Author-Illustrator Spotlight: Amy Nielander

© Amy Nielander

Jan. 24, 2020

Today we are excited to feature author-illustrator Amy Nielander and her picture book, GRAMA'S HUG (Page Street Kids, Jan. 28, 2020). Enter to win a copy!

Tell us about yourself and how you came to write and illustrate for children.

I grew up with a dynamic, story-telling mom. She shared a lot of her writing with me when I was a child. Her process fascinated me the most. I listened to her form loose ideas then stitch them together with words until she had a beautiful story. That led to my own writing experimentations. I kept journals and had pen-pals growing up. I eventually went to college for product design which fed my interest in drawing and problem solving. 

© Amy Nielander

It wasn’t until we started a family when I kind of stepped back and wondered if I was really serving my purpose. Picture books were becoming a big part of our world and I treasured that shared reading experience with my kids. I wondered if I could contribute to that connection building by playing a role in the story-making process. I decided to give it a try! My first attempt at making a dummy was illustrating a story my mom wrote for a godchild several years ago. We submitted it but unfortunately received rejections. Since I fell in love with the process of pairing art and text I decided to write my own stories. And here I am, 10+ years later!

Congrats on your forthcoming picture book, GRAMA'S HUG. Tell us about the story and what inspired you.

Thank you so much! GRAMA’S HUG is about a devoted grama and her space-loving granddaughter, May. The story follows the pair during May’s elementary years as they become an inseparable team. They create art, birdwatch and prepare inventions for the annual space fair. They never, ever say goodbye without a hug until that moment slips away one day. This picture book will inspire conversations about intergenerational relationships, treasuring moments and honoring traditions (with a STEM spin). 

© Amy Nielander

The idea for GRAMA’S HUG landed in 2013 when I was walking my daughter to school one morning. As we neared the entrance, the bell rang and kids ran in. Then, I heard a parent yell out “I am not leaving without a hug!” I couldn’t get that sentence out of my head. It soon became the title for my first draft which I eventually shared at an SCBWI round table critique. Years and many drafts later, I submitted a picture book dummy to Page Street Kids. The title eventually changed but that sentence still lives in the story. 

© Amy Nielander

Was your road to publication long and winding, short and sweet, or something in between?

It was definitely long and winding. I feel like it would look like a connect-the-dots- worksheet if I plotted it out! 

© Amy Nielander

As an author and illustrator, which comes first, the words or the images?

It varies from story to story. Sometimes words come first, sometimes images do.

© Amy Nielander

What projects are you working on now?

We have a picture book on submission with another one close behind. I have a few more picture book dummies in need of tune ups and plan on giving them my full attention after the book launch (February 22nd). 

© Amy Nielander

What advice do you have for aspiring author-illustrators?

Be certain your stories reflect the highest quality of work you are capable of. A good way to insure this is with critique groups, writer workshops, manuscript reviews via conferences or mentorships. This is also a fantastic way to create deadlines for yourself so work gets finished! It’s so easy to get tugged into posting on social media or finding an agent if you don’t have one. If you’re sharing your work, constantly building + improving your skills as a writer/illustrator and staying on top of the industry, your work will find its way to the right publisher or agent.

© Amy Nielander

What is one thing most people don't know about you?

I love salsa dancing. 

© Amy Nielander

Where can people find you online?

Website: https://www.amynielander.com/
Twitter: @nielanderamy 
Instagram: @amynielander 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nielanderamy/

 Amy Nielander is a children’s picture book author and illustrator. She strives to spread joy and inspire others through her stories and school visits. Her first wordless picture book, The Ladybug Race (PomegranateKids), received international recognition as a finalist entry in the Silent Book Contest and later earned a Bronze Medal Book Awardby Independent Publisher. Her second picture book, Grama’s Hug (Page Street Kids) received a starred review from Booklist and releases January 28th, 2020. Amy lives in Michigan with her family and works alongside her sweet, chair-sharing havanese (whom she adores), every day. 

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