Put your hands together for kidlit author-illustrator Lea Maryanow! I met Lea through 12×12 and had already unknowingly read her beautiful book nearly a year before!
I hope you enjoy our chat and hearing some much needed words of encouragement (speaking for myself here😂). For a boost to your writing week or season in life, here are a couple quotes from the interview that I might just get embroidered on throw pillows for my office:
“Because I hope that what I have to say, the world needs. And I say that as humble as I can because why would anyone want to know what I have to say? I’m just this one human.”
Lea Maryanow
“The journey is the destination.”
Lea Maryanow
Final Advice:
“To slow down. To acknowledge and realize there’s a lot to learn. You don’t need to and you cannot know everything at once and that’s okay. You are not alone. Every author has gone through this. It’s a process. And taking breaks is okay. It’s necessary.”
Lea Maryanow
Some Highlights:
Balancing writing for adults teaching children and writing for children.🖊️
Getting started in the picture book world, 12×12 and SCBWI.
Inspiring stories through bilingualism and bicultural living.
The key to letting go of finding the right answer when writing.🔑
Links Mentioned🔗:
Stripes by Lea Maryanow on Bookshop, Petunia’s Place, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble
Lea on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky
The 12×12 Picture Book Challenge
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Book Recommendations📚:
The Boo Crew Needs You by Vicky Fang
Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by Anoosha Syed
Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn, illustrated by Victo Ngai
Thank you, Lea! Make sure to check out the next episode with author Roxanne Chester and a possible bonus episode! 🎧🎧🎧
And in the meantime, make sure you’re all caught up on these past episodes of Why We Write.
