The Picture Book Buzz - Interview with Heidi Yates
Heidi Yates is an author and illustrator who creates whimsical, witty, and occasionally spine-tingling stories. She has a particular weakness for mythical creatures.
She splits her time between among the lush green forests of Oregon, the sunny Arizona desert, and the packed aisles of bookstores everywhere. When she is not reading a story, she’s usually creating one. Inspiration is all around. It doesn’t matter if she’s hiking, biking, or taking nature photos, Heidi can always find a seed for a story.
Monster Manners A to Z is her "dé-boo" picture book.
Welcome Heidi,
Tell us a little about yourself. (Where/when do you write? Is there something not in your bio that you’d like to share with us?)
I have always been a morning person, which is when my energy and motivation are at a high. My ideal writing setup is a completely quiet, distraction-free space where I can just focus and let the words flow.
To expand a little on my bio, I actually do a lot of wildlife photography. It’s basically my way of unplugging, but it also forces me to look at things from a totally different perspective. After a while you start noticing things you’d normally just walk right past. It’s amazing how much wildlife is actually buzzing around a crowded city if you just stop and take a look.
I share some of my photos on Instagram if you want to check them out: https://www.instagram.com/heidikyates/
I've been privileged to be a critique partner and see your awesome photos and fun drafts! What is one of the most fun or unusual places where you’ve written a manuscript?
I once escaped to the beach looking for a quiet, isolated place to finish a manuscript. Ironically, it turned into more of a relaxing retreat than a productive writing weekend. The ocean atmosphere was just a little too enjoyable for any actual work to get done. Go figure!
However, a more unusual place where I successfully wrote a manuscript recently was on a wobbly, blow-up mattress in my daughter’s college apartment. It definitely wasn't glamorous, but because it was quiet and free of chaos, it gave me the exact focus I needed to get the job done.
I think they both sound like fun! What was your inspiration or spark of interest for Monster Manners A to Z?
I’m enchanted by wild Halloween creatures, but I also love the neat, satisfying structure of an A-to-Z list. Blending the two was an intriguing concept I jotted down in my notebook while participating in Storystorm. The true spark, though, came from wanting to inject more kindness into the world in a way that didn’t feel preachy. Making chaotic characters navigate polite society is the ultimate comedic contradiction. It gave me the perfect prompt for creating humorous moments. My main hope is that the joy I felt writing Monster Manners A to Z translates into shared laughter for kids and parents.
I think you will succeed in creating a number of giggles and guffaws! What was the hardest part of writing Monster Manners A to Z? What was the most fun part?
The trickiest part was puzzling out the monsters from A to Z and doing some shuffling in order to fit in all the characters I had envisioned. It took some serious mental gymnastics! But once that was settled, immersing myself in the humor and wordplay was the best. Finding the perfect, witty punchline for each creature was incredibly fun.
Wrangling monsters for the dreaded "Q" and "X" is an impressive accomplishment, and often one of the hardest parts of A to Z stories. How long did it take from the first “seed” of the idea to publication for Monster Manners A to Z?
The entire process moved surprisingly quickly. The initial “seed” came during Storystorm in January 2024. I wrote the first draft in August 2024 and the book published in August 2026. A two-year turnaround feels like a whirlwind in the publishing world!
Nice! Did anything surprise or amaze you when you first saw Yana Kozak’s illustrations? What is your favorite spread?
Text © Heidi Yates, 2026. Image © Yana Kozak, 2026.
I honestly can’t say enough good things about Yana’s artwork. Her illustrations are so vibrant and colorful! I was totally amazed by how much personality she packed into each adorable monster. She also added so many funny little details. Just looking at the Cyclops having a face-to-face with a three-eyed alien or spying the random items suspended inside Slime Blob is enough to make me giggle. But Yeti hide-and-seek is my absolute favorite! The character’s hiding places are hilarious. Yana nailed the humor!
That one is really funny, and Slime Bob is so child-like in "hiding" behind the skinny lamp post. Is there anything special you want your readers to know or hope they discover about Monster Manners A to Z?
One of the most important manners in the book isn’t actually spelled out on the pages, but I hope readers discover it anyway: we shouldn’t make assumptions about others. It’s totally natural to wonder about someone who looks or acts a bit different from what we’re used to. But, if we learn not to judge a monster for looking a little wild, we give them a real chance to show us how sweet they can be. Who knows? Those big scary fangs might just be for munching a giant bowl of salad!
True enough. Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit (or tease) with us?
I can tell you my next project will have a totally different story structure. But don’t worry, it will definitely include more of that wordplay and humor I love. I have the best time writing funny stories!
Intriguing. We will have to keep our eyes open for this next book. Last question, what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?
© Kim Chamales
Funny you should ask: I’m actually on vacation at Crater Lake right now!
For me, choosing just one favorite park is an impossible task and I’ll get stuck trying. It’s like asking an avid reader and author to pick their single favorite book. Inconceivable!
A few spots closest to my heart are Saguaro National Park in Arizona, Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC, Chugach State Park in Alaska, and Oregon’s Cannon Beach. Oh, and I also absolutely love Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles! They are all incredible places to unplug and watch wildlife…just don’t forget to bring a camera!
Thank you, Heidi, for sharing a bit about yourself and your newest picture book with us.
Thank you so much for having me, Maria! This was so much fun!
For more information about Heidi Yates, or to contact her:
Website: https://www.heidiyates.com/
X(Twitter): https://x.com/HeidiKYates
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