Meet Angela Quezada Padron

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angela Quezada Padron a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I have been working as a freelance developmental editor, writer and illustrator since 2007. In 2012, I illustrated a book called THE HERO IN YOU by Ellis Paul. Seeing my illustrations printed in a book was surreal. Even more so was when I saw it on the shelves in Barnes and Noble! However, in 2021, I got my first book contract for my own work. It was not just any book contract, though. It was for a 48-page picture book biography that I wrote and would illustrate. I was so excited to receive the deal but at some point it hit me. That was going to be a lot of work! Most picture books are 32 pages, and if it’s a fictional book you can make up a lot of the story. In my case, I had to be as truthful and as accurate as possible. It was a difficult time to have this project; in 2021, I was also switching jobs, we bought a new house, and my father passed away. I had to get my mind straight and push forward to get this book done, which I did. Now the book, AS THE SEAS RISE: NICOLE HERNANDEZ HAMMER AND THE FIGHT FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE, comes out June 11, 2024. I still can’t believe I finished all of the illustrations and that my first book is actually just a few months from being released!

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I grew up in New Jersey but currently live in Florida because I couldn’t take the cold weather any longer! My father is from the Dominican Republic, where we used to spend summers during my childhood. By day, I work as the National Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Reading Partners, a non-profit organization that provides reading support to students in grades K-5 in under-resourced areas. I am also a children’s book author and illustrator. I write and illustrate nonfiction, picture books, board books and middle grade novels. So far, I have illustrated two trade books, “The Hero in You” with Albert Whitman & Co. and “My Body Belongs to Me” with Free Spirit Publishing, as well as a short story “Firefighter Mom” in Cricket Magazine. I won first place in the Portfolio Showcase at the 2023 Florida SCBWI Conference and was chosen as a semi-finalist for the SCBWI Tomie dePaola Award in 2014. My debut author/illustrator picture book bio, AS THE SEAS RISE: NICOLE HERNÁNDEZ HAMMER AND THE FIGHT FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE releases with Atheneum Books 6/11/2024. I have two other books under contract: A fictional bilingual picture book LUCIA’S GOAL that releases with Lee & Low in 2025, and another picture book biography with Atheneum Books releasing in 2026 (details yet to be announced publicly). I am currently represented by Sera Rivers at The Speilburg Literary Agency and am working on a middle grade novel, a chapter book, and a few other picture book manuscripts.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most impactful skills, qualities, and areas of knowledge for me have been determination, self-confidence, and focus. When I was younger, I used to be bothered if someone discouraged me, made fun of me when I messed up, or put me down to make themselves appear better. I used to believe that I couldn’t achieve big things and would make safer choices. Then I would give up without seeing things all the way through. As I got older, I’ve been able to convince myself that I can accomplish big things. No matter what the obstacle, I find a way around it and push through. Also, for years I wouldn’t stay focused on the “big picture” or the end game. Because I didn’t make much money as an educator, I would take on other freelance projects to make more money. But that took me away from time to be creative and develop my art, writing, and illustrating. If I wanted to be creative, in my case writing and illustrating, I had to work really hard at it by studying, attending conferences and webinars, learning from others, experimenting and failing, learning to take criticism and using all of that to get better rather than get offended. Convincing myself of this took time, and I had to make time in my busy schedule to practice my craft. Most of all, I’ve had to learn to be patient because the publishing industry is tough to break into.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
My number one obstacle is time. Not just because I’m now in my 50’s and wish I had pursued a creative career earlier on because who knows how many years I have left to use my hands and my mind to create. But also time on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Besides writing and illustrating, I also love to sew and make crafts. I want to relearn how to play the guitar and piano, which I did in my 20’s but am very rusty. I want to write songs, sing and record an album, draw and paint to sell work in art shows, write a TV pilot – just be creative all day! But there are bills to pay, health insurance connected to my job, family obligations, exercise regimen, and necessary attention to give my son to make sure he is successful in high school and college. There are not enough hours in the day for me to do everything, so I have to work on balance and scheduling time – even if just for a little bit – to be creative each day. I don’t know if any of my books or art will ever make me enough money to match my salary, but maybe if I stay focused and keep practicing and working hard, the dream of working solely as a creative can come true. I’m determined to try and do it.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
For bio shot, photo credit: Alberto Padron All other images are my artwork.

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