Jill Sherman
Jill Sherman writes fiction and nonfiction books for young readers. She started out her career in publishing as an editor, but soon discovered that her real joy was in writing. She has written dozens of books for young people, including fiction works, as well as news and magazine articles for print and digital publications. She thoroughly enjoys researching new topics to provide young readers with the best information that they can use in their own studies. Jill lives and writes in Brooklyn, New York.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
I loved Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss. I used to make my mother read those tongue-twisters aloud every night!
What’s your favorite line from a book?
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”—Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
J.K. Rowling for her compassion, Neil Gaiman for his fantastical imagination, Lemony Snicket for his humor.
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
I love reading and I love words. Putting words together in a pleasing way makes me happy. And writing books for kids is one of the best jobs out there. I am always learning something new and figuring out how to get to the core of an idea. When I can figure out how to explain a complex idea simply and clearly, I know that I have done my job and that my readers will be better for it.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
The hardest part of writing is actually writing. Believe in yourself and write. Write about your breakfast. Write about your teachers. Write about your favorite television show. If you don’t like how a story ended, write a new ending. Use the characters you love to make a new story. Then make up your own characters. Start somewhere that you’re comfortable, and then take risks. Anything can happen on the page, but only if you write it.
