Author Interview: Laura Renauld - Only Picture Books

This month’s Author Interview is with Laura Renauld, a kidlit writer living in Northern Virginia. I normally spend a good bit of time carefully crafting a unique biographical statement by way of an introduction, but when I saw Laura’s Twitter bio, I surrendered. Why mess with perfection?

Moment miner.
Seed-idea saver.
Imagination investor.

Wow. With that, let’s move on to the interview (after some relevant URLs for a little on-your-own sleuthing, if you wish)!

RVC: Let’s deal with the elephant porcupine in the room. In 2018, OPB ran an Educational Activities post on your debut picture book, Porcupine’s Pie. Just tell the truth—was that great PR for your book, or the greatest PR for your book?

LR: It was definitely the greatest PR! I especially appreciated the science connections so kids (and their adults!) could learn the differences between porcupines and hedgehogs. Very educational!

RVC: Debuts are always exciting, but inevitably full of new challenges for authors. Is that where the Debut Review Challenge came from?

LR: When I was preparing for my debut, I kept hearing about the relationship between reviews and a book’s success. This seemed to be particularly true for debut authors and illustrators since they don’t have the benefit of a fan base or name recognition yet.

I am also a huge fan of online challenges, which motivate, encourage, and connect me to the incredible Kidlit community. (In fact, Tara Lazar’s Storystorm challenge inspired Porcupine’s Pie!) I figured if I combined the two, it would be a win-win for debut Kidlit creators and their audience.

RVC: What was the most unexpected part of the entire publication process for YOUR debut book?

LR: I’d have to say it was the unconventional way I got an offer for publication. Porcupine’s Pie won the first Beaming Books Picture Book Writing Contest in December 2016. I opened an email thanking me for submitting my story and it went on to congratulate me and offer publication of my book! This was before I had an agent. I was so used to emailed rejections that I had to read the email a few times for the good news to really sink in.

RVC: In retrospect, what was the best PR thing that you did for Porcupine’s Pie?

LR: I’m not sure how any of my PR efforts really impacted the visibility of my book, but Jedlie’s Reading with Your Kids podcast (interview link) was something that really took me out of my comfort zone and got me into the ears of my audience: parents and caregivers! With an interview like this one on OPB, it is okay to take time on the questions and endlessly revise them. Not so on a podcast where the interview is verbal and recorded!

I once received some advice in regards to book promotion that really resonated with me: Say “yes” to everything at least once. By saying “yes” to a podcast, I now know that I can do them. And by extension, it gives me confidence to say “yes” to other things that may come my way, even if they make me initially uncomfortable.

RVC: Let’s back up a bit. How did you get started in writing?

LR: Ever since I can remember, books and reading have been an important part of my life. I could sit on my bed and travel to another planet, share a cake with a panda, or hide out in an art museum. I found friends and adventures between the pages. I don’t remember writing being part of my childhood in quite the same way, but I did keep journals and write to pen pals. A friend and I even created a newspaper which we distributed to the neighborhood, but I didn’t start writing stories until I was an adult.

When I taught third grade, my favorite part of the day was the read-aloud. I chose a variety of picture books as mentor texts for Reading and Writing Workshops, as supplements for Science, Social Studies, and Math units, and as a springboard for discussions on social topics, such as inclusion, bullying, and empathy. I witnessed the power of story to captivate, amuse, and encourage. Stories are powerful and I felt drawn to the creative process.

RVC: And when did that interest turn to picture books specifically?

LR: Picture books are my first love. They are such an amazing art form because they tell a story and pack an emotional punch in so few words and pages. And the pairing of text and illustration is a collaborative art unlike any other.

RVC: You’re repped by Wendi Gu, right? We did an interview with her a few months back, (though it seems like she’s moved from Janklow & Nesbit to Greenburger Associates since then). What do you imagine Wendi would say is YOUR secret weapon when it comes to writing great picture book text?

LR: Wendi is amazing. She plucked my work out of the slush pile three years ago and, as a client, I’ve moved with her from Greenburger to Janklow & Nesbit then back to Greenburger. She is the perfect combination of cheerleader and realist and an indefatigable champion of children’s literature. She deeply understands the publishing industry and gives stellar editorial advice. Perhaps she would say that my secret weapon as a writer is versatility. I like to experiment and each project I become passionate about is invariably quite different from the one that came before it in genre, structure, and point of view.

RVC: And what do you see as Wendi’s best literary agent superpower?

LR: Wendi is superb at giving constructive feedback. She somehow uplifts my writerly ego while simultaneously telling me what is not working and why. I appreciate her honesty and tact.

RVC: Did you have the idea for Fred’s Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers before you heard about the Tom Hanks Mr. Rogers movie?

LR: Yes. If I’m remembering correctly, my text was in its final stage of edits with my publisher when I first heard about the movie.

RVC: In what ways was the process of writing this picture book biography different than writing the fiction picture book Porcupine’s Pie?

LR: With Fred’s Big Feelings, I did a couple months of research before I even started writing. Organizing the research and finding the thread of the story I wanted to tell made the process much different from the story web brainstorming I tend to do for fiction plots.

RVC: How did you react to seeing how illustrator Brigette Barrager brought those feeling vocabulary words to life in a cartoonish style?

LR: I am such a fan of Brigette’s art. Her ability to convey emotions through color palette, visual cues, and setting is breathtaking. Not to mention all the depth of facial expressions. It was love at first sight!

RVC: Did you have much interaction with her directly or via your editor?

LR: Not really. One of the most surprising things about picture books to those not familiar with the industry is the disconnect between author and illustrator. It may seem jarring to have no interaction, but I’m okay with that. I recognize that my half of the book is text and the illustrator’s half is art. It is always exciting to see how those two parts combine to make a new whole.

RVC: One last question before we move to the final part of the interview. You’ve got a blog, and whether writers have one or not, they all seem to have a strong opinion about their value. What do YOU get out of putting up weekly posts?

LR: My blog is aligned with the Debut Review Challenge that I launched in October 2019. The kidlit community is so supportive of one another and I wanted a way to give back so my blog features debut authors/illustrators each week so readers can discover new kidlit talent. Of course, they are also encouraged to review five books during a challenge period for a chance to win signed books!

(Psst! I have a little secret to share with you. Since the challenge is only 6 months old and still garnering participants, you have an excellent chance of winning something! So join the fun!)

RVC: If Fred Rogers were here to transition us to the SPEED ROUND, he’d say that we should all be confident, eager, hopeful, and excited. With that in mind, ARE YOU READY?

LR: Ready, Neighbor!

RVC: Most surprisingly awesome daytrip destination in northern Virginia?

LR: Great Falls National Park.

RVC: Favorite Crayola color?

LR: Robin Egg Blue.

RVC: If someone made a movie of your life, which Hollywood actor should play you?

LR: Sutton Foster.

RVC: Most surprising Fred Rogers fact that didn’t make it into the book?

LR: The iconic beginning of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood–where Mister Rogers changes his shoes–started as a practical habit during his first children’s show when he had to run quietly behind the set between the organ and the puppets. Dress shoes were too noisy! (At least I was able to include this cool fact in the backmatter.)

RVC: Favorite picture book of the past year?

LR: I can’t pick just one! Here are three: Truman by Jean Reidy and Lucy Ruth Cummins; Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus and Tonya Engel; In a Jar by Deborah Marcero.

RVC: Funniest question a kid ever asked you during an author event?

LR: One question I get asked again and again is, “Is that a real recipe at the end of Porcupine’s Pie?” I always ensure them that it is edible and quite delicious!

RVC: Thanks so much, Laura!

LR: Thank you for having me!