15 Jul Heather Stigall Talks about GILBERT AND THE GHOST plus a Giveaway!

Welcome, everyone! Another day, another fabulous book to talk about. I’m so happy to welcome Heather Stigall to Writing Outside the Lines today. I fell in love with her picture book, Gilbert and the Ghost, and you will too. And it isn’t scary at all! If you have ever felt invisible, this unique friendship story will melt your heart.

EL: Welcome, Heather! I loved Gilbert and the Ghost, and I’m excited that you’re here to talk about it. Before we dive into the book, will you tell us a bit about yourself, please?

HS: Thanks for having me on your blog, Ellen! I currently live in Pennsylvania, not too far from Philadelphia. When I’m not writing, I am volunteering for my local chapter of SCBWI (helping organize events and coordinating critique groups), caring for my large family (husband, five children and one pup), working out, hanging out at the beach (I was raised in NJ not far from the beach, so I visit when I can), reading, eating chocolate, baking, or creating all sorts of treasures.

EL: You’re busy! I think the illustrations are perfect for your book. Jess Mason did a great job. Did you get to communicate with her?

HS: I agree! Jess Mason was the perfect illustrator for Gilbert, and I’m glad she was available for the project. I did not communicate directly with her during the publication process. As for when I saw art, that’s a little complicated, as this book has been on quite a journey.

• Summer 2023 – I signed the contract for Gilbert and the Ghost that stated the book would be published fall 2025.
• May 2024 – Beaming Books sent me a cover sketch and an interior spread sketch. I loved them!
• June 2024 – My editor was let go, and the publisher decided to push the book’s publication to fall 2026.
• May 2024 – Beaming Books reached out to say they decided to publish the book fall 2025 (talk about whiplash!)
• July 2024 – Beaming Books sent me a final cover and sample spread (similar to the sketches I saw a year before). I loved them!
• December 2024 – I received a digital version of the entire book with rough color art and text to review. I didn’t communicate directly with the illustrator, but all parties were able to make comments on the document (author, illustrator, art director, editor). I made a few notes about the text, and I did have a couple of comments/questions about the art. Overall I was thrilled with the art!
• January 2025 – Beaming Books sent me a digital ARC for a final review. At that stage, they told me they couldn’t make any major changes but that I could request small tweaks or corrections. Funny enough, I noticed something in the art that was inconsistent with the text on one page. On that spread there was a line of text that read, “No one at the playground noticed when Gilbert left the kickball game.” In the first set of pages I received in December, the children in the art were playing with a ball, but in the ARC they sent in January, there was no ball! I knew children would notice that, so I asked if they could either put a ball back in or alter the text (and I proposed a revision to that line). They decided to change the words, and now it fits perfectly with the art.

EL: WOW! What a ride! I could relate to feeling invisible when I was a kid. Did you pull any of this from your childhood or a child you know?

HS: There is definitely a little bit of me in Gilbert. I was somewhat shy as a child and didn’t really like being the center of attention. As a result, I did sometimes feel invisible. There is a little bit of my children and the children I have worked with in Gilbert too. I think a lot of kids and adults can relate to the feeling of being invisible.

EL: Do you have a writing group or groups? How important do you think they are?

HS: Yes! I have been part of a regular critique group for about 10 years, and I have a few other “occasional” critique partners. Critique partners have been an integral part of my writing journey, and I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without them! Not only do we point out the strengths and weaknesses of each other’s work, but we encourage and cheer each other on, provide support during the tough times, share resources, and help promote our books. Best of all, we’ve become good friends!

EL: Do you have any words of advice for aspiring kidlit writers?

HS: I think it’s important to understand that children’s book writing and illustrating is a business. We can pour so much of ourselves into our stories, so it’s understandable why rejections feel personal and can downright hurt. But there are so many reasons why an agent or editor passes on a manuscript, even a well-written, marketable one. Keep writing and submitting – your “yes” is out there!

EL: Great advice!  Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Heather.

Heather’s website: www.HeatherPierceStigall.com 

Links to order Gilbert and the Ghost and to find a free Educator’s Guide can be found on the “books” tab on Heather’s website HERE

And now a…

Heather is happy to give away a 30-minute “ask me anything” zoom call to one winner. To get in the running, please comment on this post and let me know if you’re a subscriber or if you have shared this post to get an extra chance to win.

Until next time,

Ellen 

On a personal note, I’m currently scheduling school author visits for the 2025-2026 school year. I’d love to visit YOU or a school near you! Please check out  https://EllenLeventhal.com.