by author Catherine Bailey & illustrator Sarita Rich
Thank you for hosting us today, Miss Tara. We are excited to be here, and we are excited to celebrate the release of HYPNOSIS HARRY, and we are excited to talk about each other and, well, we are just really excited. So without further ado, here is us interviewing us.
1. Okay, Sarita, Harry’s expressions are some of my favorite moments in the book. Was he, or any of the characters or images, based on your family or home life?
As much fun as Harry was to draw, I really liked having a sister. In an earlier draft, she was older, but I decided maybe a baby/toddler would be funnier, especially on the last page. And I had a (sometimes) cooperative model at home, so that was helpful. I also liked having a cat in the story. I’ve had my share of overweight cats that could squish themselves into tiny cardboard boxes and fall asleep.
2. I love that background info – especially the bits about the sister and the cat. (I have both.) So what was the most challenging aspect of illustrating Harry, and how did you overcome it?
Timing. I received the manuscript late September 2014 and had to submit a sample spread before October 10. I was pregnant with an October 23 due date and thought I had plenty of time to finish the spread. At my 38-week appointment, my doctor said I could go into labor any day, possibly that very night. “But I can’t! I haven’t finished the spread!” I thought. I sent the file on October 9, and Stella was born October 12. Sky Pony offered the contract shortly afterward, and I had to figure out how to be a mom and an illustrator at the same time. I was a little sleep deprived until June, but when an opportunity to work with editors from like Sky Pony, and an author like Catherine comes along, you say YES and sleep later.
3. I had NO CLUE you were birthing babies during all this. You win the amazing illustrator ward of the year for sure! And you have been equally amazing with the promotional / post-publication support. What unique skills/opportunities do you think an illustrator can provide to/for the marketing of a picture book?
Illustrators have a chance to bring a book to life in many different ways. When you invited me to collaborate on launch party ideas, I learned an illustrator can extend the life of the book way beyond the reading. For HYPNOSIS HARRY, I helped create fun extras like coloring pages, drawing activities, and a craft demonstration. Since we both love giveaways, I suggested that since we couldn’t attend the other’s launch party, that we each donate an item to give away at our respective parties. And one thing I love most about illustrators is seeing a preview of process—a drawing demo, for example–because usually all we get to see is the finished product. When I find a book I admire, one of the first things I wonder is, “How did the illustrator do this?!” Seeing what goes into the creation of a book makes you appreciate the work so much more.
4. I do love giveaways. And your genius craft ideas. And Nutella. But I digress. What part of marketing HYPNOSIS HARRY are you most looking forward to doing?
I have some school visits lined up on April 8th, which happens to be during reading week at this particular school. I’m looking forward to reading to kids and drawing with them and giving them free stuff (bookmarks!).
5. Okay one last deep and insightful question. What was one NO from your parents that you wish had been a YES?
I’m from a treeless part of northern Alaska, and therefore my sister and I could never have a tree house. We had to settle for a ground level clubhouse. One summer we devised the perfect set up of old pallets and scrap plywood, complete with a clandestine hole in the ground in which I deposited empty candy wrappers. At one point, I tried to build a fire inside the clubhouse to destroy evidence of said candy consumption. I made sure to put the fire out completely, etc. but Dad found out and said NO to unsupervised backyard fires. He was especially furious because I had overlooked the fact that our clubhouse was built right next to the 50-gallon oil tank that contained our winter fuel…
That’s hilarious. And also dangerous. I am very glad you did not blow yourself up Sarita. And I am very, VERY glad you are my illustrator. Thank you! Okay, my turn in the hot seat.
1. In hindsight, I’m also grateful for parents who tempered the pyromaniac within so that I could live to meet Harry. What made you want to tell his story?
I read some little online blurb somewhere about a hypnosis demonstration gone wrong – the performer couldn’t snap his audience out of their trance. So I added hypnosis to my list of picture book ideas and forgot about it. A few weeks later I was trying to explain to my three-year-old why she couldn’t wear my wedding dress to school and it hit me – what if she were in charge? What if she hypnotized me and her dad? What would she do?! It would be terrifying, but also funny. Also, when I was a kid, I had a book called something like How To Get Your Parents To Give You Everything You Ever Wanted. That book was definitely a big inspiration too.
2. I love this insight into the inspiration behind the book. Speaking of others being in charge, how do you strike the balance between including too many illo notes and trusting the illustrator?
How do I strike the balance? Um, I don’t. I’m awful. LOL! My early drafts include dozens of art notes. I guess it is just part of my writing process to visualize every image and page turn. Fortunately I have great critique partners, and a wonderagent, who save me from myself. They help me to cut most of the art notes, which is a good thing. It is critical to trust the illustrator, art director, and publisher. They know so much more and do a much better job at that side of things. Let’s just say that if you and I both drew a stick figure, your stick figure would be way prettier.
3. I can see my stick figure getting carried away with clothes and eyelashes but the important point is that YOU are a marketing genius whose marketing plans should be SCBWI conference presentations. So what are the 3 most important things you keep in mind when developing a marketing plan for your picture books?
Audience, Budget, and Feasibility.
Defining your Audience makes you focus your efforts, which makes everything you do – calls, emails, school visits, signings, tweets, etc. – more effective. For example, I know my audience likes books, so bookmarks are a good giveaway (thank you Sarita for those!). Hairy poisonous spiders on the other hand, are not.
I hate to say Budget – but books are a business, like it or not, and I can’t spend a lot of money on items that don’t have a healthy return (even if I really, really want to!).
Feasibility means “Will Catherine actually do this thing or will she wimp out because she’s tired / doesn’t understand it / ran out of time?” For example, I would love to drive to every library within 200 miles and show them HYPNOSIS HARRY and convince them to add it to their collection. But unless I win some sort of babysitting and gas lottery, I can’t. So I’ll tone it down and just drive to every one within 30 miles 🙂 And I will do a lot of outreach online.
4. Those tips are sure to help us maintain sanity. Moving on: what major differences do you see in your marketing strategies for this book vs. MIND YOUR MONSTERS?
The biggest difference is that I can market HYPNOSIS HARRY towards schools because it came out during the school year. Also I now have dozens of school visits under my belt from my first book, MIND YOUR MONSTERS, so I can go back to those contacts. Overall marketing the second book is easier because I have at least some clue as to what I’m doing. But there’s always more to learn!
5. And finally, because I have to know, what was one NO from your parents that you wish had been a YES?
My grandparents had a farm, and on that farm was Molly. Molly was a horse and she belonged to my older sister Sarah Helen. Eventually I wanted a horse too (they really should have seen that coming), but my parents responded with a firm No. Instead my sister was instructed to share Molly with me. You can just imagine how that went. I spent a lot of time trying to ride the barn cats.
Thank you for reading. And there’s more! A giveaway (wheee)! Just leave a note in the comments below and you will be entered to win a Skype consult with author Catherine Bailey and illustrator Sarita Rich. Consider it a tag team critique where we will take a look at your picture book manuscript, and then chat about it with you in person. Well, in “digital-person.” You know what we mean.
93 comments
Comments feed for this article
April 9, 2016 at 8:48 am
Janice Milusich
I loved how you had the idea – wrote it down and life led you to your storyline -🙂
April 9, 2016 at 8:51 am
ritaborg
I love the character and the title. You two seem to go well together.Good luck with the new book!
April 9, 2016 at 8:56 am
Wendy Greenley
I love the author – illustrator love! You guys break the mold of stories I’ve heard about authors and illustrators never talking/never meeting.
April 9, 2016 at 9:05 am
Lynn A. Davidson
This was so interesting and entertaining. Congratulations, and thank you for sharing about your individual talent involved in creating Hypnosis Harry. I’m going to ask my local library to buy this book.
April 9, 2016 at 9:07 am
Kimberly
Such awesome insight on a writer illustrator tag team! This prize would be amazing to win but since I don’t know how to use Skype I hope someone else wins it!
April 9, 2016 at 9:10 am
Rebecca E. Guzinski
I love the team effort and interview. It was also entertaining to read about
both of your backgrounds. 🙂
April 9, 2016 at 9:36 am
Victoria Wirkkala
I’m looking forward to reading Hypnosis Harry! What fun, and an amazing author illustrator duo. Thank you for the insight and for doing what you do.
April 9, 2016 at 9:38 am
Victoria
I’m looking forward to reading Hypnisis Harry! What a wonderful team!! Thank you for doing what you do!!
April 9, 2016 at 9:42 am
Karla VA
What a great book and fabulous giveaway, thanks so much!
April 9, 2016 at 9:53 am
kdveiten
Great interview and congratulations! I love hearing both perspectives.
April 9, 2016 at 9:56 am
The World Is My Cuttlefish
Illo notes are something I struggle with. I started forcing myself to delete delete delete and now I find it much easier to not add in the first place. Ongoing process.
April 9, 2016 at 9:57 am
mona861
This is a really fun interview…the book must be fun too!!!!
April 9, 2016 at 10:01 am
mona861
PS. What was I thinking??? Tara’s fun so why wouldn’t this be! fun fun fun fun fun and more fun!!
April 9, 2016 at 10:04 am
megcason1
I cannot imagine the things would do with me hypnotized! What a fun idea!!
April 9, 2016 at 10:13 am
Sylvia G.
Great interview and story line!
April 9, 2016 at 10:13 am
polly renner
Thank You for sharing your stories!!
April 9, 2016 at 10:15 am
writeremmcbride
What a great and informative interview! Audience familiarity is so important! I am struggling with formatting a submission for a picture book in which the text is NOT the reality of the action in the story. I would love to have your thoughts on art notes for such a piece!
April 9, 2016 at 10:16 am
Dee Knabb
Well, I’m hooked on HARRY. Great interview of the author and illustrator process. Thank you.
April 9, 2016 at 10:31 am
Jim Chaize
Can’t wait to read HH, since I have a character in a PB manuscript who uses hypnosis.
April 9, 2016 at 10:49 am
June Smalls
What a wonderful post! I love the art and I kind of hope there is a child wearing a wedding dress to school in this or other books!
April 9, 2016 at 10:50 am
Denita Johnson
Enjoyed the interview. Loved the illustrations.
Congratulations!
April 9, 2016 at 10:54 am
Debbie Smart
Debbie Smart – Loved the interview! Thanks for the fun post!
April 9, 2016 at 11:10 am
katmaz2012
Thank you for the entertaining and informative interview! Just put HH n my list for the library.
April 9, 2016 at 11:25 am
Joanne Sher
What a fun and informative interview! This one sounds like a fun book. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
April 9, 2016 at 11:28 am
Keila Dawson
Great interview. What a clever concept, Made me chuckle. Cover art is adorable. Can’t wait to read it!
April 9, 2016 at 11:30 am
Mary Warth
Thank you so much for the terrific interviews! I appreciate the insight into both the writing and the illustrating process. HYPNOSIS HARRY sounds wonderful. It’s on the list!
April 9, 2016 at 11:40 am
Lindsay Robinson
Can’t wait to read this book…it sounds like it will be very entertaining (as was the interview)! Thanks for sharing insights from both author and illustrator perspectives!!
April 9, 2016 at 11:44 am
Sarah Pugliano
I can’t get enough of kidlit interviews! This was was very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
April 9, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Carol Jones
What a SUPER story idea. It reminds me of the Walt Disney version of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, with Micky Mouse from Fantasia! (Check it out on YouTube.) That’s NOT to say Catherine stole the idea; it’s a classic theme.
April 9, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Damon Dean, SevenAcreSky
This delightful tale (I am getting sleepy) about a budding hypnotist (sway…sway…sway) has me at your command…
…must find this book must find this book must buy this book…
…
April 9, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Teresa Robeson
That was another hilarious tag-team interview between a pyromaniac and a cat rider! 😀 Having a critique by them would be a pretty sweet experience…if everyone could stop laughing long enough to get anything done. Hah!
April 9, 2016 at 12:52 pm
setwiggs
OMG I loved that interview and Now i have to think about what my parents said no to. I would love a tag team critique of my most finished PB. I am praying that i win!
April 9, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Lynn Becker
Nice–fun interview and I loved the chance to see the art!
April 9, 2016 at 1:10 pm
Gabi Snyder
That was an awesome double interview. I loved hearing about the pyromania and the inspiration for Hypnosis Harry. I’m looking forward to reading this book!
April 9, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Charlotte Dixon
Thank you, Sarita, Catherine, and Tara for a terrific interview. I love the illos shared and the background for the art and story. I’m looking forward to reading Hypnosis Harry. I feel the adventure and fun 🙂
April 9, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Julie Grasso
This looks like loads of fun!! I loved reading about Catherine’s process and Sarita, oh my well done having a bub and creating a masterpiece at the same time. Huge congrats to both.
April 9, 2016 at 1:51 pm
JEN
Awesome interview and Awesomer prize. (OK, Red squiggly lines, cut me some slack!)
April 9, 2016 at 2:00 pm
jenabenton
Yeah to a fellow Alaskan making it! Go Sarita!
April 9, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Beth Schneider
When I was young, I wanted a dog that I could ride like a horse. I got a poodle instead.
April 9, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Kathy Doherty
The cover alone draws me in! I love the title and the detailed artwork!
April 9, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Darlene
Such a fun interview – I loved all the details about the illustrations and story. Congratulations to both of you!
April 9, 2016 at 3:07 pm
hethfeth
I love author-illustrator conversations. Thanks for letting us in on this nice, process-revealing chat.
April 9, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Myrna Foster
Thanks for this interview! It’s fun to hear both sides if the story.
April 9, 2016 at 3:18 pm
Lynne Marie
What a fabulous interview. So glad to learn more about you two fabulous ladies! Wishing you both all the best 🙂 Can’t wait to get my hands on Harry!
April 9, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Taishka
Hahahaha, “ride the barn cats” 😀
April 9, 2016 at 4:40 pm
thduggie
Thanks also for the marketing ideas! I love how the internet opens new doors to faraway markets.
April 9, 2016 at 4:44 pm
Carleen M. Tjader
Thanks for the entertaining, and informative interview!
April 9, 2016 at 7:43 pm
shaelynberg
Wonderful interview! I can’t wait to pick this one up.
April 9, 2016 at 8:13 pm
Lori Dubbin
Lovely interview and teamwork! I hope you two get to make more books together. Looking forward to reading HH soon.
April 9, 2016 at 9:10 pm
Frances Macaulay Forde
Reblogged this on Perth Words… exploring possibilities. and commented:
Note to self: always keep ideas, no matter how undeveloped.
April 9, 2016 at 9:46 pm
April Scott
I can’t wait to read this book! Loved the interview as well.
April 9, 2016 at 10:11 pm
barbarabockman
I love the format of this interview, both innovative and informative. The book looks and sounds like lots of fun.
April 9, 2016 at 10:29 pm
Cinzia
Great interview! Loved hearing the insights, and I can’t wait to see the book!
April 9, 2016 at 10:34 pm
Janet Frenck Sheets
It’s always fascinating to hear how writers get their ideas. I love the wedding dress story! Also, it makes me happy to read about an illustrator from Alaska. (I live in Fairbanks.)
April 9, 2016 at 11:16 pm
Christine
Loved reading about where the idea for this book came from and the points on marketing!
April 9, 2016 at 11:18 pm
Cathy
What a perfect pair to collaborate on this book. It looks like so much fun. I just read the first few pages on Amazon. Love the words and the art.
April 9, 2016 at 11:26 pm
Christine
Loved the interviews, especially about where the story idea came from and the marketing points. Thanks for sharing!
April 9, 2016 at 11:27 pm
Judy Sobanski
Great post. I love getting insights from writers and illustrators about their own personal experiences and how those experiences influence their work.
April 9, 2016 at 11:55 pm
Christie Wright Wild
Very cool interview!
April 10, 2016 at 12:22 am
Melissa Stoller
What a treat! Thanks for this fabulous double interview chock full of practical and inspirational tidbits! I look forward to reading the book.
April 10, 2016 at 4:02 am
lindamartinandersen
Us interviewing us. What a fun way to approach an interview. I loved the insights shared. Thanks!
April 10, 2016 at 8:09 am
Andria Rosenbaum
I loved hearing from both sides of this fabulous creative team! Congratulations on your beautiful, FUN book!!
April 10, 2016 at 8:40 am
nicole
Can’t wait to pick up this book for my kids! Great interview!
April 10, 2016 at 10:10 am
Natalie Rompella
This was a wonderful post! I know many authors/illustrators don’t get to meet/talk, so this was awesome.
April 10, 2016 at 11:18 am
Lotus Ivak
Amazing post! Thank you Tara!
April 10, 2016 at 1:02 pm
Carolyn Rohrbaugh
Author and illustrator seem to be a great team.
April 10, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Lucky Jo Boscarino
Cutting art notes sounds as painful as cutting off a finger. You could say it takes shear willpower!
April 10, 2016 at 2:39 pm
cocktailfridays
What a lovely insight into the creative process between you to develop your amazing book. So inspiring to me on my own little journey to create my first picture book with my friend and first time illustrator. Thank you
April 10, 2016 at 3:04 pm
Patricia
Great interviews! LUV’d them :>) You must have been a teenie, weenie, tiny, one to ride on top of a barn cat :>)
April 10, 2016 at 3:22 pm
Sharan
Thanks for the insights of this impressive duo. Wishing you both a world of success and look forward to all the beauty and humor you bring into this arena called childhood, where we all profit!
April 10, 2016 at 4:33 pm
Margaret Greanias
Thanks for your insights. I love hearing the thought that goes into picture books. Very inspiring.
April 10, 2016 at 4:43 pm
pepb16416
I enjoyed your self-interview. My parents’ NO was to dancing lessons. They said since I am the oldest, it would set a precedent they could not afford. But I danced anyway. Now I write. Thanks for the tips.
April 10, 2016 at 6:13 pm
Tracy Molitors
Thanks to both of you for the insights and tips. Really enjoyed the interviews!
April 10, 2016 at 7:06 pm
Lisa Riddiough
This is a wonderful post. Thanks so very much.
April 11, 2016 at 2:05 am
Megan Higginson
How exciting. I love hearing about illustrator’s journey on the road to publication, and beyond. As well, as all the many ideas and processes that go into telling the story in illustrations, and launch party’s.
April 11, 2016 at 8:52 am
Tonya Lippert
I love giveaways, too, and liked hearing parts of the story behind the story.
April 11, 2016 at 9:34 am
Veronika Magali-Marosy
Omgomgomgomg!
Fun interview and congratulations for both of you! It sounds like a very intriguing story 😀
I’d love to hear what this dynamic duo has to say about my manuscript, so fingers crossed!
April 11, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Gregory E Bray
Great interview! I’ll have to pick this up for my son. =)
April 11, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Rebecca Van Slyke
What a fun co-interview! And a fabulous give-away, too!
Now, if you’ll just look at this shiny bauble at the end of this string, I’ll help you pick the winner…
April 11, 2016 at 3:04 pm
Kassy Keppol
Thank you for sharing
April 11, 2016 at 9:40 pm
K.A.Steed
Great article/interview. Thank you!
April 12, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Stephen Sugg
Discussion of the budget-related issues was especially helpful!
Thanks.
April 13, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Sandy Lowe
This sounds like a really unusual subject for a picture book. Can’t wait to read it!
April 13, 2016 at 5:02 pm
aliciaminor
When authors and illustrators meet, the end result is always a success! Congrats and I love the idea of hypnosis.
April 14, 2016 at 8:35 am
andrekhrisna
Love the draft illustrations!
Any suggestion on writer who can’t do school visit like me? 😉
April 14, 2016 at 6:56 pm
Brenda Harris
Very cool (loved the post). I’m curious to read the book, the illustrations are beautifully done and the story is very interesting. 🙂
April 15, 2016 at 3:28 pm
Natalie Lynn Tanner
Catherine and Sarita: I LOVED reading your interview of of one another! I CAN’T WAIT to read Hypnosis Harry! The idea is original and the illustrations are captivating!!!! You’ve created a WINNER!!! THANK YOU for sharing your talents and insights!
April 17, 2016 at 4:47 am
Linda Hofke
This is such a great interview. I like how you included personal stories/memories as well as the usual writer/illustrator information. It makes it so much more fun to read. Not everyone does that in interviews, they just stick to the business stuff.
The illustrations look nice and the story sounds interesting. Seems like the two of you make a great team. Congrats!
April 18, 2016 at 9:16 am
elle kwan
Oh my gosh you guys are hilarious and insightful and therefore perfectly inspirational after a pretty long day!
April 19, 2016 at 11:58 am
Nora Holt
i collect and write children’s stories, have to get this one! thanks for letting me know about it. nora holt
April 20, 2016 at 12:30 pm
Sheri Rad
I love your ideas for this picture book. I had never thought of hypnosis. I wish I could hypnotize my own kids to do chores. I love your interviews, too. I can envision lots of fun hypnosis discussions in your school visits. I would have loved to hypnotize the hard kids in my classes just till 3:30 every day. Congrats will be looking for your book.
April 20, 2016 at 1:29 pm
laura516
What a fun interview! I love hearing how stories and their illustrations came to be. You make a great team!
May 2, 2016 at 4:27 pm
rgstones
This looks fun. Can’t wait to read Hypnosis Harry and would love to win a critique! 🙂