280: Writing and Illustrating a Picture Book Series - Interview with Amanda Noll and Howard McWilliam

DIY MFA Radio

Hey there word nerds! Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Noll and Howard McWilliam, author and illustrator of the I Need My Monster picture book series.

Amanda Noll was born and raised in Canberra, Australia and immigrated to the United States as a teenager. After marrying her college sweetheart, she began working in the purchasing division of a private university (which is ironic, since she despises shopping).

She left the business world to attend to the business of raising children and concentrate on her writing. As her kids grew up, she completed a Master’s degree in Education and became an Elementary School Librarian. Amanda blames her fundamentally twisted sense of humor on either genetics or being raised on a steady stream of Australian humor and sci-fi. She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and children.

Howard McWilliam left his career as a U.K. financial magazine editor and journalist in 2005 to concentrate on illustrating. He is cover artist for The Week in the U.S. and U.K. and has illustrated dozens of children’s novels, puzzles, and picture books, including the bestselling I Need My Monster series. He lives in Cheltenham, England, with his wife Rebecca and three young sons.

In this episode, Amanda, Howard and I discuss:

• The inspiration behind the My Monster series
• How one book turned into a series
• How the author-illustrator relationship works
• Navigating the line between safe and scary for kids
• Making picture books accessible for boy and girl readers

Plus, their #1 tips for writers.

For more info and shownotes: www.diymfa.com/280