08 Aug Lydia Lukidis and GROUCHO THE GROUCHY GROUNDHOG plus a GIVEAWAY!

Hooray! Author Lydia Lukidis and illustrator Tara Hannon have teamed up to create a graphic novel that is unique and so much fun! In this book, we’re introduced to Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog, who loves sleeping and pancakes. But what happens when his pancakes are stolen by evil bunnies? Young readers will love this book and giggle along as they try to figure out what will happen next. I am thrilled to welcome Lydia to the blog today. Having known her for many years online, she’s a return customer, and I hope to meet her in real life sometime soon!

EL: Welcome, Lydia! What inspired you to write this graphic novel?

LL: Believe it or not, this idea first popped into my head back in grade 5! I was the editor of my school newspaper, Pizzazz, and totally obsessed with Garfield comics at the time. I even created my own comic strip starring a grouchy character. Originally, he was a dog named Squeak. Over the years, he morphed into a grumpy groundhog. Just goes to show, it’s always worth nurturing those little idea seeds; you never know when they’ll finally grow into something real.

EL: You are one of the most prolific authors that I know. I’ve read a lot of your books—all wonderful—but this feels like a new direction for you. What made you decide to write this humorous graphic novel?

LL: That’s so sweet of you to say! I don’t really think of myself as prolific, but more, all over the board. It’s not a deliberate move. I really respect authors who write one genre and write it really well. But I can’t seem to stay in one lane. Everyone knows I love writing STEM nonfiction books and will always continue to do so. But when I signed with my agent Miranda, I told her I would never give up on fiction.

When my daughter began reading on her own about 7 years ago, I got to reading the early graphic novels she was into, and I got majorly inspired! I thought back to my own comics and decided to pursue that. It was always a dream. I’m happy my agent supports me and all the directions I go in, from nonfiction to funny graphic novel.

EL: So many people wonder (myself included) how someone who isn’t an illustrator writes a graphic novel. Did you sketch out the pictures? Tell your wonderful illustrator, Tara Hannon, what you wanted? Give her total freedom?

LL: If you’re an author dreaming of publishing a graphic novel, I’ve been there. I can say this; it’s challenging, but it can be done. It took 3 years to fully develop the character of Groucho and his world. Then it took another year to write the 80-page manuscript.

As a writer-only, I knew publishers prefer author-illustrator teams. You’ll have a tough time trying to sell a graphic novel as text only. So, after a helpful rejection, I partnered with illustrator Tara, who believed in the project enough to create character sketches and sample pages on spec. That collaboration, along with a solid proposal, landed us a two-book deal with Andrews McMeel.

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

LL: Yes, I’m part of a critique group with authors and illustrators repped by Miranda, so we’re really tight. I honestly think these groups are invaluable. Writing can feel like such a solitary process, but having a community, whether it’s for feedback, accountability, or just moral support, makes a huge difference. My critique partners help me see blind spots in my work and push me to make my stories stronger. Beyond that, being part of a writing group keeps me motivated during the inevitable ups and downs of the publishing process. It’s also just nice to connect with people who get the unique challenges of this journey. Other than my critique group, I also swap critiques with various other authors from time to time.

EL: What do you do when the words won’t come?

LL: When the words won’t come, I have learned to stop railing against the process. Some books take me YEARS to revise. It is what it is. I tend to work on several projects at once and have to put some manuscripts aside for a while before they start coming together.

Sometimes, a short walk, a change of scenery, or even doing something completely unrelated helps clear the mental fog. If I’m stuck on a project but still want to stay creative, I’ll switch gears and work on something lower-pressure, like brainstorming silly titles, sketching character ideas, or freewriting with no expectations.

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

 LL: My biggest advice for aspiring kidlit writers is to keep writing and to never give up, but also be strategic. Every story you write helps you grow, even the ones that never leave your computer. At the same time, it’s important to study the market: read current books in your genre and understand what publishers are looking for. Not every idea will be “the one,” and that’s okay. Part of the process is knowing when to pour your energy into a project and when to gently shelf a manuscript and move on. Sometimes that shelved story finds its moment later, sometimes it stays in the drawer forever. But either way, it’s never wasted. Every word you write builds your skills, your voice, and your path forward.

EL: Great advice for all of us to remember!  Here is some more info about Lydia. 

BIO

 Lydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 60+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere (Capstone, 2025), DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), and DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was a Crystal Kite winner for the Canada and North America division, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, a Cybils Award nominee, and winner of the Dogwood Readers Award. A science enthusiast from a young age, Lydia now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program. Lydia is represented by literary agent Miranda Paul from Aevitas Creative Management.

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.lydialukidis.com/

Blog: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LydiaLukidis

FB: https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLukidis/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lydialukidis.bsky.social

Preorders: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Groucho-the-Grouchy-Groundhog/Tara-J-Hannon/Groucho-the-Grouchy-Groundhog/9781524898397

And now….

Lydia is happy to offer a copy of her book to one lucky 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.