Meet Troupe 21’s Philip Hoelzel
Meet Troupe member Philip Hoelzel!
Philip is an author, outdoor enthusiast, and baseball fan, who’s fascinated and inspired by the world around him. His debut book, PLANTING HOPE: A Portrait of Sebastião Salgado, illustrated by Renato Alarcão, publishes in summer 2021 (Atheneum).
Philip is a trained elementary teacher, fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and has spent the last decade introducing folks to their outdoor recreation spaces. To learn more about Philip and his writing style and journey, check out the Q&A below:
Get to know Philip!
Name three picture books that you adore.
I recommend All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Marla Frazee as a baby shower gift and a book that for me provides joy and hope. I always enjoy re-reading The Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins and illustrated by Jill McElmurry and have read it to a first-grade nephew who was wowed to know the history of Balboa Park in San Diego. And third, Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor by Patricia Valdez and illustrated by Felicita Sala is beautifully written, offers a well-rounded glimpse into the life of a trail blazer and demonstrates why science is so interesting.
How do you approach revision?
I revise in a state of mind that I’m going to tell the story better no matter how many times I need to do it again. At the same time, my mindset is to make each revision the last. If the story is in its early stages, I’ll let it rest for weeks, months or more before revising and in the case of a sold manuscript, a week to a couple of weeks before digging in on early feedback.
What themes and ideas will readers find in your stories?
Nature, compassion for humans and non-humans, perseverance and inquisitiveness come up quite a bit in my writing.
What’s been the best part of your debut experience so far?
Seeing so many people work collaboratively together in order to achieve a shared vision. There are a lot of moving parts to getting a book published and participating in this intricate dance is a privilege. It is wonderful to be part of the team.
What advice can you share with pre-published authors?
I’m going to keep it to three points. To start, write what interests and inspires you. It will help you find just the right words to share what you are feeling, raise your manuscript to the next level and keep you motivated through revisions. I believe continuing education is super important. Webinars, local SCBWI meetings and classes fuel the fire and help me grow as a writer. Find critique partners with whom you can talk shop, share expertise and give and receive support. We are each other’s friends, fans and coaches.
Did you know? Philip’s debut, PLANTING HOPE: A Portrait of Sebastião Salgado, is up on Goodreads?
Mark it as “Want to Read” today!
Follow Philip on Twitter at @CotopaxiPhil. And be sure to visit PB Debut Troupe 21 often, for more about Philip’s debut and other Troupe 21 books.
See you back soon!
