I’m thrilled to invite my friend author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski back to my blog. Not only is Leslie an award-winning author/illustrator but she is also the Co-Regional Advisor of the SCBWI Michigan chapter and she’s part of the team that has orchestrated the Mid Wild, Wild West 2013 SCBWI Multi-State Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana from May 3 – 5, 2013.
Today, we’re here to celebrate her latest picture book Doggone Feet! (Boyds Mills Press, Mar 1, 2013) which is SO doggone cute! Congratulations, Leslie!
What was the inspiration behind this story? And the path to publication?
A couple of years ago, I saw a tapestry hanging in a shop
with two dogs sitting under a table. I went back to my room and started writing
about the dog’s point of view. I grew up with dogs around the table, so I was
familiar with their behavior. But raising my own family with a dog under the
table at mealtime gave me a new perspective. We always laughed at how the dog
knew where to position herself for the most tidbits. Even though I thought this
was a brilliant relatable idea, it was a tricky sell. I didn’t think I wanted
to illustrate with all the perspective involved in portraying life under the
table. So it was initially sent out with only the text. Several publishers
passed it by thinking it was limited visually because of the setting being
under a table throughout. But I could imagine it being done—I could see it in my
head. Finally, I decided to illustrate a scene or two myself to show how it
could be done. A couple of artist friends convinced me that the perspective
could be distorted and that what I was doing was working. As soon as my agent
sent it out with art it was picked up.
and the language is toe-tapping, read-a-loud fun! I’ve heard it’s very
difficult to write in rhyme especially when it comes to revision. Do you
approach the revision process differently when you’re revising in rhyme as
opposed to prose?
though it does take even longer than usual. I revise the story content over and
over. Then I revise the rhyme over and over. But I love the revision process. I
like when I have the security of a strong story idea and I just have to play
with the words until I get it smoothed out.
easier or harder to sell a book? Does being more established help or hinder?
marketing team these days as they are not always willing to take risks on a
book that might be a bit different. But I feel lucky that I do have books out
that have sold well because it does make it easier to get an editor’s
attention.
promotional/marketing/business side of being an author/illustrator and the
creative/inventive/artistic side of your job?
This year I’ve decided to devote more time to marketing than I have in the
past. Making myself take time to market and promote is hard for me because it’s
not really where I want to spend my time. It’s hard to ignore the fact that
social media makes a difference, so I have taken two months to set up signings,
blog posts and to create a library story kit that will be available on my website
preceding the launch of this book. I’ve also created a book trailer. Some of the marketing and planning is fun but I can’t
wait to get back to actually writing.
such a mystery sometimes what the public latches on to. Sometimes, I don’t get
it at all. But when I do ‘get’ it, it’s usually a book with humor on a
universal theme, wording that surprises me, and art I find fun and
well-designed.
you currently working on? What can readers look forward to next?
saying something profound and very funny about creating children’s books.It
will probably take me ten years to think of something.
Pigs, which will be released in the spring of 2014. I just got back a 7 page
editorial letter on rough sketches, so I have a lot to do. I like this part so
I don’t want to have to squeeze it in.
books. I may even venture into self-publishing an idea that my editor says
marketing will not get behind. Authors have other options these days, which is
both scary and exciting!
