Author Spotlight PJ McIlvaine

Bio: PJ McIlvaine is a prolific author/screenwriter/writer/journalist.

PJ is the author of the Amazon US best-selling VIOLET YORKE, GILDED GIRL: GHOSTS IN THE CLOSET (April 2022, Darkstroke Books), her debut middle-grade supernatural historical mystery adventure about a sassy poor little rich girl/Titanic survivor who sees ghosts in 1912 Manhattan.

PJ’s debut picture book LITTLE LENA AND THE BIG TABLE (May 2019, Big Belly Book Co.), with illustrations by Leila Nabih, is about a determined little girl tired of eating with her annoying cousins at the kid’s table, only to discover that the grown-up big table isn’t much better. Her second published picture book, DRAGON ROAR (October 2021, MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing), illustrations by Logan Rogers), is about a lonely, sick dragon who has lost his mighty roar and the brave village girl who helps him find it again. PJ is also under contract with Oghma Creative Media for a series of Creature Feature picture books (2023-2024).

PJ is also a co-host and founding member of #PBPitch, the premiere Twitter pitch party for picture book creators.

PJ has been published in numerous outlets including The New York Times and Newsday. PJ also does features and interviews for The Children’s Book Insider newsletter.

Also, PJ’s critically acclaimed Showtime original family movie MY HORRIBLE YEAR with Mimi Rogers, Karen Allen, and Eric Stoltz, was nominated for a Daytime Emmy.

PJ lives in Eastern Long Island with her family along with Luna, an extremely spoiled French Bulldog, and Sasha the Psycho Cat. 

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Interview with PJ McIlvaine

Thank you to author PJ McIlvaine for taking the time to chat with me.
It's a joy to get to know the Orange Blossom Publishing authors better!

When did you know you wanted to become an author?

I knew I'd like to be an author as a young kid.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I've never not been a writer, let's put it that way. It's in my genes. ​

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My maternal grandmother Charlotte Barbaret DeConchy.

How do you come up with your ideas?

I wish I knew. They come from everywhere and the past, present, and the future. ​

Are your characters inspired by or based on real-life people?

Yes

What comes first, the plot or the characters?

Both!

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I can be obsessive playing the same songs over and over as I write.

How did publishing your first book change your writing career?

It didn't. But it gave me the confidence to challenge myself and think bigger. ​

Have you ever gotten writers block? How did you work through it?

Do something else and let my subconscious do the heavy lifting. ​

​What are you working on now?

A couple of novels and screenplays. ​

What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Patience. Persistence. Passion.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I like to bake.

What are three things that are unique about you?

I'm French. I'm passionate. And I love Nutella. ​

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Orange Blossom Publishing Books by PJ McIlvaine

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