AD: Let’s start with a speed round…

• Top three favorite children’s book authors? The Hobbit, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Julián is a Mermaid.
• Coffee, tea (or neither)? Coffee, but most of my life it was OJ.
•  Where is your safe place? Our bed, before lights out, when I’m most creative, while my husband reads, our dogs sleep between us, and I know that they are all safe, healthy, and nearby.
• Dogs, cats, (or neither)? Dogs, although I’ve had, and love, cats.
• Early bird or night owl? Night owl.
• Three words to describe what it takes to make it in the kidlit world…imagination, persistence, revisions.​

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AD: Okay, now down to the serious stuff. Please dish us the dirt on who you are and your journey into the fabulous world of children’s books. Did you always know you wanted to be an author? Have you explored other paths or had/have other jobs?

FE: Thanks for having me! I retired from my primary care/HIV/AIDS practice in 2013. About thirty years ago, I started my creative phase: primarily woodworking, furniture design, and photography which became my full-time jobs when I left medicine. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I transitioned to writing and illustrating. I self-published the Pepito The Squirrel books. Then I realized that I knew nothing about the publishing industry. So in January 2021, I joined SCBWI, 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, created a Twitter account, and dove in. It’s been a whirlwind adventure! My debut novel, Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido) comes out on June 6.

AD: Wow! That’s quite the timeline. It sounds like your road to publication happened rather quickly. Is that the case?

FE: Yes! That is a very quick timeline. It was serendipity that put me and my editor on a mutually auspicious collision course, weeks after I wrote a picture book manuscript: I don’t have an agent. That manuscript has expanded into the first chapter of a full-length novel. Pedro & Daniel was thirty years in the making, but I started writing it two years ago. It’s a fictional account of my relationship with my brother, Daniel. It spans 24 years, and explores many societal themes. I’m very proud of the finished book.

AD: What topics or themes do you tend to focus on in your writing? Favorite genres you like to write in or techniques?

FE: There are two things that guide me: representation matters, and write what you know. Therefore, I tend to include the intersectionalities of my LGBTQIA, neurodivergent, and Latino experiences in my writing. I have written picture book manuscripts, essays, and a young adult novel. I’m writing a graphic novel, a short story for an anthology [fingers crossed], and an adult fiction novel. I guess I don’t have a favorite book genre or book length at this point.

AD: I love how versatile you are and not afraid to try new  genres. Tackling a new genre isn’t easy and neither is breaking into the publishing industry! What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced thus far? What have you done to persevere?

AD: In a similar vein, what do you feel are your strengths as an author? What makes your writing unique to you?

FE: I don’t [necessarily] do it on purpose, but I break all the rules of writing. It’s simply the way I write. I also think it’s silly to put rules on a creative process. Very little remains constant. Everything evolves. Think about how language and art have changed since humankind came into existence. I write what I need to write . . . what I want to read.

AD: What inspirational words! What else inspires your work?

FE: I’ve always had an active imagination, and a drive to create. Most of it stays in my head [my neurodivergence at work], until I take the time to create, in whatever medium is needed.

AD: Tell us about your creative process and what you do to keep ideas flowing or what you do when feeling stuck?

FE: I always have multiple stories, illustrations, and projects going at the same time, usually on different computers and/or programs. I’ve got a wonderful workshop where I can create while other ideas percolate. It’s hard to describe how my mind is constantly ruminating multiple thoughts and projects at the same time.

AD: What sorts of things have been most integral in your growth as an author?

FE: Critique partners are the most important tool authors and illustrators have for honing their work. They represent our ultimate clients: readers [or an agent or editor]. I’ve had some wonderful CPs.

AD: Yes!! CP’s are the best! What advice do you have for fellow kidlit creatives?
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FE: Find your writing community; have honest, but kind critique partners; make time to create; avoid regrets.

AD: Honesty and kindness–love that! Where can readers find out more about you and your work? 

FE: Thanks so much for having me!
Pedro & Daniel Pre-order and other details at https://FJEbooks.com
I am mostly on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FedericoErebia