Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Leventhal
Hi Ellen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When people ask what my story is, I’m not sure how to answer it. I certainly don’t have a “Yay! I made it!” story. My “story” is more like an ongoing journey. Although I am not teaching now, I will always be a teacher first and writer second–or as a friend says, “A teacher who writes and a writer who teaches.” (Thank you, Pamela Courtney).
When my first book was published, co-written with my friend, Ellen Rothberg, I thought, “We did it!” And yes, we did, but that was just the beginning of a very steep and twisty road. It’s not about getting one book published. It’s how you can stay on this road, and honestly, my missteps have knocked me off the road several times, but I somehow always get back on.
Traditional publishing is hard and very slow-moving. Along with hard work, jumping over obstacles, and pushing through setbacks, sometimes it takes being in the right place at the right time. I think that happened with my last book, DEBBIE’S SONG. After a few years of research and revision, I sent it to one publishing company who eventually passed on it. I immediately sent it to another one who loved it, and two years later, I held the book in my hands. They were looking for a story like that at that exact time. It also shows how subjective this industry is. The one thing about the story that the first publishing house didn’t like is the thing that sold it to the other.
Writing from my heart and my experience led to what is still the “book of my heart.” Having experienced loss and working with children who also experienced loss, my book, A FLOOD OF KINDNESS was born out of our city’s experience with Hurricane Harvey. A writer needs a thread that can be carried throughout the book, and kindness was that thread. I think everyone remembers how the city came together. The trick after that was to write a story that kids could relate to and one that would help them heal. That’s where a lot of the work came in, but even after several years, I am proud of that book. It’s been used by people around the world to help children deal with loss.
I’m always asked what my favorite thing about writing for kids is. My answer is sharing my love of literacy, inclusion, and kindness in schools. So…if anyone is interested in a school or organization author visit, please let me know through my website, and I’ll be there in a flash!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As I mentioned before, what I do is a journey where there really isn’t an “I made it!” point. Each day there are obstacles and challenges to overcome. The first challenge is getting a story to where I want it to be. That can take years (yes…even for a 500 word picture book). But then come the gatekeepers over whom I have no control. I didn’t have an agent until 2021, but she sold the book pretty quickly. That agent only took on one book at a time, so after that, I was agentless again. I sold another book without an agent, which was great, but time-consuming. Happily, I am agented again, and I thank Ritu Anand of D4EO Literary for having faith in my stories and in me. But even now, the rejections roll in. So, a very big challenge is keeping the faith, and that’s where my village comes in. We are all there for each other with no ego or jealousy getting in the way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Although I write in other genres, I’m mostly known for picture books. As a children’s author, what makes me the happiest and proudest is when I see kids enjoying my books or when after a school visit, a student tells me that they now know they can do things they previously didn’t think they could. I often talk about how everyone has a spark inside them that they can use to make the world better. We’re all different, but we all have that spark.
As a teacher, what makes me happy and proud is when former students remember me and let me know I made an impact. I believe my career as a teacher has given me the skills and empathy to understand the students I meet at school author visits. I also understand the time constraints and the amount of work the teachers deal with, and I let them know that at every school visit.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Many people think that writing is a solitary endeavor. In some ways it is, but in other ways, it takes a village. I would never have picture books published without my incredible critique buddies. My weekly group, “The Friday Morning Write Club,” has been more of a help than I could ever say. They are all caring, bright, and SO generous with both their time and their talent. So, thank you, Meghan Downs, Leigh Frilicci, Gabrielle Nidus, Ellen Rothberg, and Joyce Schriebman. They each deserve credit! But the whole children’s literature community is always willing to help, give advice, and cheer each other on, so they certainly get credit too. And of course, my husband, deserves credit for being my biggest cheerleader, always encouraging me, and even selling books out of his car in the old days!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://EllenLeventhal.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenl411/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellen.w.leventhal/
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/ellenlwrites.bsky.social
Image Credits
Mark Katz
