1) What inspired you to
start writing children's books?
I truly love
anything that brings me back to childhood. I believe I'm still a child myself
into a grown up body! I spent hours trying to create new cartoon characters
designs, and figure out how to put them into animation. Walt Disney had always
been my mentor. When I finally realized that technology still wasn't my best
solution, I decided to turn into a more traditional way to express my talents. About
four years ago, when I relocated with my husband and our youngest children from
Florida to a small island in the Bahamas, the beauty of nature surrounding me
every day opened up a new world of creativity. There was when my first
children's story started to become a reality.
2) Which came first: a
love of writing or a love of illustrating?
As I said I've
always been so interested in animation, and of course that was the result of my
love of illustrating. Now I can't see one without the other. In fact, at first
I visualize my drawings, and immediately after, the story takes shape into
words.
3) What books have you
written? Where can readers buy them?
I've just published
the first book of a series The World
of Happy-Let's all be Friends!. It's a sweet, positive story
that should appeal to young children, who will enjoy traveling with Happy, a
red sea star, on his sea voyage. The
themes of diversity, friendship, and acceptance are important and handled in an
age-appropriate way, and the variety of creatures and settings offers a number
of fun, cheerful illustrations.
The book is available as paperback on major online retailers
as Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and if you are lucky to travel around the Abaco
Family Islands, in the Bahamas, you can find the book for sale exclusively at
one of the major vacation resorts, Bluff House Resort and Marina, in Green
Turtle Cay!
4) How did you find your publisher?
Many of my successful fellow authors suggested to me to go
global and self-publish. I researched
all the publishing alternatives and Amazon looked like one of the best choices
available. It takes your own financial resources to get started, but the
benefits are very fruitful.
5) How have you promoted
your work? What strategies have been the most effective?
Social networking in this new era is definitely the best way
to promote yourself and your work.
Of course, anyone should understand that it takes a lot of
time, dedication and perseverance.
The most effective strategy, well, I guess carrying copies
of The
World of Happy with me wherever I go. You never know who you could you
meet!
6) What advice would you give to budding
author/illustrators?
At the end of the day it's all about telling a great story,
and sharing the emotions through colorful illustrations. Children love colors!
7) What is your definition
of success?
It's the recognition of my work. When people purchase my
book, I feel I have given something special back to them. It comes right from
my soul.
8) What is next for you in 2012?
Despite all the negativity around the year 2012, I'm very
positive about the outcome. I'm organizing book signing events in Miami and
I've just completed the second book...Where will Happy, The Red Sea Star, be
traveling this time? Somewhere beyond our imagination!
Author Bio
Camy
De Mario was born and raised in Milan, Italy. She studied and graduated in
“Foreign Languages” with English, French and German. At the age of thirty she
moved to Florida in the United States. Now at forty-six years old, she is a creative
author and illustrator of children's books. She presently resides in a small
island of the Bahamas with her husband and their youngest children, ten
year-old twins. In the surrounding of this peaceful life, she developed the
idea of a series dedicated to Happy, a red sea star, and his love for traveling
to discover a whole new world.
Contact Camy
Website link: http://www.theworldofhappy.co
Blog link: http://www.theworldofhappy.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/theworldofhappy
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-World-of-Happy/108600502588130
Blog link: http://www.theworldofhappy.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/theworldofhappy
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-World-of-Happy/108600502588130
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