Just One Pebble: Interview with Picture Book Author Dianna Wilson Sirkovski

One of my favorite things about being a contributing author to Writer’s Rumpus is hearing from authors about their exciting new releases! When I read Dianna Wilson Sirkovski’s email describing her recently released picture book Just One Pebble, One Boy’s Quest to End Hunger (illustrated by Sara Casilda) I jumped at the opportunity to interview her. Buy your own copy of her book!

Just One Pebble is the inspirational true story of how nine-year-old Braeden Mannering started a non-profit organization called Brae’s Brown Bags in an effort to end hunger. Dianna Wilson Sirkovski came across Braedan’s story on GreaterGood (https://greatergood.com) and says, “The story reached out and wrapped its fingers around my heart.”

After Dianna graciously sent me a PDF of the Just One Pebble (which I loved!) we had a lovely conversation via Zoom! (Seriously, WHAT did we do before Zoom?) 

Keri Demers (KD): Dianna, thank you for reaching out to Writer’s Rumpus, and congratulations on your newly released picture book – which is your second picture book to make it into the world in just two years’ time. How did you navigate your way through this tough kid-lit publishing industry? Twice!

Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky (DWS): ​​Thank you so much, Keri. I fell in love with picture books when my children were little. I still have every one of them. I always knew I wanted to write for children someday. But, truthfully, I knew nothing about writing a children’s book when I wrote my first picture book: James’ Reading Rescue, Clavis (October 5, 2021). And I’m kind of grateful for that, actually, because had I known how difficult it is to write and find a publisher for a picture book, I may have been too discouraged to even try. I queried about forty publishers and received two responses. One was a “nice” refusal and the other one was an acceptance letter from Clavis. Believe me, I read the letter from Clavis several times and then read it to my husband just to make sure I was reading it correctly. There are so many wonderful stories that never see the light of day. It’s all about the timing – right place, right time. Both of my picture books were published by Clavis, but they have also turned down lots of my other PB drafts. 

KD: Ah, yes. The dreaded rejections. What words of wisdom can you share with fellow writers about coping with inevitable (and often plentiful) rejections?

DWS: It can be so discouraging. I have critique partners who have quit writing. Your story is so “alive” to you as the author, it’s hard to understand why people (publishers) don’t want it. You just have to keep plugging. I kept telling myself, “One day I will find someone who loves this story.” I really believe I’ve been exceedingly lucky.

KD: Tell us about your journey from being inspired by Braeden’s true story to holding Just One Pebble in your hands.

DWS: As soon as I read Braedan’s story on the GreaterGood website I knew it would be the perfect story for a picture book and I started working on it right away. Unlike my experience drafting my first book, this time I was a member of Canada-East group SCBWI and in a critique group with an incredible group of writers. Once I finished writing the story, I reached out to Braeden and his mom and sent them the manuscript. They were very kind and very excited about Braden’s story being transformed into a picture book. I queried agents and publishing houses but offered Clavis the right to first refusal. They acquired my book and I was thrilled to be able to work with the same amazing illustrator as my first book – shout out to Sara Casilda. Just One Pebble’s book birthday fell on my 65th birthday!

KD: Oh, wow. That’s an extra special book birthday! What’s the meaning behind the title?

DWS: The title came about from Braedan’s mom telling him, “When you throw a pebble in the water, the ripples spread.” She (and Braedan) hope his story will inspire others to do good deeds as well.

KD: What are you working on now? (DWS lights up when she begins to talk about her works in progress!)

DWS: I’ve got a couple of PB projects in the works, they’re in various stages. One of them is based on a true story I saw on Twitter about a Principal who inspired some students who were always getting in trouble. This story is in final revision with my critique group. Another story idea I’m excited about came from a baking championship I watched on the Food Network. I’m toying with the idea of telling the story from a bakery’s point of view like author Adam Rex did in School’s First Day of School – which I love.

KD: Exciting stuff! Thank you so much for sharing your story with our Writer’s Rumpus Readers!

“So what’s in these 3B bags?” https://braesbrownbags.org/