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Trick or Treat with Poe Avondet + Treat Inside!
Hi, readers, writers, and witchy readers, too! Today is the 13th and we’re wrapping up our interviews the way many of us wrap up a season filled with fun — with a well-deserved break! What better way to celebrate a break than with Poe Avondet and her book, The Witch Break (part of The Break series)!
Hagatha, the sneakiest witch in town, is completely hexhausted after a night of tricks and treats. After her broom blisters, off-key cackle, and dull warts leave her in desperate need of self-care, she heads to Hag Haven for mud baths, zombie facials, and bone-rattling massages. But when her frightful glow-up is finally revealed, will Hagatha scream—or cackle with delight?
Want to know more about Poe and her charming book, The Witch Break, PLUS want to find out what treat she’s handing out? Read on… if you dare! 🧙♀️✨
Q: Hi, Poe! Welcome to SeasonsOfKidLit.com! We’re thrilled to trick-or-treat with you and hear all about you and your book. What inspired your story, The Witch Break, and can you share a little about your path to publication?
A: Well, it all started with my husband taking forever in the bathroom. And yes, that’s the actual origin story! Ha! It gave me the idea for The Dad Break, and from there, an entire children’s book series was born.
The Break Series is built around the fun wordplay of what it means to get a “break.” Each book brings a new character, a completely different kind of chaos, and its own clever spin on the word, whether it’s needing a break, heartbreak, or finally catching a lucky break.
My path to publication actually began years before The Break Series. I first published romantic thrillers, so making the leap into children’s books was a completely different creative experience. As an indie author, there was a lot to learn, especially when it came to finding the right illustrator. Once I found Sandra, I knew I’d found the person I wanted to bring The Break Series to life with, and we got to work.
Indie publishing takes a lot of patience, determination, and learning as you go, but it’s also given me the freedom to create these books exactly as I envision them. So, I guess I have my husband’s bathroom breaks to thank for all of this!
Ha - I love that behind-the-scenes tidbit. Thanks for sharing!
Q: The Break series is wonderfully self published! What made you decide to take the self-publishing route with this adorable series? What have you learned along the way and what advice would you like to give to anyone else interested in this path?
A: I think, more than anything, I had these ideas bubbling inside me, and I didn’t want to wait for someone else’s permission to create them. I love storytelling. I love the entire creative process. Self-publishing gave me the freedom to take an idea I believed in and bring it to life exactly as I imagined.
I’ve learned so much along the way, but one of my biggest pieces of advice is to find a community of authors who you can grow alongside. Indie publishing can feel lonely when you’re constantly your own hype girl. It’s so helpful to have fellow authors you can turn to with questions, ask for advice, learn from, and genuinely cheer each other on. Having that mutual support and celebrating each other’s wins makes the journey a lot more fun.
I’d also tell children’s authors to choose their illustrator carefully. It’s about so much more than loving someone’s art. You want someone you’re creatively compatible with, communicate well with, and genuinely trust. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have that with my illustrator, Sandra. Creating these stories together has become one of my favorite parts of the entire process.
And finally, give yourself more time than you think! There will always be something that happens like a file error, a delayed proof, an upload issue, or some hiccup you didn’t see coming. Build extra time into your publishing schedule. I learned that the hard way.
This wonderful and inspiring advice - thanks for sharing!
Q: Can you share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it was like working with your illustrator, Sandra Attema-Welte? What made you choose them for your book?
A: I love creating these books with Sandra. The Break Series is full of hidden surprises and little Easter eggs, bright colors, silly mischief, and plenty of chaos. Those were all things I knew I wanted from the very beginning, and finding Sandra felt almost kismet. She has this wonderful ability to take my words and ideas and bring them to life. It really feels like we’re creating the world together.
We also have a very organized process and open communication, which was especially important to me because I wasn’t choosing an illustrator for just one book. I knew The Break Series would be a long-term project, and I wanted someone I genuinely enjoyed creating books with.
Q: What will readers enjoy most about your book? Why is it a perfect fit for the fall/Halloween season?
A: I think kids will love the chaos! The Witch Break is full of ridiculous situations, silly mishaps, and things going wonderfully wrong. There’s plenty for kids to laugh at, but underneath all the mischief, there’s always a little heart and a sweet lesson waiting at the end.
The Witch Break really embraces all the kookiness of Halloween. Hagatha heads to the Hag Haven Spa for a little ROT and RELAXATION, where an eight-armed monster does kung-fu down her spine, and of course, nothing says relaxation quite like a toe-jam facial!
It’s spooky, silly, a little gross, and full of Halloween mischief, which is pretty much everything I want in a Halloween book!
Q: What other books of yours can we check out ASAP or keep our eyes peeled for?
A: The Break Series began with The Dad Break, followed by The Heart Break and The Witch Break, and The Lucky Break coming in March 2027. And there are plenty more “breaks” still to come!
Each book introduces a new character, a new kind of chaos, and another playful spin on what it means to get a “break.” So, while the stories stand on their own, there’s always a new “break” waiting around the corner.
Next up is The Lucky Break, where readers will meet Finn Hoolihan, the tiniest and unluckiest leprechaun around. After years of being caught in kids’ traps every St. Patrick’s Day, Finn decides he’s had enough and sets out to change his luck. Naturally, things go horribly wrong!
Q: If Hagatha dressed up for Halloween as something other than what they are in your book, what would they choose, and why?
A: Hagatha would definitely dress up as a human, just to terrify all her monster friends. She’d trade her pointy hat for a cardigan, her broomstick for a Stanley water bottle, and maybe even brush and curl her hair. She’d be truly terrifying!
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 Tootsie Rolls (gross, I know!) and Butterfingers. Those are definitely the ones I steal from my kids’ trick-or-treat bags. But Smarties? Immediately tossed. You may as well eat flavored chalk.
Q: Would you like to leave a Trick or a Treat for our readers?
A: A TREAT! I'd love to offer a signed-book giveaway to one lucky reader.
Thanks for such a Witch-Tastic Treat! And thanks again for flying by. We loved hosting you and hearing all about your series!
Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter Poe's giveaway, 1) leave a comment below to thank her for stopping by, and 2) share her post on social media. Witch-tastic GIFs are, of course, charming, too!
Please note: Poe's giveaway 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 Poe Avondet:
Poe Avondet is an author, poet, and storyteller who writes both adult and children’s fiction. Best known for The Break Series—a growing collection of witty, heart-filled picture books—her writing blends humor, imagination, and a touch of magic. Residing in the Mountain West with her husband, three kids, and a dog who burps like a human, Poe continues to chase the alchemy of words that bring stories, emotion, and unforgettable characters to life.
For more about Poe, check out the below links:
WEBSITE: https://www.authorpoeavondet.com/
REMINDER: The 2026 SOKL Book Awards Contest is LIVE! For more, visit: 2026 Book Awards | SeasonsOfKidlit
Thank you for sharing your story about self-publishing! I would love to know more!
It sounds like a great series! Congratulations! I am happy to get some information on self-publishing too. I knew you were from the US the way you described Smarties. Here in Canada they are candy-covered chocolate ovoids!
I posted on Instagram
Congratulations on The Witch Break, and on the whole series. So fun!
What a great series🧹🎃
This is inspiring!🥰 Awesome series!