16 Feb David McMullin’s ROCK N ROLL BABY plus a GIVEAWAY!

EL: Hi everyone! You know I love repeat customers, so I am thrilled to welcome back David McMullin to Writing Outside the Lines! His new picture book, Rock n Roll Baby, is a rollicking good time, and you and your little ones will love reading it over and over. David, welcome back. I love your new book– everything from the fun text to the adorable, colorful pictures makes me smile.

Last we “spoke,” David, you and your husband were traveling the world, and you were actually in Montenegro when your debut, Free to Be Fabulous, was about to be released. What’s your status now?

DM: It was interesting to be far from home during the release of that book. I didn’t actually hold Free to Be Fabulous until about three months after it had been published. We are currently back in Las Vegas, eagerly awaiting the day we can be on the road again. Experiencing the world is where our hearts and creativity thrive.

EL: I hope you get to do that soon.  Rock and Roll Baby is so much fun. Can you tell us about its road to publication?

DM: It was first submitted by my agent as a simple four stanza bedtime picture book. Although it had some close calls, it didn’t sell. A couple of years later we decided to revisit the manuscript, but my agent said it read like a board book. I was still determined to create a picture book, so I expanded the text, added an arc, and included the theme of multiple music genres. It was picture book perfect! We submitted, and an offer was made in less than an hour! But … the editor wanted it as a board book. I was happy to agree. Its final form was destined to be what it was.

EL: That’s really funny. I noticed that the babies in the book are of different genders and ethnicities. Was this all your wonderful illustrator, Allison Black’s idea, or did you decide that was something you wanted?

DM:  Although I don’t know what was communicated to Allison, I submitted the manuscript with an art note stating that I wanted diverse babies and families. So the answer is probably both of us.

EL: That’s one of the many things I love about the book. How did you get your idea for Rock and Roll Baby? Was it always in rhyme? 

DM: Rock ’n’ Roll Baby was written about ten years ago, when fractured fairytales were still very popular. I was exploring titles and discovered that Rock-a-bye Baby hadn’t been mined yet. The play on words seemed obvious, and Rock ’n’ Roll Baby was born. Because it was a parody of the famous lullaby, it was always in rhyme, using the original as its rhythmic pattern.

EL: Do you have a writing routine? If so, will you share it?

DM: Each year, I create a new writing challenge to keep myself motivated. This year, my goal is to create 26 new stories and to revise 26 old stories on alternating weeks. Being the year ’26 gave me this (possibly insane) idea. Along with all the writing I already do – weekly poems, submissions to editors, revisions for contracted books – I am basically always writing.

EL: Wow! That’s inspiring!  Do you have anything else in the pipeline you can talk about?

DM: I am very excited about a soon-to-be-announced early reader series on perspectives coming out next fall.

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

DM: I’m still with my original critique group from 14 years ago. I can’t say enough how much their insight, skills, and support have meant to my writing journey. I am fairly confident in my abilities, but I also know I have blind spots. Critique groups are crucial for me. I’m also with a weekly rhyme group, and a monthly chapter book group.

EL: What inspires you?

DM: Although I have been lucky to have some great life experiences, I will say most of my writing ideas come from the small stuff. My inspiration comes in bits and pieces—a fun word, a face in a crowd, a new item on my countertop, a glance through the titles at the library.

EL: In your opinion, what is the best part about writing kidlit, and what is the most challenging?

DM: I love having the opportunity to be playful. My writing goal is often to create something no one else has thought of. I know that is basically impossible, but when something feels truly unique, something that will surprise both kids and adults, that is when I have the most fun. The hardest part is the lack of control. If I ruled the world, publishing would move much more quickly.

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

DM: Rejection of a manuscript has very little to do with the quality of the work and everything to do with the needs of the agent or editor. They pass on a lot of great work. You create great work. Know it. Believe it. Move forward.

EL: That’s great advice. Do you have anything else you’d like our readers to know?

DM:  When anyone eventually gets a hold of Rock ’n’ Roll Baby, remember it was based on a lullaby and feel free to sing a few verses.

EL: Thank you so much for visiting with us today, David! I will definitely be singing the story! 

David McMullin is a children’s book writer, illustrator, and poet. His books include FREE TO BE FABULOUS! (HarperCollins), ROCK ’N’ ROLL BABY (Penguin/Random House) and a soon to be announced early reader series. His poems are featured in several magazines and anthologies alongside such authors as Jane Yolen. Honors include an SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul Award, a Writing with the Stars mentorship, an Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest award, and he was the 2021 Madness Poetry champion. He has been a Picture Book Rising Stars Mentor and will be a mentor for this year’s Nevada SCBWI mentorship program. David is a world traveler, bird nerd, and YouTuber. In past careers, he was a Broadway actor, an educator, and a children’s librarian.

David’s website: https://www.davidmcmullinbooks.com/

David’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcmullinpb/

Buy the book at: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771704/rock-n-roll-baby-by-david-mcmullin-illustrated-by-allison-black/ or any online book seller.

It’s time for a

David is happy to give away a PB critique 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.  

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On a personal note, I’m currently scheduling school author visits for the rest of the 2025-2026 school year as well as the 2026-2027 school year. I’d love to visit YOU or a school near you! Please check out  https://EllenLeventhal.com.   

Here’s a review! 

Ellen Leventhal is an amazing presenter who tailors her presentations to meet the needs of all students and age levels.  I am amazed at how she can talk about her love of writing, how to become a writer, encouraging students to do what they love and how we can all be kind into a 45 minute presentation. A school visit from Ellen Leventhal is a treat for everyone!  Suzanne Ritchey:  Carroll T Welch Elementary School Clint, TX

Until next time,

Ellen