Interview: Lizzie Brooks
SARAH STEINBACHER: Kirkuscalled your debut picture book, IMPERFECTLY PERFECT POSEY, “a bighearted story with a meaningful message of perseverance” (starred review). How can yoga help children develop perseverance?
LIZZIE BROOKS: It’s important for people of all ages to try things that don’t come easily. Much of yoga is challenging. Poses can be hard to do, but so can the seemingly easy things like focusing on breath or trying to quiet the mind. Anyone who has tried this knows it takes A LOT of practice (amiright?).
If started young, kids learn that wobbly times and falls are just part of the process of learning, so they’re more likely to stick with things when times get tough. As a result, levels of experience open to them that they’d never have gotten to had they given up during the first moments of friction.
SARAH STEINBACHER: IMPERFECTLY PERFECT POSEY includes “some helpful instructions for attempting the story’s yoga poses” (Kirkus). How has your experience as a yoga instructor influenced your writing and vice versa?
LIZZIE BROOKS: Apropos of my previous answer, yoga takes a lot of practice and so does writing. There are countless perceived “failures” in writing that over time, we learn are just part of the process. As a yoga teacher and as an author advisor, I talk people though rough patches. I’ve found that simply providing a pep-talk isn’t as helpful as one would hope. That’s because it invalidates the very real emotions that arise when you’re navigating this often-brutal literary industry. So being a good listener, commiserating, and then finding action steps forward (maybe after a break) seems to work best. Oh—and laughter. A perfectly timed (slightly dark) joke can do wonders.
SARAH STEINBACHER: Why is the book’s theme, “perfect’s not the point,” important for young children?
LIZZIE BROOKS: As a recovering type-A and people-pleaser, Posey is the book I wish I had as a child. I was so focused on end results being perfect, I missed out on the fun that the process had to offer. Our world is full of “perfect” images in social media, movies, etc. None of that is real. Just think of the people you love most. Wouldn’t you miss their quirks and “flaws” if they pretended to have none? I know I would!
SARAH STEINBACHER: As a self-proclaimed ‘recovering perfectionist,’ have you ever struggled with a sport or hobby and felt like giving up?
LIZZIE BROOKS: More than any sport or activity I’ve attempted, I’ve found that writing requires the most practice, patience, and grit to keep going. What writer hasn’t had moments of frustration and despair where endlessly eating ice cream and staying tucked under the covers for an eternity feels like the only option? I’ve definitely been there. I’ve even taken very long breaks from writing. During these times, I feel that doing things completely unrelated to the literary world can be really helpful.
I go outside and note that the birds and bugs don’t give a flying flip about my books or the publishing industry. I find this comforting. Then, when I’m feeling a bit better but still not ready to attempt my own work, I support other others with theirs. That usually ignites my passion again.
SARAH STEINBACHER: What do you like about working with an indie publishing house and what do you wish you could change?
LIZZIE BROOKS: I am quite lucky to work with Stephanie at Spinning Wheel Stories. She’s an incredible human who amazes me daily. We have a shared sensibility for story as well as similar humor–which makes our text exchanges a hilarious mix of sharing information, bad puns, industry commiseration, and silly emojis. To be able to collaborate with a publisher at this level has been a dream come true. No changes. No notes!
SARAH STEINBACHER: What’s your experience having partnered with more than one agent/agency?
LIZZIE BROOKS: Do you have all day? ;) Through the years and multiple agents, I now truly believe that having no agent is better than having a bad one. Agents are human and no agent is perfect. But I’ve had agents who were completely non-communicative and one who compulsively lied. It was a lot to handle. Without going into detail, I’ve had the rug pulled out from beneath me more than once and it feels awful when a person who’s supposed to be your professional partner does things that are wildly unprofessional or hurtful.
There are GREAT agents out there, don’t get me wrong. I just had to go through some who weren’t a fit to really know who would be. I consult authors A LOT on this subject. There are specific questions that need to be asked on the offer call, of course. But it’s the follow through on those answers that matters most.
Again, authors need to have grace for their agents who have so much on their plates professionally, and also personally. Agents have families and often second jobs. So being understanding of that is important. But authors should not put up with lies, disrespect, or a relationship dynamic where they’re afraid to speak. My current agent, Emily Keyes, brings a lot of knowledge as well as a collaborative nature. I appreciate that so much.
SARAH STEINBACHER: How did you receive three simultaneous agent offers and what advice do you have for unagented authors in the query trenches?
LIZZIE BROOKS: This last time in the trenches, my three offers came from three different query paths:
1. A big 5 editor who liked my work offered to connect me with a few agents. I was able to send my work, and one offered.
2. A webinar I attended had an open submission opportunity. I subbed to that and from there, the agent asked for more work and then set up a call.
3. The old-fashioned slush pile landed me my current agent. It DOES happen!
Two offers came over Zoom and one over the phone. I had immediate gut feelings that two were not a match. I trusted that. I can’t state this enough: If it doesn’t feel right, it’s NOT. Don’t let feelings of desperation push you to make a decision that isn’t right. I TOTALLY understand desperation, by the way. It’s a very real feeling in this business. Just know you don’t have to sign on for something that makes you feel uneasy. Move on. Make your decisions from a place of confidence.
For querying, I recommend getting your work to the very best place possible through critique partners and/or opportunities for industry feedback. Put your work AWAY for a bit and come back to it with fresh eyes before querying/submitting. This is key (trust me, I learned the hard way).
If you can get in front of agents and editors online or in person, I highly recommend it. The human connection adds another layer that’s so helpful. And if they don’t offer now, who knows–they might remember you and offer later (maybe even years down the road). Building industry relationships has been one of my favorite parts of this process.
SARAH STEINBACHER: As a serial punner, what’s your favorite pun?
LIZZIE BROOKS: You realize this is like asking me to choose a favorite child, don’t you? How about a joke?
Q: What did the ground say to the dinosaur?
A: You’ve left a mighty big impression on me!
Follow Lizzie through her website, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
*****Order Lizzie’s picture book, IMPERFECTLY PERFECT POSEY, available 6/14/26.*****
