Lea Lyon: Following Curiosity and Trying New Things
KidLit Craft is back with another Snack-Sized Author Interview. In this series, we ask authors five quick questions that give us insight into their craft and process. Today we’re talking with author Lea Lyon.
Lea is the illustrator of several picture books, including Lailah's Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi. Lea is also the author of Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina (illustrated by Jessica Gibson) with more books for kids on the way. Her nonfiction book for older kid readers, The Double V Campaign: African Americans Fighting for Freedom at Home and Abroad, won the Grateful American Book Prize.
Welcome, Lea!
Question 1: What's your writing superpower?
One of my superpowers is my openness to trying new things. I began my children's book adventure as a picture book illustrator, which I dreamed of being as a child but activated much later in adulthood.
My first seven published books were illustrated by me but written by someone else. In recent years, I have added writing to my repertoire and now have two books published as the author and another coming out in 2026. Interestingly, the two picture books I wrote are illustrated by someone else
More recently, I tried writing narrative nonfiction and discovered it’s my favorite genre. I love telling stories but prefer telling stories I don't have to make up. I also enjoy researching and finding creative ways to locate the information I need. In a way, this follows the same pattern as the illustration: interpreting existing stories.
Question 2: What’s an element of craft you explored in your latest project and what tips can you share with other authors for growing in their use of that particular element?
My latest book is a narrative non-fiction historical book for 7th - 9th grade and older readers. It is about African Americans during World War II, specifically the Black press and the Double V Campaign. I had never written for this age group before and knew little about the subject. The topic was suggested to me by someone I highly respect, so I decided to dive in and find out what it was about.
I started researching the subject just to see what it was and became captivated. Before I knew it, I was writing the book. Between Google and other searches and the library, I found books and articles on the subject. These led me to other topics to look up. I watched and read the transcripts of several excellent documentaries on various aspects of this period in history. Through these, I found the expert on the Black press and Double V Campaign, Professor Emeritus Patrick Washburn of the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. His books were referenced in many of my sources. I emailed him with a question, and he was gracious enough to help me with various aspects of my research and later edited my work for accuracy.
I then pursued other ways to find more detail, including finding and interviewing living relatives of the main protagonist as well as searching for military records and obituaries from archives and newspapers. I even spoke to the librarian at the Wichita Kansas high school where my main character went decades ago to see if his athletic trophies were still on display, as his cousin had told me. The librarian was thrilled.
It took five years. The book, The Double V Campaign: African Americans Fighting for Freedom at Home and Abroad, came out in February 2024. It recently won the Grateful American Book Prize for excellent writing and storytelling in books about American history for 7th-9th graders. It also got an outstanding review from the Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California.
If you're researching for a nonfiction project, search beyond library databases. Reach out to librarians and archivists. Visit locations where events from the story you're researching took place, and visit archives and libraries in the area. Above all, reach out to experts in the subject matter. They are invaluable resources and are invested in the public (especially children) knowing more about their area of expertise. You may be the conduit from their life's work to an audience of children or teens.
Question 3: If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a new author?
My main advice is to join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, SCBWI.
I did, and between the website articles, local regional group conferences, workshops, national conferences, and other activities, I learned most of what I know of the process of writing and illustrating children’s books. I volunteered as the local Illustrator Coordinator for our region and organized and led annual conferences and workshops. And, very importantly, met many, many fellow writers and illustrators, agents, and editors. It is a lovely supportive community.
One bonus is that often, an editor who speaks at a local conference will accept submissions from attendees, agented or not, for a limited period of time.
Question 4: What inspires you as a writer?
Beautiful writing and illustrating. Those works lead me to mentor texts that inform my own craft.I am also inspired by fascinating topics to write about.
Question 5: What’s one book you think every kidlit author should read?
I found The Idiot's Guide to Children's Book Publishing by Harold Underdown to be a great overview of the industry. Also check out Underdown's Website for newer info about the changing industry.
Bonus Question: What can fans look forward to next?
My next book, The Pullman Porters Deliver, Illustrated by Keith Henry Brown Abrams Books for Young Readers), will be out Fall of 2026.
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Lea Lyon is a children’s book author and illustrator whose books address topical social issues, such as bullying, and introduce diverse ethnicities and cultures. They feature engaging children and adult characters who find unusual and clever ways to resolve problems.
Lea loved to draw and paint as a child and wanted to be a children’s book illustrator when she grew up. She pursued other things as an adult until, years later, she found a class called “illustrating children’s books,” which reawakened her dream. She got to work, and now her dream has come true.
You can find Lea on Instagram @lealyon7
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