Trick or Treat with Justin Colón!

Hi, readers and writers, ducks and geese, and GINORMOUS quackens of all kinds! Are you in the mood for a spooky camp story? We've got you covered! We're thrilled to have Justin Colón with us today sharing his new humorous and slightly-spooky debut picture book, The Quacken! When Hector spends time at Cucumonga Campground, he hears tales and warnings about frightening creature that lurks in the lake. Hector doesn't believe the stories and ignores the rules (i.e. don't feed the ducks). Now, Hector finds himself face-to-face with a terrifying creature...THE QUACKEN. Will Hector be able to escape its wrath? Want to know more about Justin, his hilarious book that's a perfect read for the season, PLUS want to know if he's offering a Trick or a Treat? Read on if you dare...

Q: Hi, Justin! Thanks for joining us at #SeasonsOfKidLit. We're excited to host you. First, can you share a little about how you got started in writing for children?

A: My mother adopted my youngest brother, who is now a pre-teen, when he was a newborn. As a way of bonding with him and promoting empathy, imagination, and literacy, I read picture books to him when he was a toddler—I still try to (albeit unsuccessfully). That experience inspired me, and in December of 2017 I wrote my first picture book story. On January 1st, I won a three-month mentorship with an established author, Pam Calvert, based on that manuscript. 

Disclaimer: The Fast & Furious speed of that initial process and success is not the norm. Publishing is a slog and moves at a glacial pace. Luckily, the magic of the picture book format and kidlit community helps ease that a bit. 

Q: Your debut, The Quacken, has so much going for it – fun, humor, suspense, tension and a surprising ending which leaves an open door and amazing illustrations – we just love Pablo Pino’s work!!  Please share The Quacken’s journey, from idea to publication. What or who inspired it? How much did it evolve over time? 

A: Thank you for the kind words. 

I first came up with the idea for The Quacken in March of 2020. I secured agent representation in March of 2021 and the manuscript went on submission to editors a few weeks later. My editor at Simon & Schuster offered us a deal on September 15, 2021, and The Quacken published July 16, 2024. 

Edits were minor and the version that published remains very close to the version my agent and I went on submission with.

Q: What would you recommend to our readers who want to add tension and/or humor to their picture books?

A: There are many elements that work in conjunction to create effective tension. A few of the things I actively consider, assess, and refine while drafting and revising include language, punctuation, page turns, pacing, conflict, and stakes. 

For humor, I recommend readers take my six-session course, The Mechanics of Humor, which I offer through my small business, The Kidlit Hive. Within it, I deconstruct humor and how it works. I equip students with tips, tricks and techniques they can rely on, allowing them to approach comedic writing with confidence and consistency.

Q:  Speaking to your wonderful, art inspiring words - were there many art notes? How did the process of your publishing obtaining just the right illustrator play out?

A: There were 16 art notes in which I outlined nearly all the scenes and visual humor within the story. This is how I kept the text sparse and funny while ensuring the intended jokes landed. 

Once the book was acquired and I completed edits, I asked to submit an illustrator wish list, and my editor obliged. However, the illustrator search didn’t commence for another eight months, at which time the art director for The Quacken returned from maternity leave. My editor then sent me a list of illustrators she and the art director discussed and asked me to rank them in order of preference. Ultimately, only one person from my initial wish list made the cut, but they passed on the project, and the other skilled illustrators my team presented were either unavailable and/or declined as well. 

A few weeks or months later, my team got back to me with samples from another illustrator who tested for the project. However, I expressed concerns regarding the style and representation of the Latino protagonist. Fast forward, and my team emailed me one day with portfolio samples for an illustrator they were in final talks with. But her work also didn’t align with my vision. 

I shared the reasoning behind my feelings, and then I expressed my desire to work with a Latin illustrator given the protagonist of the book is Latino and it would be awesome for two Latin creators to work on a funny book not centered around our ethnicity. I’m grateful to share that my team was happy to make this happen. 

Finding a Latin illustrator of picture books with the style and comedic sentimentality we were seeking who was available for hire and could commit to our publishing schedule proved tricky, though. So, my editor asked me to submit a list of contenders I was interested in collaborating with. Luckily, I was a history major, so I’m great at research, and I love discovering new illustrators. I visited agency websites (viewing thousands of portfolios), hit up search engines, viewed pieces uploaded to previous Twitter pitch contests and SCBWI events, browsed books at the library and bookstores for potential matches, etc. Ultimately, I submitted a list of about seven contenders from which Pablo was selected. He was the perfect illustrator for the job, and that’s clear from the great response readers have had to what he accomplished with The Quacken. 

Fun Fact: An illustrator from my initial wish list ended up signing on to illustrate my next two books after I submitted his name to my next editor. So persistence pays off!

Q: What is your favorite thing about Halloween or what is a favorite Halloween memory? 

A: One of my favorite things about Halloween is being a haunter. Starting around August or September, I design and construct giant props/decorations for Halloween, and I’ve been doing this for about eight years now. The moment the air gets crisp, I spot people from the neighborhood driving slowly down the block, seeking out clues for what the year’s theme will be. They look forward to seeing and visiting it each year.

I begin installing the props and decorations around October 1st, and usually I can be found putting the finishing touches on until the moment trick or treaters are walking up to the house. From the street to the roof, every part of my house is part of the experience. I’ve even got lights flickering, fog cranking, and music blasting.

Two years ago, I did ‘Alien invasion’ and built a giant War of the Worlds-style UFO that rose about 10 feet high and stretched 10 feet across. Another year I set up dozens of corn stalks and set up a cross-like structure that rose about 13 feet high and attached a Jeepers Creepers-like scarecrow that overlooked my neighbors’ houses. This year’s theme is already sketched out, and soon I’ll be heading to the hardware to pick up supplies to commence construction. 

Q: What's the end game with your spooky books? We've seen you have a lot of other spooky-cool books coming out!

A: I want to corner the Halloween market, "MUAHAHAHA!” My first true Halloween picture book, THE ZOMBEES (illustrated by Kaly Quarles) publishes next summer. It has the same editor and art director as The Quacken, and it’s a really fun rhyming story. In spring of 2026, my next Halloween-ish picture book, VAMPURR (illustrated by Lenny Wen) publishes with FSG/Macmillan.

Bonus question: What candy pairs best with your book?

A: Save the candy for later and opt for s’mores instead (extra toasted marshmallows, please)! 

* Best enjoyed around a crackling campfire (hold the mosquitos).  

Thanks again for joining us, Justin! It was such a treat having you with us!

Readers, want to know what I thought about The Quacken? Check out this Peek-a-Boo Review!

You can also find our reviews are also on Amazon and Goodreads.

Q: Would you like to leave a Trick or a Treat for our readers?

A: A TREAT! I'd love to offer one signed copy of The Quacken and some book swag to one reader.

Wow, thanks for such a quack-tastic treat!

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter to win this sweet treat 1) share this post on social media and 2) leave a comment below to thank Justin for stopping by. Duck GIFs are appreciated, too!

Winners for the Trick-or-Treat event will be drawn on or about 10/22!

*Books will be shipped in the US only.*

Note: Those who leave a comment on all posts will be eligible to win one (1) of ten (5) Rate Your Story Speed Passes, perfect for quick MS feedback, provided by Agent Mentee Lynne Marie & Author Heather Macht.

About Justin Colón:

Justin Colón is a NY-based author whose picture books include THE QUACKEN, IMPOSSIBLE POSSUMS, IMPOSSIBLE POSSUM FOR MAYOR, THE ZOMBEES, and VAMPURR. He is the owner of The Kidlit Hive and previously founded/hosted PBChat, a free community and annual mentorship program that assisted over 100 upcoming picture book creators on their publication journey. In his other life, Justin is a professional, formally trained voice and on-camera actor and SAG-AFTRA member who has co-starred on hit shows such as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Gotham, and Sneaky Pete. He invites you to visit him at justincolonbooks.com.

For more about Justin, check out the below links:

Twitter: https://x.com/JustinRColon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinrcolon/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/justinrcolon.bsky.social

To check out Pablo Pino's amazing illustrations, check out the below links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pablospino/?hl=en

To purchase Justin's books on Amazon, or to leave a review for them, click here.

---

A special thanks to David Rodriguez Lorenzo for the amazing custom-signatures!