Thursday, November 1, 2012

NaNoWriMo Starts Now!


Yes, you can write a novel in 30 days! Throw out your internal editor and commit to putting 1,667 words on paper between now and November 30, 2012. Your very rough first draft could lead to the next big thing in publishing--or at least enable you to check another item off your bucket list. Either way, it will be a great challenge with even greater rewards!

For more details on how to get started, visit NaNoWriMo.org. Children may participate in the Young Writers Program at ywp.NaNoWriMo.org. My daughter, Halima, has been a winner for the last two years and self-published her second novel!

I am using this month to finish three projects, so I will see you all at the finish line!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Stop Hiding Already!

It is possible to have many interests, pursue them all, and be great at each of them. Sometimes simultaneously. But, it takes focus, hard work, and courage. We live in a world that teaches us to be a society of "one-trick Nellies", when in fact we are citizens of the universe. The universe is a vastly unlimited realm of possibility. Our accomplishments are only limited by our fears and what we think about ourselves.

Declare who and what you are. Stand in it and apologize for none of it. I am certain that my gifts are from Allah (God) himself, and I would not have them if His intent was that I not use them. My mission in life is to demonstrate my gratitude by being a vessel. I am constantly seeking ways to do better, live better, and help as many people as I can along the way. I encourage you to embrace your bold, bad selves and consider that knowing one thing, doing one job, and being a single-minded robot just isn't enough. The world would be better off if you were unchained in it. The universe has already called you. To whom will you answer?

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The Writer's Block Interviews: Sharon Griffin


1) Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

My name is Sharon Griffin, from Houston, TX, and I work as an adjunct professor, teaching General Psychology. Previously, I worked as a Program Coordinator in NASA Johnson Space Center's (JSC) Education Office, placing high school and college students on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) internships and planning conferences, workshops and events, as well as supporting outreach events in the community.

2) Describe your journey to becoming an author.

I've always been good at writing, but oddly enough, I didn't like doing it for enjoyment, that is until recently. While working at JSC, I had the opportunity to meet many amazing, smart and talented women, both in technical and non-technical positions; however, they were still the minority in comparison to their male counterparts. Last April, while on a work trip in El Paso, TX, I had this light bulb go off in my head for a great idea. I did some internet research on children's book pertaining to male dominated fields. The only items that populated were articles about the small percentages of women in male dominated fields, hence why those career fields are still called that. After conducting the research, that's when I came up with the premise of my children's book. I wanted to write a children’s book that showcased the different career paths a little girl can pursue, all the while portraying different ethnicities for the various careers. I wanted little girls everywhere to be able to relate with the book and envision themselves doing those jobs. When I was a child, I never felt I connected with the characters in the books I read because I never saw any that looked like me. Having four biracial daughters of my own has inspired me to want to shed light on this issue and the desire to see more diversity in children's books.

3) Who is your ideal reader?

Although the book caters more so to early childhood to 5th grader, the ideal reader for my book is ANYONE and EVERYONE! The great thing about my book is that even though it is geared for little girls, it is teaching little boys that we as females are equal and can do the same jobs as males. I believe the sooner boys are exposed to this type of thinking, the more open minded they will be as adult males. This book allows mommies and daddies to let their daughters know, at a very young age, that girls can do anything boys can and that we should be treated equally.

4) Describe your path to publication. Has this experience met/exceeded your expectations?

I knew I had a great concept for a children’s book, but didn’t want to wait around for a publishing company to pick me up. Instead, I decided to pursue publication through an established self-publication company; however, after speaking to several company representatives and the fact that I would lose creative control by using one of their illustrators, I made the executive decision to publish the book through my own publishing company. Thanks to the Houston chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, one member took me under her wing and provided me step by step instructions on how to launch my own publishing company. A coworker at JSC also suggested a mutual friend of his wife’s to do my illustrations. After viewing samples she created for one or two of the professions in the book, the ethnicities I wanted portrayed and my vision for the illustrations, I knew she was the right individual to do the job. Veronica Sepulveda did an amazing job bring my words and vision to life with her illustrations.

This experience has by far exceeded my expectations because it taught me to not accept anything until I was 100% sure of the results and that it had my approval. Thinking in hindsight, I know I made the right decision in my path to publication and wouldn’t have changed it if I was ever given the opportunity.

5) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

Currently I am promoting my work through the use of social media, such as: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and my blog. I am in the process of scheduling author signings at local elementary schools in the Houston and surrounding areas. I participate in local author events that I find out about through the Houston chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Another avenue I use to promote my work is LinkedIn groups, where I have opportunities like this, and the ability to do interviews and have my book reviewed to generate interest and book sales.

So far the method that has worked for me has been Facebook and the creation of a fan page for my book. I’ve held a contest where the individual who brings the most “likes” to my page wins an autographed copy of my book. Now I am seeing that using the LinkedIn groups is generating more interest and support of my book, as well as helping me build a network with people in the same profession.

6) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

My favorite authors are Jhumpa Lahiri, Robin Cook and Stephen King. I’ve loved the Harry Potter movies, but haven’t had a chance to read the books yet. Currently, my reading list consists of what my daughter is reading for school. She’s fallen in love with my Shel Silverstein books and has been reading them to me. I’ve had the pleasure of listening to some of my all-time favorite books as a child.

7) Describe a typical day in your life.

On a typical day, I drop off and pick up my eldest from school. In between, when I am not taking care of my daughters or taking care of my household, I am usually on LinkedIn promoting my book or finding ways to promote my book through different outlets. Also, I am currently looking for full time employment. Also, I am in the process of schedule school visits, where I will read the book and do some activities with the children in elementary schools.

8) What projects do you have in the works?

I am in the process of creating a YouTube channel, where I will be interviewing women who hold positions in male dominated careers and give them the opportunity to talk about their path and the struggles they dealt with and had to overcome. In conjunction with the YouTube interviews, I will be posting those interviews, in detail, on my blog. I am also coming up with lesson plans to go with the book so that teachers can implement the book into their classroom curriculum.

9) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Don’t give up on your dreams of getting published. If you feel your story is worth sharing with the world, take initiative into your own hands and make your dreams come true. Always have faith in your abilities, trust your instincts and never let anyone tell you any different. That is what is going to distinguish you from others who don’t strive to make their dreams a reality.

About the Author

I was born in Muscat, Oman and lived in India until I was 5 years old. On December 24, 1986, my family and I made the journey to the United States. For the past 26 years, I have been living in the Houston, TX area. My parents have been married for 31 years and I am the oldest of three daughters. I hold both a Bachelors and Masters in Psychology, and graduated with both my degrees from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. Of all the grandchildren on my dad’s side of the family, I am the only college graduate. I have been with my husband for the past 10 years (married for 5 of those years). We have four beautiful daughters: Mackenzie, 7 ½ years old, Madison, almost 5 years old, Makayla, 3 ½ years old, and Malia, 4 months old. Previously I worked at NASA Johnson Space Center, in the Education Office, and as an adjunct professor, teaching General Psychology. Some of my hobbies include: spending time with family and friends, reading, shopping, photography, scrapbook and planning social gatherings/events.



Contact Sharon

Website: http://www.griffingirlspublishing.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SharonVGriffin

Facebook: http://facebook.com/sharonvgriffin

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/GriffinGirlsPublishing

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/SharonVGriffin

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Still Writing, but a Girl's Gotta Eat, Too!


One of the most common pieces of advice that is given to writers is to never quit your day job. Since I left the retail world 9 years ago, I have pursued several entrepreneurial ventures, finished a degree, obtained a professional certification, been accepted into graduate school,  homeschooled my 12 year-old daughter, helped her publish her first novel, published seven books of my own in addition to several freelance articles, started a garden, decorated my homes, built websites, created 3 blogs, started a line of greeting cards, designed a line of fabrics and home accessories, and a bunch of other stuff I can't recall at the moment. When did I have the time to even consider a "day job"?

I have a lot of interests and I pursue them all. Sue me. But, a writer still has to eat (and there are two writers in my house!). This past summer, I designed and taught a course entitled, "The Science of Nutrition", for a group of high school students at Workshop Houston's Summer Leadership Institute. It was incredibly rewarding (shout out to Co-Director Reginald Dwayne Hatter and High School Program Director Jalyn Smith) and led me to find other ways to get out of the house and monetize my passions. Adding to the long list of personal and professional pursuits, I now have a position in sales working with homebuilders--and I love it! I am meeting all kinds of interesting people which should one day make for some pretty intriguing stories.


Needless to say, there hasn't been as much activity on the blogging/writing end over the last couple of months while in transition. Had to pump the brakes a bit as I started the new gig when the school year began. I have found a fulfilling way to do what I have to do now in order to do what I want to do later.

I want to thank all of the guest bloggers who have helped me with some of the "heavy lifting" as well as those of you who follow me and support my work. Smart Girls Like You is nearly finished with Smart Boys Like You coming soon. The Living Well is taking on a life of its own and will be finished by the year's end. Here's to finding many ways to get paid for doing what you love. Absolutely none of it feels like work!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...


Monday, October 8, 2012

Guest Post: The Journey of a Lifetime by Natasha Yim



My new book Sacajawea of the Shoshone is the story of the Native American teenager who traveled the American West with Lewis and Clark. It was just released on Oct. 1 by Goosebottom Books, and is an addition to their award-winning first series, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses. While conducting the research into her remarkable life, I was really struck and awed by Sacajawea’s resiliency in the face of hardship, tragedy, illness and often inhospitable terrain, all while caring for her infant son. Her journey was frequently harsh and interrupted by setbacks, but she persevered and triumphed to become one of the most famous women in American history.

Writing, I’ve found, is often like Sacajawea’s journey. Some days, you’re struggling against the strong currents of the Missouri River and you have to “get out of the boat”, grit your teeth, and tediously pull your story along. On others, you’re really cruising along on the swift rapids of the Columbia River. At times during the writing process your mind stumbles on the sharp rocks and prickly cacti of the Rocky Mountains, but then it bursts through to the sun-drenched Wieppe Valley where food/ideas/creative juice is plentiful. It is not an easy path, but the only way to get through to the other side is to keep at it.

Let’s face it. Most of us writers don’t get rich off our writing. We write because we’re passionate about it and there are stories within us yearning to get out. We weather the hazards and setbacks—rejection letters, endless revisions, writer’s block, mediocre sales—because we enjoy the process.

I’m a quote collector because I find quotes by other authors inspiring, and one of my favorites is by Richard Bach, author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull: “A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” For most of us, the ultimate goal is to get published. If we give up and stop writing, we’ll never get there. However, if we push on, no matter how long it takes or how many setbacks we encounter, we’ll eventually achieve our goal. My upcoming picture book Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2014) is one such a story. By the time this book is published, its journey to publication would have taken nine years!

The thing I love most about the writing life—whether it’s the creative process itself, fighting our fear of public speaking at school visits, meeting fellow writers at a conference—is that it’s an adventure with many surprising, satisfying, if not always painless, twists and turns. So, whether you’re just getting started in writing or you’ve been at it for awhile, sit back and enjoy the journey. You’re in for quite a ride!

About the Author

Natasha Yim is a children’s book author, freelance writer, and playwright. She is the author of three picture books: Otto’s Rainy Day (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2000), which was a Kids' Pick of the Lists selection, Cixi, The Dragon Empress (Goosebottom Books, 2011), and the just released Sacajawea of the Shoshone (Goosebottom Books, 2012), the biography of the Shoshone teenager who traveled the American West with Lewis and Clark. Sacajawea of the Shoshone is an addition to Goosebottom Books’ award-winning first series, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses. Natasha has also published articles in Highlights for Children, Appleseeds, Faces, Vibrant Life, Mendocino Arts, and other local and regional magazines. Her ten-minute plays have been performed at Mendocino Community College in Ukiah, Pegasus Theatre in Guerneville, Secret Rose Theatre in Los Angeles, and at the Short and Sweet Ten Minute Theatre Festivals in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia.

Contact Natasha

Website: www.natashayim.com

Blog: www.writerslife2.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/natashayim.author

www.facebook.com/sacajaweaoftheshoshone

Twitter: www.twitter.com/natashayim

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/natashayim




Friday, October 5, 2012

The Writer's Block Interviews: Gary Krejca



1) Tell us a bit about who you are, and where you live and work.

I've been an illustrator for 25 years now, grew up in Chicago and now live in Tempe, Arizona.


2) Describe your journey to becoming an illustrator.

My natural talent took me to art school, my love for art in Pop Culture inspired me to pursue the field. It's been a rocky road, but I love what I do. It's not for everyone.


3) What mediums do you prefer?

I like watercolor with pencil or pen and ink, I also love pastels and chalk pencils. But creating vector art is also becoming very fun for me. I'm now practicing painting in Photoshop, and while it doesn't feel organic yet, there's no mess to clean up.


4) Tell us about your latest projects.

I recently worked on some watercolor paintings for floor plans and elevations of resort properties. I also did a watercolor/pencil of a frog for a wildlife magazine.


5) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

Larry McMurtry, Erik Larson, Wayne Sallee...currently reading The Book of Drugs by Mike Doughty, one of my favorite musicians. I love reading musicians' biographies or memoirs.


 6) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

Online, printed postcards, and my agent. I think my agent is getting me the most work these days.


7) What are your upcoming plans for the rest of 2012?

Keep plugging away, learn some new techniques, and revive some old ones.


8) What is your definition of success?


Happiness in what you do. If you're doing what you love for a living, you have no regrets.


9) What advice would you offer to aspiring illustrators?

Always look at what others are doing, keep abreast of trends while maintaining your own style. Become as versatile as possible, yet show your best style up front.

About Gary
 
Gary Krejca has over 20 years experience in advertising, design and children’s publishing. To see more of his work, visit the links below:

http://www.garykrejca.com/childrens.html
http://www.zazzle.com/gareman*/
https://twitter.com/gareman
http://www.garykrejca.com
http://gareman.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/gareman.design

Thursday, October 4, 2012

The Writer's Block Interviews: Katy Krump



1)  Tell us a bit about yourself and where you live and work.

 I live on a farm in the wilds of Gloucestershire, near Bristol, England and am surrounded by beautiful countryside, woodlands and baaing sheep in spring. I love writing, reading, watching television and films, and swimming, though the sight of me in a swimming costume is not a pretty sight and when swimming in the sea constantly fear being harpooned by accident. I love seeing my friends and going to my book club once a month. These evenings are spent eating cake, drinking coffee and shrieking with laughter and occasionally discussing the books we’ve read.

2)  Describe your journey to becoming an author.

I was an English and music teacher before almost losing my sense of humour (and mind) and deciding I needed to devote herself to the thing my loved most - writing. I wrote and published a number of children’s musicals while teaching and after leaving became a full-time television scriptwriter for children, on an award winning programme, Kideo. Putting words into the mouths of a donkey called Mr Chinwag was a unique and fun experience. I then entered a nationwide scriptwriting competition and was selected to be on the writing team of a popular South African soap, Generations, it was  multilingual so often what I wrote would appear on screen translated into Sotho or Zulu or one of the other eleven official languages in South Africa-weird. I also worked as an advertising copywriter, wrote radio ads and jingles, educational textbooks and readers...anything writing related to keep the wolf from the door. Basically, I’m constantly writing, books and TV scripts and if not that then plotting, planning and scheming how to take over the world.

I spent a very long 20 years writing my first book, which went through numerous drafts and changes and now is a completely different book from how it started out- thank goodness. I– self published  When Killers Cry, an adult political thriller set in apartheid South Africa just to see what would happen. A lot of it comes from my own experience growing up in those dark days, so it’s very personal for me. It’s available through Lulu.com and on Kindle. My first love is writing for children though. So I wrote two children’s fantasy books and am working on an animation script and other scripts, adapting my books for film. Blue Dust : Forbidden, the first in the Blue Dust series, will be published in November by Ghostly Publishing. It’s now out on Kindle. This too is based on my own experiences as an ‘alien’ and was born out of my struggles of being an immigrant. The other book, still to be named, will also be published later next year, which is great as I had a load of complimentary and encouraging rejections from people who thought it a ‘bit weird’. It’s been a long journey getting to this point, but worth every minute of aching arms and back and an ever increasing file of ‘This is great but it’s not for us’-type letters.

3)  Who is your ideal reader? 

For Blue Dust: Forbidden and the series, ideally pre-teen and teenage girls, but though the book has romance it’s not soppy and there is loads of action and adventure, humour too. Boys will also enjoy it and of course the theme of feeling alien and not fitting in, is universal so adults who read fantasy will take pleasure in it too I hope. It’s sort of ‘multi-genre’ and I’m hoping it will appeal to a wide audience.

4)  Describe your path to publication. Has this experience met/exceeded your expectations?

It’s been hard getting to this point. I broke into television surprisingly easily and was expecting publishing to be the same, but it’s a whole other beast – everyone with a computer these days thinks they’re a writer. I’ve had loads of rejection – am thinking of wallpapering my lounge with all the rejection letters- but most were complimentary and encouraging and no one actually said ‘your work is rubbish’. I took that as something positive. Despite being told once that I had more chance of being eaten by a great white shark while being struck by lightning, than I did of writing a best seller, I chose to ignore that advice and with the support of friends and family, soldiered on, wrote constantly and took advice from wise editors. Being offered a publishing deal was a dream come true – sounds so cliché, but it was amazing and I’m finding it all fantastic, though a bit scary. Nothing is ever as you imagine it to be, but being an actual author with a book deal is everything I hoped and has certainly met my expectations. Now all I need to do is sell a couple of million copies.

5)  How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

I’m new at this all, so am trying to get my head round the whole social media thing. I’m amazed at how much Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook are increasing interest in the book. I’ve done a small amount of local press so far, but will step it all up as the release date approaches. Of course I’m hoping for radio and newspaper interviews that will spread the news.


6)  Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now?

I have a very eclectic taste. I love thrillers – Jo Nesbo, Christina Lackberg, John Grisham, Dick Francis but also Jane Austen, Dickens, and writers like Kate Atkinson, Zadie Smith, Alexander McSmith. I’m currently reading The Glass Room by Simon Mawer and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by Deborah Maggoch. I’m also reading Un lun dun by China Mieville and am about to start Jimmy Threepwood and the Veil of Silence by Rich Pitman, another of the Ghostly Publishing authors. It’s a fine balance between writing my own stuff and reading the works of other great writers.

7) Describe a typical day in your life.

I get up, check emails, read the news on the BBC website, Twitter, Facebook stuff, re-read what I wrote the day before and get stuck in. I try to write every day for as long as possible – a bad back makes sitting for too long tricky – so I’ll have a short walk or go for a swim- my latest craze is aqua zumba, which is more like flapping about in water in time to music and is hilarious, then back to carry on writing. I often work late into the night as I work in short bursts. I’m finding the social media taking up a lot of my time, so am having to re-organise my time. I also take lunch off to watch my 2 favourite Ozzie soaps. I enjoy watching telly or a film in the evenings. I’ll often get an idea as I drift off to sleep and will get up to jot it down before trying again. Somehow the moments before slumber are very creative. I’ve spoken to a number of writers who experience the same. I tell myself a story as I go to sleep too, usually what happens in the next chapter or book or series of books. Most of the time this puts me right to sleep. Hmmm….

8)  What projects do you have in the works?

The sequel to Blue Dust: Forbidden, due to be published next year. I feel a third book in the series brewing too. I’m also percolating another series, still in the ‘thoughts in my head’ stage. I also try to work on film (adapting books) and televisions scripts to give myself a bit of variety. Another book of mine will be published next year too, but I need to work on a few issues, so am mulling over these at the same time.

9)     What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

Never give up! Write as much as you can, get a good editor – never send in the first draft, take advice from said good editors, don’t expect your family and friends to be much use in giving an honest opinion on your writing – unless they’re writers too, Learn how to rewrite, rewrite and rewrite, try not to be too ‘precious’ about your work. Sometimes you have to delete a sentence or paragraph or even chapter you love because it doesn’t contribute to the work as a whole. Read a lot, take time to find your own voice and the genre that suits you best. Never surrender!

Author Bio

I was born and raised in South Africa where I qualified as a teacher, teaching English and Music. I wrote five children’s musicals that were published in SA and sold extensively throughout the country and Africa, and are still being performed over there. I left teaching to become a full-time television scriptwriter in 1994, working on an award winning South African children’s programme, Kideo. I entered a nationwide scriptwriting competition and was selected to be on the writing team of Generations, a multi-lingual soap. I also wrote advertising copy, radio jingles and adverts and then moved into writing textbooks and readers for illiterate and semi-literate adults. I worked on CD rom voiceovers for the Independent Electoral Committee before the first democratic elections. Some of my music was performed to the United Nations observers and was also recorded and broadcast on South African television. I’ve also written corporate video scripts and created and directed a children’s series for Impact media in SA. I emigrated to the UK in 2000 and became a naturalised citizen in 2005. Since being in the UK I’ve written a number of animation scripts for Waterston TV (in development) and also wrote an Easter programme for the Swaziland Communication Department. I’ve completed two children’s fantasy books and an adult political thriller, and am working on an animation script. Blue Dust : Forbidden, the first in the Blue Dust series, will be published in November by Ghostly Publishing. It’s now out on Kindle.

Contact Katy

Twitter @katykrump



Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Writer's Block Interviews: Anna Church

1) Tell us a bit about who you are, and where you live and work.

I am a retired teacher that is an author and a co-illustrator for Hug-A-Bug Travel series and the president Mighty Lion Ventures Pub. LLP. I live in Houston, Texas with my husband and two Schnauzers. I have two married children and am a proud grandparent with four grandchildren. Two of my grandchildren are adorable twin girls!

2) Describe your journey to becoming an author/ illustrator. Which came first?

I have always doodled as a child creating critters in my sketches. I became an author after my 2 children went to high school. My husband and my two children encouraged me to publish my stories I used to tell my students when I was an elementary teacher, especially when I taught overseas. There are many children out there that need hugs in this world. When I taught in Indonesia is when Hug-A-Bug became a tool in my classroom.

3) Do you prefer to write for children? Why?

Yes, I do. I feel that their needs to be less wordy books for children to enjoy but learn from the same time about other cultures and be sensitive to others needs.


4) What mediums do you prefer to use in your artistry? 

I draw using pencil sketches and than my co-partner, Nicole Taylor, utilizes the Illustrator software program to embellish it. Also, for the background, I use my own photos from when I lived or visited that country.


5) Tell us about your latest project.

Our second book to our Hug-A-Bug Travels series, Hug-A-Bug Travels to Greece is the one we will be launching before December 2012. The goal for the book is for children to discover Greece, language phrases, and meet a rare animal that needs a hug.


6) Who are your favorite authors? What is on your reading list right now? 

E.B.White for children’s book- She is very creative in telling her story about a pig and a spider’s venture on a farm. Virginia Brown’s Diva series for adult books- She uses humor and mystery at the same time in her stories. Also, John Grisham- He is well researched and a detailer telling his stories. It is one of those books you can’t put down until you finish it. For recent ones, I just finished reading The Dog Prince, so I could write a short review for the author, Fun London. I am also reading The Wake Up and Dream Challenge by Barbara Lavi.


7) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you? 

Active social media for marketing. I have found that if someone picks up our book or goes to our website to look at it, they always ask where can they purchase it. I am not a hard salesperson. The book sells itself because of its vivid illustrations and it is not wordy. As a teacher I have discovered that children always reach for the books that have lots of colorful illustrations and less words and interact with them.



8) What are your upcoming plans for the rest of 2012? 

Our next book my partner and I will be creating is the third of the series, Hug-A-Bug Travels to Peru.

9) What is your definition of success? 

Never give up on your dreams. Just keep chugging along like the book, The Little Engine That Could. I always tell myself and my students to memorize this saying, “I can do it; I will do it; I did it!

10) What advice would you offer to aspiring illustrators? 

Find your style and embellish on it. Most importantly, set up a website and a Facebook page to get known.


About the Author




Anna was born on an Iowa farm. However, when she got married and had two children she became a world traveler. She now has four grandchildren, but still has time to create her books with her partner, Nicole Taylor.

The creation of the little bug that just wanted a hug sprouted from a character the author, Anna Church, had been using for years in her classes. After retiring, she finally had the time to work on creating her series for all children across the world. She has a B.S. and a M.S. in Elementary Education and has taught many years overseas. Her books and vivid illustrations are based on her overseas experiences and background in early childhood development. In her books she strives to entertain and help children discover other cultures, languages and famous geographical places in a fun and inviting environment. Through their journey they learn the importance of caring for others around you and that everyone needs a hug from time to time.

When she is not writing or illustrating children’s books, she is enjoying time with her grandchildren, designing jewelry, studying yoga or hiking in new places. 

Contact Anna

website: http://www.hugabugtravels.com
FB author page : https://www.facebook.com/HugABugTravels
Personal FB: http://www.facebook.com/AnnaMChurch
Twitter: twitter.com/HugABug
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/hugabugtravels/