
Madhu Messenger is a first-generation Indian American living in rainy Oregon with her husband, three children, and a scaredy dog. She is happiest when writing about spunky characters having magical adventures.
Madhu's wedding included great joy, flying shoes, and sneaky in-laws, and inspired her debut picture book, The Wedding Shoe Snatch (Albert Whitman & Co.) Madhu is represented by Marisa Cleveland of the Seymour Agency. To learn more about her, visit her website or follow her on social media:
Twitter @having__hope
Instagram @having__hope
Bluesky @madhum.bsky.social
1. What three things that bring you joy
A new story idea where the words flow and the plot takes shape without much effort (a rare but wonderful occurrence).
A sunny writing spot. My trusty laptop and I hop from chair to couch to desk around the house, following the sun.
Any conversations with my kids where they are not asking me to do something, but just talking to me.
2. What one piece of advice would you like to give to aspiring kid lit authors
Don’t be discouraged. If this is what you love, keep going, and be open to trying different things.
I was writing middle grade and adult fiction for years and not finding success. I stumbled across a posting for a scholarship for a picture book writing course through Mira Reisberg’s Children’s Book Academy. I applied on a lark and everything changed after I was selected. The course was transformative. I met incredible writing partners and learned the ins and outs of picture book writing. A year later I sold my first picture book.
3. Do you work on multiple projects at the same time?
I always have multiple irons in the fire, spanning different genres. I love being able to switch gears when I am stuck or want to gain perspective or just want a change of pace. I have folders and folders of story drafts and story ideas, waiting to be revisited or polished.
Last month, after completing a round of edits to a middle grade manuscript, I needed something new to do. I paged through my folders and found a draft picture book that I had completely forgotten about. Before I knew it, I was revising and editing, and getting excited to make more changes and share with my critique partners.

4. Where did you get the idea for this book
I was searching for an idea that might catch an editor/agents eye. After doing research on what sort of books were currently being acquired, I realized my personal life was full of possible story lines. I wanted a cultural theme that was fun and that I had not seen in a book before.
This story is inspired by events at my own wedding, where shoes were thrown across the banquet hall, where joyful screams interrupted the ceremony, and where the best man played a trick at the end. The tradition brought my husband’s and my family together and was a highlight of our wedding.
5. How was the editorial process? Did you do any revisions? Did you have collaboration with the illustrator?
I had two R&R’s before I received an offer and then more minor revisions after signing the contract. The light fun language and motion were the backbone of the story, but my editor teased out the heart and made it shine. Overall, there was back and forth, and it felt like a collaboration.
The illustrator and I communicated with each other through our editor. I was able to see drafts of all the spreads and the cover before they were finalized. I did not have big suggestions as Darshika Varma is incredibly talented. I loved the colors and the joy she captured. I loved how the layouts and the pictures brought my words to life. There were some conversations on clothing or accessory choices, but nothing big.
6. Where do you get inspiration for your characters? Are you influenced by people you know?
Inspiration for my characters comes from everyone I interact with. I see pieces of myself, my children, my friends, my family in the characters I create. But while they might begin as people in my life, they experience novel things and interact with fictionalized people and events and grow into their own unique identities. By the time a draft is done, they barely resemble the person who they were modeled after.
Congratulations, Madhu! Such a fun book!