We recently connected with Henry Herz and have shared our conversation below.
Henry, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
There’s a lot more to authoring a children’s picture book than meets the eye. People unfamiliar with the craft may think, “Writing 500 words about any subject? That doesn’t seem very difficult.” I suppose if that’s their entire goal, they may be right. But if their objective is to create a manuscript that’s bought for traditional publication (i.e., by an established publishing house rather than self-publishing), the climb is considerably steeper.
I learned the craft in several ways. I joined the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. They have chapters throughout the US (and the world) from which members can learn the craft and business of writing for children. I also took a picture book writing class at a local university “extension” program. I read many published picture books to learn from successful authors. I drafted many picture book manuscripts. And I joined critique groups, which were invaluable in helping me learn and improve my skills.
Seeking traditional publication (in any genre and for any age reader) is not for the faint-hearted. The industry moves VERY slowly. I once received a rejection letter three years after sending it. In fact, that book (and another) had already been published by a different house. Which leads to another requirement – being thick-skinned. Publishing is filled with rejection. Even successful authors get rejected. I’ve heard J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter manuscript was rejected over a dozen times before being accepted. The slowness and low success rate mean one should not quit their day job to become a writer (unless another source of income is available).
I mention all these challenges not to discourage anyone, but to help would-be authors enter the industry clear-eyed. For me, it’s still worth doing because I enjoy the process and the periodic victories of selling manuscripts. As Randy Pausch said, “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Years ago, I wanted to share my love of reading fantasy with my young sons. They were too little for fantasy and sci-fi movie classic movies, and I wasn’t aware of any good fantasy books available for kids their age. One day, I came up with a way to share the joy of entering the magical realms of fantasy. I would write a fantasy book for them. That decision had two unintended consequences.
First, I did not anticipate was that my boys would give me feedback on the story. They devised some of the character and creature names, and made plot line suggestions. And who better to help make the story appealing to kids than other kids? So, the goal of interesting my sons in fantasy transformed into also encouraging them to write.
Second, I discovered how much I loved writing for kids. I joined SCBWI, found a critique group, and kept honing my writing skills until I sold my first book.
I’ve now sold the traditionally published picture books, children’s short stories, and adult short stories listed below. I’ve also edited three anthologies and appeared on author panels at San Diego Comic-Con and elsewhere. I particularly enjoy conducting author visits to elementary schools, where I can see firsthand kids’ reactions to my work and convey to them the magic of reading.
PICTURE BOOKS
• MONSTER GOOSE NURSERY RHYMES (Pelican, 2015)
• WHEN YOU GIVE AN IMP A PENNY (Pelican, 2016)
• MABEL & THE QUEEN OF DREAMS (Schiffer, 2016)
• LITTLE RED CUTTLEFISH (Pelican, 2016)
• CAP’N REX & HIS CLEVER CREW (Sterling, 2017)
• HOW THE SQUID GOT TWO LONG ARMS (Pelican, 2018)
• ALICE’S MAGIC GARDEN (Familius, 2018)
• GOOD EGG & BAD APPLE (Schiffer, 2018)
• 2 PIRATES + 1 ROBOT (Kane Miller, 2019)
• I AM SMOKE (Tilbury House, 2021)
• I AM GRAVITY (Tilbury House, 2023)
• I AM LIGHT (Tilbury House, TBD)
CHILDREN’S SHORT STORIES
• “Maria & Maslow” (Highlights for Children, 2020)
• “Born to Dance” (Highlights for Children, TBD)
• “Pay the Piper” (Highlights for Children, TBD)
• “A Proper Party” (Ladybug Magazine, 2021)
• “Castle on the Loch” in CASTLE OF HORROR IV anthology (Castle Media Press, 2020)
• “A Haughty Spirit in the Fall” in CANDY CAPERS anthology (Raven and Drake Publishing, 2021)
• “Bar Mitzvah on Planet Latke” in COMING OF AGE anthology (Albert Whitman, 2022)
• “The Magic Backpack” (Metastellar, 2022)
• “When Curiosity Saved the Cat” in WIMBLEDON COMMON anthology (Black Hare Press, 2022)
• “The Seventh Son of Cerro Corá” in THEIR GHOULISH REPUTATION anthology (Dark Lake Publishing, 2022)
• “Cheating Death” in THE HITHERTO SECRET EXPERIMENTS OF MARIE CURIE anthology (Blackstone Publishing, 2023)
ADULT SHORT STORIES & ESSAYS
• “Gluttony” in CLASSICS REMIXED anthology (Left Hand Pub., 2019 and Metastellar, 2021)
• “Four Fab Physicists” in STRANGELY FUNNY VII anthology (Mystery and Horror LLP, 2020)
• “Out, Damned Spot” (Daily Science Fiction, 2020)
• “Fallen Angel” (Enchanted Conversation’s Fairy Tale Magazine, 2020)
• “The Kelpie of Loch Ness” in IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE IV – TALES OF NIGHTMARE CREATURES anthology (Sinister Smile Press, 2021)
• “Swarm of Drones” (Utopia Science Fiction Magazine, 2021)
• “Norsemen: The Best Netflix Series You Haven’t Seen” (Interstellar Flight Press, 2021)
• “The Crowe Family” in THINLY VEILED anthology (Castle Bridge Media, 2021)
• “Log of the Starfreighter Demeter” in BEYOND anthology (Great Void Press, 2021)
• “Sweet As Honey” in UPON A TWICE TIME anthology (Air & Nothingness Press, 2021)
• “A Supreme Leader’s Work Is Never Done” (dyst Literary Journal #5, 2021)
• “Demon Hunter Vashti” in JEWISH BOOK OF HORROR anthology (Denver Horror Collective, 2021)
• “Alien with a Bad Attitude” in STRANGELY FUNNY VIII anthology (Mystery and Horror LLP, 2021)
• “Was Hellboy’s Prince Nuada Actually Tolkien’s Fëanor?” (Interstellar Flight Press, 2021)
• “The Troll Sons of Grýla” in THE HAUNTED QUILL anthology (Megara Publishing, 2021)
• “Poisoned Stew to Go” in Enchanted Conversation’s Fairy Tale Magazine (2021)
• “The Case of the Murderous Alien” in SPIRIT MACHINE anthology (Air & Nothingness Press, 2022)
• “Misadministration of Justice” in NAFALLEN UNIVERSITY COURSE CATALOG anthology (Madness Heart Press, 2022)
• “Unbreakable” in MUSINGS OF THE MUSES anthology (Brigid’s Gate, 2022)
• “A Vampire, an Astrophysicist, and a Mother Superior Walk into a Basilica” in THREE TIME TRAVELERS WALK INTO… anthology (Fantastic Books, 2022)
• “Three Little Porcinians” in A HERO OF A DIFFERENT STRIPE anthology (Hemelein, 2023)
Learn more at www.henryherz.com
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
There are definitely some things everyone can do to help support book authors and illustrators. First and foremost is to buy their books. Where possible, I encourage readers to purchase from their local independent book sellers rather than the Amazon conglomerate, because that not only supports authors but small businesses as well. Often, those stores host local author events, where you can meet and have your copy personalized and signed by the author. Mysterious Galaxy Books is one of several great such venues in San Diego County.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a children’s author is seeing my work have a positive impact on kids. I love conducting elementary school visits, because it gives me a chance to share my enthusiasm about reading and hopefully plant little seeds of creativity in young minds. Occasionally, schools have their kids send me illustrated thank you notes, which are absolutely delightful, misspelled words and all! If I’m entertaining and inspiring kids to seek knowledge and discover their passion, I’m delighted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.henryherz.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/henry_herz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Henry.Herz
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrylherz/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/HenryLHerz
- Other: Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5329496.Henry_L_Herz
Image Credits
not applicable