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A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Four: Autumnatopoeia with a sneak peek of the poem "The Pipe Dragon" by Linda Middleton. A white page with black text. Linda Middleton writes poetry for children and is passionate about inspiring them to write their own in her workshops. She is delighted that some of her poems have found beautiful homes, including in The Caterpillar and The Dirigible Balloon. Linda enjoys supporting children and teaching RE in a primary school in a leafy corner of England. In her spare time when she is not writing, she can be found wood wandering, wildlife watching, beach strolling and ice cream tasting. You can connect with Linda through her Twitter account @LindaMid7 Little Thoughts Press: Your poem, "The Pipe Dragon" is a unique and fun approach to the Autumnatopoeia theme, taking something rather mundane, a radiator heating up, and making it fantastical. Conversely, "Autumn Songs" is very observational, noting the many sounds of autumn, down to the quiet plops of falling acorns. Do you tend to gravitate more toward the imaginary and fantastical when writing for children, or toward more natural, observational depictions of the world, and why? Linda Middleton: This is a tricky question because I find enormous delight in both. Allowing my imagination to lead takes me to a world of all sorts of magic and mystery and it can be such an absorbing diversion from the real world. Asking yourself ‘What if?’ is like whizzing down a rainbow slide and not knowing where you will end up. On the other hand, my heart has been nurtured by the natural world ever since I played beneath the sprawling oak at the bottom of my childhood garden. Immersing myself in the wonders of nature and then drawing upon observations and experiences for my poetry comes naturally. Creating Autumn Songs was like popping together a musical jigsaw of sounds and I am delighted that it has been loved by the children it has been shared with. Little Thoughts Press: Issue 4: Autumnatopoeia celebrates the sounds of the fall season. What is your favorite onomatopoeia? And what is your favorite thing about autumn? Linda Middleton: I simply LOVE, LOVE, LOVE onomatopoeia and was so thrilled to have two poems selected for the Little Thoughts Press Autumnatopoeia issue. My favourite onomatopoeia is the swishing rustle of welly-booting through carpets of glorious autumn leaves. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons to embrace. Blue-splashed skies above the trees celebrating fall with their swirling, twirling carnival parade of blazing colour and that profound, earthly whispering sense of change rolling in with the sun-pearled mist never fail to excite. Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Linda Middleton: Growing up hand in hand with children’s literature and being a grown-up with a little bit of child still cartwheeling in my heart has drawn me to writing kid-lit. I love my role as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and working with children has inspired me further. Seeing the smile on the face of a child who finds themselves in one of my poems or simply enjoys the picture it paints is the most rewarding part. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Linda Middleton: I was a devoted reader as a youngster and remember a tower of adventure and mystery books beside my bed. I waltzed and whirled through fairy tales and fables and fell head over heels in love with Edith Brill’s The Golden Bird, gloriously enriched by Jan Pienkowski’s stunning silhouettes and swirls of colour. I found myself in the character of Babka with her love for the forest and her friends the birds. Roald Dahl is another favourite author and I especially enjoyed the heartwarming relationship between Danny and his father in Danny the Champion of the World. I immersed myself in the fantasy of the tiny people in Mary Norton’s The Borrowers and never tired of exploring Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. And as for Michael Bond’s friendly Paddington Bear, well he simply felt like part of the family. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Linda Middleton: I found it impossible to step out of the adventure unfolding in Hannah Gold’s moving tale in her dazzling debut novel, The Last Bear, and I am looking forward to the sequel, Finding Bear, released later this year. Lost Magic, The Very Best of Brian Moses, is definitely a firm favourite of mine with its wonderful mix of humorous, haunting and thoughtful poems. Debra Bertulis’ beautiful debut poetry collection Where Do Wishes Go? instantly became a book for keeps for me and one that I would have cherished as a child. I’m also looking forward to the exciting debut collection from Sarah Ziman, as I have always enjoyed her clever zingy poems. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Linda Middleton: Keep your eyes open to spot the extraordinary in the ordinary − you’ll be surprised where this can take you! Capture magic from the whisper of a seashell to the rainbow shine of a bubble and stash it away like treasure in the boxes of your brain and the pages of your notebook. Whistle to your ideas and they will reappear like the rainbow array on an artist’s palette to help you paint your beautiful poems. Oh, and most importantly, have fun with your creative writing! Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Linda Middleton: My brightest poetry highlight of 2022 was having a poem chosen by the wonderful Jonathan Humble for The Dirigible Balloon anthology, Chasing Clouds, and to be part of the official book launch. The marshmallows on my hot chocolate were the complimentary words of Steve Whitaker, Literary Editor of The Yorkshire Times, in his book review: The fulsome and animated richness of nature in ‘Spring’s Magic Wings’ by Linda Middleton, encourages close observation of the natural world, as it performs a service to ecology in a wider universe of ignorance and neglect. The simple wonder of Middleton’s achingly musical lyricism is entirely consonant with the spring-like freshness of juvenile experience: ‘Leaves are unfurling, silk threads are whirling − Caterpillar trapeze!’.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Four: Autumnatopoeia with a sneak peek of the poem "Autumn Tradition" by Jay Brazeau. A blue page with white text. Jay Brazeau is an emerging Ottawa-based poet who resides on the outer edge of imagination – a world where cats sport houndstooth jackets, chickens sell eggs and a pigeon’s pockets are packed with popcorn. His poems have appeared in various anthologies, The Caterpillar Magazine, online at Tyger Tyger, and The Dirigible Balloon as well as in the public art project WHAT YOU’D NEVER EXPECT A BEAR TO WEAR (and Other Ironic Outfits). Little Thoughts Press: Tell us about your What You'd Never Expect A Bear to Wear public art project. What inspired this idea, and based on your own clothing preferences, what animal do you think you'd be? Jay Brazeau: Think about a tortoise in a tracksuit, a cat in a houndstooth jacket, or a deer in hunting gear. WHAT YOU’D NEVER EXPECT A BEAR TO WEAR (and Other Ironic Outfits) is a collection of 17 poems featuring animals in, if not always ironic, certainly awkward outfits. Poems (and artwork by the enormously talented Meaghan Smith) were printed on 5x7 cards and released (one per week) in parks and playgrounds around my neighborhood. Its intent was to connect with kids in a low-tech and accessible way. I have no idea if it was successful. Of course, Instagram provided a high-tech platform too…as does the website www.ironicoutfits.com. I’ve always considered myself to be a sparrow – the unassumingly nervous kind that picks up crumbs under a café table. So, I suppose my ironic outfit would be a splendid, velvet dinner jacket. Oooh, la, la! Little Thoughts Press: Issue 4: Autumnatopoeia celebrates the sounds of the fall season. What is your favorite onomatopoeia? And what is your favorite thing about autumn? Jay Brazeau: My favorite onomatopoeia is that sad plunger-on-the-trumpet sound – Bwaa, Waaa, Waaaaaa! You know, the sound you hear in your head when your ice cream cone lands on the ground? Autumn is the harbinger of winter – which is severe where I live. I’m not fond of it. So, as soon as September hits, all I hear is Bwaa, Waaa, Waaaaaa! But I do dig the opportunity to put on a sweater. Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Jay Brazeau: People are intended to connect with each other. There are many means to connect. My goal has always been to connect using humour. Writing poetry for children is a tool to use humour to (hopefully) connect with people of ALL ages. The most challenging aspect for me (since I have no kids, nor do I teach them) is to know what interests them. My answer is to channel my own childish nature (which is embarrassingly easy for me to access) and write about what interests me. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Jay Brazeau: Like many, I grew up on Shel Silverstein – his poetry AND his music. As I got older I thought, “How did the same guy write all these funny, innocent poems, yet lyrics to songs that only adults should enjoy?” But that was Shel’s brilliance – he used many mediums (art, music, poetry and prose – experimenting and pushing boundaries) to connect with people of ALL ages – and always in his own way. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Jay Brazeau: Those that know me well are tired of me talking about Calef Brown, whose off-the-wall style of writing (and illustration) has me hooked. I’d love to live in that guy’s world for even five minutes. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Jay Brazeau: Read Calef Brown. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Jay Brazeau: Gosh, I have NO NEWS. There’s literally nothing to look forward to. Although maybe someday I’ll do something noteworthy with a ukulele. Stay tuned! But be patient. And kind.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Four: Autumnatopoeia with a sneak peek of the poem "Weather's Trick, Witch's Treat" by Abby N. Wooldridge. A white page with black text. Abby N. Wooldridge is a pediatric speech-language pathologist, wife, and mother of two incredible kids. She loves reading and writing and has dreamed of being an author her entire life. Her first poem was published on April Fool’s Day (no joke!) in Imperfect II: Poems About Perspective, an Anthology for Middle Schoolers. Connect with Abby on Twitter @ANWBooks, or visit her website to see more of her work at abbywooldridge.com. Little Thoughts Press: In addition to writing, you work as a pediatric speech-language pathologist. That is so cool! In what ways does working with children in this capacity influence or inform the way in which you write for kids? Abby N. Wooldridge: I love working with kids! They help me see the world in a new way, and they teach me things every day. I've definitely gotten a lot of picture book ideas from the kids I've worked with, too! I talk to a lot of them about having a growth mindset and not giving up. The path to publication is full of rejections, but I hope to use my journey to show kids that they can achieve their goals if they don't give up. Little Thoughts Press: Issue 4: Autumnatopoeia celebrates the sounds of the fall season. What is your favorite onomatopoeia? And what is your favorite thing about autumn? Abby N. Wooldridge: I LOVE the Autumnatopoeia issue because it combines two things I love: onomatopoeia and fall! I love hay rides, apple cider, sweater weather, and pumpkin patches. The way the dark clouds contrast with the bright blue sky and the changing colors of the leaves. The crisp cool air. The smells of the season. But my favorite thing about fall is that magical feeling in the air: the promise of new possibilities. My favorite onomatopoeia is "crackle." I love leaves that crunch and crackle under my feet, bonfires that crackle and pop, and sweet treats that crinkle and crackle when they're opened. It's cozy and exciting all at the same time. Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Abby N. Wooldridge: I never went anywhere without a book in my hands growing up, and I've always wanted to be an author. One of my favorite memories that made me realize it was time to pursue my dream happened a few years into my career as a speech pathologist. I asked the little boy I was working with what he wanted to be when he grew up. He told me and then said, "What do you want to be when you grow up, Miss Abby?" "An author," I said, without missing a beat. I want to write books that help kids love reading as much as I do. The rejections along the way have definitely been a challenge, but reading my work to a child who loves it makes it all worthwhile. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Abby N. Wooldridge: I loved Judy Blume, Joan Lowery Nixon, Lois Duncan, and Beverly Cleary. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Abby N. Wooldridge: I have loved being a part of the kid-lit community. There are so many amazing creators out there, and I have learned so much from all of them. I've loved being a part of 12x12, Haiku communities, critique trains, Twitter chats, and writing contests. One of the coolest things ever is being able to read my critique partners' stories before they are published. I cannot wait for their books to be out in the world! Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Abby N. Wooldridge: Read and write as much as you can. Draw--even if you think you're bad at it. Silence your inner critic. Focus on fun. Share your work with friends who love to read and write, and celebrate your progress. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Abby N. Wooldridge: No new publishing news to share right now, but I do have several submissions out and continue to be hopeful. I also recently won an honorable mention in the humor category of Susanna Leonard Hill's holiday villain contest. I was super excited about that! In terms of other things to share, I would say one of the best lessons I've learned is to share my writing with others. I've written so many stories that have never seen the light of day because of the fear that they're not good enough, but finding critique partners to trade work with has been a game changer. I learn so much from them, and they challenge me to be a better writer. In case it inspires anyone else who's on the fence about sharing their work, here's the verse that inspired me: Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. --Ecclesiastes 11:4

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Four: Autumnatopoeia with a sneak peek of the story "The Autumn Vixen" by Emmy Clarke. A white page with black text with a banner of orange leaves at the top. Emmy Clarke is a children's writer and poet from Manchester, England. Their first story for children, "Vampire Hunter Jess" was featured in Tales of the Bold, the Brave and the Beautiful, an anthology produced by Stories of Care. Little Thoughts Press: Your story, "Autumn Vixen" is about the magic and awe of the reader encountering a vixen and her kits while out walking through the woods. Can you tell us about the inspiration for this story and how you chose to use onomatopoeia to enhance the storytelling? Emmy Clarke: I've always liked writing about ordinary situations and sprinkling a bit of magic into them. I think everyday occurrences are inherently very magical. "The Autumn Vixen" is inspired by an experience I had when I was younger, one lonely October afternoon. I was walking (like the reader in the story) to the park, when I saw a fox crossing by an old farm house. I'm not a person who is particularly prone to gasping, but something about seeing her trot through the autumn leaves made me breathe in so sharply she turned to look at me. It was a very magical moment. Little Thoughts Press: Issue 4: Autumnatopoeia celebrates the sounds of the fall season. What is your favorite onomatopoeia? And what is your favorite thing about autumn? Emmy Clarke: "Meow!" My partner and I have two naughty tabby kittens, Toast and Parsley. They keep jumping inside the kitchen bin. It's driving us nuts! But I can't stay mad at them because their mischievous little mews always make me smile. They also don't mind being put in silly costumes, which is an ideal quality for a cat to have. We dressed them both up as bats to show the trick-or-treaters this year. Which neatly brings me to my favourite thing about autumn... Halloween!! Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Emmy Clarke: Since becoming a "grown-up" I've made it my mission to live life in a way that kid-me would think was the coolest. I carry this into my writing. I write for myself, as a kid, and what I wanted to read. Because of this, I don't necessarily find writing for a young audience to be challenging. The industry can be difficult at times, particularly for disabled and neurodivergent creatives like me. But overall, I've found the actual act of writing very enjoyable, and the awesome people I've met along the way have made any difficulties worth it, 100%. One of my favourite writing moments of 2022 was when I was invited to read my short story "Vampire Hunter Jess" at my childhood local library for their pride celebrations. This was my first public reading and I had a fabulous, engaged kid audience. I loved every moment! Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Emmy Clarke: I loved (and still love) Michelle Paver's Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. I was so invested in its world, its characters, and its creatures and mythos. There's a sequel series now, and I love that too!! In a similar vein, I also loved Robin Jarvis's Deptford Mice series. I'm still waiting on that final installment of the Deptford Histories! Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Emmy Clarke: So many. Particularly I want to shout out Elle McNicholl's Like A Charm (urban fantasy with neurodivergent protagonist) and Maggie Horne's Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One (contemporary fiction with a lesbian protagonist). Both excellent middle grades that I just couldn't put down. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Emmy Clarke: Read what you love, write what you love. What you love is cool as heck and so are you. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Emmy Clarke: Two things! I also have a short story, "Floorboard Fairies," in the January 2023 issue of Storytime Magazine. I'm the Founder of Changeling Annual - an upcoming collection of children's fiction, poetry and art, all by neurodivergent creatives! Our debut collection will be published in Spring 2023.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Four: Autumnatopoeia with a sneak peek of the poem "Apple of Your Eye" by Kathryn Sadakierski. A white page with black text and an image of an apple tree. Kathryn Sadakierski is a creative writer whose work has been published in Blue Marble Review, Goldfish, Germs, and Galaxies: A Collection of Children’s Stories (Harvard College Children’s Stories), and elsewhere. Kathryn is from New England, where she loves to hike, bake banana bread, draw, read, and play ukulele (just not all at the same time!). Little Thoughts Press: You write for both adults and children. Your poem in Autumnatopoeia, "Apple of My Eye" has such rich descriptions. For example: More leaves trickle like swimming, shimmering fish Through the sea of blue sky As you peer up at the trees It's a quality that is also present in the work you've published for adult readers. Do you draw a distinction between your writing for kids and your writing for adults, and if so, how does your approach to writing for these two audiences differ? Kathryn Sadakierski: I love writing for both children and adults. I strive to convey my passion for the beauty of the written word, as well as for the poetry of life itself, in my work for both audiences, and in so doing, to inspire a sense of wonder. In this sense, I don’t draw a distinction between my writing for children and adults, as I aim to bring the same essence of joy to all my creative work, albeit in different ways. I ultimately let the spirit of the piece guide the shape it takes, but in writing for children, I am more likely to experiment with rhyme and common idiomatic expressions, turning language inside-out to investigate its many vibrant angles. Meanwhile, in my work for adults, I similarly enjoy exploring the musicality of poetic language, but tend to emphasize the intricacies of the subject matter through free verse rather than set patterns of perfect end-rhymes, letting the naturally cadent rhythms of language propel the narrative. Little Thoughts Press: Issue 4: Autumnatopoeia celebrates the sounds of the fall season. What is your favorite onomatopoeia? And what is your favorite thing about autumn? Kathryn Sadakierski: My favorite onomatopoeia is the crunch of leaves underfoot. It reminds me of school mornings when I’d walk to the bus stop. My favorite thing about autumn is the transcendent feeling of change in the air. I love the way light falls in autumn, how golden the whole world turns in the crisp evenings when the sun sets. It feels so otherworldly to me, that we’re on the cusp of such magnificence, seeing the leaves twirl so gracefully, promising similar metamorphosis and flight for us. Autumn reminds me to uplift my heart, too, to soar towards the light of the future, rather than staying rooted to the past. Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Kathryn Sadakierski: I believe children’s literature is among the most sincere, imaginative, and powerful literature around, because it speaks to the young hearts in all of us. It has all of my favorite qualities in writing, namely, voice (looking at you, Junie B. Jones!). I was drawn to write literature for children, because I wanted to encourage children to pursue their dreams by sharing my love of writing, of the magic of the arts in general. Children have such amazing minds. I am a lifelong learner, and connect with the inquisitiveness of children. I gravitated towards writing for children with the hope of continuing to nurture their gifts of creativity and insight, and empower them to use their voices to make a positive impact, keeping their sense of wonder for the greatness within and without. What I find most challenging about writing for a young audience is creating work that is accessible, but deeply nuanced, without tending towards abstraction. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Kathryn Sadakierski: Beverly Cleary comes to mind as my foremost favorite author as a child. Ramona was an engaging character I could relate to. I treasured her humor, realness, and the plucky way she navigated growth, but as an older sister myself, I saw quite a bit of me in Beezus, too! Other favorites were retellings of fairy tales and anything with fantastical worldbuilding to spark my imagination, like The Chronicles of Narnia, historical series like Little House on the Prairie, and every horse book by Marguerite Henry known to humankind (what can I say? I wanted a pony!). I also fancied mysteries, and must’ve read just about all of the installments in the “Nancy Drew” series (those familiar neon-yellow book spines still line my shelves), as well as in the Sherlock Holmes canon (even then, I had a range of literary tastes!). I still like sleuthing my way through life’s mysteries, mostly in verse. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Kathryn Sadakierski: I reread Cleary’s books with my own sister, and in all the times I’ve revisited her work since first reading it as a child, I still never tire of her writing. It’s so forthright, perfectly capturing childhood with such great sensitivity, never minimizing the experiences of children, but validating their emotions. In recent years, I’ve been reading Newbery classics I hadn’t gotten to as a child (almost inconceivable, considering what a voracious reader I was! I developed muscles from carrying such high stacks of library books). I really love everyday adventures written with a witty tone, including new-to-me favorites Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg, The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt, and The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. As I’ve focused greater attention on developing my drawing abilities over the years, I’ve come to more profoundly appreciate the impact of illustrations in complementing the text of picture books, or telling a story of their own. Lately, I’ve enjoyed Henry Cole’s poignant pencil sketches in works like the wordless picture book Unspoken, and returning to the whimsy of McCloskey’s Blueberries for Sal and Make Way for Ducklings, which I discovered when studying children’s literature as an education major in my undergrad. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Kathryn Sadakierski: My advice to young writers is to follow the dreams that illuminate your heart with happiness and hope. Write about what inspires you (and don’t forget to bring a notebook with you everywhere- you never know when inspiration will strike!). Be creative, express yourself, and never be afraid to share your beautiful voice, because what you have to say is valuable. Your contributions to our world matter greatly. You have the power to make a positive difference!

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Four: Autumnatopoeia with a sneak peek of the poem "Let it Rain!" by Helen Zax. A white page with black text and an image of a person in a yellow raincoat holding a green umbrella. Helen Zax loves to write poetry, especially poems that rhyme. She was co-winner of the 2021 YorkMix International Children’s Poetry Prize, the 2018 MG Katherine Paterson Prize winner, and a 2019 Finalist. Her poetry appears in these anthologies: Imperfect II, Things We Do, Things We Wear, What is a Friend? Hop To It, Chasing Clouds . . . adventures in a poetry balloon, the Austin International Poetry Festival di-verse-city 2021, Ghostly Ghouls and Haunted Happenings, and Dear Tomato. Hunger Mountain, Cricket, High Five, Hello, The Caterpillar, Touchdown, Launchpad, Pegasus, Better Than Starbucks, The Dirigible Balloon (including its Anniversary Flight,) The Feisty Beast, Little Thoughts Press, and Berry Blue Haiku have published her poetry. Her poems will also be published in the upcoming Two Fibs and a Lie and the Fly Heroes anthology. Helen received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she won the Critical Thesis prize for “Learning to Feel: Practicing Empathy in Coming-of-Age Novels.” She has taught writing at all levels, from elementary to post-graduate. She is a member of SCBWI and Poets Garage. Helen lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband Leonard and their crazy Aussie-doodle Huckleberry Finn. See more of her work at www.helenzax.com and on Twitter @HelenZax. Little Thoughts Press: Rain, unlike say snow or cold temperatures, happens year-round. But your poem, "Let it Rain!" evokes such a specific sensation of autumn rainfall, which I think of as being very distinct from spring and summer rain. When writing for a particular season, how do approach capturing the qualities of that season? What guidance would you offer to new and young writers when it comes to choosing images and descriptions that will enhance the specificity of their writing? Helen Zax: It’s funny you ask about writing about seasons because I’ve been thinking about it a lot the past few days. I’ve just started reading Ali Smith’s season quartet. And talk about a master. She captures the exact feel of whatever season she is trying to portray, even as she plays with sensory images depending on the mood she’s trying to capture. It’s important to consider how your senses react differently in each season. Summer can be, for example: heat that makes swimming in the coldest lake feel like heaven; sun so bright it dazzles; the fragrant mix of rose, honeysuckle and wisteria in the garden; the sound of busy, buzzing bees; the sweetness of watermelon on a blistering day. But it can also be: days so hot you can’t breathe; sun so bright it burns your eyes; the stink of fruit rotting in a parched garden; the sighs of a grandmother fanning herself endlessly on a squeaky, broken porch swing; cloying lemonade that does nothing to quench your thirst. So, there are at least two things to think about when trying to make your writing come alive. Use sensory images to show, not tell. And remember to try to capture the mood you hope to create in your piece of writing. Little Thoughts Press: Issue 4: Autumnatopoeia celebrates the sounds of the fall season. What is your favorite onomatopoeia? And what is your favorite thing about autumn? Helen Zax: Perhaps unsurprisingly, my favorite onomatopoeia is in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Bells.” I mean, it doesn’t get any better than: the tintinabulation that so musically wells From the bells, bells, bells, bells, Bells, bells, bells— From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells. I loved playing with all the different sounds of fall in my poem “Let It Rain!” Words like “plipitty-plop-plop, “tippety-tap-tap,” and “splishety-splash-splash” are evocative . . . but they are also just plain fun. My favorite thing about autumn? I love the fabulous colors of the leaves, the brisk cool air, the smell of wood smoke drifting from chimneys, the crunch of dry leaves beneath my feet, the sweet taste of fresh cider from the farmer’s market. Must I choose? Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Helen Zax: I began writing poetry for children when my children were young. I’ve always been drawn to rhymed, metered poetry. I love the puzzle of forming an idea into a structure that makes a poem a perfect little whole. I always gravitate to writing for children. From the time I was very young, I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I taught fourth grade for three years a long time ago. Since then, I’ve had other careers. But when it comes to writing, I always return to my love for working with and having fun with children. My biggest challenge writing for children right now is the fact that my children are grown, and my husband and I don’t yet have grandchildren. So, I’m not around children as much as I’d like. I don’t get to experience in real time the kinds of things that thrill little children every day. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Helen Zax: I loved Eleonore Estes—everything she wrote. But my mother was an elementary school librarian, so I was brought up on the Newbury-winning classics. I remember three books I loved, all of which I doubt anyone reads today: At the Back of the North Wind, Hitty Her First Hundred Years, and The Pink Motel. I remember that Caddie Woodlawn was the first book to make me cry at the end. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Helen Zax: Two of my absolute favorite children’s books that I’ve read as an adult are The Giver by Lois Lowry and The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. I love to read novels in verse, and Jason Reynolds’ Long Way Down is simply extraordinary. And of course, there is always The Little Prince. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Helen Zax: Write. Butt in chair. Every day. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Helen Zax: While I write a lot of poetry for children and have been lucky to have my poetry published in many anthologies and magazines, I spend most of my writing time (butt in chair) writing novels. I’m currently writing a novel in verse that I hope will someday make its way into the world.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter with a sneak peek of the story "The Sugar Plum Something" by Luree Scott. Luree Scott is a writer and performer from San Diego, CA. She received a BA in Theatre Arts and English from the University of San Diego and is currently an MFA candidate in UCR Palm Desert's Low Residency MFA Program for Creative Writing, where she studies fiction and playwriting. Her previous works can be read in The Alcala Review and Poets' Choice. Luree’s story, “The Sugar Plum Something,” is part of Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter. Little Thoughts Press: Your story, "The Sugar Plum Something" deals with complex themes about family and place through the connection between a child and a magical creature she discovers while shopping for a Christmas tree. Can you talk a bit about how this story developed? What was your initial inspiration? And what message do you hope young readers will take away from this story? Luree Scott: The initial idea for this story came about not long after my mother and I went Christmas tree shopping during the pandemic. It was back in 2020, so it was the first year where traditions were being challenged because of health risks and overall exhaustion, and that trip to the neighborhood Michael’s for decorations was overwhelming to say the least. My mother had decided to "downsize" our tree. The big green one we put up every year wasn't going to be taken out. Instead, we were picking out a lighter tree (both in weight and color). It was pencil thin, covered in white frost (not very green at all), and just didn't look like Christmas to me. I tried to look cheerful and excited, and in some ways I was because we still got to decorate, but that change struck me at my core. I started asking myself questions like: Why does our old tree mean so much to me? Why doesn't this feel like Christmas anymore? What am I missing? So then I started writing "The Sugarplum Something" to answer those questions; to find a deeper meaning within that small, craft store experience. And to make a little more holiday cheer for myself in the process. Through the writing of that story, I reminded myself that love and family are the things that make Christmas feel right, and that anyone can be that family for you. It doesn't have to be traditional to be good. It's the love that's the good part. That's what I'd like readers to take away from it. Little Thoughts Press: You have a background in theater and are currently studying both fiction and playwriting. In what ways does your performance background inform your writing? Are there similarities to how you approach your fiction and playwriting? What do you think are the biggest differences between these forms of writing? Luree Scott: What my theater experience has done for me in terms of writing is allowed me to fully embody characters. To become them and understand them, even if they are wildly different or opposite to who I am as a person. I know for a fact that has helped me create unique characters in my prose, poetry, and stage plays. It's been a great help with forming dialogue too. People often say things in their own special way. The way my mother talks is completely different from the mail lady, whose voice is completely different from the manager of the Starbucks down the road, and so on. The Wicked Witch of the West has different words and ideals than Mary Poppins (and I felt that very physically and emotionally when I played these characters on stage). Fiction and playwriting are also both very character driven. Without a main character or characters who the audience is connected to, there's not much of a story to experience. But here's the main difference I've found: In fiction, you get to describe the setting, the thoughts and feelings of the characters, and the actions to the very finest detail. In playwriting, as we've studied in my MFA program, most of what you can use is dialogue. You get a little bit of time to describe action and setting, but you're mostly focused on what your characters say. Writing in both mediums has helped me learn how action and dialogue can work together; how much or how little can be used to create different tones and plotlines. I definitely recommend writing in multiple forms and genres (especially the ones that seem the hardest for you), because that allows you to gain techniques that help all aspects of your writing. Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Luree Scott: This is a very interesting question for me, because I don't usually write with an audience in mind. I just write the story and trust that the audience for it will find it someday. And "The Sugar Plum Something" did find its way eventually, but in an even more fantastic way. I originally sent this to another magazine, where you, Claire, were a reader who read various submissions. I wasn't accepted into that magazine, but you told them to mention the submissions for Little Thoughts Press as a potential home for my story. So, I submitted it again to you this time, and my story found its audience in kid lit in a way I had never expected, which is in itself a true kind of magic! I feel this is important to mention for the writers who are just starting out. This experience let me know that rejection is not the end of the world, and even if some readers don't understand your story, or have a place for it yet, there is always someone out there who will. What was challenging about writing for a young audience was how I used language. I often write with long sentences and descriptions. I can't help it sometimes. I’ve got a lot to say! So going back to make it more accessible for younger audiences involved a lot of revision, cutting, rearranging here and there, and finding ways to rephrase some ideas so they were simpler. But I loved it! Getting that awesome feedback about where to trim up my story helped me realize that I could still accomplish quite a lot with fewer words. The rewards for writing for a younger audience are many, but I think my favorite is that it can inspire their imagination, and encourage them to see the world in different, even impossible ways. Reading when I was young inspired me to become a writer myself and make up my own stories. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Luree Scott: I had so many authors and books when I was young that truly ignited my passion for a good story. Some of my favorites are The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, Coraline by Neil Gaiman, the Avalon: Web of Magic series by Rachel Roberts, and Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George. Little Thoughts Press: What is your favorite thing about winter? Luree Scott: That's so tough! The long sweaters and blankets, and hot tea, and Christmas movies are all so much fun and comforting. But I have to say, I really do love wrapping and gifting presents. It feels like making little reminders for everyone in your life of how much they mean to you. The smiles and laughter when you exchange them can't be beat. And you get some reminders yourself of how much you mean to others in return. Yeah, gift giving is pretty special. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Luree Scott: To all the young writers out there, I give you permission to write what you want to write, not what other people want you to write. You may look at your story and think it's too silly, too weird, too fantastical, too realistic, too anything. It's not. Like I've said before in this interview, there is going to be someone out there that loves your story and believes in it, just like there are people who love and believe in you. Take it from someone who has a published story about a tree-elf-gremlin-creature in a fake Christmas tree. No story is off limits. What matters is that it makes you happy and means something special to you. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Luree Scott: These questions were so thoughtful and well said. I can't possibly think of another that could have been asked. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about my work and process! I'm just back in school now and hope to graduate from UCR Palm Desert's Low Residency MFA program in the Fall of 2022! I also usually share updates on my publications on Twitter when they come out, so if anyone is interested, I'm over there at @luree_s.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter with a sneak peek of the story "Snow Ballet" by Sheila Schmotzer. Sheila Schmotzer is a former dance studio owner and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. Currently, she works as a flight attendant with a major US airline. She resides in South Carolina and is based out of Orlando, Florida. Sheila is a member of the World Animal Foundation. She enjoys volunteering at her local wildlife refuge center and traveling. An IMDb member, Sheila has appeared in Netflix’s The Do Over, as well as in the feature films Magic Mike XXL and Baywatch. Sheila’s story, “The Snow Ballet,” is part of Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter. Little Thoughts Press: You are a former dancer and dance instructor, and this background is on full display in your story, "The Snow Ballet." I think of both dance/movement and writing as forms of creative expression. What similarities have you found between these modes of expression, and how does your dance background inform your writing and your approach to storytelling? Sheila Schmotzer: You are right, they are very similar expressions. I loved teaching ballet and I loved making up dances. Choreography is setting every move up to where it fits with the music, feels good, paints a visual picture onstage, and moves the audience in some way. Writing is exactly the same. Every word, phrase, and line must be sequenced in the best way possible to engage the reader. To me, writing is the choreography of words. Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Sheila Schmotzer: Around 5 years ago, I changed careers and went from owning a dance studio to becoming a flight attendant. So I went from the nonstop creativity of choreography, music editing, designing costumes and websites, and putting together recitals… to a new nonstop life revolving around a company schedule, commuting across the country to go to work, weather, following protocols, learning every part of a plane, hustling through airports, and unpredictable rest/sleep stages. My creative side was ready to explode. I found writing (especially on red-eyes) to be engrossing and a FUN way to let it out. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Sheila Schmotzer: P. D. Eastman Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid lit writers you love and want to shout-out? Sheila Schmotzer: I wish I could write like Mo Willems. His simple style gives his audience humor and impact. His stories get away with absurd and funny things while in reality, giving kids little tools to deal with situations without them knowing it. Little Thoughts Press: What is your favorite thing about winter? Sheila Schmotzer: SNOW. I have an interesting story from the moment I knew I must write a picture book. It was in the snow outside an airport at 2 in the morning. The temperature was 8 degrees and snow completely covered the sidewalk. It was then I spied a tiny little mouse, scurrying about in the thick heaps of snow. I was totally fascinated and intrigued by this little creature and his plight. A year and a half later, driving into the same lot, I mentioned the little mouse and someone said to me that he sneaks into the doors and hides in a vending machine. That’s when I knew I had my first story. That magical meeting with that little mouse in the snow is what inspired me to become a writer. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Sheila Schmotzer: Surround yourself with people that you can bounce ideas off of frequently. Enjoy the ride. You can follow Sheila’s work on Twitter, Instagram, or on her website.

The theme for our next issue is New Beginnings. Whether it's the start of a new year, welcoming a new sibling, or making a new friend, we are looking for writing and artwork that captures the experience of a new beginning. We are especially interested in pieces that depict both the difficulty and joy of starting something new. This theme was inspired by my own new beginnings, both an upcoming one as my family prepares to welcome a new baby this spring, and many old ones, having moved multiple times during my childhood and repeatedly finding myself as the new kid in school. Those childhood moving experiences also inspired my story, "My New House," which appears in my self-published collection Little Thoughts: Stories & Poems, which released a year ago this week. Little Thoughts was a collaboration with illustrator Rachael Harbert, who now provides the cover art for all of our issues of Little Thoughts Press. Working with Rachael to turn my collection of stories and poems into a published book is part of what inspired me to launch Little Thoughts Press. We are coming up on the birthday of the 1st issue of Little Thoughts Press, Magical Winter. Creating this magazine has been a source of tremendous joy for me over the past year. I am so thankful to everyone who has trusted me with their words and art. It is truly an honor to be able to share the work of our incredible contributors with young readers. And thank you to everyone who has purchased, read, or shared a copy of Little Thoughts Press this year. In celebration of our latest theme, I am sharing my story, "My New House," in full below. I am also offering free pdf downloads of my collection, Little Thoughts: Stories & Poems, for a limited time. You can download and read the full collection at no cost until December 15th (aka the last day to submit work to our New Beginnings issue!). If you would like to make a small donation for the download, first, thank you! and second, all donations will be used toward the cost of producing our New Beginnings issue. Thank you for supporting Little Thoughts Press. I am looking forward to another year of celebrating and sharing kid-lit! Happy Reading, Claire MY NEW HOUSE My old house had a crack in the ceiling above my bed. It looked like a smile. Or a frown, depending on where I placed my pillow. There was an attic with pull-down stairs. And a closet with a small secret cubby where I stored my treasures. My old house had deep windowsills where I’d line up my stuffed animals so they could watch me play. There was a perfect spot on the wall for my drawing of a horse jumping over a porcupine. And there was a tree in the backyard with thick, twisty branches. I could climb all the way to the top. By the front door, we kept a basket to store shoes, but sometimes I forgot to put mine in there. The basket is in my new house now, but I still sometimes leave my shoes on the floor. My new house has a different smell. It has different nighttime sounds and different morning light. I don’t know where to hide my treasures, or where to set my stuffed animals. I don’t feel like playing very much these days. There are no tall, twisty trees to climb. But there is a raspberry bush along the fence line. I like to squish the berries between my fingers and watch the red juice trickle down my palm. I like to pull them from the bush and pop them straight into my mouth, sun-warmed and sweet. I like to fill a whole bowl with berries and carry it up to my new room. I lie down on my bed and eat the berries one at a time while staring up at my ceiling. There is a crack in the ceiling above my bed that looks like an M. Or a W, depending on where I place my pillow. Illustration by Rachael Harbert A child sitting in bed holding a giant bowl of raspberries.

photograph of autumn leaves, via Wix Media The heat begins to fade as autumn draws near. Mother nature’s cool breath will soon be here. Colorful leaves create rainbow trees before they fall to dance like fairies at the wind’s command. Soon, carved pumpkins will greet trick-or-treaters and living rooms will flicker from the burning cedars. I believe autumn is the most wonderful season of all, don’t you? What other time of the year can you go around yelling, BOO!? Adelaide Williams is eight years old. She enjoys drawing, painting, writing, reading American Girl Doll books, and dreams of visiting Paris, France one day.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Three: Hit the Road with a sneak peek of the poem "Our Car Broke Down Before Vacation So We Make One on the Spot" by Karen Gonzalez-Videla. A white page with black text. Karen Gonzalez-Videla is an Argentinian writer living in Florida. She writes for all ages, but enjoys writing for children the most. She’s usually hiding among the animals and plants and finds them much nicer than people. You can find her on Twitter at @Gv12Karen or on her website. Little Thoughts Press: I saw via Twitter and on your website that in addition to writing, you are a photographer. Can you talk a bit about how these two creative outlets interact for you? In what ways does photography inform/feed your writing and vice versa? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: My writing and my photography come together in a lot of ways. Perhaps the most obvious one, though, is theme. Although I write about a lot of things, readers might notice that a lot of my work is nature related. Similarly, my camera is filled with images of sandhill cranes, marsh rabbits, strange mushroom patterns, and other super cool natural things that I find during my little exploration walks. I also find that when I’m tired of writing, photography comes easily; and when I’m tired of editing photographs, the words to a poem or story flow out much better. It’s basically a balancing act. I’ve even been toying with the idea of taking some photos and writing some things to go along with them, so stay tuned for that! Little Thoughts Press: Issue 3: Hit the Road is all about travel and summer adventure. Can you tell us your favorite place you've traveled to, as well as somewhere you hope to go in the future? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: It’s hard to pick my favorite place I’ve traveled to because I honestly enjoy everywhere I go. Some of my favorite memories, though, are from exploring the Smoky Mountains with my family. I particularly remember running into a crowd of friendly elk! If you ever run into them, make sure to give them space and appreciate the moment as much as you can. As for a place I hope to visit, I would have to say Iceland. I have been obsessing over it for quite some time now and can’t wait to experience all of it: the volcanoes, the waterfalls, the culture, the cold, and most of all, the puffins (if you don’t know what these are, I suggest you look them up because they are adorable!). Little Thoughts Press: You write for both adult and youth audiences. What initially drew you to writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: Kid-lit has always been my true love. Although I read a bit of everything, I’m typically at my happiest with a children’s or middle-grade book in hand. There’s just something so beautiful about writing with the mind of a child or a teen and remembering that we adults were once in their shoes. That in itself, and having a child connect with what I wrote, are for sure the most rewarding parts. The most challenging part, I would say, is making sure that I’m using kid-friendly language and not putting too many difficult words in there! Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: I was (and still am) a massive Percy Jackson fan. I remember checking all the books out from the school library and basically devouring them. Rick Riordan is such a wonderfully funny writer, and I still love reading his books. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: There are so many other kid-lit writers that I love reading. Kate DiCamillo, Jessica Townsend, and Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book is one of my favorite books of all time) are some of the ones that come to mind. I also very much enjoyed reading Hannah Gold’s recent debut, The Last Bear. I’m also quite the picture book lover. Some picture books that I’ve read recently and absolutely adored are Delia Ruiz’s, Roqui’s Pandero Beat, and Katy Hudson’s. Too Many Carrots. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: Keep writing, but also take breaks. I don’t like the mentality of “you have to write every day to be a writer.” I write when I feel inspired to, and I don’t write when I’m feeling drained out. It really makes the process more enjoyable and less like a chore. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: I’m currently working on a middle-grade novel that is very dear to my heart. I finished writing the manuscript, and I am very proud of it. I’m enjoying the editing process quite a lot (especially thanks to my writing group’s wonderful advice). I hope I get to share it with you all one day and talk more about it, but for now, I’ll keep it slightly secret!

via Wix Media In quarantine, we were allowed to walk outside for two hours, from 4-6 P.M. My mom, my sister, and I were taking a walk when I stepped in a mud puddle. Since I didn't want to be bored on the walk, I had brought my headphones and MP3 player along. My headphones kept getting tangled and my socks were too big. I had all these quirky squirms and small problems, but my biggest problem was yet to come. It had rained earlier that day and we were expecting more. Our dog, Sandy, kept stopping, wanting to investigate small shrubs and broken pieces in the sidewalk and know what was happening all around her. Mom had just helped me fix my headphones and she asked me to hold the bag with water and the closed umbrella. I was not watching where I was going and stepped right into the middle of a giant, round mud puddle. The sidewalk pavement had been dug up or something else that it had a small hole out of nowhere. The rain probably collected mud and water in the hole. When I stepped in it my shoes and socks and even my feet sank up to my knees. My shoe filled with dirt and mud water. I was so angry yet sad. I wanted to scream but knew I couldn’t. When mom stopped to check what happened she saw that I was jaw dropped and struck dead by the drench of water and dirt in my feet. I got out and didn’t know what to do. I started crying. Mom made me look her in the eyes and calmed me down. I realized muddy feet suck but I don’t have to freak out. After that, Mom suggested I sit by the road and remove my shoes and socks before putting my dirty shoes back on. I started walking towards the road but my feet squished. So I needed to fix this. I found a spot to sit but meanwhile, a man was walking towards his car next to where I was going to sit, and since I didn't really want to sit on the road, I looked around and I spotted a big rock, big enough for me to sit on but with ants all around. Nonetheless, I went back, sat on the rock, and took off my shoes and socks then I poured water over them and said I needed something to wipe them with. Mom gave me her mask. I took it and wiped my feet. After that, I put on two plastic bags we brought in case Sandy pooped, and limped back home. When I got home, I washed off my feet and changed into my PJs. It was one of the: Easiest yet hardest Weirdest Adventurous Walks I had ever taken. That night was a blessing in disguise. Sabel Joseph-Etheridge is a fifth grader who grew up in Kuwait and recently returned to the United States. She loves to cook and always tries to work really hard and enter her assignments early. Sabel loves her parents, her sister Safyre, her dog Sandy, and books.