We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Jordan-Glum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is a very relative concept, determined by context. I think the term is often used to imply something is unknown or not guaranteed. It also seems to be something others call choices they don’t understand.

If you have a very stable, successful life you may see venturing into a creative career as risky. I have never viewed it that way because I had struggled to conform all throughout my childhood. I was driven to find an education and career field that minimized my deficits and played to my myriad of unusual strengths. The only path for me was going to be a creative one because of who I am and how my mind works.

Rather than asking yourself if something is ‘risky,’ I would be more apt to ask ‘Is this a good fit for me?’ If the answer is yes— figure out how to get yourself on that path. If the answer is no, then keep looking for something that is.

I have been very bold in making choices that were right for me. When I found myself in a situation that wasn’t a good fit, I recognized it and I took the necessary steps to get back to a place that was. I’ve never been afraid to change course or take new paths along the way. I didn’t set out to be where I am now, I set out to follow my own path and I’ve listened to my heart and worked very hard along the way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been an artist, graphic designer, and illustrator for almost 20 years but my very first picture book that I both wrote and illustrated, The Trouble with Penguins, just came out in November of 2020.

I wrote and rewrote and drew and redrew this book over and over and over for a total of 7 years, It was a very long and arduous process to learn how to take my crazy ideas and distill them into a picture book format. I spent those many years working on The Trouble with Penguins really trying to understand how to tell a great story. I must have done something right because I wrote my second book, Kitty, on a plane ride and sold it shortly after! (Kitty comes out March 15, 2022 from Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan)

Doing the work to become really great at something is vital to success in any field, but especially a creative one. It takes a gazillion hours to get great at something so you’d better enjoy whatever it is that you are trying to learn!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to Erica Rand Silverman, my literary agent! I wanted her to represent me as a picture book illustrator but after a conversation about a bunch of crazy book ideas I had, she said she’d only sign me if I wrote, too. Having her encourage me and champion my ideas has allowed me to focus on what I am good at: writing and illustrating quirky picture books.

Website: www.RebeccaJordanGlum.com

Instagram: @RJordanGlum

Twitter: @RJordanGlum

Other: Pick up a copy of The Trouble with Penguins and then leave a review on Goodreads if you enjoy it! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52750931-the-trouble-with-penguins

Image Credits
Images from The Trouble with Penguins provided courtesy of Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.