Friday, July 11, 2025

Writer Spotlight: Elizabeth McBride

Middle child, Jack Ridl, read-alouds, AWA, NWP, Glen Arbor, and great views: Poet and long-time SCBWI member Elizabeth McBride

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI-MI. In this piece, meet poet  Elizabeth McBride.


Beth says: This is a portrait Mom painted of me at about six years old. My mother was an artist, who taught painting and drawing and did portraiture and landscape painting, pen and ink, pastels, oil painting, and watercolor painting. My father was a veterinary pathologist who did research for Upjohn and Pfizer specializing in immunology and toxicology. So we grew up in a wonderful mix of art and the sciences.

Young Elizabeth, what books did you like? Who was your favorite teacher? What event led you to become the writer and poet you are today?

As a young child, I loved being outside, wandering, exploring, digging in the dirt, playing in the woods. My early years were in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Then my father took a research position at the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, and our family moved to Michigan when I was going into second grade. 

Young Elizabeth (right)
I have two wonderful sisters, and I'm the dreaded "middle child" - (my sisters have done well despite their exposure to me).  We lived in a small neighborhood at the edge of a cherry and apple orchard across from a cornfield, with a small woods nearby. It was the perfect place for kids with a love of the outdoors! Drawing and making things, making up games, playing in the woods and building forts were our pastimes. I still find walking in the woods to be peacefully refreshing.

My earliest memories of reading involve a set of Childcraft books that Mom (a former pre-school teacher) read to us, making everything we heard come alive! I especially enjoyed the rhyming poetry. She also read Raggedy Ann and Andy stories and made a life-sized doll for us to play with. 

Another favorite book (she read to us) was "If Jesus Came to My House" by Joan Gale Thomas, which depicts a child imagining how he might share a day with his friend, Jesus, (also a child) if he had the opportunity. 

Imagine my joy many years later, when I happened upon our own Lori Eslick's re-illustration of that same book, with her loved ones included in the illustrations! She brought back such wonderful memories for me! When looking through photos, I even found the card (shown) I had saved from her display table at the SCBWI event!

This is the card

My favorite teacher, by far, has been Jack Ridl, who was my professor at Hope College for "Practical Criticism." Not being particularly fond of "rules" as a child, I had disliked "English" as I had come to know that subject in school. 

Since Hope required an English class as a part of its Liberal Arts degree, I chose the one I knew NOTHING about, just hoping for a surprise! And did I ever get surprised! It was a continuous jaw-dropping discovery of how much could be said or intimated within a poem, and how the techniques and tools of the poet can offer a writer's ideas and feelings while allowing a reader their own interpretation. 

I had been writing poems for years in a little notebook, and sharing them with my grandmother, who had an apartment in our house. We had a practice of secretly delivering our writing to each other's rooms during the day, then meeting in the evening to share our thoughts. She was a wonderful thinker and writer, and she was so encouraging to me. 

In Professor Ridl's class my eyes were opened to the specific gifts of: sound, space, line breaks, juxtapositions, multiple meanings, rhythm, sequencing, metaphor, simile, repetition, accumulation, pacing, form, and style; and what they can contribute to the delivery and effect of a poem. 

Many years later I discovered that he was offering a workshop in the Holland area, and I attended. I became a "student" of his again (one of many!) and have now been a part of his writing workshop, called "Landscapes of Poetry" for about fifteen years.

Elizabeth McBride

You are one of the first people I met when the Mid-Michigan Meet Up (now known as the Shop Talk) met up at the Michigan Historical Museum (now known as The Michigan History Center). As I recall, you and Ruth shared top-billing, and you so over-prepared on the subject of mentor texts that you had to finish up the next month. You had dozens of picture books in milk crates.

I bring this up not to embarrass you (the audience loved your book recommendations) but to show, way back in 2009, that you were already serious about kid’s books. How have you managed to keep your enthusiasm with SCBWI over the years?

You have such a good memory, Charlie! The over-preparing is a way of life for me, I believe! My enthusiasm for children's literature comes from three sources: being read to by our mother, sharing read-aloud times with our own children; and later, my experience running the library at their elementary school.

I absolutely believe that we grow up thinking in stories; assembling ideas, sequences, and impressions into what gradually becomes our form of early logic. Sharing stories (through speaking or reading) helps us discover perspectives and ideas and interpretations beyond our own. Stories teach reasoning, logic, compassion, ordering, comparison, social interaction, and complex thinking. 

They expand vocabulary, which helps us distinguish between and among things, enlarge our experience of the world and our ability to comprehend (and appreciate) those marvelous distinctions, which is highly related to different aspects of our development and maturation. 

Through my training at Hope, I was motivated to match my selections of weekly read-alouds for each grade level to their curriculum, their intellectual, social, and emotional development levels, and their burgeoning individual interests. 

Our read-aloud times were one of my favorite parts of my job; a sacred opportunity to touch the minds, hearts, and intellects of very precious people; to encourage their curiosity and increase their ownership of their own learning. 

We could also use the chosen texts to observe the ways in which the authors had made them so interesting, entertaining, and meaningful - thus empowering the students to strengthen their own writing. 

My enthusiasm exists because of the benefits to the receivers of children's literature: it adds meaning, affirmation, information, and inspiration to their lives. Why else are we here together, if not to contribute to the lives of others?

You worked for years in a school library in Grand Ledge, but were always quick to point out that you were not a “librarian.” Ultimately, what was the difference in the job you performed versus a certified library specialist (librarian)?

I ran the elementary library for 520 - 640 students plus staff, for 22 years. I am not sure how a fully degreed librarian might have done that differently, but I do know that someone with a degree in the library sciences has an incredible knowledge of all the fields of study, not to mention their understanding of the classification systems pursuant to each subject area, search mechanisms and technology beyond what might be contracted by one's own district, and a solid knowledge of research standards and practices. 

Some of those things I did not (do not) have, but I did enjoy the ongoing process of discovery that was a part of each of those years! My hat is off to anyone with a library science degree!

We did a school visit at your school. It was so many years ago I remember nothing about it. Except that you were gracious and helpful. Did you handle many author visits? What does it take for a full-time teacher to do all the unsung work to bring a children’s book creator in for a school day of presentations?

School visits! What highlights these were for our students and staff! I cannot tell you how many I did, but being in SCBWI really opened that up for our school! 

Most of the work is done well ahead of the visit: raising funds for the visit, planning/negotiating the date around other school functions/breaks/holidays, reserving space for groups, re-scheduling classes,  creating familiarity with, and enthusiasm for an author and/or illustrator's work ahead of the visit, contributing articles to the school newsletter in advance, creating order forms for books to be purchased and sending those forms out ahead, getting orders in and working out book signing with the author or illustrator, organizing the signed books by classroom for rapid delivery to the rooms following the presentation, orchestrating introductions and equipment needs for the presentation, then distributing payment to the presenters at the conclusion of their visit. 

Most of that, of course, takes place after school hours, but it was always well worth it! I loved those experiences and the delight on the kids' faces as they listened and watched and interacted.

You got a degree in Psychology from Hope College, and a Master’s in Family Studies, with an emphasis upon Marriage and Family Therapy from MSU. What was your early career goal?

Early on in my studies in Psychology, I realized that we cannot view the person completely apart from the influences of their family experiences as they grow up. I did an urban semester in Philadelphia that furthered that thinking for me, then some independent studies at Hope, then went to MSU for a master's degree in Family Studies, with an emphasis upon Marriage and Family Therapy. 

My goal had always been to become a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, but by the time I finished the degree while working three-quarter time (as a Teaching Assistant, then a Research Assistant) and taking courses half-time, I was pretty worn out! 

My husband and I had gotten married and moved to Delta Township outside of Lansing, where I took a position in the Personnel Department at Farm Bureau Services, and later became the Employee Relations Manager for the Farm Bureau Insurance Group as they took on the HR services that had previously been provided by Farm Bureau Services for the Michigan Farm Bureau companies. 

Eventually, we were blessed with two wonderful children, and although I had wanted to become a counselor/therapist, we did not want to give up time with our children, and I began volunteering at their preschools, the elementary school, and then, seeing needs in the classroom, I established a Family Resource Center (library) at the school. 

Eventually that led to applying for the position in the school library, which would still allow me to maintain the same schedule as our children and be an active part of the educational process at our school. Because we (later) had a great deal of hockey involvement as the kids got older, it was certainly a fortuitous choice!

 

You are a certified Level One Clinician in Trauma and Loss in Children through the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. What does that certification allow you to do?

The studies I have done to earn the Trauma and Loss Clinical designation and now, the Certified Trauma and Resilience Specialist (new) designation allow me to offer materials and teaching out of that authority. If I were a licensed counselor, I could utilize that training for specialization in client services. 

Over my years in the library however, I found few books or stories that I felt truly addressed our students' needs when they experienced traumas and/or losses. It has been a goal of mine to contribute to filling that need someday, with stories that can be used in professional service work as well as stories that can be helpful within the trade markets, thus I have continued with this training and certification.

Tell us about the Amherst Writers and Artists. You’re an AWA Trained Writing Consultant. What does that position require?

As an Affiliate of the Amherst Writers and Artists organization, one has received training to lead and conduct writing groups and workshops in a way that distinguishes and distances the writer from the writing they produce, such that they can maintain privacy and feel free to adopt differing identities and points of view, tell their own stories or tell a fictitious story without the supposition that they are speaking for themselves. 

This is particularly helpful and freeing for persons wanting to write about (or through) difficult life experiences, as it allows them to express themselves while it protects and maintains their privacy in the group setting. 

It also encourages experimentation with writing because it is not about critique unless requested, and even then, such ideas are carefully expressed. The AWA method can be very effectively utilized in group settings because it so explicitly avoids attribution of the writer's identity to the speaker in the writing.

You are a Fellow of the National Writing Project. What is a Fellow? What does Fellow McBride do?

While I was working in the public schools I heard about the National Writing Project, a professional development network which holds the belief that to best teach writing, a teacher must also be/become a writer.  I found that there was a NWP site at MSU offering spots for their Summer Institute (a 6-week training program for teacher/leaders to develop and share their writing and their writing instruction techniques). 

I loved the workshop methodology being used in our District's curriculum at that time (Lucy Calkins' Units of Study) and wanted to find out how I could better support it and become a better writer myself. 

I was accepted into their 2006 Summer Institute and had an absolutely incredible time writing, participating in response sessions, experimenting with approaches, genres, techniques, and prompts, and learning about ways to approach the development of writing skills. A Fellow of the National Writing Project is someone who has completed such training.

I followed up by doing a research project for graduate credits on the use of writing instruction and experience to aid in the development of empathy among students. It was a powerfully effective experience for students and very encouraging for me. 

The NWP offers continuing education opportunities for Fellows in different locations throughout the country. When I found out that one of my friends I'd met at the Summer Institute at MSU was going to attend the conference in New Orleans and author and poet, Kim Stafford(!) would be there speaking, teaching, and attending with us, I jumped at the opportunity! 

The NWP is a fantastic program and gave me the encouragement and the confidence to begin submitting my writing for publication. It really helped all of us attendees mesh our writing experiences into our daily living, identify ourselves as writers (whether or not we were published), and become better teachers and students of writing.

How did your book of poetry, Most Beautiful come about? The contributing painter was also an artist-in-residence? Was that the plan all along, to use the writing and art generated and turn it into a book? Or was that something unique to Most Beautiful? How was your book launch affected by the pandemic?

When I applied for the Glen Arbor Arts Center Artist Residency, I had two goals in mind. I was working on an evolving group of poems I wanted to assess as a possible collection, and I wanted to study poetry of place. 

The poems I wrote during my residency at the Arts Center while exploring Glen Arbor, the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore (voted a "Most Beautiful Place in America" in 2011), and the surrounding areas became a poetic guide for those discovering the area as well as a memento or keepsake for those remembering their own prior visits. Each piece noted the location which inspired the poem, so one could take the book to go exploring, or recall the place from reading the poem.

Connie Cronenwett is the marvelous illustrator, and she and I did not actually meet until after the book was accepted for publication! We had both been artists-in-residence during the same summer (I had the opening residency and she had the last one for that summer) and had (unknowingly) used our art forms to capture many of the same places and experiences. 

It worked out perfectly and she was a real joy to work with! It was published by The Poetry Box in the late Fall of 2019 - just when the pandemic really took hold. 

After my initial event in which our local Barnes and Noble allowed me to do a reading and signing there (and we sold out of all their copies, my copies, and did a re-order immediately!), things quieted down as Covid developed. 

Schuler Books in Okemos and Grand Rapids, also carried it in-store, and after we moved to Petoskey in 2019, McLean and Aiken Bookstore in Petoskey, Round Lake Bookstore in Charlevoix, Horizon Books in Traverse City, and Between the Covers in Harbor Springs also carried it. Of course it was/is also available on-line, however we tried to support local independent bookstores with our placement.

You lived in the Lansing area for years, but you’ve since relocated north. What do you love about your new home?

Oh my... we do love the views of Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan from so many places throughout the area! We also love the Petoskey community, nature trails, park; support for, and enjoyment of the arts, being close to my husband's brother and his wife, and living in the community we visited for so many years when our children were young and their Grandmother (my husband's mother) lived here. We have met many wonderful people in Petoskey and the surrounding communities! It is truly a beautiful place to live.


The photos are ones we have taken as we walk some of our favorite paths and routes. Petoskey and Harbor Springs and the Petoskey State Park all look out over Little Traverse Bay, so it is always amazing to see the views around us! 



 




We have taken up photographing scenes and identifying birds around here. There is a lot of migratory bird activity in the areas up here, so we have enjoyed learning about that, and have attended Raptor watch/counts and owl banding sites (as observers), checked the marinas for migrating waterfowl, and gone north to Rudyard (Snowy Owl Capital of Michigan) to see the Snowy Owls. The blue ice was last year’s view. This year was less noticeable from that viewpoint.








Photos by Elizabeth McBride


What’s next for Elizabeth?

I have a narrative non-fiction picture book on submission and a poetry collection, along with several individual poems on submission. I'm always reading to learn more about writing, continuing my participation with Landscapes of Poetry, and I'm working on refining several more picture book manuscripts and two children's poetry collections for submission.

Thank you so much for your great interview, Charlie! I am honored to be a part of your interview series.

Please share any social media:

My email is: writerem.mcbride@gmail.com,

and my website is http://elizabethmcbridewriter.com

 

                                      

                                                                         

 

 

 

 


 




 




Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Book Birthday Blog with Deb Pilutti

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

 

Congratulations to Deb Pilutti on the release of Fish Don't Go to School

 

 

Clever title! How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I was having fun drawing kids in different animal costumes in my sketchbook and made a sample piece of art that had a boy in a fish costume. I really liked the image and wanted to keep painting him. 

 


 

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book? 

I want kids to have a fun time reading and laugh at the silliness of Henry wearing a fish costume. Maybe they’ll think about what they’d like to wear on the first day of school, or what favorite items they would tuck away in a secret pocket, or what they do if they feel like they need a hug, but my main goal is always to create a story that feels true to the characters that inhabit it. 

 


 

What was the most difficult part of writing and illustrating this book?  

Usually, the story comes first for me, but this time, all I had was the character to start with. Well, really, I had two characters—Henry and the fish costume! The costume became a character who didn’t always react in the same way as Henry. I needed to find a scenario where a boy wearing a fish costume felt natural. I also needed to find the heart of the story.  I wrote a few different versions before I found something that I thought worked.

 



 

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it? 

Christy Ottaviano Books/Little Brown handles marketing, but I’ll post on Instagram and Facebook. The book will be available at bookstores and online.

What's next for you? 

MY BEST FRIEND IS A LION is coming out in early 2026 with Penguin/Putnum.

More about the book . . . 

Henry loves the way he feels in his sparkly fish costume. He wears it everywhere he goes: to the grocery store, at the dinner table, and even when taking his fish, Marigold, for a walk. On his first day of school, Henry is feeling anxious. He wishes he could take Marigold with him, but his mom says fish don’t go to school. That’s okay—Henry knows just what to wear to make himself feel braver. 

This heartwarming story follows Henry as he faces his fears and makes new friends, all while staying true to himself. 

Published by:  Christy Ottaviano Books, an imprint of Little Brown Books for Young Readers

More about the author/illustrator . . .

Deb Pilutti writes and illustrates books for children with humor and candor. She feels lucky to have a job where reading, playing with toys and watching cartoons is considered “research.”

Deb lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband, Tom, and Australian Shepard, Tater.  

Instagram and bluesky @dpilutti

Facebook @Deb Folta Pilutti 

 



Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Book Birthday Blog with Kristen Uroda

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

 

Congratulations to Kristen Uroda on the release of Miss Betti, What Is This? How Detroit's School Lunch Lady Got Good Food on the Menu

 


You create illustrations that inspire people to dream, hope, and imagine a better, kinder world. Please describe your creative process for this inspirational book.

The creative part felt really smooth. Lela Nargi’s script was rich enough to help me think of a lot of concepts and imagery, but light enough that I didn’t feel pigeonholed into illustrating scenes literally. Additionally, everyone I worked with at Sleeping Bear Press gave me a lot of leeway and freedom to go wild.
 
Since this was more autobiographical, I started by doing some research on Miss Betti—trying to read articles about her work and videos and interviews she’s done. The first thing that became really apparent was her joy and love for nurturing children through healthy foods and meals. And her smile was contagious! I knew I wanted to bring her playful energy into the book with some small pieces of humor. One of my favorite spreads is the one with the principal cowering from children surrounding him with their protest signs, demanding a salad bar and Miss Betti just laughing in the back. I love being able to lean a little zany when I can.
 
But overall, I wanted to imbue this feeling of community care and celebrating healthy food in schools, which I believe is every child’s right and our responsibility as adults and caregivers to advocate for. And I hope that spirit comes through—because when we champion healthy food in schools, we're nurturing children, certainly, but also the minds and bodies of tomorrow's innovators, leaders, changemakers, and community builders, and teaching them how to care for the generations that will come after them.



What was the most difficult part in illustrating the book? 

There really wasn’t one! If anything, just balancing the bright, rich colors.
 
I originally started out planning to transition the colors from boring and beige to colorful as the children learned to love healthy food, but whenever there were scenes with the children and Miss Betti, her brightness, determination, and energy was just getting drained whenever she was surrounded by more muted colors. I went through a few iterations of trying to get the right palette and eventually abandoned beige and went all in on the color.
 
Using more muted colors to make brighter ones pop more is certainly solid color theory advice, but sometimes you can be a rebel and break the rules. And because I had enough opportunities to play with facial expressions—boring or sad or grossed out—I didn’t need to ask the color to do the emotional heavy lifting of the story. Instead, I could lean into the bright blue of Miss Betti’s uniform and the rich “lunch tray” red.  



 

What do you hope readers will take away from the book?

I hope readers see Miss Betti's success story as proof that one person truly can transform an entire system. As her particular journey shows the incredible impact of having nourishing food in schools and the possibility of growing it ourselves through urban gardening, I hope readers feel inspired to get involved in similar advocacy—whether that's attending local school board meetings, advocating for urban gardens in city councils, or starting conversations about food justice in their own communities. Imagine the power of teaching upcoming generations not just to live in harmony with our earth, but to understand that caring for our environment and caring for each other are inseparable. Systemic change needs the momentum of many, but it can begin with one person's courageous action.

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?

I’ll be working with Sleeping Bear Press to collaborate on the marketing together, but my hope is that, as it’s about a local Detroiter and Michigander, we can get this book in every school and library across Michigan—to start!
 
I also hope to distribute it to local urban gardens I've volunteered with, community centers, and food justice organizations as I think Miss Betti’s story is really lovely and inspirational and her story could be a great educational tool for leaders of those gardens and organizations.

What's next for you?

I’m currently illustrating my 5th picture book and continuing to illustrate covers for the Race to the Truth series with Crown Books. Last year was pretty busy, so I’m taking it slower this year to recalibrate a bit and think about some of my own stories I’d like to tell some day. :)    

More about the book . . .

Miss Betti knew wholesome, nourishing food. She also knew the kids in Detroit's public schools were not getting wholesome, nourishing lunches. Luckily, as Detroit's school lunch lady, Miss Betti had the power to make a change. She started small—with fresh apples and sweet potato fries—but soon she was filling lunch trays with a rainbow of tasty choices. And then, Miss Betti looked toward some of the empty city lots across Detroit. She started an urban gardening program to teach students about growing fruits and veggies—filling schools' salad bars with fresh fare.



A true story about big goals and small steps in America's Motor City.

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press 

More about the author . . .

Kristen Uroda is a Michigan-based artist who creates vibrant illustrations that
inspire people to dream, hope, and imagine a better, kinder world.
Beginning her career in editorial illustration, Kristen has expanded her work to
include publishing, creating picture books and illustrated book covers. Known
for her light, joyful style and bursts of color, Kristen uses her art to spark joy,
inspire connection, and renew moral imagination.

Bluesky: @kristenuroda.bsk.social





Friday, June 27, 2025

The Freedom to Make "Bad" Art

I've been struggling to write a post (or really anything new). 

At first I'd planned to write a summary at the recent SCBWI-MI the conference or my experiences there or my key takeaways and a big thanks to all the volunteers and faculty who made it happen (and to be clear: a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who made it possible! The conference was fantastic!).

I would still like to collect and post your photos, thoughts, key takeaways, etc. from the conference, and hope you will submit them to me, but today I'd like to focus on one key takeaway for me:

The freedom to play and make bad art.

I went to one of John Hendrix's sessions at the conference (even though I'm not an illustrator), and as everyone was laughing, attempting to draw with their non-dominant hand for one exercise, we were reminded that this is all supposed to be fun. Not only that, but our work will be better if we're having fun making it or if we give ourselves permission to experiment with something we don't necessarily expect to be good.

This theme continued for me this week at the White Lake Township Library, there was a "bad art night" where people could go and make art without any expectations about its quality. I had a lot of fun playing with colors (and glitter paint!). 

The result of bad art night

This most recent dozen years or so of wanting to be a writer (after a period of a few years of not writing) was inspired by working through Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way with my brother, sister-in-law, and some of their friends. I think I'm going to start working through it again. This book also emphasized the importance of play for creativity. 

So, even though I'm sure you've heard it before, in case it's helpful to you to be reminded of it today: Have fun! Play! 

Next week's the Fourth of July, so I think we'll take the week off. So relax and have fun and see how it affects your creativity. 

(And also: if you have an idea for a blog post or would like to write something about any part of your writing and/or illustrating journey, conferences or workshops you attended, etc.), please email me!)

Friday, June 20, 2025

Writer Spotlight: Jacquie Sewell


Schmitt Park, Mighty Mac, crit group help, Whale Fall Café, libraries, and Explore the Deep: author Jacquie Sewell

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI-MI. In this piece, meet author and librarian,  Jacquie Sewell.

What was childhood like for young Jacquie? Where did you live, go to school, find books? Was there a specific age where you decided books would be your future? 

I had a wonderful childhood growing up in Schmitt Park, a neighborhood on the northeast of Green Bay. Some of my best friends yet to this day, are friends from that neighborhood. We roamed the hills and forests and backyards from dawn till dusk - at least that’s how it seems in my memory. 


Squatting next to a whale skeleton
at the Anchorage Museum.

A highlight was the year I turned 8 and the parents formed a Swim Club and built a neighborhood pool. From then on our summers were spent “at the pool”. 

My mom was a voracious reader and I think I inherited my love of books from her. Although my grandfather, who I never knew, was a writer. Not professionally, but he wrote for his church yearbook and newsletters, and I’ve discovered several family histories that he wrote. Both my sons are wonderful writers so I think the writing gene came through the Jarstad side of the bloodline. 

To answer your question: I can’t remember a time I didn’t love to read. Books were a huge part of my childhood and many a time my mother (the voracious reader) told me to “get my nose out that book”. : ). 

Another of my “best friends” from my childhood is Judy Bolton, the girl detective created by Margaret Sutton in the Judy Bolton series of books. I’ve read through all 38 titles three times in my life - it might be time to do it again! 

You were a freelance contributor to Lansing City Limits Magazine. Which pieces are you most proud of? 

I recently dug out my copies of LCLM in preparation for an author event. I’d forgotten how many articles I had written! Of course the first piece I sold: “A Branch From Lansing’s Family Tree”, has a special place in my heart. I was curious about the place names around Lansing - a little research unearthed so many interesting stories about the men and women who helped make Lansing a great Michigan city. 

Another article I think about often was about a dear woman from my church. Carrie had the greenest thumb that ever lifted a trowel. She gardened by the phases of the moon just like her father taught her. I was thrilled to share her story in “The Moon and Carrie Thornton Color the Earth.” 

What moved you to write a magazine article about Anna Coleman Ladd, an American sculptor who made masks for the facially injured WWI soldiers? 

I don’t remember how I first heard about Anna. A special part of that article was the fact that my former Girl Scout Leader, a dear woman I am still in touch with, helped me gather some of the research materials. She was living in Washington DC at the time. She and her husband went to the Red Cross archives and the Smithsonian and photocopied documents for me. 

Can you tell me how Mighty Mac came to be a book?  When did you first find your way into the story? What kind of research was involved? How did you find your publisher?

I was  the librarian at North Aurelius Elementary School - it was around 1999, maybe 2000. A fourth grade student wanted to do her Michigan History report on the Mackinac Bridge. We didn't have any books on the bridge in our library. I searched the public library and every where I could think of. There were no books for kids telling them the story of our Miracle Bridge. So I decided to write one.  

Inspired by Sleeping Bear Press's books with layers of text, I envisioned telling the story through a cumulative verse at the top of each page, supplemented by interesting facts in the body of the text.  Sleeping Bear expressed interest at first but then decided to go with Gloria Whelan and her fictional account of a family involved in building the bridge.  

A year or so after that disappointment I read about a young man in Caledonia who had created a publishing company, Peninsulam Publishing, to publish his own Michigan focused books. I contacted him to see if he ever published other authors.  He agreed to take on Mighty Mac and published it through Amazon. 

Research is my joy - it was such an interesting journey learning about the building of the bridge and the people who made it a reality. The Mackinac Bridge Authority and the Michigan Dept of Transportation have wonderful websites with lots of great photos and information. 

Mighty Mac in the background

MDOT let me go through their photo archives and use photos for the book. I was so fortunate that two of the men who served on the  Bridge Authority that built the bridge, Larry Rubin and William Cochrane, were still living when I was doing my research. They both agreed to meet with me. They were very encouraging and helpful.

And of course, almost everyone I meet who grew up in Michigan has a story to share about the bridge or waiting in line for days! to take the ferry across the straits.

Mighty Mac is Illustrated with historic photographs taken by Herman Ellis during the bridge construction. Ellis must have his own story. Was Mac originally conceived as a chapter book? 

No - Picture books are my love. Working as an elementary school librarian cemented picture books as the best-genre-ever in my heart. And yes - Herman Ellis would be a wonderful subject for a biography - he sounds like a very interesting and creative man. 

Whale Fall Café started when you read an article. Dr. Robert Vrijenhoek of MBARI and Dr.Craig Smith ended up being credited with ensuring the book’s scientific accuracy. What was it like working with the marine biologist doctors? 

Dr. Craig

Both gentleman were extremely approachable and helpful and encouraging. They read through my early manuscript. And offered corrections and suggestions. They responded to questions I emailed them. I was very thankful for their help. I didn’t know it when I began my research but my son, Josiah, had taken a class from Dr. Smith! I later met him and visited his lab while in Hawaii visiting my son. 

Between August and September 2019, your critique group saw two different drafts of Whale Fall Café, before you sent it to Tilbury House and earned a contract. Please share the names of your crit group members who helped make the book happen. 

They were so helpful! We were an online group, The Dream Catchers: Isabel O’Hagin, Cherie Meyers, Jennifer Burd, and Paulette Sharkey. Thanks for reminding me of those gracious, helpful women! 

The back matter for Whale Fall is at least another book, especially since the story was originally conceived as a chapter book. How do you know when you’ve got enough back matter? 

A lot of the back matter had originally been in the text. My critique partners suggested moving it to the back and making a more accessible picture book. That was the revision that made all the difference! For me, I use the back matter to expand something that is touched upon in the main text - so once I’ve covered the important topics I call it a wrap. 


You’ve hooked me. In your book, Whale Fall Café, you tease the reader about some of the deep-sea café customers, the “hagfish, sleeper sharks, and zombie worms.” Was it your idea to highlight this weird aquatic life?
 

Yes - when I read the article about whale falls and heard about these creatures I thought, “Kids will love this!” Anything weird or gross captivates children and what’s weirder that a bone sucking snot worm (aka a zombie worm)? 


Whale Fall Café is featured on the University of Chicago Marine Biological Laboratory website. Are your books in other unusual places? 

I didn’t know that - that’s great! I’ve emailed numerous aquariums and museums so hopefully there are others out there that are offering Whale Fall to their visitors. I am excited to share that Whale Fall Cafe was chosen to be a part of the 2025 Detroit Public School Curriculum and Instruction Local Authors Panel. 

On top of all the author stuff, you are a full-time librarian. How did your library career start? What are some of your proudest moments? 

I retired from being a full time librarian in 2015. But I’ve kept my foot in the door (or my nose in the book) by working as a substitute librarian at the Howard Miller Public Library. 

My library career began with a phone call from the principal at my sons’ former elementary school. My oldest was heading off to college and it was time for me to find a job that could help pay tuition. That had always been our plan - I was blessed to be able to stay home with my boys when they were growing up. 

Now they were leaving the nest and that’s when God opened the door to The. Best. Job. Ever! (Other than being a mom). I jumped at the chance to be the school librarian at North Aurelius School in Mason. And I loved it!! 

On vacation w/family
Proudest moments: creating a kid-friendly environment in the library through ongoing displays, monthly themes, and kid-sized furniture I had specially made by a local craftswoman. 

I am also proud of the fact that I started a student volunteer program in the library and introduced my students to storytelling. Several times a quarter I would “tell” the weekly story instead of “read” a book. The power of story never ceases to amaze me. 

Did being a librarian help with the promotion and marketing of your books? Not as much as I would have thought - but that’s more on me. Marketing is not my strong suit. 

You’ve worked in the Mid-Michigan library system from 1999. You spent 8 years at Okemos school libraries. What are some of your favorite memories working there? 

See above. : ) Also I loved working with my parent volunteers. We had a wonderful international community because of MSU - so some of my moms were Indian, some Korean. I also had the privilege of helping an educator visiting from China curate a collection of books for a library back in China. 

Tell us about some of your most memorable school visits. 

Unfortunately Whale Fall Café released in 2021 and you remember what the world was like in spring of 2021 - so I have yet to do a school visit for WFC. : ( I have read it to my great-nephews’ classes and was impressed by how much background knowledge the children had (in 2nd grade!). 

I did several school visits for Mighty Mac and enjoyed sharing our great bridge with kids. I’ve also done several adult presentations based on Mighty Mac. It’s always fun because almost all the people in the audience have a connection to the bridge and many have interesting stories to share. 

The Giants of Calaveras County  What are they? 

The Giants of Calaveras County are the Giant Sequoia that have survived for centuries in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I first encountered them while vacationing out west - a truly spiritual experience - to stand in the presence of the largest trees in the world. Some of the trees in the grove were alive when Jesus walked the earth!

I have performed it for kids and adults as a storytelling presentation. But it is currently languishing in my file drawer. 

How do you know Write for Kids? 

I don’t remember where I first came across Children’s BookInsider / Write for Kids, but I appreciate the informative articles and the monthly above the slush pile opportunities. Laura and Jon Backes offer knowledgeable and genuinely helpful information for children’s authors. 

With longtime friend, Barb Tabb.
They grew up together in magical Schmitt Park

What’s next for Jacquie Sewell?
 

I would love to find a publisher for Explore the Deep: From A to Z. This is a project that grew from my editor’s suggestion. I have loved learning about the deep ocean and am passionate that people of all ages need to learn more about it and appreciate the wonders that lie under the waves. 

Unfortunately my editor retired before I could complete my manuscript so . . . But Explore the Deep did win the SCBWI Work in Progress Award so hope springs eternal.