Author-Illustrator Spotlight: Julie Koon

Feb. 25, 2022

We are excited to feature author-illustrator Julie Koon and her debut picture book, THE STRUGGLE BUS (Kind World Publishing), coming out on March 8. Enter to win a copy!

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

I do not have a professional background in art or writing, but I have always loved picture books. There is so much magic in the combination of words and pictures! I am a school counselor by day, and sometimes struggle with the tough situations and secondary trauma that I experience. I started painting watercolors as a form of self-care, something tangible and beautiful that I could make with my hands when the world felt so broken. I loved being creative, and it slowly morphed into a desire to share my work with the world as picture books! Now I can’t stop, and write and draw any chance that I get.

Congratulations on your picture book debut, The Struggle Bus! Tell us about the story and what inspired you.

I wrote this story at the beginning of the pandemic. So many people were struggling, which I saw very clearly in my work as a school counselor. I knew I wanted to write a story of hope and perseverance to process it all. One day, I heard someone say they were riding the struggle bus, and I thought, that’s it! The perfect way to talk about struggles in a lighthearted way.

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

I would say it was long and sweet. What I wanted more than just getting published was making a book that was good, that I could be proud of, and that would touch the hearts of others in some way. Because that was my goal, I trusted that it would happen when my skills had grown enough. I tried to focus on enjoying the process. I tweeted a pitch for The Struggle Bus at a PBPitch event, and had no idea people would connect so much with the concept! I was truly shocked that it received so many likes from agents and editors. Things moved quickly from there.

As an author-illustrator, which comes first for you, the words or the images?

I always write first, at least the first draft. Then I revise and draw the dummy at the same time, so that both inform each other. I think one of the challenges of being an author/illustrator is that you only have one brain of creativity, whereas if it’s two separate people, there are two creative brains at work. I try to take this into consideration and really think outside the box as much as I can.

What projects are you working on now?

I have several picture book dummies and an early reader graphic novel that I am working on. I even started writing an illustrated chapter book, but that was a loooong way to go.

What advice would you give your younger self? Is this the same you'd give to aspiring author-illustrators?

My advice is to never stop learning, listening, and growing. There are many things in the industry that we can’t control, and we should spend as little of our time worrying about them as we can. What we can control is working hard, growing our skills, and having fun while being creative.

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

I have two hairless guinea pigs (skinny pigs) as pets. Yes, they are naked except for tiny beards, and look like miniature hippos. Some people are cat people, some people are dog people, but I am and forever will be a rodent person.

Where can people find you online?

Website: https://www.juliepkoon.com/

Twitter: @juliepkoon

Instagram: juliepkoon

Julie Koon is an author-illustrator of books for children. She is also an elementary school counselor, where she helps kids learn how to navigate their feelings and the big wide world. She lives in Decatur, Georgia with her husband and three children. Julie has taken many rides on the struggle bus in the creation of this book, and is excited to share it with the world.