Q & A with author Henry L. Herz and Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications
SJF: In a nutshell, tell us about your book or written piece.
HLH: I had three picture books published last year. How the Squid Got Two Long Arms is about a selfish squid who pays the price for stretching the patience of his fellow sea creatures thin. The tale trails a shivering squid swimming through the cold waters of winter who spots a cozy looking sweater. Although it belongs to an octopus, the squid makes off with the sweater. Still not cozy, the squid keeps swimming and helping himself to more clothes to keep himself warm, until the true owners of the clothes come after him, with dire consequences!
In Good Egg and Bad Apple, not all the foods in the refrigerator get along like peas in a pod. The vegetables are steamed, and Bad Apple and Second Banana are the problem. Good Egg suggests his friends try different responses to these two bullies. At first, Good Egg’s tactics don’t bear fruit. Only by using his noodle does Good Egg avoid getting scrambled and save his friends’ bacon. Readers are served plenty of food for thought with hilarious gastronomical idioms and puns.
In Alice’s Magic Garden, Alice finds herself at a gray, dreary boarding school that is decidedly up the rabbit hole. From the relentless clocks to the beastly students, Alice’s world is void of color and cheer — until Alice finds a secret garden and begins tending its wilting inhabitants. When Alice’s love touches an ordinary caterpillar, a lory bird, and a white rabbit, magical things will happen — and that, as you know, is just the beginning of the story.
SJF: What has your experience been as a writer in San Diego?
HLH: Becoming a traditionally-published author has been an amazing journey. Living in San Diego, I’ve benefited from belonging to the local chapter of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). SCBWI San Diego is a particularly strong chapter, boasting numerous talented authors and illustrators, interesting monthly events, and helpful critique groups. As all authors do, I have to hone my craft, and SCBWI San Diego has played a big role in my development as a writer. San Diego also benefits from the presence of a number of wonderful independent bookstores, like Mysterious Galaxy, Warwick’s, and Run for Cover.
SJF: How has storytelling influenced your life?
HLH: Prior to my midlife discovery that I enjoy writing, I’d never written a word of fiction. Now, I’ve uncovered an amazing avenue in which to channel my creative energies — one that I can pursue for the rest of my life. It’s always a thrill to meet literary talent at the top of the field, to encourage literacy and critical thought, and to see kids’ faces light up when I read a book at a school assembly. The discovery has reminded me of the power of our words to entertain, educate, and ennoble.
SJF: If you had a magic wand, what kind of opportunities would be available to writers in San Diego?
HLH: I’ve attended a range of literary events in SoCal like the San Diego Festival of Books, the Charlotte S. Huck Children’s Literature Festival, and the Orange County Children’s Book Festival. But there are many fabulous events that occur elsewhere, including librarian conferences, the Decatur Book Festival, the Tucson Festival of Books, New York Comic Con, Dragon Con, BookExpo America, Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and so on. If I had a magic wand, I’d teleport myself and other interested San Diegans to distant cities hosting those events. Then, I would use the magic wand in the reverse direction, making it easy for literary agents and editors to attend writer events in San Diego. Remember, teleportation is a green technology!
SJF: What are you excited about when it comes to participating in the inaugural San Diego Writers Festival?
HLH: I’m excited to meet fellow authors and readers. Fellow authors because they are so talented and collegial. I always learn something new, hearing authors speak. And I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how friendly other authors have been. And where would writers be without their readers? I love meeting young readers and hearing what they have to say about my books. Their questions never fail to delight (and often surprise) me.
SJF: What advice would you give to a new writer in San Diego?
HLH: The same advice I’d give any new writer. Join SCBWI if you write Young Adult or in any younger market. Read extensively in your genre and market. Join a critique group. Or three! Hone your craft before rushing to submit to agents or editors (or to self-publish). Develop a thick skin, because the industry involves an enormous amount of rejection. And be persistent, because you’ll never be published if you quit before an editor falls in love with your manuscript. You might get published tomorrow. Unfortunately, you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel because the tunnel bends. All you can do is never stop writing (and submitting). I wrote a writer advice article at https://taralazar.com/2014/11/20/piboidmo-day-20-henry-herz/
SJF: Many thanks, Henry!
Learn More about Henry’s books
Visit him on facebook, twitter, Goodreads
Learn More about Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications
