Author Interview: Laura Sassi

Meet Author Laura Sassi

Blog: Laura Sassi Tales

Facebook: LauraSassiTales

Twitter: @LauraSassiTales

Bio: Laura Sassi has a passion for telling stories in prose and rhyme. Her poems, stories, articles and crafts have appeared in numerous family publications including Highlights for Children, Cricket, Ladybug, Spider, Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. and FamilyFun. She is the author of two picture books, GOODNIGHT, MANGER (Zonderkidz 2015) and GOODNIGHT, ARK (Zonderkidz, 2014) (Now a board book, too!). She lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children, and a black Cockapoo named Sophie.

Featured Book

Goodnight, Manger

by Laura Sassi

Illustrated by Jane Chapman

Zonderkidz, 2015

CLICK HERE to watch the book trailer!

It’s bedtime for Baby Jesus, but who knew that the Manger could be so loud? Young readers will find delight in Goodnight, Manger, a favorite Christmas Bible story-turned-bedtime-tale from author Laura Sassi and bestselling illustrator Jane Chapman. Laura Sassi tells the story of the baby Jesus’ first bedtime. The manger is distracting and noisy with the angels rejoicing, itchy hay, and visiting wisemen. Mary, Joseph and the animals try and lull the infant Christ to a good night’s sleep.

Sassi and Chapman also collaborated on their first book together, Goodnight, Ark!, which released in 2014. Noah and the animals on the Ark try to fall asleep, but the storm raging outside keeps them all awake. Both titles offer a unique twist on popular Bible stories by featuring a sweet, whimsical bedtime theme that ties clever rhyming with beautiful illustrations that are sure to soothe the fussiest sleeper into a content and peaceful sleep.

INTERVIEW:

Q: Describe a highlight for you personally while you were writing this book.

A: As a mom, I have tender memories of putting my babies to bed and how hard it was when they were crying and overstimulated and overtired. I also have memories of my sweet daughter, who was only three or four at the time, playing with the little Baby Jesus that was part of our nativity set. She’d carry him around the house saying things like, “Baby Jesus crying. It’s okay, Baby.” Then she’d gently feed him or rock him and sing a lullaby. To be honest before listening to her tender play, I’d never thought of Baby Jesus as ever crying. But, he was human (and God) and so he must have cried. With these sweet sparks of inspiration it was personally very rewarding to write the story that was on my heart – which was to write a fun Christmas bedtime book that kids would want to read again and again and which would point them in the direction of Jesus – the real gift of Christmas.

Q: How did you experience breakthrough to work with the big publishing houses?

A: The first key to opening that contract door for both this and my first book was to find an agent who believed in my writing. I cannot emphasize enough how important it has been (for me at least) to have an agent. Not only did she help me get my story in front of the right editorial audience, she also was skilled at helping me sort through ins and outs of the contract. The second key to breaking through was to not settle for what I thought at the time was my best effort, but to instead take my agent’s advice to heart and push myself to take each manuscript to the next level before submitting it to publishers.

Q: Describe your typical writing schedule.

A: I try to set aside two good hours per day to write and reflect and be creative. I like to write in a notebook as well as on my laptop, both of which are very portable. I often take my projects on the road, so to speak. I’ve been spotted writing on park benches while my kids play at the park. I also have a favorite corner in the library where I sometimes write. But my favorite writing spot is curled up in a chair, or at my little writer’s desk, with Sophie, our little black Cockapoo, snuggled close beside me. Before any of that, though, I begin each day with prayerful journaling. Before breakfast, I dig into Scripture, then reflect on God’s word in my journal. I lift up the day to Him, writing down my joys and my concerns. Without this important writing ritual, the day just isn’t the same, for it reminds me that God is ultimately in charge of everything and, thus, I give my writing over to Him.

Q: What is one word of advice you received as a writer that you would like to share with others?

A: I’ve found that the long, hard journey to publication just wouldn’t be the same without a nice support system. For me this includes my family, my lovely agent, and the wonderful network of children’s writers I’ve connected with over the years, many of whom have become dear friends and trusted critique partners. So, my parting bit of advice today is to find a writing buddy or two to join you on the journey! I think you will find, as I have, that it makes all the difference. Happy writing!

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BONUS GIVEAWAY! BONUS GIVEAWAY! BONUS GIVEAWAY! BONUS GIVEAWAY!

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To celebrate the funtastic release of Laura Sassi’s newest book, I’m hosting a giveaway here on my blog!

Two prizes and two winners! Yay!

The contest starts today, November 9, and goes through until midnight on November 15. Enter to win today!

The first prize is a copy of Laura Sassi’s new book, the beautiful full-color hardback copy of her picture book, Goodnight, Manger.

The second prize is a free manuscript critique (by me!) for a picture book manuscript you’re working on. (If you don’t write picture books, you may substitute this prize for the first 5 pages of whatever children’s manuscript you want.)

To be eligible for the first prize, you MUST have a continental US street address (and not just a PO box) where the book can be delivered.

To be eligible for the second prize, you MUST have an e-mail address where we can e-mail your manuscript back and forth…and you can live anywhere in the world!

Here’s what to do:

STEP ONE: Sign up to “follow” my blog and get my occasional news over e-mail.

The button is in the sidebar on the right.

(If you’ve already done that before today, just post a comment here to let me know or e-mail me at jeffandnancys@gmail.com.)

Step 2: CLICK HERE to register on Rafflecopter for the chance to win Laura Sassi’s beautiful full-color picture book, Goodnight, Manger.

To win the picture book, contestants must have a continental US address with a street address and not just a P.O. box, where prize can be shipped.

If you do not have a continental US address, you may still enter the contest but will only be eligible for the free picture book manuscript critique.

Two different winners will be chosen for two different prizes!

The contest starts today, November 9, and goes through until midnight on November 15. Enter to win today!

Filed under: Interviews