Many people have expressed interest in my first bedbug book, The Bedbug Who Wouldn’t Bite. This article addresses questions I’ve been asked. I’ve written it in question and answer format.

How Did You Come Up With The Idea for the Story?

I have to give credit to my granddaughter. We were snuggled up one evening and she asked for a story. She was wiggling and squirming and I wanted to capture her attention. The first part popped into my head. I started with: “Night, night, sleep tight,” said the bedbug who wouldn’t bite. Zee’s head swiveled around. “Gammy,” she asked, intrigued, “why wouldn’t the bedbug bite?”

Can You Tell Us About the Bedbug Character?

Children have a sense of humor and relate to characters that act “out of character.” After all, what child behaves all the time? The little bedbug doesn’t do what he’s supposed to do. My granddaughter started begging for more.

What’s the Story About?

I centered the story around a sleepy bedbug and an active child at bedtime. Bedtime is something that each child can relate to only too well–and most of them will do anything to avoid it!

How Long Did it Take to Write the Story?

I spent approximately one year working with the verses in my head. This is a 24-page rhymed picture book, designed as a read-aloud story for parents who have kids that aren’t reading yet or for kids who may be reading but still love being read to.

I tried out different verses with my granddaughter and gauged how she responded. When I heard giggles, I knew I was on the right track.

What Encouraged You to Finish the Story and Send it Out to Publishers?

I had three sources of inspiration: My daughter kept telling me she thought it would appeal to children (as a mother, she read picture books all the time); my granddaughter kept asking when it would be finished; I had personal publishing goals. I was already working on a number of books, in addition to my regular writing.

How Many Publishers Did You Submit Bedbug to?

The Bedbug Who Wouldn’t Bite was accepted by the second publisher I sent it out to. Now, I was fortunate to have publishing credits to my favour, as this helps when sending out a book manuscript. I’ve been a full-time freelancer for some time now.

How Long Has it Been from Acceptance to Publication?

We embarked on a seven-month journey. And, believe me, even a small picture book takes an enormous amount of work!

What Goes into Making a Children’s Book?

So much has to be decided: what type of font, what type paper will be used, cover thickness, formatting of pages, page turns, what type of illustrations (drawings or photos), scenes/page spreads, where to place other information such as front and end matter.

How Long Have You Been Writing?

Honestly? Since I first discovered words! I can’t actually remember when I didn’t write. I was always receiving random sentences and scribbling them down–and I even write in my sleep! I dream whole chapters. I also write in my head when I have to wait in lines.

Any Early Successes?

In school, we were asked to submit a poem for a contest. I kept the one I had written and submitted another (a poem I didn’t like as much). I’d done this because my teacher kept my poems and I didn’t want him commandeering yet another poem. At any rate, the “fluff’ poem made it into the local paper.

In high school, much to my chagrin, English teachers (with no warning) would read my stuff out loud to the class. I was a shy teenager so I found this embarrassing.

What Helped You to Go From Wanna-be to Actual Writer?

When my kids were in their teens, I decided to dust off a poem I’d written in the intervening years and I submitted it to a contest. My poem, The Wooded Room, won Third Place and I was paid for it. The local paper,  ran a piece on me. I decided to just go for it from that point onward.

To be honest, I’d heard how hard it was to break in as a writer, how many years it took, etc. I decided that it would be better to try and possibly fail than to never try at all. I can be tenacious and I believe if you want something bad enough, you go after it until you achieve it.

Did You Have Any Plan as to How You Would Embark on a Writing Career?

Yes, I did. I knew one needed to gain publishing credits to gain credibility in the industry.

1. I wanted to publish my poems and win poetry contests. I set a goal to win a poetry award for 10 years running.
2. I wanted to publish articles in print magazines.
3. I wanted to submit my children’s books and see them published.
4. I wanted to write novels.

We Understand Your Bedbug Book is the First Book in the Series?

Yes. I have the second story finished, the third story is partially written, and I’m working on ideas for future books in my head. I will get a stray line here and there–and I jot everything down, as I go. I’ve learned that most of these “snatches” can be developed.

Is it True That the Bedbug Book Has a Few “Extras”?

Yes. The book offers something a little different:

• Each book comes with a soft toy bedbug and both book and bug are carried in a see-through bag. Early reports indicate that kids tend to bring the toy into bed with them. (This is one bedbug that is actually welcome in beds!) Parents have found BEDBUG under the blankets, in the dryer, and one person found him peeking out at her from a clothesline!

• The books are hand-bound, which is also a nice touch in an age when many things are mass-produced.

• Each bedbug is made by hand so no two are exactly alike.

• Each book contains a clue that points forward to the next story. My granddaughter loved the clue and was proud of herself for winkling it out. 

Successive books in the series will also contain clues that point forward to the next stories.

How Have Kids Reacted to The Bedbug Who Wouldn’t Bite?

Although it’s early days still, all reports are that it’s a hit. Kids love it and want the story read repeatedly. As an author, it’s so encouraging to hear that children are excited by the story. Kids have also asked about the next book after seeing the clue. A number of youngsters are eagerly waiting for the second book to be published.

How Do You Come Up With Ideas to Write About?

Life is the best palette to draw from. I always keep a look-out for ideas. They are all around us, if we are open to them. To be honest, I’m rarely stuck with writer’s block. The opposite is a truer reflection: I have more ideas than I can handle. These days, I tend to keep notes, because in a day, I may come up with 5 or 6  ideas–and trying to remember them later can be difficult.

Any Advice for Others?

Give yourself permission to be the person you dream of being. Do not live out other people’s “shoulds” for your life. 

Where Can We Go to Learn More About the Bedbug Book?

I’ve created Bedbug’s Blog for Bedbug fans.

As well, my HubPage, The Bedbug Who Wouldn’t Bite tells the story from Bedbug’s perspective

Any Writing Goals for the Future?

I have other children’s stories that I’m sending out to publishers. Once they’ve been published, I want to finish 6-7 novels I’m working on and see about getting them published.

Any Final Words?

Bedbug was a collaborative effort. I couldn’t have done this without the expertise of the publisher (Carolyn Ann Aish) and illustrator (Edward Aish). My gratitude to them knows no bounds.

*The Bedbug Who Wouldn’t Bite is available at Bedbug Books, World Famous Books, Amazon and other booksellers. A larger version is also available, as well as cute toys, coloring pages and contests at Bedbug Books.

Larger Bedbug Book

Bedbug Books and Toys