High Five with Seth Standley
An interview with the author of HERE'S TO THE SILLY ONES
Welcome to High Five Author Interviews, our monthly series where we spotlight writers doing the important work of putting stories out into the world that empower readers to find healing.
Today’s High Five featured author is Seth Standley an author, student, and poet living in Seattle with his wife and daughter. He studied linguistics at the University of Oklahoma, worked as an advertising creative director for many years, and is currently returning to school for Early Childhood Education. Seth advocates for silliness, joy, individuality and literacy. His debut picture book, Here’s to the Silly Ones, releases August 18th!
When did you first realize telling stories was important to you?
When my daughter reached proper picture book age, something about picture books lit up our brains. We started to look forward to bedtime. It became a special time to indulge in “too many” stories (because I can’t say no - it’s just thirty pages!). We would hold hands and step into another world together, laughing the whole time. That experience was filled with so much joy and love that I couldn’t help myself. I had to put it on paper. My debut, Here’s to the Silly Ones comes from that place. From the realization that my daughter had given me permission to be silly again. From the overwhelming urge to protect her silliness and nurture it. Straight from my heart.
What is your current favorite book? And what others have you loved deeply along your journey?
My favorite book is The Book With No Pictures, and I’ll stand up for it to anyone, celebrity author or not. B.J. Novak gave us a gift. He’s a screenwriter and he didn’t just write a book. He wrote a performance. It’s not for every everyone, but with the right delivery, no other book can match the delight it delivers to a room of 5-year-olds. It holds a special place in my heart because every time I visit my daughter’s classroom to read, they demand it. It’s the cost of admission, and I’ll happily pay. I just want to share my love of books with them.
Speaking of, here are some more books I love:
The Story of Ferdinand, The Rabbit Listened, Frederick, The Dot, Ghost Cat, There’s a Ghost in This House, Don’t Trust Fish, We Don’t Eat Our Classmates, Ricky the Rock Who Couldn’t Roll
♪And many more♪
What kind of community has sustained your writing along the way?
My write-in gals are my rock (love ya, Stephanie, Christine, Katherine and Claire!) My writing partners keep me sharp (love ya, Liz and Esteban!) SCBWI Western Washington has a been a vital resource. I wouldn’t be where I am without the education and community 12x12 offers. I sing the praises of the kidlit community everywhere I go, and I’m so grateful to be a member.
How did you manage self-care as you wrestled with the tough topics of this book? Or if it isn’t centered around tough topics, how do you think, perhaps, your book could help readers who are going through a tough time?
Here’s to the Silly Ones is a celebration of those who live life to the silliest, and while there aren’t particular tough topics in this one the message relayed from reader (parent, teacher, trusted adult) to listener (child ... self) is “You’re so you and I love that about you.” It’s a story that validates the impulse to seek joy that might have gotten a kid in trouble (”knock that off!” ... “settle down!” ... “not like that!”). It gives depressed grownups who lost their silly permission to go looking for it again. It might also be a message that people need to hear right now. It’s a genuine celebration of something pure and true at a time when it doesn’t feel like there’s a ton to celebrate.
What other practices or hobbies fill your creative well?
I color! It’s how I meditate. It’s nice to have the lines laid out in front of you every once in a while. And it’s fun to be picky about the markers, paper, etc.
I also refurbish picture books in bad condition to drop in little libraries or make little art projects out of them if they’re beyond repair.
BONUS QUESTION: What’s bringing you joy right now? What are you loving right now?
I’m going back to school for early childhood education and I couldn’t be happier about it. I’m so glad to leave the advertising industry behind me. I was always too wholesome to sell pharmaceuticals or brand oil companies.
Thank you so much Seth! His picture book Here’s to the Silly Ones seems like just the kind of book kids (and adults!( need right now. It releases on August 18th but you can preorder it from Lucky Rabbit Publishing now. Find more information about Seth and his stories on his website and make sure to follow him on Instagram for writerly updates.
And if you’d like to be our next High Five author interview, click the button below!
I love this—be silly!🤪