Welcome to Black Rabbit Books' Author Spotlight! This month, we're sharing an interview with Gail Terp. Gail is the author of select titles from Bolt Jr., Bolt, and Hi Jinx series, including Dinosaurs, Combat Sports (new for Spring 2025), and Can You Tell the Difference? We're excited for you to learn more about Gail in this short interview.
Q: How long have you been a children's book author, and why did you pursue this career?
A: I started writing children’s books in 2014. I had retired from teaching and was looking for a new challenge. Writing for children was the perfect choice!
Q: What’s the most surprising thing about being a children’s author that you didn’t expect?
A: I didn’t know that I would learn so much. When one book is complete, I eagerly look forward to the next topic.
Q: What part of the writing process do you love–and which part do you secretly dread?
A: I love the research. But once the research is done, the hardest part is getting started writing. But once I get started, the reluctance goes away.
Q: When you're not writing, where do you go—or what do you do—to recharge your creativity?
A: I’m always charged up by walking around in the natural world. Even though many of my walks are along familiar paths, there’s always something new to see.
Q: What’s the wildest or weirdest fact you’ve ever come across while researching?
A: To scare away a predator, a sea cucumber shoots its guts out of its anus.
Q: Do you have any advice for kids who say they don’t like to read?
A: Keep looking for books you like. Don’t worry if it seems too weird or too hard or too easy. Check it out anyway. It may be just right. And if the text is too hard, studying pictures is still reading.
Shop Gail Terp's collection
