KidLit Coffee Talk AND Giveaway with Karlin Gray

Good morning, and welcome to KidLit Coffee Talk! Today, I’m so excited to be chatting with the amazing Karlin Gray. Karlin first caught my attention in 2016 when her debut picture book, Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still was published. As a former gymnast and huge fan of Nadia Comaneci, I just knew I had to get to know this author! Karlin’s second picture book, An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth is set to be released later this week, and she was gracious enough to answer some of my questions. An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth will be published on March 15th, 2018 with Sleeping Bear Press and was illustrated by Steliyana Doneva.

Thank you so much for joining me, Karlin! First off, what kind of coffee do you like to drink?

French Roast lattes. A few years ago, my husband gave me an espresso/latte maker. Maybe the best gift ever! Everyone benefits when I have two cups—the first while I’m making breakfast and packing my son’s lunch; the second after my son and husband are out the door.

I think I need one of those! Tell me a little bit about yourself and your writing journey.

I guess my writing journey started in college where I majored in English/Creative Writing and then continued through my career in book publishing and as a freelance copywriter. But it wasn’t until I became a mom that I started to write children’s stories. After working on manuscripts (again and again) at a local writing center, I submitted work to every publisher that reviewed unsolicited manuscripts. I wish I had kept all the rejection letters so I could show kids that big pile next to my first book—Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still (now in its fourth printing!).

Wow, its fourth printing! That’s wonderful! Tell me about your newest book, An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth.

When my son was three, he declared, “The moth’s my favorite bug.” My response: “Ew, really?” His sad expression made me take a closer look at his “favorite.” When I did, I learned several things about the little creature (like moths are insects not bugs) and was inspired to write An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth.

I love that story. My son is a constant source of inspiration for me, as well. What was the most exciting part of the publication process? What was the hardest?

The most exciting part—seeing Steliyana Doneva’s first sketches of all the pages. It’s amazing to see the artist’s vision coming together and my story coming to life. The hardest part is waiting for publication!

What else are you working on?

I’m working with Page Street Kids on my next picture book biography about Serena Williams—Serena: The Littlest Sister—and writing more fiction and nonfiction manuscripts…but only after I’ve savored my two lattes.

Ha ha! What is your favorite part of being a published author?

When I hear, from a kid or parent, that my book is well-loved in their home. That’s the mic-drop.

For sure. What’s one picture book you loved when you were little and a more recent one you love now?

Of course I remember Where the Wild Things Are and Goodnight Moon but the book that meant the most to me was Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. Some of my favorite poems in that book are “Magic,” “The Googies are Coming,” and “Enter this Deserted House.” Today, I love Art by Patrick McDonnell. (I bet Shel Silverstein would like that book, too.) Every time I see Art, it reminds me of being snuggled up with my son for story time.

That’s awesome. I still know “Sick” by heart, and every time my children tell me they don’t want to go to school, that poem immediately pops into my head. What are you currently reading?

Right now I’m reading Mary’s Monster by Lita Judge. It makes me want to throw a huge tantrum—“It’s not fair! How come she gets to be a writer AND an illustrator? Not fair! Not fair!”

This book is stunning and I love everything about it—the writing, the artwork, the subject matter. Everything except…not fair!

You’re the second person in the past week who has mentioned this book to me! I think I need to pick up a copy. What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that I was a “brat”—not a kid who threw tantrums but a kid who moved every year or two because of my dad’s job with the military. Going to three different high schools (one in Japan) wasn’t easy. But looking back, I can see that it gave me a childhood rich with stories and characters. Who knows? Maybe they’ll be in a book one day…

Thank you so much for chatting with me, Karlin! 

To learn more about Karlin, visit her website at http://www.karlingray.com

Or, connect with her on Twitter @KarlinGray

Now it’s giveaway time!

You have the chance to win a copy of Karlin’s book, An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth. I already have my copy of this book, and I can assure you it’s amazing! You want to add this one to your collection. To enter this giveaway, simply comment on this post. A winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, March 18th. And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog.  Good luck!