Author Spotlight: Nadia Salomon


 August 20, 2021


We are pleased to feature author Nadia Salomon and her debut picture book, GOODNIGHT GANESHA, illustrated by Poonam Mistry (Philomel Books) out August 31. Enter to win a copy!



Tell us about yourself and how you came to write for children.

 

I'm a dreamer. I love adventure. I love art. And I love words. I've been a writer my entire life.


When I was about 8 years old, I predicted to my parents that in my lifetime I'd be a journalist, a singer-songwriter, and an author. I lived my life in that exact order. And here we are, many moons

later, thanks to mom-hood, I discovered the world of kidlit and picture books. I experienced awe and wonder and realized this is truly where my passion lies.

 

 Congrats on your debut picture book, Goodnight Ganesha! Tell us about the book and what inspired you.

 

Thank you. It feels so surreal. Goodnight Ganesha is a rhyming bedtime picture book. It features two siblings who visit their grandparents overseas and share their bedtime routine. It's about bonding with older relatives, celebrating family, culture, and creating lasting memories. 




I was inspired to write Goodnight Ganesha after my child asked me to write a book like Goodnight Moon, but featured our family and our experiences. I tried to skirt the request, but when your child asks, "Why not you Manmie?" Why not me, indeed. And so I drafted it in October of 2017.  

 

 Was your road to publication long and winding, short and sweet, or something in between?

 

Something in between. It took many years of dedicated time and effort to get to this point. Success didn't happen overnight. I persisted. I learned the craft of writing. Read, read, and read a lot and still do. I put myself out there and never took, "No." for an answer. Audacity, twitter pitching on #Pitmad, and an agent who believed in me is how I ended up on this most exciting road to publication. And I am also thankful to the editor who fell in love with my manuscript and made this seed of a dream a reality!




What projects are you working on now?

 

I just turned in edits for my yet to be announced second book. I'm currently out on sub. And I'm working on some other projects that include a MG and a couple of in-progress graphic novels. 

 

What advice would you give to your younger self? Is this the same you'd give to aspiring authors?

 

To my younger self: Follow your heart sooner. Pursue your own dreams, not what someone else planned for you. And the advice to aspiring authors: "Just go for it!" Dreams come true, if you take the steps to make them happen.  

 

What is one thing most people don't know about you?

     

I don't like donuts.

 

Where can people find you online?

 

(IG) @nadiasalomon.author

(T)   @nadia_Salomon

(W) http://www.nadiasalomon.com


 

Nadia has worked in television and print news. She writes picture book, middle-grade, and graphic novel manuscripts with themes of South Asian and Caribbean culture, STEM concepts, non-fiction subjects, and humor. When not participating in her own goodnight rituals, Nadia can most likely be found curled up in her reading nook with a good book or spinning a silly yarn. 
 

 

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Comments

  1. This book is a work of art. Thank you for putting it out there. Best of luck with sales and exposure.

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  2. Indian art, themes, and designs, and figures like Ganesha really fascinate me!

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  3. This book is beautiful and I am excited to learn more about Indian culture.

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  4. Wow, this book looks and sounds beautiful! I'm excited to read it!!

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  5. What great illustrations, I love that style. Thanks for the chance to win this cool book.

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  6. We are happy for you who shares your gifted talent and inspires everyone. I wish you more wonderful books like this in the future. Congratulations!

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  7. I can’t wait to see this book! It looks beautiful!!

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  8. What a gorgeous book. And kudos to Nadia for not giving up on following her path.

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