Happy Thursday Critters! Today we have an interview with an author/illustrator whose gorgeous sophomore book, PETE AND LEONIE: THE GREAT BABY SWAP just released with Dial Books for Young Readers on August 15th! I’m thrilled to have her with us today to talk about her new book, process, and road to publication.
So without further ado, please welcome Zoe Tilley Poster!
Where do you live?
In a meadow in the woods, in central Vermont.
How many years have you been in publishing?
My first book, THE NIGHT WILD, was published in 2022.
How did you first get published?
I worked for a year or two on a rough draft of THE NIGHT WILD, and with that, was very lucky to sign on with my wonderful agent Andrea Morrison. She sold the project to Dial Books, so I got to work with my editor and art director there - Kate Harrison and Lily Malcom - on both THE NIGHT WILD and PETE AND LEONIE.
Do you write/illustrate full-time?
I have in the past, but not right now. I have a three year old son, so I’m enjoying spending a lot of time with him these days. Making books takes a lot of creative energy that I find hard to maintain if I’m doing it 40 hours a week. 20 hours (or under) is much more sustainable for me.
What inspires you to create picture books?
It used to be my own experiences in nature, and hanging out with animals. That’s still important, but now I read to my kid a lot, and am hugely inspired by the things he laughs at and is delighted by. He likes excavating machines a lot. Bonus points if they get themselves into some hilarious disaster, and are operated by maniac frogs. These are not things I know how to draw, but I’m workin’ on it.
What surprised you the most working as an author/illustrator?
It’s surprising how much of a story gets edited out - usually by me, often my favorite parts - because those elements simply aren’t serving the greater good of the story as a whole. It’s the difference between making single pieces of stand-alone art (or poetry or prose) and making a whole story.
What is your favorite thing about being an author/illustrator?
Hanging out in my studio, listening to my music, going down the weird and exciting rabbit holes in my head.
What do you find difficult working as an author/illustrator?
The isolation. Aside from a small amount of collaboration with agent, editor and art director, it’s pretty solitary and can be lonely.
What do you do to shake the rust off or get new ideas?
Take a break. Go on a road trip, indulge in the other things I love doing, notice what interests me or incites my emotions, and follow those paths.
Anything you are habitual about when it comes to creativity?
Setting limits on my day. I didn’t used to do that - I thought the harder/longer I worked in my studio, the more I’d get done. Now I know there are serious diminishing returns… and if I work too long, I become filled with self doubt and I can not see my work with any clarity. So stopping after X number of minutes/hours (whatever I decide in the morning) is critical to doing good work.
Can you share a positive experience you’ve had in the Kid Lit community?
I used to be part of a writers group, and everyone was so encouraging and helpful, genuinely wanting to boost each other up.
Recommended reading?
My son Iggy and I love these:
The ¡VAMOS! and EL TORO series by Raúl the Third and Elaine Bay
WONDROUS WONDERS by Camille Jourdy
STORIES OF THE NIGHT by Kitty Crowther
And for adults: BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS by Fabien Vehlmann and Kerascoët
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
Reading my second book, PETE AND LEONIE: THE GREAT BABY SWAP, to my son and hearing him laugh out loud. Best stamp of approval ever.
What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started writing/illustrating?
Rules REALLY ARE made to be broken! People tell you a lot about what can and can’t be done (and I think they mean what a publisher will or will not buy). I think it’s way more important to think about what you as a writer/artist do well, and to keep getting better at those things. Break a rule well enough… and someone will buy your book because you broke it (you just have to get it in front of the right eyes). At least that is my hope… because I only like to read wonderfully weird books.
Can you tell us about your newest book?
PETE AND LEONIE is about two babies - a human and a coyote - who trade places for a day. It’s a book for people who like to roll around in mud puddles. Or eat blueberry muffins. Or try out one thing, and then change their mind.
What’s up next for you?
I’m working on a story about fear, a girl and a dog.
Anything else you’d like to share with aspiring authors and illustrators?
Dig deep and find the story in you that no one else can tell! Don’t shy away from the hard stuff! I’m talking about aesthetics, writing style, content, theme. If something matters to you, really explore that. I want to live in a world where artistic integrity means something, and where artists make others feel like they are less alone, by shining a light on what is weird but very human.
And last, but not least, who is your favorite children’s book character?
Pearl from William Steig’s THE AMAZING BONE.
Huge thank you to Zoe for stopping by Critter Lit today! Thank you for sharing your latest book with us!
Zoë Tilley Poster is an illustrator who lives in Vermont with her husband and dog. Her debut picture book The Night Wild came out in 2022.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about Zoe or her books, visit her online:
Website: https://zoeposter.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoetilleyposter/
BUY THIS BOOK To purchase Zoe’s books, click here.
WIN A COPY! Want to win a giveaway copy of PETE AND LEONIE THE GREAT BABY SWAP?! Leave a COMMENT below or RETWEET this post on Twitter. One lucky winner will be announced on Thursday, September 7th.