Last year I stumbled on author Jodi Kendall’s blog post How I Got My Agent (and a 2-Book Deal!) . It gave me the hope I so desperately needed as a writer because Jodi explained that, in seven years, she had queried agents with six different manuscripts, receiving over one hundred rejection letters.

And then what happened?

HarperCollins bought, at auction, her middle grade novel The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City (released Oct 3, 2017) and the follow up Dog Days in the City that is being released this week.

On the eve of her second book release, I’m thrilled to have Jodi Kendall as the inaugural  5 Questions interview!

 5 Questions…with Jodi Kendall

1. For The Unlikely Story of a Pig In The City, roughly how long was it from when you first came up with the idea until the day it hit store shelves? About 4 years. 
2. What was the biggest obstacle you encountered on your road to getting published? Rejections are hard of course, but learning how to write is really, really hard. Trying lots of different styles/genres, listening to feedback, choosing to grow, and getting my butt in the chair and just doing the work (all while having other jobs and juggling kids/family) was hard. It’s still hard! But I love it. 
3. What is something that has surprised you since becoming a published author? I always knew it’d be amazing to hear from young readers, but receiving their notes and artwork and listening them share their thoughts on my books is always surprisingly wonderful. It’s the best part of my job. 
4. What is one piece of advice you would give to writers who are trying to get published?  Join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator’s (SCBWI) immediately!
5. On the eve of your second book coming out, have you noticed any differences this time around than before your first book was released?  The excitement is still high, but I’m much calmer this time around. This past year has taught me a lot about managing expectations and embracing gratitude and why I write the books I write. So I’m not nearly as nervous! 

I want to thank Jodi for participating in 5 Questions and I also want to thank her for her recent Instagram post where she bravely opened up about her battle with anxiety. As Jodi said, “Talking more openly about our experiences can help normalize them.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn6kQGxFttE/?hl=en&taken-by=jodi_kendall