Clarbojahn Presents! Author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Interview: Part Two and Give Away

Punxsutawney Phyllis book cover

Hello Readers,

Last week we had part one of Susanna’s interview and  learned about her favorite book, her writing process and her road toward publication. Thanks for tuning in today as we find out what she has planned for 2012 and more.

[Clarike] Susanna, who are your favorite authors and what are you currently reading?

[Susanna] Oh, gosh!  You with the hard questions!  I have way too many favorite authors to list, but among them are Peggy Rathmann, Kevin Henkes, Tammi Sauer, Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, Ally Condie, Ken Follett, Jean Auel… OK that’s enough.  I am currently reading Possession by Elana Johnson.

[Clarike]  Essentially, what do you hope the reader will take away from reading your books?

[Susanna]  Well, the message may be a little different from book to book, but essentially I hope to entertain, encourage, educate, comfort, reassure, and/or delight my young readers.  I hope to encourage a love of reading in them, let them know they’re not alone in the things they feel and experience, and help them understand a little bit about the world and their place in it.

[Clarike] What prompted you to start writing picture books? Did you have a specific inspiration in mind? Were you influenced by a certain author or work that inspired you to add your voice to this genre? Besides the boatloads of fame and money, what motivated you to write picture books?

[Susanna]  I’ve always loved to write – ever since I learned how.  But when my first child was about 18 months old, and I was reading picture books to her all the time, I thought to myself, this is what I want to write!  I write because I love to.  I write because I hope my stories will be enjoyed somewhere by someone and maybe make their day a little brighter.  I’m still waiting for the boatloads 🙂

[Clarike]  Are you working on anything now? What do you have planned for 2012?

[Susanna]  I am always working on something!  Several something’s, usually!  For 2012, I have planned that I will sell a new manuscript and win the Crystal Kite Ward for April Fool, Phyllis!  I’m not sure if the people in charge have that planned, but it would work for me 🙂

[Clarike] Where can readers obtain a copy of your books for them to enjoy? How can they contact you with any thoughts or questions?

[Susanna]  My books are all available from independent bookstores, all the major online chains, the publishers – all over the place, really.  I will certainly check in here if people have thoughts or questions to leave in the comments.  They can also contact me through my website or blog or at susanna [at] susannahill [dot] com.

[Clarike] You also have a blog where readers have quite a bit of fun. Can you tell us a little bit about that? And can you give us the link?

[Susanna]  My blog is located at http://susannahill.blogspot.com  Weekly features include Would You Read It Wednesdays – an opportunity for children’s writers to try out their pitches and get feedback; Perfect Picture Book Fridays – which you participate in! – where highly recommended picture books are presented along with resources to expand their use at home and in the classroom; and a couple of new things I’m playing around with… Tune in to see!

[Clarike] Thanks so much, Susanna for appearing here to do this interview. And is there anything else you wish to add for our readers?

Thank you so much for having me, Clar.  I really appreciate the opportunity to visit your blog.  And if anyone would like to visit, you can find me at my website http://www.susannahill.com, on my blog as mentioned above, or on Face Book at  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Susanna-Leonard-Hill/246146107330 

You are so welcome, Susanna. It has been a pleasure to feature you here on my blog. I look on with interest as you go forward with your writing career and will continue to enjoy your blog. For those knowledgeable about Perfect Picture Book Fridays, I recently won a copy of Freight Train Trip, one of Susanna’s first board books. It is a darling lift the flap book inviting little hands to lift the flaps while a freight train makes its way down the track all in perfect rhyme. It goes in my collection of signed children’s books. I used to give these away to my wonderful grandson but I have a sneaking suspicion that I may treasure them more myself.

What thoughts do you have about Susanna’s interview? Are there any questions you wish I’d asked? If so maybe she will answer them in the comments below.

And yes, as you know from the title there is a give away. Susanna has agreed to mail a copy of Punxsutawney Phyllis to one of my followers who also leaves a comment before 11:59 PM. EST.  Thursday, January 26, 2012. It will be especially nice to have a copy of that by Ground Hog Day. I will announce the winner on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.

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