A.J. Irving grew up in Boise, Idaho, writing stories and daydreaming about becoming an author. Now, she writes picture books and poetry beneath an old elm tree in Salt Lake City. A.J. is the critically acclaimed author of Dance Like a Leaf, The Wishing Flower, and The Bi Book (Knopf BFYR, summer 2025). As a children’s author and former bookmobile librarian, A.J. is passionate about inspiring kids to love books. When she’s not reading, writing, or dancing, she enjoys exploring Utah with her husband, two children, and their English bulldogs. To learn more about A.J., visit her website or connect with her on social media:
1. Do you ever get stuck creatively? If so, how do you get unstuck?
I am actually stuck right now. My creative spark dimmed after losing my dad and my best friend. I appreciate this question, Mary. It has made me realize that I need to do the one thing that has always helped me get unstuck: spend time in nature. Every book I’ve sold started with a wordstring that seemed to come to me out of thin air. It’s a magical feeling when a single beautiful line on a hike turns into a waterfall of words. Moments like these make you feel alive and remind you why you love to write.
2. What kind of student were you? What were your favorite subjects?
I was passionate about doing well in school. I was often embarrassed and frustrated that I had to study so hard to get good grades when every subject seemed to come so naturally to all my friends. English, creative writing, and newspaper were my favorite subjects because I loved to write and felt confident and proud of my work.
3. What are you working on? What’s next for you?
I think many authors have a project they love but haven’t discovered the perfect execution yet. I plan to rewrite one of those. I also want to finish a draft of a picture book that is inspired by my job in the jail library. I am eager for The Bi Book, illustrated by Cynthia Alonso, to publish in June 2025. And I am super excited to go to NYC for the Lambda Literary Awards to celebrate The Wishing Flower. My agent and I have worked together for five years. I can’t wait to finally meet her in person!
4. Where did you get the idea for The Wishing Flower? What was your inspiration?
I had a LGBTQ+ manuscript with boy MC that went to acquisitions twice, but ultimately didn’t get picked up. My agent suggested that I write a queer girl picture book in my lyrical voice. I went on a hike right after our call and wrote an entire draft that day. The Wishing Flower was inspired by my first crush. Just like Birdie, I felt “inside out at home and at school,” and longed to be friends with a girl who truly saw me. Just like Birdie, my wish came true.
5. What’s a particularly striking or memorable reaction someone has had to this book?
Kip Alizadeh’s first reaction to The Wishing Flower text melted my heart. They were certainly the perfect person to illustrate this book. “I just cried because this is how I felt when I was that age. Someone had written about it and that’s incredible. I really connected with it. Yes, I absolutely had to illustrate this text. Some books are more like jobs and others are like ‘Oh, my God.’ I’m lucky that I get to work on a lot of those kinds of books. Books that I really believe in.”
6. If you read this book to a room filled with kids, what message would you want them to leave with?
I always want my readers to feel seen, safe, and loved. I hope The Wishing Flower inspires children to feel brave and proud about being themselves. I hope Birdie and Sunny’s story helps them spread their wings and soar. I will be reading The Wishing Flower at the FAM Utah rally to support LGBTQ+ students. “Bloom and Belong” is the theme this year. I want these kids to keep blooming and know that they absolutely belong.
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