The Writer's Block: Where Are They Now? Catching Up with Kathryn White

Today on The Writer's Block, we travel overseas to chat with award-winning children's author Kathryn White! In addition to publishing over 30 books, She is an educator, library advocate, and literacy consultant.

1) Glad to have you back, Kathryn! Please tell everyone a bit about who you are and where you live and work.

Hello, I live in the South West of England and work from home.

2) What were you working on when we spoke last? (Interview link: http://raychelle-writes.blogspot.com/2012/05/writers-block-interviews-kathryn-white.html)

I was just launching Ruby’s Sleepover at our last interview. That book came out and another follow-up Ruby’s Baby Brother commenced. That too is out now. It’s been a great series to work on.

3) Catch us up on what you have done since then.

Since our last interview I’ve written Sea Wolf, an educational text for Bloomsbury, which came out this year, also a picture book, due out next Summer with Andersen Press. But the most interesting project I’ve embarked on to date is BALANCE; it’s a Y/A novel based around the drugs scene for teens. Publishers didn’t take it on so it has gone through my Agent, Bath Literary Agency and is out now on White Glove. It’s hard work getting it out there, but worth every minute if it gets kids talking and supporting each other in dealing with what is cultural fact of life. It’s published under the pseudonym, Kit White.

4) What is next for you?

Promotion, promotion, promotion of BALANCE. I’m used to having marketing departments in publishing houses getting my work out there. Now it’s down to me and there’s no budget enough to match the big corporates. I have a dedicated website for the book – www.kitwhite.co.uk

5) How did The Writer's Block help you promote yourself? What advice would you offer to aspiring author/illustrators?

Having just revisited my first interview with you, I see a reader left feedback on my work and I was sorry I missed that; it was wonderful to read. The interview was a valuable experience in focusing my attention on where I was and where I wanted to be.

Thank you, Kathryn! Best of luck to you!

Kathryn White has over 30 books published for children of all ages. When They Fight, her first picture book, was selected as a notable book for social studies by the US Libraries Association and Here Comes the Crocodile, was shortlisted for both the Nottingham and Sheffield Children's Book Awards. Most recently, her picture book Ruby’s School Walk was shortlisted for the Boston Globe’s Best Read Aloud Book Award in the USA.

She is a regular performer at the Edinburgh, Bath and other major literature festivals and frequently holds school events on creative writing. In addition Kathryn has been a creative writing tutor for adults at HMP Shepton Mallet and a consultant on raising literacy standards in early years’ education. She is also a qualified TESOL teacher and has run a number of courses for foreign language students.

Kathryn has been heavily involved in the campaign to keep libraries open in Somerset.

You can keep up with Kathryn via her websites:
 www.kathrynwhite.net and www.kitwhite.co.uk.

Keep your pen to the paper! Inspiration is everywhere...

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