Welcome, Everyone!
So what if it’s snowing again! It’s time for Tuesday Debut, and it always makes the day wonderful to celebrate one of our own achieving publication – that pinnacle of success we all strive for whether it’s our first book or (I presume) our 50th – I’ll let you know if I get there! 😊
I am so thrilled to introduce today’s debutess, Julie Rowan-Zoch! You had the opportunity to meet her last fall when she made her illustration debut, but this time she is debuting her writing and art together!
And today is her book’s actual birthday, so feel free to have some cake 😊
I’M A HARE, SO THERE!
story and pictures: Julie Rowan-Zoch
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers (HMHKids)
rel. date: March 16, 2021
(Informational) Fiction
Pre-K – 3 (4-7yrs)
Exasperated hare puts a plucky squirrel in his place as they stroll through the desert comparing similar-not-same animals – while oblivious to predators! This hare may call the squirrel Chippie, or a tortoise a turtle, but Jack is NOT a rabbit!
SUSANNA: Thank you so much for coming to visit with us today, Julie! We are all so thrilled to have you here (again!)! I may be wrong, but I think you’re the first author/illustrator debutess we’ve had, and I know you’re the first person we’ve had who had an illustrator debut and then also an author/illustrator debut! We can’t wait to hear your unique perspective! Where did the idea for this book come from?
JULIE: I have your illustration contest to thank for the character, Susanna! That was the first drawing I made, but a few more followed and my agent soon asked, “What is his story?” Having a character with a bit of attitude helped “walk” the story, at least especially after researching where one would even find jackrabbits! It has gone through a number of revisions, including rhyme, but I recall the process as being easy (or Corona really has done a number on my brain!)
SUSANNA: Haha 😊 I think Corona has done a number on all our brains! But I have to say, I have loved that jackrabbit from the first moment I saw him, and I’m glad you were encouraged to tell his story! How long did it take you to write this book?
JULIE: According to the files I could find, about 3-4 weeks – NOT my norm!
SUSANNA: Did you go through many revisions?
JULIE: I (used to) re-number every draft, no matter how small the revision, and I believe it was about 15. I don’t have a real process for revision. I’m a pantser through and through!
SUSANNA: When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
JULIE: It felt good after running it by my critique groups numerous times. Then I showed it to my agent and we made one major change to the ending (let the main character live!). But we didn’t submit it for some time. I had some personal issues which brought life to a long halt! We finally offered it as an exclusive to the editor I worked with illustrating Tom Lichtenheld’s book, LOUIS.
SUSANNA: When and how did you submit?
JULIE: We submitted exclusively shortly after work on LOUIS had begun in 2018. After a week the editor asked for another week (!) then asked if I would be willing to add back matter. I agreed, though I was completely unsure about it – I had not expected that request!
SUSANNA: When did you get “the call”? (Best moment ever! ☺)
JULIE: My agent informed me via phone call after a deal was made, and yes, it felt great to sell my own writing!
SUSANNA: How did you celebrate signing your contract?
JULIE: I was lucky to celebrate with my dear friend and fellow writer, Julie Hedlund at our favorite hangout, about halfway between our homes in Colorado. There was champagne!
SUSANNA: Was the contract what you expected in terms of advance, royalty percentage, publication timeline, author copies etc.?
JULIE: I was very pleased with the offer, which my agent managed to bump up from the original a bit! It’s embarrassing, but I have no head for contract details – but I did get 20 author copies!
SUSANNA: What can you tell us about the editorial process?
JULIE: The editor and art director asked if I would be open to including a few more similar-but-not-the-same animals in the illustrations, which really made the book better! There was one revision request in the text but it was minor. There were a lot more requests after the initial sketches, lots of revision work on continuity and composition, even after the final artwork was submitted and color proofs came through! My experience was completely positive. I have to say, coming from graphic design, I find the collaboration in publishing with people who want to support you and produce really good books out of passion, well, you can guess – it’s much more satisfying!
SUSANNA: Did you get to see advance reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, etc?
JULIE: Actually, I found the (very nice!) reviews myself and shared them with my agent and the team. Maybe because we were knee deep in Corona-time? I was also the one to notice when HARE was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for best books in March for the 3-5yr age bracket. I feel very lucky to receive that kind of exposure for the book!
SUSANNA: I think it is very well deserved! 😊 How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand?
JULIE: About 2yrs. Print run is 30K.
SUSANNA: What kind of marketing and promotion has your publisher done for this book?
JULIE: My publicist helped me with adding images to the book’s Amazon page, and facilitated an interview with Mr. Schu, but the rest has been up to me.
SUSANNA: Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.
JULIE: I am very fortunate to belong to the Soaring20’s promotional group, as well as Picture Book Playground. Even if I were not debuting (twice!) in a pandemic, I would highly recommend finding such a group for the camaraderie and emotional support. And for the help with marketing, but honestly, that feels like less of a priority considering COVID. As you well know, it is the community which makes our little world go ‘round!
SUSANNA: How long was it between the time you started writing seriously and the time you sold your first picture book?
JULIE: For writing: 8.5yrs. I mentioned personal struggles along the way earlier, which slowed me down, but somehow I still feel lucky to be debuting right now. More likely I am just so happy to have this particular joy during these trying times!
SUSANNA: It certainly is a welcome bright spot – for you as creator and for us who get to enjoy your book! What is your most helpful piece of advice for up and coming writers?
JULIE: Everyone knows how important it is to engage with newer books on the market. But the current market shows you the current market, not necessarily great books. Yes, it’s very important to know what is selling, but I have found so many gems beyond the familiar classics over the last few years which feel as fresh today as when they were written in the 70’s, 80’s 90’s. For a book to have that kind of longevity they HAVE to have the rock-hard quality to stand the test of time. It may not be everyone’s goal, but I want to be reading my own books to kids for many, many years – and still enjoy it! Read the gems, write them out, read them again! Oh, and once you feel like you’ve got the basics down, don’t be afraid to break some rules! (For anyone interested in some of those old gems I heartily invite you to scroll around on my blog!)
SUSANNA: Anything else you’d like to share about your book’s journey from inspiration to publication?
JULIE: Maybe it’s the pandemic, and maybe it’s the kind of books released over the last few years (and I read A LOT as a bookseller), but I am starving for more humor in picture books and value a good find now more than ever before!
*Also, I have become extremely choosy in books for adults and I attribute it all to the concise writing and reading of picture books!
SUSANNA: Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in this series and paying it forward to other writers, Julie! We are so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to learn from you today, and wish you all the best with LOUIS, I’M A HARE, and all future titles!!!
JULIE: Thank YOU, Susanna!
jrzoch@gmail.com
http://julierowanzoch.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ArtistJulieRowanZochbooks
Readers, if you have questions for Julie, please post them in the comments below and if she has time I’m sure she’ll respond!
You may purchase Julie’s book at:
(all links below are book-specific)
We can help our debut authors successfully launch their careers by:
– purchasing their books
– recommending their books to friends and family
– recommending their books to our children’s teachers and librarians
– recommending their books to our local libraries and bookstores
– suggesting them as visiting authors at our children’s schools and our local libraries
– sharing their books on social media
– reviewing their books on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and other sites where people go to learn about books.
Thank you all for stopping by to read today! Have a lovely, inspiration-filled Tuesday! Maybe today is the day you’ll write your debut picture book 😊
Missed any previous Tuesday Debuts? Check them out!
Christy Mihaly – Hey! Hey! Hay! A Tale of Bales And The Machines That Make Them
Jessie Oliveros – The Remember Balloons
Beth Anderson – An Inconvenient Alphabet: Ben Franklin And Noah Webster’s Spelling Revolution
Hannah Holt – The Diamond And The Boy
Laura Renauld – Porcupine’s Pie
Annie Romano – Before You Sleep: A Bedtime Book Of Gratitude
Melissa Stoller – Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush
Sherry Howard – Rock And Roll Woods
Kate Narita – 100 Bugs! A Counting Book
Vivian Kirkfield – Pippa’s Passover Plate
Laura Roettiger – Aliana Reaches For The Moon
Matthew Lasley – Pedro’s Pan: A Gold Rush Story
Natalee Creech – When Day Is Done
Margaret Chiu Greanias – Maximillian Villainous
Wendy Greenley – Lola Shapes The Sky
Danielle Dufayet – You Are Your Strong
B.J. Lee – There Was An Old Gator Who Swallowed A Moth
Cathy Ballou Mealey – When A Tree Grows
Pippa Chorley – Counting Sheep
Sandra Sutter – The Real Farmer In The Dell
Jill Mangel Weisfeld – Riley The Retriever Wants A New Job (self pub)
Kathleen Cornell Berman – The Birth Of Cool: How Jazz Great Miles Davis Found His Sound
Eleanor Ann Peterson – Jurassic Rat
Sarah Hoppe – Who Will? Will You?
Marla LeSage – Pirate Year Round
Stacey Corrigan – The Pencil Eater
Shannon Stocker – Can U Save The Day?
Nadine Poper – Randall And Randall
Christine Evans – Evelyn The Adventurous Entomologist
Karen Kiefer – Drawing God (religious market)
Dawn Young – The Night Baafore Christmas
Heather Gale – Ho’onani: Hula Warrior
Ciara O’Neal – Flamingo Hugs Aren’t For Everyone (self pub)
Theresa Kiser – A Little Catholic’s Book Of Liturgical Colors (religious market)
Lindsey Hobson – Blossom’s Wish (self pub)
Kirsten Larson – Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents An Airplane
Valerie Bolling – Let’s Dance!
Janet Johnson – Help Wanted: Must Love Books
Heather Kinser – Small Matters: The Hidden Power of the Unseen
Kelly Carey – How Long Is Forever?
Mary Wagley Copp – Wherever I Go
Nell Cross Beckerman – Down Under The Pier
Claire Noland – Evie’s Field Day: More Than One Way To Win
Sharon Giltrow – Bedtime, Daddy!
Gabi Snyder – Two Dogs On A Trike
Lisa Katzenberger – National Regular Average Ordinary Day
Teresa Krager – Before Your Birth Day
Lindsay H. Metcalf – Beatrix Potter, Scientist
Nancy Roe Pimm – Fly, Girl, Fly! Shaesta Waiz Soars Around The World
Jolene Gutiérrez – Mac And Cheese And The Personal Space Invader
Julie Rowan-Zoch – Louis (picture book illustration debut!)
Janie Emaus – Latkes For Santa
Amy Mucha – A Girl’s Bill Of Rights
Melanie Ellsworth – Hip,Hip…Beret!
Rebecca Kraft Rector – Squish Squash Squished
Gnome Road Publishing (publishing house debut)
Susanna Leonard Hill 
So happy for you, Julie! And it’s always extra exciting to see a Colorado author succeed. (Hi from Glenwood Springs.) Here’s to many more!
Good morning, Deb! Thanks for the well wishes – hope the snow dump didn’t hit you too hard up there!
I had to leave a note here. I’m a CO native living in CA, but Glenwood is one of my favorite places on earth! Hard to beat the canyon for scenery! Best wishes!
Congrats, Julie. I can’t wait to read this clever, funny book.
Thank you!
Congratulations, Julie! This book sounds so fun. As a wildlife biologist, I can’t wait to read it! You’ve been an inspiration to me in my own author/illustrator journey.
Thank you, Nancy! I may need to consult you if ever there be a sequel!
Sure!
Congrats, Julie! This book about a hare with attitude sounds so funny and educational. I love his attitude! You also teach the difference between animals we often mix up. I have to read this terrific book!
I hope you find it tickles your funny bone! Thank you!
Great interview, ladies! Congratulations on your continued success.
Thank you, Laura! Excited to “see” you on your blog next week!
Me too! Very excited to host you and when life goes back to normal, I’d love to meet you at that unnamed place where you and Julie Hedlund celebrated.
Oh! That’s a Gouda idea! (Can you guess?)
Hahahaha! That’s only 20 minutes away. Fabulous idea.
Congratulations, Julie. This sounds like a good read for the children and I’m looking forward to read it.
I certainly hope you find it a satisfying read too! Thanks!
Congratulations, Julie!
Thank you, Robin! And congratulations on your book birthday too!
I can’t wait to read your book, Julie!
It sounds like one that will be read over and over again:)
We need more humor and thank you for providing it!
Congrats!
We all need to laugh more! Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words!
I can’t wait to read your book, Julie!
We need more humor and this one sounds like it will be read over and over again!
Congrats!
🐿♥️🌵
I look forward to reading this clever and fun book. Congrats Julie! I agree with you that we need to see more books with humor. Thanks for sharing your publishing experience.
Thanks for hopping by, Deborah!
Congratulations Julie! I can’t wait to read this fun book. I love good humor in picture books and like you say, we need that more now than ever. Thank you for putting some joy out into the world and thank you for sharing your story today. Wishing you much success.
Thank you, Mary! I am so looking forward to hearing a kid giggle reading the book!
Thanks for the cake! Happy book birthday, Julie! So fun! I’m excited to read this desert story. Best wishes!
And if you look closely while reading, I did hide a dessert in the desert! Thanks, Angie!
Ooohhhh, an Easter egg! Thanks!
Hooray for humor! Me, too.
Congrats Julie and Susanna – thanks for the yummy spring cake!
Thanks, Cathy! There is a nod to Susanna hidden in the book – hope you can find it!
Congrats, Julie, on your TWO debuts! I agree with you about studying the older classics as well as current titles. We need to analyze why they’re still read and try to model them in some way. Couldn’t agree more about humor, either. It’s top of the list for me right now. We all need a big dose to keep things in perspective.
So glad to hear you like reading older books too! Especially as the internet is able to prop up all manner of things whether they have merit or not – but I also allows us treasure-seekers to dig for old gems!
So excited for this fun book! Congrats, Julie!
Thank you, Gabi!
Congratulations, Julie! I can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, David!
I always knew Julie would make a big splash in the kid lit world! Her art is singularly incredible and unique and I’ve been a huge fan since I first laid eyes on her work. Way to go, Julie!! I’m looking forward to this book.
Sometimes I think you believed in me more than I did – certainly more than my mother! haha! She’s very proud, but she’s also heard my earliest manuscripts! Thanks for hanging in there with me!
This book looks like so much fun–and a such creative approach to an informational topic. Going to put in on my TBR list!
Thanks, Buffy! I hope you like it!
WES — we need more humor in PBs. We need to laugh! Can’t wait to get my copy — but have great grandchildren and a nephew’s birthdays this summer, and I know they’d love this book. Two are turning three. So happy for you! Enjoyed the interview!
Thank you so much, Patricia! I hope your little people will like it too!
Thanks for sharing your process. It’s nice to know every once in a while an idea is ready to submit after only 15 or so revisions. I revise (and renumber)constantly so I’m often in the 40-50s!
This was a lucky one – not had that yet with any of my others. But yes, it’s nice to know it CAN happen!
Julie, the hare looks darling! Congrats on your author/illustrator debut!! I wonder…is it easier for you to be the illustrator,or the author? Good luck going forth!!
Thank you! I’m not sure one is easier than the other, but one job is easier than two! Not sure that answered the question, but thanks for giving me something to ponder!
I would think that being author/illustrator is akin to an assistant director’s job (whereas the director has control over publishing, mkting, etc). More hats to juggle may mean more hat-hair, but you also get to pick the best fit 🙂
My book didn’t come today and I am =( But then I thought, maybe tomorrow! Which is such a PB business approach to take so I’m glad you and your book gave me that moment. LOL. You know I LOVE this story and can’t wait to hold it in my hands.
If it helps to know, our store had to close for 3 days because of the snow! Gave me a “day” off though! Thanks for all your support and encouragement, Wendy!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey…. and letting us know that it is a process that requires creativity, faith in your ideas and persistence to bring it all to fruition. I love the older books as I am an older “soul” who taught k-1-2 children for 33 years. Now I can look back to the those books I used but also discover new books such as yours that help one see through the eyes of a strong character with a strong voice!
It would also be nice to believe some books we create today will still be read 30, 40 years from now, right? You must have a treasure trove of stories from years of teaching to draw from! I recently read a PB that will be coming out this summer called, Not Little. I thought the writer must have special insights into a child’s world, and I was right! It is written by an early-Elem teacher! All the best with your writing!
I’m so excited for Julie’s debut! I’m a huge fan of her daily art and particularly love her recent “I’m a Hare snowman!” Congratulations Julie!!
Thank you so much, Lauri!
Congratulations, Julie! I read and enjoyed LOUIS just recently and look forward to reading SO THERE! What a fun title. Thanks for this informative and inspiring interview!
Thank you, Sarah!
I love funny books, too! And I’m looking forward to reading yours! Congratulations! 🙂
I hope it makes you smile, Sheri!
Hooray for humor, Julie! Just seeing your characters makes me smile.
Thanks, Melanie!
Huzzah! Huzzah! Loved reading this interview with Julie and cannot wait to see this character come alive in Julie’s debut!