Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eva Creel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Eva, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My six year old son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) this year. While he was still in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) I went to the library to find children’s picture books about T1D so he could feel normal and less alone; the library didn’t have any. I was shocked, and angry. How could there be no representation in the literary world for my son? On Amazon I was able to find a few self-published titles. But the traditional publishing world has nothing for children. Chronic illnesses are apparently too depressing and a niche market. So, I wrote his story. And I submitted it with very little hope that it would get picked up. But around that time Barbie had come out with a type 1 diabetes doll. And that encouraged me to try. I received several rejections quickly but most of the agents and publishers I contacted never wrote back… Until one did. “Just Too Sweet Type 1 Diabetes. Sometimes the sweetest kids are the toughest fighters.” Will be the first traditional published children’s picture book about T1D!

Eva, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Vocationally I was a photographer for 20 years. I call it my lazy story telling years. I had a very traumatic birthing experience with my last child and my personality changed as a result of the near-death experience. Now, I find it very difficult to “people” and my creative escape became writing. I’ve self-published in many genres: adult contemporary dark fantasy, YA Syfy, romance, MG grimdark, and children’s picture books. My children are my biggest fans and inspiration so I often write for them.
I’m also dyslexic. For the longest time, I convinced myself I couldn’t write. Whoever heard of a writer who could barely read. Turns out Agatha Christie was dyslexic and so are over half of NASA. That’s when I found my audacity… And my editor.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The dyslexia. Silly me thinking it was a dead end when it was simple a bend in the road. My advice to any parent or child with dyslexia. Google all the people who have it. I wish I had Google when I was a kid.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Let’s normalize rejection shall we? Success is a diamond in the hand but what we should consider is the giant hole dug to find it. And that diamond is very unlikely to pay for all the shovels and the time it took to dig. I recognize my privilege that I can write and pursue publishing.
But the game is rigged. Look at any of your local big box stores bookshelves. Filled with marketable TV characters you already know, the sure thing, the guaranteed money makers. You won’t find my books on those shelves. Because even if I did what fewer than 1% of authors can do, it’s still not the .01 percent that make it, really make it. After every book I write I think, never again. I’m done. I mean it. But then a little idea begins to sprout and before I know it it’s gone feral and I find the audacity to try again.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @authoregcreel