Author’s name: Heidi Yates
Illustrator’s name: Yana Kozak
What is your upcoming book title? Monster Manners A to Z
Date of release: August 18, 2026
Preorder or Order link: https://bookshop.org/p/books/monster-manners-a-to-z-heidi-yates/f73a679d69c5a28e
Publisher: Beaming Books
Agent: Elisa Houot
Agency: The Seymour Agency
Hometown: Portland, OR
Social links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidikyates.bookworm/
Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/heidikyates.bsky.social
Website: https://www.heidiyates.com/
1. What is the premise/pitch for your book?
Invited to your first Monster Bash and shaky on what to expect? Have no fear! From A to Z (Aliens to Zombies), monsters have had millennia to master good manners. Ogres don’t spread germs, vampires never bite, and werewolves follow rules! As readers journey through a monstrous party, they’ll witness 26 creatures demonstrating etiquette and attitudes for everyone to practice–monsters and kids alike.
2. What are 5 things you want people to know about your book?
- It’s not just an alphabet book, or a stodgy manners book. It’s a fun story readers will want to open again and again.
- I had so much fun playing around with the humor in this story, and I really want people to share a good laugh when they read it.
- It’s full of monsters, but isn’t scary. Plus, Yana’s illustrations are adorable!
- It includes subtle details and visual jokes that will make kids (and parents) want to search the pages.
- It sneaks in great lessons about kindness and manners without sacrificing any of the fun.
3. What helpful hints or tips can you offer fellow writers about writing, publishing, and promoting a book?
For me, it really comes down to three things: playing around with your craft, sticking with it, and finding your people.
First, when it comes to the actual writing, don’t be afraid to mix things up. Try something new and just play around with different story structures, unexpected POVs, or genres you’ve never touched before. You never know where it’ll lead.
Second, remember that passion gets you started, but patience and persistence get you published. The industry moves slowly, so you have to be in it for the long haul.
Finally, don’t try to go at it alone. Having a solid network of fellow writers will keep you motivated and sane during those incredibly long wait times. It really does take a village!
4. What are 5 fun/quirky facts about yourself as an adult or child?
- I’ve always been a picky eater. You’d think all desserts are great, but, nope.
- I love nature photography. And the deer, they seem to like me even more. No touchy! I have to remind them to keep their distance.
- I’ve been hard of hearing since birth. This has led to some hilarious interactions. One silly misunderstanding led to “tree branch” becoming family code for “you didn’t hear that correctly.”
- “Bean” was my family childhood nickname. My dad still calls me Bean to this day.
- My hair was Pippi Longstocking red. It completely shifted colors when I had my daughter. Pregnancy hormones are weird!
5. What did you learn about yourself while on the journey to publishing this book?
Honestly? I discovered that I am way more adaptable than I thought. Going into this, my instinct was to stick with what I knew and work to perfect that. But the publishing journey forced me to branch out, and that is when everything clicked. I realized I am able to make massive shifts and take big creative risks. But at the same time, I figured out how to protect the story of my heart. I had to know when to take advice, and when someone else’s opinion was just that, their opinion. Now, I trust my gut so much more.
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