Patricia Kubus Shares the Story Behind the Amanda Series

My family owned business is Kartri Sales Co., Inc.  This name comes from my sister Karen (Kar) and my name Tricia (Tri).  We are manufacturers of shower curtains that supply hotels, motels, and institutions around the world.  We have been in business for over 30 years, established by my father, Michael T. Goskowski.  http://www.kartri.com/

This was my life, as I knew it with my family.  My education is in Business Administration and Marketing.  My father had actively written a diary of notes about his life with hopes to publish some day as his auto-biography.  During the years of typing up his work; I found myself writing children’s books.  My books are about an Angel named Amanda; which was the name of my firstborn child who I lost to a birth defect known as Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia or CDH.  She is our little angel.  To learn more about this birth defect and help make a difference, please view CHERUBS - The Association of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Research, Awareness and Support.

My father and I agreed to publish his book and then I would move forward with my work as well.  So as it stands, we successfully released his book, Pick Up the Pennies in the year 2009 and shortly after I began my success with my first book, Amanda Helps Becky Say Farewell in the year 2010.

Now in the year 2011; I’m excited to release Amanda Finds Kristy Alone, my second book in the Amanda Series.

Tell us about the genre of your work. 

The purpose of my books is to give children encouragement and to let them know they are not alone.  God is there, and has placed angels around them to watch over them.

My stories are of difficult situations that children might find themselves in.  I’m hoping to get my readers to talk about these situations and reach for help from their parents, grandparents, or an adult image in their lives.  In raising my own children, I see how difficult it is to get them started on certain subjects to see how they are looking at life in general.  Sometimes, a parent doesn’t realize how much a child will hold inside and not talk about their emotions.  I’m hoping to bring together more comfort to connect with Amanda and also find it easier to connect with important people in their lives as well.

Why did you choose this genre?

Writing comes natural to me and I enjoy creating stories. I’ve been asked to discuss further situations such as chronic diseases and bullying.  The more I travel, the more I’m learning of new avenues of stories I can develop.  But the creation of my character, my daughter, is who I’m trying to keep alive to show awareness to my readers about her birth defect.  It’s important to me, and to my family.

What are some of your books, stories that have been published?

My first book is Amanda Helps Becky Say Farewell, which is a story about a young girl who loses her best friend, her dog, Max.  Amanda visits this little girl and helps her to face the dog's death and find peace.  A difficult story; but suitable for young children to talk about death and ask questions about death.

My second book is Amanda Finds Kristy Alone, in this story, a little girl finds herself stuck on an elevator.  What a scary situation to be in.  Luckily, Amanda the angel comes to keep her company.  Amanda shares her time with Kristy and explains to her what she should do the next time she gets lost.  Parents can take advantage of this book with its opportunity to teach their children a lesson about getting lost.   

My next and third book is now in production stage.  I have not yet established the final title; but it is about a young girl, who is finding it hard to go back to school after a long summer vacation with mom.  She liked living her comfortable life of security at home.  Amanda spends time with her and manages to enlighten her outlook about school.  Just like the past two I published, at the end I summarize the story in a poem.  I'm hoping my poems will be kept as little reminders for my readers.

I do have a fourth book written, but it has not yet been released to the publisher.  This one will be about a little boy; he is having his tonsils taken out and he's overwhelmingly scared over the situation.  Amanda this time doesn't visit him in her usual way; this time, she finds a way into his dream as he sleeps. 

What ages do you direct your books?

My books can be read with parents at starting age 3 to independent readers at age 9.

Can you tell us about your newest book?

“Amanda Helps Becky Say Farewell” ISBN: 978-1-61566-704-8

Amanda Helps Becky Say Farewell is a compassionate, compelling story written to help children answer tough questions about death.

What about your other books?

 Amanda Finds Kristy Alone  ISBN: 978-1-61346-032-0

 During an exciting shopping trip at the busy mall with her mom, Kristy becomes lost. Scared and a little confused, Kristy takes the elevator to meet her mom at their meeting spot. Unfortunately, the elevator gets stuck, and now Kristy is very scared!

Amanda the angel soon arrives to calm Kristy and keep her company. Join Amanda as she helps Kristy in Amanda Finds Kristy Alone!

My books can be purchased at most on-line bookstores.

How do you come up with the names of places and characters in your books?

Children’s names float around me and I choose the name to an image I envision in my mind.  I guess its from childhood memory of friends and people I have met. 

The situations I create for a child is chosen from feelings that a typical child wouldn’t want to feel.  Like my first book, death, what could be worse than losing your pet. 

How did you develop the character/s of your in each of your books?

I’m not quite sure how the children are to appear, it seems to slowly come together, once the story line is complete and the illustrator pursue further on what I would like to see.

Is there a unique character or a recurring character if you have more than one published or to be published book? 

Amanda the Angel is a series about Amanda visiting boys and girls during a time in their young lives. 

What is your favorite thing about your book/s?

 My favorite part in all my books is the summarized poetry ending.  I challenge myself with each story in creating a poem at the end; which is basically considered a summary to the story.  If a reader really connects to a story and it happens to be a lesson worth remembering, then they may feel compelled to hang my poem on their wall or keep it nearby to refer back to it.

Is your book illustrated?  If so, would you tell us by whom, and if you worked with an illustrator, can you discuss that experience? My book was published by Tate Publishing, who took care of the editing with me, along with illustration and marketing.  It was the best choice for me, given that I don’t really have the time to give my full attention to.  My main life is my family, raising my children, owning and working our family business.  This was intended for a retirement age; but I became anxious to get started earlier, plus who knows how long we live.

How is writing in the genre you write, different than other genre?

I find myself changing my approach at times; thinking it might be to strong for young readers.  My stories are very sensitive and scary with reality of life.  It’s important to test my work with other mothers to make sure my direction will be acceptable.

Are there any problems in getting children’s’ books published? 

You need to have a manuscript that would interest publishers; plus you need to take constructive criticism.  I accepted the fact that the world of authors, publishers, and editors is not of a world I’m educated in.  Therefore, I was humble with people that I met with to get my books published and learned what I could to present to my readers a good book.

Why and when did you begin writing?

I found myself writing to occupy my focus towards my tragedy in a more comfortable direction.  Loosing my firstborn child was difficult; but we had been blessed with two healthy children afterwards.  But during the years of raising our children, I would find long nights with much on my mind.  Amanda stayed alive within me through my writings; which I’m anxious to share with young readers and families.

What is your writing schedule?

When I can find the time and/or when an idea arrives.  The stories I’ve published and that are in work are stories I had written many years ago.  As I polish these up and as our children grow; I’m learning of new stories I want to create.  I guess time will tell.

What projects are you working on now, or plan for the future?

I’m looking to do as many book signing events as possible.  My children have been very active with community events and I’m focusing on how to fit in my books with their activities as well. 

What kind of advice or tips to you have for someone who wants to write and get published?

As an author, I have learned who I can count on for proper attention and constructive advice.  Meeting other authors and reading about other authors in your area of writing will help you to establish your own appearance as to how you want to be perceived.  Take your time and don’t be to anxious, make sure all is correct before you place a finalization on anything. 

Are there any other comments, advice or tips that you would give to beginning writers?

Good Luck and don’t be afraid, let the world see your work.

What do you do when you are not writing?

 Between working full time and raising a family; my time is limited.  But I try my best to read what I can, research where I can, and take down notes or ideas as it hits me. 

Anything else you would like to add?

I’m proud I have taken the opportunity to become an author.  I hope to continue with not only The Amanda the Angel Series, but with something even bigger some day.

What “Made It” moments have you experienced in life?

Nothing can make me any more proud than our children.  When I see my son or daughter get up on stage to do acting or dancing; that’s when I feel each and every time, “Made It” moment.  My author title has really surprised me in how it has drawn in my children with interest. I’m proud how they are thriving on my excitement to become active themselves, not necessarily as writers, but in different challenges they are undertaking.   

You can learn more about Patricia and her writing by visiting her websites at:

www.patriciakubus.com

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000805753762

http://patriciagoskowskikubus.blogspot.com/

You can visit my other blog at: http://love-faith-and-guts.blogspot.com/ that features a preview to my new book that will be released in 2012, Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts.

Prolific Published Author, Richard Brenner, Announces Latest Book, Baseball Superstars

I grew up on the streets of Brooklyn, NY, where I played a lot of ball. I went to Brooklyn College and then traveled around parts of the world, first by motorcycle and then through various means, with hitchhiking being foremost. Later on, I went to work at a bookstore and then, at a publishing company. Eventually, I got tired of working on other people's books and decided to write my own, and while I was at it, I decided to start my own publishing company. I was always tired of working at someone else’s company.

Tell us about the genre of your work. 

I write non-fiction, including a great many biographies, for various age groups. I’ve also created a great many books that offer short profiles of a variety of players, with accompanying photographs. In fact, almost all of my books use a great deal of photography. Most of my books have been written about athletes or sports, in one way or another.

Why did you choose this genre?

It was an accident, like much of life, and it's a long story; entertaining, but long. I guess that I can come up with a short version. I wrote one and it did so well that my distributors, mostly school book club and book fair companies, asked if I could do another one, and then that one did so well…

What are some of your books, stories that have been published?

I've had about 100 books published, including easy-to-read photo biographies about athletes such as Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter. My three most recent books are Gridiron Heroes: Six Heisman Trophy Winners and World Series Showdowns, which were published in 2010, and The All-Time All-Star Team (a book in which I select the best football players of all-time, and include photographs of some of them), which was published in August, 2011. I just completed a new book, Baseball Superstars, which will be available in January, 2012.

What ages do you direct your books?

I've written for young children (grades 2-3), for slightly older children and 8-12.

Can you tell us more about your books, and how they can be purchased?

That would be too tedious a task, given the number of books. I sell most of my books through Scholastic Book Fair Co. and, sometimes, through Scholastic Book Clubs. I also deal with a limited number of retailers and regional book fair companies. As a publisher, I also sell the titles that I have in print directly to individuals via mail order.  Fortunately, my titles tend to sell out, so I only have, at most, about 6-8 titles in inventory at any one time. Used copies of all, or mostly all, of my books are also available, unfortunately, all over the Internet.

Do your books have a teaching objective?  If so, what is it?

My main objective is to write books that are entertaining enough so that children will find they enjoy reading. Beyond that, I tend to stress the value of hard work, determination, and the ability of individuals to triumph over failure.

What is your favorite thing about your book/s?

The satisfaction that I get from writing a sentence that sounds perfect. If I may add a second one, it’s all the fan mail that I’ve received from children, parents, and educators, telling me how much my books have meant to them.

Is your book illustrated?  If so, would you tell us by whom, and if you worked with an illustrator, can you discuss that experience?

All of my books have photographs, but none of them are illustrated. As a publisher, however, I do work with designers, and I enjoy that aspect of the work, because it allows me to be creative in a different way. I did publish a storybook by another writer a few years ago, which did have illustrations, and I enjoyed interacting with and directing the work of the illustrator.

How is writing in the genre you write, different than other genre?

The most important distinction is that I’m bounded by facts, not the limits of my imagination.

Are there any problems in getting children’s’ books published? 

The general answer would be yes, but I’ve been uncommonly fortunate.

Why and when did you begin writing?

I began thinking of myself as a writer during my junior year in high school, when a teacher asked me to read something that I had written to the entire class. It was just about the first time that any teacher had ever cited me for anything except bad behavior. After that, I was asked me to read every piece that I wrote for that class.

What is your writing schedule?

In regard to my professional writing, as opposed to the writing that I just do, I start to write when I close a deal. My schedule, once I get started, depends upon how much time I have to produce finished books. Sometimes it’s loose, and I have time to do the other things that I enjoy, and sometimes I’m working through the day and into the night, for weeks at a time.

Today was the end of a some intense weeks, between the writing, working with a new designer, and dealing with my printer.

What projects are you working on now, or plan for the future?

Right now, I’m not working on or planning anything. I’m just going to, as they say, kickback.

What kind of advice or tips to you have for someone who wants to write and get published?

Write. Read. Write. Write. Write. I was talking to a painter last night who told me that when she stops painting she loses her muscles for painting. Not the muscles in her arm or hand, but the ones in her eyes, and the process that allows her brain to move her brush.

That’s the way that I’ve always thought writing, or becoming successful at virtually anything. Michael Jordan became a great basketball player by playing and practicing basketball for thousands of hours before he ever thought of being paid for doing so.

If someone tells me that they want to write, I always tell them, “then write.”

Getting published, that’s a different story. Although now, with all the publishing that people can do on line, everyone can be a writer or, at least, get published.

Are there any other comments, advice or tips that you would give to beginning writers?

Read out loud. Listen to how words sound, how they play when strung together.

What do you do when you are not writing? 

I get a great deal of satisfaction from sailing and hiking, and an almost equal amount of frustration from attempting to play golf. I go to the theater, museums, galleries and concerts quite a bit, and I also enjoy reading, listening to music, gardening, and cooking.

What “Made It” moments have you experienced in life?

Most of the time, I’m simply in the process of living and working, but one time, about 10 years ago, on a bright summer day, while waiting for a golfing buddy to hit his balI, I suddenly had an epiphany: against formidable odds, I had become a successful writer and publisher and, as a result, had also achieved the financial independence that I had been seeking for most of my adult life.



From Sylvia:  My book blog link is:

Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts

                http://love-faith-and-guts.blogspot.com/

Susanna L. Hill Provides Insight into Her Childrens Books

Susanna when did you begin writing.

I wrote my first book in 2nd Grade.  It is called The Girl and The Witch and I will read it to you if I come to your school!  When I was 3, I was quite sure I would have a career driving a steamroller.  When I got older, I wanted to be a fireman, a teacher, and a veterinarian.  But I always wanted to be a mom and a writer, and now I am both!  I love reading, writing, and visiting schools to share my stories and my passion for writing with kids.  I also love horses and my two rescue dogs.  I am always happy to hear from readers, so please visit my website, FaceBook page, and blog!

Tell us about the genre of your work. 

I write novelty books (pop-up, lift-the-flap, board books), picture books, and early readers.  I am working on some longer books, but they are not published yet.

Why did you choose this genre?

I love writing for this age.  There is something special about these books, because they are read-to-me books.  By definition, they will be shared with a child by a parent, grandparent, or other adult.  These are the books that introduce children to the whole experience of reading.

What are some of your books, stories that have been published?

The House That Mack Built (Little Simon 2002), Taxi! (Little Simon 2005), Punxsutawney Phyllis (Holiday House 2005), No Sword Fighting In The House (Holiday House 2007), Not Yet, Rose (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers 2009), Airplane Flight!: A Lift-The-Flap Adventure (Little Simon 2009), Freight Train Trip!: A Lift-The-Flap Adventure (Little Simon 2009), Can’t Sleep Without Sheep (Walker/Bloomsbury 2010), and April Fool, Phyllis! (Holiday House 2011).

What ages do you direct your books?

The novelty books are for ages 2-5, picture books for 3-7 or 4-8, and early reader for ages 6-9.

Where can we find your books?

The House That Mack Built (Preschool Pop-Ups ages 2-5), ISBN# 978-0689848131, available from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Ebay

Taxi! (A Matchbox License Plate Board Book with car ages 2-5), ISBN# 978-1416902546, available from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Ebay

Punxsutawney Phyllis (picture book in hardcover or paperback ages 4-8), ISBN# 978-0823420407, available from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Holiday House.  Phyllis is a Book Sense Children’s Pick for Fall 2005, an Amelia Bloomer Project Feminist Picks for Youth Book 2006, and is available through Scholastic as a paperback with cassette tape or CD audio recording under the title Wake Up Groundhog.  Also available in French as Debout Marmotte.

No Sword Fighting In The House (early reader level 2 ages 6-9), ISBN# 978-0823419166, available from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Holiday House.  No Sword Fighting is a Junior Library Guild Selection.

Not Yet, Rose (picture book ages 3-8), ISBN# 978-0802853264, available from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Eerdmans Books For Young Readers.  Rose won a Gold Mom’s Choice Award for Excellence.  Also available in Dutch as Een Broertje of een zusje Roos?

Airplane Flight!: A Lift-The-Flap Adventure (lift-the-flap board book ages 2-5), ISBN# 978-1416978329, available from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Little Simon.  Also available in Japanese

Freight Train Trip!: A Lift-The-Flap Adventure (lift-the-flap board book ages 2-5), ISBN# 978-1416978336, available from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Little Simon.  Also available in Japanese.

Can’t Sleep Without Sheep (picture book ages 3-7) ISBN# 978-0802720665, available from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Walker/Bloomsbury.  Available in paperback in the UK.  Can’t Sleep is a Children’s Book of the Month Club Book and was nominated for the Alabama Camellia Children’s Choice Award.  It will soon be available in Korean.

April Fool, Phyllis! (picture book ages 4-8), ISBN# 978-0823422708, available from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Holiday House.  This is my newest book.

Do your books have a teaching objective?  If so, what is it?

Most of my books include something you can learn about – constructions vehicles, a day in the life of a taxi cab, airplanes, freight trains, getting a new sibling, Groundhog Day, April Fools Day, etc…  Both Punxsutawney Phyllis and April Fool, Phyllis! actually include back matter with educational content and teaching info.  Most of my books have accompanying coloring pages, activities, and/or classroom guides on my website, available for free download.

How do you come up with the names of places and characters in your books?

I don’t have a specific method.  Usually I just roll names around in my mind until I find something that feels right.  But in the case of Mack from The House That Mack Built, I wanted a name that rhymed with Jack because the story is based on the cumulative rhyme.  In the case of Phyllis from Punxsutawney Phyllis and April Fool, Phyllis! her name was a play on Punxsutawney Phil.

How did you develop the character/s of your in each of your books (If you have more that one)?

Since I write books for youngest readers, I’m not sure my characters are developed in quite the same way as characters in middle grade, young adult, or adult books.

Is there a unique character or a recurring character if you have more than one published or to be published book?

Punxsutawney Phyllis, a spunky girl groundhog, appears in both Punxsutawney Phyllis and April Fool, Phyllis!

What is your favorite thing about your book/s?

Sharing them with people, and hearing from time to time that people read them and enjoy them.

Are your books illustrated?  If so, would you tell us by whom, and if you worked with an illustrator, can you discuss that experience?

All of my books are illustrated.  I have worked with Ken Wilson-Max, SI International, Jeffrey Ebbeler, True Kelley, Nicole Rutten, Ana Martin Larranaga, and Mike Wohnoutka.  Jeff, Nicole, and Mike were particularly fabulous to work with.  Each of them captured the mood of the book(s) they illustrated perfectly and did the best possible job of bringing the stories to life.  As a rule, however, I don’t choose the illustrator.  I don’t see the work until it’s done.  So my interaction with the illustrators tends to be afterwards.

How is writing in the genre you write, different than other genre?

When writing picture books, half the job is meant to be done by the illustrator, so you need to leave room for their creativity.  Also, as I mentioned above, books at this level are meant to be read to a child by an adult.  This gives you a little more latitude in vocabulary and subject than you might otherwise have because there will always be an adult present to explain anything the child doesn’t know.

Are there any problems in getting children’s’ books published? 

I would say mainly that it’s difficult because it’s such a competitive field.  There are so many wonderfully talented authors and illustrators, and not everyone can be published at once.

Why and when did you begin writing?

I started writing when I was four, on the kitchen floor.  I guess I have a lot to say J

What is your writing schedule?

I’m not sure that I have one exactly, beyond that I try to write every day.

What projects are you working on now, or plan for the future?

I am currently working on a digital storybook for A Story Before Bed.

What kind of advice or tips to you have for someone who wants to write and get published?

Read a lot in your genre so you see what’s out there, who’s doing it well, and what you can learn from the masters.  Write every day.  Don’t give up J

Are there any other comments, advice or tips that you would give to beginning writers?

There are a lot of great books on the craft of writing you can read.  If you have the opportunity, attend conferences and/or writing workshops.

What do you do when you are not writing? 

Take care of my husband and 5 kids, my home, and my 2 dogs; go on school and library visits to share my stories and my passion for writing with students; read, walk my dogs, run, ride horses if I get the chance; spend time on marketing and blogging.

What “Made It” moments have you experienced in life?

The phone calls when I found out an editor wanted to publish one of my books J, winning the Mom’s Choice Award for Not Yet Rose, getting invited to visit schools and libraries.

Add your web site, blogs, and links here.

Website: http://www.susannahill.com

Blog:  http://susannahill.blogspot.com

Face Book Page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Susanna-Leonard-Hill/246146107330



From Sylvia:  My book blog link is:

Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts

                http://love-faith-and-guts.blogspot.com/

Chatting with Melissa Ridenour about Her Book,What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers, and Why it is Important

My name is Melissa Harker Ridenour, formerly a teacher and librarian. I am now a freelance writer and children’s book author. I have published essays, poetry, magazine articles, and web articles as well. I believe in the power of words. Words define us. Our use of words, in both spoken and written communication, is often the first and most formidable impression that we make.

As a former teacher, I have mentored students in every capacity of their educational development. As a mother and grandmother, I share concerns with all parents for the safety of children.  My love of children and concern for their safety and well-being is one of the motivating factors behind the development of my book, What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers.

I offer workshops to schools and other educational institutions or organizations. The workshops reinforce for children, in a fun and creative way, some of the information and strategies presented in What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers.

I am an alumnus of West Virginia University with a Master’s degree in English, Education, and Library Science. I reside happily in Morgantown, WV with my husband and family.

Tell us about the genre of your work. 

National Book Award Finalist USA Book News

What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers is a nonfiction children’s book. The book teaches and empowers children, in a non-threatening way, to take a proactive role in staying safe from predators and harm.

The concept of “stranger” is difficult for children to understand. What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers explains to children the concept of strangers in a very kid-friendly way.

The interactive format of multiple choice solutions to potentially dangerous situations involving strangers creatively engages both children and parents and presents effective strategies for taking precautions and staying safe. Games and puzzles in the book reinforce the lessons learned. A chapter for parents presents tactics for reassuring their children and protecting them from potential threat. My book is targeted to elementary students, but, ideally, it is meant to be a shared experience between parent and child, and between student and teacher.

What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers debuted at Book Expo America in New York City in May, 2011. It was very well received there, particularly among parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians who wanted the book for their children or as a reference tool for schools and libraries.

Why did you choose this genre?

I chose to write What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers for a couple of reasons. According to the most recent statistics from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 79% percent of abductions are committed by strangers and 21% by acquaintances. Unfortunately, the following statistics are even more alarming: Forty percent of children in stereotypical kidnappings, that is to say, kidnappings by non-family members or strangers, are killed. Four percent of the children are never found.  The Center also claims that 75% of adults fear that something similar could happen to their own children.  I always had that fear.

Another reason for writing a book on such a subject begins with a traumatic memory from my childhood. When my best friend and I were mere children, I awoke one school morning to my mother having to explain to me that I wouldn’t see my friend in school anymore. She explained to me, as gently as she could, that my friend had been abducted, raped, and murdered the evening before. That was a difficult thing for me to understand at that age.

As a child, when I would walk to school, I would have to pass the spot where my friend’s body was discovered. I remember for the longest time running, terrified, past that spot each time. Adding to the tragedy of the story is the fact that her mother, the next year, committed suicide by hanging herself. She was never able to cope with the loss of her daughter, especially in such a violent way.

That haunting memory has always affected me, even as I became a mother myself. One of my greatest fears as a young mother, and even now that my children are grown with children of their own, is that something similar could happen to my children or grandchildren. That fear, combined with the alarming statistics regarding missing and exploited children motivated me to write a book that would teach children to take a pro-active role in staying safe from abduction, and to help parents and other care givers learn how to keep children safe from abduction or harm.

What are some of your books, stories that have been published?

Though I have published poetry, essays and magazine articles, What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers is my first published book.

What ages do you direct your books?

What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers is targeted to children from ages 7 to 12, but, ideally, it is meant to be a shared experience between parent and child. If it is used as a shared experience, the book could be beneficial to pre-school and kindergarten aged children as well.

Can you tell us where we can find your book?

What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers is published by Headline Kids (a division of Headline Books, Inc – a small, independent, but award-winning, publishing company). http://www.headlinekids.com/. The ISBN is 978-0-938467-11-3. My book can be found on the publisher website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Ingrams, Follett, and Baker & Taylor.

Do your books have a teaching objective?  If so, what is it?

My book is meant to empower children. The objective is to teach children to take a pro-active role in staying safe from abduction, and to help parents and other care givers learn how to keep children safe from abduction or harm.

What is your favorite thing about your book/s?

The favorite thing about my book is the reassuring way it explains the concept of strangers to children so that they learn whom they should and should not trust without becoming frightened or distrustful of people in general. I also very much like the interactive format of the multiple choice solutions to twenty different threatening scenarios (both at home and in public places) that could face children from potential abductors.

Is your book illustrated?  If so, would you tell us by whom, and if you worked with an illustrator, can you discuss that experience?

Yes, my book is illustrated. My illustrator is Leslie Fehling, a skilled artist and acquaintance of mine. We collaborated on our vision for the illustrations.

How is writing in the genre you write, different than other genre?

My book took much research and documentation. I wanted to be certain that all the information presented was factual and all the strategies presented in the book were sound ones recommended by law enforcement.

Are there any problems in getting children’s’ books published? 

The submission process is excruciating. It involves much time and effort to effectively sell an idea or a book to a publisher. It involves many instances of rejection as well.

Why and when did you begin writing?

I have always written. Even as a child, I used to make up silly little stories and write them down for my family to read – whether they wanted to or not.  I also taught creative writing and research and writing as a Language Arts teacher. I didn’t start writing professionally until I retired from teaching.

What is your writing schedule?

I try to get writing done every day. From mid-morning to late afternoon, I am either working on new stories or trying to keep up with my required number of web articles that I write for Suite 101 and other websites. Actively promoting and marketing my new book has cut into my writing time somewhat.

What projects are you working on now, or plan for the future?

In addition to my freelance writing, which is a consistently on-going process, I am currently working on a new children’s fiction book that has to do with the theme of bullying.

What kind of advice or tips to you have for someone who wants to write and get published?

Publisher rejection slips are painful to both experienced and inexperienced writers, but publisher rejection comes with the territory. My suggestion is that writers should not take publisher rejection personally, keep writing and submitting, and don’t despair. They are in good company. Some very famous and successful writers have received their fair share of rejections and unfavorable reviews. Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was referred to by critics as “a stiff, overwrought story”. Jane Austen was reviewed as “a husband –hunting butterfly”. A critic called Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities “a dead pull from start to finish”.

Are there any other comments, advice or tips that you would give to beginning writers?

Just write, write, write! After writing something, put it aside for a time, and then come back to it later and read what you have written. Often that gives a fresh perspective to your writing and, most usually, results in editing and rewriting until you are satisfied with your finished piece. Oscar Wilde once said, “I have spent most of the day putting in a comma and the rest of the day taking it out.”

What do you do when you are not writing? 

I read, enjoy movies, and getting outdoors for recreational activities, such as tennis and rollerblading. I enjoy less rigorous outdoor activities too. Just taking a walk alone on a beautiful day is as enjoyable as anything. I like to think when I walk. I often come up with story ideas while walking.

Anything else you would like to add?

I recently taught the stranger safety portion of a safety day event held by the Progressive Agriculture Organization at a 4-H camp. I taught 9 different 15 minute sessions as the groups of children rotated from one type of safety session to another on 15 minute intervals. In each of my nine sessions that I taught, I had students role play a scenario in which one child played the role of a stranger and one played the role of a child playing in the park. The stranger was to approach the child and tell the child that he had lost his dog somewhere in the park and was to convince the child to help him find his dog. About 50 % of the time the child in each of the role playing sessions agreed to help the stranger find his dog in the park. Of course, I explained to the children why agreeing to do so was not a safe choice. Lesson should have been learned, right?! However, the organizers of the event, after my having already conducted each of the role playing scenarios involving the stranger, the child and the lost dog, had a man approach the group from behind and ask one of the children in each session to help him load some things in his truck. Only 4 out of 9 children passed that test.

So, the point that I am making in relating to you the story about the role playing test, is not only to highlight the general naivety of children in such situations, but also to illustrate the fact that the lesson didn’t take with just one teaching. Some research has shown that something must be heard seven times before it truly sinks in – sometimes even with the smartest of individuals. That is why it is important that my book, What Would You Do? A Kid’s Guide to Staying Safe in a World of Strangers, is ideally shared between parent and child / teacher and students. Parents and teachers can help their children practice the strategies learned and reinforce the information from the book that the children need to remember to stay safe.

What “Made It” moments have you experienced in life?

My “Made It” moments include my graduation from WVU with my Masters, the birth of my children and grandchildren, the very first time that I got a piece published – a poem in a literary magazine, and, of course, finally getting my first children’s book published. Add your web site, blogs, and links here.

My book website: Melissa Harker Ridenour Books at http://www.authormelissaharkerridenour.com/

By new Child Safety Blog: http://childsafety-melissa.blogspot.com/


From Sylvia:  My book blog link is:

Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts

                http://love-faith-and-guts.blogspot.com/