Meet Troupe 21’s Anna Lazowski
Meet Troupe member Anna Lazowski! Anna wrote her first picture book for a class assignment in the sixth grade and has been creating stories ever since, including her picture book debut, T. REXES CAN'T TIE THEIR SHOES (Doubleday Books for Young Readers), illustrated by Steph Laberis, which publishes June 29, 2021.
An award-winning radio producer, Anna has an MA in Journalism from the University of Western Ontario and a BFA from the University of Manitoba. She got back into writing picture books just as her kids were outgrowing them. Want to learn more about Anna and her journey to publication? Check out the Q&A below!
Get to know Anna!
What is your earliest picture book memory?
Image from AbeBooks.com
Maurice Sendak was one of my absolute favourites when I was a kid. From “Where the Wild Things Are,” to “In the Night Kitchen,” I adored them all. But I have very clear memories of my copy of “The Nutshell Library,” a set of tiny hardcover books that included “Pierre,” “Chicken Soup With Rice” and “One Was Johnny.” I loved how small and delicate they were, and I had them for decades until they fell apart.
What themes and ideas will readers find in your stories?
One thing that comes up in all different ways is the idea of not quite fitting in. Kids are so weird and wonderful in so many ways, I think it’s worth celebrating. I love writing characters who ultimately find ways to fit in on their own terms, without fundamentally changing who they are. Although it might not be obvious at first glance, I think that holds true for my debut, T. REXES CAN’T TIE THEIR SHOES. I wanted to write an alphabet book that celebrated not being able to do things. It was inspired by all the milestones kids are expected to hit, but not everyone does. I wanted to create a book that, although it’s filled with negative statements, has a positive takeaway for kids. Fortunately my editor, Frances Gilbert, totally got what I was trying to do, and Steph Laberis took it to the next level with her illustrations..
Where do you typically write?
I write everywhere. My most recent manuscript popped into my head out of a song lyric that was playing as I drove past Minnedosa, Manitoba headed for Riding Mountain National Park over the summer. I kept running through it in my head, developing the lines, hoping I wouldn’t forget them before we stopped. I’ve written entire drafts on a laptop standing at my kitchen counter, but am trying to get better about writing in my office. I have a Fan Brothers piece I won from the Plum Creek Literacy Festival’s auction hanging next to my desk. I hope to fill the rest of that wall with art from my books...eventually.
What is your creative process?
There are two ways my process goes. The first is when a title pops into my head and the story follows suit. For the second, I’ll come up with an idea I want to include and write a story that fits. For example, I recently decided I wanted to write a book with an element of surprise that would transform the story. Then I had to come up with the narrative, and what the surprise would be. I find setting limitations forces me to be creative in a very restricted space. There are parameters laid out, and I have to find the story that lives inside of them. I’ve heard Jack White talk about his musical process in a similar way and I really relate to it. When I was in art school I remember making a 3D sculpture using flat pieces of glass I cut by hand. I have no idea why, but I seem to like the challenge.
What advice can you share with pre-published authors and illustrators?
There’s so much more to this than just writing the book. When I decided I wanted to try to get published, I treated it like a part-time job. I spent hours researching, reading, following and figuring things out. I knew NOTHING about publishing when I started, and had zero expectations. But I understand creative industries and am really good at researching. So while you’re writing, revising and connecting with critique groups, set aside time to learn as much as you can about how publishing works. So many writers tend to focus on the first sale, or signing with an agent, and think things will fall into place after that. But the email refresh rate doesn’t go down once your agent has your book out on submission! It’s just a different group of very busy people you’re waiting to hear from. So cultivating patience is a definite must if you want to succeed in this business. I am not a patient person, so this is something I work on constantly. Also, you’ll want to tell everyone about your new editor, illustrator, or your next book deal but you’ll have to wait, often for many excruciating months. So get used to keeping secrets, publishing is filled with them…
Anna’s picture book debut T. REXES CAN'T TIE THEIR SHOES is available for pre-order now (HERE) - place your order today!
Be sure to follow Anna on Twitter at @anna_lazowski too.
And visit PB Debut Troupe 21 often, for more about Anna’s debut and other Troupe 21 books.
See you back soon!
