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Trick or Treat with Amy Houts!
- Heather Macht
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Hi readers, writers, and haunted house lovers of all kinds! We're thrilled to celebrate the day with the incredible Amy Houts - author of over 100 books! She's here with us sharing her new book with Monarch Educational Service, perfect for spooky season, In the Witch's House.
When a curious child steps inside a house, cobwebs swish, bones clatter, and mysterious sights await. Not everything is as it seems. With lyrical language, gentle suspense, and a cozy twist ending, this charming read-aloud is the perfect blend of spooky and sweet.
Want to know more about Amy and her new book PLUS want to know if she's passing out a trick or a treat? Read on if you dare... 🕷️🕸️
Q: Hi, Amy! Thanks for joining #SeasonsOfKidLit for our Annual Trick-or-Treat Event! We’re thrilled to have you and hear all about your new bewitching book, In the Witch’s House.
Can you share more about your book and the inspiration behind it?
A: Thanks so much for having me! I always enjoy reading #SeasonsOfKidLit. In the Witch’s House begins with a little girl, Kate, who protests when her father suggests they go next door to meet their new neighbors. Kate doesn’t want to go because she thinks a family of witches has move in. The back cover summarizes it best: “Something strange is happening in the witch’s house...When a curious child steps inside, cobwebs swish, bones clatter, and mysterious sights await. Not everything is as it seems. [This book] invites young readers into a not-so-scary tale where imagination takes center stage.”
I was inspired to write In the Witch’s House after reading the picture book, In the Haunted House by Eve Bunting. I had read a variety of Halloween books as mentor texts for a picture book assignment. After I completed my assignment and Winifred Witch and Her Very Own Cat was published, I had another book in mind. What if a child thought a family of witches had moved in next door?
Q: The book has a surprise ending for young readers to make it not-so-spooky which is SO sweet. What encouraged you to write a lighter-themed book for young readers that could be read during the Halloween Season. What advice do you have for other writers looking to add a light spin to typically spooky topics?
A: As a former preschool teacher, I believe it’s important to think about what’s best for children at this tender young age. They’re often afraid of the dark, of shadows, of being away from Mommy and Daddy. I felt a sweet Halloween book would be perfect for young children. While the witch character and dressing up is central to the story, the book is really about courage and friendship.
To put a “light spin” on a typically scary topic, I suggest featuring a scary character who has the same problem a child of your target age group has. An example is a young vampire who’s afraid to go to the dentist. I also suggest seeing the story from the young main character’s point of view. What sights, sounds, and feelings might they have?
I really like building a story related to the misunderstandings or miscues children might have. The Bailey School Kids series, written by Debbie Dadey and Marcia T. Jones, are great mentor texts to help understand this concept. While the books are early chapter books that target children ages 7-10, they are great examples. Their goofy titles like Witches Don’t Do Backflips and Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots feature a scary character paired with something that’s not scary. The kids in this series prove what they thought was true is not true.
Q: You are the author of over 100 books which just seems both incredible and unbelievable at the same time! Do you still face rejection (it’s hard to imagine you do, lol) and if so, how do you take it/turn it around to a positive mindset?
A. I still find it unbelievable, too! But there’s a logical explanation. The main reason is because I’ve worked on assignment for a number of educational publishers who gave me a series of books to write. Most were a series of 4 or 6 books, but one was a series of 60 retold fairytales, folktales, and classic stories. It was such a fun challenge! That assignment pushed me over the 100 mark. Plus, I’ve been writing for a long time, since our daughters were babies. Now we have three grandchildren.
I’ve received hundreds of rejections for my own work. I try not to take them personally. Currently, I have a wonderful agent, Stephanie Cardel of Lighthouse Literary. When a rejection includes constructive feedback, we work to revise. My faith helps me to have a positive mindset. I believe writing and publishing is what I am supposed to be doing. So, I’ll keep writing, rejections and all.
Q: Such an amazing background and encouragement - thanks for sharing this with us, Amy!
How long was your publishing journey for In the Witch’s House?
I wrote In the Witch’s House 25 years ago. Since then, I’ve had it professionally critiqued (at least twice) at different conferences hosted the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). I revised it according to the editors’ feedback. Over the years, I’d submitted the manuscript to a variety of publishers on my own, as this was before I had an agent. Most of the rejections were form letters or form emails, but I also received a few personal rejections, which was encouraging. Sometimes I didn’t hear back at all. In the summer of 2023, I felt the book was ready for submission (again!).
Q: Would you share more about how In the Witch’s House was acquired?
I read an interview from the Write2Ignite blog featuring a small independent publisher, Jen Lowry of Monarch Educational Services, and connected with her goal of publishing “clean books.” Clean books are age-appropriate and non-explicit. They don’t contain graphic violence, profanity, or sexual content. This quote from Jen encouraged me to submit my manuscript to Monarch: “I don’t want to say I’m only looking for spooky (my favorite genre) books because you never know what magic will flutter into our inbox. Surprise us with a book that matters.”
When I did, Jen wrote back to me the same day. (That’s very unusual!) She “adored” my “super cute” story and added editorial notes with a request to resubmit if I hadn’t sold the book by the first of the new year. (It didn’t sell.) But after I resubmitted to Jen in January, there was a hitch. She wanted me to find an illustrator or illustrate the book myself.
Many people assume authors can illustrate their own books, but I can barely draw stick figures! I contacted several picture book artists on social media, but no one was interested. When I told a friend about it, she highly recommended Berna Datema. After looking at Berna’s website, I fell in love with her style and thought it would work well with my book. I was overjoyed Berna was interested in the project, and I was thrilled Jen offered us a contract! Of course, it would have fun and easy to secure a contract sooner, but waiting and revising made my book better and made the outcome sweeter. I have to say, it was worth the wait!
BONUS: What’s both your favorite and least favorite candy? I.e. what would you be thrilled to receive in your candy bag, and what would you desperately try to trade?
I’m not a big candy fan, and I have a bunch of allergies, which prevent me from eating most candy. But if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Jordan almonds. I would desperately try to trade gummy bears.
Would you like to leave a Trick or a Treat for our readers?
Both!
Here's a Trick: Perseverance is key, but also being able to listen to editors to improve your work.
And here's a Treat: I'd like to offer a copy of my book, In the Witch’s House, to one lucky reader.
Wow! Thanks for such an enchanting Trick and Treat! And thanks again for stopping by - it was a pleasure hosting you and your new book!
Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter Amy's giveaway, 1) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by and 2) share her post on social media. Broom or witchy-themed GIFs are welcomed, too!
Please Note: Books/giveaways will be shipped in the U.S. only.
*Special Reminder: Those who like, leave a comment on, and share all posts will be entered into a drawing and be eligible to win:
One (1) of five (5) Rate Your Story Speed Passes perfect for quick MS feedback, provided by Editor Lynne Marie & Author Heather Macht and/or
A Query Critique from Agent Lynnette Novak with The Seymour Agency
Winners will be drawn and announced on or about 10/22.
About Amy Houts:
When Amy Houts taught preschool at Head Start, dramatic play was a favorite of her students. Amy is the author of 100+ books for children for both faith-based and general market publishers. Amy’s faith-based books include bath books, Noah’s Ark and The Creation (Sunbeam/Bushel & Peck Books), God’s Earth is Something to Fight For (Sunbeam/Bushel & Peck Books), and God’s Protection Covers Me (Beaming Books). Amy’s educational books include 60 retold tales for the series, Compass Children’s Classics. Her 10 nonfiction science early readers were published by Highlights. To find out more, visit her website: https://amyhouts.com.
For more about Amy, check out the below links:
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmyHouts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyhouts/
Bluesky: https://amyhouts.bsky.social
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amyhouts
Twitter/X: https://x.com/AmyHouts
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@amyhouts
Amazon (for book reviews and purchases): Amazon.com: Amy Houts: books, biography, latest update
