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Here Comes the Judge - Author Sophia Gholz

Interviewed by Sheila Herrera



Question 1: Share a fun or interesting fact about you!


Hi, RYS! Thanks so much for having me here. I’ve missed this RYS family! For those of you who have been with RYS for a long while, you probably know me fairly well as the previous administrator. It’s been so wonderful to see this community continue to thrive.

An interesting fact about me is that I never expected to write nonfiction! For the first seven years I focused on writing, I only wrote fiction. In fact, I still consider myself primarily a fiction author, despite having four nonfiction books back-to-back. I have a deep love of nonfiction and a family forged foundation in science. So, I have always had an affinity toward nonfiction. But it took years before I considered attempting to write nonfiction myself. Still, I like to approach the writing of a nonfiction manuscript in the same way that I would a fiction manuscript. In this way, I hope to spin nonfiction subjects into a story that young readers will both understand and be excited by.


Question 2: What do you know now, as a published and award-winning author, that you wish you knew as an aspiring children’s book writer?



The work doesn’t stop when you become published. If anything, the work grows more and more. Before I was published or agented, I wrote when I wanted and how I wanted and what I wanted. When I became published, I realized that my time became far more limited as I divided up my schedule to handle the variety of office and marketing responsibilities that were suddenly added to my workload. Plus, it was no longer just about selling a manuscript, it was now about book sale numbers and social media and trying to write/sell along with all of that. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining at all. I am very grateful and happy for the work (all of it). But I do wish that I’d savored those quieter writing days a little bit more when I had the chance, and I wish I’d been a little better prepared for everything it takes to actually launch a book.


Question 3: Your debut book was The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng (Sleeping Bear Press, 2019). How long did it take you to write the book and what was the most challenging part of getting it published?


It took about two years from concept to sale on that manuscript. I wrote about this in a previous blog featured on Kathy Temean’s website HERE.


Question 4: Do you research for every book you write? And, when you research, what does that process look like?


If I’m writing nonfiction, then I do a lot of research on the subject. My biggest fear is that I’m going to get something wrong, and I’ll be called out by all of the much smarter kids in the classroom. It’s safe to say that I still suffer from imposter syndrome. So, yes, I do a lot of research and I utilize as many resources as possible from books and websites and interviews to talking with scientists. The more direct and primary the source, the better. As I research, I do a lot of cross-referencing to double and triple check facts and stories.


Luckily for me, I was able to speak with and interview Jack Horner for my newest book, JACK HORNER, DINOSAUR HUNTER! It was so cool to be able to send him the manuscript and talk with him about this picture book biography based on his life. I was nervous when I first reached out to him. But thankfully, he was very kind and enthusiastic about the project.


Question 5: What would you say is your personal writer’s Kryptonite and why?


Stress. For me, stress kills my creativity. Unfortunately, stress is also impossible to avoid in the real world. So, I’ve learned to come up with ways to help cope with stress and get my creativity back on track. First and foremost, exercise is my go-to solution for writer’s block. A strong dose of endorphins will almost always jumpstart my creativity. If that doesn’t work, then mediation helps. But if all else fails, I’ve learned that it’s okay to just walk away. Take a deep breath. Come back when you can and don’t worry about it in the meantime. Your words will always be there, waiting for you, whenever you are ready.


Question 6: As a Rate Your Story Judge, what genre do you most enjoy reading? And, what things do you look for when you provide feedback and rate a story?


I love all picture books—both fiction and nonfiction! For me, I adore a clever spin on any subject. I love humor in fiction and interesting angles in nonfiction stories. Really, I just love anything that feels fresh and different.


Question 7: List three things that you feel make a picture book successful.


  1. Differentiation. How is your story different than anything that’s been written before it? What makes it stand out?

  2. Skill. I love being able to pinpoint when a writer deftly brings a story full circle or is able to stealthily foreshadow what’s to come or ties all the little pieces together at the end in a perfect little bow. As a writer, I have a great appreciation for the skills and tools that other writers wield well.

  3. Emotion. I am a sucker for an emotional tug in any story. When I say emotion, I don’t necessarily mean tear-jerking moments. I mean that I love to feel what the characters are feeling and experience their emotional moments, whether they’re scary or humorous or heartfelt. Emotion brings your characters to life for your readers.


Question 8: When does a writer know that his/her manuscript is ready to submit to an agent or editor?


Truthfully? I don’t know the answer to this. Ha! I mean, I still second-guess every manuscript I share up to the point when the actual printed copy of the book is in my hands. I suppose you could say that a manuscript is ready once it’s been revised again and again and then shared repeatedly with critique partners. But even then, the only person who can truly determine if a manuscript is ready, is the writer. Do you feel in your gut that it’s ready? Truly? Without lying to yourself? I know I’ve been guilty at times of convincing myself that something is ready simply because I’m a little tired of working on it (or I’m stuck). But if there’s even the smallest of doubt, then set the manuscript aside and come back to it after a few days or weeks or months. If you come back to the manuscript and your gut says that it’s done, share it then.


Question 9: Congratulations! You have two books on the horizon. How exciting! Jack Horner, Dinosaur Hunter! which releases September 2021 by Sleeping Bear Press and This is Your World: The Story of Bob Ross,

by Running Press Kids. Please tell our members about these books?


Thank you! I am so thrilled to share these books with young readers everywhere. Dinosaur Hunter shares the exciting story of the famous paleontologist, Jack Horner, who inspired the main character in Jurassic Park and helped shape the way the world views dinosaurs today. Jack's story is especially compelling as he suffered from severe dyslexia and was never able to graduate college or receive formal training. This is Your World shares the heartfelt story of famed American painter and television host, Bob Ross.


I connected with both of these stories on different levels. For me, despite being a smart kid, I struggled in school due to severe OCD. I could relate to Jack’s struggles, and I think other kids will be able to as well. In regard to Bob’s story, I was also Florida kid who pursued art as a career. What I loved most about both of these stories is that Jack and Bob blossomed later in their lives. They may have known what they loved and wanted to do, but neither took a traditional route to achieving their dreams. Sometimes it takes a while for us to find our path and that is okay.

Question 10:

Sophia, please share a list of your other books with our members.


THE BOY WHO GREW A FOREST (3/15/19) Florida Book Award Gold Medalist


You can find a list of my books here: https://www.sophiagholz.com/books


Represented by Liza Royce Agency


Question 11:

In closing, share with our members three common traps to avoid as a writer?


I know this is hard but try not to compare yourself to other writers. Comparison will only lead to discouragement and creative blocks. You are amazing just being you. I know firsthand that imposter syndrome is real at every level and so is jealousy. So, take a moment to remind yourself that no two journeys are the same. You are on the path that is meant for you. Enjoy the ride.


Twitter: @sophiagholz


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