Photo: Courtesy of Laura Gehl
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I have a PhD in neuroscience and began my writing career as a science writer. I wrote about science for a variety of publications, for both children and adults. Gradually, I transitioned into spending more and more of my time writing for children, and I am now a full-time children’s book author. I write books on scientific topics, but I also write books on many other topics, including books with Jewish themes. My books include And Then Another Sheep Turned Up, which is about Passover; Hare and Tortoise Race Across Israel; Koala Challah; and Happy Llamakkah.
What inspired you to become an author?
As a kid, reading was one of my favorite activities, and visiting the library or bookstore to get new books was always a highlight. I thought if I could bring joy to kids through writing books the same way books brought me joy, that would be amazing. And it is!
Where and when do you write? Do you have a writing routine?
I mostly write on my couch, although I recently had a chance to attend a writing retreat where I got to write in my own little cabin for three days (it was SO GREAT!). Morning, when my brain is fresh, is typically when I do my best writing…or right after eating a hot fudge sundae.
How long does it take you to finish a book?
Typically a book takes between a few weeks to a few months. I have had projects that took over a year, however.
Which authors can we find in your library?
Some of the Jewish authors I enjoy include Anita Diamant, Judith Viorst, Shel Silverstein, Faye Kellerman, and Sarah Blake.
What advice would you give an aspiring author?
Write every day (even a little, even if what you write is complete garbage), find a critique group, and don’t give up.
Where can our readers purchase your books?
All of my books are available for order through your local independent bookstore, through bookshop.org, through Barnes & Noble, or through Amazon. My next books with Jewish content will be the Ruby Celebrates! picture book series, published by Albert Whitman. The Rosh Hashanah Recipe and The Hanukkah Hunt are available for pre-order now and will be out soon. The third and fourth books in the series will come out in 2023. These humorous picture books chronicle the adventures and misadventures of Ruby’s large, diverse, multigenerational family celebrating a variety of Jewish holidays.
On which Social Media channels can our readers connect with you?
I am on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @AuthorLauraGehl, and I love connecting with readers!
Photos: Courtesy of Laura Gehl
