Welcome back to First Stories, dear readers, where we delve into the very first stories that got authors (and illustrators) thinking that maybe…just maybe, they could write something that others might read. But first, it’s September, and you know what that means (I hope, since you’ve seen ALL my posts about ALL the things, including my SUPER-important news…*drumroll*):
Backyard Stew hit shelves on September 15!!! YAY!!
To celebrate the stupendous stews that will be coming your way, I can’t resist including one of the spreads:
And now, without further ado, I’m delighted to introduce my friend and fellow “Gnomie” (Gnome Road author), Jessica Iwanski! Jessica is a picture book author with a passion for writing stories that inspire curiosity and connection. A lifetime lover of books, Jessica now has the joy of writing them! She lives in Mesa, Arizona with her husband, three children, and two silly dogs. As a second-generation homeschooler, Jessica can often be found planning literature-based learning for her children and their homeschool co-op. In her free time, Jessica enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and dreaming up stories for the young and young at heart. STORIES BY SEA: A LIGHTHOUSE LIBRARY’S JOURNEY is her debut picture book.
Me: Hello, Jessica, and welcome to First Stories!
Jessica: Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Heather!
Me: I have been SO excited about your book’s release, ever since I first heard about it almost two years ago. (Readers, it’s a really gorgeous book :)). But before we dive into her debut, let’s talk about your first story. Tell me about your “first story.” The one that really pushed you to consider publishing. What inspired you to write it? What was it about?
Jessica: My very “first story” was actually one I wrote when I was nine years old. My parents gifted me a publish-your-own-book kit for my birthday and I spent the rest of that summer under the trees in my backyard on Long Island, NY, writing and illustrating a story about a cat in an identity crisis. Poor Christina the cat is convinced she’s a bird and simply can’t understand why she’s unable to fly alongside her adoptive bird family. She tries harder and harder to fit in but ultimately discovers that happiness is waiting for her when she embraces who she was always meant to be. I called the story “A Cat Named Christina” and dedicated it to my little sister Christina for her first birthday. We sent it off to be printed and bound and it’s sitting on my shelf to this day. About twenty years later, I started writing in pursuit of traditional publishing and (ironically) wrote another story with a cat as the main character!
Me: Oh, I love this! I can completely relate! My parents signed me up for a “make your own book” class in elementary school. We wrote our own story, illustrated it, bound it, and I still have it today as well (though it is actually NOT my first story *sneaky smile*. Maybe I’ll write about my own one day!) Where is this story today?
Jessica: This was the first thing I ever received feedback on from other writers and while it had some good elements, I’m not sure it’ll ever see the light of day. (Although I never say “never!”)
Me: Ha! I get that! Are there any themes in that story that you can see in your writing today?
Jessica: Absolutely! Both of my cat stories draw heavily from things I’ve encountered in my real life, which is something I love to do in my writing. Whether that’s taking a historical gem I’ve come across and turning it into a picture book or reframing memories from my childhood into storybook form, I love to draw inspiration from the stories that are already all around us.
Me: That is beautiful, Jessica, and I think it is very true for most writers. The old adage, “write what you know” can be good advice in that it gives you a place to start and emotional depth to draw from. Looking back, what elements of that first story made it unmarketable? Did you receive feedback on that story? What did that feedback teach you?
Jessica: On my first cat story, I received a lot of positive feedback from my family – of course, haha! In all seriousness, though, I am forever grateful to my parents for seeing the love of storytelling in me and encouraging me to pursue it. Since that time, I’ve learned to trust my critique partners with all of my work. Their feedback isn’t always easy to hear, but it’s always with my best interest at heart and it’s always to help shape my stories into something bigger, better, and yes – more marketable. One thing I remember about my second cat story is that it simply didn’t have enough hooks. It was a nice story, sure, but it didn’t have anything to really make it stand out in this competitive market. I’ve since learned that the best way to improve my craft is to READ, READ, READ! And I’ve also learned that my best ideas come when I push myself beyond that initial spark of inspiration.
Me: “Hooks”, we publishing people in the picture book world mean either themes or subjects or something that will capture an audience’s attention (examples: a certain sport, the theme of social-emotional learning, alphabet, seasons, etc.), are crucial. And weaving together a few is what takes a manuscript from ordinary to TA-DA! In light of what you know now, why is that first story special to you? And how was it important for your writing journey?
Jessica: Of course, I didn’t know it at the time, but writing that first cat story was the moment a dream was planted in my heart. Could I become a “real writer” someday?
I spent the next two decades skirting around that dream because I didn’t fully believe it was possible. Then, one day, I decided that I’d rather hear a thousand “no’s” than spend the rest of my life wondering if I could’ve found a “yes.” I finally got out of my own way and started writing seriously. Within that first year, I received an offer of publication and connected with my now-agent. Today, and every day, I wake up amazed and so thankful to God that my dream actually came true. It’s a blessing I don’t take lightly. (Although, nowadays I leave the illustrating to the professionals!)
Me: Ha! Yes, even though I drew some pictures for that book I mentioned at first, I don’t illustrate. Oh no! Like you, I leave it to the professionals! And like you, I echo my gratitude to God for leading me to just the right people and stories at the right times. He is so good!
Ok, now for more fun! I would love to hear about your latest project! Tell me ALL about STORIES BY SEA!! It’s almost here! Just a few more days! How did you come up with the idea for this book? Does it relate at all to your “first story”? (And HUGE congrats for this book being a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!)
Jessica: My debut picture book, STORIES BY SEA: A LIGHTHOUSE LIBRARY’S JOURNEY, sets sail on September 22, 2026! I got the idea for this book while reading about lighthouses (as one does, when one loves lighthouses). A tiny fact was buried within the article, something I almost skimmed right over. Lighthouse families in the 1800s received books by boat! When the outside world was an ocean away, these brave men, women, and children found connection through the stories that came to their very doorsteps, tucked neatly inside portable library cases created just for them.
Inspired by real events, STORIES BY SEA follows one library case as it journeys from lighthouse to lighthouse, connecting families through the stories they share and celebrating the power of books to light the way.
I love a full-circle story – a story where the beginning is mirrored by the ending but the characters have been changed for the better by the journey. Both of my cat stories were framed this way, and STORIES BY SEA is, too!
Me: I love lighthouses so much, and books too. You managed to combine two things that so many people love…and it’s all based on REAL LIFE! Then the illustrations by Angela C. Hawkins…?! Can we all agree that they are stunning? I can’t help but drop a few of them here.
Me: See what I mean?
Jessica: Working with Angela was incredible! She’s so talented and she captured everything I had envisioned for this book and more!
Me: Ok, readers, you’ll really want to snag a copy of this book about traveling lighthouse libraries for your own library (at home, school, and local)! You can pre-order copies wherever books are sold!
Jessica, thanks for dropping by First Stories!
Jessica: Thank you for inviting me!
Jessica is giving away a FREE signed copy of STORIES BY SEA to one lucky reader! To enter, please comment on this blog post AND include the name of the public library district where you requested a copy. I’ll race you!
Preorder signed copies: https://www.literallybookshop.com/item/E6y3u7p4cHrEm5_CR-rt6w
Preorder from my publisher: https://gnomeroadpublishing.com/products/stories-by-sea-a-lighthouse-library?_pos=2&_sid=e53c05462&_ss=r
Preorder from Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stories-by-sea-jessica-iwanski/1149163218?ean=9781957655703
My website: www.jessicaiwanski.com
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