Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Kelly Conroy!
Read on to learn more about the author, the book, and a giveaway!
Meet the Author: Kelly Conroy
Kelly Conroy worked as an actuary before focusing on writing stories and poems for children. She lives in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband, two sons, and mini goldendoodle, Chewy. Kelly loves all things magical, whimsical, and numerical, and her goal in life is to make people smile.
About the Book: Here a Creak, There a Shriek!
Eeek I! Eeek-I! Oh!
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
KC: The inspiration came from a combination of things. I’ve always loved Halloween picture books. My favorite as a kid was THE SPOOKY OLD TREE by Stan and Jan Berenstain.
I’ve also always loved picture books you can sing along with like TWINKLE, TWINKLE, LITTLE CAR by Kate Dopirak and Mary Peterson. Song parodies are immediately fun!
And finally, friends and I used to do a poem a week challenge based on a word prompt. One week the word was “glow,” the song Old MacDonald popped into my head, and the first draft of HERE A CREAK, THERE A SHRIEK was born. Full disclosure, “glow” never made it in.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
KC: I’m going to pepper some book secrets into this interview. Secret #1: I didn’t create any of the characters. The main character in the text is just “us.” The fabulous illustrator, Nikolas Ilic, created all of the characters including the three adorable kids. I love them all, but I especially love watching the littlest kid give all the monsters high fives throughout the book.
Secret #2: I also love that their black cat is hidden on almost every spread.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the text?
KC: Like I mentioned before, the word prompt came first, which triggered a book that I called HAUNTED BARN for a long time. After all of the text and illustrations were complete, we changed the title to HERE A CREAK, THERE A SHRIEK! which better matches the creepy energy and is also a line from the book. So, long story short, the title came first — and last.
YABC: Which scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
The last one! It’s a surprise. I’m not spoiling that secret here.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
KC: I love how Nikolas captured the personalities of the kids and the haunted farm setting on the cover. Readers immediately know what they are going to get. I also love the super bright neon green background. But my favorite part of the cover is Secret #3: The inside of the jacket — is a poster!
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2026?
KC: I just ordered a copy of THE SPIRITUALISTS by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, and I can’t wait to read it! It is a YA thriller about a teen psychic solving a mystery in 1912. I love all of those hooks!
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
KC: There is a LOT of information out there. Be open to advice and feedback. Keep what resonates with you and let the rest go.
But the BEST way to enjoy writing long term, is make some writing friends.
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
KC: Thank you again to the illustrator Nikolas Ilic, my agent, Sarah Stephens, the editor Perry Emerson, and the whole Tiger Tales team for making this book come to life!
And now I feel inspired to start a poem a week challenge again. Who knows what I’ll come up with next. And, if you’ve read this far, maybe you should start one too!
Thanks again for having me!
Kelly
~ Giveaway Details ~
Use the Rafflepress Form below to enter
*Be sure to include a complete mailing address for the second entry question to qualify to win*
Five (5) winners will receive a copy of Here a Creak, There a Shriek! (Kelly Conroy) ~US Only!
