Book Birthday Blog with Kate Rietema

 

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Kate Rietema on the release of When God Makes Scribbles Beautiful

 

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

One day, I was feeling particularly overwhelmed by one of our foster children’s difficult situations. Feeling helpless and a bit hopeless, I sat down and typed out all the things I needed to be reminded of, and all the things I wanted him to know.

What inspires you to write?

Emotions, my kids, reading, nature, and setting goals!
 
I feel most inspired when I experience strong emotions, like wonder, delight, fear, or hope. Often, these are moments I want to savor, remember, overcome, or share—and picture books feel like the perfect medium to express big feelings.
 
Having a house full of kids and being intentional with their tiny hearts helps me see life through their eyes and with their language. Having young kids also gives me lots of excuses to read picture books (which are so inspiring)! My library account tells me we check out about a thousand books a year.
 
Our family also loves to be outside, hiking and exploring. Even if I’m not working on a nature themed project, beauty and fresh air always spark creativity!

Goals are also necessary to keep me focused when inspiration feels lacking. I maintain a running monthly ‘goals and to-do’ document on my computer. Items include learning activities, writing tasks, research needs, submission deadlines, and whatever else requires my attention. A few years ago, I purchased a book display stand as a tangible reminder of my goal to be a published picture book author. For a long time it sat empty, but now it holds this!

How do you approach the creative process? Plotter, pantser or combination of the two?

Hmm, for me, this varies project to project. Story ideas come to me in various ways: a new bit of information, an emotion, or a title idea. For me, emotion based projects tend to come out quickly (pantsing). If I start with a title, I find myself thinking next about a structure—so this leans more towards plotting. No matter what I’m writing, my first drafts are always pretty sparse and the text needs to be bulked up during the revision process.

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

My book is available online at Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Christianbook.com, and in many local Christian book stores.
 
Some things I’ve done to get ready for my release:

• Updated my website
• Created a book trailer with my first grader, see it here
• Joined a picture book launch group called #PBbuds24 (find us on X and IG)
• Set up some book signings and story times (both in Michigan and in Florida while there for spring break)
• Organized a fundraiser event to donate books to an organization that distributes first night bags for children entering foster care
• Worked with my publisher to create printable bonus material, secure endorsements, send out advanced copies for review, and promote on social media

Phew! It feels like a lot, but most of it has been fun.

 What's next for you?

I’m thrilled to have a board book releasing in October titled, All the Babies: A First Book About Adoption. This book, illustrated by Judi Abbot and published by B&H Kids, is a sweet celebration of how God makes every baby and family special. 

 
I’m also on pins and needles about a couple other projects that are currently on submission—fingers crossed! In the meantime, I’m always subbing to magazines and working on new picture book ideas!

More about the book . . .

A child’s struggle—portrayed as a dark scribble—follows him everywhere. But when he asks God for help, he discovers new hope as his scribble turns into something beautiful. When God Makes Scribbles Beautiful presents layers of Biblical truth that take the reader on a gentle journey of God’s promises—inspiring hope and faith in His good and redemptive plan.

Publisher: B&H Kids

More about the author . . .

Kate Rietema is the author of When God Makes Scribbles Beautiful and a forthcoming board book, All the Babies: A First Book About Adoption. She has also authored over 50 stories, poems, and articles for magazines like Highlights, Cricket Media, and The School Magazine. Kate is the mother of five girls, works as a nurse, volunteers in her county jail, and lives at the campground she and her husband operate in West Michigan.

Website: katerietema.com

Twitter: @katerietema (I'm most active here!)

Instagram: @katerietema

Facebook: Kate Rietema - Children's Author