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The moment I’d read the email from Cardinal Rule Press CEO Maria Dismondy offering me a publishing contract for my picture book manuscript, “It’ll be Irie” one cold February morning in 2023, I took a deep breath, then exhaled very slowly, internally registering an emotional cocktail of gratitude, excitement, joy, and even relief (as in relief from the stress of dealing with the voice in my head forever theorizing why after eight years of submissions, I still was not yet a published children's book author.) It felt so wonderful to share my great news with all my loving family (the first person I told was my mom, of course!) friends and colleagues who’ve supported and encouraged me. For the care, attention they’d shown me, it felt like their victory too. This includes my awesome critique group family of authors. As it turned out, I had been the last person in the group to be published. Up until getting that contract, I’d always felt buoyed by my fellow writers, who knew the frustration I could sometimes feel, spending years working on, then submitting manuscripts only to receive rejection after rejection (call them The Submission Blues, if you will.) They got it because they’d been there. They knew about the nagging self-doubt, the crippling fear of impostor syndrome. Conversely, they, more than anyone, could relate to feeling the immense joy of getting that first publishing contract because someone who loves your story wants so share it with the world. My journey toward publication specifically in the genre of children’s literature began back in the 2000’s when I'd begun volunteering to read to elementary school students on a weekly basis via the (now sadly defunct) Book Pals Program run by my actor’s union, The Screen Actors Guild (Now SAG-AFTRA). During that time period, I began visiting the kid’s section of libraries to find books to read to the classes. I was amazed at how many great so many of these books were; a picture book with just the right balance of perfect illustrations and impactful text (whether humors, clever, poignant, etc.) can be magical. At the time, I was reading all of the works of American comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell. I’d discovered on You Tube several animated shorts Campbell had collaborated on with illustrator Gerald McDermott, featuring a folk tale from a particular culture. McDermott had created a series of gorgeously illustrated picture books featuring folk mythology from cultures around the world. I loved sharing them with the students I read to. It was around this time I began writing my first picture book story, or at least, I’d thought I was writing a picture book, though it was more like a short story upon reflection. I’d later come to understand the concept, first intellectually and then, through practice, of creating text that leaves space for the illustrations to tell part of the story. I wrote a few more stories like that before being struck with an idea for a longer story that I eventually realized was a middle grade novel. Around this time, I was also exploring the world of quantum physics. I wanted to find a way through a picture book to teach kids the idea of Oneness, that all things are made up of the same stuff and everything is connected. In 2014, I ended up creating and self-publishing a rhyming picture book that I also illustrated (I’d been drawing since I was five) called You’re Everything Everywhere All the Time (no relation to the film, Everything Everywhere All at Once, a brilliant film (go see it if you haven’t already) about the multi-verse, though I too took note of the uncanny title similarity). It took me about a year to create that book, from writing the first draft of text to painting the last illustration and I enjoyed every minute of it. The text, which is a rhyming poem, took about 3-4 months to work out so it was smooth and rhythmical, the correct number of beats per line. I spent the rest of the year drawing and coloring the illustrations using a combination of water color, colored pencil, and pen. This had been preceded by about three weeks of sketching until I’d “found” the character, a brown-skinned boy with a huge afro. I self-published my book via Amazon’s (now defunct) Create Space design program in 2014. Having my book actually become a tangible object I could hold was an immensely gratifying experience. Despite the negative stigma of self-publishing being characterized as “vanity publishing” I’d definitely felt a sense of accomplishment, especially after the amount of time I’d invested in its creation. In the years since, I’ve read it to dozens upon dozens of students, whether live in classrooms, at book festivals or online. I’m also a musician and I wrote and recorded a song=version of the book I used to play and sing after reading it to the kids. However, that wasn’t enough. I wanted to be traditionally published. I decided to show my commitment to this dream by registering with SCBWI (Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators), reading new children’s books to stay up with the current market, learning everything I could about the do’s and don’t of writing a picture book and a middle grade novel, since all of my manuscripts fell in either of those two categories. I began to immerse myself more and more in the kid lit world, attending many conferences and writer workshops, switching from a critique group consisting of writers creating content for adult readers to one exclusively comprised of kid lit authors. I wrote more picture book manuscripts while continuing to revise my middle grade novel and writing the first draft of another. I continued to learn and network. I quickly realized as a male, I was clearly in the minority, not just as a writer, but also with the field of kid lit agents. I’d heard more than one person in a speech at a conference say there was a need for male authors to write stories for boys, which I, of course, found to be encouraging. As I began submitting my work to editor and agents, I continued to learn how to write an effective query letter, the kind that get script requests. As my text became leaner, I learned how write illustration notes to describe the specific images completing the story I saw in my mind. I learned how to make dummies (a loosely designed mock-up of a book) in order to map out the text and illustrations placements and ensure I have the correct amount of content for what will help make up thirty-two pages in a picture book. I’d been blessed with a scholarship to attend a Picture Book Workshop Weekend Retreat hosted by Highlights Foundation in Maine. While there, I had many faculty members offer me complements about my work, a story inspired by Mayan mythology. However, for many years I’ve submitted this and other manuscripts with all replies arriving in the form of a rejection form or no response at all. As I became a better writer, I soon began receiving original rejection letters offering genuine encouragement and positive feedback. I finally started getting some full manuscript requests. Woohoo! Though I was extremely grateful my work was gaining attention, I also discovered the pain of hearing an editor say they wished they’d loved my book as much as they’d initially hoped (ouch!). But I also learned that just like a casting director searching for that perfect person for a role, so too did an editor or agent search for the story that they end up falling in love with, the one they can’t put down and/or can’t forget. “And how long is that gonna take?” I could hear my inner ego-mind whine. I had to ignore it (without self-judgment) and remind myself to create my art for the sheer joy of the act of creation, to not be tied to outcome. But, as it stands, I am human (I sometimes forget I am a conscious light being having a human experience!) and after several years of rounds upon rounds of submissions of both picture book manuscripts and middle grade novels, I had still not secured the seemingly ever-elusive publishing contract; que a reprise of The Submission Blues. At one point I started to lose hope, fearing it might not ever happen or that I might be tempted to give up (which would then mean for sure it wouldn’t happen!). But I also knew at some level I wouldn’t allow myself to quit; I certainly couldn’t quit being an artist even if I tried. If I was going to continue to create (write) I might as well send it out what I wrote. So I did. I would sometimes recall this vivid memory of a debut author opening her keynote speech by rolling out across the entire stage a paper trail of every rejection letter she’d ever received taped back-to-back. All it takes is one was something she’d said. The day I got an email from Cardinal Rule Press telling me I was in the running for publication, it was almost unreal for maybe a second or two. I was being asked if I wanted to make a final revision of my story (then) titled “Christmas Cake in September” before they made their decision. I, of course, said yes. I spent a good amount of time revising my manuscript before sending it back to them. It this point, it was like when, as an actor, I was “pinned” for a commercial; it didn’t mean you got it, but that the producers were considering you for the job. Usually you or your agent/manager don’t get a call to unpin you should you not book the job. It was less than a month later when I got the contract offer. I’d just finished doing a reading of my self-published picture book to a third-grade class in Florida via Zoom. What elevated this experience to a mystical level was the fact that my story was influenced by my father’s tradition of baking Jamaican Christmas cake for extended family every year. My dad’s favorite bird was the cardinal. So to have the publishing house that wanted to publish my story inspired by my dad to have their name and logo stand for his favorite bird is a special kind of magic beyond words, the kind that leaves me teary-eyed with gratitude. Now that I’ve got my first traditionally published book under my belt, I am ready for the next one, however long it will take. Besides, the time it takes to manifest is not my concern, nor my responsibility. My job as a writer, as an artist, is to clear the inner pathway as best I can in order to receive the clearest transmission possible for these stories to come through, and then share them with the world.

My dear friend and colleague Shonnese Coleman invited me to read my new picture book, "It'll be Irie" on her podcast, Radio Theatre For Your Soul. It was such a delight to share my story with her audience! Click the button below to take a listen!

Raymond is so excited to move to America! While still in Jamaica, he does everything he can to prepare. But when Raymond finally arrives in New York City, things don't turn out the way he expected. What do you think will happen next? To find out, be sure to pre-order your copy of the picture book "It'll be Irie" using this link to the publisher's web site: https://cardinalrulepress.com/collect... *Published by Cardinal Rule Press

Raymond's Uncle Phil sings the Jamaican folk song Linstead Market To pre-order your copy of the picture book "It'll be Irie" use this link to the publisher's web site: https://cardinalrulepress.com/collect... *Published by Cardinal Rule Press

In this video, Raymond's Uncle Phil shares the top five things that come to mind when he thinks of Jamaica. The picture book "It'll be Irie" arrives July 1st! Published by Cardinal Rule Press Pre-order a copy here: :https://cardinalrulepress.com/collect... (# Music: Sun's Rise by Silent Partner - You Tube Audio Library)

Uncle Phil reads "Tiger Soup" an Anansi (the spider) story from Jamaica! Anansi, a trickster character in folk stories originating in West Africa and known generations in the Caribbean, sees his friend Tiger making some delicious soup and tries to figure out a way to have some of it.. Don't forget to pre-order your copy of "It'll be Irie" published by Cardinal Rule Press (*Music - Sun's Rise by Silent Partner - You Tube Audio Library)

Uncle Phil is back with another fun Jamaican patois lesson! His nephew Raymond's book "It'll be Irie" arrives July 1st 2023! Published by Cardinal Rule Press

Hey mon! Get ready for another super fun Jamaican patois lesson from Raymond's Uncle Phil! The picture book "It'll be Irie" arrives July 1st 2023! Published by Cardinal Rule Press

Raymond's Uncle Phil is back to teach you some Jamaican patois! (# Music: Sun's Rise by Silent Partner - You Tube Audio Library) The picture book "it'll be Irie" arrives July 1st 2023! Published by Cardinal Rule Press

Meet Uncle Phil! His nephew, Raymond, is about to move from Jamaica to Queens, New York! Uncle Phil wants to share some fun stories about Raymond and teach you how to speak Jamaican patois. "it'll be Irie" by Donn Swaby arrives July 1st 2023! Published by Cardinal Rule Press. You can pre-order a copy via a link on the BOOKS page! * Video Music:: Sun's Rise by Silent Partner (You Tube Audio Library)

When I was about ten years old, my dad took my brother, Mike, and I fishing for the first time. But there was no boat on a lake or even fishing rods. We fished at Jones Beach in Nassau County, about twenty minutes outside of New York City. In many ways, it was a typical family outing to the beach during summer. However, instead of finding a spot in the main area of the beach, we’d go to the far end where there was a stone ledge that was part of a wall leading to a pier. We’d set up our blanket and umbrella on the sand and then sit on the stone ledge, upon the other side of which was pretty deep water, to fish. Rather than using poles, my dad showed Mike and I how he’d learned to fish in Jamaica: he’d tied fishing lines around three five-inch-long wooden rods, a small anchor weight and hook attached at the end of each. After showing us how to cast the line into the water, my dad showed us how to hold the line over the side of our index finger so we could feel even the slightest tug. He explained how it was not possible to feel this on a fishing rod. Once I got the hang of casting the line, I sat and waited to feel a tug. When it came the first time, I got so excited and pulled my line in… only to discover it was a crab. I caught two more crabs that day. Other times I’d feel a tug and pull my line in only to see my bait had been eaten. At one point I was disappointed we’ d have to leave before I caught a fish. Then it happened. I felt the familiar tug. Trying not to get too excited, I gently but firmly began to reel in my line, tying it back on my spool. Soon, I could see a fish wriggling near the surface of the water, getting closer and closer until I could pull it out of the water. I’d finally caught my first fish! I was smiling from ear to ear the entire ride home, elated that my first fishing experience had been a success. The next morning, my mom prepared the fish for me to eat as my breakfast and let me tell you, it was the most delicious fish I’d ever eaten! I learned right then there is nothing like the taste of fish you’ve caught yourself. I’m super excited for you to meet Raymond, an ambitious boy from Jamaica who can’t wait to move to America, in my new picture book, “It’ll be Irie” arriving July 1st, 2023! Here’s a link for more info: https://cardinalrulepress.com/collections/new-releases-coming-soon/products/itll-be-irie

Though both African-Americans and Caribbean-Americans historically endured colonization and slavery, there are significant cultural distinctions between the two groups. As a first-generation Jamaican-American I grew up feeling proud of my Jamaican heritage. Here are some of my favorite things: 1. Curry Goat – My mom told me when she was pregnant with me, she constantly craved curried goat. It is no wonder then that my favorite Jamaican dish has always been curried goat. When I’m visiting family in Florida over the holidays, my Uncle Sylvestor usually makes a huge pot of it which we all enjoy as part of dinner. 2. Christmas Cake – Every Christmas holiday, my dad made Jamaican Christmas cake, also known as rum cake and let me tell you, my dad’s cakes were so delicious! Using simple ingredients like flour, molasses, brown sugar, butter and currants, he would bake as many as ten Christmas cakes and send them to family. I’d sometimes help him with mixing ingredients and I must admit, I was really good at licking the bowl! 3. Bob Marley – My parents took me to see Bob Marley and the Wailers perform at Madison Square Garden in the summer of 1978 on the Kaya tour. I was five, so I don’t remember it. But I do remember hours spent on a rocking horse or jumping up and down on my bed while Marley was playing and there are simply too many favorite songs to list here. My dad grew up as a youth in Jamaica running in the same circles as Marley, Peter Tosh, and the Barrett brothers (bass and drums for the Wailers). He’d tell me how they’d all meet at the pier and get jobs on big boats helping the fishermen throw nets. So I was very familiar with Marley’s music growing up. As I got older, the profundity and depth of his lyrics were revealed to me, allowing me to have even more of a deeper richer experience of his incredible music. 4. Jamaican Cook-Outs – Back in the day, my grandma’s summer party events were legendary. She’d rent several buses for people to ride in up to the event site, usually somewhere in upstate New York, like Bear Mountain. There’d be bass-heavy reggae music blasting from a wall of speakers, people dancing, laughing or at a table playing dominoes, or perusing the several rows of tables laden with so many types of yummy food that it’s hard not to eat too much. I imagine a cook-out by Jamaicans would be very similar to a cook-out by African-Americans, except with Jamaican dishes like curry chicken, jerk chicken, rice and peas, fried plantain, curry goat, ox tail, etc. (they’d both have macaroni and cheese though!) So much fun! 5. Milo – Growing up, my younger brother and I didn’t drink Nestle Quick or Ovaltine. For hot chocolate, we used a brand called Milo, imported from Jamaica, manufactured in Australia. Granted the chocolate granules were too big to perfectly dissolve in milk (no matter how much you stirred it!), the unique taste was like no other and I loved it! I’m super excited for you to meet Raymond, an ambitious boy from Jamaica who can’t wait to move to America, in my new picture book, “It’ll be Irie” arriving July 1st, 2023! Here’s a link for more info: https://cardinalrulepress.com/collections/new-releases-coming-soon/products/itll-be-irie