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Derick Wilder Featured Author December 2021

Derick Wilder – 12 x 12 Featured Author December 2021

As a long-time 12×12 member, I was so excited for the opportunity to be a featured author! Having read posts from fellow literary souls who were also familiar friends, I realized we are tethered by a sometimes painful, yet ultimately beautiful, common thread. One braided from the strands of skinned knees, scratched elbows, and bruised egos doled out as we navigate kidlit’s bumpy, uphill climb.

But the final strand of that thread is perhaps the most important—the fact that, despite it all, we’d managed to continue writing. Then came the next challenge—all those creative brethren, having navigated a forest gauntlet and emerged onto the blue-skied path to publication, had seemingly covered all the topics I’d considered.

That was initially daunting, but also a little liberating, as it left me with no option but to share the only unique thing I could—some perspective from my own journey. Then, a clever CP suggested that, given my debut is told from a dog’s perspective, my dog should interview me (aside: supportive CPs are vital, as they apply salve to those skinned knees). So I spoke with Koda and, after negotiating for extra kibble and longer walks, he generously agreed.

The Longest Letsgoboy by Derick Wilder

Koda: First, I’m so happy you wrote about a bestpet—I wigglewag each time I read it! And I understand The Longest Letsgoboy is based on personal events. So how did you get the aha for it?

Kaya and LakotaMe: Well, Lakota (on the left) and Kaya, our huskies at that time, would sit with me out back while I wrote. One morning, Lakota, an elderly boy, got up and slowly strolled around our yard. I followed him, and it felt like he was saying farewell to the surrounding flora and fauna. So I envisioned him taking a walk through the woods with my little girl and immediately began writing the story.

I was following my “Always, Always, Never, Ever” rule. That is, I try to always, always be on the lookout for an idea, and then write it down immediately, before the little sprite flits away. And the second half is to never, ever think any idea is too dumb or farfetched, because you just never know…

Koda: How sweet—and how I love a long letsgoboy! How many lightdarks did you take to write the final version?

Me: I wrote the initial crappy drafty that day. But it took some 50 revisions to polish it up, and that version then endured multiple rejections before landing with the perfect editor in Taylor Norman at Chronicle. After that, we were fortunate that Cátia Chien agreed to illustrate it, as she did such an amazing job! So, in only six “short” years from that initial draft, our book was released.

Koda: Why did you decide to write a wordsonpage from the point of view of a bestpet?

Me: That was how it came to me, so I never considered another option. And in conjunction with that, I wanted the dog to use his own language. I just didn’t think relaying it from a human’s point of view would do justice to this tale.

Koda: Ha—I see what you did there—tale…tail. Very clever. Go on…

Me: I wrote the initial draft using only English, but highlighted all the words I thought would translate into dog-speak. Then I spent some time in the forests of our local Greenway, trying to figure out how a dog might refer to the natural elements. I’d watch squirrels, lie under trees and stare at their canopies, speak to flowers, and listen to streams. Then I started trying combinations of small words to create dog-speak that made sense and, just as importantly, could be pronounced in read-alouds.

Koda: Do you have any other wordsonpages coming out?

Me: My next book, also from Chronicle, is slated for May of next year. It’s quite different from this one, to say the least, as it’s in rhyme and is titled Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt?

Coincidentally, it was also a result of following the “Always, Always, Never, Ever” rule. We stopped behind a bus at a traffic light and my now-teen daughter, who was a 4-year-old, blurted out, “Look, Daddy, the school bus has a butt!” That was the beginning—now she wants royalties.

Koda: That sounds hilarious! And what a perfect setup to feature a bestpet, as we love it when you scratch our, well, you know…

Me: Sorry, buddy, but the MCs are a father and little girl who are walking to school when she begins asking him if all sorts of things, from dinosaurs to aliens to robots, have butts.

Koda: It doesn’t have a bestpet!?! Well, maybe ask me for some advice next time.

Me: Ummm…do you really think you can give advice on writing picture books?

Koda: Of course!

Me: Okay, let’s see what you got…

Koda: First, find your very own happyplace where creativity can flow! For me, that’s bigwild.

LONGEST LETSGOBOY by Derick Wilder DisappearIntoBigWild

Koda: Also, you twolegs seem to be awfully busy, always runjumping here and there. You should take some time to sit. To stay. To just be.

LONGEST LETSGOBOY by Derick Wilder SitStayBe

Koda: Finally, wrap each wordsonpage with love and fill it with emotion. For example, Letsgoboy made me cry, and Butt will hopefully make me laugh.

LONGEST LETSGOBOY by Derick Wilder ForeverFriend

Me: Actually, that’s not bad—thanks!

Koda: Oh, and one more thing…don’t forget to do a little leglifting whenever you’re in bigwild—so fun!

LONGEST LETSGOBOY by Derick Wilder LegLifting

Me: Okay, I think we’ll end on that note.

Koda:  Wuffwuff!

LETSGOBOY by Derick Wilder Interior 5

 

Derick Wilder

Derick Wilder is the author of three picture books: the just-released The Longest Letsgoboy, Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt? (Chronicle, May of 2022), and I Made Those Ants Some Underpants (Chronicle, 2023). He is the founder of Reading Giraffe, a literacy initiative that uses the wonder of books to help create lifelong readers. Derick lives with his daughter in Fort Mill, SC, where they share their home with Koda, a Siberian husky, Sammy, a ball python, and stacks of books. You can find him online at www.derickwilder.com.

Derick is offering a PB critique as a prize to our December check-in winner! Finish strong!

 

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341 Responses

  1. THE LONGEST LETSGOBOY is a beautiful story! Thank you so much, Derick, for sharing your journey! And a big goodjobboy to Koda! The key certainly is perseverance and the kitlit community is truly wonderful at healing skinned knees. Congratulation on your new pictures books coming out in 2022 & 2023! I will have to bring a notebook with me and following your “Always, Always, Never, Ever” rule. – Many Thanks!

    1. Wow, Derrick, how exciting to have so many wonderful-sounding books coming out with such a great publisher. 🙂 And how generous to do a critique giveaway! Thank you for letting us get to know you and your work (and of course Koda) better. 🙂

    2. Thanks so much, Donna! Yes, Koda did a fine job for his first interview! 🙂 And yes, perseverance has certainly been, and continues to be, a key! Just keep swimming, just keep swimming…

  2. Congratulations on your just and soon to be released books, Derrick. So filled with heart and humor! And thanks, Koda, for some doggone good writing advice!

  3. Derick, I loved this. It made me laugh and cringe and gave me good advice! Always, always, never, ever! Thank you.

  4. This was a really fun read. Great interview and advice. And congratulations on your new book and the two upcoming releases.

  5. Loved interview-by-dog (or should I say best pet?) and actually got some ideas. Thank you, Koda–and Derick! I particularly liked the strategy of highlighting words that might become dogspeak. Could come in handy for something I’m thinking about…

    1. Thanks so much, Marcia! Best of luck on your project. I found that, for me, writing the storyline, which I think should always come first, was a more important first step than getting bogged down in figuring out each dog-speak word…some came easily, but some…not so much. 🙂

  6. “First, find your very own happyplace where creativity can flow! For me, that’s bigwild….You should take some time to sit. To stay. To just be….Finally, wrap each wordsonpage with love and fill it with emotion.” Love that! Go, Koda! And wonderful post from the TwoLegs, thank you!

  7. Fabulous post filled with empathy and encouragement for your fellow writers and sage advice. I’m looking forward to reading The Longest Letsgoboy. Warmest congratulations!

  8. The interview was such a fun & clever approach. Loved the photos and illustrations too. Congrats on all your books, Derrick.
    Pat

    1. Koda definitely earned some extra kibble with this excellent talkbark. Congratulations on all your books. They sound fabulous!

  9. I appreciated your comment about never letting an idea flit away, even though you may think it is too dumb or farfetched. Many times we fall to that kind of thinking. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and beautiful dogs.

  10. WOW, what a great approach to catching the reader’s imagination. I am impressed by your ability to be so in tuned with the dog language. Your way of making pets have a say in the family is to be commended.

  11. Great stuff, Derick—will you or Koda come talk to my dog for me? Also, I spoke to Melissa Manlove last summer and she mentioned working on a project that I now realize must be “Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt? ” Can’t wait to read it in May.

    1. Thanks so much, Bennett! Just because I speak to Koda doesn’t mean he listens. LOL That’s interesting…Taylor Norman is the editor for the butt book, but I do know Melissa.

  12. I adored this post, as I adore the book. Love seeing how it came to be, hearing from your very wise dog, and putting your ‘Always, Always, Never, Ever’ rule in my pocket. Congratulations on all of your wonderful book news and on this beautiful book.

    1. Thanks so much, Margaret! Including a mewmew in Letsgoboy was also based on real-life events, as Lakota and Nikki, our cat at the time, did get along well and would cuddle sometimes.

  13. Derrick, Stories about beloved pets – especially old ones whose sunrises are limited, always pull at my heartstrings. I will have the Kleenex ready when I read The Longest Letsgoboy. My two Great Danes passed last year this time and your book had me thinking of them as they said goodbye.

    1. Thanks so much, Jane! And sorry to hear about Great Danes. It’s always tough to lose our furry, four-legged family members. Lakota did pass a couple of months after taking me on the walk. Kaya then passed a couple of years later (both were about 15). The ending of Letsgoboy, which I guess I won’t give away here, also follows our real-life events.

  14. Kudos to Koda on the great interview! Your story sounds just lovely. And I love your “Always, always never, ever” rule.

  15. Derick, My dog would’ve loved to talk with Koda about the writing business. I lost him at age 18+ in 2020. He and his “sister” who I lost in 2016 at almost 16 were my inspiration for a mystery series.

    1. So sorry for your loss, Chelle! And how touching that your writing was also inspired by four-legged, furry family members. Lakota passed a couple of months later, and Kaya two years after that. We’ve now had Koda (who was already named that when we rehomed him, so we felt he was Lakota reincarnate :)) for three years. Koda sends a wigglewag! 🐕

  16. Delightful and insightful post, Derick! I’ve seen The Longest Letsgoboy read on Youtube, and for me, it’s the perfect book. Loved it sooooo much. Congratulations!

  17. Thank you Derick,
    Loved the dogspeak and Koda’s advice. Especially the last bit. Looking forward to checking your book out. Good luck 🙂

  18. This interview is absolutely delightful. I love that you spend time outside imagining to come up with the dogspeak for the book. I’m looking forward to reading THE LONGEST LETSGOBOY soon. Congratulations, Derick!

    1. Thanks so much, Sarah! The running trails on our Greenway (where the nature shots were taken) are my sanctuary. And I am fortunate to have a wooded back yard, so still write on the patio, preferably with a fire on chilly mornings. So nature probably works its way into all my stories. Koda sends a wigglewag. 🐕

  19. Derick, love your humor and your “always, always, never, ever” mantra. Can’t wait to read The Longest Letsgoboy and discover all the dog-speak you came up with for the story. Looking forward to your other titles as well. Congrats and best wishes!

    1. Thanks so much, Marty! Hope you enjoy the book–please let me know! The dog-speak was certainly a fun, if sometimes challenging, element of the story! Koda sends a wigglewag. 🐕

  20. Congratulations Derrick. Our goldens also provide much inspiration for story ideas. My older golden also did a perimeter walk of our property and tried hard to leave for the woods just before passing on. It’s sad but they offer us so much love and joy during their too short lives. Grandkids too pass along great ideas. It was my grandson who said “Grandma, I know it was the sky monkeys up in the cloud jungle playing soccer, that made that grape seed land down by your garden fence.” That became Purple Magic in Grandma’s Garden. Imagination just grows and grows! Keep writing those wonderful books. I’m not sure if there is room for any more butt books though??

  21. Such a fun post. Thanks for sharing, and please let Koda know that I very much enjoyed his insights. Happy holidays!

  22. I know I couldn’t read your debut book without crying. Our fur family’s certainly leave a mark on our hearts. Your book news is exciting! Here’s to continued success (and time for those knees to heal)

  23. Derrick, I love that you took the time and care to include “dog-speak” in THE LONGEST LETSGOBOY.. It is so important for readers to understand that other people and species not only communicate differently , but also experience the world differently. THANK YOU!

    1. (I thought I’d already replied to this, so please ignore if it’s a duplicate! :)) Thanks so much, Michelle, and so glad you appreciated the dog-speak! Koda sends you a wigglewag! 🐕

  24. Congrats, Derick! It is a long and winding road. I’m glad your wordsonpages have a found a good home. Chronicle makes beautiful books!

  25. Nose kisses Koda. You won my heart with your kindness and fur kid speak. Congratulations to you and Derick for a lovely, poignant book. Your journey is everlasting.

  26. I love the Always, always, never, ever rule. I’d like to think I do follow it, although maybe not as intentionally as I should. Thank you for this fun interview and the reminder to just sit and be.

    1. Thanks so much, Sara! I’m sure some ideas have slipped through the cracks over the years, which made me pretty diligent about it these days. Koda sends a big wigglewag! 🐕

  27. Woof! This interview was so fun. We should all be lucky enough to be interviewed by a fourlegs. Congratulations on your book and thank you for sharing the story of your journey!

  28. Thank you, Derick. I enjoyed the post. I should remember the Always, Always, Never Ever rule!
    Your upcoming books sound intriguing and so fun; I’ll watch out for them.

  29. Congrats on the Longest Letsgoboy and upcoming books! Reading the pages share here made me tear up– you’ve captured bestpet perfectly!

  30. I enjoyed your interview with Koda and I look forward to reading all of your books. Thanks for sharing your journey and I love your rules and will definitely follow them. Wishing you much continued success!

  31. Thank you Derick for sharing your journey. I especially appreciate your Always, Always, Never, Ever rule. It is perfect!

  32. I love your, er Koda’s, voice. Perfect dogspeak. Thanks for sharing your process with us. Your books sound wonderful!

  33. I love Huskies! What a clever and original idea, never seen anything like that before. The journey is for sure a long, but rewarding one. Even when we fall down and experience all the hardship of the writer’s life. Thanks for sharing!

  34. Oh my golly! I LOVE everything about this post. Derick, I can’t wait to read ALL of your books. Please tell Koda he did an excellent joy of interviewing you. The dogspeak is delightful and charming and spoton!

  35. What a beautiful story idea and format! I can’t wait to read it! Your quote, “Always, Always, Never, Ever” is already gracing the pages of my journal! ; )

  36. Thank you Derick for your adorable story and very helpful advice. I second guess my story ideas constantly because I question if they’re too silly, boring, or complicated. I love that you wrote this book in your dog’s voice. I guess any idea can work as long as it has heart and creativity. Congratulations!

  37. Thanks so much, Margot! And Lakota appreciates that you like his voice! 😀🐕 And nothing is too silly, boring, or complicated–well, in actuality, probably a lot of what I write is one or more of those… but I don’t know that until at least traveling down the path with it a bit first.

  38. Thank you Derick for your story, and for your “Always, Always, Never, Ever” rule. Best of joy in your continued writing and your gift to the world!

  39. I’m glad you are writing picture books – your books sound fun.
    Goodjobboy ! Congratulations on your books ! I’m getting my note cards out so I can write down my own elusive thoughts too.
    Thank you for sharing.

  40. What an amazing book! I love the doggie words and wonder what my own pooch might say if he could communicate in words. As it is, he has a variety of “looks” and very expressive body language that gets his messages across. He too ages with dignity despite his aches and pains. Never complains. All dogs go to heaven, his groomer tells me. 🙂

  41. What a clever interview idea. I loved what you said about catching those glimmer of an idea and writing it down before it flits away. This has been an amazing year. I am so grateful for your comments and blazing the trail ahead of me. I am a 12×12 member hoping to win the critique.

  42. I wish I had written this book! So clever and touching. I know this letsgoboy will go far. Thank you for this heartwarming and bittersweet story.

  43. Thanks for sharing your writing journey with us Derek. You are a true inspiration. Congratulations are your new release of The longest LetsGoBoy! I am looking forward to reading all three books and will be adding it to my review list. I know my granddaughter will love all of these…!
    Marianne

  44. I finally got to read this beautiful book – it’s so loving and poignant and visually bold. Thank you for it and for the story behind it.

  45. I love the “Always, Always, Never, Ever” rule. Thank you for sharing, Derick! I can’t wait to read The longest LetsGoBoy.

  46. Okay, I am not at all a pet person, but this was dang charming. Just ordered The Longest Letsgoboy from my library.

    “Always, Always, Never, Ever” is some good advice, especially here on the cusp of January Storystorm. Thanks for sharing your story!

  47. I love the “Always, Always, Never, Ever” rule! I will keep that in mind this month as I participate in Storystorm! Thank you for sharing.

  48. This was such an entertaining interview Derek, thank you for sharing. Congratulations on your wonderful stories. Have a safe and Happy New Year!!

  49. Derick – Thank you for your post. I love a good dog story and am scouring my libraries trying to find The Longest LetsGoBoy and your other books. Thanks again for the inspiration.

  50. Tha!nks for these wonderful insights. Will remember the Always, Always, Never, Ever rule you suggest!

  51. I love the “Always, Always, Never, Ever” rule! I can pin it up in my own study and share it with my students!

  52. I admire your approach; immersed in the forest. How better to portray the natural elements to their fullest. Kudods!

  53. I love the way you spent time in nature, and were present to everything around you. I wrote a picture book about a museum and realized I had to go to the museum a number of times to truly understand what I was writing about.

  54. Derrick, Congrats on this book. I love the POV and the dog-speak. I am so glad you found and editor who’d believe in the project. BTW – Koda is a great interviewer. Well worth the extra treats! Thanks for a great post.

  55. This book sounds wonderful, I can’t wait to read it. I love your, “always, always, never, ever,” rule, I’m going to remember that! Congratulations on The Longest Letsgoboy and your upcoming, Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt!

  56. Reading about the journey of THE LONGEST LETSGOBOY was fun and inspiring. Thank you for sharing! Your “Always, Always, Never, Ever” rule is as perfect as your dog-speak…both are words to live by. I can’t wait to read *all* of your books coming soon. Congratulations!

  57. I’ve been terribly lax in not reading the monthly featured author posts…something told me to check out this one…and I’m so glad I did. I LOVE your ‘always, always, never, ever’…if you aren’t doing a blog post for Tara’s Storystorm this year, Derrick, you need to reach out to her and do one for next year. That’s such a fabulous idea capture technique! And I LOVE how you found the right words to ‘dogspeak’ in the book. Congratulations on this book and on your upcoming books!

  58. Derick, thank you for sharing your journey with us. I enjoyed reading your creative interview almost as much as I enjoyed reading The Longest Letsgoboy. I’m looking forward to reading your upcoming books. Congratulations on your success, Derick!

  59. Thank heavens for our kids and pets as inspiration! Looking though their eyes is a wonderful perspective. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and journey!

  60. Thank you for the inspiration, Derick! What a cleverly-constructed and creative post! I love the humor and heart-warming style you’ve used in your writing. I cannot wait to read The Longest Letsgoboy; I know it will make me cry. Our dog Bella is my first, and she is such a beautiful part of our family. My boys grew up with her, and she is the daughter I never had. I can’t imagine life without her; but, when that heart-breaking day does come, I’m sure your book will give me – and my family – great comfort.
    Xox Jen
    Oh, and as a preschool teacher, I can guarantee you that your butt book will be an instant favorite!

    1. Thanks so much, Jennifer! Hope you enjoy it! Yes, it’s always so hard to lose our four-legged family members. Most of my Reading Giraffe students are preschoolers, so it was so fun to be able to finally read one of my own books to them after almost 10 years of running classes. 🐕

  61. HI Derick, I can totally relate to your comments about the creative brethren navigating the gauntlet when you are yet to make it through. Congratulations on your success and many more to come. Thanks for sharing. Danielle

  62. Congrats Derick! This book hits hard with the emotions and I cried like a baby – it was a good cry!

  63. Am so pleased I caught up with this today – I thought I’d missed it. Love the doggy words – really evocative. And great to hear your journey. Thank you for sharing.

  64. This was a great interview! I loved The Longest Letsgoboy. I also loved reading about the “Alway, always, never, ever” rule – great advice!

  65. Brilliant – looooove your interviewer! Excited to read your book. And love your “Always, Always, Never, Ever” rule.

  66. Derrick,
    Thanks for the interview. I love dogs and Koda was a great interviewer. Your books sound like fun!

  67. I LOVE this! I’ve got to read this book. Dogs are the BEST!! I’ve adopted your “always, always, never, ever” rule! And your next book sounds hilarious!! Butts are funny! That’s why I created my Animal Parade line with animals heads and tails! Thanks for the inspiration, Derick!

  68. Wow! Great stories and you brought a smile to my face indeed! LOVE the ideas of auto-butts!! Sounds really funny and entertaining!! 🙂

  69. Thanks, Derick, for that always, always, never, ever rule! My memory is terrible and inspiration is so slippery… Thanks Koda for your wordsonpage wisdom! You clearly are a wise pup. And congrats both on the beautiful PB!!

  70. Great piece, Derick Wilder! I will forever smile when I read my own crappy drafties of wordsonpages. Oh, and tell Koda, I also love bigwild, but my current place to sit and stay is milesofsand. He’d love it, too.

  71. Derick, congratulations on you latest and upcoming releases! I love your dog’s advice for writing books!

  72. Lakota! What sweet inspiration! Thanks for sharing your process. Love to see how others find a story. It looks adorable.

  73. Congrats on your debut and upcoming books, and thank you for a wonderful interview! I love The Longest Letsgoboy and look forward to what’s next. Thanks also to Koda for the (mostly) great advice!

  74. Thank you, Derek. Your dog is a top-notch interviewer, you better watch someone doesn’t steal him! 🙂
    I love the idea of your cherished dog’s last days being your book’s subject. I look forward to reading it.

  75. Derrick, much like your ease of storytelling in the book, your post came across as if you are an old and dear friend. Thank you for sharing your process with us, your time, and your beautiful pup!

  76. ‘…initial crappy drafty… 50 revisions… multiple rejections… in only six “short” years from that initial draft, our book was release.’

    Haha. This gives us all hope. Thanks for sharing, Derrick!

  77. Oh, oh, I am both excited and a wee bit anxious I will admit, about reading yours and Koda’s story…I will just steel myself for tears. And I know I will love it!
    My 8-year-old mini-mutt is my best friend, I happen to be a total pushover when it comes to dogs. Even extends to the puppy, who just recently joined our household, and has turned our lives upside down!
    Thank you for your post, and Koda for the super interview, entertaining and informative!

  78. Love that you included the real “live” pix of your journalist pooch! I love to see where stories are inspired from.

  79. Thanks much Derick, for your books, boost, talk, and Koda’s advice. …Letgoboy is brilliant and emotionally satisfying – a whole doggone world in dreamy color. Bus Butt stories rule and Koda stands out, too. I came to this 12×12 party late, (jan. 9) but intend to read your books and imbibe 12×12 in ’22. As for our kids inspiring us, my grandson wants royalties too, for characters, ideas, and reads he has “given” me. They deserve it! Happy creating in 2022! Sheila in NYC.

  80. I loved this interview! I must start implementing your “Always, Always, Never, Ever” rule. Thank you so much for sharing your journey.

  81. Derick, I love this creative and beautiful post as much as I love your creative and beautiful picture book! Thank you for the inspiration!

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All applications will be accepted via email only between November 1, 2023 – November 30, 2023 at kelli@juliehedlund.com.

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