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MEET MERRILY KUTNER
by Bonnie O'Brian

What books influenced you most when you were growing up?

Merrily Kutner

I love the silliness of Dr. Seuss books and almost anything to do with science fiction, monsters, aliens, the supernatural and unexplained phenomenon.

If you didn’t write as a child, then when did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

I never dreamed I’d be a writer. After my son was born I started selecting books for him to read from the library. He was a reluctant reader so I had to put a lot of time into finding books that would really interest him. He loved rhymes and monsters. When I couldn’t find a book with both—there just wasn’t one—I wrote one for him. Eventually it became my first book Z IS FOR ZOMBIE.

Was your first book accepted immediately? or did you experience a number of rejections?

After I started writing, it took me 10 years to get my first book published. There were many rejections and a few “almosts.” I think I’m the most proud that I didn’t quit. I just knew deep down that writing picture books was what I was meant to do. And, when my first book was named a Children’s Choice Book that gave me all the validation I needed to continue even if it meant facing many more rejections.

What are the topics are some of your books?

I like to write about monsters and silly humorous things. I also enjoy writing in rhyme. I never quite know what I’ll be writing about next. Ideas just happen and when one really grabs me I write it.

Have any of your books earned special recognition?

Z IS FOR ZOMBIE was named an IRA/CBC Children’s Choice Book for the 2000 List. DOWN ON THE FARM won a 2005 Please Touch Museum Award for best picture book of the year in the three year and under category. It was also named a Texas Library Association’s 2 x 2 List Book (one of the best books of the year from age 2 to grade 2)

Do you work on more than one book at a time?

Yes, many times I work on 2 or 3 books at a time depending on which book calls to me the most. Sometimes I have to put a story aside for a while to be able to come back to it with “fresh eyes.” So, then I alternate.

 Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?

 I write every day—even on the weekends…the times vary. I’d miss it if I didn’t. Especially when I’m hot on a new story—sometimes I’ll work till 2:00 am and I’ve even been known to write in the bathroom!

When is your next book going to be in bookstores?

ZOMBIE NITE CAFÉ will be out in the bookstores in September 2007. My next book after that will be ALPHABET MAGIC, which has a publication date of fall 2009.

Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?

I got an email fan letter from a parent. She told me that her kids begged her to take them to the library (a first); and they wouldn’t leave until they had many books about the monsters they had read about in my book Z IS FOR ZOMBIE.

Is there anything about yourself that you’d like to share - hobbies, where you were born, special talents other than writing/illustrating.

 I’m originally from New York—I love to cook, do yoga, and keep fit by taking a jazz-funk dance class.