Author’s name: Nancy So Miller
Illustrator’s name: Nancy So Miller
What is your upcoming book title? Sun, Moon, and Star: A Folktale from Korea
Date of release: Feb. 24, 2026
Publisher: Holiday House Books
Agent: Kaitlyn Sanchez
Agency: Bradford Literary Agency
Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
Social links:
Website: https://www.nmillerillustration.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nancymillerillustration
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmillerillustration/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nmillerillo.bsky.social
Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/nmillerillustration/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nmillerillustration
1. What is the premise/pitch for your book?
A Korean folktale inspired the premise of my picture book. Three brave sisters, Hae, Dal, and Byeol, must outsmart a hungry tiger while their Eomma (mom) is away. Readers will find it reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood.
2. What are 5 things you want people to know about your book?
I had a blast making this story! Here is a video of my process work for the book.
I loved researching and creating the miniature sets that make up all the illustrations. Every picture in the book was handmade and photographed by me. Not only did I have to learn to paint and cut, but I also had to learn photography. Each piece, I think of it like its own scene from a movie.
I’d spent most of my academic career studying Western Art during my BFA and MFA in Illustration, and it gave me the chance to learn about Korean traditional arts and crafts. I read books about all types of Korean folk arts. I was especially drawn to Korean papermaking, hanji, and Korean folk art paintings called minhwa. The craftsmanship and process are a huge part of Korean traditional arts. I was fortunate to take workshops from Korean American hanji artist Steph Rue and a minhwa painting with Hye Ryung Suk. They are both fantastic artists!
Each of the sisters in the story is modeled on my two younger sisters and me. I am fortunate to be related to two of the bravest, most intelligent, and accomplished women I know. They cheered me along the whole way of creating this book.
Writing and illustrating this story allowed me to connect deeply with my Korean heritage. I immigrated to the US when I was young, and I always felt like I didn’t fit in as being Korean enough or being seen as an American because I didn’t look like most of my peers. After years of writing and illustrating this story, I’ve come to cherish my Korean culture and learn more about it every day.
The last thing I’d like to share is that I added a tiny mouse to the illustrations and wanted to include this smaller story within a story. He’s not in every illustration. You’ll have to look for him in the pictures.
3. What helpful hints or tips can you offer fellow writers about writing, publishing, and promoting a book?
Everyone does things differently when it comes to writing and publishing a book. I found these things to be the most helpful along the way.
- Find critique partners! I’ve been fortunate to have met the most incredible writers. Shout out to Becky, Debbie, and Patti of the PB & Jams. Also, my fellow author/illustrator Tiffany. They have read and heard my stories over and over again and provided me with the most wonderful feedback. I couldn’t have gotten this far without them.
- Keep reading, illustrating, and writing! Even when you feel like no one is interested, keep creating. I shared some of the rejections I got online, and it’s a long list. Here’s a link to the video: https://www.tiktok.com/@nmillerillustration/video/7487706089077656863
Don’t take rejection to heart, and know that with each new story you keep creating, you only get better and better.
- Make friends along the way! The journey to being published is a long one. At times, working alone was very isolating. I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and I volunteered with the organization. I started a podcast called the My Creative Life Podcast, and I’ve interviewed over 250 incredible creators. Each interview was inspiring, and I could keep going!
- For me, there was a bit of luck involved in getting a book traditionally published. I kept making each new book dummy and getting better at my craft. I took a leap of faith and started sending out the stories. I got lucky the day I hit send; the right editor was looking and read my book dummy. I always encourage people to take that leap. Then my current agent, Kaitlyn Sanchez, found my work online. You just never know!
- Promoting a book for me is more about sharing what I’ve made. I try to stick with things I know I’ll like doing. I enjoy sharing the work of fellow creators, so I started a podcast. I love in-person events, teaching, and connecting with readers. I’m delighted by the reaction I get when I share my illustration work with kids. They want to take it home and play with it, which is precisely what I get to do when I’m making it!
4. What are 5 fun/quirky facts about yourself as an adult or child?
As a child, I liked to obsessively make things out of paper. I don’t think I ever grew out of that. That’s part of the reason I make my illustrations the way I do. I love 3D, and I like different textures. I am now a full-blown hoarder of all types of art and craft supplies.
5. What did you learn about yourself while on the journey to publishing this book?
I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, or the most talented. But I’m persistent. I always try to find the inner joy in my writing and illustrating. If I’m feeling the joy in what I’m creating, I know a good story. It shows in my work. I’m less afraid to try different opportunities to see what I might enjoy. It’s been a wonderful journey so far!
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