I recently had the pleasure of hanging out with author Bea Birdsong at the Whirlikids Festival at McIntyre’s Books and was thrilled to get a sneak peek of her debut picture book, I WILL BE FIERCE!, releasing on 4/23/19. 

Here’s the publisher’s description: 

It’s a brand-new day, and a young girl decides to take on the world like a brave explorer heading off on an epic fairytale quest. From home to school and back again, our hero conquers the Mountain of Knowledge (the library), forges new bridges (friendships), and leads the victorious charge home on her steed (the school bus).

I Will Be Fierce is a powerful picture book about courage, confidence, kindness, and finding the extraordinary in everyday moments.

The message of the story is perfect for young (and not so young) readers, encouraging them to be proactive in standing up for themselves and their beliefs. The vibrant and bold illustrations by Nidhi Chanani (creator of the GORGEOUS feminist graphic novel PASHMINA) amplify and harmonize with the energy of the story’s fierce protagonist. Absolutely a must-purchase for everyone who wants to encourage children to be their best selves.

We are thrilled to welcome Bea Birdsong to The Winged Pen!

Welcome, Bea!

Kirkus Reviews calls I WILL BE FIERCE!, “A multicultural girl-power manifesto featuring a feisty young girl who faces her day as a knight on an epic quest.” Can you tell us a bit about your inspiration for this story?

Childhood is not easy. Even a child with the best possible circumstances can feel powerless, and so many children do not have the best possible circumstances. As a child, I often escaped into books. Stories were the one place I was not afraid to answer the call to adventure. In the pages of books, I dared to walk with giants. What if children could carry that feeling with them out into the world? The first glimpse I had of I WILL BE FIERCE was a vision of a child reluctantly boarding a school bus accompanied by the line “I will charge the many-headed serpent.” From that initial picture, the story grew quickly because even an ordinary day at school can be an epic quest for a child.

How long have you been writing for children? Is this the first book you wrote? How did you find your agent?

I started working as a freelance writer and editor for the education market in 2010. After a few years of focusing on freelance projects, I decided to try writing a middle-grade fantasy. I took a workshop on plotting (taught by the amazing Rebecca Petruck) and met some other writers in my area. This led to me joining a critique group. While I was writing my novel, picture books kept popping into my head. I WILL BE FIERCE was not the first. It was probably the fourth or fifth one I wrote. If I didn’t have a chapter from my novel ready for a critique group meeting, I’d send a picture book in as my group submission. The week I submitted I WILL BE FIERCE, two of my critique partners got in touch right away to say I needed to send this story out to agents. They didn’t even want to wait until our meeting to tell me their thoughts! I hadn’t considered querying yet, but they believed in the story so much I was encouraged to try. I looked at the hashtag MSWL on Twitter, and found four agents who had asked to see something that fit the description “Nevertheless, she persisted.” I sent the story to those four, and I signed with my wonderful agent, Melissa Edwards of Stonesong Literary Agency, soon afterwards.

Tell us about the moment you found out I WILL BE FIERCE! would be illustrated by Nidhi Chanani, author/illustrator of PASHMINA. Were you surprised?

Since I WILL BE FIERCE is my first book, I didn’t know what to expect when it was time to choose an illustrator. Luckily, my editor, Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook Press, had a very clear vision for the book right from the start. She knew Nidhi would be the perfect choice. Connie’s exact words to me were, “Nidhi’s a ROCK STAR.” PASHMINA hadn’t been released yet, but I took a look at Nidhi’s website, and I knew Connie was right! I was excited to see my text and art notes come to life on the page, and Nidhi succeeded beyond all expectation. She even included my son and me in the illustrations. That’s a gift I will always treasure.

Oh, wow! That is very special. And everyone should do themselves a favor and head over to Nidhi’s website and let your eyes feast on her artwork. What can you tell us about what you are working on now?

My next picture book, SAM’S FIRST WORD, will be released by Little, Brown Young Readers in February of 2021. I also have some other picture books in the works, and I am writing a chapter book series.

We will keep our eyes posted for SAM’S FIRST WORD and more from you!

Buckle up for the lightning round, Bea! *hands you a chocolate chip cookie for strength

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

The power to heal! There are so many superpowers I’d love to have, but I think I could do the most good with an ability to heal others of any illness or injury.

Wooden pencil or mechanical? 

Wooden pencil! When I draft in longhand, I always use a wooden pencil, but it must be perfectly sharpened.

Coffee or tea?  

Coffee! I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was in my thirties, but now I drink it every day.

Sweet or salty?

Sweet! I never say no to chocolate. 

Dog, cat, or other?

Dog! My rescue dog, Bilbo, is my constant companion.  

Plotter or pantser?

Both! For picture books, I am a pantser. For longer works, I am a plotter. I love doing plot parties with my critique partners!

One last question: Any advice for all those aspiring authors out there?

1. Read. Read. Read. 

2. You should write often, but you do not need to write every day. 

3. Find critique partners who will give you honest, constructive feedback. 

4. Do not be afraid to send your stories out into the world. There are children who need to read them.

Thanks so much, Bea! That is great advice!

Look for I WILL BE FIERCE! at your local bookstore beginning 4/23/2019 or request it from your local library!

Bea Birdsong is a former teacher whose time in the classroom left a lasting impression of the awesome power of books to educate, entertain, and empower. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Sisters in Crime. Bea lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and rescue dog named Bilbo. She spends her free time reading, traveling, and searching for hidden doors to other worlds. To find out more about her, check out her website or follow her on Twitter or Instagram.