03 May Jennifer Kam and a Great Giveaway!

Another new friend! Hurray! I’m pleased to introduce Jen Kam to all who don’t know her. Her new book, UNTIL THE BLUEBERRIES GROW, is a lovely diverse, intergenerational story that is wonderful on so many levels.

EL: Welcome Jen! Before we get to your book, will you tell us a little about yourself? 

JK: I live in New York with my husband, two sons, and a Halloween rescue kitty named KitKat.

I enjoy word scrambles and crosswords and do them daily, which is a passion I picked up from my grandfather. I love learning new languages—I speak French, am developing a working knowledge of Hebrew, and know a bit of Spanish and German. I’m always excited to learn more!

I’ve also played the flute since the 4^th grade, which relaxes and restores me.

EL: This is such a beautiful book! I love how you tell a story and also introduce readers to the Jewish holidays. Which idea came first? A story about the relationship between the child and Zayde or the idea of introducing the holidays?

JK: UNTIL THE BLUEBERRIES GROW was inspired by an actual experience, when my grandfather moved away across the country. I was an adult when it happened, but those feelings of loss—of the void that his move created, were strong. I wanted—needed—to write about it.

In UNTIL THE BLUEBERRIES GROW, I reimagined the experience through the eyes of a child, perhaps how I would’ve felt if I had been a little girl when he left.

So the idea came first since, at its core, this is a story about a little boy and his great-grandfather. But I’m Jewish, so it felt natural to include Jewish traditions in Ben and Zayde’s experiences with one another.( My grandparents spoke English and Yiddish, and “Zayde” is “Grandpa” in Yiddish).

The story is set in my grandmother’s garden, which was a magical place for me as a child.

EL: I think so much of our childhood comes out in our writing. I believe that’s what makes it feel real. Do you have a favorite part of the book? Or is that like asking you to choose your favorite child?

JK: Haha—it is kind of like that! I wouldn’t say I have a favorite part of the book, but some of Sally Walker’s illustrations—particularly the one in which Ben and Zayde nap under the magnolia tree—took my breath away.

And, of course, I love the ending—but no spoilers! =)

EL: Yes, Sally Walker’s illustrations are gorgeous! And I won’t give the end away either. Can I say it made me smile? Whoops…said it already. 🙂 I love this photo of you under the tree and Sally’s illustration of Ben under the tree with Zayde.

Will you tell us a little about Sally? 

JK: I haven’t met Sally Walker, but I am in love with her illustrations. It was exciting to see them develop—first as sketches, then with color and texture. Some of her illustrations look just as I remember them from my childhood—particularly the magnolia tree and the lilac bushes. And I’m so moved by how she conveys emotion in her art. You can visit Sally at Children’s Book Illustrator | Sally Walker Illustration.

EL Although you’ve written other things, this is your debut picture book (And what a beautiful way to debut!) Will you tell us a little about your road to publication? Was it straight, winding, easy, hard? Can you give us a bit of a timeline?

JK: Yes, UNTIL THE BLUEBERRIES GROW is my picture book debut, and I’m just thrilled with it. I also published a young adult novel several years ago with Charlesbridge—a supernatural mystery—DEVIN RHODES IS DEAD.

My road to publication? Winding, yes…how about also mountainous? 😉

I’ve essentially been writing my entire life—I was always the child who read her stories to the class at circle time. I wrote my first full-length novel in 8^th grade, in my woodshop notebook (don’t ask me to build anything), was editor of my high school literary magazine, and wrote for a local newspaper in high school…

For years I continued to write—I freelanced here and there for magazines and drafted several novels and picture books. Eventually, I began my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. During that wonderful time, I put aside my efforts at publication and focused instead on developing and improving my craft. Still, it took almost 7 years before I debuted my novel, and it’s been another few years for my picture book to release.

Despite the struggles, the uncertainty, I’m doing what I love. For that I’m grateful.

EL: This is so inspiring! I need to read your YA too! Some of our readers may not be familiar with PJ Library or PJ Publishing. Will you please fill them in? Did you sub directly to them?

JK: I adore PJ Library and have for a long time. UNTIL THE BLUEBERRIES GROW was published by PJ Publishing, which is an imprint of PJ Library. I’ll just share this from my press release since it says it all:

PJ Publishing is an imprint of PJ Library, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. PJ Publishing creates board books, picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels in multiple languages that represent the diversity of Jewish families today. By sharing Jewish narratives, values, and life events, PJ Publishing helps families explore their connection with Jewish life.

And while Jewish content is woven throughout my book, children of all backgrounds can relate to and enjoy the relationship between Ben and his great-grandfather, as well as the delightful experiences they share together. I love sharing my culture and traditions just as I love reading about other cultures and traditions.

I didn’t submit the manuscript directly to PJ Library, but entered the SCBWI PJ Library Jewish Stories Award contest.

And…(drum roll)…I didn’t win!

But a few weeks after the winners were announced, I received an email—PJ Library/PJ Publishing was interested in chatting about my story. A phone call followed, and soon after, a contract.

Sometimes, when you don’t win, you still win.

EL: This is fascinating!  Congratulations on all your successes! Do you have a specific writing routine? If so, can you share?

JK: I like to switch up my writing space a lot, because I think a change in perspective from time to time is important. So for a few weeks, I’ll work in one room, then move to another. I typically write in the morning, and there’s usually coffee involved (alas, also chocolate).

EL: You can’t go wrong with coffee and chocolate while writing! ( I do wine and chocolate for rejections.) Do you consider yourself a pantster or a planner? Or a combination?

JK: I am a pantser! But my wonderful (and patient!) agent, Kristina Pérez, is helping me be more of a planner/plotter, which is far less stressful. I’m not there yet, but I’m trying!

EL: Do you have a favorite part of what you do? 

JK: I suppose I don’t have one favorite part, but I love to meet my readers, either in person through school visits and writing workshops, virtually on Zoom, or online through my website. I’m so excited when children tell me about the stories they’re writing or have written.

I’m especially grateful for the wonderful relationships I’ve developed with other writers. I was fortunate to connect early on in my career with the writing community at Vermont College of Fine Arts, where I earned my MFA, and at The Writing Barn in Austin, where I’ve taken both in-person and online classes. Through these wonderful connections, I met many of my closest writer friends and my critique partners. I’m also fortunate to be a part of the 12×12 Challenge picture book group, the Jewish Kidlit Mavens, and PB22Peekaboo launch group, where there’s tons of support and amazing people. And then through these friends, I’ve gotten to meet fabulous new writer friends–like you, Ellen. =)

I will say that there’s nothing like holding your book in your hands for the first time (okay, holding my kids for the first time—sorry! But other than that…)

EL: Ha ha! I agree. And I am thrilled to meet YOU! What advice do you have for aspiring kidlit writers?

JK: Read! Anything really. Read about people from different worlds, cultures, and life experiences. Putting yourself in other people’s shoes builds empathy—an important skill for creating strong characters, and even more important for being a good human.

Don’t get discouraged. Some days the words don’t flow. Some days are…difficult. Sometimes the best strategy is to put a piece aside and work on something else. You can always go back to it when you feel ready.

And…the only way to not succeed is to stop trying. So, if writing is what you love, keep at it!

I have lots of other suggestions, too—feel free to stop by the FOR WRITERS section of my website for more information!

EL: Thank you for that! Everyone go to Jen’s website! It is chock full of wonderfulness!

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And now…ta da! TWO lucky people can win a copy of UNTIL THE BLUEBERRIES GROW along with bookmarks! Just comment on this post. Don’t forget to let me know if you follow this blog in order to get an extra entry.

Jen, thank you so much for visiting with us today. Congratulations! 

Until next time, be well,

Ellen 

If you’re interested in learning more about me, my books, and my school visits, please visit my website at

http://www.EllenLeventhal.com