Writing and publishing a Christmas book, with Jess Redman

Plus a BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT AND COVER REVEAL!!

Dec 15, 2023

From the Writing Desk:

GUYS!!! I have the most exciting news! It’s not every day that a writer gets to announce a new book or share its absolutely stunning cover. But today is one of those days! Are you ready?? Are you???

Here we go!!

Isn’t it absolutely gorgeous?? I am obsessed with that teal and auburny color combination. (I kind of love the irony of how vivid this cover is, with the fact that the main character, Linus, is color blind). This amazing artwork was done by the phenomenal Rayyan Merrill.

This book will be coming your way in September, but you can already preorder it! Here’s the official info:

Linus used to be an artist, like his dad. Then his father died and Linus’s mom moved them to the other side of the city, hoping for a fresh start. Maybe, for the first time since losing Dad, Linus will even start drawing again.

But there’s something unusual about their new neighbor Maude, and something wrong with the grotesque tree in her backyard. At night Linus sees it moving, changing, growing. When increasingly bizarre events plague the neighborhood—massive claw marks, missing pets, sightings of a red-eyed creature—he suspects Maude and her tree are to blame, even if his mom doesn’t quite believe him.

With his new home and new neighborhood under threat, Linus teams up with his goofy best friend Spencer and no-nonsense neighbor Abby to unearth whatever sinister seeds have been planted next door . . . where something truly monstrous is taking root.

From the author of The Nightmare House ("A sophisticated choice for horror readers." —Booklist, starred review), Sarah Allen weaves the supernatural adventure of Stranger Things with a poignant tale of grief, healing, and the uniting force of friendship in Monster Tree.

I had such a fun and…unique time writing this book. Linus has been in my head for a long time, but he is probably the most different from me character I’ve ever written, and that was an exciting challenge. I can’t wait for you all to meet him, Spencer, and Abby, and figure out what exactly is growing next door!

Writing and Publishing a Christmas Book, with Jess Redman:

I am so incredibly stoked and utterly honored to have Jess Redman answer a few questions for us today! Jess is a therapist and award-winning author of books for young readers, including THE MIRACULOUS, QUINTESSENCE, and THE ADVENTURE IS NOW. Like seriously, her books are amazing and have won all the awards. She lives in Florida with her husband, two young children, and an old cat named SoulPie.

Today, though, we’re here to talk specifically about her Christmas book, A Season of Light. This book is seriously gorgeous. A “luminous Christmas picture book about the traditions celebrating the story of Christ that make the season a time of joy, love, faith, and light.” And Jess today is here to answer a few questions about her experience making and publishing a Christmas book.

Thank you so much for joining us, Jess!

1. How was publishing a Christmas book unexpectedly different from publishing other books?

SEASON OF LIGHT is the only book I’ve ever written because a publisher wanted something specific. I’d wanted to try my hand at picture books, but none of my scribbled-out ideas had grown legs. Then my agent told me my publisher was in search of a Christmas picture book that included a spiritual/faith element. I didn’t have any direction other than that, but that was the push I needed.

The timing of the book was different too, of course. It was over three years from the time I wrote this story until it came out, both because of illustrator commitments (the incredible Ramona Kaulitzki) and because the story had to come out in the fall!

2. What kind of thought process did you have in mind for making your book stand out from other Christmas books?

This story started as a refrain that kept repeating in my head—This is a season of light. It went through all sorts of different iterations—some versions had a stronger narrative component, some didn’t rhyme. I just kept playing with different possibilities until I found the right rhythm and feel.

I did know that I wanted SEASON OF LIGHT to be the kind of story I would want to read to my own children every year. I wanted to highlight the joy and wonder of Christmas, but also how this joy and wonder flows from a deeper source—how this is a time of giving, of serving, of reaching out to our community, and living out our faith. I ended up following three families as they celebrate Christmas Eve in their own special ways. They decorate their homes, share memories and stories, serve at their community center, carol around their town, and attend a candlelit service. These traditions all build into the realization that even though Christmas is one day a year, we can live lifetimes of light—giving and serving and loving all year round.

I was very lucky to have an incredible illustrator, Ramona Kaulitzki, who made this book stand out artistically. I had fairly detailed art notes that she was very faithful to, and then she brought her magic, illuminating each page.

3. Has having a Christmas book opened any doors for you as an author, or have you felt it was limiting?

I would say a little of both!

On the positive side, I was surprised by how much attention this little story got starting in October and then through the holiday. Bookstores, bloggers, booktokers—they all put out Christmas book lists, and there are a limited number of Christmas picture books released each year. So I had a flurry of press for SEASON OF LIGHT, which was a lot of fun! I also got to do holiday-themed school visits and bookstore events that coincided with some of the busiest shopping days of the year. And, of course, I’m getting to do that again this year!

On the less positive side, it can feel a little odd to promote your Christmas book any time that isn’t…well, Christmastime. I don’t mind since I have other books out that have year-round appeal, but if this were my first book, it could be tricky! You essentially have a 2-month window every year to do events and market that book, so you have to take advantage of it.

Thank you so much Jess for your expertise! You can learn more about Jess and her books on her website. And make sure to get her amazing Christmas book, A Season of Light!

What I’m Reading: My all-time favorite Christmas story is Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck. My grandpa was a farm boy turned literature professor, so this story has a lot of meaningful history in my family. If you haven’t read it yet, pop on over and check it out. It’s really the perfect story.

Best Christmas Song: Here is my contender. What’s your favorite?

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see.
—Chris Van Allsburg

Teacher or Librarian? I would love to do a free virtual Q&A with your class or book group! If you’re interested in scheduling a visit you can reach out to me via my website. Let me know how I can support you! I’ve also got free classroom resources to accompany each book. You guys are rock stars!

Thanks for coming along everyone! I’d be honored if you forwarded this to anyone you thought might find it useful. Onward!

-Sarah

Sarah’s Smorgasbord

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