Meet Troupe 21’s Jess Hernandez
Meet Troupe member Jess Hernandez!
Jess has spent her grown-up life working with kids and books – as a teacher, a children’s librarian, a mother, and a picture book author. Her debut book, FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum, publishes January 1, 2021 (Capstone).
Get to know Jess!
What is your earliest picture book memory?
Some of my favorite memories are of sitting on my parents’ ugly couch, wedged between my three brothers, trying to see the picture book my mom was reading to us before bed. I always asked for Hop on Pop. It was the first book I ever read by myself. (0kay, I’ll confess – I probably recited it from memory.)
What was your favorite story, as a child?
My favorite book as a kid was one we got from the Scholastic Book Club called Tell Me Grandma, Tell Me Grandpa by Shirlee Petkin Newman and illustrated by Joan E. Drescher. It’s about a kid who asks her grandparents to tell her what her parents were like as children. The illustrations would raise a few eyebrows in today’s world, so I’m pretty certain it’s out of print.
Name three picture books that you adore.
One of the few picture books to ever make me cry was After the Fall by Dan Santat. It’s about overcoming trauma and is so beautiful and full of hope. It’s definitely a go-to in hard times.
A book I wish I’d written is We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan Higgins. It’s so hilarious! It takes this very real problem of bullying and teaches an important lesson but does it in a way that’s tongue-in-cheek and not preachy at all. So great.
I’m going to cheat here, but Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez and Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal are both family favorites.
My kids are biracial and bilingual, so it’s exciting when they can see themselves in the books we read together.
What picture book authors inspire you?
There are SO MANY. Jacqueline Woodson is a genius and every single one of her books has changed my life in some way. I love Ame Dyckman’s work. She’s so effortlessly funny and has such a quirky way of looking at the world. I’m also a huge fan of Tara Lazar, both of her books and the work she does to lift other authors. Yuyi Morales is super talented. Julie Falatko is another that I really respect. She’s super funny and real. Traci Sorell’s books are all really poetic and beautiful. There’s more but I’ll stop there.
Where do you typically write?
My husband converted a shed in our backyard into an office for me, then promptly moved into it when the pandemic hit and he had to work from home. It’s just as well since, with three kids, most of my writing is done during whatever odd moments I can carve out of my life. In reality, I do most of my writing on my bed with the door shut, hiding from my children.
What themes and ideas will readers find in your stories?
All my stories try to be funny while still engaging with emotions and problems that kids really face. My hope is to make them feel a little less alone.
How do you approach revision?
I have a wonderful critique group who I depend on. They’re great and always make everything I write 1000 times better. I’m also a big fan of letting things percolate. I’ve had manuscripts that marinated for years and then a sudden thought, an overheard conversation, or a mentor text unlocks the whole thing.
What are your favorite writing snacks?
I eat WAY too much chocolate. But I also try to stay hydrated, so I drink sparkling water or tea, depending on the weather.
What’s been the best part of your debut experience so far?
The absolute best thing about debuting has been the support from other writers I’ve met online. So many people have reached out with congratulations or well wishes. It’s been surprising but completely lovely.
What advice can you share with pre-published authors?
Find your tribe. You’ll need someone to cheer for you or talk you off the ledge as needed. Find someone who will support you in that while pushing you to improve. Also, if you’re in it for the long haul, there’s going to be a point where you’re left behind. Someone will land an agent, sell a book, make a list before you do. But publishing isn’t a zero-sum game. Your friends’ success doesn’t rob you of anything. Stay supportive and loyal to the friends you make. You’re going to need them.
Jess lives in a very small, very LOUD house in Washington with her husband, their three children, a blind Labrador, and eight chickens.
FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL is available for pre-order through Barnes & Noble and Amazon! All who pre-order will be entered into a drawing for a snarky unicorn tee from Etsy. Here’s how to enter…
Pre-order FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL
Gallop on over to Twitter
Direct message Jess (@FinkHernandez) a pic of your pre-order receipt
Follow Jess on Twitter at @FinkHernandez! And be sure to visit PB Debut Troupe 21 often, for more about FIRST DAY OF UNICORN SCHOOL and other Troupe 21 books.
See you back soon!
