About Heather

Heather Stigall uses her experience with children and her degrees in Child Development, Psychology-based Human Relations, and Social Work to create stories that speak to kids.

She is the Critique Group/Meet & Greet Coordinator for the Eastern PA SCBWI Chapter, a member of the 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, and a wife and parent to five children and one pup.

When she’s not writing, you can find Heather hanging out with her kids (hopefully at the beach), reading, eating chocolate, baking, or creating all sorts of treasures.

Her debut picture book, PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY (Clavis Publishing) was released in August 2023 and is/will be available in five additional languages.

Her second picture book, GILBERT & THE GHOST, (Beaming Books) is due out fall 2026.

Tell Us About Your Picture Books

Paisley’s Big Birthday

PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY is a sweet story about having patience as we grow. Written by Heather Pierce Stigall, illustrated by Natallia Bushuyeva, and published by Clavis Books, this picture book is for everyone ages 4 years and up.

When Paisley hops out of bed the morning of her birthday, she expects to be all things “big bunny.” But when she still finds herself in bunnygarten, sputters while trying to read, and flops while trying to complete the hopstacle course, she wonders if it’s really her birthday after all.

When will she finally be big?

Gilbert and The Ghost

GILBERT AND THE GHOST, written by Heather Pierce Stigall, illustrated by Jess Mason, and published by Beaming Books, is a sweet tale of overcoming obstacles and finding friendship in mysterious places for kids who often feel unseen.

Gilbert often feels invisible, just like the ghost he believes lives at 632 Savannah Street. Even though no one else believes, Gilbert leaves gifts that disappear one by one, leading him to learn that friendship, and believing are worth the effort.

What Are the Stories Behind Your Stories?

The origin of PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY began ten years ago when I picked up my youngest child from preschool on his birthday. He climbed into his car seat, wearing a glittery birthday crown and a slight frown. The conversation began something like this:

Birthday Boy: “When is my birthday?”
Me: “Today!
Birthday Boy: (shakes his head) “No. When is my real birthday?”
Me: “Today is your real birthday!”
Birthday Boy: “It doesn’t feel like it.”

My mind began to spin. Why didn’t he feel like it was his birthday? Did something happen or not happen at school? What would it take for him to feel like it was his “real” birthday?

A few questions later, I realized that he believed that on his birthday he would instantly “feel” older; he would magically be able to do things he wasn’t able to do the day before.

But I kept the conversation going during the ride home, through lunch, and for some time after that. I asked lots of questions and listened as he shared evidence for why it was most definitely not his birthday.

I was enamored with his reasoning and determination, while underneath it all I felt his disappointment that this day, one that was supposed to be special, didn’t meet his expectations. Not long after, I wrote a draft of a story about a bunny who hops out of bed the morning of her birthday, expecting to be all things “big bunny.”

What Has Your Writing Journey Looked Like?

I have always loved children and picture books and even jotted down ideas for stories over many years, but it wasn’t until my youngest child was in preschool that I decided the time was right to get serious about a writing career.

I started out slowly by learning about writing picture books and children’s publishing, joining SCBWI (The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), joining a critique group, and doing a lot of writing and revising. I gradually became more involved with the kidlit world, including volunteering for my local SCBWI chapter (shout out to SCBWI Eastern PA!), reading and studying tons of current picture books, all while developing a body of work.

When I felt I had several submission-ready picture book manuscripts, I started querying agents and, occasionally, editors. That led to a book deal for PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY (on my own), signing with my first agent, a book deal for GILBERT AND THE GHOST (with my former agent), signing with my second agent (thank you for believing in me, Amy!), and will hopefully lead to many more book deals in the future!

(Just an FYI—Heather thank YOU for believing ME!)

What Has Surprised You the Most About Publishing?

The most pleasant surprise has been the love and support I have received from the kidlit community! Just about all the writers, illustrators, agents, editors, educators, and, of course, young readers that I’ve encountered have been so friendly and encouraging.

Are You a Plotter or Pantser and What is That Process Like for You?

I would say that I’m a combination of the two. With almost all picture book stories, I do a lot of pre-writing in my head that usually involves fleshing out an idea and at least the basics of a plot. With some of those, I’m so inspired, I just start free writing and go with the flow.

With others, I write an outline first, and then write. With longer manuscripts, like chapter books, I usually plot things out and do a lot of thinking before putting word on the page, but sometimes while writing scenes, I just write and see where my imagination takes me.

What is Your Favorite Writing Tool?

I can’t choose one: My brain, a pen, paper, and my laptop.

What is Your Favorite Writing Resource?

If I must choose one resource, I consider the “bible” for picture book writing: Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul.

But my favorite and most helpful resource is my critique group!

What’s Next For You?

I hope to be out on submission soon with a picture book about some disgruntled party pals and a chapter book about unlikely friends (Me, too!)

Hopefully I’ll have happy book news to share soon—well, “soon” in publishing terms, which could be a long time. And I’m always working on something new!

Where Can People Find You?

Website: www.HeatherPierceStigall.com
Instagram: @heather_stigall7
Twitter: @heather_stigall
Facebook: @HeatherPierceStigall-Author
Bluesky: @heatherstigall7.bsky.social

I have always loved children and picture books and even jotted down ideas for stories over many years, but it wasn’t until my youngest child was in preschool that I decided the time was right to get serious about a writing career.

Heather Stigall