Flying Solo as an Unaccompanied Author/Illustrator by Berrie Torgan-Randall (+ a Giveaway!)

Please welcome children’s book author/illustrator Berrie Torgan-Randall to Frog on a Blog! You may be familiar with the first book in her Bella & Blue early reader graphic novel series, Bella & Blue: Bella Meets Blue, which came out a few years ago by The Little Press. And, if you’re a fan, you’ll be thrilled to know that the second book in the series is due out in 2027. (Plus, you can win a copy of Bella & Blue: Bella Meets Blue by leaving a comment on this post!)

But today we’re celebrating Berrie’s debut picture book Just Ducky: A Friendship Takes Flight, which officially publishes on October 1, 2025, by Cardinal Rule Press. Berrie stopped by to talk a bit about the ups and downs of her publication journey as an unagented author/illustrator. If you’re a children’s book creative currently in query mode, this post is for you! Let’s hear from Berrie!

Flying Solo as an Unaccompanied Author/Illustrator

by Berrie Torgan-Randall

I have a big sister who is two years older than I am, and, since I wasn’t much of a talker, she declared that she would be my spokesperson for a good part of my childhood. To give you another glimpse into my childhood and personality, in elementary school, I preferred to stand in the shadows (a hard thing to do as a tall kid). The school subject where I did shine, however, was in the art room. I loved everything about art class—the burlap and glue collages, the linoleum prints, and the smell of the tempera paint. In pursuit of this passion, I went to art school where I took all sorts of fine arts classes.

After graduating from art school, I ended up working in a couple jobs that weren’t very creatively gratifying. I reconsidered my career options and remembered the joy of my time spent in the library. My mother is a librarian, and my sisters and I spent many hours exploring the children’s section of our local library. My mother moved a lot after my parents divorced. Fortunately, as a librarian, she was able to find a job wherever she moved to. Seeking job stability, I went to grad school to become an elementary school librarian. Being a librarian is my bread and butter, a profession that I love. However, my true passion is illustrating and writing children’s books. After my youngest child went to middle school, I had the opportunity to work on making my passion a reality.

In order to learn about the craft of writing and illustrating books for children, I joined and volunteered for SCBWI and attended numerous conferences, which started my long journey to publication. Along the way, I learned about the “three Ps” (Passion, Perseverance, and Patience).

I already had the passion part down with daily drawing and had heard from others that I would be more marketable if I was also an author. I wrote stories about my childhood, as well as memories based on my children’s trials and tribulations and the silly antics I remembered about students when I worked as a librarian.

Every time I attended a conference, I asked to meet with an agent. For the most part, the agents that I met were helpful, offering constructive criticisms about my portfolio and dummy books. In the years spent pursuing my dream, only one agent expressed interest in seeing more of my work. When I reached out to her after the conference, I heard crickets chirping (in other words silence on her end). Every time one of my author or illustrator friends found an agent, I had to tamp down my inner green-eyed monster and politely say congrats. I had heard that finding the right agent is a combination of timing and luck. I realized my early lack of success didn’t mean that I would never be picked up by an agent or that I should stop picking four leaf clovers; it just meant that I needed to keep trying. I had to remember the other two P’s: perseverance and patience.

I have had success flying solo without an agent with hard work and determination (passion). Every week, I make myself participate in a self-imposed ritual of “Marketing Monday” where I spend at least one morning researching agents, editors, and publishers and send submissions of my dummy books and portfolio samples. While researching publishers a few years ago, I came across a publisher who promotes creatives from New Jersey. The majority of my childhood was spent in a small New Jersey town across the river from Philadelphia. I thought I would give it a shot and write a query letter with a link to my portfolio. A couple months later, an email came, a phone call, and then a contract!

Another success story happened after I submitted the manuscript for my book Just Ducky during Cardinal Rule Press’s yearly open submission window. While meeting with a dear friend who helps me with my writing and editing, I got an email from Adam Blackman at CRP who let me know that my submission had been chosen out of over 1000 entries! As an extra bonus, I am CRP’s first ever author/illustrator. These small but mighty presses opened up doors for me, and I proudly became a published author.

My first-born daughter, who recently moved away from her nest of friends in Brooklyn to Sweden to attend grad school, wrote a weekly blog and included a quotation that says, “Do It Scared. Do It Weird. Do It Alone.” I relate to this quotation because it describes my journey to becoming a published author/illustrator. When I go into an interview with an agent, I go with hope (mixed with fear) in my heart that this agent will be the one who will offer me a contract. When this opportunity doesn’t happen I cry, get angry, and sulkingly remember it takes patience, perseverance, timing, and luck to find the right agent.

I have learned through experience that it’s best to go into a review with the right attitude. I choose to listen carefully, take everything in, absorb the suggestions as well as the criticisms, and then begin the process of making changes–it’s a marathon not a sprint. As the quotation literally suggests, it’s okay to be scared. I choose not to be intimidated by others (even the professionals I meet, the illustrators with stunning portfolios, and the authors who win prizes).

It’s also okay to be weird. Creative people are often considered weird. They don’t fit into a mold, and doing it weird is a sign of originality.

Finally, doing it alone isn’t the same as failing. Just keep speaking up for yourself, listening to what others have to say about your work, absorbing the feedback, and expressing what you want to express. There are no guarantees, but if you are following your passion, you are doing what you are meant to do–writing and/or illustrating books for children.

“Do It Scared. Do It Weird. Do It Alone.” Love this quote! Thanks, Berrie, for sharing your publication journey. I think we’ve all learned that with passion, perseverance, and patience, we can find success as children’s book authors and illustrators!

Berrie Torgan-Randall is an author/illustrator working from her home studio in Media, PA. Berrie’s illustrations have appeared in Ladybug Magazine, and her debut early reader graphic novel, Bella & Blue: Bella Meets Blue, was published by The Little Press Publishing in 2022. The second book in the Bella & Blue series is to launch in Spring 2027 titled Bella & Blue: Postcard from Paris. In addition, Berrie’s debut picture book Just Ducky: A Friendship Takes Flight is set to soar in October 2025, published by Cardinal Rule Press. Berrie is Cardinal Rule Press’s first author/illustrator.

Learn more about Berrie and her books by visiting:

Website: http://www.berrietr.com/

Instagram: blue.berrie

Bluesky: @berrietr.bsky.social

Giveaway!

Berrie Torgan-Randall is generously offering a copy of her book Bella & Blue: Bella Meets Blue to one lucky winner. Just leave a comment on this post by October 7th. I’ll choose a winner at random and connect them with Berrie. This giveaway is open to US residents only. Good luck!

Interview Alert: Alex Willan

Please join me in wishing a very Merry Christmas, er, I mean a very Happy Book Birthday to the hilarious, multi-published author/illustrator Alex Willan for his brand-new picture book Elves Are the Worst! This book is sure to be a holiday (or anytime) favorite with kids. It’s the latest in his The Worst! series and should prove to be just as popular as the other three: Unicorns Are the Worst!, Dragons Are the Worst!, and Yetis Are the Worst! All of these books are filled with humor, color, and lovable characters. And they are so much fun to read. Just like the others, Elves Are the Worst! stars the adorable, ever persistent Gilbert the Goblin, but, this time, he must prove himself to be just as good as, if not better than, any elf at the North Pole. What will he learn this time? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Alex has stopped by today to share more about his new book, the series, and Gilbert. And, as a special treat, he’s included a few in-progress illustrations. Let’s hear from Alex!

Congratulations on the newest picture book in your hilarious The Worst! series, Elves Are the Worst! Please tell us a little bit about the book and the inspiration behind the series.

AW: Thank you so much! In Elves Are the Worst!, Gilbert the Goblin is back with a fresh set of complaints, this time about elves. He decides to go undercover to Santa’s Workshop, disguised as an elf, to prove that goblins are just as hard working as any elf.

The first book in the The Worst! series, Unicorns Are the Worst!, was about how sometimes our feelings lead us to false conclusions. Gilbert says that his unicorn neighbors are the worst, but really he is just jealous that they get all of the attention. (And he’d really enjoy an invitation to their tea parties.) The fun challenge with each new book in the series is to figure out what Gilbert is trying to prove and what he learns along the way, both about his neighbors and about himself.

Gilbert the Goblin and his pals are so adorable. Which came first, the characters or the stories, and how does Gilbert feel about starring in his own book series?

AW: I’ve had ideas for books come to me in both ways. Sometimes it starts with a character in my sketchbook and the story grows from there, and sometimes it starts with the story. This series started with the story. In fact, when I first wrote Unicorns Are the Worst! The main character was actually a gnome named Gnelson. My wonderful agent, Lori Kilkelly, liked the idea, but wasn’t completely sold on my initial designs for Gnelson. I played around with mythical protagonists and, when I landed on goblin, I suddenly had such a better understanding of his motivations. Gilbert always has a bit of a chip on his shoulder and that made so much more sense given that people generally have a negative opinion of goblins.

I must tell you, Gilbert would very much appreciate you acknowledging that he is, in fact, the star of these books, as opposed to the unicorns, elves, etc. I think that Gilbert had grown quite used to living alone, tucked away in his corner of the forest, but, for a character that claims to want to be left alone, he sure seems to enjoy talking at length with the reader. One of the biggest joys for me in working on this series is seeing his world continue to expand. Finding his place in the larger world has been good for him, although I doubt that he would ever admit it.

What is your art process like when creating your books, and what media do you use?

AW: I create my illustrations digitally using the Procreate App on my iPad Pro. When I was in school, I learned to create art traditionally and I was very hesitant to switch to digital. Eventually though, the technology became so advanced that working on the iPad felt as natural as drawing in my sketchbook. I’m still grateful that I learned to draw and paint by hand, but I now find working digitally to be quite freeing. I can take risks and try new things without the risk of ruining several hours of work. The undo option has truly been a gift.

What do goblins like Gilbert do in their free time?

AW: Gilbert takes his work as a goblin very seriously, but I like that with each installment in the series, we get to see more and more of his interests outside of his important magical pursuits. In Elves Are the Worst! we see that he enjoys gardening, baking, and organizing events for his sock slugs. I also really like how much his friendship with Chicken continues to develop with each new installment.

Can you give us a sneak peek of any upcoming books you may have? Will we be seeing Gilbert again?

AW: I am happy to say that I am working on two new Gilbert books (not yet announced), as well as a brand new title. I’ll be able to share more about these projects soon, and I’d encourage people to follow me on Instagram at @alexwillan for news. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to make these books, to work on them with so many incredible people, and to be able to share them with readers of all ages.

If it was ALEX WILLAN, and not Gilbert the Goblin, who was in charge of writing the stories, he’d make a book called Anchovies Are the Worst!. Alex is the author-illustrator of Unicorns Are the Worst!, Dragons Are the Worst!, Yetis Are the Worst!, and the Jasper & Ollie series, as well as the illustrator of Got Your Nose, written by Alan Katz. Alex lives in Chicago with his dog, Harley, who is the absolute best. Visit him online at AlexWillan.com.

Interview Alert: Leejone Wong

Please welcome author and illustrator Leejone Wong to Frog on a Blog! The third book in her Momma Comma and Friends picture book series, Queenie Question Finds a Key, came out last month. This series features adorable punctuation mark characters, cute animal characters, and bright colors. And the charming stories introduce kids to the concept of punctuation in a way that is entertaining and fun. Kids won’t even realize they’re learning!

These books would make great additions to an elementary school teacher’s classroom library. In fact, Leejone got feedback from teachers as she was writing the first book in the series, Momma Comma and the Soup Drama. She speaks about this below. I also asked Leejone about how the Momma Comma and Friends series got started as well as about her illustration process, something I always find fascinating when interviewing illustrators. Let’s hear from Leejone!

I love your MOMMA COMMA AND FRIENDS picture book series! Please tell my blog readers about the books.

LW: Thank you so much! The books are lighthearted mystery or adventure stories that introduce children, ages 4 to 8, to the concept of punctuation. Throughout the series, Momma Comma helps Queenie Question to find a missing pet and return a lost key to its owner or encourages Papa Period to save the neighborhood school. These aren’t (boring) grammar books, and some kids may not even realize that they’re educational!

At the same time, the stories do encourage children, even those who aren’t reading on their own yet, to notice and talk about punctuation. What are they called? Where do you find them in sentences? What role do they play in understanding what’s being said? The series is perfect for parents and teachers who are looking for vividly imagined picture books that make learning effortless and fun.

What inspired you to write the series, and which came first, the story concept or the characters?

LW: The concept for the series came first! Years ago, I tutored international graduate students at New York University who struggled to understand grammar rules. I discovered, over time, that it was helpful to them if I drew diagrams, used visuals, or read short stories aloud; they were then able to better see and hear how to use punctuation, if that makes sense. I guess there’s a similar concept at work in the Momma Comma and Friends picture books—but I didn’t think about creating the series until I became a mom!

My daughter inspired me when she was four years old! One afternoon, she pointed at a comma and asked me what it was; she wasn’t even reading or writing yet. I suppose ideas are born when they’re ready to be—and that’s when the Momma Comma and Friends characters popped into my imagination. I could actually see a picture book in my mind—and that book eventually became Momma Comma and the Soup Drama! That said, I sat on the idea until the COVID-19 pandemic required so many of us to isolate and stay at home.

How did feedback from elementary school teachers help shape the stories in your MOMMA COMMA AND FRIENDS series?

LW: When the idea for the books first got into my head, I brushed it aside because I assumed I’d find something similar to what I was envisioning in bookstores and libraries. Then when I didn’t find anything, I thought maybe it was because nobody cared or wanted books like these. Still, I really loved and believed in my idea, so I went ahead and put together a version of the first book, Momma Comma and the Soup Drama. I thought it was important to test the concept, and I was fortunate that a dozen or so elementary school teachers invited me into their classrooms to read it to their students.

I left a survey with the teachers, asking them for feedback. I wanted to know if the book was useful to them, how their students had responded to it, and if they all liked the story. Thankfully, there was only positive feedback and a lot of support—which was significant because it gave me the greenlight to move forward and told me that there was an audience and desire for my books.

Getting to read the book to kids was also helpful, and I made some small edits based on their reactions—for example, I changed the title to something a little more silly and intriguing, and in one scene, I felt that Nathan Exclamation’s teeth were a little scary, so I took them out. Overall, though, the published book is very similar to that early version!

Your characters are adorable! Can you share a little about your illustration process when working on the art for the series?

LW: I’ve always thought that each punctuation mark has its own personality. For example, in my mind, of course Nathan Exclamation is going to express strong emotions, and he’s going to love eating spicy food and engaging in exciting activities like bungee jumping! And Papa Period will naturally be more serious because he’s the Stopper of All Things, and Momma Comma will be the kind of person that likes to make lists and take meandering walks. In fact, the reason that Momma Comma is yellow is because, on a traffic signal light, yellow means “slow down.” Papa Period is red because that means “stop.”

When I designed each character, I wanted to make sure that their personality came through. That’s also why I include an “About the Characters” page in each book, which shares a character’s favorite thing to say or do. I’ll share a few development notes from my sketchbook so that you can get a glimpse into the process. When I’m just trying out ideas, the characters look more like doodles. After I settle on a direction, I sketch their outlines in pencil on Bristol paper. The last step is to scan them into my computer, and then I use digital tools to refine them. In general, I work fairly intuitively on the computer and make a lot of decisions about color, texture, and composition at that point in time.

Currently, there are three books in the MOMMA COMMA AND FRIENDS series. Do you have plans to write more?

LW: Yes. I’m currently working on a book for Nathan Exclamation, and then I’ll write one about Aly Apostrophe. After that, I’ll see if my readers want any more! If you, blog readers, end up reading and liking my books, kindly let me know by writing a review. Momma Comma and the Soup Drama, Papa Period Versus Mega Rock, and Queenie Question Finds a Key—are the ones that are available now. Thank you!

Find more information about Leejone Wong and her books:

Website: https://www.mommacomma.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mommacomma

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leejonewong/

Leejone Wong is the creator of the Momma Comma and Friends picture book series; her third book, Queenie Question Finds a Key, was released through Immortal Jelly Publishing in May (2023). Before her life as an author and illustrator living in Los Angeles, Leejone previously taught writing at New York University, wrote film and art reviews, and created online content and games for television networks.