Tra la, tra loo!
It’s Tuesday Debut!
Tra la, tra la, tra loo!
I may have missed my calling as a song writer. What do you think?
Don’t answer that! 😊
Before we get started, I want to take a moment to wish my Dad a happy 96th birthday! It’s not every day you get to celebrate something like that, and today is the actual day! Happy Birthday, Dad! 🩷
We’re all a little older now than we were in this picture 😊
And although it’s probably not anyone here’s birthday, we still have a present on offer! Today’s debut-ess is offering a giveaway! – winner’s choice of either a written critique of a fiction picture book manuscript (up to 750 words) or a 30 minute AMA Zoom call. All you have to do to qualify is leave a comment on today’s post by Monday April 28th at 3PM Eastern and then you could be the randomly selected winner!
Now then! Let’s get to today’s Tuesday Debut! I am delighted to introduce you to Christina Shawn and her wonderful book, AND THEN CAME YOU!
Title: And Then Came You: When families grow, love grows too
Author: Christina Shawn
Illustrator: Shahrzad Maydani
Publishing House: Chronicle Books
Date of Publication: April 22, 2025
Fiction or Nonfiction: fiction picture book
age range of your book: 3-6
Families grow and change, but what if you like things just the way they are? What if you aren’t ready to welcome in a new parent, a messy pet, or a baby sister who cries a lot and is leaking goo?! Change can be scary, but even a full heart has room to grow.
SUSANNA: Welcome, Christina! We’re so excited to get to talk to you today and hear all about how AND THEN CAME YOU came to be! Where did the idea for this book come from?
CHRISTINA: Most of my story ideas begin with a feeling. This one was no different. I was thinking about how it felt when my kids were very little and it seemed like it was just the two of us together all the time, then as they grew older they became more and more interested in the people around them. As I was drifting off to sleep, the beginning stanza danced through my mind and I wrote it down. The story trickled in that way for a few nights before I sat down to write the rest.
SUSANNA: How long did it take you to write this book?
CHRISTINA: This book came quickly and almost whole when I sat with it. I spent a few days thinking about it, then wrote it out, sent it to my critique group, made some edits and sent it out on sub to agents. Not all of my writing is this smooth, but there was something special about this story, like it needed to be in the world.
SUSANNA: Did you go through many revisions?
CHRISTINA: I was lucky enough to be part of an online critique group and to have an in person critique partner at the time who read the original version. Then when I received two revise and resubmit requests from Chronicle Books, my in person CP and I spent hours going over the tiny nuances and changes. My agent at the time was helpful with reviewing the edits as well. We went through this type of revision process for seven months total. We would spend a few days editing, send it in and wait a few months for a response, then do it again when we received additional notes. When I signed the contract with Chronicle, there were no additional edits.
SUSANNA: When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
CHRISTINA: I always need to step back from a manuscript in order to get a clear idea of if it is ready. When I return to it I can see the specific spots that aren’t working. I will tinker with words in order to make them flow more easily or evoke the emotion I’m going for. When all of that feels right, I send it off.
SUSANNA: When and how did you submit?
CHRISTINA: I did not have an agent when I wrote this story. I first sent it out on submission to agents. One agent made an offer pretty quickly and sent it out to publishing houses. Chronicle Books responded with a revise and resubmit within the first few months, and later another publisher made an offer. Chronicle ended up being the best fit.
SUSANNA: How long after you found out about your book going to acquisitions (if you did) or after you submitted were you told it was a “yes”?
CHRISTINA: It was seven months from the first R&R until an offer was made. It went through two rounds of R&R. I’m not sure at which point it went to acquisitions. Possibly very close to that 7 month mark.
SUSANNA: When did you get “the call”, which these days is more likely to be “the email”? (Best moment ever! 😊) and how did you celebrate (if you care to share 😊)
CHRISTINA: “The call” was an email from my agent. And it was amazing. I celebrated by going out to dinner with my husband. We then waited another 5 months for the final contract, and months after that for the announcement, at which point I shared the news with my friends and extended family. My husband and I bought a fancy bottle of wine and labeled it for the day the book is released. It has been sitting on the shelf for a while, and we can’t wait to open it on April 22!
SUSANNA: How long was it between getting your offer and getting your contract to sign?
CHRISTINA: 5 months.
SUSANNA: Was the contract what you expected in terms of advance, royalty percentage, publication timeline, author copies etc.?
CHRISTINA: Since this was my first traditional contract, I had no idea what to expect. I was glad to have an agent to negotiate the terms and guide me through the process. I was happy that the advance covered my writing expenses (membership and website fees / online classes) for the next several years. I received 10 author copies to share and those arrived a few weeks before the pub date.
SUSANNA: Can you tell us a little about the editorial process?
CHRISTINA: My editor at Chronicle Books, Ariel Richardson, had a connection with the book from the beginning. Her suggestions helped me streamline the text (I had more repetition, with building refrains) and enhance the surprise page turns. We also revamped the ending several times until it was just right. At the very last minute, when we thought we were done, the marketing team suggested changing the title. That ended up being a really fun process because Ariel and I had the chance to brainstorm together over a zoom call for the first time without going through agent emails (since all the first edits happened before acquisition).
SUSANNA: What was your experience of the illustration process like?
CHRISTINA: Very early on, my editor told me she would love to approach Shahrzad Maydani to illustrate the book. Her style was not what I had originally imaged, but I already owned Poetree and loved her work so I was very excited. Shaz’s artwork surpassed anything I could have imagined for the book.
I saw character sketches early on and was able to give notes to my editor, who gave them to the art director, who gave them to the illustrator.
The biggest surprise was that Shaz illustrated the main character as a girl. I had always imagined a boy, but there was nothing in the text about the character’s gender.
text copyright Christina Shawn 2025, illustration copyright Shahrzad Maydani 2025, Chronicle Books
I didn’t have a lot of art notes but there were a few things I clarified after initial sketches. For example: the text reads “a giant swing, a shoulder ride” this was initially illustrated as the child on a giant swing, but I had intended the parents to be swinging the child. While it didn’t really matter how it was drawn, I was happy Shaz liked my suggestion.
Throughout the process I saw sketches, full color spreads, and proofs as they came through. I was always encouraged to give my editor notes. I really felt like part of the process. Publishing can take a long time and those sneak peek emails were like gifts in my inbox.
SUSANNA: Did you get to see advance reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, etc? What was that like?
CHRISTINA: I have only seen one professional review so far. It was good! I have seen many peer reviews on goodreads and B&N and that is really wild. The writing community really is the best.
SUSANNA: How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand?
CHRISTINA: From offer to book in hand, it took almost 4 and a half years.
SUSANNA: What kind of marketing and promotion has your publisher done for this book?
CHRISTINA: My publisher sent the book out in Chronicle Book boxes, shared it with influencers, and sent it for reviews and contests.
SUSANNA: Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.
CHRISTINA: I really tried to share more about who I am and why I wrote this book on social media. I was originally hesitant to put myself out there, but I believe this book is worth stepping out of my comfort zone in order to form connections with people. I made postcards with book / order information, a digital press kit, and stickers the amazing illustrator, Shahrzad Maydani, designed.
I put the word out with local mommy and me organizations, schools, bookstores, and literacy organizations. I am doing podcasts and interviews like this. I was even on the local morning news!
SUSANNA: How long was it between the time you started writing seriously and the time you sold your first picture book?
CHRISTINA: I began writing children’s books in 2016 with a self-published title, LUCAS PLAYS. I then took classes and joined 12×12 in 2017 / 2018. In 2019 I wrote the manuscript for AND THEN CAME YOU and it sold in 2020. It comes out into the world in April 2025.
SUSANNA: What is the most important/helpful thing you learned on your way to publication? (Or what is your most helpful piece of advice for up and coming writers?)
CHRISTINA: Nothing moves quickly. There is a lot of waiting and rejection, and often no news at all. I have grown so much through this process, as a person and a writer. My advice is to accept that this is the process while simultaneously staying true to your own needs. Do you need to step back? Dig in? refocus on why you started writing in the first place? Take more time for your family?
Do what you need to do for or yourself NOW, because waiting for that book deal, or publication, or agent can take a while. I put the rest of my life on hold for a while, waiting for that moment, and I had to learn how to share my writing and services independent of the publisher’s timeline. Participating in contests, volunteering in the school library, and continuing engaging with critique partners and writing groups helped me navigate through all the highs and lows.
SUSANNA: Anything else you’d like to share about your book’s journey from inspiration to publication?
CHRISTINA: I believe books hold more than the words we write or illustrations we draw. They hold energy and take on a life of their own when they are sent out into the world. They find their way into the hands of those that need them. They connect us. encourage conversations, validate our feelings, and expose us to the unknown. I believe we do beautiful, important work and I’m so appreciative of all of you who share your art. You inspire me daily.
SUSANNA: Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in this series and paying it forward to other writers, Christina! We are so grateful to have had this opportunity to learn from your knowledge and experience! Wishing you all the best with this and future titles!
Readers, if you have questions for Christina, please post them in the comments below and if she has time I’m sure she’ll respond! And remember, your comment puts you in the running to be the randomly selected winner of Christina’s amazing giveaway! – winner’s choice of either a written critique of a fiction picture book manuscript (up to 750 words) or a 30 minute AMA Zoom call. Just make sure to leave it by Monday April 28th at 3PM Eastern!
Author Christina Shawn, who says, “When I’m writing I like something crunchy and salty. Popcorn is a favorite. I also really like yogurt covered pretzels. I almost always have a cup of tea or coffee when I’m writing.” (SLH just in case you might find that either of these snacks inspires YOUR writing 😊)
ChristinaShawn.com
christinashawnbooks@gmail.com
IG / fb: @christinashawnbooks
X: christinashawn2
@christinashawn.bsky.social
Illustrator: IG: @shahrzadmaydani
Publisher IG, FB, X: @chroniclekidsbooks
Marketing group: @kidlitworks
You may purchase Christina’s book at:
(all links below are book-specific)
Indiebound/Bookshop.org
Amazon
Barnes&Noble
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 HERE!
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Congratulations! It sounds like a long journey but well worth it, Christina. I’ll look for your book at my library and request a purchase if they don’t have it.
Thank you! And totally worth it! I think sometimes life’s timing is better than what I plan anyway. This seems exactly right.
Thank you for sharing your experience and inspiring us to keep going. I love the title and the illustrations are super cute. Can you articulate further why you felt this book had to be in the world? You also mentioned you self-published in 2016. How was that experience and would you do it again? Congratulations and I look forward to reading your book. ♥️
Susanna,
Happy Birthday to your dad! I must say you look adorable in the photo! ♥️
I think some stories we write are a direct line from our hearts. Others are fun or beautiful, but this one seemed like it had a life of its own and needed to be alive in the world. I also watched how it affected people who read it. They connected with it. Felt something. And it stuck with them.
Self publishing was great. It allowed me to have a book in my hands immediately. I learned so much and was able to go back to the classrooms to share it with children. Now that I am on the traditional publishing track, I probably won’t self publish again, but I’m so glad I did.
Thank you!
Christina, your book sounds lovely. I can’t wait to read it. And, I loved your advice!
Thank you!
I loved reading about your journey to publication, Christina. It’s always so interesting to see how images we picture as writers are different from those who do the illustrations. It looks like your collaboration has created a beautiful picture book. Congratulations!
I love the illustrations too. Shaz is so talented. I feel very lucky to have been paired with her.
Christina, congratulations on your debut!
It is so encouraging to hear your story on the path to publication, the time it took, and how you managed the waiting period.
I love Chronicle books and the editors there are so professional and pay attention to their clients! I can’t wait to read this!
Thank you, Kathy!
Have fun w/this launch, Christina! And I forgot to wish @Susanna Leonard Hill’s dad a fabulous 96 year young! Happy Birthyay!
Thank you, Susanna for this beautiful interview – and on the book’s birthday! I think it is very special to share a birthday with your dad. Please let him know I wish him a day of love and laughter.
My pleasure, Christina! I’m so delighted to get to share your debut! And thank you for the lovely wishes for my dad! ❤
Happy Birthday to your dad, Susanna! 96—wow! Christina, how did you get on a morning TV show and podcasts? Did your publisher help you or did you do it on your own? Do you recommend any good podcasts for children authors?
Congratulations on your beautiful book! Thank you for sharing your publishing story! It’s helpful to see how much…waiting….there is in the publishing world. Coming from an overexcitable, hopeful future author, how do you handle the waiting time? Did you work on future projects while waiting for your contract?
The waiting is so hard! I have a self published book which allowed me to get out into schools while I was waiting for And Then Came You and that was helpful. I planned for the release and I think I’m watching the impact of all that planning now and I also just kept writing and living. I think following the path of joy with your writing is the way through b/c chasing the next email or book news can keep (me at least) in a state of anxiety.
Congratulations on the publication of your book. Do you think being self-published gave you an edge in finding an agent?
Thank you, Cathy. While I enjoyed the benefit of having a book out in the world quickly, being self published did not help me get an agent.
Congratulations on your debut! I am looking forward to reading it. Would you mind sharing the types of writing classes you took as well as where you found your online critique group? Happy birthday to your dad, Susanna! 96 is something to celebrate!
Thank you! I took writing classes as an english major in college. But the first picture book writing class I took was with Hannah Barnaby, in person. Then I joined 12×12 and I love the webinars. I have attended many online writing webinars through The Writing Barn, Highlights, etc.
My first critique group was from 12×12. We live all across the country and email our stories back and forth. I have a few in person critique buddies locally and one or two I brainstorm with on the phone. I met another online critique group after we were all put together for the PB Party contest.
First is Happy Birthday to Susanna’s s dad. 96 is something to celebrate!! Next is congratulations to Christina. The book looks lovely and I’m excited to get a copy. Glad those R&Rs had a good result.
Thank you! Me too 🙂
What a sweet story! It reminds me of when my children were little. Those were such special days. Congrats Christina. I’m so happy for you. I’m going to check your story out at our library. Happy writing to you!
Thank you!
I’m impressed with how quickly you wrote/revised this, yet it still took YEARS before being published. What a turtle industry. Slow and steady wins the race! Families are going to LOVE your book! Congratulations!!🎉
Publishing timelines really are wild. Thank you!!
Looks like a beautiful book! I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you, Katie. I hope you love it.
Congratulations, Christina! Your book sounds amazing! I am always “amazed” at the journey authors take and the thrill of actually seeing your story in print!
Happy Birthday to Susanna’s Dad! 💕
Thank you. Yes, it’s amazing how different all of our journeys look. Very unpredictable.
This is such a beautiful story, Christina!!! I’m so glad it’s out in the world! And I wish it every success.
Thank you, Michelle!
What a wonderful story! Long journey = Success! Congrats! Enjoy your success!
Thank you!
So happy for you and your beautiful book Christina! I can’t wait to hold it in my hands. I loved hearing your journey. *Happy birthday to your dad Susanna!
Thank you, Laura! Let me know the next time you are in town! I’d love to meet up.
Congratulations Christina – what a stunningly gorgeous debut! I just put in a request for my library system to order copies.
Happy bday to your dad Susanna! That’s a wonderful photo from the olden days. 🙂
Thank you so much, Cathy! How exciting! Where is your library?
Woo Hoo, Christina! I’m so proud to know you. You and your book are beautiful, and I can’t wait to hold it. This is a great interview.
Thank you, friend. 🙂
Congratulations on your debut! It was so helpful to hear about the process. I just saw my local library system has 8 copies on order…that is a great sign!
Oh wow! That’s amazing. Which library system is that?
This is a lyrical romp through the years – joyful on every page. Thank you for sharing it. I followed Christina on Blue Sky
Congratulations, Christina! Thank you for sharing your journey and experience with us. I’m looking forward to reading your book.
Thank you!
Christina, congratulations on your debut! I look forward to reading it. This is a topic that children often have difficulty with. Change is inevitable and the best place for kid to learn how to accept change and even embrace it is through family.
The illustrations are really lovely – bright and colorful and add a touch of whimsy.
Your interview was very interesting. It’s good to hear such positive stories about the road to publication!
I surely hope you have other manuscripts in progress. I look forward to seeing more of your work published!
Congratulations, Christina! Thank you for sharing your journey.
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your journey. The book is gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing your publishing journey with us, Christina. It sounds like a delightful book!
Congratulations Christina! And a shout out to Shahrzad for her beautiful illustrations!
This looks like a beautiful book and story! Can’t wait to read it!
What an amazing book. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for your sharing your story. I would love to win a critique.
So lovely! Thank you for sharing your story, and congratulations!!
Congratulations Christina! I can’t wait to read this book. I love that it touches on a topic that all kids and adults struggle with at times. Thank you for sharing!
I also appreciated hearing that a major portion of the book came to you in bed at night. I do that myself, sometimes with wonderful results and other times with things that seem to not quite work in the light of day!
This sounds great! Thanks for sharing
Congratulations Christina! I love what you said about this starting with a feeling. I know that well. I am sure that is sprang quickly from your heart-the best kind of stories!
Thank you! It’s good to know there are benefits to having big feelings! lol
Huge congrats to my amazing critique partner and friend. This book is beautiful! So happy for you!
And Susanna, belated HBD to your dad. What a special milestone. (You don’t need to put me in the running for the giveaway, since I already have the benefit of Christina’s critiques! Lucky me!)
Thank you Marty, you are the best!