Tommy the Timid Turtle is a first publication for Neva Swartz. It is a delightful children's story illustrated by Larry Steinbauer.

You did a little work for Mayhaven early on. How did that come about?

I called because I'd heard of Mayhaven and I had a manuscript I wanted you to see. You said to bring it over Friday afternoon because on Fridays you try to make time to look at new works. You said you were swamped, but you thought it was a delightful lttle story. You said it would be awhile berfore you could consider it. I was fascinated by you and by the publishing business. Before I left, I asked if I could volunteer for awhile, and you said yes—and I helped with some mailings and some other things. It was quite awhile.

Tommy the Timid Turtle is your first book. What inspired you to write it?

I had the same teacher in grade school for seven years—Fanny Jervis. I always had so much respect for her. She was wonderful. I went in at the second-grade level. Mother had taught me to read. We were just impatient to get started.

I taught for many years in the first grade, and they inspired me to write Tommy the Timid Turtle. My husband and my sons were surprised that I wrote it, but they were very complimentary, and a good friend kept saying, "Neva, you need a publisher!"

This is about a shy turtle. Sometimes authors reflect their own feelings in their work. You are very outgoing, now, but were you shy when you were a child?

I was outgoing in situations I was familiar with, and shy in new situations. I had a mother who encouraged my sister and I, we were the only two, to not be afraid to try something new. For instance, my sister and I had a 15-minute—once-a-week radio program for three years—from the time I was 11 to 14. I sang popular songs and she played.

How in the world did that come about?

It was the beginning of WDWS Radio in Champaign, Illinois, and they advertised for people to audition. Mother took me over and she heard the manager say, after listening to me for a few minutes, "Send her in." Then he set up a weekly show. We quit when my sister, four years older than me and a Jr. in college said she didn't have the time. In fact, I was ready for my senior year in High School and we just simply didn't have the time. It was fun, though. We got fan mail and got requests for songs.

Today, children have so many means of entertaining themselves. How did you entertain yourself as a child?

My sister and I loved to read and to play paper dolls. We grew up in the country and we were together most of the time and she was my close friend throughout her life.

You taught most of your life in Champaign, Illinois. Were you born in the midwest?

I taught, the first year out of college—music—at Milford, Iroquois County. I was born in Champaign County.

You were educated at the University of Illinois. What about that experience inspired you.

I was only 16 when I graduated from high school, so I was a young college student. I enjoyed everything at the University of Illinois. I'm a life member of the U of I Alumni Association and still an active member of my music sorority, Sigma Alpha Iota.

World War II started during my senior year at U of I. School was different after the war started. The ASTP were training and going to college. There was a Navy Group there. One day I was between classes when all of a sudden an ASTP group was all around me. They were having to break ranks to get around me. I had on a red coat and one fella, as he passed by me, said quietly, "I like red, no matter what it is."

You chose animals and other natural objects to convey your message and entertain in Tommy... Why?

I wondered if the subject would make a shy child self-conscious, but they have such a natural affinity for animals—I think they identify with them so easily, so you can get a subtle message across. A child has no problem imagining an animal can talk. They often think of animals as they do humans, as if the animal knows what they are saying.

Illustrated children's books have limited words, but each word is considered and reconsidered many times. You use some unusual words in your book. How did that come about?

I often saw my father just sitting around reading the dictionary, and my sister and I became quite interested in enlarging our vocabularies. That is what I did with my first graders. I always tried to teach them new words.

An illustrated book takes cooperation between the illustrator and the writer. The auhor's words provide inspiration for the artist, and the story is enhanced by the illustrator. Did you learn anything through this experience?

I had the pictures in my mind, very clearly, of what I wanted. I knew I wanted water colors to add to the softness of the story.

Marketing is another important part of publishing. Have you enjoyed helping with it?

I have enjoyed it, but I am amazed that I have. I never thought of being a salesperson, which I sometimes am, but I like it, and I'm amazed at that, too.

I know this book is still very new, but are you working on something else?

I have an idea that is rattling around,. After the first signing, my sons and daughter-in-laws took me to dinner and they came up with ideas and I have thought about it. One was a spin off...

Has the publishing of this book altered your life in any way?

It has provided some exciting new experiences. And I've heard from so many friends and made so many new ones.

Do you think of yourself as an author?

I don't until I'm introduced as an author. When I go into a classroom, or a shop and they are there to hear me speak—their questions are always so interesting—it is then that I realize I am an author.