Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written dozens of books. But I have only published the top 5, all picture books for children.
I have written and illustrated more books than I can count, but I published 5 picture books for children.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Whole Alphabet is Having a Contest!” is a sequel to my most popular book “The Whole Alphabet is Totally Embarrassed.”
It was inspired by my daily observation of children at play. I noticed that much of their play was centered on contests: which stuffy has the best tail, which Lego tower is the tallest, etc. I also noticed that young children naturally want to pair large and small items together and pretend they are mother and child. When I gave the children toy letters to sort through, they wanted to reunite big and small. But the fact that some uppercase and lowercase combinations don’t look the same was confusing to them. I had the idea to hold a look-alike contest for letter pairs with the toy letters, which evolved into a book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I compose, memorize and edit the whole story in my head before I write it down. Usually while pacing. Then I complete all the illustrations before I make any edits, because the images affect the story.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite author/illustrators are Elise Gravel, Mike Lowery, Stephanie Blake, and Matty Long. My favorite humorists are BJ Novak, Aaron Blabey, David Walliams, and Mo Willems. Probably the book that most inspired me to illustrate was N’importe Quoi by Elise Gravel.
What are you working on now?
This interview! There’s a lot of boxes to fill in here. This will be longer than most of my books by the time I’m done.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had a lot of success from Fussy Librarian. But I get the most sales from being a guest speaker in schools.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do your research, and find out what the market is looking for before you write your book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make interesting content to build your email list.
What are you reading now?
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. It’s an ambitious story that braids past present and future together with a common thread of a Greek allegory.
But I’m a kids book author, so I should mention that also today I have read “Go Dog Go,” “Super Frozen Magic Forest,” and a handful of Piggie and Gerald books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to continue my Whole Alphabet series. I have drafts done up for books called “All the Vowels are Scared of Spiders,” and “Win a Date with the Letter H.” I also have a draft called “I’m a Baby and I Do What I Want!” and I’m playing around with a book for Canadian kids called “Why Do I Have to Do French Immersion?”
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I probably wouldn’t pre-plan for a stranding. But for argument’s sake, if I had to pack knowing I’d be stranded, I’d probably bring a book about building a seaworthy escape vessel. And maybe 4 large print editions of Anna Karenina, which are big enough to be papier-mâchéd into a boat.
Also, “Galapogos” by Kurt Vonnegut. To read on my paper boat on my way to getting rescued.
Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle Thornhill Amazon Profile
Michelle Thornhill’s Social Media Links
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