David Chuka's Blog, page 10

Interview With Children’s Book Author H.Y Hanna

It’s Author Interview Thursday and you’re welcome to another exciting episode with our featured author in the hot seat. Many authors claim to love the written word but it’s obvious without a shadow of a doubt that our special guest does indeed love the written word! I met our featured author after she left a comment on the interview I did with Julie Grasso. I clicked the link that was hyper-linked to her name, had a ball going through her website and knew I just had to get her on AIT. She has so much to share with us today so I’d encourage you to grab your favorite beverage and snuggle up (if you can) into a comfortable position because you’re in for a treat. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming H.Y. Hanna (H.Y. stands for Hsin-Yi).

 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up being a children’s book author?

It sounds terribly clichéd to say this but I was always a bookworm – it used to drive my family mad that I would walk around all day, literally always with my nose buried in a book – even at mealtimes and yes, once I even tried to take a book into the shower with me! So it was hardly surprising that my dream was to be an author when I grew up. Of course, I knew that that was a very impractical dream so I focused on other things for a while – such as getting into university and graduating with a degree in Biology, then starting work in the advertising industry in London. I then tried my hand at several other jobs – from marketing for a computer software company to teaching English in language schools – all while moving around and ultimately emigrating Down Under with my husband.

But none of those jobs made me happy and when I hit my 30th birthday (and my mid-life crisis!), I decided that since I wasn’t getting any younger, it was time I pursued my real dream. I pitched some article ideas to editors at several magazines and was surprised when I started getting regular commissions. Soon, I was working full-time as a freelance writer, writing feature articles for magazines in the UK, Australia and NZ.

After a few years of this, I realised that I still wasn’t happy – what I really wanted was to be an author. I had gotten quite close to being published several years ago back in the UK, with some romantic comedy and suspense titles and I still had a literary agent there – but I decided to try my hand at children’s fiction instead and write the kind of book I’d always loved reading as a child. As I was completing the first draft of my book and wondering which agent/publisher to submit to, I started hearing about self-publishing and was inspired by the success stories of various indie authors. Having gone through traditional publishing submission rounds before, I knew how long the whole process could take, with no guarantee of a book deal and probably a poor advance and contract as a new author – so I decided that I’d rather take my chances with self-publishing.

I made the decision back in April this year and threw myself into researching everything I could about this new industry. I hired a cover artist to design my book cover, found a freelance editor and collected a group of beta readers to give me feedback, while also attending writers’ workshops and critiques to improve my craft. And after five months of very little sleep and almost no social life, I published my book on September 1st. Seeing it live on Amazon and getting that first sale was one of the most exciting moments of my life!

 

What can a reader expect when they pick up a H.Y. Hanna book?

An exciting, edge-of-your-seat adventure with lots of humour! So far, the most repeated comment from readers and reviewers is that they couldn’t put the book down once starting. Several told me they stayed up till the early hours finishing it and one reviewer on Amazon said they kept sneaking back to their hotel room while on holiday with friends to read more of my book on their Kindle – Ha! Ha! While I did set out to write a suspenseful story, it’s nice to hear from readers that they found my book such a page-turner. It’s especially nice when I hear from parents who say their son or daughter is a reluctant reader but was totally gripped by my book.

 

What inspired you to write the Big Honey Dog Mysteries series and are there any more books to come in the series?

I was an absolute Nancy Drew maniac when I was young – collected every book in that series – and generally devoured mystery stories. I also loved animal fantasies – books written from the animal’s point of view, such as Watership Down by Richard Adams and Bambi (the original by Felix Salten, not the Disney version!) – so I decided to create my own mystery series, told from the animal’s perspective. And I wanted to include all the things I loved as a child – such as riddles and secret passages and mysterious puzzles – all wrapped up in a fast-paced adventure.

The main character in the series is inspired by my own Great Dane, Honey, who has a very popular blog that’s been going for about 5 years now, with a large, worldwide fanbase. So the Big Honey Dog Mysteries are a fictionalised version of her adventures – well, with more intrigue and danger!

CURSE OF THE SCARAB (Book #1) is the first in the series and yes, I’m planning many more! Each book in the series is a standalone mystery adventure, rather than a sequel – although each will feature the same key characters – and every story will revolve around a certain dog myth or legend. Book #1 involves missing puppies, cryptic riddles and an Ancient Egyptian curse… and Book #2, which is coming out early next year, will be set at a glamorous dog show, where Honey steps in to take the place of a show dog who is mysteriously poisoned…

 

Can you take us through the writing process from getting the idea for the book to the characters, theme, dialogue, plot, setting etc.

I had been brewing the idea of a mystery series starring a Great Dane and her canine friends for a while. Then one day back in 2010, while I was vacuuming, I suddenly “saw” the final scene of CURSE OF THE SCARAB playing out in my head like a movie. It was a “what if?” scenario involving the ‘Weighing of the Heart’ ritual from Egyptian mythology. I was surprised to find myself tearing up. I knew I had to write the story. I’ve always been fascinated by the question of what it really means to be a “hero” and having the courage to do something that will save others, even if it means sacrificing yourself.

This also tied in nicely with another theme close to my heart – the danger of judging on stereotypes. One of the big topics in the dog world is breed-specific prejudice – judging certain breeds based on stereotypes – which I think is similar to racism, something that children encounter and have to deal with (and which I’ve dealt with myself)… so that is something I wanted to highlight – but in a non-preachy way, by incorporating it into the story.

I didn’t sit down to start writing the first draft until April last year (2012) and I sort of worked backwards from that final scene. I think it really helps in plotting if you know exactly where your journey needs to end and what choices your characters need to make to get there. Having said that, I did change a fair bit of the plot once I started writing! I had to stop for long periods in between due to a family illness and then a big interstate move…so overall, if you added up the actual time I was writing, it probably took me about 5 – 6 months to write the first draft, and then another couple of months to revise & edit it, including sending it to beta readers.

 

  What in your opinion makes a great children’s book?

A book that challenges your perceptions and makes you think; a book that has a “powerful” story – even if it does not have a perfect, Disney happy ending. In fact, I think many of the most memorable children’s classics – such as Charlotte’s Web – have stories that are not afraid to tackle darker themes like loss and death and the harsher side of reality. My favourite books from my childhood often did not have fuzzy happy endings (the real Bambi is nothing like the Disney version !!) but they taught me so much more about life and the shades of grey, and are the books that left the biggest impressions on me.

 

How do you handle bad reviews?

I have been incredibly lucky in that of the 30+ reviews I’ve received since my book’s release in September, I haven’t really had any bad ones. I did get one, though, that – while she gave me 4-stars – the reviewer basically rehashed the entire plot, including giving the ending away! As anyone knows, giving away the ending in a mystery totally ruins the book. So that really annoyed me. I’m sure I will get bad reviews eventually – that seems to be the sign that your book has “arrived” – and I’m sure that since I’m already a very self-critical perfectionist, it’ll probably knock my confidence terribly – but hopefully, I’ll rally after a bit of ranting and moaning to my poor husband!

 

  What has been your most successful marketing method for promoting your books?

I was very lucky to already have a “platform” when I released my book – the fans of my dog’s blog have been very interested in my self-publishing journey and I’ve involved them in the whole process, from choosing the cover design to helping with the blurb to asking for volunteer beta readers in the right age group… and I’ve been overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and support. Every time I’ve needed help – whether it was a boost in sales ranking or ‘Likes’ for the book’s new Facebook page, they have rallied around me and I’m incredibly grateful. Their support in spreading the word for my book meant that it got to #1 on the Amazon Bestseller lists for Children’s Detective stories and Children’s Dog stories in its debut month and had a better launch than a book from an unknown author normally would.

But this would not have come without the 5 years of relationship building and connections I’d made through blogging & social media previously – and always trying to provide posts with honest, genuine and educational or entertaining content. So in my case, blogging (& Facebook tie-in with the blog) has really paid off but it does take time to build up a following, I think. Even if you’re just starting to build a following now, though, it’s really important to interact with your (few) readers & followers on a regular basis and be generous with your time & knowledge.

I also think that with something like children’s fiction – which is such a tough market and can’t take advantage of many of the conventional promo opportunities that work for popular adult genres – you have to think a bit more laterally and find marketing opportunities that are “outside the box.”

 

What were some of your favourite books as a child?

As I said, I was a voracious reader of mysteries and loved Nancy Drew. I also loved animal stories and I still have faded and worn paperback copies of all my childhood favourites: E.B. White’s Trumpet of the Swan, Felix Salten’s Bambi, Jack London’s White Fang, Richard Adams’s Watership Down… I also loved the Ramona Quimby books by Beverley Cleary and the Black Stallion series by Walter Farley. Oh, and I loved to live vicariously through the Little House on the Prairie books – like how they used to churn milk to make butter and curl their hair with heated lead pencils! Other favourites are the sci-fi classic A Wrinkle in Time books and the Five Children and It series by E. Nesbit, which was sort of like an early Harry Potter!

 

What mistake(s) have you made while publishing your books that you would advise other authors against?

I think I spent a bit too much time and money setting up the book website – because I really wanted it to be interesting and inviting, full of fun, interactive things to give readers & fans a rich experience. In hindsight, though, from a purely business point of view, it probably didn’t/doesn’t make that much difference to sales. I did design and build the website myself, using the WordPress software but for example, I could have saved myself the money I paid a software programmer to create the special Hieroglyphic Code-Maker which ties in to the storyline in Book #1 (although I hope children who do visit my site have lots of fun with it!)

I think you can get a bit dreamy-eyed and idealistic with your first book and want everything to be “perfect” and end up spending on things that aren’t really necessary or going to make that much difference to getting more sales. For example, while you do need an online presence – ideally your own website – you can get away with a relatively simple design that just fulfils the most important functions, such as providing a signup for your newsletter or easy purchase links for your book. I hear of some new authors spending a thousand dollars on having a website specially designed and it looked wonderful but I’m not sure it affects sales enough to be worth the investment in the beginning.

I’m also still struggling with the advice that you’re better to spend less time on marketing and more on writing the next book …it always feels like there’s something else you could be doing to promote your book and if you don’t, it will be a terrible, missed opportunity – so it’s hard to abandon the marketing and focus on the next story.

 

How do you reward yourself on completing a book or achieving a specific publishing goal?

Oh, I’m a terrible workaholic so I’m usually worrying about the next thing on my ‘To Do’ list and trying to get started on that immediately! My husband is constantly telling me I need to take a break. I do reward myself occasionally by taking the night off (I often work 12 – 14hr days, late into the night) and watching repeats of my favourite TV show, Fringe!

 

I usually ask authors on AIT if they prefer Toy Story or Shrek but I would like to know what your best Dog film is and why?

Oh, there are so many, it’s almost impossible to choose! I don’t like the cheesy, animatronic versions that often dominate the cinemas now. One of my favourite “dog” films is the old Disney animated movie, The Fox and the Hound – it is one of the most beautiful tales of friendship and loyalty – and actually, is one of the few Disney films that doesn’t have a perfect, fuzzy happy ending but a very moving, powerful one… which is probably why it’s so memorable for me! It’s also got wonderful music, including the song, ‘Best of Friends’.

 

You travelled quite a lot while growing up. What particular location gave you the fondest memories and why?

Of all the places I have lived in, I think the one that I fell in love with the most was New Zealand. It is one of the most beautiful countries on earth – with the sort of wild, untouched beauty that’s rare to find anywhere else – and the Kiwis are really lovely, modest, friendly people. I had a wonderful time during the 8 years we lived there and was very sorry to leave.

That was somewhere I lived in as a grown-up, though – as a child, I think I identified more with the English way of life during my years living in London – which is why I chose to return to the UK for university.

 

What should a first time visitor to Western Australia do while there?

Well, start in Perth, which is the capital of WA and a beautiful city situated on the banks of the Swan River. Then – depending on your tastes – you could travel around the state and swim with whale sharks, do 4WD drives across the outback, have sunset cocktails by the Indian Ocean, check out the lunar landscape of the Pinnacles, sample some wines at local vineyards, go on a camel safari across Broome beach…the choice is endless!

 

You have a Great Dane called Honey. What advice do you have for people who want to but are afraid of getting a big dog as a pet and how can one quickly bond with their dog?

People are often attracted and fascinated by the size of a big dog, especially a giant breed like a Great Dane (if I had $1 for every time we’re stopped when we’re out walking Honey, I’d be very rich by now!!) but they are not really the dog for everybody. They require a lot of commitment and specialist care so my advice is actually NOT to get a big dog as a pet if you’re not passionately in love with them and have spent a lot of time researching them – and especially not if you’re scared of them! Dogs can sense fear and won’t respect a “weak” leader – all dogs will try to push boundaries but a big, powerful dog will cause a lot more damage/problems if you don’t impress him with your natural confidence and authority.

If you’re interested in any breed of dog, then the best thing is spend time with real adult examples of the breed (not cute puppies!) in their home environment. Dog shows are very artificial places and you won’t get a real idea of what the dog is like in “real life”. Find the breed club and ask if you can join one of their regular group events to meet some members and talk to them about life with that breed. See just how big (or hairy or slobbery or hyper or greedy, etc) the dog really is; spend a few hours in their company and handle them if possible (e.g. take them for a walk). Most people love to talk about their own breed and are keen to share information and help you decide if they’re right for you.

Remember also that a dog is the product of its owners so even if you see a wonderfully-behaved specimen of a breed, that doesn’t mean you will end up with the same thing, even if you choose the same breed – unless you put in the same amount of training & socialisation that the other owner has.

 

What can we expect from H.Y. Hanna in the next 12 months?

Well, I’m currently working on a Christmas-themed mini-mystery in the Big Honey Dog Mysteries series, which I’m very excited about, and then I’ll be releasing Book #2 in the series early next year and hopefully Book #3 later in the year. I’m also toying with the idea of writing a spin-off series starring the feral cat colony that featured in Book #1.

I am also hoping to do some Skype school visits in the US and UK, if I can work out the logistics of that!

 

Where can fans and readers of your books discover more about you and connect with you?

I love to hear from readers! You can contact me and find out more about me & the ‘real-life Honey’ who inspired the Big Honey Dog Mysteries at: www.bighoneydogmysteries.com – where you’ll also find book discussion questions, parent/teacher resources and some really cool interactive puzzles and fun activity sheets!

You can also follow me on the Big Honey Dog Mysteries Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/bighoneydogmysteries ) – I post fun photos and tidbits about an author’s life, progress on new releases, share book reviews, competitions and giveaways – and we also have posts from readers sharing pictures of their own pets with my book (we’re starting an international gallery at the moment!) and their thoughts on the story.

 

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the publishing industry?

I’m not sure I feel very qualified to give advice since I’m still such a newbie myself! J I think producing a professional product is very important because people DO judge on first impressions. So investing in a professionally-designed cover is one of the few things you really should do, followed by professional copy-editing and proofreading. Especially in the children’s market, where you’ll have to get past the gate-keepers of parents and teachers who may be very critical about what they will let their children read, you really have to prove that you are not an amateur.

If you’re self-publishing, then read & research as much as you can – and never stop! J Keep on top of the market trends – places like the Writers Café on KBoards are a wonderful source of information on effective tools for book promotion and mistakes to avoid in the publishing & distribution process. There are certain indie author blogs that I have found to be a wealth of information: Susan Kaye Quinn, Lindsay Buroker and of course, the famous J. A. Konrath, to name a few – and the books, Let’s Get Digital and Let’s Get Visible by David Gaughran have been absolutely invaluable.

 

Thanks so much for spending time with us today Hsin-Yi. Your passion for writing and life just oozes through on every line of this interview. There’s just so much good stuff in this interview that I’ll definitely be coming back to read it again and again. You can get a copy of Hsin-Yi’s book at the link below

H.Y. Hanna’s Amazon Page

I’m sure Hsin-Yi would love your questions and comments. Take some time to let us know how you enjoyed this interview by leaving a comment below and also share on your social circles by clicking one of the social buttons below.

Interview with Children’s Book Author AC Brown

It’s Author Interview Thursday! Woohoo. If you’re a self published author and seriously getting frustrated with the whole publishing game, then I think you’re in the right place today. Last week’s featured author said something about this publishing game being a marathon so hang in there, your big break might just be around the corner. I think that never-say-die attitude is epitomized in our featured author in the hot seat today. Her path in the publishing world has been different to most authors I’ve come across in terms of marketing. Her popular Anita Brownbag series was inspired by the many fun, awkward, testing but above all memorable experiences she had with her four children. She’s really passionate about what she does and I’m confident her work will be embraced by more and more fans in the months and years ahead. Please join me in welcoming Anita Brown.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up being a children’s book author?

I’ve always loved writing and as a mom, I’ve always tried to think of creative ways to teach my kids important life lessons. Often times, it would be through funny stories and drawings, and it has proven to be quite effective. Somewhere inside me, I’ve always wanted to combine my love of writing with my parenting experience to teach children life skills in an interesting way.

 

What can a reader expect when they pick up an AC Brown book?

Readers can expect a funny, mischievous main character that goes through typical kid challenges. Of course, the life lessons are wrapped around a great story line filled with magical adventures to make overcoming the challenges fun and inspiring.

 

What inspired you to write the Anita Brownbag series and are there any more books to come in the series?

Anita Brownbag is somewhat of my inner child and through her, I bring light to common themes with which kids struggle. She is funny and witty, and seems to constantly get into trouble, despite her good intentions. She’s a good kid; she’s just going through the learning process of life. Anita Brownbag is full of mischief so there are definitely more books on the horizon! In fact, the 5th book “Anita Faces the Truth” is set to be released December 1st. You’ll hear more about it soon because we are planning a ton of fun activities and giveaways for the release!

 

What in your opinion makes a great children’s book?

In my opinion, great children’s books are based on simple concepts, relatable characters and awesome illustrations.

 

How do you handle bad reviews?

I keep things positive. Even a bad review means someone is reading your book, right? Diversity of thought and varied tastes means my book may not be the right fit for everyone. I take constructive feedback and leverage as encouragement for growth. My motto is “use what you can, and toss out the rest”. I won’t allow negativity to live in my mental space rent-free. LOL

 

What has been your most successful marketing method for promoting your books?

Social marketing has been very instrumental in promoting and sharing the Anita Brownbag series with the world. But I’ve also found that connecting with parents and educators, whether that’s through my blog or in person, at fairs and events, is also a crucial element.

 

What were some of your favorite books as a child?

Ramona Quimby series, Are you there God, It’s me Margaret, Sweet Valley twins.

 

What mistake(s) have you made while publishing your books that you would advise other authors against?

Fear was my number 1 mistake. I strongly encourage other authors to push aside the fear of rejection or failure, and just get out there and do it. Each time gets easier, and it really builds your confidence.

 

How do you reward yourself on completing a book or achieving a specific publishing goal?

I reward myself with a tall glass of Moscato wine.

 

Toy Story or Shrek?

That’s a tough one. I’ll vote Toy Story. As a child, I used to imagine my toys came alive when I left the room, so this resonated very well with me.

 

What should a first time visitor to Charlotte, North Carolina do while there?

Go Panthers! Definitely go see our hometown hero Cam Newton toss the pigskin but you better hurry, I’m not sure what next season will hold. Imaginon is a definitely a great place for kids, and Nascar Motor Speedway is the place to be for die-hard race fans.

 

What advice do you have for parents in dealing with their children when they throw a tantrum in public?

Definitely don’t cry! LOL I did that once, it’s actually a funny story that I’ve shared on my blog. I think it’s important to remove the audience; kids tend to calm down when there isn’t an audience, and parents feel better if there is no pressure to act immediately. Wait it out and stand your ground. My kids got no rewards for poor behaviour. Then, when things cool down for both parent and child, they should talk about it. Try not to shrug it off as your kid being tired or hungry. I find that addressing things afterwards not only helps you better understand your children, but it also assures them that emotions are okay. They didn’t get punished because they had an emotion but because of the way in which they expressed it. At the same time, if you give them something they want when they act calm, it teaches them to use words and rationale, instead of tears and screams, to communicate.

 

What can we expect from AC Brown in the next 12 months?

My work with schools has inspired more stories around diversity, health and wellness, anger management and communication. As I mentioned earlier, there will be some fun new activities coming soon. I’m working on a revamp of the website, some Facebook promos, Twitter giveaways, school readings, more fairs and events… There’s a lot I have in mind and I’ll try to do it all if I can. This is a passion for me so of course, I can’t wait to share more of Anita Brownbag’s challenges and triumphs!

 

Where can fans and readers of your books discover more about you and connect with you?

Fan and readers can connect with us on our website www.anitabrownbag.com for games, book excerpts and of course, my blog to parents. They can also find me on Twitter for some daily chatter, and on Facebook for more conversational pieces, events and promotions. If they’re in the Charlotte area, look out for parenting or book-related events. Anita and I may very well be there!

 

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the publishing industry?

It can be a challenge getting others to see and believe in your vision. There’s a lot of noise out there so just getting 2 minutes of someone’s attention is a challenge, but remember that it doesn’t mean you have failed. Remain solid with your vision, push past your fears, and don’t be afraid to reach out to others for help or advice. Above all, just don’t quit!

 

Thanks Anita for spending some time with us today. There are just so many nuggets of wisdom you’ve shared with us today that are not only useful for success as a writer but also for everyday life. I loved your quote ‘use what you can, and toss out the rest.’ Anita has so much happening on her blog and you can follow Anita on twitter by clicking the link below

 https://twitter.com/Anita_Brownbag

You can also grab a copy of one of her books by visiting her Amazon page

AC Brown’s Amazon Page

Interview with Children’s Book Author Julie Grasso

It’s Author Interview Thursday and I hope you’ve loved all the authors who’ve featured on this blog over the past few months. If you or an author you know are passionate about writing, then get in touch via the Contact us page and let’s help share your/their story with the world. And unto today’s main event. Today’s featured author in the hot seat lives in Australia and is steadily building her author profile on the social networks and through blogging plus her fun Sci-Fi book series. I’ve started reading her second book and the opening page absolutely blew me away. I love the fact she generously goes out of her way to help other authors by giving them a platform on her blog. She has so much to share with us today so please join me in welcoming Julie Grasso.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up being a children’s book author?

My background is in pediatric nursing. I spent many years literally wrapping children in cotton wool. Every day I witnessed great courage and resilience from the tiny people I cared for, which inspired me to write stories about a little girl elf just like them. Add in some very funky technology, my love of science fiction and a desire to impart great values through my little girl elf named Caramel and there you have it, The Adventures Of Caramel Cardamom trilogy was the result.

 

What can a reader expect when they pick up a Julie Anne Grasso book?

Oommm Telepathic elves, evil clones oh and chocolate cake.  I have been told that people crave pizza and chocolate whilst reading my books.  But seriously you will find a fun family focused adventure, 100% suitable for ages 9-12.

 

What was the inspiration behind the Caramel Cinnamon character in your science fiction series and can you take us through the writing process from getting the idea for the book to the characters, theme, dialogue, plot, setting etc.

When I was in high school the kids used to call me Pixi because I am pretty small in stature and I have fairly elf like features.  As I mentioned before I am also a pediatric nurse and I have used a lot of nerdy medical technology over the years.  I decided I wanted to write a story about elves that have special healing abilities. I am a cupcake enthusiast so naturally I had to have them in my books.  I purposefully made Caramel have a disability, because I have seen so many children come from the most impossible accidents, back to happy healthy and capable children, despite their disability. That is something that I wanted to impart in my books.

Before I started writing, I read a few books “How to” write a children’s books that were a great guide for what to do and what not to do as a first time author. I wrote a first draft which took me about 8 months, then had it critiqued by a manuscript service. That was both sobering and incredibly helpful and what began a process of revision over the next year.

The themes of my book are courage, persistence, loyalty, overcoming physical boundaries and using your gifts to the best of your ability. I don’t think I have any particular method of writing. I just write what I think my characters would say when faced with a situation.

 

What in your opinion makes a great science fiction book?

A book that transports me to another world, with impossible technology and characters with outrageous abilities, that are so well written that I believe every word is possible.

 

How do you handle bad reviews?

Laugh, cry, eat a cupcake, cry, laugh, try to learn from it, but in the end, let it go and move on to the next project determined to make it better.

 

 What has been your most successful marketing method for promoting your books?

A year ago I would have said Amazon Select program utilizing Free promotional days. It gained me readers and exposure. Now I feel a bit jaded about the program, as the advertising post free promo’s doesn’t yield the sales that it used to.  I will say, connecting with people. Be it on a blog tour, blog hop, Facebook, or in person giving your card to someone. I believe relationship is the key to gaining readers.

Julie you have a very popular blog visited by authors and readers alike. For indie authors out there looking to start a blog, what 3 tips can you give them to attract more visitors to their blog?

I think that might be in overstatement re: popularity lol. I started blogging, just to put my thoughts down. Then I connected with the Kid Lit Blog Hop over at www.motherdaughterbookreviews.com

I began linking in and meeting other bloggers, authors and readers, and it just grew from there.

My tips would be, start getting connected. Post about things other than your books most of the time. Post reviews about books you love or are reading with your kids. Draw people to your blog, but while they are there, have some information about your books. My blog is very simple, but you can find my website, my social medial links and even some printable materials to accompany my books there.

 

What were some of your favorite books as a child?

You know I was actually quite a reluctant reader as a child so I will have to say in my teens, Anne McCaffrey’s The Rowan series.

 

What mistake(s) have you made while publishing your books that you would advise other authors against?

For my first book, I didn’t realize how editing and proof reading are two different things and equally important. I have had my share of tears and re-loading to Amazon after some proofing errors were pointed out.

 

How do you reward yourself on completing a book or achieving a specific publishing goal?

Oh dear, cupcakes and a chai late. I don’t think I really reward myself as I see writing and marketing as a marathon. It doesn’t stop with one success, as they are often fleeting and overnight. I did make it to #1 on Amazon for Sci-Fi Kids for a few days, so I am sure I had several cupcakes that day.

 

I usually ask featured authors on Author Interview Thursday what their best Disney/Pixar film is but I’d like to know what your best science fiction film is and why?  

Oh, I want to answer the Disney/Pixar, version. LOL,   Favorite movie would be “Meet The Robinsons” I mean, it has time machines, and evil villains, just my style. Second I would say the movie “Up” It is fantastic for so many reasons. Favorite Sci-Fi, I would have to say it’s not a movie but a series. I am a serious “Fringe” addict.

 

What should a first time visitor to Melbourne, Australia do while there?

A first time visitor to Australia I would say, Australia Zoo, as it is in my home town of Brisbane and it is fabulous. First time visitor to Melbourne, ooh, that’s a tough one, probably visit Miss Marples Tea Room in the Dandenong ranges. It has delicious treats including a sundae the size of your head, dripping with chocolate and cream and caramel…..

 

What can we expect from Julie Grasso in the next 12 months?

I am very excited as my next project is a middle grade mystery that will have chapter illustrations. Stay tuned for “Frankie Dupont And The Mystery Of Enderby Manor”…. Early 2014. For The Adventures Of Caramel Cardamom, I have the final book which I am editing at the moment, so stay tuned for “Stellarcadia” due out mid 2014.

I am also going to do two conferences in Melbourne and Sydney next year. Supernova (a nerdy sci-fi conference) and Book Expo where I will be exhibiting my paperbacks for sale. But that’ not all, he he, we will be dressed as Elves, have life size Caramel cutouts, we will be giving away Caramel taffy and all book purchases will have the chance to go in the draw to win a scooter during the conferences. I can’t wait…

 

 

Where can fans and readers of your books discover more about you and connect with you?

Website:  www.julieannegrassobooks.com

Blog: http://www.whenigrowupiwannawriteakidsbook.blogspot.com.au/

Goodreads Book 1 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16060026-escape-from-the-forbidden-planet

Goodreads Book 2 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18167976-return-to-cardamom

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-Anne-Grasso-books/287496411357122

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jujuberry37

 

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the publishing industry?

As I said before, publishing no matter if it is Indie or Traditional is a marathon, and you are the only one that can truly run the race. Be persistent and motivated to commit to your writing and marketing every day. But most of all, eat lots of cupcakes.

 

Thanks for taking the time to share with us today Julie. I really found much value in your statement that this publishing game is a marathon. I think about someone like Stephen King who spent a couple of years in obscurity before he had his major breakthrough with Carrie. If he had given up after his first rejection letter, what a tragedy that would have been. Julie has so much going on at her blog and you can grab a copy of one of her books at her Amazon page below.

Julie Grasso Amazon Page

 

 

GoodReads Giveaway – Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost

It’s GIVEAWAY TIME!

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was when I opened the box to see the physical paperback copies of Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost. To the right is a picture of me that my wife took. Do I look a bit happy?

I would like you to share in my joy by entering a giveaway I’m doing on the GoodReads website. The winners of this giveaway will receive a signed copy of this book. To get a copy, simply click the button below and hopefully by mid November you’ll get the good news that you’ve won!

 

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost
by David Chuka

Giveaway ends November 15, 2013.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Free Kindle Download – Rhyming Books for Kids

Hello

You can get 2 of my rhyming books for kids at today and tomorrow (October 22nd-23rd) for FREE!

You can download the books at the links below

 If You See a Doctor
 
Counting to Ten and Sharing My Easter Eggs

 

 If You See a Doctor  was my first book as a children’s book author. Looking at that book really makes me proud as I see how I have evolved and improved as a writer and publisher.

 

Counting to Ten and Sharing My Easter Eggs  was Number in the Counting Category on the Amazon store for a quite a few days back in Easter. If you got this book previously, you’ll notice that the cover looks different. I intentionally changed the cover for the Halloween season.

 

Both books have a combined total of 86 reviews on the Amazon store mostly made up of 4 and 5 stars. Below are a few reviews from readers who got them for their loved ones.

What a delightful book! I truly enjoyed reading this children’s book, as did my 4 year old daughter. The pictures are delightful and the rhymes are clever. I’ll definitely get more books from this author. Holly Doherty

This is a clever book filled with rather funny and likable drawings and rhymes such as “One is for Tommy who likes all things funny.” These humorous rhymes will delight children who will find them charming. The book is excellent for children who are learning to count to ten as well as kids who are just looking for something funny. The story focuses on a young girl whose mother gave her a basket of Easter eggs to share with her friends. She thinks of each friend to whom she will give eggs. Israel Drazin

This book uses a combination of illustrations and photographs to reach the intended child audience at a level they can easily understand. I liked the way the author used simple text that was easy enough for a young reader to understand. The font is large enough for a small child to easily read. My kids enjoyed looking through this book and talking with each other about the pictures and the story. The fact that the text had a rhyming theme made it more fun for the little ones. With alternating illustrations and photos, the kids got the best of both worlds. I would recommend this book to parents. Fun! Ionia Martin

Grab a copy for your loved ones today.

 

 If You See a Doctor
 

Counting to Ten and Sharing My Easter Eggs

David Chuka’s Weekly Update

Hello

It’s the start of another week and I just wanted to share with you what’s happening in my world.

First of all, I’d like to announce that I’m currently running a giveaway on the GoodReads website and the grand prize is an autographed copy of Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost. It ends November 15th. To discover how you can get a copy, click the ‘Enter to Win’ link below.

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost
by David Chuka

Giveaway ends November 15, 2013.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 

If you had the chance to download an eBook version of Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost, your kind gesture is much appreciated. If you’ve not yet got your copy, then what are you waiting for?

I’ve said it before and it’s worth saying again. One of the best (in my opinion) gifts you can give an author is feedback on their book. It gives authors great joy to receive positive comments about a piece of work they wrote in isolation. Below is a review that was posted on the Amazon store over the weekend about my latest book and it did bring a smile to my face.

I am so glad I found & bought “Kojo the seadragon Gets Lost”. What a beautiful kids book – the illustrations are wonderful! I got this for my kids and I am sure it will be a bedtime story keeper! Very Enjoyable! Lynn Bryan

Over the weekend, I was able to achieve a very big milestone. I finished the first draft on the next Billy and Monster book which has Thanksgiving as its dominant theme. I’ve not yet settled on a title but in this episode Billy learns to be thankful. One amazing thing you’ll discover (which I had no intention to do but unfolded as I was writing this episode) when you read this book is the origins of Monster. I’m really excited about how this story turned out as we get to meet more members of Billy’s family as well as Monster’s family

I’ve not yet settled on a title at the moment. Your ideas will be much appreciated. I haven’t seen the film yet but I really love the title ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.’ If you could think up of something as funny and outrageous for Billy’s Thanksgiving adventure, please leave your suggestions in the comments section, you’ll get a worthy mention in the book when it’s published if I use your suggestion.

 

I’m happy to also announce that I’ll be visiting a school in West London to do a reading for them. I’ll be signing copies of Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost. This will be my first time doing a reading for this book and I’m really excited about the opportunity to read to these children as I have only gotten feedback thus far from ‘grown-ups’ I’ll be visiting them next Tuesday and will post pictures from the event on my blog. If you would like me to come and read at your local school, simply reply to this email and we’ll see what we can work out.

 

Do have an outstanding week and dream BIG!

Download a FREE copy of Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost

Hello!

I’m happy to announce that you can download a FREE copy of Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost to your kindle app on your mobile, tablet or PC this weekend.

The book was launched on October 5th and so far, it has gotten 10 reviews on Amazon as I write this. I have been overwhelmed by the reviews, emails and feedback I’ve gotten regarding this book. Someone even said they think this is my best work yet. To imagine that I wrote this book about four years ago on a train all because I didn’t have a newspaper or book to read!

Below are just some of the reviews its gotten on the Amazon store.

I love children’s stories with a message and this one certainly fits the bill. In a moment of temptation, Kojo the Sea Dragon goes against his mum’s wishes and put’s himself in danger. It takes the heroic effort of his mum and all his friends to drag him to safety.

From this cute story, children will learn that parents really do know best when it comes to dangerous situations. With brightly colored illustrations, this is one little book your child will want to read again and again. Wendy

 

Kojo the seadragon and his friends loved playing their games in the Zakari River. Kojo especially enjoyed playing hide and seek in the river with his best friend, Kofi the sea turtle. The river was a safe place to play, except for one area that Kojo’s parents had warned him to avoid, since it was considered dangerous. One day, Kojo, looking for a really good hiding place, yielded to temptation and wandered too close to the forbidden area. Suddenly he found himself in grave danger. Kojo was saved only because of the concern and quick thinking of his pal Kofi.

The illustrated story has the kind of action and suspense that will hold a young reader’s attention. But equally important, the story has two valuable lessons for youngsters: 1) Friends watch each others’ backs, and 2) Pay attention to your parents – they’re concerned for you, and they’re smarter than you think. J. Chambers

 

This children’s book is so very delightful with very detailed, colorful illustrations. Kojo is a very unique sea dragon living in the Zakari River, where many other sea creatures live. His mom and dad pamper him letting him have anything he wants. The one place he is restricted from is the south side of the river where he might become lost. His best friend is Kofi, the sea turtle. They loved playing hide and seek, which was hard for Kojo because he’s so big and can be easily found. But this time, Kojo finds a new place to hide! What a great children’s story to remind little ones to follow guidance offered by their parents. Author David Chuka has written a large variety of children’s stories. They are all great, but I think this story about Kojo The Sea Dragon is his best. Great job! Nancy of Utah

 

I’m also happy to announce that the physical copy is now available and you can get a copy on the Amazon store too. I received an email from a lady who bought a copy of the book and below is a snippet of the email she sent

It’s here! It’s amazing! The size is about 8″ x 10″ and the illustrations are full page size, 32 printed pages, and the back cover has your picture, web site, etc. It’s fantabulous. It couldn’t be any better for a child to love!

Here’s what I want you to do:

1. Click the link at the bottom of this post and download a copy of this book to your Kindle app on your phone, tablet or PC.

2. Write a review of the book on Amazon. This helps to encourage other people to pick a copy of the book.

3. Share this blog post with your family and friends and encourage them to download a copy themselves.

Grab your copy at the link below

Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost

Thanks for all your support and do have a great weekend

Interview with Children’s Book Author Raymond Bean

It’s Author Interview Thursday and I have to admit, I’ve been looking forward to sharing this interview with you for a very long time. One of the pleasures of doing these interviews is that along the way, I’ve gotten to meet some very talented and creative writers who I’ve admired from afar and enjoyed reading their books. One of such writers is today’s special guest. I have read the four books in his ‘School is a Nightmare’ series and I’m looking forward to the next instalment when it comes out. He lives in New York and is a school teacher there too. He’s been publishing for quite a while now and Amazon actually contacted him to do an exclusive interview which you can find on his Amazon author page. I appreciate his generosity in agreeing to do this interview and I’m excited at the  wealth of information he’ll be sharing today. Ladies and gentlemen please join me in welcoming Raymond Bean.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up being a children’s book author?

I’m a teacher with fifteen years classroom experience.  I love helping students discover a love of reading.  Somewhere along the way I started writing for children.

 

How have your students adjusted to the fact that their teacher also writes cool books and have any funny shenanigans transpired as a result?

Each year I begin with a new set of students.  They seem to accept early on that I’m a teacher and an author.  I think many of them find it odd that I enjoy writing in my free time.  For many students, writing is viewed as a chore.  One of my biggest goals as a teacher is to help them discover a love for writing.

No shenanigans…I run a tight ship

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the four books in the ‘School is a Nightmare’ series. Can you tell us the inspiration behind the ‘Justin’ character and the writing process in bringing all the characters, plots, sub-plots etc. together?

I’m happy to learn you enjoyed the series.  I’ve had the idea for quite some time to write a series that follows a reluctant fourth grader through an entire school year.  I find that many young readers are more comfortable with an episodic format rather than a novel or extended reading format.  I approached each book in the series like an episode in a television show.  The story lines are very linear and take place in a short period of time.

Each book takes place during a specific time in the school year.  For example, the first book, First Week, Worst Week, takes place during the first few days of school.  The second book, The Field Trip, takes place on the first field trip of the year.  The entire book takes place over the course of one wild field trip.  Book three, Shocktober, takes place during Halloween, and book four, Yuck Mouth and the Thanksgiving Miracle, over Thanksgiving.  I’m working on more titles in the series and plan to take Justin all the way through the school year.  Book five, Winter Breakdown, comes out in a few weeks.

The main character, Justin, doesn’t like school and doesn’t see the importance of it in his life. To me he represents the feelings many kids have about school at that age.

 

You’ve been self-publishing now for about 5 years. How would you say the landscape has changed in that period and how has it made you evolve as a writer and publisher?

That’s a great question and one that I really had to dwell on for a bit.  November 11 is the five year anniversary of the publication of my first indie title.  I’ve reflected a great deal on the changes over the years.  There are too many to mention here, but I’ll share several that stick out.

When I first self published, it was referred to in the industry as “Vanity Publishing” and didn’t have a very good reputation.  I had a sense at the time that the industry was changing and that self publishing would become more popular and accepted, but I never imagined it would happen so fast. Now is definitely the best time to be a self published author.

For the first year or more my books were strictly available in paper.  The digital revolution hadn’t happened yet.  I remember creating my kindle files thinking they might provide a little additional revenue, but I had no idea they would become my main revenue source. I think self publishing and digital reading for kids is still in infancy.  Other genres have exploded with self publishing success over the past few years.  I don’t think we’ve seen that happen in children’s books yet, but it’s on the horizon.

 

Do you believe in writer’s block and what do you do to overcome it?

I don’t.  I believe the creative process never stops.  Even when I’m not writing, I’m kicking ideas around in my mind.  I might be driving, playing with my kids, or any other daily activity, but my mind is always working out potential story ideas. I think the key to avoiding slumps and creative droughts is discipline.  You read it all over, but writing daily is priceless.  Avoiding distraction is essential.

 

What has been your most successful marketing method for promoting your books?

I think the most successful marketing for my books has been my other books.  Usually when people discover one of my books it’s because a friend or family member has suggested it.  Of course I’ve tried many promotional tools, such as free promos, email blasts, social media, etc., and I’ll continue to try new methods moving forward, but having new content available for readers to read is paramount.

 

What were some of your favorite books as a child?

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing was the first book that made me laugh.  That was all it took, I’ve been on the hunt for funny books ever since. I loved the Encyclopedia Brown books, Hardy Boys, Roald Dahl, and anything to do with baseball.

 

How do you reward yourself on completing a book or achieving a specific publishing goal?

For my birthday, my wife framed the cover image of each of my books and hung them on the wall in my office.  It blew me away.  Now on the release date of a new book, we hang the framed cover along with the others. I highly recommend doing this.  There’s something nice about seeing your work on the wall as you write.  I find it inspirational.

 

What do your children think of Daddy the Writer?

They find it a pretty regular thing.  My daughter loves looking at the dedication page on my foreign books and seeing her name.

 

Quite a few best-selling authors have a background in education. What would you say are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

I think the clear advantage to being a children’s writer and children’s educator is that I learn a great deal about what children like and dislike about books.  I try to write books that I feel are needed in the genre. The disadvantage is that it’s hard to visit schools as a writer when you’re busy teaching in the classroom.

 

Can you tell us about your worst day as a teacher?

9/11…hands down.  At the time, I was teaching second grade.  It was only a few days into the school year.  We had many students with family members working in the area.  We got the news first thing in the morning like everyone else.  It was very difficult trying to remain calm and create a sense of normalcy.

 

What has been the craziest request/question a child has asked you at a school/reading event?

I wish I had something crazy to share, but I don’t.  My favourite comments are when kids tell me that my books helped them learn to love books.  When they tell me one of my books made them laugh, I feel the most proud.  It’s important for kids to have fun with books.  It was that first laugh in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing that turned me into a reader when I was a kid.  Now I want to provide that first laugh to young readers.

 

What 3 things should a visitor to New York experience?

Only 3!  Hmmm… that’s a tough one.  No matter what I say, it won’t be sufficient, so I’ll say at least 3 full days and nights.  Anything shorter won’t be enough.  New York is the kind of place where walking down the street is an exciting experience.  You pretty much can’t miss.  Rather than name three specific activities or locations, I’d suggest at three different points during your visit go into a random place and dive right in.  If you’re passing by somewhere and you hear live music, go in and stay there a while.  If you smell something interesting cooking, go in and eat it.  You’ll be glad you did, and you probably won’t want to leave.

 

What can we expect from Raymond Bean in the next 12 months?

I’m releasing book 5 in the School Is A Nightmare Series toward the end of October.  In January my first release with Capstone Kids comes out.  It’s called, Benji Franklin: Kid Zillionaire.  I’m really excited about the book and hope to write more. I hope to put out a few more School Is A Nightmare titles and have a few other projects in the works.

 

Where can fans and readers of your books discover more about you and connect with you?

www.raymondbeanbooks.com

Twitter @raymondbean

Or email me raymondbeanbooks@gmail.com

 

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the publishing industry?

Keep writing and trying new things.  I’m five years in and feel like I’m just getting started.  Publishing is like a day in the city.  You never know where it’s going to take you

 

It has been an absolute pleasure having you today Raymond and there is so much wisdom to be gleaned from your answers. I was particularly inspired by your response to how you reward yourself on completing your books. Visually having a representation of your achievements must be a source of inspiration on a conscious and sub-conscious level to help you stay focused. I can’t wait to see the next book in the ‘School is a Nightmare‘ series and you can grab a copy of one of Raymond’s books by clicking the link below.

Raymond Bean’s Amazon Page

Below is an interview Raymond had with Amazon a while back.

 

Weekly Update from David Chuka

Hello.

Hope you had a great weekend and are ready for the week ahead.

My latest book ‘Kojo the Sea Dragon Gets Lost‘ was launched last week and it broke into the Top 10 best seller rank in the Marine kids category on the Amazon store. As I write this, its received nine 5-star reviews. Below is one of them that really made my day.

This is a fun and clever book with enchanting pictures from which children will learn to listen to their parents.

Kojo is a young friendly dragon who likes to play with his friends in Zakari River. Kojo’s mum warned him not to go to the south side of the river because it was dangerous. But Kojo was playing Hide and Seek with his friend and thought that hiding in the south side would be fun and his friend would not find him. He knew his mum told him not to do so, but he figured that just doing it once should be no problem, but it was.

Children will enjoy finding out what happened to likeable Kojo, how he was saved, and what he (and they) learned from his experience. Israel Drazin

I got a personal email from someone who has read the book saying it’s my best one yet! I’m hopeful that as this book gets into more hands, it’ll be able to garner more sterling reviews. I was also touched by another email from someone who was pleased about the lesson in the book regarding children listening to their parents and following instructions.

 

I’m happy to announce that I got booked to do a reading at a school in West London. I intend to share with them from my latest book and also discuss some of the themes like friendship and obedience within the book. I believe I’ve learned so much from my first school reading and can’t wait to share with the children at Devonshire preschool.

 

This week on Author Interview Thursday, we have Raymond Bean who I’m a big fan of. One of the pleasures of doing AIT is that I get to interview authors whose work and publishing journey I admire and strive to learn from.

Raymond Bean is one of such authors and I’ve read all four books in his School is a Nightmare series. In my interview with him he’ll be sharing on how the self publishing landscape has changed in the five years since he started, how he rewards himself on publishing a book, his worst day as a school teacher and so much more. Raymond has so much to share and I can’t wait to share the interview that I had with him with you.

 

By the way, I’ve been working with my illustrator to redo some of the book covers for my books. If you check out my book covers over the coming days, you’ll notice some changes.

On the right is the book cover for Counting to Ten and Sharing My Easter Eggs. What do you think? I’ll also be announcing a list of some of my books you can now get a physical copy of in the next few days.

Do have an outstanding week.

Interview with Children’s Book Author Susie Caron

It’s Author Interview Thursday! Are you ready? Yes… then let’s dive straight into it. Our featured author in the hot seat today lives in Vermont in the United States. She’s had many challenges in life both good and bad that have equipped her to bring something new and fresh to the table as a children’s book author. I read the second book in her ‘Between Me and You’ series and it was clear to see that here was an author who was going beyond the surface level and was writing a book that would leave a positive and long lasting impact on her readers. She has so much to share today, so please join me in welcoming Susie Caron.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up being a children’s book author?

Thank you David Chuka for this opportunity to tell some of my story. My picture book allegories in the “Between You and Me” series, seem to be a natural progression of a multi-career life and many other changes. Throughout my life I have used both blessings and difficulties as opportunities to express who I am and how I can help others. Following graduation, I married my college sweetheart, and taught elementary school and adult education. When we adopted two infants, I wanted to be at home with them, so I opened and operated my own horseback riding school. Later, after following my husband in his career around Vermont, and recovering from struggles with my own health, I enrolled in graduate school for clinical psychology, and graduated in 2002. As a result of fulfilling this earlier dream, I am now a private practice psychotherapist working with children and their parents.

 

Can you share with us the inspiration behind your book Twee’ and I Am Twee’.

Initially, I didn’t know that I was going to write children’s fiction. I had planned to write several narrative-non-fiction books about my pets. However, I couldn’t decide which one to finish, so I sat down and prayed.  After that, I knew I wanted to write something that would resonate with children and adults about universally experienced feelings.  Over the years, I noticed that children experienced feelings about many things, but they lacked enough ‘world view’ to be able to express those in ways that made sense to themselves and to their adults. Twee’ , I Am Twee’ and the “Between You and Me” series were the result. I knew I wanted to write stories that illustrated children’s feelings and provide a way for kids to talk about them with adults.

 

The sequel to Twee’ is just about to be published. What were some of the advantages and disadvantages of writing a sequel?

I can speak to the advantages best. My first book, Twee’, established her character, personality, the setting, and color tones. The work on the next two books,I Am Twee’ (and one not yet titled), then became much easier. I worked on story lines to illustrate how my character Twee’, experienced herself and others and how that impacted her relationships. Because these are children’s books, I also knew that by building a similar pattern into the books, I added familiarity and increased appeal. If there are disadvantages, I think it may be that Twee’ is a limited character because she is planted and thus cannot go anywhere. However, that also helped to highlight her feelings.

 

What can a reader expect when they pick up a Susie Caron book? 

I hope that children and adults will feel good about themselves. Readers have told me that their children ask them to read my books over and over again. This makes me feel good, but I believe it’s because they see something of themselves in my books. They may learn something new, but I want them to realize that they are okay just by being themselves.

 

What has been your most successful marketing method for promoting your books?

Although online social media is an essential part of marketing, I have discovered that reading to children in libraries and schools is the best marketing method for me. Of course, I love doing that also because it’s fun.

 

How have you drawn on your experience as a psychotherapist in writing your children’s books?

Absolutely! Children and their parents, caregivers and teachers are always teaching me new things about myself, childhood and how to help adults and children connect.

 

What were some of your favorite books as a child?

There were so many I loved. As a young child my mother read poems from A Child’s Garden of Verses, by Robert Louis Stevenson and The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper.  Later I read the Nancy Drew mysteries, the Hardy Boys and The Boxcar Children. As a teen I devoured novels by Pearl S. Buck, John Steinbeck, Viktor E. Frankl, and others. As I moved into college, I read everything I could get my hands on about children, child development and psychology.

 

What mistakes have you made while publishing your book that you would advise other authors against?

I didn’t realize that writing a book would be only 10% of the work. Another 25% was spent researching how I wanted to publish and print. The other 65% is all marketing! Marketing is a brave new world for me. I think I would have started learning how to market much earlier.

 

How do you reward yourself on completing a book or achieving a specific publishing goal?

When my first books arrive, I cannot wait to take them out and read to children. That’s the biggest reward for me.

 

Toy Story or Shrek?

I loved both because they are about relationships and especially friendship. I’d have to choose Toy Story though, because of the two characters Buzz Light Year and Woody. Kids interact with these two characters more frequently, in my play room practice. I think the idea of lasting friendship, magical thinking and heroes with flaws makes us all feel better about ourselves and more hopeful for our future.

 

I understand you own two horses and used to run a horsemanship riding school. What tips do you have for us about riding a horse that most people don’t know about?

It’s difficult to choose: take lessons, always wear a helmet, wear boots…. I think I’d rather share what I used to tell my riding school students. On their first day of lessons kids were nervous. Horses are feeling creatures, who can read body language, and often reflect what humans feel. So while students groomed the lesson horses for the first time I’d say this “You may think you’ve come to ride my horse, but that isn’t true.  You have come to give my horse a really pleasant time.” When the  kids stopped focusing on their fear and focused on how the horse felt, they readily enjoyed their time together.

 

What do you love about Vermont and what should a first time visitor do while there?

Vermont has been our home for 33 years and I love the changing seasons. Visitors can find a lot to see and do in Vermont. One of our best sites is Lake Champlain, and the Burlington waterfront.

 

What can we expect from Susie Caron in the next 12 months?

I plan to finish the third book about Twee’ in the “Between You and Me” series in winter of 2014. After that, I hope to continue to address some of the mysteries of understanding children and how to develop better connections between kids and their adults.

 

Where can fans and readers of your books discover more about you and connect with you? 

You can Find Out More About Me and My Books Twee’, and I Am Twee’ here:

www.susiecaron.com/blog

Join my character, Twee’ on her Fan Page, go to:

www.facebook.com/T.Twees.

Follow me on Twitter:

www.twitter.com/codabookspub

 

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the publishing industry?

I believe a writer should write, now and always. Good places to start to write and get feedback are Facebook, Twitter and by all means, set up your own web site and blog. While doing all that, research every means of publishing from traditional to self-publishing, before you decide which suits you best. Find other writers groups, online and in your location. If you write for children, read aloud to kids, from your own work as well as books by others. Most of all, write and have fun! Remember to read to your kids: Twee’ Means You and Me!

Thanks Susie for sharing with us from your wealth of experience. From reading your book, it was clear to see you put a lot of thought into creating a book that would leave a lasting impression. I have to agree with your last comment about writing. The only way we can get better as writers is to keep on writing. Susie’s currently in the middle of a launch for the second book ‘I Am Twee’ in her series. You can visit her Amazon page at the link below to grab a copy and discover why her books would make a worthy addition to any child’s library.

Susie Caron on Amazon

David Chuka’s Note – If you loved this interview and found value in it, please help me spread the word by sharing on your social circles. Simply click one of the social buttons below, so someone else can find some inspiration or knowledge they require to make that next step in their publishing career.