Creator Interview PLUS a Giveaway: Jessica Goecke

One of My Favorite Picture Book Creators (and not just because she illustrated If My Sister Were a Worm!)

When my editor at Holiday House emailed me to share the names of illustrators she was considering for my debut picture book, I was excited to see Jessica Goecke's name. I "knew" her! We "met" on social media! After following each other for some time on Twitter (RIP) and Instagram, I was already a fan of her unique style and loved the way she could convey so much humor through the facial expressions of the characters she drew. I was delighted when Jessica agreed to illustrate If My Sister Were a Worm, and as soon as I saw her initial character sketches, I knew there was no other creator on earth who could be a better fit for the project.

Jessica's talent for storytelling is just as wonderful: She's the author of Billy and the Hole, a darkly funny and refreshing take on toxic friendships. Her ability to weave just the right amount of macabre with laugh-out-loud moments and let the illustrations do their share of the heavy lifting sets her apart from other creators. It's true that there aren't really any new stories out there to tell, but rather how they are told that makes them new. Everything about Jessica's style feels fresh and new, and that's what I love about her work. I'm thrilled that I've had the opportunity to collaborate with her on If My Sister Were a Worm, and I can't wait to see what other projects she creates.

Read on to get to know more about Jessica! She's offering a signed copy of Billy and the Hole (plus stickers and an iron-on patch!) so be sure to look for details on how to enter at the end of this post.

"Friends who truly understand what you are going through will be what gives you energy and confidence to keep trying."

Creator Interview!

Please start by telling us a bit about yourself. What do you love to write/create? Do you have an agent? A book deal? Published works? Any awards? Feel free to BRAG!

Hi, I’m Jessica. I’m an author-illustrator, represented by Christie Megill at The CAT Agency. Since childhood I have been drawn to anything with dark, dry humor. I love the absurd and subversive. When I create stories for kids, I try to remember to give them space to “get it”. I think kids have a more sophisticated sense of humor than we often recognize.

My first picture book was Billy and the Hole, which released in August of this year. It has been a dream come true to see readers of all ages come away with something from this book. I believe that picture books are for everyone, and I sincerely hope that young readers come back to my books at different points in life and find something new in them.

You know all about my next book because you wrote it! I honestly laughed so hard when I read If My Sister Were a Worm. It is dry and witty, but it has so much heart. You obviously already know the story, but for your readers – it is about a little girl who turns her big sister into a worm and the hilarious consequences that follow. What I love most about this story is that (as a little sister) I completely relate to the feeling of powerlessness within the sibling dynamic, and I love that the main character turns to magical thinking and comes up with the most benign,

powerless creature imaginable. It’s perfection. That story was an absolute delight to illustrate. I can’t wait to see it out in the world. (It releases October 20 th and is available for pre-order now!)

My second author-illustrated book comes out Summer, 2027. It’s called The Other Gardener, and it’s about a girl who peeks into the garden next door and sees something that sets off a great unraveling of her sense of happiness with herself and her own garden. At the end of the day, it’s about the cost of comparing ourselves with others, especially when we are only seeing a limited view. But, you know, done in a fun/funny way.

I am also illustrating a lot! I am working on a dual POV highly illustrated chapter book series called Orion and Cosmo, written by Stephanie Ward. It’s about the friendship between a boy, who is trying to find his missing astronaut mother, and a Martian who is stranded on Earth. I have completely fallen in love with these characters. It is the ultimate buddy story. Book 1 comes out Fall 2027.

The last project I can tell you about is a picture book I’m illustrating called Winnie and the New Kid, written by Danielle Mund. This book is so full of heart, and it is the freshest take on friend dynamics and the issue of bullying I’ve seen in a long time. That one is scheduled for publication in Summer, 2028.

How did your journey as a KidLit creator begin?

I just learned that I started writing and illustrating children’s books around 2nd grade. My parents kept a single bankers box of childhood keepsakes, which included my first books. I seriously started writing for children in 2022. At the time, I was also working as a freelance graphic designer, mostly for law firms and real estate agents. I had started to work on a few illustration projects for a client, and I enjoyed it so much, I began exploring paths that would allow me to do more illustration.

I eventually found Storyteller Academy, which helped me learn the entire craft of creating books for children. This is where I met my first kidlit friends and critique partners. Once I had several stories written and dummied, I found myself feeling a bit lost when it came to the workings of the industry. I decided to seek out a mentorship and ended up in the 2023 class of PB Rising Stars mentees. Justin Colón was my mentor, and he helped me immensely with my craft (we worked on Billy and the Hole during the mentorship), and he also gave me incredible insight into the business of publishing. To say that he was instrumental in kickstarting my career

would be an understatement.

What is your favorite thing about creating for children?

I have young kids. I love that my work aligns with where they are, currently. To see the value of what I’m creating in real time is so gratifying, and I’m trying to soak it all in now, because soon they’ll be teenagers.

This is an industry full of high highs and low lows. What are some of the peaks and valleys you've experienced in your career?

I feel like I’m still too new to have experienced any extreme peaks or valleys. If we’re talking mountain metaphors, it has been a steady, sometimes grueling climb (probably with switchbacks). I just keep going. My summits have definitely been signing with Christie, selling my first book, and actually finishing my first book/seeing it in public.

Do you have a "day job"? If so, what is it, and how do you create balance between your "day job" and your work as a creator?

I made the move to full time book creator a couple of years ago, but I consider having young kids its own day job. I am not awesome at creating balance, but I am trying. My newest approach is to limit my work hours to a very rigid window. I used to plan out my day by production goals, but I quickly learned that I can spend two hours drawing a hand, and the next thing I know, I’m working through dinner.

Describe your perfect writing/illustrating/creating day.

My perfect writing and illustrating day would allow me to get a little bit of each done, and I can walk away from each project having made progress but feeling content even though it isn’t finished. This is more about mindset than constructing an ideal day or schedule. I am not there yet, but I really hope to find my way into this kind of day.

What motivates you to keep going when this industry gets you down?

The people around me. My kidlit friends, my family and friends from other walks of life. I am grateful to have so many cheerleaders. Also, I regularly remind myself that I am not getting up and commuting in Seattle rush hour traffic to go sit in a cubicle. That helps.

What is a favorite craft tip you'd like to share with other creators?

I hear a lot of talk about hooks. I’ve tried writing from hooks and have found that (for me) it’s easier to start with story and character first. If I can develop layered characters and put them in interesting situations, the hooks tend to happen on their own. For me, even giving name to hooks happens toward the end of the story making process, when I’m thinking about marketability. It’s maybe not the most efficient approach, but I have written my strongest stories this way.

What are your top 3 favorite books of all time (any age range)?

Tough question! Watership Down by Richard Adams is one of the only novels I’ve read multiple times. When I first read it, I was sad that it was over. I kind of mourned my exit from that world. My dad and I used to try to talk in the rabbit language at dinner. He’s fluent. Two other favorites are The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and Mr. Mumble (a picture book) by Peter Catalonotto. I believe Mr. Mumble is out of print, but it is worth hunting down.

Who are some authors or illustrators that inspired your style as a creator?

I’m not sure I could put my finger on anyone specific. I pored over Jon Scieszka's and Lane Smith's Stinky Cheese Man as a kid. I loved everything about it. It was so weird and unsettling. I also loved the John Bellairs/Edward Gorey books.

What advice do you have for someone considering starting their journey as a KidLit creator?

Make KidLit friends! Friends who truly understand what you are going through will be what gives you energy and confidence to keep trying. I cannot stress enough how important it is to find and nurture community.

Speed Round: This or That!

Summer or Winter?	​Summer
Chocolate or Vanilla?	Chocolate​
Cats or Dogs?	Dogs​
Playlists or Podcasts?	BOTH???​
Text or Call?	Call. FACETIME​
Unicorn or Dragon?	Unicorn​
Ice Cream or Cake?	Ice Cream​
Physical Books or E-Books?	Physical Books​
Sunrise or Sunset?	​Sunrise
Fiction or Non-Fiction?	Fiction​

It's Giveaway Time!

Jessica is offering one reader a signed copy of Billy and the Hole complete with stickers and a super cute iron-on patch! Click below to enter!

Click Here to Enter the Giveaway!

That's it! The giveaway closes on Tuesday, October 6th at 11:59pm eastern!

Be sure to connect with Jessica! Visit her website or follow her on Instagram: @jessica.goecke

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