Celebrate World Asthma Day with Jake Lockett!

Hi readers, writers, and asthmanauts of all kinds! 🌬️💙 May 5th is World Asthma Day, and we're celebrating with the wonderful author Jake Lockett and his heartfelt and inspiring new book, My Life as an Asthmanaut!

When an asthma attack hits, young Jacob feels like an astronaut drifting through outer space with an empty air tank. But with his inhaler, a steady count to 10, and people who love him, Jacob finds his way back to solid ground and helps others find theirs, too!

Want to know more about Jake and My Life as an Asthmanaut - PLUS want a chance to win a signed copy with some cool book swag? Read on...

Q: Hi Jake! Thanks for joining SeasonsOfKidLit.com! We’re thrilled to feature you and hear all about you and your book, My Life as an Asthmanaut (what a cool and needed book)! Please share the inspiration behind your book and a little about your path to publication?

A: My path with my book started in mid-2023. At that time, I was on the verge of quitting writing for young readers. Though I had found some success in getting my manuscripts accepted by digital publications and even by Cricket Media, I wasn’t finding any traction with literary agents or publishers in the query trenches. I was considering writing middle-grade stories instead because a few agents had suggested that my voice was a better fit for that older age group. 

I then became aware of an open call from Free Spirit Books. They were looking for writers who were interested in writing a children's book about disabilities. This piqued my interest. Doing a picture book based on my experiences with asthma came to mind, but I had to apply first and send in a writing sample. I decided to submit one of my favorite short stories for kids that I had written, “The Sweetest Treat," which had been published a year before on the Skipping Stones website and was inspired by my love of Halloween and trick-or-treating.

To me, the story was a strong sample, as it explored relatable themes that I thought the publisher would enjoy. And yet, I didn't know what to expect, because I had submitted to the publisher in the past with unsuccessful results. Would they like my writing sample enough to invite me to submit a full book proposal?

They did! It was here that I faced some self-doubt in approaching a project concerning asthma. I assumed that since asthma is so common, there must be hundreds of picture books about the subject. What could I add to the conversation that hadn’t been said before?

Then I did the research and discovered that there weren't many picture books in the traditional publishing market about asthma out there. I had a chance to do something special and helpful for kids that would instantly stand out and speak to that audience. I was kinda overwhelmed by the creative freedom before me and what I could do with asthma in a picture book format. My imagination began to go in countless different directions. But Free Spirit’s specifics for the disability books they were seeking guided my imagination to a more focused place that I could build upon.

I gravitated towards a space theme and soon developed an astronaut metaphor for the book to describe the loneliness and fear of living with chronic illness. The metaphor helped give my character a journey of sorts, which my narratively-driven brain found easy to write. And I thought the metaphor could also give the book an engaging and visually exciting look that would encourage kids to keep reading and turning the page, even during scary or sad moments.  

I soon sent the story, which is the shortest manuscript I’ve ever written, I might add, to the publisher. The acquisitions editor got back and thought the story needed some revisions before taking it to the acquisitions committee. I submitted the revised manuscript a few days later, and by the end of that month, the book was accepted! Then my life as a children’s author began…

What a fascinating story! Thanks for sharing.

Q: Can you share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it was like working with your publisher?

A: From day one, Free Spirit has been a pure joy to work with. They really understood my book and approached it with care and enthusiasm. Early on in the process, they asked for my illustration style preferences for the book, which I deeply appreciated.

I was partnered with such a talented editor, Cassie. She suffered from asthma herself. She actually asked the publisher to edit my book as soon as she read the first version of the manuscript. Cassie had my back as the book went through several rounds of revisions and was always ready to listen to any idea that I had. It was a collaboration in the truest sense of the word. I feel very blessed to have worked with her.

Q: What’s your favorite spread from the book?

A: The one where my character is helping the girl at the comic-con and using his words to give her comfort. Not only does this section promote empathy and kindness, but it can also be used as a guide to show kids how to assist those who are experiencing an asthma attack.

Q: We adore the amazing Adriana Predoi's work! What was your favorite part of working with her?

A: Watching how Adriana interpreted the story and art notes that my editor and I worked together on. It was truly magical to see the world of the book through her eyes and endlessly creative imagination. She made my main character, Jacob, look almost exactly like me as a kid, which was so surreal and exciting. I would love to work with her again on another project sometime down the road.

Q: You mentioned that you love Halloween. Were you able to incorporate your passion for the holiday in the story at all?

A: Yes! One of the things I love about Halloween is that it’s a chance to dress up and become a different person. I wanted my character (who is based on me) interested in costumes to kinda reflect my own joys and likes. When my editor suggested altering the group activity at the end of the book, my character’s love for dressing up influenced a change of location to a comic-con. The book’s front cover and final pages are basically Halloween scenes, just without the jack-o'-lanterns!

We LOVE this (and of course love Halloween here at SOKL). How cool!

Q: What will readers enjoy most about your book? Why is your book a perfect fit for every season?

A: Readers will enjoy the book's stellar illustrations and its themes of courage, hope, empathy, and the joy of just being yourself. My book touches upon the everyday challenges of living with asthma through the seasons, making it an important and relevant learning resource that readers can return to again and again all year round.

Q: Would you like to leave a tip or a treat for our readers?

A: I’d like to give out a TREAT: a signed copy of the book with a bookmark!

WOAH - thanks for such an out-of-this-world treat, Jake! And thanks so much for joining us and sharing your heartfelt story and book with us. We loved getting to know you more.

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter to win Jake's giveaway, 1) share this post on social media and 2) leave a comment below to thank him for stopping by.

Giveaway winners will be drawn and announced on or about 05/20!

Books will be shipped in the US only.

About Jake Lockett:

Bio: Jake Lockett writes books and stories for children, including My Life as an Asthmanaut. His short stories for young readers have appeared in Smarty Pants Kids, Skipping Stones, and Spider. Jake enjoys learning about space, exploring nature, building Lego sets, and watching movies on his home theater projector. He resides in the forested Allegheny Mountains, where the night skies are clear and blanketed with countless stars! 

For More about Jake, check out the below links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579400802919

BlueSky: @jlockettauthor1.bsky.social

Twitter: @JLockettAuthor1

Amazon for book reviews/purchases: Amazon.com: Jake Lockett: books, biography, latest update

---