Welcome back to another edition of First Stories! Today, I’m delighted to welcome Kelly Rice Schmitt, who’s delightful picture book I SHIP! (Millbrook Press) launches into the world on October 3!
Kelly Rice Schmitt is a mom who writes STEAM books for kids of all ages! She loves getting small humans excited about BIG ideas. She writes to spark curiosity, courage, and joy in readers.
Me: Welcome Kelly!
Kelly: Hello, Heather! Thanks for having me on First Stories!
Me: It’s always fun to hear about the story (or stories) that prompted authors to jump into the crazy – and fun – world of traditional publishing! So what was your “first story”? Can you describe it for me?
Kelly: The one that really pushed me to write for kids and pursue publishing was a middle grade fantasy idea that began in a general writing class I took in 2012. It grew from a writing prompt and the characters never left me. In 2014, I began taking kidlit specific courses where I worked on my novel and learned all about picture books too. From there, picture books stole my heart and attention. (Don’t worry, I still love middle grade!)
My first-ever picture book was inspired by my younger brother’s childhood quirks and came out of another writing class homework assignment using mentor texts to guide our attempts. When my teacher chose it to read aloud and analyze for the class that week, it really gave me confidence. I dove into picture books full force.
Me: So cool! You are the first author I’ve interviewed who started in middle grade and fell in love with picture books! So many children’s authors write across age ranges. It’s really neat to hear that you started writing novels and were captivated by a shorter form.
Where is that picture book manuscript…and that middle grade novel now?
Kelly: That first picture book manuscript has been through the ringer. Many critiques, angles, and voices! It’s currently being revised again with hopes that we can get it on submission this year.
As for the novel, it’s still in progress too, but has been on the back burner simmering while I’ve gotten my picture book career heating up. I still get ideas for it and jot them down for later. I absolutely plan to finish it, but I need to find the right time to shift my focus to that. Now that I have a stream of forthcoming picture books ahead of me, I hope to find time sometime soon!
Me: How exciting that you have so many picture books releasing! And I’m glad to hear that you’ve still got ideas for both manuscripts percolating.
Are there any themes in your first picture book that you see in your work today?
Kelly: My first picture book very much aligns with what I write today: layered Informational fiction that inspires wonder and curiosity. It also has STEM themes and a unique non-traditional arc format, which much of my work today includes.
Me: Hooray for STEM themes! My picture books and novels almost always have a science-bent (it’s what I studied for years and was my first love! :)).
Looking back, what elements of the story made it unmarketable? Did you receive any feedback? What did that feedback teach you?
Kelly: With much time in critique groups, notes from professional critiques at conferences, and later from my agents, it was clear the initial version didn’t have a tight enough focus. With picture books being so short, the premise has to be very deliberate and precise. As years passed, other books on similar topics were published and the story became not unique enough. How could I make it stand out from the crowd? What are the right hooks for this book? I think about both my premise being tight and hooks being unique enough now with every story I write.
Me: All of that is such great advice! Picture books are so tricky (but fun!) – a full story, with layers, packed into a short word count, with a unique hook, and tight plot. Whew!
Why is that first story important to you? How was it important for your writing journey?
Kelly: Like many great firsts, it’s hard to forget what created the spark for you. Without those stories, I may have never fallen for kidlit and this rewarding but challenging career.
Me: Thanks so much for sharing your first story with us, Kelly! Now, I’d love to hear all about your upcoming picture book, I SHIP: A Container Ship’s Colossal Journey, illustrated by Jam Dong! Can you tell us a little about this book? How did you come up with the idea for this book? Does it relate at all to your “first story”?
Kelly: I SHIP is an informational fiction picture book offering a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating world of container shipping! It follows a mega container ship’s journey from load to discharge—with all the joys and struggles of this life at sea along the way. Narrated by Ship herself, the book showcases the technology and people that keep our global economy moving. It’s estimated that more than 85% of the world’s goods move via ship, but most of us never think about how our items get to our doorsteps.
Ever since I worked as a trading analyst tracking ships to calculate supply and demand, (2010-2012) I knew I wanted to do a picture book about shipping. The angle and approach were what took a lot of time (and help from some writing friends!) to figure out.
From my very first stories — both my middle grade and picture book—I have always loved to get kids thinking about big ideas, and this is no exception. I SHIP touches on international trade, our place in the world, and how container shipping changed the way the countries interact with one another. It also has some great STEM back matter on buoyancy and how these massive vessels float!
I don’t think all my “big ideas” will be quite so literally gigantic, but hopefully I SHIP will kick off my publishing career with a memorable splash!
Me: I hope so too, Kelly! We’re rooting for you and cheering you on! Thanks again for joining me on First Stories and I wish you all the best in your upcoming projects.
Kelly: Thanks for having me, Heather!
I SHIP is available for pre-order wherever books are sold! Order your copy today at bookshop.org to support local bookstores in your neighborhood!
Heather C. Morris 
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