Like many children, I didn’t just dream of being a writer, I was a writer. I penned epic tales of adventure, snappy short stories and wacky poems with questionable rhyming schemes. I didn’t care who read my stories, and I certainly didn’t care what anyone else thought of them, because I wasn’t writing for them. I was writing for me.
Somewhere along the road to adulthood, though, something changed. Writing became a requirement, rather than a pleasure. My stories were submitted to teachers to be assessed and graded. The enjoyment I found in writing dissipated. My belief in my own abilities dwindled.
Eventually I stopped writing altogether. I certainly wasn’t good enough to be a “real” author, and if I wasn’t good enough to be an author, what was the point in writing at all? Life was so busy, and I simply couldn’t justify spending precious time on a frivolous “hobby”.
Writing fell by the wayside, until a few years ago, when I started working as a children’s librarian. I read several picture books each week, and as I shared them with children and their families I started to think, “hey, I could do this….”
So I did!
It is with great pride (and no small amount of wonder) that I announce my debut picture book, Wild One.
Wild One is the rhyming account of an active little girl who runs and jumps, swims and swings, slides and wiggles her way through a very busy day. The story, with its “sprightly couplets” was inspired by the toddlers and preschoolers I work with, whose imaginations are only rivalled by their enthusiasm!
Wild One is being published by the award-winning independent Canadian publishing house Pajama Press, and is slated for release in Canada in November 2017, and in the United States in March 2018. It is being illustrated by Canadian illustrator Noel Tuazon, and the cover is more adorable than I ever could’ve imagined.
I hope to talk a bit more about the writing and publishing journey as we move closer to Wild One’s release date, but for now let me just introduce you to my dear new baby. I’ll be honest – it still doesn’t quite feel real yet!
Wild One – coming this winter to an independent bookstore or library near you (hopefully)!
Awesome!! Congrats, Jane! Looks sooo good.
Thank you!! I just saw the cover yesterday, and I’m beyond thrilled.
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
Oh, this is such wonderful news. I want to pre-order from a place where I can get an autographed copy. I’m so happy for YOU for us in the poetry world. See me snoopy dancing?
And, I do look forward to your future descriptions of the writing toward publishing life. It’s very elusive for me. But, I simply don’t put the time into it that is needed for true success. But, YOU have. I’m delighted and looking forward to your words and pages in my hands.
THANK YOU!!
I’ve been doing a bit of a dance myself!! 
I can’t wait to share some sneak peeks into the book as we get closer to the publication date – it sounds crazy to even say that – I have a publication date!!
CONGRATULATIONS! I can’t wait to meet your Wild One, Jane! It looks adorable. Thank you for sharing about your sprightly couplets… November isn’t all that far away… xo
Thank you!! I can’t wait – I’ve been working on this behind the scenes for over a YEAR, so it feels so good to finally be able to shout it from the rooftops!!
Wow! Huge congrats!!! Sounds like a fun book
Thank you!! Picture books are so much fun to read and write.
Wow, your “first” book looks wonderful, Jane. Congratulations! I have a “wild” granddaughter who will love it! I know that I will, too! The cover is awesome with that little girl and all the animals!
I just saw the cover for the first time a few days ago, and I’m so happy, it’s just adorable!!
Congratulations! That is so so exciting – I will definitely be looking for this book!
Thank you! It still feels pretty surreal.
Congratulations! How do we get on the list for a Canadian edition??? How do I get a signed one??? It looks amazing! You must be on Cloud 9! Absolutely fantastic.
Thank you! It still feels pretty unreal! Hopefully I’ll have more ordering information closer to the publication date, which still feels so far away!!
Wow! Wow! Wow! Congratulations, Jane. This is so wonderful. It’s looks adorable and I can’t wait to get my hand’s on a copy. How can I wait until March 2018?
Congratulations! That is so exciting. I wish I could have had it when my wild one was little. I’m sure we would have enjoyed it together. Maybe we still can even though she is off to college now.
How exciting, Jane!! Congratulations! Your little wild one looks darling. And I think my little EM would love her. I’m looking forward to hearing more about Wild One in your future posts.
FANTASTIC Jane, Many Congratulations for “Wild One!” I’m so happy for you, and I’m looking forward to having my own copy.
Yay!! So excited for you and us in the world that gets to read your book! Like me!
Fabulous, Jane!!!! Congratulations! Can’t wait to hear and see more about it.
Awesome, Jane! I am so thrilled for you! It sounds wonderful. Congrats!
Bravo, Jane – congratulations on persisting and prevailing!
Thank you! I think that’s the number one thing aspiring writers should keep in mind – sometimes the hardest part isn’t the writing, it’s holding on to your dream!
CONGRATULATIONS!! Write on, Sister!!
Wahoo!!
Congratulations, Jane! I’ll look forward to seeing this!
Thank you!!