Hello readers! Welcome to the first Birth Stories for Books interview of 2025. Today's post is an extra special one! Our guest is my longtime friend and colleague, Lora Heller. Today I'm so excited to shine a light on her latest book, ADVENTURES WITH OPAL: THE MUGGY, BUGGY DAY (illustrated by Piper Fialkoff, Independently Published, February 2025).
Dawn Prochovnic: Welcome to the blog, Lora. We have been friends, colleagues (and occasional critique partners!) for a very long time. I believe we first came to know each other via our shared interest in signing with babies and young children. By my recollection, our friendship dates back to your kindness in offering your expertise as the content consultant for my second series of Story Time with Signs & Rhymes books. That kindness continued with your enthusiastic support for my latest book, LUCY'S BLOOMS, generously recording book readings, lining up others to provide ASL interpretations of the story and the companion song, and eagerly helping get the word out about my book launch in the midst of the pandemic. The list goes on and on. I am so very grateful for all of your past support and SO VERY EXCITED for the opportunity to support the launch of YOUR latest book, ADVENTURES WITH OPAL: THE MUGGY, BUGGY DAY. I'm eager to learn more about your path to publication for this sweet and cheerful new book, so let's get started!
Although I've had the pleasure of reading various iterations of this story via some past manuscript swaps, I'd love to learn more about the inspiration that sparked the idea for this story, and the process and timeframe between your initial idea for the book and the story that was formulated fully enough to move forward with publication.
Lora Heller: While I was working on a different story, I was struck by the summer heat and the first line of this one just came into my head (“It’s muggy and buggy and so warm outside…”). Thinking about it evoked memories of summers past with my children, exploring parks and playgrounds together and witnessing their creative play, which inspired me to continue writing. It took about 18 months from start to finish. I’ve always written poetry so it was fun to write a story in rhyming verse – but it was a new added challenge to develop a character and plot in this format.
DP: When you compare one of your earliest drafts of this story to the version in the published book, what stands out for you in terms of what is most different? Likewise, is there anything in particular that stands out that was included in your earliest drafts and survived the revision process?
LH: Each illustration includes a ‘thought bubble’ that comes from Opal (the story’s main character) reflecting her thoughts or feelings about her adventures as told on each opposite page. I initially had an older sibling as a narrator instead, and decided over time to focus just on Opal. I feel that is what changed the story and Opal’s storytelling most significantly. The first line survived the revision process. 😊
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| Interior image from Adventures with Opal, Muggy Buggy Day by Lora Heller.and Piper Fialkoff |
DP: LOL, that's how revision, goes, isn't it! And I love Opal's thought bubbles.
Reflecting on the journey from idea to published book, are there any individuals, experiences, or opportunities that you credit with opening the door for you to bring this story to publication?
LH: Definitely my own children. I’ve always loved writing and reading poetry, and found that my kids also enjoyed stories told in verse. They also loved adventures and being outdoors.
DP: It’s my recollection that you worked with a specialized organization to help ready this book for publication. Can you share how you connected with this organization, how the process worked, and/or any valuable learnings from the experience that might be of help and interest to our readers?
LH: Children’s Book Mastery offered a picture book bootcamp which I participated in for several summer days, getting inspiration, guidance, and feedback along with other authors in the program. CBM also offers assistance with the self-publishing process including book design. One of the most valuable pieces of this experience was developing relationships with other children’s authors and another was having a daily goal for writing; these were things that kept me inspired and motivated to complete the story and continue working on more.
DP: I can completely relate. I don't know what I'd do without my network of kidlit friends and colleagues (I'm talking to you!), and writing goals definitely help keep me moving forward day by day.
Were there any specific resources you utilized that were most helpful to you along the way?
LH: I attended and continue to attend a variety of online workshops and webinars, and utilize the workbooks offered by CBM as well as other similar programs. For CBM I participated in live on-line picture book 5 day ‘boot camp’. I also attended follow up webinars she offered covering topics such as book launch and marketing.
I’ve also attended a few general writing retreats in person through various organizations. Some examples include:
https://journeytokidlit.com : I’ve followed her blogs and book templates; attended webinars on character and story development with her and guest presenters.
https://miriamlaundry.com : I have her book blueprint and attended her webinar ‘How to Write a Picture Book Children Will Love (and Parents Will Buy!)’
https://murphywriting.com : I attended an in-person weekend writing retreat in the poetry track.
DP: Those are some great resources, Lora. Thanks!
I’d likewise be interested in hearing how you went about the process of connecting with / collaborating with an illustrator for this project.
LH: While telling my neighbor that I was writing a picture book and would soon be looking for an illustrator, she told me that her (adult) daughter was an artist. I had seen this young woman grow up literally since she was born, but didn’t know this about her. So I reached out and asked if she would be interested in a possible collaboration and had any playful drawings to share. Piper’s style was so charming, it just felt like a perfect match. That said, she hadn’t done a lot of people drawing, so developing Opal was a process. She joyfully took my ideas and feedback, dived right into the story, and really brought Opal to life.
DP: I love it! What a great connection. Casual networking at its finest!
You have several traditionally published books under your belt including a collection of Baby Fingers board books, Sign Language ABC, and Sign Language for Kids. When you compare your path to publication for this new book to your path to publication for one or more of these earlier books, what are some of the key similarities and differences in terms of the publication journeys for each?
LH: The autonomy you have when self-publishing is liberating. I was able to make my own decisions about the title, text, illustrations, cover, size of the book, publication date, etc. It’s quite a learning curve, though – understanding book design (and finding the right organization to help), book sales, and so much more. And I had to invest financially, not just my time. Finding writing & author groups and programs helped maintain a collaborative feel of sorts which can be motivating. Traditional publishing can be daunting, as your work has to be accepted. My first sign language book was initially requested, and subsequent proposals led to my additional books. With the board books and Sign Language for Kids, I was fully engaged in the photography process to make sure we caught the models actually signing (all the babies/toddlers were students in Baby Fingers). My writing was also edited only for clarity and flow, since I was considered the ‘expert’ on the topic. For the ABC book, I chose the word list and made sure the handshapes for each letter were correctly done, but the art/artist was primarily coordinated by the publisher. An advance was nice 😉 and I appreciated the support & collaboration throughout the process with each book. Very different experiences!
DP: It sounds like very different experiences, indeed!
One of my favorite parts of being an author is connecting with young readers at school, library, and bookstore visits, and I’m always looking for new pro tips. Given your vast experience as the founder of Baby Fingers, LLC, a music therapist, a stage performer, Adjunct Professor, and Teacher of the Deaf (and likely other credentials I'm forgetting or overlooking), what professional advice or suggestions do you have for fellow author/presenters in terms of planning successful (in-person and/or remote) book-related events?
LH: I am still figuring this out myself! That said, relationships can be valuable. Now in our 25th year at Baby Fingers and my 30th year as a music therapist in NYC, I have developed relationships with schools, day care and community centers, medical and mental health facilities, libraries, a network of professionals and families. I’ve also developed relationships with other authors, writers, and people working in publication or other areas of media. So with these relationships, I’ve been able to set up and offer some upcoming programs including book readings and signings, special workshops, have books for sale in classes, have my books chosen by librarians and schools, etc.
DP: That is so fantastic to hear, Lora. You have always been so kind and supportive of others' work. I'm not at all surprised that you have built a network of "book angels" around you who are eager to support your books.
If you could go back in time, what would you tell your pre-published self? Or, said another way, what do you know now, that you wished you would have known a bit earlier and/or are there any lessons you've learned along the way that could help others who would likewise like to write and independently-publish (and/or traditionally publish) a children’s book?
LH: Write because you want to write, regardless of publication process. Write what you know and what you love. Remember that it takes time!!
DP: Yes, yes, and yes!
Do you have anything you’d like to tell us about what you’re currently working on?
LH: I am working on the next two (so far) Adventures with Opal books and still returning to the book I initially started before Opal came to life.
DP: That's great to hear, Lora. Thanks so much for sharing your Birth Story for ADVENTURES WITH OPAL: THE MUGGY, BUGGY DAY with us! I wish you MUCH success with this project!
Dear readers, you've heard me say it before: the best way to thank an author whose insights have been helpful and/or inspiring to you is to support their work. Buy their books. Request them from your library. Read and share them with others. Let's give ADVENTURES WITH OPAL: THE MUGGY, BUGGY DAY some love! (Bookshop, B&N, Amazon )
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Birth Stories for Books is an occasional feature of Dawn Babb Prochovnic's blog. Dawn is the author of multiple picture books including, Lucy's Blooms, Where Does a Cowgirl Go Potty?, Where Does a Pirate Go Potty?, and 16 books in the Story Time With Signs & Rhymes series. Dawn is a contributing author to the award-winning book, Oregon Reads Aloud, and a frequent presenter at schools, libraries, and educational conferences. Contact Dawn using the form at the left, or learn more at www.dawnprochovnic.com.
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