Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with author and illustrator Emma Reynolds, whose debut picture book, AMARA AND THE BATS just released with Atheneum Books for Young Readers. I’m such a fan of this book, and connected with it immediately. When my now six-year-old was a baby, he loved to watch the bats at the zoo— he would sit in the stroller staring up at them, fascinated. Now we have bats that live around us, and every once and while I catch him staring up just like he used to as a baby. Emma’s book is a wonderful story about activism, climate change, and how kids can make a difference in their own communities. There are also fun bat facts woven throughout the story too! I’m thrilled to have Emma with us today to chat about her new book, road to publication, and advice for up and coming authors and illustrators.

So without further ado, please welcome Emma Reynolds!

Where do you live?

Manchester UK!

How many years have you been in publishing?

I signed with my agent Thao Le in August 2018, and my first illustrated book came out in June 2020. My author-illustrator debut ‘Amara and the Bats’ is out now in July 2021! So about 3 years in total.

How did you first get published?

I got my first book deal as an illustrator shortly after signing with my agent, as Justin Chanda at Simon & Schuster had seen the announcement and my illustrations suited a book project.

‘Amara and the Bats’ began as a dummy book that I made when I was applying to agents, and was actually why my agent signed me. We then worked on the book some more, and pitched to publishers, and we announced the book deal with editor Julia McCarthy at Atheneum Simon & Schuster in May 2019!

Do you write/illustrate full-time?

Yes, and I currently also teach illustration one day a week at a university.

What inspires you to create picture books?

I absolutely love the format! For me they are the perfect balance of words and images, and I love how powerful picture books are, as humans first experiences of stories. They can change lives.

What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?

I used to work as a character designer for kid’s TV, and it was a very fast paced job. With publishing, I found the phrase ‘hurry up and wait’ to be true! It was a huge shock to me that a three week plus wait for the next round of feedback was normal, when I had been used to much quicker turnarounds. And then when final art is signed off it’s go go go! I am (almost haha) used to it now, but that was the hardest adjustment for me.

What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?

I love love love telling my own stories! I am so excited that I get to craft a whole world, it is an amazing experience and job to have and I am so happy I get to do this.

What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?

Live life! After a big project and a busy period, it’s good to take a break and live life, see friends, absorb some new experiences and remain curious. This is when I naturally find that I’m in a place for new ideas. It’s important to remember to take time off as a freelancer, or you’ll find yourself just working constantly, and that isn’t healthy or conducive to inspiration long term.

Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?

I listen to the same music a lot. There are particular mixes I listen to a lot on YouTube, and I have listened to them so much there are no surprises that make me jump, so I can hyper focus and stay in the zone with them on.

Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?

Yeah for sure – I met some absolutely lovely author-illustrators who are also repped by my agent, and we have become close friends. Having people in the industry to talk to, bounce ideas off and ask questions is so important, and I’m so grateful for this – they are my rocks!

Recommended reading?

Ooo so many! I recently really loved picture book ‘What Will You Be?’ written by Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Kate Alizadeh. And for 16+ readers I love graphic novel ‘Woman World’ by Aminder Dhaliwal.

What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Honestly, being able to make my dream book – ‘Amara and the Bats’, I have dreamed of making my own books since I was 5 years old, so 28 years later it is a reality and I am just so grateful and happy! Amara is my whole heart, and it was selected as a Junior Library Guild gold standard selection which is a huge honour and I am so proud of this.

What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?

Ooo definitely related to what I’ve said above – that long waits for feedback are normal, and to make sure to take down time, because you’ll need it! And, protect your weekends.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

'Amara and the Bats' is about a little girl who loves bats and is sad when she moves to a new town and finds out that the bats no longer live there due to losing their habitat. She is inspired by real life youth climate activists to take action, and rallies her friends to save the bats! It is all about bat conservation and rewilding, showing how amazing bats are, and giving hope for the next generation struggling with climate anxiety. Bat facts are weaved in throughout, and there are practical steps to take action to help bats and useful links in the back too.

*Interior art from AMARA AND THE BATS by Emma Reynolds, Atheneum Books for Young Readers*

What’s up next for you?

Since the beginning of this year I’ve been working on my next book. We got the offer a year ago but we haven’t announced it yet, and I can’t wait to be able to share more about it soon! Hint – fans of the themes in Amara will enjoy this too.

Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?

Make the art of your dream project that you want to be hired for, and post it online and send it to clients and agents you want to work with! Manifest :D That is exactly what I did with ‘Amara and the Bats’, and it worked!

And last, but not least, favorite 80s movie?

PREDATOR!

Huge thank you to Emma for stopping by Critter Lit today! Congrats on your debut!

EMMA REYNOLDS is an illustrator and author based in Manchester, UK. Amara and the Bats is her author-illustrator debut. Passionate about storytelling and creating unique characters, Emma has been dreaming of making her own books since she was five. Emma started the #KidLit4Climate illustrated campaign, bringing together thousands of children’s illustrators and authors from more than fifty countries in solidarity with the youth climate strikes. She is inspired by nature, animals, adventure, and seeing the magic in the everyday.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Emma, visit her online or follow her on social media:

http://www.twitter.com/emmaillustrate

http://www.instagram.com/emmaillustrate

Amara and the Bats is out now in the US and UK editions, order worldwide here:

emmareynoldsillustration.com/amaraandthebats

ORDER THIS BOOK To order a copy of AMARA AND THE BATS, click here.

WIN A COPY! Want to win a copy of AMARA AND THE BATS?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, July 29th! US addresses only please.