Interview with Cathy Stefanec Ogren, #kidlit talented author

CAROL GORDON EKSTER: Cathy Ogren is one of those talented writers we’re all glad to have in our critique groups. Lucky me! She’s in two of my groups. And she’s an inspiration. She has hung in there for many years while she waited for her next book contract. Let’s get inspired!

Cathy, tell us how you found your way into the world of writing picture books.

CATHY STEFANEC OGREN: When I was growing up, there were bookshelves filled with a variety of books in our house. Being exposed to those books and our frequent trips to the library fed my imagination. I began writing plays that my friends and I put on for our parents. Writing poems, plays, and short stories became a hobby I enjoyed. As an elementary school teacher, I started a picture book that I turned into a play that my students put on for their parents. That was the beginning of my desire to write books for kids.

CGE: Tell us what kept you going during the years between your book contracts.

CSO: After my daughter was born, I took time off from teaching to care for my sweet baby girl. During that time, I took a writing course by mail. I wrote my first manuscript and submitted it to a publishing house. I was extremely lucky to have my manuscript pulled out of the slush pile by a young editor who liked it. She thought it would make a perfect early reader, and I was offered a contract. Whoo-hoo! I was on my way, but…as my dad used to say, “Hold your horses! Not so fast.” He was right. It was not so fast! It was TEN YEARS of writing and submitting to editors before I was offered a contract for another early reader. It was picked up by an editor who critiqued it at an SCBWI conference. By that time, I was back to full-time teaching and driving my daughter to activities. I managed to eke out time for writing, but it wasn’t consistent. More years than I care to count went by before I received another offer to publish.

CGE: Once you broke the dry spell, good things began to happen. PEW! The Stinky And Legen-dairy Gift from Colonel Thomas S. Meacham, Sleeping Bear Press, illustrated by Lesley Breen, came out in 2023. And then The Little Red Chair, also with Sleeping Bear Press, illustrated by Alexandra Thompson, came out in 2024. Can you tell us a bit about how you came to write these books and anything you’d like to share with us about crafting these two picture books?

CSO: When I began seriously writing, online courses like Children’s Book Academy, the 12×12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, The Writing Barn, critique groups, and the like were not readily available. When we moved from Wisconsin to New England to be closer to our family, I was able to concentrate on my writing and hone my craft. In 2018, I signed with my agent as a result of winning first place in Vivian Kirkfield’s #50PresciousWords Writing Contest. By that time, I had several picture books that I felt were ready for submission. My agent submitted a few she liked, but none were picked up. That same year I was listening to the History Channel and learned about a 1,400-pound cheese that was given to President Andrew Jackson. That slice of American history fascinated me. I thought it would make an interesting nonfiction picture book. My agent agreed with me. After completing my research and writing and revising the manuscript, my agent gave final approval. It went out on submission. During that time, I wrote a touch-your-heart story about a little red chair and a little girl who loves the chair. As I like to say, “It was love at first sit.”

CGE: Were these quick and easy sells, or were there twists and nerve-wracking turns before they became acquired?

CSO: Ha-ha! I don’t believe anything in the publishing industry is quick and easy! PEW! received rejections before a publishing house took it to acquisitions. Ultimately, I received a rejection from that publisher. They thought it wouldn’t sell because of Andrew Jackson’s reputation. It was a disappointment, but I wasn’t discouraged. I rewrote the manuscript to take out references to Andrew Jackson. Using wordplay and humor, I told the story of the man who made the cheese and what happened after he delivered it to the White House. My agent was pleased with the rewrite and submitted it again. In the meantime, The Little Red Chair received compliments but no offers. My agent contacted an editor at Sleeping Bear Press, saying she had a few manuscripts of mine that she might like. The editor liked the humor in the new version of PEW! and wanted to take it to acquisitions. In 2021, I received an offer for Pew!  The editor also asked to hold onto another manuscript – The Little Red Chair – which she held for a year. In the summer of 2022, that manuscript went to acquisitions, and I was offered a contract. Be still my heart!

CGE: Did you get to have any input about the illustrators or sketches?

CSO: My editor chose the perfect illustrators for both books, and she knew exactly what to do to make my manuscripts shine. I saw early sketches and final art for each book, and they listened to my input and made minor changes that I suggested. Working with my editor at Sleeping Bear Press was a positive experience.

CGE: Do you have a dedicated time to deal with your writing life? And how do you balance promotion and writing?

CSO: You can find me in my office every day during the week. Weekends are for catching up on things around the house. Writing includes working on new manuscripts, revising old ones, keeping up with emails, and posting on social media to network and promote my books.

To get the buzz going before a new book releases, there are promotional activities to consider – blog tours, social media posts, scheduling story times at libraries, bookstores, and school visits. Promotion takes a lot of time. It tends to eat away at my writing, but it’s all part of being an author. Readers and writers can help authors by writing a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble, and requesting an author’s book at your library.

CGE: What are your top tips for our #kidlit #amwriting audience?

CSO: Writing and submitting to agents and editors can be frustrating. This is a very competitive industry, but don’t let that discourage you. If you have a passion for writing, keep on. Join SCBWI. Continue to hone your craft. There is always something new to learn. Network with writers. Read in your genre and other genres. Find mentor texts to study. Go to conferences and sign up for webinars. Take advantage of writing contests. Never say no to any opportunities that will help you connect with people in the writing community. Most of all – believe in yourself!  

CGE: What does the future hold for Cathy Ogren?

CSO: More writing, more rejections, but I will never give up because I love it! Good things come when you least expect them. I know! 🙂

CGE: Thanks, Cathy! I know more good things will come for you!

You can connect with Cathy here:

Author Website  https://cathystefanecogren.com/

      X:  @CathySOgren

      IG:  @Cathyo.likes

      Facebook: Cathy Stefanec Ogren

      Blog:  Humor Me:  A Mix of Life, Laughter, and Literature/

      Bluesky Social:  @cathyso.bsky.social