This October I interviewed John Micklos Jr. He is the author of more than 60 books for children and young adult readers. He writes everything from poetry picture books to fascinating nonfiction. I was lucky enough to learn from John when I participated in a creative coaching group through SCBWI.
John, what kinds of children’s books do you publish? Do you also write other kinds of books?
JMJ: My children’s books target readers ranging from preschool age to high school age. My titles include dozens of nonfiction books covering a wide variety of topics, as well as picture books and poetry books.
JS: I would love to write different kinds of books. I write mostly picture books, but have started dabbling in chapter books and middle grade. Nonfiction sounds difficult to write though.
How many children’s books have you written? Which one is your favorite?
JMJ: In all, I have written more than 60 children’s books. Asking which is my favorite is like asking which of my children is my favorite. That said, I am really pleased with the picture books I have written for Penguin/Random House in recent years: One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count with Me and Raindrops to Rainbow.
JS: I love both of those books. You make writing in verse seem so fun and easy.
Do you like writing in rhyme?
JMJ: I love writing in rhyme! All three of my picture books published by Penguin/Random House are written in rhyming verse. Contrary to popular belief, publishers DO consider rhymed manuscripts. They just get jaded because they receive so many poorly rhymed submissions.
JS: I usually write in prose, but I do have a few rhyming manuscripts. Maybe I’ll share them with my critique groups and get them polished for submission.
How long did it take you to get your first children’s book published?
JMJ: It took about five years from the time I pitched Daddy Poems, my first picture book, until it ultimately got published by Boyds Mills Press. I learned early on the importance of patience!
JS: Patience is important, but also perseverance. Keep writing and submitting. It took me 16 years before I got my first Chinese books published on ichinesereader.com. Now I aim to submit at least one manuscript or story a month.
Did you enjoy reading and writing as a kid?
JMJ: I LOVED reading and writing as a kid! In fact, I wrote my first book when I was in second grade—a 20-page science fiction story titled Tubby the Pig on the Moon. I wish I had kept it!
JS: I also loved reading and writing as a kid, although I would read all the books I borrowed from the library instead of those assigned by the teacher. I think my third-grade teacher helped me fall in love with writing stories.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
JMJ: Ever since I was old enough to read, I dreamed of seeing my name as the author on the cover of a book. My dream has come true many times over, and it’s still a thrill each time I see one of my manuscripts as a finished book!
JS: It was very cool to see my name on the cover of a book, but it’s even better to hold a physical copy of the book with my name on it. Now I am self-publishing my own Chinese picture book, When Chicken and Duck Talk: Learning to Swim so that I can read aloud my own book when I do author visits.
Do you have a favorite children’s book author? Favorite children’s book? Why are they your favorite?
JMJ: I have so many favorite children’s book authors and books it’s hard to know where to begin. As a child, I loved the stories of Winnie-the-Pooh and the land of Oz. As an adult reader who continues to read dozens of picture books every year, I love really good rhyming books, books with fun wordplay, and books that present positive messages in subtle ways.
JS: There are definitely a lot of talented children’s book authors out there. I have read more picture books as a writer than as a kid. My favorites are humorous ones like I’m a Unicorn, or ones I wished I had when I was a kid, like Drawn Together and Becoming Boba.
Do you prefer writing fiction or nonfiction? Why?
JMJ: Fiction and nonfiction offer unique challenges and rewards, and I enjoy writing both. I have written dozens of nonfiction books for upper elementary and older readers. I love the research involved and the challenge of finding the best facts and quotes that will make the subject matter come alive for readers. My picture books are mostly very simple fiction stories, usually written in verse. For those books, I enjoy the challenge of writing engaging, rhyming verse that still moves the story forward.
JS: I have written a few work-for-hire nonfiction manuscripts. I learned a lot after doing all the research. The research inspired me to turn some of those facts into fiction.
When did you start teaching writers? How many writers have you taught?
JMJ: I’ve been conducting both poetry and prose writing workshops in elementary schools for many years, and I love working with young writers. In all, I’ve probably worked with a few thousand students. For several years, I also ran mentoring classes through the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). That’s how we met.
JS: Signing up for your class was the reason why I joined SCBWI. I’ve heard about SCBWI before, but I always felt that I wasn’t enough of a writer to join. It was only after I got my Chinese books published that I started believing I could become a writer. Your class taught me so much about writing and the publishing business that I never knew.
What is your number one tip for writers hoping to get published?
JMJ: My number one tip is to never give up! Be prepared to face rejection and keep submitting your work. Nearly every published writer has been rejected at some point. I STILL get rejected after 60 books!
JS: It helps to hear that every published writer gets rejections. Just keep submitting and your story will find the right agent or editor.
Do you have a children’s book coming out soon? What is it about? When will it be coming out?
JMJ: I have two picture books coming out in 2026. In May, Penguin Workshop will publish Sad, Mad, Glad: A Day Full of Feelings. I’m also finalizing a book titled Nimble Fingers: The Remarkable Story of a Revolutionary War Fifer, aimed at 8- to 12-year-olds, which tells the fascinating story of a little-known Revolutionary War figure named John Greenwood (who later became George Washington’s dentist).
JS: I look forward to reading both books.
Where can readers go to follow your writing journey or buy your books?
JMJ: Some of my books are available in bookstores or libraries. Beyond that, feel free to reach out to me through my website at www.johnmickloswriter.com or by email at jjmj197@comcast.net.
JS: Thank you for taking the time to share your journey with us. Good luck with your book launches.