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Classical Jazz 2005: Home

Follow-up Interviews with Lisa Wheeler

by Debbi Michiko Florence

What have you been working on since we last chatted?

  • A sequel to Porcupining (sold)
  • A picture book called BOOGIE KNIGHTS (sold)
  • A picture book about a dog who goes to space. (still working on)

What's the best thing that's happened in the last year?

My book OLD CRICKET won The Mitten Award which is given by the Michigan Library Association and is probably the biggest award I'll ever get! I get to go to a dinner in April and I get a plaque and check and it will be very surreal.

The funniest?

Since I started visiting schools, funny things happen all the time. In one school, a kid mistook my picture for Martha Stewart's and was confused about who was coming to visit!

Any disappointments?

I am disappointed that the two mega booksellers have chosen not carry my newest book, SEADOGS: AN EPIC OCEAN OPERETTA. It's a fabulous book for older PB readers. It is not a read aloud and I think that throws marketing people off. I am counting on the indies to love it and spread the word. In the mean time, Mark Siegel (the illustrator) and I are encouraging people to check it out.

Do you work on one project at a time? Or many at once?

I generally work on three at a time.

Do you have a ritual you follow before you're able to settle down to work for the day? What is it?

Just coffee. No rituals.

What's the best advice you were ever given, and by whom?

My husband always gives the best advice. Whenever I am nervous before a talk, he says, "Just be yourself." that always calms me down and I hear those words in my head as I am sweating in the wings, and I relax.

What books have you recently published, or will be released soon?

Besides SEADOGS, I have 6 other books coming out this year.

This spring, look for TE AMO, BEBÈ, LITTLE ONE and BUBBLE GUM, BUBBLE GUM. In June the third book in the FITCH & CHIP series comes out. It's called WHO'S AFRAID OF A GRANNY WOLF?

Then, in the fall, the fourth F&C book, INVASION OF THE PIG SISTERS will be released. In October, two picture books hit the stands, FARMER DALE'S RED PICK UP TRUCK and then, UNCLES AND ANTLERS, which is a Christmas book.

Any other news you'd like to share?

I just want to thank all those people out there who buy my books even though they are not related to me. That is so cool!

Interview © April, 2004, by Debbi Michiko Florence.
See also my other interviews with Lisa Wheeler, in 2003 and 2006.
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what's new?

You may read more about Lisa and her books at her web site.

See also my other interviews with Lisa Wheeler, in 2003 and 2006.