Tara Hannon is on a roll! She graduated from Kutztown University’s Communication Design program in 2006. In 2024, she will celebrate the publication of her first graphic novel for kids, Birtle. She shares her journey in this Q. and A.
Q. What was your first design-related job after college?
My first design related job was a marketing position for a security company. I didn’t love it. I spent a lot of my time there dreaming about a more creative career. I began to draw greeting cards on my lunch breaks and those greeting cards eventually became the catalyst to begin freelancing illustration.
Q. Any organizations that helped you on the road to publication?
SCBWI was a big help finding information on how to get published, and I still love their webinars. But early on, I think 12×12 was the most helpful. 12×12 is a private online forum (they open for membership at the start of every year) where you can post your manuscripts to be critiqued by other members. Before joining 12×12 I was writing alone without peer review. My writing improved substantially after finding critique groups and people in the writing community that I enjoyed working with and learning from. I found my first critique group through 12×12 in 2017 and four of us from that group are celebrating our debut books this year. I think that’s so cool!
Q. Is Birtle your first graphic novel?
BIRTLE is my first published graphic novel. I created a middle grade graphic novel that went on submission before BIRTLE, but it didn’t get picked up. Before that I focused mostly on picture books. My agent and I sent 4 picture book dummies and one middle grade graphic novel on submission before BIRTLE. BIRTLE was the first book I got an offer on as an author illustrator! Before that, I was also hired to illustrate two board books, which was really fun. I love working in different kid lit genres!
Q. How did you get an agent?
My first agent, Jordan Hamessley, contacted me through Twitter. I had tweeted my portfolio website and one of her clients retweeted it. (Thanks, AJ!) It caught her eye and she emailed me. (I had been in the query trenches for a long time, so receiving that email totally blew my mind.) I sent her some work and after she reviewed it, she offered rep! It was really awesome and a great example of how social media can work for artists. A few years later, I found myself back in the query trenches and a friend of mine in the writing community contacted me to say, “I think my agent might be a good fit for you.” (Thanks, Christine!) My friend connected me to her agent, Elizabeth Bennett, who reviewed my work and decided we would be a good match! I was thrilled! Querying can be soul crushing at times. But both of these moments are an example of how incredible the kid lit community is!
Q. How did you agent help you?
When I started writing, I was laser beam focused on writing and illustrating picture books. My first agent, Jordan, thought my art would be well suited to illustrate chapter books. I remember the exact moment she said it to me because I was shocked but I also thought it was very cool that she saw more for me than I did.
A few years later when my picture book, The Only Ghost In School, went out on submission and didn’t get picked up, she encouraged me to try writing it as a chapter book. I did and we got an offer from Penguin Workshop (Woop!). Chapter books were not on my radar, until Jordan encouraged me to try it. Now I LOVE writing longer format books. Who knew!?
Q. How would you describe Birtle?
Birtle is an early reader graphic novel. It is playful and funny and about loving ourselves and each other just as we are. Some people might read it and think it’s a just cute friendship story. And that’s great, because it is a cute friendship story, but when I simmer it all down, it is truly a book about belonging. While I was writing Birtle I heard this quote from Brene Brown, “The opposite of belonging is fitting in.” (Oof, I still love that quote.) I kind of picture Birtle being the book version of that quote. Teeny and Tootie’s friendship is an example finding true belonging with someone who loves you just the way you are.
Q. What do you daughters think of your success? Did they get to witness you unboxing Birtle?
Good question! They are in Elementary School, (Kindergarten and Fourth Grade) and it is really fun writing books that they will read. Tootie and Teeny come up in conversation often, we have named many fish after them. And they have loads of ideas for future Birtle books!
I’ve worked from home since they were born, so they have seen so much of the work that goes into creating a book. I read them drafts and get their feedback, which is often quite good! They root for my characters when they go out on submission. I appreciate that they have a front row seat to the wins and the rejections. And it was a really special moment when my oldest read Birtle on her own for the first time – every giggle made my heart swoon.
Q. Has Birtle gotten any reviews ?
Birtle has gotten some early Goodreads reviews and they seem to be good! Phew! One review in particular made me really happy. The reviewer started by saying, “Foster and adoptive parents READ THIS WITH YOUR KIDS!” My sister and brother-in-law foster children, so this felt awesome. It is really rewarding to see my creation through the eyes of other people’s experiences.
Q. Can you say any more about your future books?
Yes! I am writing and illustrating a chapter book series with Penguin Workshop! The series called, The Only Ghost in Town. It’s about a ghost who moves from Scareville to a human town which is a big shock — for everyone. Not only does Ghostie have to navigate being the new kid, everyone is afraid of him.
My first chapter book will be, The Only Ghost In School, and the second book will be, The Only Ghost at Summer Camp. The series explores the subjects of friendship, belonging (surprise!), and being the new kid. I am SO excited for this book. It will be full color and highly illustrated! I hope the colored art on the pages helps engage and encourage kids who are transitioning from picture books to chapter books. And I love drawing Ghostie, so that’s a big plus!
Many thanks, Tara, It’s wonderful that all your hard work is bringing you such success! Birtle will be published in January by AMP (Andrews McMeel Publications) and is available for preorder wherever books are sold.
See more of Tara’s art at www.tarajhannon.com and on Instagram.
Interview by Kevin McCloskey, 2023. All artwork in this post © 2023 by Tara J. Hannon.
Illustration Concentration 