Six Questions with Kelly Conroy

Picture book writer and poet, Kelly Conroy, is 50% silly, fun-loving, never-grow-up big kid and 50% hard-working, focused, analytical former actuary. She loves all things magical, whimsical, and numerical, and her goal in life is to make people smile.

To learn more about her, please visit www.kellyconroy.com or follow her on Instagram @KellyConroyBooks. Kelly is represented by Sarah Stephens at Red Fox Literary.

1. What do you feel you’ve gained from being a part of the children’s writing community?

In the early years when I was getting nothing but rejections, I thought about this a lot. The children’s writing community is full of the nicest people in the world! It is a group who have a shared goal of helping children. How cool is that? I made life-changing friends who not only shared their knowledge, but inspired me to read more, write more, submit more, and celebrate all of the little wins. My life has improved because of them.

2. Do you ever get stuck creatively? If so, how do you get unstuck?

If I’m stuck on a line or a section of a book, a walk, shower, or meditation help. If I’m stuck on what project to work on next, I look at my “ideas” file, visit a library or bookstore, or use a prompt. Prompts work really well. If I’m stuck on anything big or small, morning papers work wonders. I fill three to five pages of notebook paper with all of my random thoughts, and something always gets dislodged.

I also know that there are certain times of the year when I need to put writing aside and let my subconscious take over. When I get back to it, I discover some of my favorite ideas.

3. What piece of advice would you like to give to aspiring kidlit authors?

If you are doing the work: reading, writing, revising, learning, taking risks, writing with your heart and being kind, you are on the right path. In the movie of your publishing career, things are happening behind the scenes that you don’t know about yet.

4. Where did you get the idea for this new book? What was your inspiration?

Two unrelated facts about me:

1)     When I was in college, my friend Jenny taught me the song THE FIFTY STATES THAT RHYME. It’s fun rattling off all the states in alphabetical order!

2)     I’ve always been fascinated by the night sky AND I love birthdays but could never remember all of the signs of the zodiac.

Led to: I decided to write a rhyme so that I could remember the signs of the zodiac in order.

5. What was the process or timeline for I See You in the Stars, from idea to publishing?

This was one of my “I didn’t write over the summer, let’s see what the ol’ subconscious has for me” ideas. In September 2021 I decided to play with the signs of the zodiac as a warm-up. When I realized Sagittarius and Aquarius rhyme, I knew I was on to something and shared it with my critique partners.

I added more details and sent it to my agent a few months later. She submitted it a few months after that, and in the summer of 2022, Familius made an offer. They explained that their lists were full for the next few years so this book would be delayed a bit. I knew that they would make the book bright and beautiful, so I said, “yes!”

And I’m so, so glad I did! Sadie Han created gorgeous illustrations — and the cover SPINS! I didn’t even know to wish for that!

Like I said before, things are happening behind the scenes that you don’t know about yet.

Its release date is January 6, 2026.

6. If you read this book to a room filled with kids, what message would you want them to leave with?

I would like the kids to know they are special, receive a boost of self-esteem, and feel a connection to the universe as a whole. I hope I See You in the Stars sparks a curiosity to learn more about astronomy and/or astrology.