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Calista Brill, a picture book author and editorial director at First Second Books, is making her debut in the graphic novel realm with the middle-grade comic Creaky Acres, illustrated by Nilah Magruder. The story follows Nora, a passionate equestrian who struggles to adjust after relocating to the rural town of Greenville. Here, she grapples with the owner of Creaky Acres, a dilapidated barn where she keeps her horse, Hay Fever. As the sole Black student in her new classroom, Nora faces various microaggressions from her peers. However, she gradually discovers the positives in her new life and collaborates with new friends, along with a whimsical set of animals, to transform Creaky Acres into her new sanctuary. Brill discussed her journey and insights from her editorial career that shaped the creation of Creaky Acres in an interview with PW.
What initially sparked the idea for Creaky Acres?
The concept for this book emerged from discussions I had with my colleagues at First Second around a decade ago. We noted a noticeable absence of horse-related stories in the market, despite having enjoyed such books during our own childhoods. The conversation, initially casual, grew into a persistent thought. As an editor, I often ponder stories that I wish others would write, but this one deeply resonated with me personally. I was a devoted ‘horse girl’ as a kid—constantly sketching horses, attending horse camp, and devouring every equine tale I could find, especially those by Marguerite Henry. Gradually, I realized I had my own story to tell.
This endeavor has been years in the making. Having spent a lot of time witnessing the graphic novel creation process, I understood how demanding it could be, especially for the illustrator we would ultimately choose.
What surprised or challenged you about approaching a graphic novel as a writer rather than an editor?
I encountered numerous surprising challenges, to the extent that it felt somewhat humiliating [laughs]. Entering this project, I was rather confident, thinking, “I have a decade of experience helping authors create similar works; I surely have this down.” I naively believed I’d excel right from the start.
However, I quickly learned that I made many rookie mistakes. Writing the script for Creaky Acres was an embarrassing yet enlightening experience for me. It proved to be exceptionally valuable as an editor as well. Crafting stories for artists is a complex task; even with the understanding of limiting my word count on each page to avoid overwhelming the artist, it proved to be a challenging guideline to adhere to. It felt counterintuitive, conflicting with a writer’s natural instinct.
Can you talk about your experience working with Nilah?
It’s significant to mention that Nilah is also a passionate ‘horse girl’ and possesses a remarkable talent for drawing horses. Her illustrations not only depict horses beautifully but also capture their expressiveness with incredible artistry. I feel incredibly fortunate to have persuaded her to join me on this project.
As a writer, envisioning the final product while recognizing my limited influence over its realization can be daunting. Yet, witnessing my collaborator’s work begin to materialize, filling in the gaps in my writing with art that surpasses my expectations, is profoundly gratifying. It ranks among the most fulfilling experiences in my creative journey.
What steps did you take to ensure that you respectfully and meaningfully reflected a Black child’s lived experiences through Nora?
I undertook an ambitious challenge with this story. My aim was not only to weave a fun horse narrative about friendship and belonging but also to delve into themes of race and class. My process involved deep contemplation, extensive writing, and sharing drafts with trusted peers who provided constructive feedback. I continually revised based on their input.
Certain aspects draw from my own experiences, particularly regarding themes of socioeconomic class and the feeling of not quite fitting in financially. Addressing elements of race presented greater challenges. Both Nilah and I are credited as writers on Creaky Acres for good reason—while I may have conceived the initial idea, her insights significantly shaped the manuscript. Nilah’s thoughtful input allowed me to authentically explore her lived experiences as I continued to refine the story. She identified and addressed errors I made, leading to a version of the book that is significantly different from my original concept; without her collaboration, this project may not have come to fruition.
The generosity and dedication of all my collaborators—especially Traci, Nilah, my editor Namrata Tripathi, and the Kokila team—were invaluable. They encouraged me to rigorously address the racial dynamics in a way that was both authentic and sensitive. This project truly embodied a collaborative spirit, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Creaky Acres by Calista Brill, illus. by Nilah Magruder. Kokila, $24.99 May 6 ISBN 978-0-7352-3061-3; $14.99 paper ISBN 978-0-7352-3062-0
Source
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