Birth Stories for Books: TURKEY ON THE RUN!, by Alayne Kay Christian

Howdy readers! Get ready to gobble up a Birth Stories for Books interview that's stuffed to the brim with helpful info and inspiration. My guest is Alayne Kay Christian, author of the fabulously funny picture book, TURKEY ON THE RUN! (illustrated by Neha Rawat, published by Flamingo Books, Penguin Random House, Sept 29, 2026). 

by  Alayne Kay Christian and Neha Rawat

Alayne's interview includes heaps of behind-the-scenes details (she even shares some 'before and afters' of the text she originally put on the page and the text that made it into the book). So let's get to it!

Dawn Prochovnic: Welcome to the blog, Alayne. As I recall, we first "met" via a picture book launch group back in 2021, and then we collaborated on a few educational posts for your excellent blog. I learned back then that you have an affection for weeds (The Weed that Woke Christmas), and I have an affection for dandelions(Lucy's Blooms) AND NOW you have a new book baby: TURKEY ON THE RUN! I'm  eager to learn more about your path to publication for this very fun book.

I'd like to start by learning about the inspiration that sparked the idea for this story, and the process and timeframe between your initial idea for the book and the story that was formulated fully enough to submit to an agent or editor. (I especially love the hilarious refrain, "Run, run, run as fast as you can. You won't catch me for your roasting pan!" and I'd love to hear if there was a memorable moment when that line came to you!)

Alayne Kay Christian: First, thank you for inviting me to your blog. And congratulations on your forthcoming book Mama’s Home (and Baby Too!). It sounds and looks adorable.

Now for my first answer: The inspiration for Turkey On the Run! came to me over twenty years ago. I used to have a hobby where I made and sold greeting cards. I had a Thanksgiving one where it had a turkey running around frantically trying to convince people to eat ham or pizza. Or maybe think of their health and start a vegetarian diet. I always thought that was so funny, and it stuck with me. 

Now, that I look at the card, I kind of wish I had added pizza as a food—perhaps veggie pizzas only, since the story inadvertently became perfect for vegetarians and pescatarians.

When I looked back at my first sh***y draft, I found that the fun refrain was there from day one, so I’m thinking it might have played a big role in my inspiration. I initially had “Run, run as fast as you can” and Claire Tattersfield, my editor at Flamingo, added a third run. “Run, run, run as fast as you can.”

Interior image from Turkey on the Run, by  Alayne Kay Christian and Neha Rawat

From what I can find, the first draft was written on November 28, 2014. The final draft, before the offer, was written around June 5, 2024. So, I worked on it on and off for nearly ten years!

DP: Wow! That's a story of devotion. I'm so glad you stuck with it. It's such a fantastic read-aloud! 

AKC: The process/timeline went a bit like the following:

First draft Nov. 2014

Worked on it several times in 2015 and went through a few rounds with my critique group. I also got a positive response from agent Stephen Fraser, which I found encouraging. 

I only worked on it once in 2016 and then didn’t touch it again until December 2019 with a file name “still working on it Turkey Trot.” 

It sat there until April of 2022 when I revisited it with a new critique group.

I stepped away from writing in 2023 because of health issues. But in 2024, once the health issues were resolved, and I had regained my strength, Turkey Trot called to me once in again.

On February 22, 2024, I pitched the story on #PBPitch Twitter, and my now agent, Jackie Kruzie, who I happened to also know, emailed me and asked to see it! 

Following is the pitch: 

“Reimagining THE GINGERBREAD MAN a clever turkey escapes the roasting pan & runs from one establishment to another trying to convince patrons to eat anything but turkey. But when a growing parade of pursuers corners Turkey, he needs more than words to save his neck. Humor #PBPitch”

Jackie loved the story and asked to see more of my work, which she also liked. Finally, in March of 2024, fourteen years after I parted ways with my previous agent, I got an offer of representation! It was meant to be. 

In June 2024, Jackie mentioned my TURKEY TROT SURPRISE story to Claire Tattersfield, the editor at Flamingo Books, and she said she would like to see it. By July, the offer had been completed and a contract was on its way.

DP: thank you for sharing this, Alayne! What a story of persistence, dedication, and a dash of good fortune! 

When you compare one of your earliest drafts of this story to the version in the published book, what stands out for you in terms of what is most different? Likewise, is there anything in particular that stands out that was included in your earliest drafts and survived the revision process?

AKC: The difference between my first draft and final draft are night and day. The first draft was VERY wordy with a more traditional storytelling style. I think one of the huge things I noticed going back to the first draft was there was a great deal of stage direction and extensive detail. Following the original Gingerbread Man story, there were other refrains that took up a lot of word count. And there wasn’t really any rhyme, and what rhyme I did include was not good. One thing that changed along the way, was that I added the rhyme, but not until after I took Renée M. LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab course in 2015. It took me until recently to really start getting the hang of this rhyme thing. But had I not taken her course, I never would have even tried. Or I would have tried and not realized how bad my rhyme was.

I think the best way to show how much the story changed from first draft to final story is to share the beginning from the first draft and the beginning from the final version. Any errors are left intentionally, since it was a first draft. The first draft took 180 words to get to the refrain. The final version took only 51 words to get to the refrain. Oh! And the first version talks about killing the turkey . . . what?!

FIRST DRAFT

Once upon a time, there were a little old woman and a little of man who lived in a condo in a great big city. The little old woman planned a lovely Thanksgiving dinner. She decided to roast a tasty turkey. But only the freshest turkey would do, so the little old woman sent the little old man out to the country to trap a great big turkey. 

Later that day, the little old man returned with a plump, perky turkey. But who would kill the turkey?

“It is my job to stuff it and roast it,” said the little old woman. “I’m not killing it.”

“It is my job to trap it,” said the little old man. “I’m not killing it.”

And while the two of them squabbled, the turkey gobbled and wobbled away shouting, “Don’t eat me!”

“He’s getting away!” shouted the little old woman trotted after the turkey with the little old man following behind. But the turkey ran too fast for them. 

“Stop, stop!” cried the little old woman. But the turkey ran even faster, chanting,

Run, run as fast as you can

You can't catch me

For your roasting pan!

DP: How kind and helpful of you to share this first draft alongside the final version (below), Alayne. It's so beneficial to see what it looks like to simply get words on the page, and then to see what a meaningful difference revisions can make. (And wowza-- not only did the first draft make mention of killing the turkey ... it was a key discussion point! Talk about stakes! ; )

FINAL VERSION

Turkey was out for his morning run when—

BAM!

He trotted right into a trap.

“You’re just what my wife ordered,” the old man said.

[Puts Turkey in the truck. Cut from country to city and a welcome sign]

WELCOME TO GOBBLE GROVE

“What a perfectly perky turkey,” the wife said. “We would like to invite you to—”

Before she could finish, Turkey zoomed away faster than a lightning bolt.

“Run, run, run as fast as you can.

You won't catch me

for your roasting pan!”

Things that remained from the first to final versions are the basic plot line, many of the original characters and establishments. Though, some got cut and some got added. Of course, the “Run, run, run” refrain remained from beginning to end. However, I did try several bad variations before settling on it. Following are just a few. As you might have noticed the first draft said, “You can’t catch me.” But the final version says “You won’t catch me.”

Chase me and run as fast as you can,

but you’ll never get me in a pan.

Chase me and run as fast as you can,

you can’t catch me

I’m the turkey man. (Turkey man? What was I thinking?)

Chase me and run as fast as you can,

You can’t get me

In a turkey roast pan

Run, run as fast as you can

You can’t catch me

For your big roasting pan

Run, run as fast as you can

You won’t get me

In your turkey roast pan

I must have loved the line, “They zipped into the dining room, zig-zagged around tables, and darted out the door.” because it is one of the few things that was in the first draft and the final.

Interior image from Turkey on the Run, by  Alayne Kay Christian and Neha Rawat

DP: What a fun detail (and how rewarding to go back to the beginning and uncover that detail!)

AKC: Originally, the ending had an appearance made by the Gingerbread Man himself when all the character’s attention turned to him from a bakery scene, which allowed Turkey to escape. Eventually, the ending ended up being similar to what it is in the published book. But I have to say, I was thrilled when my agent Jackie and I sat down and brainstormed a new ending and made some other fun tweaks. I think we added even more humor, and we created a nice “must watch the illustrations” twist that I love.

DP: OH my goodness, Alayne. What a helpful montage this is with before and afters. Thank you again for sharing this!  

I'd also love to learn more about how you went about infusing this story with humor--and if you have tips and/or resources for other book creators that want to lean into humor (me!!), I'm all ears! 

AKC: That’s a tough one. I’m still trying to figure out the humor thing myself. I think the basic concept alone is funny. A turkey working so hard to get people to eat anything but turkey? Pretty funny in my opinion. But I think Turkey’s misunderstanding is funny. And the part where the reader gets to see why each character is joining the chase in the illustrations is funny. So, kids are in on the secret. The idea that the little old lady isn’t carrying around turkey parts in her bag is funny. Turkey’s misreading of the Turkey trot is funny. Readers know what Turkey doesn’t know. Also, there is a bit of tongue-in-cheek at the end when Turkey’s place of honor looks a bit more like a dinner platter than a seat. And of course, Turkey’s imagination related to his demise is funny, too. I could go on and on, but I won’t. I will add that I think Neha Rawat’s fantastic illustrations amped up the humor tremendously. I am very grateful for the pairing. 

Interior image from Turkey on the Run, by  Alayne Kay Christian and Neha Rawat

Interior image from Turkey on the Run, by  Alayne Kay Christian and Neha Rawat

DP: The book is very, very funny. Text, illustrations, and the magic of the pairing! Brava, brava!!

Reflecting on the journey from idea to published book, are there any individuals, experiences, or opportunities that you credit with opening the door for you to bring this story to publication? (I'd especially love to hear about your experience submitting to/working with Sylvie Frank -- I don't think I'm alone in saying she's top on my list of editors I dream of working with!)

AKC: Sylvie is one of my dream editors as well. But Sylvie is not the editor for Turkey On the Run!. She moved to Flamingo around the time that my editor, Claire Tattersfield, moved fulltime to Viking. Claire used to be editor for both Flamingo and Viking. Claire has been the absolute best to work with. She is super approachable. But most of all, I think she might be even more excited about our book than me, ha, ha. If that were possible. And she gets excited about each step of the journey which I love. She has championed it from day one and continues to do so.

DP: I'm so glad you CLAIRE-ified things for me! ; ) I'd thought I'd read somewhere that Sylvie had acquired the manuscript--Claire sounds like a dream to work with as well!

AKC: I definitely credit my agent, Jackie Kruzie, for opening the door to publication. I truly believe that without her, this story would have never achieved publication. And of course, Claire for falling in love with it and convincing the acquisitions team that it is a winner. I don’t think any of my stories would have a chance without my fabulous critique partners and friends. Pardon me as I list a few names, Donna Congelosi, Carrie Finison, Diane Tulloch, Hannah Holt, Tina Cho, and Vivian Kirkfield.

DP: That sounds like a dream team of critique partners, too! 

Who do you see as the ideal reader for this book and/or what would you love to hear a bookseller or librarian say as they hand-sell this book?

AKC: Oh, that’s another tough one. Most of all, I believe the ideal readers are children. But then parents, teachers, and librarians because they are often the ones that help get fun books in front of children. I don’t think the bookseller would have to say anything about the vibrantly active and fun illustrations. The cover alone speaks to that. I think beside stressing what a fun read it is, I think a bookseller might talk about the subtle message that things aren’t always what they seem. They might also talk about the opportunities the book offers to practice observation skills and open discussions about why Turkey and the other characters in the book might be thankful in the end, which could segue into discussing what the readers are thankful for. I think the vegetarian and pescatarian possibilities might be an interesting angle for a bookseller. I really didn’t see it until my writing friend Donna Congelosi and her daughters noticed it (they are vegetarians) and then some reviews on Goodreads have already mentioned it. So, that one took me by surprise because as I mentioned earlier it wasn’t done intentionally, but I kind of like it.  

Interior image from Turkey on the Run, by  Alayne Kay Christian and Neha Rawat

I love all the text in Penguin Random House’s promotional text, but I would love to hear booksellers say, the following which is part of that text. “Told in bouncy, rhyming verse that fans of The Gingerbread Man will gobble right up, this spirited twist on the traditional holiday tale is stuffed with humor, heart, and holiday cheer.”

A hilarious and wholly original Thanksgiving book, destined to become a holiday classic!

DP: What a delicious feast for young readers! 

What would be your dream review for this book? Who would this review be from? And where would this review be published or posted? 

AKC: How about the New York Times as part of it being a New York Times best seller? A woman can dream, right?

DP: Indeed!! 

One of my favorite parts of being an author is connecting with young readers at school, library, and bookstore visits, and I’m always looking for fresh tips. Do you have any pro tips or suggestions for fellow author/presenters in terms of planning successful (in-person and/or remote) book-related events? 

AKC: That is not something I have focused on as of yet. However, I can recommend a Facebook group that I think is valuable in getting started and learning more about school visit, called: Create Engaging School Visits. 

DP: That's a great resource, Alayne. Thanks.  It reminds me of another FB Group resource: Kim Norman's Cool School Visits. 

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your pre-published self? Or, said another way, what do you know now, that you wished you would have known a bit earlier?

AKC: I have so many things. One thing that always comes immediately to mind is don’t be in a hurry. When I look back at work I submitted years ago, I realize I needed much more time to mature as a children’s author. On the other hand, you do need to submit at some point. That’s how we learn. In preparation for submitting, I would say good critique groups are a must. Not only to help you learn more and more about your craft, you also get to develop a tough skin. The tougher the skin, the easier the submission path. I’ll just add one more and then stop.

When you read picture books to learn about picture book writing, it is important to do more than read them. I spent my first couple of years reading around 100 – 200 picture books a month. The problem was that I didn’t know why I was reading them. I truly thought I was going to pick it all up by osmosis. It didn’t happen. I could tell which ones I liked and which I didn’t like. But I couldn’t tell you why. Taking Susannah Hill’s Picture Book Magic course gave me enough information that I started understanding the parts of the stories I needed to study more. Doing critiques also helped me see what I needed to study more because I was driven to explain what I was seeing that wasn’t working in other people’s manuscripts, and I couldn’t do that without clear examples and understanding it myself. The more you can dissect picture books as you grow as a writer, the more you will understand. It takes a long time to “get” it all. I’m still studying and probably always will. It is amazing how something so seemingly simple as a 300–500-word book is so extremely complicated, but there are a lot of important components to making it all work. Sometimes, the less words, the harder. There is a reason it can take ten years to get some picture books submission ready.

DP: Yes, and yes! Such important insights, Alayne. Thank you!

Do you have anything you’d like to tell us about what you’re currently working on?

AKC: I am patiently waiting for the announcement of my next book, which is 100% rhyme. I can’t wait!!!!

DP: How exciting! I can't wait to hear more about it!

AKC: I am a prolific writer, so I always have a lot of pans in the fire. Since I joined a rhyming critique group, I am forced to always have some rhyming stories on hand for my turn to submit a story. And I love that. Rhyming is heaven to me! I have a million ideas in my Storystorm files, but what I find interesting is when I am struck with an idea that I must write, that is where I always go. And I seldom have to search my list for my next idea. I also like to pull out old stories to consider through my more-experienced author’s eyes and then see what I might turn them into. Finally, I have been trying my hand at graphic novels, which is interesting and a bit scary. 

DP: It sounds like your hands are indeed full! 

What is the best way for readers to get in touch with you or learn more about your books?

AKC: You can find links to many of the places you can buy Turkey On the Run! on the Penguin Random House website here.

It is available for preorder and will be released on September 29.

For An Old Man and His Penguin and The Weed That Woke Christmas, if you want a more affordable option, you can get the softcover on Amazon. The hardcovers are available through most online book stores.

DP: Thanks so much for sharing your Birth Story for TURKEY ON THE RUN! with us, Alayne! 

AKC: Thank you for having me! I’m super excited. After big disappointments with a small publisher, I am over the moon to be working with Flamingo and Penguin Random House. I can’t wait to hold the book in my hands. To see Neha’s illustrations and my words will be a dream! 

DP: I'm so happy for you! 

AKC: You can find downloadable classroom companion teacher guides for Turkey On the Run! here . There are questions for students related to comprehension, observation, inference, etc. There are vocabulary worksheets and puzzles, contrast and compare Venn diagrams and T-charts, writing and drawing exercise, sequencing worksheets, crafts and much more. I am gradually adding more companions to the web page, so teachers should keep checking back. I expect to get some worksheets and coloring sheets for the youngest readers in the near future. 

DP: Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

And now, dear readers, you know what to do. The best way to thank an author whose insights have been helpful and/or inspiring to you is to support their work. Buy their books. Request them from your library. Read and share them with others. TURKEY ON THE RUN! is available everywhere books are borrowed and sold, including your own local, indie bookstore, or online at bookshop.org. *Disclosure: As an affiliate of Bookshop.org I may earn a small commission from books purchased through links on this post. 

**********

Alayne Kay Christian is a former acquisitions editor, an award-winning children’s book author, and a picture book writing mentor/teacher. Her top published picture books are . . .

Image supplied by the author

Turkey on the Run!

An Old Man and His Penguin: How Dindim Made João Pereira de Souza an Honorary Penguin

The Weed That Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Story of the Toledo Christmas Weed.

Born in the Rockies, raised in Chicago, and now a true-blue Texan, Alayne’s writing shares her creative spirit, the kinship to nature and humanity that reside within her heart, and a bit of her funny bone.

Alayne is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She has studied picture book and chapter book writing under some of the top names in children's literature. Alayne teaches a picture book writing course Art of Arc: How to Analyze Your Picture Book Manuscript (deepen your understanding of picture books written with a classic arc). In addition, she shares her knowledge with writers through free and affordable webinars and she is available for school visits and speaking engagements. 

To learn more about Alayne visit her websites and blog at . . . 

https://alaynekaychristianauthor.com/

Art of Arc http://www.alaynekaychristian.com/contact.html

Blog https://alaynekaychristian.wordpress.com/

You can find Alayne on social media at . . .

X @alayne_kay

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alaynekay.christian

Blue Sky @alaynekaychristian.bsky.social

My Facebook Author’s Page: https://www.facebook.com/AlayneKayChristianAuthor/

My Amazon Author’s Page: https://amazon.com/author/alayne_kay_christian

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1933927.Alayne_Kay_Christian

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY6yndWtpXwX6CIRoFi7X4g

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

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alayne-kay-christian/12/168/525/

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Birth Stories for Books is an occasional feature of of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of multiple picture books including, Lucy's Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series, and the forthcoming title, Mama's Home (and Baby Too!). Dawn is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud, and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com. Subscribe to Dawn's newsletter and never miss an update.

The Book Birthday Part of the Writing Life

Well what do you know? It's here, it's here, it's finally here! The loooong awaited book birthday for Mama's Home (and Baby Too!)—the sweet little story that took over 20 years to become a book—is here! 

by Dawn Babb Prochovnic and Adèle Dafflon, Published by Familius

As I've noted in previous posts, I'll be celebrating in-person at a variety of locations throughout the Portland metro area, beginning with a book launch celebration at 11am TODAY (Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026) at Green Bean Books! Come join in for a baby shower themed book event! 

I'll also be stopping by various blogs and podcasts for guest posts and interviews over the next several weeks. Vivian Kirkfield is hosting me for a Book Birthday post TODAY, where I share the long and winding road on the path to publication for this book, and that the first iteration of this story was a poem inspired by watching my young son play at our local children's museum, (PLUS a childhood pic!).

Interestingly, the version of the story (and there were many!) that was eventually picked up for publication, is the book I would have loved to have in hand when our family was preparing for the arrival of said son. 

I was so excited that our family was growing, but I was also worried about how the transition would be experienced by our daughter. Most (if not all) of the "sibling" books that I found at the time (and still now) focused on the sibling relationship and/or the challenges and changes that would happen with the arrival of a new sibling. 

I wished I'd had a book that focused on the mother/child bond. A book that would have conveyed to my daughter (and my own mama heart) that while our family was about to grow and change, the most important things, such as my love for her, would hold true. 

I also wanted a book that focused less on the myriad of interruptions and disruptions to family life that were to be expected with the arrival of a new baby, and more on the familiarity and consistency of joyful family life that would continue to be shared into the future. Simple, precious things like going to the park, blowing bubbles, eating special breakfasts together on the weekends, snuggling close to share stories--all would continue to be an important part of our lives.   

I went into labor very early in the morning on the day our son was born. I called my mom, who was the appointed person to come and stay with our daughter so my husband and I could head to the hospital to meet our new baby. 

While I waited for my mom to arrive, I remember sitting on the edge of our daughter's bed while she was still sleeping, speaking to her softly. I remember saying, "There's a big storm coming your way, little one," then offering reassurances that my love for her was deep and true. That my heart was big enough for more. That my lap and my arms were big enough for more. And that we would learn how to be a family of four, together. 

And we did. 

Prochovnic Family Circa 2006

Prochovnic Family Circa 2024

There wasn't a book I could share with her at the time that tenderly conveyed those words in my heart. Now there is. 

A book that both of my kids unknowingly contributed to in countless ways. A book about the bond between parent and child, set to the backdrop of joyful family life and childhood play. The kind of family life my husband and I aimed to create in our own home. 

One of my favorite reviews for Mama's Home (and Baby Too!) comes from Dr. Sheila Modir via her DrSheilasBookshelf on Instagram.  She says in part:

"There are so many great books focused on the anticipation and arrival of a new sibling, but I've never come across a book that is focused on the MAMA coming home from the hospital after delivering a baby!

There's the countdown of the days and the boredom of the chores and the nervousness of what's to come and the joy of the reunion. So many BIG feelings this book prepares children for!"

Welcome to the world, sweet, new baby book of mine. I'm so glad you're here.  

The Book Events Part of the Writing Life

Wowie! Can you tell I have a new book baby launching soon? Will I ever talk about anything else? Maybe. But in the meantime, I have book events to plan and prepare for!

I have several events coming up in the Portland area over the next few weeks to celebrate the October 13, 2026 release of Mama's Home (and Baby Too!). 

The graphic below gives a run-down on confirmed events, and more events are in the pipeline:

My current schedule is always posted on the upcoming events tab on my website.

Here's a rundown of what's coming up in the next few weeks and months, with links and details:

Green Bean Books

Sibling Themed Storytime 

and Welcome New Book Baby Celebration!

A Book Launch Event for

Mama's Home (and Baby Too!)

Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026, 11AM 

Garden Home Community Library

Meet the Author Special Event 

Featuring Mama's Home (and Baby Too!)

Thursday, Oct 15, 2026, 5PM

A Children's Place Bookstore

Friday Storytime 

Featuring Mama's Home (and Baby Too!)

Friday, Oct 16, 2026, 10:30AM 

Thirsty Caterpillar Experiential Bookstore

Siblings are Special Storytime*

Featuring Mama's Home (and Baby Too!)

Saturday, Oct 17, 2026, 11AM 

*Ticketed Event

West Slope Community Library

Meet the Author Special Event and Book Signing

Featuring Mama's Home (and Baby Too!)

Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026, 11AM 

Washington School for the Deaf

Story Time and Author Q & A 

in Celebration of National Novel Writing Month

Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 10AM

BOLD Coffee & Books

Siblings are Special Storytime

Featuring Mama's Home (and Baby Too!)

Saturday, Nov 21, 2026, 11AM 

Author's & Artist's Fair

Benefitting Lane Library League

Lane Events Center, Eugene 

Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10AM -5PM

Get in touch if you'd like to invite me for a visit at your location.

Read more about The Writing Life, here on my blog.

Subscribe to my newsletter, Resources for My Readers, and never miss an update! 

Disclosure: As an affiliate of Bookshop.org, I may earn a small commission from books purchased through links on this post. (Full disclosure...as of this writing, I haven't earned any yet, lol!) 

The Blog Tour Part of the Writing Life Returns (with Podcasts!)

Back in 2019, I created a blog entry for The Writing Life series, entitled, The Blog Tour Part of the Writing Life, which I've kept updated with links to various interviews and guest posts that I've participated in on other authors' websites, newsletters, and blogs.

With a new book coming out in October, I've returned more actively to the blog tour scene, and I thought it would be worthwhile to refresh this post with a new landing page.  As of this writing, I have TEN blog appearances in the pipeline (both interviews and guest posts) and several scheduled podcast appearances—a new adventure for me. I hope you'll follow along! 

You can still access all of the older posts on the original landing page if you're interested in tracing my full history as an author (or have a specific interest in my potty humor books, sign language books, Lucy's Blooms, or my original path to publication), but in case you're most interested in more current news, the links in this post will give you the full story-behind-the-story on my latest publications, including, Mama's Home (and Baby Too!), the 95-word story that took over 20 years to become a book! 

As with the earlier summary post, I'll keep this page updated as new guest posts and interviews are added. 

Already out:

9/8/26:  Mary Boone's 6 Questions (where I share the best piece of advice a mentor has given to me) 

10/8/26:  Joyce Uglow's uGROnews (where I share the types of imaginative play I engaged in as a child)

10/12/26: Jena Benton's Simply 7 (where I share my favorite illustrations in Mama's Home (and Baby Too!)

10/13/26: Vivian Kirkfield's Book Birthday Post (where you'll see childhood photos with my younger sister.)

Laura Sassi Tales (where I share 10 tips for welcoming home a new puppy sibling)

A Storied World (where I share ways in which I've seen the publishing industry change over the past 20 years)

Pat Brown Books (where I share one piece of advice for writers just starting out--and my turkey meatloaf recipe!)

More Coming Soon!

Oct Date TBD: Becky Walker Books' Take 5 (where I share five fun/quirky facts about my childhood self)

11/4/26:  24 Carrot Writing (where I share nine ideas for book-related resources that will feel like a gift to your readers) 

11/14/26: KidLit411 (where I host a GIVEAWAY!)

11/23/26: April Berry's Picture Book Postcard blog series (where a character from my story writes a note to YOU!)

But wait. There's more! 

As mentioned above, I'm also participating in some podcast interviews and other video-based chats. The recording dates have been scheduled for most of these, but the live dates aren't locked in quite yet. Stay tuned for details!

Helping Families Be Happy Podcast, hosted by Christopher Robbins, CEO and Co-Founder of Familius, the publisher of Mama's Home (and Baby Too!). Follow wherever you get your podcasts, including YouTube and Apple.  

Reading with Your Kids Podcast, hosted by Jed Doherty, aka, Jedlie.  

Turning Back the Pages Podcast, hosted by Ally Castaldo (where I'll talk about creativity and living the creative life. Coming Nov 18).

Video Chat with Author Kathy MacMillan (where we'll share some great books for winter baby showers)

Video Chat with Author Tracy Gold (where we'll discuss tips for welcoming home a new pet OR sibling)

Plus ... I'll drop in media coverage here from time to time, as it happens. Such as:

A feature on Jennifer Tarr's Toddler Teaches Writing blog 

A feature on Willamette Writers Member News 

Watch this space for updates, and for more posts like this, visit The Writing Life series, here on my blog.

Subscribe to my newsletter, Resources for My Readers, and never miss an update! 

Disclosure: As an affiliate of Bookshop.org, I may earn a small commission from books purchased through links on this post. (Full disclosure...as of this writing, I haven't earned any yet, lol!) 

Have Swag, Will Travel: Spicy Kidlit Opinions (That Absolutely Nobody Asked For) by Mary Boone

Dear Readers, here comes an info-packed Have Swag Will Travel guest post with book event insights and experiences from author Mary Boone. Mary has written more than 70 nonfiction books for young readers, so she certainly has a heap of book event experiences to draw from. Her most recent titles include Unfathomable: 20 (Wild but True) Stories of the Sea (Bright Matter/Penguin Random House) and The Flying Feminist (Andersen Press), which is coming out .... soon! 

Take it away, Mary! 

by Mary Boone and Andrea Turk

My Spicy KidLit Opinions (That Absolutely Nobody Asked For)

by Mary Boone

I just had a book's release date delayed – AFTER its release date. If you’ve ever had travel plans derailed after you’ve settled into your seat on the plane, you know the feeling.

So yes, I’m feeling a little spicy.

Which makes this the perfect time to share a few of my kidlit hot takes regarding book activities and swag. Some of these are opinions I’ve held for years. Others have developed after countless school visits, bookstore events, library programs, conferences, and festivals.

Agree. Disagree. Tell me I have no idea what I’m talking about. That’s half the fun.

1. Coloring sheets are not crafts.

I know that this one may be controversial, but I said what I said. I believe if you’re invited to lead a story and craft time at a bookstore or library, the craft needs be something, well … crafty!

Don’t get me wrong. Coloring has its place. It’s calming. It’s inexpensive. It’s easy. It buys parents five peaceful minutes while they finish their coffee. But it’s also something most kids do ALL.THE.TIME. 

If your event promises a craft, build a paper airplane, fold an origami raccoon, or create a shark with a moving jaw. Fold, tape, experiment, invent.

Kids probably won’t remember which crayon they used to color a fish, but they’ll remember that you taught them a technique or exposed them to craft materials they’ve never used before. 

2. The best book crafts are going to require prep work.

Want booksellers, librarians, and parents to be wowed by how easily preschoolers were able to create adorable book-related crafts? The key is pre-planning and, perhaps, a bit of prep work.

As a parent I was never keen on crafts that required me to lug around mosaics covered in drippy glue or clay masterpieces that may never harden, I love a craft that can be FINISHED in just a couple of minutes. No waiting. No dry time. Just finish and go. That means, that double-stick tape with an adhesive backing has become my best friend. (Here’s a link to the one I’ve been using.) 

I started using this tape with the fish kites we made in conjunction with my book School of Fish. 

I knew kids would love decorating their fish and choosing their crepe paper streamers, but also I knew families would hate the mess of liquid glue or even glue sticks. A couple strips of double stick tape proved to be such a great solution, I’ve used it with many book projects since, and I’ve also added adhesive-backed googly eyes, adhesive dots, and self-adhesive pin backs to my craft bag. 

While promoting my book Pedal Pusher, I knew that I wanted to help kids create bike drivers’ licenses and I very briefly thought about hauling a small laminating machine to events. Too complicated – too much risk a kid might touch something hot! So, I searched for solutions and found small badge-size lamination pouches that required no heat and no machine. All this is to say there often are products out there that will make things easier.

Craft prep may also mean that I pre-cut ribbons or punch holes. Kids still get to choose colors and styles, but I do whatever I can to simplify the process and minimize the mess. “Engineering” crafts that are fun, easy, and memorable is now one of my favorite things. 

3. People don’t want stickers advertising your book.

That giant sticker of your book cover? Your mom may put it on her laptop, but most folks won’t.  A funny shark wearing sunglasses? A cricket accompanied by the proclamation “I Ate a Bug.” Those are the types of stickers that may actually make it onto someone’s water bottle.

The best swag doesn’t feel like advertising. It feels like something people genuinely want. If your sticker can exist independently of your book and still make someone smile, you’ve probably designed a winner.

4. No one has ever thought: I wasn’t going to buy this book … but then I got a sticker/pen/bookmark.

If I have $100 to spend on an event, I’m putting it toward an activity or experience before I buy a single giveaway.

I’ve watched kids taste roasted crickets and build aluminum foil boats to see whose design stays afloat the longest. I’ve invited young readers to fly paper airplanes across a bookstore and to use magnetic poles to “fish” for salmon trivia questions. Months later, those are the moments they tell me about – not the bookmark I gave them.

Experiences become stories. Stories become memories. And those memories become connected to your book in a way a pencil or button almost never will.

5. Bookmarks should earn their keep.

If you decide to create bookmarks (I often do, there’s nothing wrong with doing so!) make sure they’re memorable. If your bookmark is just your book cover printed on cardstock, then it’s basically a tiny flyer.

Give me something fun instead. Include odd facts. Add some jokes or conversation starters. Make it something worth keeping even after they’ve finished the book.

For my newest book, The Flying Feminist, I skipped bookmarks in favor of female aviator trading cards. Could you stick one between the pages of a book? Sure. But you could also trade them with your friends, learning about the amazing accomplishments of women like Betty Skelton, Bessie Coleman, and Katrina Mumaw along the way.

6. Adults love kid swag.

This is only a hot take if you haven’t spent much time around teachers, librarians, booksellers, parents, or conference volunteers.

I have watched fully grown adults light up over stickers. I’ve had librarians ask, “May I have one?” before kids even enter the room. Sometimes I think I’m ordering stickers for educators and kids are simply a delightful bonus. That’s OK. 

Adults are typically the people recommending, purchasing, shelving, and sharing our books. If they leave smiling, it’s a huge win!

7. Swag isn’t absolutely necessary.

Not every title needs branded pencils, temporary tattoos, tote bags, magnets, buttons, activity sheets, postcards, bookmarks, coloring pages, and six different sticker designs.

Sometimes the most memorable thing you can offer is a fantastic read-aloud, an engaging conversation, and a kid who leaves excited to read the book.

That’s pretty great swag.

Wow, Mary! What fantastic tips. I've done hundreds of book events over the years, and I still gained some very valuable ideas and insights! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us!

And now, dear readers, you know what to do. The best way to thank an author whose insights have been helpful and/or inspiring to you is to support their work. Buy their books. Request them from your library. Read and share them with others. Mary's books are available everywhere books are borrowed and sold, including your own local, indie bookstore, or online at bookshop.org. *Disclosure: As an affiliate of Bookshop.org I may earn a small commission from books purchased through links on this post.

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Mary Boone has written more than 70 nonfiction books for young readers,  the most recent of which are Unfathomable: 20 (Wild but True) Stories of the Sea (Bright Matter/Penguin Random House), Flying Feminist (Andersen Press), Pedal Pusher (Henry Holt & Co.), School of Fish (Albert Whitman & Co.), and Bugs for Breakfast (Chicago Review Press). Mary lives in Tacoma, WA, where she shares her office with Airedale terrier named Ruth Bader. To learn more, visit her website or follow her on social media @boonewrites. 

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Have Swag Will Travel: Tips for Planning Book Events is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of multiple picture books including, Lucy's Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series, and the forthcoming title, Mama's Home (and Baby Too!). Dawn is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud, and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com. Subscribe to Dawn's newsletter and never miss an update.

Birth Stories for Books: KAUAI'S CALL, by Jena Benton

Hello, readers! Today, I'm so happy to share an info-packed Birth Stories for Books interview with Jena Benton, author of the sweet picture book, KAUAI'S CALL (illustrated by Kristi Petosa-Sigel, Island Heritage, 2024). 

by Jena Benton and Kristi Petosa-Sigel

Jena's inspiring path to publication involves lots of practice, professional development, perseverance, memory mining, good luck, and more! Let's get to it! 

Dawn Prochovnic: Welcome to the blog, Jena. I've enjoyed getting to know you a bit through our shared involvement in 12x12 and your own blog, and I'm excited to dive in and learn about your path to publication for KAUAI'S CALL.

When you compare one of your earliest drafts of this story to the version in the published book, what stands out for you in terms of what is most different? Likewise, is there anything in particular that stands out that was included in your earliest drafts and survived the revision process?

Jena Benton: Thank you so much for having me on your blog Dawn. I have to laugh at this question, as the very first draft looked nothing like the final product. This story went through SO many revisions and changes from initial idea to final published story. Most different? The main character was a girl based on a memory from my childhood, now it’s a rooster. I was never a rooster! What stayed the same is the problem at the heart of the story: both stories dealt with stage fright. More on that in a minute. ;)

Dawn: I love seeing responses like this. It helps us all to know that the magic is in the revision process! 

Reflecting on the journey from idea to published book, are there any individuals, experiences, or opportunities that you credit with opening the door for you to bring this story to publication? (I'd be particularly interested in hearing how you connected with your publisher, as it seems as if they are the perfect fit for your book!)

Jena: I’m reminded of something I heard Kwame Alexander say at a writing conference: “It was good luck; but luck is what you make of it.” Or something similar. In the end, luck is what ultimately leads to publication, but it’s also right time, right place.

I was digging into picture books (reading them, writing them regularly, etc.) and networking (attending conferences, joining the writing community and making friends, etc.). ALL of this led to the final product. My book wouldn’t have been published if it wasn’t for everything I was doing and everyone I was meeting. It’s a tapestry of support that was woven together. What do I mean by that?

I joined SCBWI and 12x12 to learn more. I attended their conferences and really dug into the craft. I read picture books voraciously (they’re my passion), as well as attempting to write them. Through all of that, I discovered Tara Lazar’s StoryStorm (as it’s now called). One of her prompts led to my initial idea: think of a memorable childhood event and fictionalize it. I immediately thought of a talent contest I had entered, memorizing a poem for weeks, but when it was “show time” I couldn’t utter a single word because of stage fright. I wrote a crappy first draft and revised until I realized it wasn’t quite working as it was based on a faulty premise: someone winning a talent contest. There are no winners in today’s talent contests; it’s a showcase of talent! 

I shelved the story and thought I was done with it, but then came back to it one day. I can’t remember why. I wondered if there as an animal that would be “on stage” and immediately thought of a rooster. That changed the problem of my story’s problem! I set the story in a barnyard with a rooster I called Chauncey. I loved the way his name sounded and was attached to that name for far too long. In fact, I was attached to many aspects for far too long. I had a friend critique it and she was brave enough to tell me it would never sell; there were too many stories of roosters struggling to crow set in a barnyard.

I knew there was part of the story though that really worked. It’s different than your average rooster story because I researched a TON of chicken facts for it. It’s very … chicken-y! Everyone who read it commented on that. So I thought about why I would even want to write a chicken story. WHY chickens? I didn’t own chickens, live on a farm, or collect them. Again, I instantly thought of my honeymoon on Kauai, Hawaii. There were roosters and chickens EVERYWHERE. Our car had been surrounded by them at a pullout by the beach. And I knew I had to change the setting to Hawaii.

Interior spreads from of KAUAI'S CALL by Jena Benton and Kristi Petosa-Sigel

I knew of a Hawaiian publisher because of personal experience. I’d traveled to Hawaii numerous times. Little-known fact: Alaskans love to go there for vacation in winter. And every time I’d gone, I’d purchased Hawaiian picture books for my classroom. Another little-known fact: a lot of Pacific Islanders move to Alaska. I wanted my students to feel “seen” in the books I read to them. It was through that “luck” that I knew of (and dreamed about) this local Hawaiian publisher. I sent the story to them and a year and a half later, they accepted it. So you see, publication of my book was all because of a multitude of people, multiple drafts over several years, and a variety of lucks!

Dawn: Oh, Jena. What an inspiring backstory. I love everything about it. Your perseverance. The courage and honesty of your critique partner. The preparation via professional development opportunities. The memory mining. The letting go of your darlings. It's all there in this one story-behind-the story!  

Who do you see as the ideal reader for this book and/or what would you love to hear a bookseller or librarian say as they hand-sell this book?

Jena: Honestly? There are a variety of audiences! It’s a father-son story so it appeals to the dads out there (one father told me thank you as there weren’t a lot of “dad books” out there). It’s about persistence, and patience which are huge needs in the SEL market. Chicken stories were nonexistent in Hawaii (as far as I could see in the fiction picture book market) so this appeals to the tourists who are amazed at all the chickens running wild in Hawaii (the “jungle fowl” are protected by law). Hawaiian kiddos adore this story because they can “see” themselves in it (the kids I’ve met at school events in Hawaii were thrilled: “I have chickens in my backyard!”). And kiddos in general love it because they totally understand Kauai’s frustration at not being able to do something he wants to do so deeply. I’ve heard so many positive comments that have warmed my heart, but I admit it’s a quiet book that slips under the radar. I’ve never heard a bookseller or librarian hand-sell it. I can’t begin to imagine what they might say.

Dawn: I especially love that you wrote a book that gives you an excellent excuse to return to Hawaii for author visits! 

Speaking of which, one of my favorite parts of being an author is connecting with young readers at school, library, and bookstore visits, and I’m always looking for fresh tips. Do you have any pro tips or suggestions for fellow author/presenters in terms of planning successful (in-person and/or remote) book-related events? 

Jena: Ha! Oh boy. I had a steep learning curve and learned a LOT doing school visits (and bookstore visits). Let’s see. I’ll pick a few things of the top of my head. First, know that if it’s not your thing to public speak, you absolutely don’t have to do it. No one is going to make you. Seriously, I know a lot of writers or illustrators who get stressed out about the thought of doing it because they’re terribly introverted (which is normal for us creatives). So don’t do it. 

Second, know that it’s NOT the same thing as teaching (if you’re a teacher like me). It’s a different kind of presentation than the small intimate setting of a singular classroom (even if you’re presenting in a small classroom). These kids are strangers and don’t have a relationship with you. You won’t be able to “manage” them (like you might as a teacher), but you can come up with techniques that work like classroom management: a game (like a quiet panda we all help feel safe during a presentation), a reward (if you’re quiet for x amount of time, I promise we’ll do y), etc. Just know that the teachers should still be there with you too (you shouldn’t ever be alone) and they should manage the “audience” for you. BUT it helps to have tools for these kinds of things too.

Third, if you feel totally out of your element and don’t know how to even start: look for the webinars (I watched every one I could find and learned SO much in advance of my first school visits), communities (there’s a great Facebook group of authors and illustrators that tries to share advice), etc. Research and learn about the process, just like you did for writing and/or illustrating!

Finally, here’s a small tip I picked up along the way. If you’re bringing your presentations on a thumb drive, tie a giant garish ribbon to it. I got this from another author. She used a red ribbon. It stood out so she never forgot her thumb drive and the owner of the computer never wanted to keep it. I tried it with a special lanyard that clipped onto my thumb drive and it works!

Dawn: Brilliant tips, Jena! (And I especially love that even as a skilled educator, you had to prepare as an author for book events.) Thank you so much! 

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your pre-published self? Or, said another way, what do you know now, that you wished you would have known a bit earlier?

Jena: Your day is coming. I volunteered with SCBWI, interviewed authors and illustrators on my website, and generally worked with a lot of writers and illustrators who were newbies like me. I saw a lot of them get published, but I didn’t. I know this hurts. I hear a lot of beginning writers and illustrators still struggle with this and I’ve known a few to give up. DON’T give up! If you keep working, you will succeed. We create our own luck, remember? 

Image from KAUAI'S CALL by Jena Benton and Kristi Petosa-Sigel

Dawn: Thank you for your positivity and encouragement, Jena. I think a lot of our readers will appreciate this and be bolstered by your words of encouragement. 

Do you have anything you’d like to tell us about what you’re currently working on? 

Jena: I have many stories I’m very excited about right now. I keep writing and revising and subbing. Some of them have nonfiction facts about things that fascinate me (including one dummy I keep subbing), one is a picture book “murder” mystery that makes me giggle hysterically (but I worry it’s too dark for the market), and there are some I have just written that I’m quite pleased with. I’m trying to conquer both the writing and the illustrating of some of them. We’ll see what happens. Time will tell.

Dawn: These projects sound very enticing! I look forward to hearing news about them some day in the future!

What is the best way for readers to stay abreast of your work, get in touch with you or learn more about your book(s)?

Jena: My website, jenabenton.com, leads to all the things (social media, portfolios, school visit info, shops, etc.). That’s the best place to find me. :)

Dawn: Fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing your Birth Story for KAUAI'S CALL with us, Jena! I know it will inspire others to keep working at their craft. I feel inspired myself! 

And now, dear readers, you know what to do. The best way to thank an author whose insights have been helpful and/or inspiring to you is to support their work. Buy their books. Request them from your library. Read and share them with others. KAUAI'S CALL is a sweet and inspiring story that you won't want to miss. It would be an especially great story for a family to read together in preparation for a trip to Hawaii and/or a visit to a farm with chickens and roosters. 

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Photo Credit: Adler Boncher Creative

Jena Benton is an educator and author who grew up on a small island in Southeast Alaska so she is drawn to island life. She also loves to travel and has visited the Hawaiian islands many times over the years. When she is not teaching or writing, you might just find her painting or enjoying the wildlife found in Anchorage, Alaska where she currently lives. You can learn more about her at her website https://jenabenton.com/.

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Birth Stories for Books is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of multiple picture books including, Lucy's Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series, and the forthcoming title, Mama's Home (and Baby Too!). Dawn is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud, and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com. Subscribe to Dawn's newsletter and never miss an update.