Trick or Treat with Jen Anyong + Treats Inside!

Hi, readers, writers, and ghosties of all sorts! It's another booo-tiful day here at SeasonsOfKidlit.com with another boooo-riffic author AND BOOK!

Please welcome the wonderful Jen Anyong as she shares her debut picture book, The Ghost Who Saved Halloween. Candy has upstaged Ghost on Halloween for far too long. It's time for Ghost to learn a new trick and treat these kids to a haunt or else the holiday will fall flat like a busted pipe organ. Eek!

Want to know more about Jen and her new book PLUS want to find out what treat she's brought along with her today? Read on if you dare... 👻🖤

Q: Hi, Jen! Thanks for Trick-or-Treating with SeasonsOfKidLit.com. We’re thrilled to feature you and hear all about you and your book! What inspired your story, and can you share a little about your path to publication?

A: This is a little unusual...but actually, the HarperCollins team asked me to write a Ghost/Halloween book AFTER they fell in love with a Turkey/Thanksgiving book my agent submitted. And so was birthed the Who Saved the Holidays series!

And because they wanted this Halloween book to come FIRST in the series, at the time we accepted the offer, I had NOT YET written what would become my debut picture book.

When the deal came in, I thought very hard about what made the Turkey/Thanksgiving story so special and then carried those two or three elements into the Ghost/Halloween story. And with the title already decided by the publisher, I had to ask myself, how could a ghost save Halloween? And why would he need to? Then I worked backwards. I thought about how desensitized children can seem these days and what would happen if Ghost couldn’t get their attention. And of course, I read all of the recent Ghost picture books I could get my hands on, just to make sure I brought something fresh to my readers. All in all, it was a really fun process!

In terms of my path to publication, I began what I now call ‘the hard way,’ both tripping and stumbling through, yet fully committed, like it was my calling.

We were amidst the Covid pandemic, and my kindergartener was doing school from home half of the time. Both she and the outdoors were my greatest inspirations, and I had lots and lots of time to write.

But, it took me quite a while to realize...the landscape of picture books had changed. What I fondly remembered as picture books and what my daughter brought home from her school library...those were no longer what the market was buying. That was a tough lesson that I know many of us face, in one way or another. 

When I finally discovered organizations like SCBWI and 12X12PB, things began heading in the right direction. With their support in place, I gained some ground, finding critique partners and writer friends. Plus, I learned a lot from their webinars and conferences.

I went on to invest in myself even more through classes and opportunities at The Writing Barn. With all of their powers combined, I gained representation in fall of 2024, and soon after, I received my first two-book deal.

What an amazing journey. Thanks for sharing!

Q: What was your favorite part of working with your illustrator?

I just adore Kaly Quarles, the human and the artist. When I saw her portfolio, she became my number one choice, easy, and we were so blessed to have her sign on!

With this being my debut, I’d say the illustration process was full of joy and surprises! The biggest one being Kaly’s advent of the Super Scare 5000! It’s such a wonderful addition to the book and pretty much the best possible outcome when leaving room for the illustrator! I couldn’t be more pleased with the illustrations Kaly’s created; the details, the humor, and a touch of her personality brought this book to the next level, for sure. I’m so thrilled to work alongside Kaly and the HarperCollins team to bring the Who Saved the Holidays series to life! 

Q: We agree! We adore Kaly's ghoul-icious illustrations! What’s your favorite spread from the book?

A: I think both Kaly and I agree that the second spread of the story is our favorite! It has SO MUCH fun going on and so many interesting details. And, I think it’s a page that kids will want to linger on while cuddled up with their grownup.

We see Ghost napping, but he’s interrupted by the rap rap rapping at his chamber door. Next, we follow him down the stairs and into his entryway where he peers through his peep hole to discover trick or treaters!?!

The spread is just a wealth of delightful things to look upon! PLUS a fun side note: THE TURKEY WHO SAVED THANKSGIVING (coming next fall) has a similar, action and detail-packed spread that is also AMAZING, so I think it’s going to be a fun thing to look forward to throughout the series!

Q: What do you hope readers take away from your book?

A: I want my audience (both bigs and littles) to walk-away knowing that when they practice their passions with persistence and determination and don’t give up, they can achieve just about anything they set their minds to! And, when a mistake or misstep happens along the way (and it probably will), making things right can turn things bright again!

Q: What is your character’s favorite fall or Halloween treat, and why?

Ghost is very anti-treat, in terms of Halloween, so his favorite treat is definitely NOT candy! But at the start of the story, he’s seen sipping on a cozy cup of Earl Ghoul tea, revisiting his good ole haunting days. So, I think that is definitely his preferred treat…he is an old soul, after all. LOL!

Q: What is your favorite Halloween candy that you’d love to see in your goodie bag, and what candy would you immediately swap (or toss)?

A: I LOVE Skittles and Starbursts! But, a tad more obscure, the fruit flavored Tootsie Rolls. Delicious! I once bought a bag of fruit flavored Tootsie Rolls and nibbled on them daily in the pick-up line at my daughter’s school. After some time, I went for my regular dentist appointment and had my first cavity in over a decade! Whoopsie! But, it was fruity yummy goodness! 

I will pass up a box of Dots, no problem, any day of the week. If I’m going to get a cavity from candy, it isn’t going to be from those gooey, low-flavor Dots! Ha! 

Q: Would you like to leave a Trick or a Treat for the Readers?

A: I'd like to leave some Treats!

I'm offering TWO PB Critiques (under 600 words, not rhyming) to writers and TWO Virtual Classroom Visits to Teachers.

Wow! FANGS for such boo-mazing treats! And thanks again for joining us. We can't wait to sink our teeth into your book!

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter Jen's giveaway, 1) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by and let her know which gift you're GHOST interested in and 2) share her post on social media. We'd love to see some ghostly GIFs, too!

Please note: Giveaways will be shipped within 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 and Author Heather Macht and/or

• Books from Heather's Treat Bag (see below)!

Winners will be drawn and announced on 10/18. Head back to the blog then for the official announcement!

About Jen Anyong:

Jen has dreamed up stories of sorts since elementary school but fell in love with picture books while teaching at her daughter’s preschool. As she read aloud to the children ― their faces beaming with wonder ― Jen just knew she needed to write picture books! Most of her stories are inspired by her family. Between her mischievous dog, clever daughter, and humorous husband, you’ll find them laughing together, work-shopping all of the silliness that makes picture book magic.

For more about Jen check out the below links:

IG: Jen Anyong

Website: website

Amazon: The Ghost Who Saved Halloween

---

REMINDER: The 2026 SOKL Book Awards Contest is LIVE! For more, visit: 2026 Book Awards | SeasonsOfKidlit