Book Birthday Blog with Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

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

 

Congratulations to Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw on the release of Rugged RAX

 

 

 

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

My son, Josh, while a junior at the University of Michigan, introduced me to CubeSats, when he joined the Michigan eXploration Laboratory (MXL) in 2013. CubeSats are miniature satellites built from 10xm x 10cm x 10cm cubic units and are extendable to larger sizes. They are much cheaper to build and deploy than larger satellites and provide an immense amount of information about space in a tiny package.
 
During Josh’s two years at MXL his team designed, built and tested three CubeSats. I was enthralled with every step of the process. Once I began my writing journey, I contacted MXL’s director, Professor James Cutler, and through discussion I decided to write a book about MXL’s first CubeSat—Radio Aurora Explorer (RAX). 

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

a.     Failure is difficult but it is an essential part of the scientific process and life.
b.     You don’t have to be big to do extraordinary things. 

What was the most difficult part of writing this book? 

Making sure the science was accurate was particularly daunting due to the complexity and technical aspects of space, space weather, and spacecraft. I also wanted to assure the illustrations portrayed the science correctly. Rugged RAX’s illustrator, Mesa Schumacher, went beyond the massive amounts of photos, charts, diagrams, etc. I sent her via my publisher, by doing her own research and willingly tweaking even minor details. 

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

I am doing an early marketing push but mostly plan on working on an evergreen campaign since this book has a high appeal for the education market as well as STEM and space-oriented kids. 

What's next for you? 

The launch of Decoding the Moon—my first venture into fiction and my first venture into middle-grade—on February 25, 2026! This one is literally and figuratively a dream come true! 

Here’s the blurb: Avid rock climber Levi Manes thinks his newfound fear of heights is enough to shake up his twelve-year-old life. What he didn’t realize is, three months later, the tragic death of his mother would fracture his entire world. To make matters worse, Levi’s dad, unable to face his grief, moves their family from their home in the Detroit suburbs to a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Can the combination of some secret codes, rock climbing, and the Supermoon pull Levi’s family together and bring them the closure they each desperately need? 

More about the book . . . 

Imagine you are part of an engineering team tasked with designing and building a mini but mighty satellite—a CubeSat named RAX. Your CubeSat’s mission? Gather space weather data to help scientists prevent massive blackouts caused by solar storms. But this team failed during its first attempt; will it succeed this time? Rugged RAX is the true story of CubeSat RAX and is packed with a payload of space science and engineering for STEM enthusiasts. 

Published by: Fifth Avenue Press 

More about the author . . . 

Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw is an award-winning children’s book author and former elementary special education teacher passionate about growing young minds, engaging readers, and empowering student leaders. In addition to Rugged RAX, her writing credentials include I Campaigned for Ice Cream: A Boy’s Quest for Ice Cream Trucks, Mighty Mahi, and The Super Volcano: The Hidden Hero Below Yellowstone National Park. The proud momma of two grown boys, Suzanne lives in Waterford, Michigan with her husband and furry writing companion Ziggy. When she’s not dreaming up new writing projects, you can find her reading, kayaking, hiking, or practicing yoga. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzanne.lipshaw/ 

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/suzannelipshaw.bsky.social 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannejacobslipshaw/ 

 

 

Studio Tour with Featured Illustrator Nicole Ray

 

Winter 2026 banner by Nicole Ray

Me at a holiday studio open house in December 2024

Hello! I’m Nicole Ray and I run Sloe Gin Fizz, my illustration business, from a studio space in Pinckney, Michigan. I started Sloe Gin Fizz in 2008 and worked out of a room in our home for over ten years. A large part of that business is selling products featuring my artwork: Art prints, greeting cards,
stickers and more. 

My work table and studio space at home

The collection — and inventory — has grown significantly over time. This became all too clear during the pandemic when my husband started working at home, too. I would passed back and forth behind him during his living room Zoom meetings, packing orders, prepping products, making art all in different areas throughout the house. We quickly realized how much my work had taken over the whole house.

My first 99 square foot studio space outside the house

I passed a real estate office every day on my way to the post office with orders and one day went in to ask if I could rent the office that had clearly been empty for quite some time. They said yes and I took a leap and rented a small — 99 square foot — office within their larger office just down the road from home. I moved all of my inventory and production and shipping materials over there. It was such a treat! I jam packed it all in there. I still made art in my home studio but everything else was in that little space. 

My current studio all cleaned up and ready for my first open studio March 2024

After two years there, the opportunity
to move across the road came up and I moved into my current studio in January 2024. There are three other offices around me that remained empty for the entire first year I was in this space. I kind of loved it. I’ve used the large wood work table for production and shipping since the early days of Sloe Gin Fizz back in a small apartment in Ann Arbor. The wacky light setup over the work table is a carry over from doing craft shows that has proved really effective in the studio. 

My granddad’s drafting tools in an old cigar box he stored them in

The work table came from my grandad who was a mechanical engineer who moved to New Jersey to work with Thomas Edison back in the day. He had the most magical basement workshop and was constantly tinkering and making things with us. While I still kick myself for turning down his drafting table and chair, I do cherish his work table. I also have his old cigar box holding all his drafting tools. 

SO much shelving packed into this space

With just over 200 square feet, it’s still a tight fit for all of my STUFF. I’ve lined the walls with as many shelves as I can pack in, holding all of my inventory and packing materials. Around all of that I’ve been filling any other spaces available with my favorite art, knick knacks and collected bits and bobs. 

My ever-evolving wall of inspiration featuring artist friends and favorites

This inspiration wall is ever-evolving and includes everything from my first block-printed merch bag turned into a hanging to a screenprint I bought from an artist selling her work from a blanket on the ground in Union Square in NYC. 

The mess that is my current drawing table situation. I try to keep it analog with no computer or monitor but the full holiday chaos all around has landed my laptop there today.

After making art at home for over ten years, I’ve found it difficult to change my habits.  I still keep a home studio and often do my drawing there. But I’m slowly doing more and more drawing here. I moved my drawing desk this summer and installed shelving above. (The holiday rush keeps me from getting a prettier picture of this little space!)

Many years worth of sketchbooks

I’ve been moving my book collection and sketchbooks into the new shelving and it’s starting to feel more like a cozy little nook to work in. 

I’ve become the drawer of squirrels and as such, have a growing collection of them. But also: Two very special goldfish friends.

This little shelf of friends helps! I like to keep the pair of goldfish nearby. They represent a kind of turning point for me in finding my artistic voice. I went back to art school in the late 90s, taking classes at night and on the weekends. I was exploring and having fun but at the same time completely lacking confidence and very intimidated in class. I really loved my oil painting classes, but felt at a total loss for subject matter. After my foundation classes, I shuffled around several other painting classes floundering miserably. I finally stumbled into a class that was exactly what I needed: Still life
painting. 

Oil painting from art school of the two goldfish toys on a letterpress block

By removing the pressure of deciding what to paint, I could finally go back to focusing on learning how to paint. About midway through my second semester with this professor — after painting many kettles and vases and flowers — I decided the subject for my next still life would be these two little goldfish toys. It really was an a-ha moment. They
represented the fun and humor and lightness I wanted in my art! I ended up doing a series of paintings of toys. I still have the 4’x5’ goldfish painting. It’s too large for my studio, but hangs in our guest bedroom at home so I can invite our guests to sleep with the fishes.

 

My best pal John and I in a photo booth that malfunctioned and just kept taking pictures!

I recently hung this photo booth triptych over one of the windows. It’s my friend John and I in a photo booth that malfunctioned and just kept taking pictures. John passed away in 2022 from pancreatic cancer at just 54. He knew how to easily find the fun in everything and brought out the silliest side of me like no one else can. He had these blow ups hanging over the door in his bathroom for years and years. It’s my constant reminder of him and to find the fun every day. 

Ever-changing clouds over the lake

My studio looks out at Zukey Lake and has a paved walking and biking trail between the lake and the building. I love to watch the skies change and the clouds putting on a show. I can walk the trail to take orders to the lakeside post office or to just clear my head and work out ideas. Or I can just stare out the window and watch the trains run by. 

I feel like a kid every time the train goes by and am always hoping the conductor will blow the whistle.

Nicole Ray is an illustrator who creates a whimsical line of art prints and paper goods under the name Sloe Gin Fizz. From quirky animal and vegetable characters to cozy, nostalgia-filled interiors and calming views of nature, Nicole’s hand-drawn scenes are highly accessible, infused with a playful sense of humor and a strong narrative quality. Nicole and her mister live in a log house on a lake with a border collie and an ever-changing network of critter friends. Find more of her work at sloeginfizz.com.

Writer/Illustrator Spotlight: Kirbi Fagan

Sagebrush, PICC, Grandma Trades, Dan Dos Santos, moving, and horses: Author/illustrator Kirbi Fagan

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI-MI. In this piece, meet debut author/illustrator Kirbi Fagan.

Your debut picture book, written and illustrated by you, received glowing reviews for the art. You’d never written a picture book manuscript before, yet The Big Empty received starred reviews with critics noting the “poetic” and “lyrical” and “lilting” text.

Have you been a secret writer all this time? How many drafts did it take to get to where it needed to be? How did you decide your unique POV?

A professor took my short story from class and it ended up published in an anthology my first semester at community college. After that boost, I continued to pursue and enjoy writing classes. 

My obsession with painting and composing images was insatiable and in my twenties I often fought the urge to write and focused on my art instead.

Like many stories, The Big Empty had a different subject and even went out on submission - with no luck. I kept a lot of the original imagery and the theme of resilience but I rewrote it with sagebrush at the center. 

Sagebrush after all was my original visual inspiration and was everywhere in my sketchbook. Kayla Cichello sailed it straight back into the market and it was warmly embraced by Carol Hinz without much fuss.

I’ve known you for many years, and you don’t seem to age. You present as the picture of youth and vigor, yet you’ve been beset since a young age with chronic illness. How has this contradiction of appearance vs. reality shaped your life?

When the flesh fails, my identity becomes more rooted. The challenges I’ve walked though have made me acutely aware of my ferocity inside and I’ve come to wear that on the outside. I think it kind of beams out of me unknowingly. 

When illustrating, We Are The Scrappy Ones, (authored by Rebekah Taussig) I got to put on paper what it looks like to have one foot in grief and the other in joy. 

Earlier in my life,  I would feel that I had to let my scars show, let a PICC line hang out or whatever other medical device I was slinging that week to feel like my authentic self. With a lot of help over the years, I’m more secure than ever with being completely misunderstood. 

When did young Kirbi first embrace her artistic side? Were you lauded for your art in high school?

I wanted to dance, sing, ice skate and perform! Crohn’s would not comply. Each time I took on an activity like that, it quickly came to an end so I learned every craft imaginable. 

In middle school at one point I was selling handmade jewelry at my infusions. By high school, I was a Jack-of-All-Grandma-Trades. 

At that time, I tried one more time to dance, that time on the Plymouth-Canton Color Guard but it wasn’t long until I couldn't keep up. So I traded my flag for a sketchbook and never looked back. 

While I would have loved to be known for my creativity, I was more known for being MIA for long stretches of time. 

What early influences guided you on your path to illustration?

In my art school’s library, I found the illustration annuals from the 50s and 60s… obsessed would be putting it mildly. They were rare, fragile copies, so they were not allowed to be checked out. I’d have to pour over them on the floor and take photos of the images to study and google later.

After art school, the Illustration Master Class set me on fire. The science fiction-fantasy artist community has the most experienced and highly skilled traditional illustrators in my opinion. 

There is a rich history of mentorship throughout the generations that I found trace all the way back to those illustration annuals. Dan Dos Santos in particular, taught me the illustration process and helped me bring my out-of-art-school-portfolio to industry ready. 

You had two great art schools to choose from. How did Kendall win out over CCS?

Before KCAD, while at Community College, I met Anne Garavaglia, a treasured mentor and friend. Anne and I have a supernatural connection that is difficult to describe. At one point she asked me “have you thought about Kendall?” When I visited the school, Grand Rapids felt like a micro Chicago and great hospitals within walking distance.

A lot of artwork was on display and I was impressed with how well all the students drew. Draftsmanship was my focus. Anne told me if I can learn to draw anything, I can apply those skills to anything I wanted to create. So I went there, focused on technique and was very disciplined about that.

https://www.annegaravaglia.com/

Eventually I did end up on “Kirby St." teaching at CCS but I found teaching with a faulty immune system too challenging. Teaching boosted me financially for a time and that’s when I had a bit of wiggle room to pivot and chase writing dreams. 

You devoted a whole floor at your house for a work space for yourself and your artist partner. What are some of the essential parts of your studio?

When Illustrating A Horse Named Sky, we were moving - I didn’t know how I would be able to create that book. My entire studio was packed up except the things I needed: desktop, scanner, pencils, paper, reference material - a few anatomy books and printed reference photos I took. This minimalistic approach changed my life.

Nowadays, what’s in my studio is only the projects I’m in the midst of. All materials are stored neatly away in cabinets in the basement. When I gather materials, it feels like shopping at an art supply store. 

You were co-Illustrator Coordinator with Deb Pilutti for SCBWI-MI? What is involved in coordinating illustrators?

I had the best time with Deb working for the illustrators in Michigan. We planned and coordinated conferences, events and programs. As the visual people on the team we were responsible for a lot of the visual media SCBWI used. 

I very much enjoyed working behind the scenes and meeting many industry guests, including my agent. I think volunteering was the best way to throw myself into the mix, even if my knees were knocking.

What’s next for Kirbi Fagan?

God willing, I hope to keep illustrating and writing for kids. A new series written by Terri Farley is coming out in January that I illustrated. My horse girl era is only getting started. 

Please share any social media platforms:

The best way to learn about my work is to visit my website, www.KirbiFagan.com. 

Thanks to Kirbi for examples of recent art:

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 My Best Friend is a Lion 

 

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

It came from an exercise at a writing retreat. We were doing an exercise that connected to ourselves as children and I was writing down things that I remembered from that age. One memory that stuck with me was the time I wanted to have a pet lion. I was very shy and I remember thinking my friends would be awed and a little afraid if I showed up with a pet lion. The story is not autobiographical, and my circumstances were different than the main character in my book, but some of the feelings were the same.

 

 

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

It was fun for me to imagine what the MC could do if she had a lion for a friend. I hope that readers will enjoy the silliness of the situations and notice the dichotomy between the text and the illustrations. The MC is a slightly unreliable narrator! 

 

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

Deciding on how to portray the imaginative part of the story vs. real life. I ended up using more saturated colors, simple crayon lines and textured backgrounds. 

 

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

It will be available in bookstores and online Jan. 7!

What's next for you?

Good question!! I am starting to explore that and am currently working on some other stories.

More about the book . . .

Friendship troubles are hard! Especially when your best friends start leaving you out of their fun.



But this little girl knows what would make everything better—a lion! If her best friend was a lion, they could go to the park without an adult, do amazing dunks on the basketball court, and get free ice cream whenever they want. Everyone would be jealous—especially those other friends.



A lion would definitely fix things, right?



Imagining and drawing some of their adventures help her work through her big feelings. And it turns out that sometimes, problems get better with a little time, creativity, and being yourself.

Published by: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin

More about the author/illustrator . . . 

Deb Pilutti writes and illustrates books for children with humor and candor. 
She once wished she had a pet lion, but is now content to walk around the neighborhood with an Australian Shepard named Tater. 

She and her husband live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Instagram and Bluesky @dpilutti, Facebook @Deb Folta Pilutti 

 

Writer Spotlight: Jodi McKay

SCBWI-MI, Cardinal Rule, editorial suggestion, and takeaways: SCBWI-MI co-RA and author Jodi McKay

Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI-MI. In this piece, meet author and SCBWI-MI co-RA Jodi McKay.

 

How did you start with SCBWI-MI?

To me, when starting any new job, hobby, or skill, it’s important to learn as much as possible about it. In 2013, I decided I wanted to write books for children and therefore needed a thorough understanding of what it takes to create a book worthy of a child’s attention. 

Books like Anne Whitford Paul’s, Writing Picture Books were helpful, but I needed more. Cue Google! A quick search for “How to write a picture book” led me to SCBWI’s website and on to SCBWI-MI’s webpage. 

SCBWI-MI friends

I got involved in as much as possible to give myself every opportunity to soak in the knowledge and experience that was so generously provided not only by industry professionals, but also by other SCBWI-MI members. I went to shoptalks, became the PAL coordinator, volunteered at conferences, and now I’ve been the co-regional advisor for the past six years.

 

In your interview with Maria Dismondy, Publisher of Cardinal Rule Press, you described how your first picture book was picked up and published as “weird.” You won a writing contest and a mentorship with a published author, who suggested you send your manuscript to her editor.  And the editor was interested. That never happens, but it did for you. Can you describe the step-by-step process?

You’re right! It hardly ever happens that way, but the stars just happened to align. It went down like this:

Star #1: I entered Susanna Hill’s Halloweenie Contest in 2014. It was a cute little story that met the theme- Witches.

Star #2: Much to my surprise, I won and received a critique from Anna Crespo (who is now an author and an agent!).

Star #3: A local shoptalk was offering a critique session. Wanting to polish my manuscript a bit before sending it to Anna, I had it critiqued. The feedback helped tremendously! I sent it on to Anna.

Star #4: The email she sent back along with my critique included this question, “Do you mind if we send this to my editor at Albert Whitman. I think she would like it.”

I didn’t mind at all. I sent it to Kelly Barreles-Saylor in November, and wouldn’t you know it, Anna was right, she did like it.

Star #5: I received a contract in December. Little did I know that there were a couple more stars that wanted to get in line as well.

 

It was only after the book was accepted that you found your agent. How did you do that?

With a contract in hand, I felt like I had a better chance at finding an agent. I emailed the agents I had queried over the past few months and let them know that I had received a book contract for Where Are The Words? and as more luck would have it, Star # 6: Linda Epstein asked to see a few other manuscripts. We chatted soon after and then I had an agent.

 

When I first sat down to write PENCIL, it was going to be a continuation of sorts from my first book, WHERE ARE THE WORDS? which ends with the characters asking for Pencil to draw them the perfect pictures for the story they just wrote. My editor at Albert Whitman & Co. liked the story and picked it up, but with a few changes that I think took it to the next level. She suggested that I have Pencil draw a picture for someone special, his dad. This added heart to the story and it became relatable to kids who often draw pictures for the special people in their lives.

You entered a contest, earned a critique. The person who gave the critique suggested you send your manuscript to their editor. This editor published your first manuscript, suggested winning changes for your next manuscript. Yet there were plenty of places along the way where everything could have gone south. What role does luck play in being published? How much did your hard work lead you to any lucky breaks you experienced?

While I put in the work to learn how to write, I still feel like I experienced a lot of luck along the way. Of course, with most things, there were some hiccups. 

There were communication issues with the contract department which slowed things down quite a bit and then the editor who acquired my first book left Albert Whitman halfway through the process. It was disheartening, but I accepted the fact that publishing is all about ups and downs. 

Author and son

I was in a “down time” but based on how I got the contract in the first place, I knew an “up time” could be right around the corner, so I wanted to be ready. I continued writing. 

Then, Star #7: My new editor was lovely and helped finish Where Are The Words? It was Andrea who read Pencil’s Perfect Picture and suggested it become a stand-alone.

The stars have since dispersed and I’m currently in a “down time”, but I’m still writing, I’m still learning, and I’m still finding ways to let the good luck in. That’s what we do, right? We persist!

Takeaway time:

School visit

·    There may be a little luck or perhaps timing that affects the path to publishing, but don’t discount the research, reading, and work that’s required to understand the craft of writing and illustrating. It can be hard, but you can do it.

·    Remind yourself of your “why”. Why do you want to create books for children? Write it down and post it where you will see it every day. It’s little things like that that could help you get through a “down time.”

·    Give yourself the best chance at helping your stars to align. Become an SCBWI member, volunteer, attend a conference or webinar, apply for a mentorship or a scholarship, get in on a writing or illustrating contest. DO IT ALL. You never know what will happen if you do. You could find an agent, form a critique group, learn something new that changes your work, or get that email/call that we all hope for.

What’s next for Jodi?

In 2026, you’ll find me working on our upcoming spring workshop series, a few fall webinars, some school visits, and the 2027 in-person conference alongside our IC’s Katie and Jen. 

When I’m not focusing on SCBWI matters or writing picture books and middle grade novels, I plan to spend my time staring at my son (and trying not to cry) who is graduating in May then leaving right after to go to Marshall University where he will play football. Now accepting well-wishes and positive vibes because I’m going to need them!

 

Please share any social media:

Website- https://www.jodimckaybooks.com/

IG- JodiMcKay1

FB- https://www.facebook.com/jodi.mckay.33/

 

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Reminders about Upcoming SCBWI-MI Events

• Registration for the SCBWI-MI 2026 mentorship begins today, January 2, 2026. If you need more information, see:
• Mentorship coordinator Jessica Zimmerman explains the program.
• Interview with 2026 mentor Sheela Chari
• Words of wisdom from previous mentees

• Registration for the SCBWI-MI Level Up series of webinars and workshops opens January 14, 2026.