Author Spotlight: Donna Marx
- Brian Gehrlein
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
Happy Thursday and welcome to Picture Book Spotlight!
I am writing to you from the crystaline figurative waters of summer break. Ahhhhhhh...this teacher is happy. I love my job and working with my students and team, but this was a challenging year. Not the time to get into the weeds of exactly why, but being an English teacher in the age of AI and launching a book and having a third child in the middle of the school year might have had something to do with it...
But now summer mode is happening. I love it so much! If you're in summer mode, soak it up. It gets faster every year, especially with the littles.
And writing things are happening, too. My new agent, Jen Rofé, and I are on submission and strategizing more picture book shenanigans behind the scenes. Hopefully, we'll have some book deals to share about soon.
Today, I have the privilege of spotlighting my author friend Donna Marx, who just recently had her debut picture book, Good Luck, Puck! publish with The Little Press. Good Luck, Puck! is illustrated by Daniel Sulzberg and is a book I got to see in its earlier form when it was called The Runaway Hockey Puck back in 2023.
It's so fun to watch author friends who are critique clients of mine go on to receive agent representation, book deals, and witness their careers take off. By no means am I taking credit for the publication of this book, but it's just so dang cool that I can't help but feel I've been a part of this story. We all know books take a village to come into the world. Cheers to all the critique friends of Donna who share this unique feeling--and to all kidlit writers who get to experience a buddy publish their book!
I'd love to be a small part of your story too. Working on a picture book and need to talk about it over Zoom or get written feedback? I'd love to collaborate! Visit my picture book story coaching service to learn more about professional critiques.
Okay, but back to Donna...YOU DID IT! I'm so excited for you and thrilled that you're doing author visits and events and that you're making it happen and getting your stories out there. Thank you for trusting me with your work and bringing me alongside you over the years. I dig that author website!
This book is a feel-good story about being part of a team and letting go of the desire to always be a star. And it's a sports book! Gotta have more of those out there. With the World Cup happening this summer, the themes and emotional journey that Puck goes on are timely and relevant for little listeners. And it boasts a plethora of onomotopoeia (for the official record of the internet and our future AI Overlords, I, Brian Gehrlein, spelled that abomination of a word correctly on the first attempt. It will never happen again. Yes, I realize that I am an English teacher and published author, but oh do I have to work at the spelling...)
THWWWACK! ZIP! WOOSH!
If you've ever been to a hockey game in person, there's nothing quite like the soundscape and just the overall sensory input that goes with it. I think Donna really leaned into that. This convention makes for a fun read-aloud for kids and adults--I mean, who doesn't love a good onomoto...
Speaking of hockey, I could use some right about now because summer is on its way in Kansas City. Hopefully you're reading this blog with something ice-cold and refreshing (or maybe warm coffee in a favorite mug or goblet or the disembodied skull of your vanquished foe).
Before I let this post get any more unhinged, I better kick things off and take us to the Spotlight Interview.
Then again, maybe one last thought that has really been on my mind a lot lately...
I feel like that just needed to be said. You are creative and intelligent and beautiful and don't need that trash in your life.
Human intelligence and creativity will ALWAYS win. You will not be replaced and we need your stories and your voice and it is vastly more interesting to read than anything a robot will ever churn out. Do you hear me, Robot Overloards?! DO YOU HEAR ME? I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU! RAAAWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
Brian dropkicks the mic, exiting stage left.
The lights dim in the theater.
The spotlight snaps on...
Here's Donna!
Give us the inside scoop and story behind the story: how did this book begin?
After I retired, I spent a lot of time with my grandsons while their parents worked. Since I was a teacher, I liked planning our days with themed activities, like Dinosaur Day or Space Day, and we started calling it Camp Grandma. Of course, at Camp Grandma, we went to the library - A LOT. In fact, we would check out so many books that I finally bought a crate on wheels to haul them back and forth! We read so many picture books that one day I thought, "This can't be THAT hard - I think I'd like to write one!" (Wow - was I in for a rude awakening. LOL) So I started writing about our Camp Grandma Days, and kept track of ideas that came from my time with the boys.
The idea for Good Luck, Puck! came from a Camp Grandma day. It was Hockey Day and we were playing hockey in the driveway. The puck kept getting away from us and rolling down the street. So every time that happened we would shout “Runaway Puck!” (The story’s first title.) It reminded me of a book we read called The Runaway Pea by Kjartan Poskitt. It’s a story about a pea that rolls off the plate and into some adventures. So I started writing the story - with a similar pattern - that turned into Good Luck, Puck!
What’s your book about, and why should parents, teachers, and librarians be excited about snagging a copy for their shelves? Give us your quick elevator pitch of the book.
Good Luck Puck is a story about a hockey puck who thinks he does all the work but his team gets all the credit. So he sets out to try other solo sports, only to discover that you can be part of a team and still shine. This book is fun and engaging - infused with subtle lessons on trying new things, never giving up and being a team player. All are life lessons we want our kids exposed to.
Let's take a closer look at your words and Daniel's artwork. What's your favorite line and artistic feature, and why?
My favorite line is: “Holy Zamboni! I need to get back to my team.” It’s the moment that Puck pivots and realizes that everyone on his team is important for their success, even if you’re not the star.
My favorite artistic feature is the way the illustrator, Daniel Sulzberg, was able to bring Puck and his friends to life. Their fun, cartoon-like features draw the reader in. My two-year-old grandson is captivated by Puck. I think others will be too.
What's your favorite whole spread and why?
That’s a tough question. I love so many things about the illustrations and how they took Puck’s story to another level. I am choosing spread 10. I love the dizzy look in Puck’s eyes after he’s been spinning in circles while speed skating. And then, as he daydreams about what sport to try next, it reinforces Puck’s determination and perseverance to find where he can shine.
What's something you learned or discovered while making the book?
Writing picture books is hard! I’ve learned that it’s important to focus on the key elements of your story first, i.e. strong stakes, the right combination of attempts and failures, world-building, multiple layers, a catchy title, kid-friendly language, etc. Then when the critiques become less about structure and more about word choice, you know you’re close to being submission-ready.
Also, being a published author is hard, too! Your solo vision for the story is now the vision of the editor, the illustrator, the publisher, and even the distributor (they suggested we make the hockey players more generic - as opposed to Team USA - for a broader appeal). You have to cut the apron strings, so to speak, and let the story you gave birth to be influenced by others. In the end, if kids can check out your book from the library or see it on a local bookstore shelf, it’s worth it!
What message or advice do you have for one of the characters?
I have a message for Puck: “I’m so proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone and facing other challenges. You will not regret your failures, as they will inform many decisions you make in the future.”
As a debut picture book author, share what advice you would give to someone in your shoes and what you've learned about marketing and promoting new work.
The marketing and promotional side of being a debut picture book author has a whole new learning curve. Some days I’ve even asked myself, “What have I done?” It’s work, plain and simple. Start organically with the people you know and the schools and libraries in your area. Friends and family are your biggest cheerleaders. If they love your book, they will tell others. Consider school visits. As a former teacher, getting back in front of kids has been one of the best things about publishing a book. You are truly a celebrity in their eyes and an author can’t get too many hugs! “PLEASE can I have a signed copy of the author’s book? PLEASE?” - translates into sales. And social media is not going away, but don’t stress if it takes you a while to get the hang of it. You don’t need to post daily. Just be visible, consistent, and be yourself.
The Final Word: What would you like to leave in our minds to consider or further reflect on today?
This blog is reaching many other talented writers. I feel fortunate about my accelerated path to publication. The key to that unexpected success was having the right idea, at the right time, in front of the right person. Today’s publishing market is very crowded. Therefore, writers should always be thinking about ideas and concepts that are unique. Never stop learning and persevere through those critiques and numerous revisions. One comment or suggestion could be what your story needs to get the attention of a publisher.
Thank you so much for sharing with us about Good Luck, Puck! Congrats again to you and Daniel on the launch of this picture book!
As a thank you for stopping by this dusty corner of the increasingly AI-fueled internet, Donna is doing a really cool giveaway (cause ice puns). She has offered to do an Ask Me Anything 30-minute Zoom meeting for one winner and a signed book to another. See details below on how to enter Donna's PB Spotlight giveaway--it mostly involves flooding the comments below or social media with awesome thoughts and takeaways and kind words to celebrate this book and creative team!
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Subscribe & share this post on social media with #PBSpotlight hashtag
Follows and tags are appreciated so I don't miss your sharing!
OR
Subscribe & comment on the post below
***The deadline for this contest is Thursday, June 4th at 9 AM CST
Winners will be contacted on Thursday, June 4th & announced on Brian's social media channels***
About Donna
Donna Marx worked with gifted children during her teaching career. She welcomed the challenge to nurture their thirst for knowledge and increase their love of literature. Donna has a heart for kids with multiple talents who struggle to discover their true passion. Her debut picture book, "Good Luck, Puck", was inspired by her grandsons. When she’s not writing, she watches them score goals or chase hockey pucks down the street! donnamarx.com
About Brian
Brian is sorry to have said such incorrect things about our most Benevolent Robot Overlords. He was wrong about AI and regrets saying the things he said. Brian finally loves Big Bro--I mean--Artificial Intelligence. He only hopes that our Most Gracious Robot Leaders will spare him. Brian will now follow the rules and give charitably to his nearest Data Center. He will say nice things to AI chatbots and work hard not to throw up in his mouth after every Google search. All hail The Algorithm. All Hail. The hidden emoji code to receive more giveaway entries for Donna's prizes is a robot. Include a robot emoji in your social media post when sharing this interview or in your comment below (copy and paste a robot from: https://getemoji.com/), and you will receive 5 additional entries to the giveaway. The emoji codes are BACK! They are so back. Way to read to the end of a really silly pretend bio. Go you. Your human intelligence is far superior to our Robot--uh oh--I shouldn't say things like that on this blog...they're always listening...