This post is in answer to the “What’s it like to be an author?” question I get at school visits. (+ the “How do I launch my picture book?” question I get from #kidlit creators.)
The following is also full of BIG Feelings and endless THANKS to all who helped welcome Squirrel Draws BIG Feelings into the #kidlit world, as well as those who connect young readers with books!
But first: Did you catch Squirrel Draws BIG Feelings on Children’s Book Council /CBC Hot Off the Press?
With rhyming text and dynamic, mixed-media illustrations [Luciana Illustration], Squirrel Draws Big Feelings will help readers understand that even when we don’t have the words to express how we feel, we don’t need to get stuck there. — Beaming Books
Or one of these lovely reviews?
OK Let’s ANSWER those questions.
Q 1. What’s it like to be an author?
Each day my writing life is different and also the same. And each day I’m filled with gratitude that I get to see my crazy ideas (well, most of them) become books.
Every day, my author life includes:
Social media. Yep — It’s part of the job. And NO, it’s not like “it used to be” now that #kidlit communities are scattered and have migrated to different social media sites. Keeping it real: It’s not as easy to connect but it’s worth the effort. I learn a lot from what my #kidlit colleagues, including teachers & librarians, post. Word of caution: Please don’t use social media merely to plug your own books or honestly, to vent or trash others. (Please do call a friend if you’re having a no-good day.) Try lifting up other #kidlit creators and their recent books. We’re all in this together.
Waiting. Speaking of Keeping it real…At school visits, I share that when I was a kid, the second I turned in my assignment, I wanted to know, What’d I get?”
When I ask how many in the audience need to know their grade right away, so many hands are raised.
The good news to students reading this: Your teacher most likely gets back to you quicker than #kidlit editors respond to a manuscript an author submits. Agents are equally swamped. Keeping it real: Even if you have an agent, you are not the only “kid” in the family. And if you’re waiting for an editor, imagine what their inbox looks like! They are not “ghosting” you. They have lives too. Like I said: We’re all in this together.
WAITING is real. Right now I’m happily waiting for edits on a new can’t-share-yet book coming out in 2027. And I’ve just signed a contract for a picture book coming in 2028 (!) which I can’t WAIT to move forward on. Both these contracts came after many moons of waiting, friends.
Full disclosure: I am an Aries. We are not good at waiting. And Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie are right: Waiting isn’t Easy!
So what do I do when I’m waiting?
Write: If I am waiting to hear back from an editor or my wonderful agent (who is ALSO waiting to hear back from editors!), I write something else–like this blog post. I work on another manuscript. Or I switch gears and write plays for high school theater students to perform at festivals and showcases. (See Uproar Theatrics.)
Exercise. Hahaha, Did you really believe me there? OK –yeah, I have full intentions of getting some form of exercise every day, but —keeping it real here – that rarely happens.
Each day in my Author life is different because…
Some days, a NEW book, like Squirrel Draws BIG Feelings, comes out and we celebrate!
Keeping it real: Speaking of waiting, this is a manuscript I started working on during the Pandemic, inspired by the chalk art of illustrator Luciana Navarro Powell. You do the math.
Celebrating a new book starts way before the book comes out.
Be sure to reach out months in advance to schedule events with schools and booksellers.
Schools:
LOOK at these crazy-fun Squirrel Parties we had with TK-Kinders-1st graders at four elementary schools!
After a read-aloud, all the classes went outside and drew their own BIG feelings. It was so much fun! You want an easy lesson plan, friends? Give kids a bucket of chalk! Those students did NOT need to be asked twice!
At one school, the Librarian and her Student Council helpers taped black butcher paper on the floor around the perimeter of the multi-purpose room and we stayed inside to draw.
Thank you to Latrobe Elementary, Green Valley Elementary, Greenhills Elementary, Silva Valley, and the fantastic teachers, librarians, parents, student leaders, administration, and booksellers who helped to make these happen. WOW!
Bookstores:
BIG Feelings and THANKS to all who came out for the Squirrel Parties at Ruby’s Books (Folsom) and The Bookery (Placerville) and to The Book House (Cameron Park) for handling so many book orders. Not to mention Underground Books (Sacramento) for selling my books along with many other authors at the Sacramento Book Festival.
As you’ve already realized, the above answers also apply to my second question:
Q 2. “How do I launch my picture book?”
In addition to Book Parties with local schools and Indie bookstores, consider the following:
1. Create a Blog Tour:
Months in advance of your publishing date, reach out to #kidlit bloggers to help spread the word about your book. #Kidlit Book Bloggers are wonderful.
Keeping it real: Don’t expect your publisher to do this for you. Here’s a link to the #kidlit Book Birthdays we’ve celebrated on my own blog.
So much gratitude and BIG feelings go out to these wonderful bloggers for spreading the word about Squirrel…
John Schu –aka MrSchuReads: Watch.Connect.Read http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2026/04/squirrel-draws-big-feelings-by-erin.html
Mia Wenjen –aka Pragmaticmom: https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2026/02/12-diverse-picture-books-about-art-and-sel-giveaway/
Lauren Kerstein, https://laurenkerstein.net/my-blog author and psychotherapist SEL blog post.
Bookworm For Kids —Tonja Drecker: Bookworm for Kids: Squirrel Draws Big Feelings by Erin Dealey
March on with Mentor Texts / Lynne Marie– Squirrels, Porcupines, and Bears –Oh My! rateyourstory.org https://www.rateyourstory.org/post/mowmt-24-squirrels-porcupines-and-bears-oh-my-with-erin-dealey
Simply 7 –with Erin Dealey hosted by Jena Benton on jenabenton.com
LitLinks –Patricia Newman — Tracing Shadows activity for Squirrel Draws BIG Feelings.
2. Make a Book Trailer
There are many times I have made our book trailer myself. Canva is a great place to start. But Luciana Navarro Powell is so much better at it than I am. LOOK what she made for Squirrel: https://youtu.be/7-coggD9ziI?si=J10uTIcwPFiGSh5R
3. Schedule a Podcast:
EVERYONE should be listening to & following Tom Nixon’s The BookFlood Podcast. Thank you so much for the opportunity to talk about Squirrel, the Writing Life, and Language ART, Tom.
Which brings me back to one more important part of the Writing Life / Keeping it real:
Book reviews You may or may not realize what a difference YOUR review matters to a newly released book–whether it’s by a seasoned author or a debut author. Keeping it real: not every children’s book gets noticed by the “big” reviewers.
3. Reach out to Influencers: Your publisher might do this for you, but check to make sure. Or the influencers might surprise you with a post. I am endlessly grateful to Influencers like MaiStoryBookLibrary and ETrain for sharing my books. Word of caution: Some Influencers may contact you to offer a review in exchange for a fee. I kindly decline to these paid reviews, but you decide what’s best for you.
4. Reach out to Reviewers
I truly understand why many #kidlit creators hesitate to reach out to book lovers & colleagues and ask them to review their book. Yes, it feels awkward. But it’s also part of the job.
Dear Friends: If you love a book, the author and illustrator would be beyond grateful for any review you can leave online at the usual sites, or on your own social media. Thank you to all who have done so for Squirrel Draws BIG Feelings as well as for my other books!
And (drumroll please!)
You are cordially invited to check back here on the blog each week for a new Book Birthday post celebrating another wonderful NEW #kidlit book in the world. Oooh — you can even subscribe so you won’t miss any.
5. Say YES to invitations that celebrate others.
Thank you to Gateway Reading Council and Nancy Rogers-Zegarra for inviting me to speak at the Sonoma Young Writers’ Awards recently. That meant a 2 hour road-trip but OH my bookness. It was so inspirational to meet the next generation of writers. And I was so surprised and truly honored to receive this ILA Literacy Award. WOW!
The Writing Life is full of surprises. And I’m so fortunate to be a part of this crazy #kidlit world.
Happy (almost) SUMMER Reading (and Writing)!
Up next on the blog:
We talk to Blake Harris about his new graphic novel, The Secret Order of Librarians, art by Emily Oh (Genius Cat Books.)
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