Interview with Nonfiction Picture Book Writer (and Story Detective!) Karen M. Greenwald

I’m thrilled to have Karen M. Greenwald as my guest today, a talented nonfiction picture book author, and an incredible “story detective” of sorts. She has a knack for finding, unearthing, and bringing to life true and little-known tales of unsung heroes. As a nonfiction lover/writer myself, I have an immense amount of respect for her thoughtful approach to her research, and her love and respect for her subject matter.

By day, Karen’s an award-winning brand strategist. She brings this branding expertise to the kidlit community, helping children’s authors build their brands through various platforms (something we all know is SO important).

Did I fail to mention that she also runs the #SunWriteFun writing contest for kidlit authors, which has helped get much-needed books in the hands of underserved children for years? Karen is a force of good in our kidlit community, from her spirited and supportive social media presence to her tireless work as a Nonfiction Elf for the 12×12 Picture Book Writing Challenge.

Karen’s brand-new book, The Mud Angels: How Students Saved the City of Florence, releases next month with Albert Whitman & Co (you can preorder it now). It vividly chronicles the 1966 Arno River flood in Florence, Italy, which left the city in a mud bath and threatened to destroy priceless historical artifacts! It took an army of brave college students from all over the world, or “mud angels” as they were later called, to salvage them. I love all the sensory detail Karen weaves through the text, as it transports me right there to the scene with them! This is a one-of-a-kind story with themes of cross-cultural friendship and teamwork, bravery and persistence, and the importance of preserving human history.

Hilary Margitich: Karen, it’s such a pleasure to have you here today on Writers’ Rumpus. Welcome!

Karen M. Greenwald: Thank you so much, Hilary! I absolutely LOVE Writer’s Rumpus—have been a big fan for years—and am so honored to be included!

HM: To start off with, let me tell you what a beautiful story you’ve written with The Mud Angels! Florence, Italy is one of my favorite cities in the world, but I had never heard of this huge flood, or the amazing rescue and cleanup efforts of these brave international students. How did you first come across this story, and can you tell me about your process for uncovering it in such depth?

KMG: Thank you so much! What a kind thing to say😊. The short answer? My college roommate, who is my critique partner (though she doesn’t write kidlit). We were talking, and I said I wanted to find something that incorporated many of the topics that I am especially passionate about– international relations, the environment, fine art, and history. She said, “What about the Arno Flood of 1966?” From the moment I looked it up, I knew it was a story that I had to tell!

I began by doing the standard research approach. But after I feel relatively schooled in the history of the topic, I love connecting with people who are part of the story. For A Vote for Susanna, it was Susanna Salter’s great granddaughter (who became a dear friend!) and in the case of The Mud Angels, it involved reaching out to Mud Angels, themselves, and Italian experts about the flood.

HM: That’s very resourceful and smart of you! And something I love about this book and A Vote for Susanna, which you released in 2021, is how instead of simply narrating in the third person, you choose a character to narrate that is tied to the story in a clever way. In The Mud Angels, it’s the great-great-great-granddaughter of the author of one of the books in the city’s Central Library, and in A Vote for Susanna, it’s Susanna herself (although we don’t learn that until the end). Is this angle something you decide right off the bat, or does that come as you’re drafting the story?

KMG: For A Vote for Susanna, I actually did not decide that until I had written a few versions. It took one and a half years of research until I was able to access personal ephemera of Susanna’s. Once I did, it changed the entire manuscript. Reading her thoughts, in her own words, by her own pen (and/or typewriter) put me in the heart of the story I wanted to tell. For The Mud Angels, I interviewed 16 of them, but I didn’t really want one of their experiences to tell the story for everyone. It just seemed like someone who observed them, a real person who had lived among them during that time-period, would be the perfect entry point to guide the emotion.

HM: Both narrations are so powerful. I’m also interested in how you balance both the research and writing processes. How do you decide how deep a research dive to do? And how do you know when you’ve gotten enough to write the story you have in your head?

KMG: I often wonder if I go too deep! (One of the Kansas State Librarians recently told me I’m a research librarian at heart!) I always thought research would involve sitting alone in the back of a library, listening to the whirring of a microfiche machine. Instead, it has been incredibly social, intriguing, and completely unexpected in terms of its path to finding key “ingredients” of the story. Nothing is more exciting than discovering one piece of history that nobody knew existed. I had that experience with A Vote for Susanna and it just gave me chills! Finding Susanna’s agency was a near impossible challenge. No newspaper or other document included it. When I finally found proof, I am sure my neighbors heard me cheering!

I also feel like when presenting to kids, I want to be prepared to answer any question that comes up. My mom was an incredible teacher. If I read the wrong homework assignment, she would say, “Learning is never a waste!” I think that explains a lot about me!

For The Mud Angels, it was all about the voluminous (no pun intended) details, from the environmental aspects to the social interactions. Along with my normal overly deep dive into the facts in written content, I was incredibly lucky to connect with 16 Mud Angels. Most of the initial interviews were several hours long and they put me in that place and time. That kind of contextual information is priceless. Each gave me their own perspective which was extremely meaningful. In writing the story, I wanted to honor who they were and what they did.

I also connected with a host of figures in Italy, from adults who were children at the time to conservation experts. This book is my love letter to the Florentines, the unbelievably selfless and brave Mud Angels (many of whom became dear friends), the Italian officials/experts, and all the librarians around the world who have so generously helped me on each of my research journeys.

HM: What a labor of love this was for you, I can tell! Karen, you are a nonpracticing lawyer and a brand strategist. Have you always had dreams of writing children’s books, and when did you decide to pursue that?

KMG: In fourth grade. No joke! I decided I wanted to write a book and even gave it a title. I will say though, I also announced that I wanted to open an art supply store and came up with what I still think is a fabulous name! (I was a brander way back then😊) You’ll have to get back to me on the store’s status in a few years…not feeling like that one will happen. Lol!

Fast forward to law school, of all places. Part of Georgetown’s requirements included two paper classes. I took a new one in its inaugural semester called Literacy and the Law. We discussed book banning (at the time, we laughed about how that would never happen today…), the constitutional right to become literate, and looked at the dualities in picture books—how they can teach children things like the scientific method without young readers realizing it.

We had to tutor a child in a subsidized housing community, write a picture book, and an analytical paper about it. I was hooked! Fast forward again to 2023. The professor has long been a supporter of mine and in October, I spoke to his Literacy and the Law class about my books and writing career. What a feeling to have my book on their syllabus!

HM: That’s incredible. Now, what would be your piece of advice for aspiring or established authors reading this who want to build a strong brand for themselves?

KMG: I would say the foremost thing is to know who you are as a writer. Be consistent with this. Make it your mantra.

HM: I know we’re several months away from summer, but many of our readers love entering kidlit writing contests! Can you tell me a bit about #SunWriteFun and what we might be able to expect this year?

KMG: Absolutely! Ironically, I was just discussing this year’s possible theme with author Jenny Buchet, who cofounded it with me. I can’t believe #SunWriteFun is turning five! When we started it, we were the only online kidlit nonfiction writing contest. At the time, everyone seemed to be struggling with the pandemic, isolation, losing creative mojo, et al. I hoped the contest would create a sense of community and inspire. Central to this was finding a way for donors, entrants, and supporters to benefit—which is why we have a point system for grand prize eligibility. It takes the singularity of entering and turns it into an online party!

The other important opportunity that I saw possible with this was the chance to help a kidlit charity each summer. I became partial to one that donates new books to under-resourced school libraries. But it is not a requirement to donate. I would never want it to be a barrier against participation. Entrants submit a 200-word nonfiction or informational fiction story.

Every summer, I’m awed at the incredible industry support the contest gets, from editors and agents offering “out of the slush pile” reads, to organizations (like the VERY generous Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, Picture Book Summit, et al!) and authors. For year five, I think you can expect awesome prizes/opportunities, a super-fun theme, and merch (which I have been asked about for a few years!).

I get personally invested in the success of those who enter. We’ve had several people use their entry to get an agent or a book deal. Wait until you read Steena Hernandez’s debut—it began its life as a #SunWriteFun entry! I’m so proud! Previous year’s contest information can be found at: https://www.karengreenwald.com/sunwritefun23-rules.

HM: Can you share any details about what you’re working on next and where we can follow you on social media?

KMG: Last year, I decided that for Women’s History Month and Read Across America, which happens every March on Susanna Salter’s (A Vote for Susanna) birthday, I wanted to do something that would last beyond reading a book to students on one day. So, I launched a book donation raffle for under-resourced school libraries. Nancy Churnin and Aimee Bissonette joined me in hosting it. The kidlit community really showed up in force like they do each summer for #SunWriteFun (love this community!) and a large number of brand new, gorgeous picture books were sent to libraries in Connecticut.

I’m doing it again this March, and am thrilled that Nancy (and you, Hilary!) are joining me. Entrants will mail their book donations directly to the Red Lake Nation (MN) high school, but they will be used in their elementary school. We’ve got amazing prizes to raffle off, and opportunities for entrants to increase their chances of winning. Again this year, Nancy and I will donate a book for every one of ours donated–up to ten books total for each of us. You can read the official “BE A #BOOKHERO RAFFLE” rules and learn about the Red Lake Nation at: https://www.karengreenwald.com/bookhero. Be sure to check out the awesome prizes, including a $50 Gift Card for famed author Jeff Kinney’s indie bookstore!

I am also very focused on The Mud Angels virtual book launch on April 4^th at 6PM EST. I’m excited to be joined by two of the Mud Angels that I interviewed. More information to come…

You can find me online at:

karengreenwald.com

 IG: @karenmgreenwald

Bluesky: @karenmgreenwald

Youtube: @karenmgreenwald

HM: Karen, thank you for spending this time with me today. It’s been such a treat! And I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of your #BOOKHERO book donation raffle this year. I’m going to let you go, since I know you are a busy woman and have stories to discover and bring to life. Please come back soon and visit us here on the Writers’ Rumpus blog!

KMG: Hilary, thank you so much for this opportunity to chat with you about my books, writing, and helping under-resourced libraries! Writer’s Rumpus is an incredible resource and I am truly honored!

Karen is generously offering a signed copy of her brand new picture book The Mud Angels to one lucky reader! To enter, comment on this post! If you share this interview on social media, mention that in your comment and you’ll get another entry. Giveaway closes in one week. US and Canada only.

Karen M. Greenwald is an award-winning children’s author. Her book, A VOTE FOR SUSANNA, THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR (Albert Whitman), was named a Kansas Notable Book in 2022. Kansas chose it to represent their state at the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL and in the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS’ GREAT READS FROM GREAT PLACES initiative. THE MUD ANGELS: HOW STUDENTS SAVED THE CITY OF FLORENCE (Albert Whitman) launches in April of 2024. It is currently available to purchase on pre-order.

Karen co-founded the #SunWriteFun writing contest, which raises money and book donations for under-resourced school and public libraries. Professionally, her strategic branding efforts have earned seventeen international awards, including a 2023 Platinum MEA. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Georgetown University and holds her JD from Georgetown University Law Center.