I've been a member of SCBWI since 2011! One of the most impactful takeaways I've gotten from SCBWI has been the industry connections and friends I've made. It's such a warm, welcoming community!
I write and illustrate picture books, fiction and narrative nonfiction.
My writing process is having several manuscripts/ideas going at once. When I run out of steam on one project, I can switch to another. It helps keep my brain fresh and prevents me from getting project-fatigue on one story. I do a lot of editing and revising in my head throughout the day--stopping to jot down notes if I need to--but the bulk of the heavy lifting comes in the evening when I can sit down with no distractions and get to work. My goals vary depending on what stage of a project I'm in; since I'm also an illustrator, my daily work varies a lot between writing/sketching/making final art. I prefer to work in complete silence when writing (boring, I know!) but will sometimes listen to music when drawing. Minimizing distractions keeps me most productive. I've always wanted to be someone who can have a movie going in the background while I work, because it sounds so cozy, but I get caught up in the show and get zero work done.
I've been writing for several years and drawing for much longer than that--around 20. I'm self-taught, both in writing and illustrating. I've attended lots of conferences and taken tons of webinars through SCBWI, though, which has helped me polish my technique. My critique group has also been an invaluable help, as has my agent
My writing spot is a very cozy artist nook in our house. We have a spot on the second floor that would otherwise be dead space, so I turned it into a fun creative space.
My dream project would be something creepy and spooky, so a story with ghosts and a haunted house would be amazing. Projects I have in the works include several picture book dummies out on submission now, and my debut picture book will be out in spring 2027 from Sourcebooks eXplore.
For new writers, my best advice is to read, read, read! If you want to write picture books, read as many as you can get your hands on. Study their structure, vocabulary, and language. Become familiar with the industry standards for page count, word count, and the technical format of the book because this will affect your product. Take advantage of all the conferences, webinars, and contests that SCBWI offers, and when you're ready, consider forming a small critique group with like-minded folks. Writing can be very isolating, and it's important to have social connections and support.
I'm represented by Sarah Stephens at Red Fox Literary. She is THE BEST. When I first began seeking agent representation, I queried as an illustrator-only. This was also around the peak covid years, and the entire industry was in a kerfuffle, so those queries went nowhere. I decided to try my hand at writing, in case being an author-illustrator would be more attractive to agencies. Around this time, I attended the San Diego SCBWI spring virtual conference, at which Karen Grencik (founder of Red Fox) was a speaker. She offered a submission opportunity to attendees, I sent in a story, and the rest is history. Karen only represents writers, so since I was also an illustrator, I was offered rep by agent Sarah. I have loved working with her! She is hands-on, funny, and a super smart editor.
My debut picture book (as author only) will be coming out in spring 2027 from Sourcebooks eXplore. The title is 'Hooray for Snail Day!' and it will be illustrated by the super talented Clary Huang.
Five interesting things about me: In no particular order, I have a degree in costume design; I made wigs for professional theatre for many years; I can knit and play the banjo; and I have 5 kids.
You can connect with me on my website at www.emmelineforrestal.com and I'm active on Instagram @emmelineforrestal.