Becky Walker Books

Author’s name: Steena Hernandez

What is your upcoming book title? Lupita’s Brown Ballet Slippers

Illustrator’s name: Melissa Castillo

Other book titles: My debut picture book! 

Date of release: October 22, 2024

Preorder or Order link: I included 2. 🙂

Bookshop.org

Amazon:

Publisher: Beaming Books 

Agent: Lynnette Novak

Agency: The Seymour Agency

Hometown: San Antonio 

1. What are 5 things you want people to know about your book?

-It’s about Lupita, who wants to find her perfect shade of ballet slippers.

-It’s informative and includes back matter on the challenges dancers of color have faced.

-Meant for all readers, even if they don’t dance, and I hope everyone can find their own way to shine. 

-It touches on inclusion, belonging, and diversity. 

-There were many, many revisions of the story and I enjoyed the process of making it the best story it could be! 

2. What are 5 helpful hints or tips you wish you would’ve known before starting on this publishing journey?

-Get a good group of critique partners who share stories and meet frequently. 

-Don’t dwell on rejections in order to keep moving forward on your goals.

-Take breaks when necessary.

-Don’t be afraid to write something new in another age category. 

-READ, READ, READ!

3. What are 5 fun/quirky facts about yourself as an adult or child?

-As a child, I couldn’t sleep unless my stuffed animals were piled all around me.  

-I used to tell people that my name was Flower, and one time, the neighbor told my mom I had the sweetest name. (I had to confess soon after.)

-I used to play trombone in middle school and high school. 

-I took Taekwondo as an elective in my elementary magnet school program.

-I’m a night owl, and I stay up every night way past my bedtime.  

4. What are five things you learned about yourself while on the journey to publishing this book?

-I learned the true meaning of patience.

-Having a debut group for support was so beneficial.

-It’s never too early to market yourself. 

-I learned how to step out of my comfort zone, and I created a personal newsletter. 

-I learned how to use apps like Canva and InShot to create content for social media. (I had never used any of them before.)

5. What are 5 must-read picture books?

-BIG by Vashti Harrison

– Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso

-The Rough Patch by Brian Lies

-Mother of Sharks by Melissa Cristina Márquez and Devin Elle Kurtz

-Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh