We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan B Katz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
When an author gets contracted by a publisher for a children’s picture book, the author and illustrator are USUALLY not allowed to communicate directly during the illustration process. That is, unless they are the same person. Typically, the editor and/or art director serve as intermediaries for any questions that arise. This is because, if THE AUTHOR’S words are descriptive enough, the illustrator should be able to interpret them, create imagery, and also add their own layer that we, in the industry, call the “second story.” For example, in my book MY MAMA EARTH, the illustrator added a cat on each page that is somewhat camouflaged. Kids LOVE looking for the cat on each spread. Most people assume that authors choose their illustrator. That is very rare. I’ve done it once in over 75 books.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a writer, first and foremost. I love the way words rhyme, and how cognates in different languages (e.g., history/historia) line up. I started illustrating with cut paper collage and my medium morphed into ceramic mosaics. More recently, I returned to my first love: wildlife photography. https://www.instagram.com/susanbkatzauthor/ There is demand for non-fiction and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) titles and showing students the real world through photos is crucial. https://www.behance.net/susanbkatz My goal is to illustrate books with my photography. It took me 12 years to get my first book published. That happened in 2010. I had a book or two come out every other year from that year until 2020. In 2020, during the pandemic, there was a huge demand, via publishers, for families to have books for their home libraries. I published 8 books that year, then I had 16 books come out in 2021. I write everything from board books for KIDS AGES 0-3, to picture books for 3-8 YEAR OLDS, and even chapter books for 9-12 year olds. You can see them all here: https://susankatzbooks.com/

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a big water person, so I’d take them to the beach. In SoCal, I’d go to Laguna Beach, Encinitas, OR LA JOLLA. I’d also visit a farmer’s market and then head out to Glen Ivy Hot Springs, my favorite spa in SoCal. My favorite restaurant in SoCal is Din Tai Fung. The Glendale location is easiest to access. In NorCal, I’d TAKE them to Tiburon, Muir Woods, Bodega Bay, and down to Half Moon Bay. In SF, I’d spend the day in Golden Gate Park visiting the botanical gardens, the Japanese Tea Gardens, and one of the adjacent museums.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents have supported me since I started writing in elementary school and entered contests in middle school and high school. They are my biggest cheerleaders and have their own “library” of my books in their home. My twin nephews AND OLDER NEPHEW inspired me, including the day THE TWINS were born being the catalyst for my first book ABC BABY ME. (They are 15 now!) My brother and my cousin give great advice and encouragement. I’m also in a stellar writer’s group who give me honest feedback (and deadlines.) We also pick each other up when we’re feeling dejected, after rejections (which still happen, 70 books in.) I have friends around the country, and the world, who have shown up at my book events to support me. Finally, the students I taught over 30 years in education were my first audience.

Website: https://susankatzbooks.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanbkatzauthor/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-b-katz-57b54b9

Twitter: @SusanKatzAuthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanbkatzauthor

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnCGh-QuRBr-2Fg1RjB-XQ

Other: https://www.behance.net/susanbkatz

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