curtis. They also have “Unk John,” a great friend who is always there to cheer them on. One day I was thinking about how fortunate my kids are to have loving “fathers” and how it really doesn’t matter how a man becomes a father, what matters is love. That’s when the idea for DAD AND POP was born.
I’m delighted to be working with Sarah Ketchersid again. Sarah was my editor for NOT NORMAN, A GOLDFISH STORY, too. Not only is she a brilliant editor, she is a delightful, funny person and easy-laugher.
A picture book doesn’t just magically appear on the bookshelves. Loads of work and time goes into each one. It begins with an idea which becomes a story. I rework and rewrite the story oodles of times—even one as short as a picture book— making sure every word feels right.
When I think it’s finished, I send the manuscript to my agent, Erin Murphy. Erin reads it, tells me what she thinks is right and wrong with the story. I revise some more (Erin is very good at her job.) When we are both happy with the story, Erin sends it to an editor.
If I’m lucky, the editor likes my story—happy dance time!—and makes more suggestions. Finally, after a few more rounds of revision, the editor makes an offer to publish the manuscript. Once the contracts are signed, the fun begins.
Next step is choosing an illustrator.
Some authors are also illustrators. I’m not. I only write the words. This means that the editor and art department folks have to search for an illustrator to turn my words into art! Sarah hunted for almost a year to find the perfect illustrator for DAD AND POP. Lucky for me she did.
Paul Meisel is a brilliant, award-winning illustrator and author. I am so happy he agreed to illustrate DAD AND POP. What’s even more fun about having Paul illustrate my book is that he also illustrated my good friend Kathy Duval’s delightful picture books, THREE BEARS’ CHRISTMAS and THREE BEAR’S HALLOWEEN.
Soon, Paul will begin sketching ideas for DAD AND POP. I can’t wait to see what he creates.
