I will never cease to be amazed at the true stories of daring feats to be found in the pages of history.

Leah Schanke loves reading about US history and is passionate about sharing stories of the African-American experience. With family roots in South Carolina, she was especially intrigued by the idea of telling a children’s story about Robert Smalls’s heroic life. This is Leah’s first children’s book. She lives in Hewlett, NY, with her family. You can learn more about her at her website or follow her on Instagram or BlueSky.

FREEDOM AT DAWN tells the true story of Robert Smalls who was an enslaved boat pilot in Charleston Harbor. He is forced to help the Confederates after the start of the Civil War, but decides to do something completely different with his life instead. He knows that if he can just reach Union territory he will be free and makes a plan to rescue his family (and many others as well). This is a thrilling story and I found the back matter every bit as fascinating. 

Welcome Leah!

Me: Can you tell us a little bit about your writing journey? When did you start writing? How did that lead to where you are now as the writer of this book?

Leah: I was an amateur poet from middle school through college. Fifteen years later, I was inspired to write children’s books after reading several picture books to my two toddlers. I so enjoyed reading the tight, lyrical writing, how the illustrations and the text together created wonderful storytelling. I wanted to study the craft and pursue it professionally. 

For years, I have loved reading historical fiction, particularly stories set in US history. I found my passion was for writing about little-known but significant figures and events in US history that we all should know about but don’t. To be able to share these stories with children really inspires my writing, so I now primarily write nonfiction and historical fiction with a focus on US history.

Me: I love that! How did you first hear about this nugget of history? What was it about Robert Smalls’ amazing story that first grabbed you and drew you to write about it?

Leah: I was researching a story about equal access to public transportation in Washington, DC during the US Civil War, when I read a nugget about Robert Smalls being forced out of a streetcar in Philadelphia because of the color of his skin. Because I was not familiar with this US Civil War hero, I wanted to learn more about him. What inspired me to write about him was discovering what an amazingly bright, fearless, and accomplished person he was but not well-known. I wanted to add my voice to telling his story in the hope of changing that.

Me: How long did it take from your first discovery of this story to its ultimate publication? Were there detours or roadblocks along the way?

Leah: It was a thirteen-year journey! The original story was written as a traditional biography. No matter how well written it may have been, there was nothing unique about it to spark interest from an agent or a publisher. I put it aside until years later, in 2020, when my critique group did a brainstorming exercise and one of the items on the list was telling a story from a different perspective. At the next meeting, I shared a draft of Robert Smalls’ escape from enslavement but told from his daughter’s perspective. The enthusiastic response from my critique partners made me aware that I was onto something with a lot of potential.

To say there were roadblocks along the way is an understatement. I parted ways with my agent. Another publisher expressed interest in this story through an online pitch event but after two requests to do a R&R (revise and resubmit), I didn’t hear from them regarding an offer or a pass. 

I submitted it to agents in the hopes of another agent relationship, but it didn’t lead to an offer. So, I took a break from trying to get an agent and just focused on enjoying writing stories for children. Receiving a 12×12 2021 Diversity Scholarship was a boost I needed to keep going. The community and resources in 12×12 had a restorative effect on my perseverance. 

I sold Freedom at Dawn on my own through the fall 2023 Savvy Authors Pitchfest. Since I didn’t have an agent, I engaged a literary attorney to negotiate the contract on my behalf. 

Me: Can you tell us a bit about your research process? How long did it take you to research all the different facts and tidbits that went into this story?

Leah: When I have a story idea, I first check whether there are recent published picture books on the topic, taking a similar approach as my idea for the story. If what I find doesn’t deter me, I’ll read recent history books on the subject. I try to find primary sources through my local library system, Google Scholar, newspapers.com, and the Library of Congress.

It takes about three months to write a completed draft and then several more months of polishing and checking the facts. When I wrote this story with the new approach in 2020, it took only a month to draft since I knew his story so well, and the story was submission ready six months later.

Me: What is one thing that surprised you in writing this story?

Leah: How brilliant and risky the escape plan really was. There were many moments when they were on the edge of disaster. In addition to the multiple heavily armed forts, there were gun batteries along the shore that could easily sink the ship. Smalls also had to use his knowledge of the location of torpedoes (underwater mines) and how and where sandbars formed so he wouldn’t ground the ship.

Me: WOW! That’s even more thrilling! Oboh Moses’ illustrations in this book are absolutely wonderful. They fit so perfectly. Were there any illustration surprises for you? Any favorites?

Leah: When my editor, Josh Gregory, and I discussed the illustrator we’d like for this story, I was in total agreement with his vision. Oboh Moses’ online portfolio was impressive, but the illustrations he created for FREEDOM AT DAWN are amazing beyond my imagination! I was totally wowed by them and feel so blessed to have had Oboh Moses illustrate my story. My favorite spread is the battle at Fort Sumter. Moses’ illustrations really make you feel the movement in the scene. I also really love the cover; the emotion conveyed, and use of light are just wonderful.

Me: Any advice for other picture book writers?

Leah: Discover your own writing process that works for you and learn from other writers but don’t compare yourself to them. Because a successful writer writes every day at 5 am doesn’t mean you have to or that it will work for you. I’ll also note that if you write nonfiction or historical fiction, it takes longer to complete a draft because of the level of research required, so your productivity may not be the same as other writers. Continue to focus on craft and accept helpful feedback that resonates. This has led to aha moments for me that brought my craft to a higher level. Most of all, enjoy the journey! 

That is great advice Leah. Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Dear readers, this book is published next week. It’s an amazing true story but the back matter about the rest of Robert Smalls’ life is every bit as fascinating. You won’t want to miss it!