Meet Ready Chapter 1's Founder Fred Koehler

1. What do you LOVE about children’s books?

I love that children’s books create a space for genuine emotion without judgment. Even in a simple story, there’s room for wisdom, humor, levity, sorrow, joy–even frustration and anger. The best writers can pack all of that and more into what’s often only a few hundred words.

2. What brought you to children’s books? Share a little bit about your first book. If multi-published, feel free to discuss your latest book.

Books were my best (and sometimes only) friends growing up. I guess I just decided to stick by my friends.

My first book is sadly out of print. But I'll tell you about FLASHLIGHT NIGHT, which I illustrated, written by Matt Essenwine. The cool thing about an illustration project is that the editor sends you nothing but the words and it's up to your intuition and imagination to see the story that could be. His first line was "Flashlight… opens up the night." I was hooked from there and saw a story where the flashlight could visually ‘open up’ the story, turning the real world into an imaginary one. I backpacked across England and Scotland to find just the right details for these illustrations, from castles to old ships to creepy graveyards. Making this book has been a highlight of my career.

3. Name something you loved / enjoyed as a child.

Silly as it sounds, I loved (and still love) the idea of treasure hunting. I grew up on the beaches of Florida and I remember bringing home from a school field trip a real treasure map to the general locations of lost treasure ships off Florida’s coast. Go figure as an adult I still walk up and down those beaches, metal detector in hand, hoping to find a clue to the whereabouts of a sunken treasure ship.

4. What do you look for in a project to make it a favorite, or if you are an Editor or Agent, to add a writer to your list?

I’m going to offer a twist on this question because I’m an illustrator. What do I look for in a project I would accept to illustrate? It’s this: Show me something I never would have come up with on my own, but feels like my story. Rebecca Dotlich did this so perfectly with her manuscript for ONE DAY, THE END. She left SO MUCH room for the illustrator to play that I knew immediately how I wanted to illustrate it. It went on to win a Boston Globe Horn Book Honor Award, which is a ringing endorsement for giving space to your illustrator.

5. Share a story that you love and why.

There’s a guy I know in my home town who has a sweet manuscript about a child looking for the moon. I won’t say more but it’s a really clever and simple juxtaposition. The grown up reader knows the moon is only there sometimes (and will come back) but we all empathize with a child character who feels genuine fear and loss when they can’t find it. If there are editors reading - ask me for it. I’d illustrate this one.

6. What is a common issue with the submissions you receive? (Or, if you are not an editor or agent, but a RYS Judge or critiquer, common issues in manuscripts that don’t work).

There’s a sense of wonder that’s often missing in a kidlit writer’s authorial Voice. I mean, I get it if you’re writing crime dramas. Be salty. Throw in some extra grit. But the magic of being a kid is that magic still exists! You’re missing an opportunity if you don’t invite your inner child to participate in your ideation, your word choices, your story arc.

7. Our Rate Your Story 2023 Word of the Year is Professionalism. In terms of becoming a writer, what does this word mean to you?

I once saw a famous children’s writer at a conference wearing pajama bottoms and a hockey jersey. So apparently it’s not about how you dress. Personally, I would equate professionalism with humility in any commercial creative field. It takes humility to accept and reflect on criticism. It takes humility to revise or start over completely. And honestly, it takes humility to win an argument with your editor. :-)

8. Please share a Submission Tip with our Members.

Wait till it’s ready. My wife and I are both writers. We both have really strong manuscripts right now. And yet, there’s still a difference between ‘really strong’ and ‘unstoppable.’ We’re both holding on to those stories, even though we’re anxious to get them out in the world. Because sometimes you only get one shot. So make it your best.

9. Please share a Revision Tip for our Members.

I hate the ‘put it on the shelf for six months’ method. But it works. I’ve got two novels that didn’t sell that both have great writing in them. One’s been on the shelf for six months. The other closer to a year. The one that’s been on the shelf longest, when I picked it back up the other day, I immediately saw new ways I could strengthen it, connect the dots, and end up with something even better than I initially imagined.

10. Name subjects you would like to read about, or, if you are an Editor or an Agent, see in your in-box.

I grew up working class poor. There’s a sense of pride and strength to that struggle. I love to read about a relentless spirit in the face of unfriendly circumstances. Sometimes those stories are triumphant. Sometimes they’re tragic. But that’s where my heart is right now.

11. Name subjects you would not like to read about, or, if you are an Editor or an Agent, see in your in-box.

Honestly, I’m not in the mood for cutesy these days. But that’s just me. There’s a difference, though, between cute and heartwarming. A bunny in search of the perfect carrot to finish a snowman could be cute. A bunny in search of the perfect carrot to, I don’t know, make carrot soup for his mom who has the sniffles, could be heartwarming. It all has to do with how much layering you can add to your story.

12. Share something you wish we had asked you about, but didn’t!

I wish you’d asked about our new peer critique forum at Ready Chapter 1. Yeah, I know, total setup. But look, we’ve just finished building a custom forum just for writers where you can post sections of your story and get feedback with some cool analytics features built in. If Rate Your Story is all about getting professional feedback. RC1 is a great place for peer review before you submit. We’re BETA testing the platform right now and everyone at Rate Your Story is invited to check it out at https://community.readychapter1.com/.

13. Share a fun fact about YOU!

I’m kinda sorta an adrenaline junky. I love to free dive in the ocean and Florida springs. I ride a skateboard to work. I’m always looking for the next adventure. (And it’d be really cool if that adventure was illustrating YOUR book.)

Also is there anything in particular you want or don't want to give rating and

feedback on?

I would love something whimsical with a sense of deeper understanding about the human condition. Dare you to find me something like that. :-) :-) :-)

Fred Koehler is an artist, novelist, and screenwriter whose real-life misadventures include sunken boats, shark encounters, and narrow escapes from hurricanes. Whether freediving in the Gulf of Mexico or backpacking across Africa, Fred’s sense of adventure and awe of nature overflow into his characters’ stories. His published works include the illustrated novel GARBAGE ISLAND, the Boston Globe Horn Book honoree ONE DAY, THE END, and the New York Public Library Best of the Year FLASHLIGHT NIGHT, among others. He currently has an animated series, a graphic novel, and many more stories in the works. Fred lives in Florida with his wife, kids, and a rescue dog named Cheerio Mutt-Face McChubbybutt. Visit www.ilikefred.com

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