"The first book I sold was a picture book, and so for years after that I was like, ‘Well, I..."

“The first book I sold was a picture book, and so for years after that I was like, ‘Well, I guess I ONLY write picture books now.’ And my productivity tanked. When I allowed myself to start writing whatever I was most passionate about, my productivity went WAY up, and so did the amount of book deals I was offered. An author brand is considered essential by some, but it’s been my experience that it was more of a trap than a strategy. So abandon what you feel like you SHOULD be writing, and just write to your passions.”

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Maggie Tokuda-Hall has an MFA in creative writing from USF, and a strong cake-decorating game. She is the author of the 2017 Parent’s Choice Gold Medal winning picture book, Also an Octopus, illustrated by Benji Davies. The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea is her debut young adult novel, which is due out on May 5th, 2020 from Candlewick Press. She lives in Oakland, California with her husband, son, and dog.

What’s your favorite genre to write? Is it the same as your favorite genre to read? Let Maggie know, and/or thank her for her #CampCarePackage!

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