Miriam Chernick: Enjoy the Process
KidLit Craft is back with another Snack-Sized Author Interview. In this series, we ask authors five quick questions that give us insight into their craft and process. Today, we’re talking with author Miriam Chernick.
Miriam is known among her VCFA classmates as a generous, warm, and encouraging soul. That spirit comes out in her work as well. I’m lucky to call Miriam a friend, and I hope you learn from her as much as I did!
Welcome, Miriam!
Question 1: What's your writing superpower?
Being tenacious has been a kind of superpower. Not letting anything get in the way of me realizing my dream of publishing books for kids (very hard!), and celebrating small wins in the meantime. But persistence, hard work, some luck, and not giving up are what got me here.
Question 2: What’s an element of craft you explored in your latest project and what tips can you share with other authors for growing in their use of that particular element?
I used alternating sibling voices to tell the story of The Zuzu Secret to present two very different views of the world. Josie, 12, is the primary storyteller, but Abe, 15 and born with a rare disease called Prader-Willi syndrome, has plenty to say as well. Two characters working toward separate—and ultimately conflicting—goals helped move the story forward with increased tension. Getting into their heads wasn’t easy, but it was fun.
Question 3: If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a new author?
I'd tell myself not to sweat the small stuff. There’s a lot to learn about the industry, the editorial process, launching a book, selling a book, and getting feedback in the market. So, looking back, I’d advise myself to enjoy the process and not be too concerned about trying to make sure everything goes right, since most of that is out of the author’s control anyway!
Question 4: What inspires you as a writer?
Kids inspire me. As a substitute teacher, I’m constantly in new classrooms at different grade levels living in different neighborhoods at different times in the school year. Though my interactions with kids are brief, they are meaningful and memorable. Kind of like that stranger next to you on the airplane who shares their life story, kids share a lot about themselves and their families with me. They have strong opinions and strong feelings. And they tell me what they are reading, or why they are not reading, as is often the case, unfortunately. Kid readers and potential readers—that's who inspires me.
Question 5: What’s one book you think every kidlit author should read?
Actually, I have two of my favorite middle grade books I’d like to recommend. The first one,that has stayed with me since I first read it, is One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia which made a huge impression on me. I cried at the end! The second is Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson, another beautifully-crafted, original, grab-a-tissue story.
Bonus Question: What can fans look forward to next?
Fans can look forward to more stories from me in the near future.
Miriam Chernick is the author of The Zuzu Secret (2025), her debut novel for young readers. Previously she published A Kid’s Guide to Washington, D.C., Revised and Updated. Miriam is a substitute teacher in her local public schools and a caregiver for her brother who was born with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare disease. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two clever cats, and Zuki—a bearded dragon—who often sits on her shoulder as she writes.
You can find her at her website www.miriamchernick.com and on Instagram @miriamchernick
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