08 Oct THE STARING CONTEST and Nick Solis (and a giveaway!)

There is an embarrassment of riches in children’s literature these days! I’m thrilled to host another friend from The Picture Book Scribblers, my 2021 marketing group, who has a book out NOW! I have to say that my typing may not be the best because I have been trying to beat the book. I’m not going to tell you what that means or how it turned out right now.  Read further to see what this blurry-eyed person is talking about.

Welcome, Nick. Please tell us a little about your debut picture book.

This is my first book, THE STARING CONTEST, and I’m so excited for the world to read it! I was inspired by two amazing books, The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak and Herve Tullet’s Press Here. I absolutely loved how interactive the books were and how they broke the fourth wall, drawing the reader in. I wanted something like that, so I began to think of games we used to play as kids, and staring contests popped into my head! The first draft was short and messy, but the foundation was there!

I know you’re an author/illustrator. Do you feel like you are one more than the other? If so, why?

This is a very funny question for me because I never considered myself an illustrator. Don’t get me wrong, I love to draw but I never thought any of my drawings would be used in a book. I just did a mock-up so that it would be easier for editors to visualize what I was thinking. But Mara Conlon, at Peter Pauper Press, thought they were great and the next thing I know I’m now an author/illustrator.

I love the illustrations in your book! Do you feel like you are primarily a picture book writer, or are you working on other genres?

I feel like I am primarily a PB writer, but I do have a middle grade that I’m really excited about! The only problem is that I am finished with the first draft, but it was so draining to write that I haven’t been able to sit down with it again in order to edit. MG’s are so much fun, but they take a lot of concentration which is sometimes very hard for me. I think I love PB’s because I can sit and really focus to finish that first draft, and then I can set aside a certain chunk of time for each revision. With middle grade, I have to find my flow which is so hard, but once I’m there I can write for hours.

Aside from the very exciting moment of seeing your book on the shelves, do you have any more “surreal” moments surrounding this book that you can tell us about? 

I think the most surreal moment was being sent videos of kids I’d never met laughing hysterically at the book. I’ve forced, ummmm I mean, I’ve shared all my stories with my students and all my friends’ kids and they like the story, but they also know me so they might be kinder than they need to be. But seeing strangers enjoying my book really hit home why I write. It has to be the best feeling in the world.

The BEST! Do you have a specific writing routine? If so, will you share it?

I’m the worst model to have when developing a writing routine. Some stories come to me while I’m driving, or reading, or watching t.v., or off of a funny word I hear out in the world. Other stories come to me at 3 in the morning and I hastily text my wife weird phrases like, “book with eyeballs,” and then explain to her in the morning what I meant. What has consistently worked for me has been taking classes at The Writing Barn. I like to be surrounded by writers and I like deadlines. I feed off of the energy of creatives, but I also know that I do well with being told when something is due. Of course, I wait until the last minute to do it, but it gets done.

What advice do you have for aspiring kidlit writers?

If you are just starting out, I highly recommend taking classes. I’ve always had story ideas, but it wasn’t until I started taking classes that I learned about story structure and especially WORD COUNT! Oh wow, my first stories used to be so so long! The classes really helped to solidify what a story should look like. It gave me a foundation. So once I had that locked in, I could then start playing with expectations and boundaries. I also recommend a truthful critique group. Find people that are kind, but are also there to push you to make something better

Where can we get your book? 

You can get my book at a ton of places and please do! My favorite is Book People. It is the largest, independent bookstore in Texas. It’s my happy place. But there is also Amazon, Target, and Barnes and Noble.

https://www.bookpeople.com/search/site/the%20staring%20contest

https://www.amazon.com/Staring-Contest-Nicholas-Solis/dp/1441335064

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-staring-contest-nicholas-solis/1136593885?ean=9781441335067

https://www.target.com/p/the-staring-contest-hardcover/-/A-80251045#lnk=sametab

Here’s a little sneak peek at the inside of the book. This book is SO much fun! 

Do you have a website where people can learn more about you?

Yes! You can learn more about me and the game show I lost at www.nicholassolis.com. And please follow me on Twitter and Instagram at @teachsolis

What else would you like people to know about you and/or your book?

As a teacher, I designed this book to help with fluency. You are supposed to try to make it through the whole book without blinking. The first time you do it, it will be almost impossible. But the more you get used to the words, the easier they are to read. The easier the words are to read, the faster you get. Pretty soon you are beating the book and becoming the staring master!!!!

Can you tell us a little about your 2021 release?

BORDERTOWN with Nancy Paulsen Books is coming out in 2021. A lot of it is based on my childhood visiting my family in Brownsville right along the border to Matamoros. I just saw the sketches by Luisa Uribe, and THEY ARE AMAZING! I can’t wait for the world to see. I also saw the cover of THE COLOR COLLECTOR which also comes out in 2021 with Sleeping Bear Press. Renia Metallinou has such a fantastic eye and the illustrations are so sweet, which I love because this story is all about friendship where even the forgotten pieces have a purpose.

Thanks so much, Nick! I’m thrilled about all your success. 

Now for the giveaway! Nick is generously giving away a picture book critique to those who comment below and commit to following Nick on Twitter and Instagram @teachsolis and subscribe to follow this blog.