I know nothing about writing picture books. I don’t have any children or teach at that level, so it’s a foreign world to me. But several of our Indie Debut authors have picture books being released this year and I thought I would learn a little bit more about it.
Beth Bence Reinke is a professional dietitian turned picture-book author. After her book was released, I sent her some questions about the picture book life to find out how one ends up writing in this genre. (are picture books a genre?)
In My Bath is about a little boy’s adventure as he imagines splashing through his bath with different kinds of water-loving animals.
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DD: Your educational background is a mix of biology, education, and nutrition. It sounds like the makings of a science teacher. What were your career goals while in school?
BBR: Science teacher is correct! I graduated with a degree in biology and secondary education, prepared to teach high school biology. Instead, I went to graduate school and became a dietitian. While writing my master’s thesis, I found that I loved the writing process, but longed to write something fun. While working as a dietitian, I took some writing classes and followed my dream.
DD: What made you take the leap into writing picture books?
BBR: After my children were born, I really wanted to stay at home with them instead of commuting 80 miles a day to my hospital job. Since I already loved writing, doing it from home as a career made sense.
DD: I’ve never written a picture book. I imagine that they look deceptively easy to write, and I gather it’s harder than people think to write a good one. What do you think is the most challenging aspect of writing for this audience?
BBR: For me, the hardest part is writing a captivating story in few words. In My Bath is for toddlers up through second grade. For the most part, it only has one sentence per page, so it is short. I hope kids will want it read to them over and over, and parents won’t mind because it is a quick read.
DD: What do you think makes a picture book project attractive to publishers?
BBR: Illustrations are critical for picture books, so I think it’s important for the text to have good illustration potential. It also has to be an interesting story that kids and parents will want to read again and again.
DD: I’ve heard that authors don’t really get much say in the illustration of their books. My guess is this might be different when working with a small press? Is this your experience?
BBR: I think authors at 4RV Publishing have more say than at most publishers in that we get to see sample illustrations and choose which we prefer. I fell in love with the sample illustrations Ginger Nielson submitted for my book. Once Ginger was assigned to the project, I didn’t see the rest of the artwork until it was finished. The Art Director sent me an author proof of the book to approve before it was finalized. I was so pleased with the whole process and the organized, professional way the 4RV Publishing team worked together.
DD: I’ve been to your nutrition blog and you offer some great tips/advice. Any thoughts on taking your articles and publishing a non-fiction book?
BBR: Thanks for visiting Food & Faith, my nutrition blog. I wrote a proposal for a nutrition book, complete with three sample chapters. But there are soooo many nutrition books out there and it seems like everything has already been done. If the right idea came along, I would love to do a book about eating well.
DD: And, I have to ask, you’re into NASCAR? Really? How did a dietitian get into watching NASCAR?
BBR: Yep, really – LOL. I’m a devoted fan. When my older son was little, he loved matchbox cars, many of which feature NASCAR stock car paint schemes. Soon he was learning about drivers and asking to watch races on television. I watched with him and got totally hooked. Now I’m in a fantasy NASCAR league and just finished writing a devotional book for female racing fans. It’s called Race Fans’ Devotions to Go and will be released in spring 2011.
DD: I had no idea there was a fantasy NASCAR league or that there would be a niche market for devotions for female racing fans. I guess that’s the answer – find your niche!
Now how about a picture book involving matchbox racecars?
by 4RV Publishing (ages 4-8) ISBN-13:978-0-9825886-6-6
Beth’s book In My Bath is available now. Her second picture book A Wish and a Prayer (she’s on a roll!) will be released this summer as well.
Thanks, Beth!
The Lyceum folks supplied us with these nifty crossword puzzles . . . well, they actually gave us blank versions which we had to fill in. Yes, including me.
