Hello, my friends!

Remember yesterday when I said we have a packed week?

Well, we sure do! And that’s why I’m back in your inboxes again today.

Originally this week wasn’t quite so packed, but in the overwhelming over-crowdedness of my calendar, the fact that I was supposed to have posted this debut last week on August 18 somehow slipped through the cracks. Luckily, the accidentally missed debut-ess was incredibly gracious and accommodating about my mistake and kindly agreed to go today instead. Hence, this originally unplanned Wednesday Edition of Tuesday Debut!

But boy are you guys in for a treat! Today’s debut-ess has an incredibly fun book and a wealth of helpful information to share that I think you’re really going to enjoy 😊

And to top that off, there is a giveaway! Heidi is generously offering a signed copy of MONSTER MANNERS A to Z! All you have to do to put yourself in the running to be the randomly selected winner is leave a comment on today’s post by Monday August 31st at 3 PM!

I am wishing I could be in the running for this prize because I really want to read the book! 😊

Please join me in welcoming the lovely and talented (and kind and accommodating and gracious!) Heidi Yates, and get ready for a look at her humorous debut picture book, MONSTER MANNERS A to Z!

Title: MONSTER MANNERS A to Z
Author: Heidi Yates
Illustrator: Yana Kozak
Publishing House: Beaming Books
Date of Publication: August 18, 2026
ISBN: 979-8341900721
Fiction or Nonfiction: Fiction
age range of your book: 4-8

An alphabet book that flips the idea of mischievous monsters on its head and exposes what it’s really like to attend a modern monster bash.

SUSANNA: Welcome, Heidi! We are so delighted to have you visit and share your journey to publication with this very entertaining story! Where did the idea for this book come from?

HEIDI: The idea came together in two main stages, and everything fell into place fairly easily since I was combining things I truly love. The alphabetized monsters first appeared in my Storystorm 2024 notebook. That same August, I sat down to write a rough draft and bring a monster story to life. I had always wanted to write an alphabet book because I enjoy the clean structure of a list, and I was looking for a fun way to incorporate my favorite Halloween characters into a story.

The real magic happened when I connected that idea with a twist. I realized that forcing chaotic monsters to follow proper etiquette was the perfect recipe for comedy because it is the exact opposite of how they usually act. Combining that premise with silly wordplay and puns was a blast, and it really helped amp up the humor.

Looking back, I’m so grateful I listened to advice to try something new and play around with different story structures, POVs, or genres. All of my earlier projects featured a traditional story arc, which I still love. But after hearing people in the writing community talk about experimenting, and having my agent suggest it too, I decided to just go for it. It completely changed the game for me, so this is easily the best advice I can pass along. Sometimes the best stories happen when you just play around and see where the fun takes you.

SUSANNA: How long did it take you to write this book?

HEIDI: The initial spark came fairly quickly, but the actual process required a totally different rhythm than my usual writing. I started purely with play, focusing entirely on the puzzle of alphabetizing the monsters. Figuring out how to piece all those different characters together from A to Z was a great creative exercise.

Once I sat down to write my monthly 12×12 draft, the focus shifted from brainstorming to world-building. That is when I dropped the characters into the Monster Bash setting and layered in the humor.

Because this was my first departure from a traditional story arc, I definitely had some pesky doubts floating around in the back of my head. My advice for unpublished writers dealing with that exact same self-doubt is to share your work early. The reassurance I got from my critique partners and my agent silenced those doubts and proved that the excitement I felt wasn’t just in my own head.

SUSANNA: Did you go through many revisions?

HEIDI: This particular manuscript didn’t go through many drafts, but it did require a unique kind of structural revision. I had a specific lineup of monsters I wanted to feature and, like I mentioned earlier, fitting them into an ABC sequence was a brain teaser. For instance, the Abominable Snowman became a Yeti to make room for Aliens, and Witches and Wizards turned into Enchanters for the Werewolves’ sake. It took some serious mental gymnastics!

For me, the key to revising was staying flexible. Being open to dropping one good idea for an even better one completely elevated the book. Once that framework was settled, I could dive into the polishing phase. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the humor, tweaking the wordplay, and finding the perfect, witty punchline for each creature.

SUSANNA: That is the kind of puzzle I love when writing! It can be so much fun! When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?

HEIDI: Normally, my process is fairly slow. I will write a rough draft, do multiple rounds of revisions with my critique partners (they’re truly invaluable), and occasionally splurge on a freelance editor to see if there are any suggestions that might elevate the story further. While there are always lingering doubts and a touch of imposter syndrome, I’m usually fairly confident by this stage.

However, MONSTER MANNERS A to Z grew its own tentacles and ran wild. I was so totally tickled pink with my first draft that I sent it to my agent the very same day I sent it to my critique partners, just asking, “Hey, what do you think of this idea?”

To my absolute shock, my agent replied: “I believe this is one of your strongest manuscripts! The humor is perfectly dosed… it’s cute, lovely, and SMART!” She recognized how much fun I had writing this manuscript and believed it was ready for submission.

As you can imagine, I was over the moon when I read that! So, we basically went on submission with a very early draft. It was a highly unusual, magical experience… but definitely not my norm!

SUSANNA: That’s wonderful! Sometimes it just feels right! When and how did you submit?

HEIDI: My agent took MONSTER MANNERS A to Z on submission to a select handful of editors in January 2025. We deliberately waited until after the winter holiday slowdown, launching right when the publishing industry generally wakes back up and gets busy again.

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”?

HEIDI: I received an offer from Beaming Books just a few short weeks after going on submission (about 20 days). It was a whirlwind!

SUSANNA: Wow! That is amazing! 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 😊)

HEIDI: The manuscript was picked up incredibly quickly without making any major changes first, which felt like a massive validation of the project. When the email with the offer arrived, I literally danced around the house singing at the top of my lungs!

I’m someone who will set a goal and keep aiming for it no matter how many times I’m knocked down or how long it might take. After years of working toward this milestone, it truly felt like soaring. Best moment ever … 100%!

SUSANNA: How long was it between getting your offer and getting your contract to sign?

HEIDI: The offer came in January, the contract arrived in April, and everything was finalized and signed in September. Waiting those nine long months to share the news was a true test of patience. I had to keep my lips zipped on a secret I desperately wanted to shout from the hilltops (I’m honestly not sure how I survived the torture)!

SUSANNA: That is SO hard, isn’t it???!!! Was the contract what you expected in terms of advance, royalty percentage, publication timeline, author copies etc.?

HEIDI: I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect since this was my first time going through the process. While I know many authors successfully find contract guidance through places like SCBWI or the Authors Guild, I was incredibly lucky to have a personal team in my corner. I relied heavily on my agent, my literary agency, my husband, and an attorney from his law firm.

The contract fell in the standard ballpark for independent presses, where picture book advances often range under 5K and standard hardcover royalties are approximately 5% for an author. The negotiation process took more time than I expected, but I completely trusted the people advising me. Ultimately, everything turned out great, and I was thrilled to secure 20 author copies of Monster Manners A to Z.

SUSANNA: Can you tell us a little about the editorial process?

HEIDI: The editor at Beaming Books was friendly and absolutely wonderful to work with! Overall, I didn’t feel like there were any major changes required. The suggested edits were terrific, and I loved seeing how we could strengthen the manuscript together.

At one point during the process, the team at Beaming Books briefly considered dropping the alphabet theme to appeal to a wider audience. But they ultimately chose to keep the original A to Z title with highlighted letters throughout the text. I was happy either way, but I love seeing the title and idea I started with reflected in the final project.

SUSANNA: That really is so fulfilling! What was your experience of the illustration process like?

HEIDI: I was thrilled Beaming Books considered my opinion with the illustrator choice. I loved Yana’s artwork the first time I laid eyes on it. When asked if I wanted to work with her, my answer was a resounding, “Yes, yes, yes!”

I love Yana’s illustrations so much! They are incredibly colorful, silly, and filled with expressive characters. I did include many art notes throughout my manuscript, some more detailed than others, because a lot of the comedy stretched over into the illustrations. The best surprise, though, was seeing all the fun details Yana added to each spread. I find something new each time I flip through the book. Some of my favorites are Cyclops having a face-to-face with a three-eyed alien, the random items suspended inside Slime Blob, and the characters’ hiding places for Yeti hide-and-seek. Hilarious!

I was able to see digital art proofs at a couple of different points. Beaming Books consulted me and valued my opinion throughout the entire process. Their vision was slightly different than what I had initially envisioned on my own, but I loved each incredible improvement! The illustrated child character that threads through the entire story is one such addition. Having an entire team to work on making the book the best it can be is a true gift.

text copyright Heidi Yates 2026, illustration copyright Yana Kozak 2026, Beaming Books

SUSANNA: The illustrations really are delightful! Did you get to see advance reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, etc? What was that like?

HEIDI: I discovered a quote from my Kirkus review while checking the MONSTER MANNERS A to Z listing on Bookshop.org about a month before the release date. It said, “Fang-tastic fare for young monsters.” I was like, Wait! What? It was a total surprise to me! I immediately tracked down the full review and read the whole thing. Naturally, a happy dance followed. Then I shared the news with my family and the writing community. Beyond receiving the initial book offer, it was the best feeling ever!

SUSANNA: How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand?

HEIDI: In the publishing world, things usually move pretty slowly, but my timeline was surprisingly fast. I received my initial offer from Beaming Books in January 2025 and could hardly believe I was holding a physical copy of my book by July 2026! What a dream!

SUSANNA: What kind of marketing and promotion has your publisher done for this book?

HEIDI: My publisher has been an amazing partner throughout this entire launch! They’ve really focused on building industry buzz by showcasing the book at ALA, pitching children’s media outlets, and securing trade reviews like Kirkus. On the digital side, they are running targeted social media and paid search ads while coordinating outreach with children’s book influencers. They are also taking care of award submissions and have even named the book a lead title for their upcoming Halloween marketing promotions, which is incredibly exciting.

SUSANNA: Amazing! Describe any marketing/promotion you did for this book.

HEIDI: Since I am currently right in the thick of launching the book, I am still actively working on promotion and marketing. I am leaning into a mix of personal outreach, community support, and family power! On my own, I am focusing on social media posts, creating book swag, crafting an engaging blog tour, setting up some exciting events, and visiting local independent bookstores to introduce myself. My family has been absolutely amazing, but my mom specifically has been completely gung-ho about spreading the word. Honestly, every author needs a copy of her on their marketing team!

Beyond that, the writing community continues to be a massive help. My incredibly supportive critique partners have been in my corner from the very beginning, and the published members who already experienced this part of the publishing journey have been open to answering all my launch questions. I am also teaming up with a fantastic promo group of fellow authors, which allows us to cross-promote and amplify each other’s book launches.

Additionally, Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge has a dedicated forum section for published author support where members share everything from cover reveals to marketing ideas, and I am taking full advantage of that wonderful resource. Attending more of my local SCBWI events is also incredibly helpful for spreading the word.

SUSANNA: How long was it between the time you started writing seriously and the time you sold your first picture book?

HEIDI: It took nearly 14 years of dedication. I consider 2011 the official start of my serious writing journey, which is when I joined and threw myself intoSCBWI. Three years later, in 2014, I took another giant step toward publication by joining Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge. Immersing myself in these organizations completely transformed my craft, while the steady support of my critique partners and a late-journey mentorship with Josh Funk ultimately paved the way for my first book sale in January 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?)

HEIDI: Passion gets you started, but patience and persistence get you published.

SUSANNA: Anything else you’d like to share about your book’s journey from inspiration to publication?

HEIDI: The industry moves slowly, and rejections are part of the process. If you truly have your heart set on publishing, don’t give up. Instead, focus on perfecting your craft and connecting with a wider community that includes online writing groups, local writing organizations, critique partners, and indie booksellers. Having a network will keep you motivated during the long wait times.

SUSANNA: Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in this series and paying it forward to other writers, Heidi! We so appreciate and value the opportunity to learn from you! Wishing you all the best with this super-fun book (which I’m sure kids are going to love 😊) and future titles!

HEIDI: Thank you, Susanna! It’s been fun!

Readers, if you have questions for Heidi, please post them in the comments below and if she has time I’m sure she’ll respond! And remember, your comment on today’s post by Monday August 31st at 3 PM Eastern puts you in the running to be the randomly selected winner of a signed copy of MONSTER MANNERS A to Z!

Author Heidi Yates, whose occasional treat to keep the words flowing is anything milk chocolate! She loves it all, from Kisses and Nuggets to full-on candy bars. But keep it plain. No nuts or extras for her, just pure chocolate.

Website: www.heidiyates.com

Instagram: @heidikyates.bookworm
https://www.instagram.com/heidikyates.bookworm

Publisher: @beamingbooksmn
https://www.instagram.com/beamingbooksmn

Illustrator: @yana_kozak_illustrator
https://www.instagram.com/yana_kozak_illustrator

Facebook: @HeidiYates
https://www.facebook.com/heidi.yates.5

You may purchase Heidi’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!