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Sally Murphy, Australian author

Seven Questions – Katie Hines

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It has been a while since I’ve had someone drop by to answer my seven questions. In this series of mini interviews I ask each visitor the same seven questions. Today, at long last, I have a new victim! Katies Hines has agreed to share Her answers to my questions.

Welcome Katie.

1. Tell us a little about your publication credits. If you have none, tell us about the genres you prefer to write, and your current projects.

Most of my publishing credits are for area newspapers. I have written a humor column, op-ed pieces and feature articles in the last three years.

Presently, I have “Guardian,” a middle grade urban fantasy set to be released by 4RV Publishing, in May/June, 2009.

Works in progress include a couple of chapter books, a nonfiction magazine article, and two middle grade fantasies.

2. How long have you been writing for children?

About three years.

3. How much time do you spend each week writing and/or revising? And how much time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researching markets and so on?

The time I spend each week on writing varies. I average about 10 hours writing on my current book, but am also involved in researching same, so sometimes I don’t get that much done on my new book. And, at this time, with the launch of my first book nearing, I am spending more time with promotional and marketing projects. Frankly, it is taking more of my time than I like, but I don’t see any way around it if I want my book to be a success.
Currently, marketing and promo stuff is about, oh, twenty hours a week or so (that includes weekends). There’s a lot to the marketing and promo, and a lot of things I’m doing now are things that I won’t have to redo when another book of mine is released.

4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you reading right now?

I’m embarrassed to say I don’t do a lot of children’s book reading. Right now, I’m reading “Inkspell” by Cornelia Funke. I do buy a lot of books for my grandson, and those comprise most of what I’m reading children’s-book-wise presently.

5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share with other professional children’s writers?

Write what you love. My stories are fantasy, which is the genre I am most familiar with reading-wise, although I do read a lot of books from different genres. I didn’t plan on being a children’s writer, it is just kinda what came out when I started writing. If you don’t write what you love, it will be apparent in your writing. That sparkle and enthusiasm will be missing.

6. What is your favorite online resource for children’s writers? Why?

That’s a hard one because there are so many good ones. Harold Underdown’s, “The Purple Crayon” is good. Margot Fink has a great site, and of course The Institute of Children’s Literature. Where I go depends on what I’m looking for. Whenever I come across a good site, I promptly bookmark it and label it, so I know where to look the next time I’m looking for something. We can’t leave the Yahoo groups out, either, because there are so many good ones, and you can find the answers to just about any question you have from other authors on those sites.

7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote your published works and/or your writing skills?

I do not have a website, but I do have a blog (http://katiehines.blogspot.com) and am not sure I want to do a website. I do have a domain name I’ve paid for, just in case. Right now, I am working on joining social networking sites. I have plans to attend regional book festivals to promote my book and the books offered by my publisher, www.4RVPublishinglllc.com.

Local newspapers are good for promoting your writing via news releases, along with school visits and book signings. A solid internet presence is a must, because it is very difficult to market your books outside of your local area.

Thanks for dropping by, Katie.

If you would like to be interviewed here, drop me a line.

Seven Answers to Seven Questions: Ransom Noble Blogtour 2

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Ransom Noble drops in today for her second visit to my blog. This time, Ransom is answering my seven questions. thanks for coming, Ransom.

1. Tell us a little about your publication credits.

My first novel is about to be published, The Art of Science. My first short story was published last year, “Qui’s Contract” available in an anthology called Ruins Metropolis.
The genres I prefer to write are speculative fiction and young adult, separately or together. I am currently working on a novel that combines them, where dreams are not what they seem. Also, I have a short story, “Burning Bright,” pending for another anthology from the same publisher as Ruins Metropolis called Footprints.

2. How long have you been writing for children?


I write where my inspiration leads. The Art of Science is the first project I did specifically geared for a younger audience, and I completed the rough draft about six years ago.

3. How much time do you spend each week writing and/or revising? And how much time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researching markets and so on?


Oh, that is a good question. I ought to keep better tabs on it, but time often gets away from me. I am currently at home focusing on writing, and my husband finds it quite difficult to drag me away from the computer sometimes. I’m spending less time writing, and more on revising, promotion, and research lately.

4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you reading right now?

Right now I’m reading Hooked, which is about writing. Specifically it focuses on the best way to open a story or novel, but it also covers a big picture concept of projects.

5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share with other professional children’s writers?

When I was about a year old but still under two, my mother and a friend of hers were walking in the mall with me. I asked, “Mom, is that a statue or a mannequin?” Mom tells me her friend was flabbergasted that I knew those words at such a young age. It might have been the writer in me showing from an early age or my mother’s own talent for writing and passing on her love of words, but she always taught me the proper words when she could. My advice to other writers is to always consider word choice. I don’t mean writing at the same level for adults as for children, but don’t be afraid to use a word here or there to expand the vocabulary for your readers. Often they learn words from use in context, and the more they run into words the more they’ll understand them.

6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?

I have heard that SCBWI is the best online resource for children’s writers. I plan to join soon! http://www.scbwi.org/

7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote your published works and/or your writing skills?

http://ransomnoble.wordpress.com/
I also have a facebook page as an author. I have 20 fans! We all start somewhere, right?

I have done author readings and plan to do more with my upcoming novel. I will be visiting schools and bookstores as well as promoting online with a blog tour and trying to get reviews.

Thanks for sharing your answers Ransom. Good luck with the forthcoming book.

If YOU would like to be featured here with your seven answers to my questions, drop me a line.

Seven Answers to Seven Questions: The Fairy Lady

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Today, the Fairy Lady, Bobbie Hinman, has fluttered in to share her seven answers to my seven questions. thanks for coming, Bobbie.

1. Tell us a little about your publication credits.

I am the author of two children’s picture books, The Knot Fairy and The Sock Fairy. These books reveal the answers to two of life’s major mysteries: How did my hair get so tangled while I was sleeping? And Where IS that missing sock? After all, who better to blame it on than a fairy? The two books have won a combined total of eleven children’s book awards. Coming in April is the third book in the series, The Belly Button Fairy. I don’t want to give away the plot, however, have you ever wondered why everyone’s belly button is exactly in the middle?

2. How long have you been writing for children?

My first children’s book was released in 2007. Before that, I authored seven cookbooks. I do love children’s books more because no one ever asked me to read one of my cookbooks to them.

3. How much time do you spend each week writing and/or revising? And howmuch time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researchingmarkets and so on?

When I’m working on a new book, as I am now, I work on it one to two hours a day. My books are all in rhyme and after about an hour, my brain stops rhyming and goes to sleep. As far as promotion, I work about four hours a day. This includes, but is definitely not limited to, contacting schools and libraries for visits, creating and mailing flyers to prospective clients and making contacts via the internet. I also make time for one to two events or appearances each week For me the writing is much easier than the promotion.

4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are youreading right now?

About once each week I visit my local bookstore or library, purchase a very large cup of coffee and read the new books on the shelf. In addition, I read upper elementary chapter books with my grandchildren. I just finished reading the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer at the urging of one granddaughters. I am now reading The Secret of Bailey’s Chase by Marlis Day with another of my grandchildren. In addition, I still manage to find time to read “grown up” books. I just finished a wonderful book – The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker.

5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or sharewith other professional children’s writers?

First, be sure you know the reading level of your target audience and know the age of the children you are writing for. This may sound too obvious, however I have met several authors who, when asked what the age level is for their book, don’t have an answer. Second, find a group of children in your targeted age group and create your own focus group. Third, read the book to them and listen to what they have to say. This may be painful, however it is crucial. Finally, make the book the very best you can and don’t let it go out into the world until it is ready.

6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?

My favorite resource is other writers. I am finding that following their blogs is a great way for me to keep up with other writers’ thoughts and insights. These blogs offer a wonderful resource for information and advice. I have been contacted by other children’s writers through my blog, as well as through Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter. This has given me the opportunity to interact with them and share ideas. I am always eager and willing to share my thoughts and resources.

7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote yourpublished works and/or your writing skills?
I do have a blog – http://bobbiehinman.blogspot.com – and a website – http://bestfairybooks.com. In addition, I exhibit my books at major book fairs and have been a guest presenter at many of these events. I also attend fairy festivals, art fairs and toy fairs. I host fairy events at bookstores and have even hosted a Fairy Ball for children. In each city that I visit, I try to schedule several school and library visits. At these events I give away postcards, bookmarks and information about my presentations. I use my colorful postcards as business cards and hand them out freely wherever I go.

Thanks so much for your answers, Bobbie.

If YOU would like to be featured here and answer my seven questions, drop me a line.

Seven Answers to seven Questions: Micah Linton

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Today Micah Linton drops by to share his answers to my seven questions. Thanks for coming, Micah.

1. Tell us a little about your publication credits.

Weebeasts Plight is published by Greenleaf Book Group, March 2009. Previous books include Weebeasts Origins published March 2008 by Beast Stew and Weebeastology a collection of artwork from the series published October 2008 also by Beast Stew. Currently I am working on Weebeasts Quest, the next book in the series with a 2010 release date in mind.

2. How long have you been writing for children?

Writing stories in one form or another for fourteen years; first creating scripts and story branches for video games and now for the past two years writing books.

3. How much time do you spend each week writing and/or revising? And how much time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researching markets and so on?


For the most part I try and concentrate on the creative aspect of writing and illustrating during the day and leave an hour or two in the evening or early morning to catch up on the computer. Typically I would say about 60 hours of creative work and 10 hours of related business tasks per week.

4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you reading right now?

My daughter is still very young so the books I am reading right now are pop up peek a boo books. Otherwise I go to various libraries several times to stock up on children’s books, graphic novels and audio books which I enjoy listening to when I draw and paint.

5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share with other professional children’s writers?

Create what you would have enjoyed to read as a child.

6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?

http://www.scbwi.org/ or Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, a member section that is updated frequently and helpful blogs for both local and events abroad.

7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote your published works and/or your writing skills?

Yes, Weebeasts website can be found at http://www.weebeasts.com/ and I do also keep blogs for new Weebeast events http://beaststew-weebeasts.blogspot.com/ and for new artwork at http://beaststew.blogspot.com/
Other ways I promote the Weebeasts is to attend festival and conventions as well as arrange book signings at bookstores, libraries, and schools.

Thanks for visiting, Micah.

If YOU would like to be featured here, and share your answers to my seven questions, drop me a line.

Seven Answers to Seven Questions: Dorothy Massey

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My visitor today is Dorothy Massey who has come to answer my seven questions. thanks for coming, Dorothy.

1. Tell us a little about your publication credits.

I write children’s fiction and educational materials.
I’m the author of The Ghost Twin Tales, three short stories featured in the Pinestein Press anthology, Mini Mysteries and Kooky Spookies.
My ESOL book: Speaking English, published by Studymates is currently in its third edition.
I have two poetry packs awaiting publication with an educational publisher.

2. How long have you been writing for children?

I’ve been writing poems and stories since I was a child myself, but I started to focus on writing for children about five or six years ago when I took the Institute of Children’s Literature Course in Writing for Children and Teenagers. I’ve focussed on writing for children since then.

3. How much time do you spend each week writing and/or revising? And how much time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researching markets and so on?

That’s a difficult question to ask as no two weeks are the same. Sometimes I’ll spend a whole day working on one particular story. At the moment I’ve just started a fantasy novel and my aim is to write 500 words or so, 5 times a week. I do try to do some writing every day, but have to admit sometimes I get sidetracked. I set weekly goals for both writing and marketing/promotion, but sometimes one thing has to take priority for one reason or another.

4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you reading right now?

Again this varies. I devour books in one sitting wherever possible as once I start reading I don’t like to put a book down before I’m finished. Right now I’m re-reading Michelle Paver’s Wolf Brother. I spend a lot of time reading stories in magazines and publications I want to get published in. This will probably change though as I’ve just started writing a middle grade fantasy novel. I spend a lot more time reading children’s books than books aimed at adults.

5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share with other professional children’s writers?

Enter competitions! They’ve opened doors for me. Seek out, or ask for editors’ and publishers’ needs. Offer what they want, but provide them with a little extra.
Read, read, read and seek out other children’s writers as mentors, friends and critics (constructive critics, of course) .

6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?

I can’t say I have a favourite. I do read a lot of blogs and author websites to see what’s going on in the world of children’s writing. I like Write4kids, the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club site etc. I also subscribe to a lot of online newsletters and a few listserves.

7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote your published works and/or your writing skills?

Yes, I have a blog: www.kidsbooksuk.blogspot.com. I teach classes and workshops on Creative Writing in my local community. I’m hoping to break into school visits in the near future and have just applied to an organisation who arrange school visits. I’m a member of the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club and SSWAG (Seven Stories Writers’ and Artists’ Group) SSWAG are currently touring with an exhibition entitled Work in Progress, showing how writers and artists work, from ideas, notes and sketches through to publication. I promote myself through my local press too.
I’m a member of several list serve groups such as Children’s Writers and Wordpool and have recently joined Facebook. I attend workshops, roadshows and conferences too. I just to be shy about networking and promoting myself, but now I love it.
Soon I’ll have one of my stories recorded as a podcast by a TV presenter. I’m very excited about that. I’ve been asked to speak about this experience to local community groups.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us, Dorothy.

If YOU would like to be featured here, drop me a line and I’ll send you the questions.

Seven Answers to Seven Questions: Irene Harvey

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Today we are joined by new children’s author Irene Harvey, who has dropped in to answer to my seven questions. Welcome Irene.

1. Tell us a little about your publication credits. If you have none, tell us about the genres you prefer to write, and your current projects.

Being a new author, I am still looking for publication credits. I prefer to write for younger children, and am currently working on my second book, which features a ‘Big Red London Bus’, which became old and was parked in a garage with other old unwanted buses, and neglected. My story, told from the perspective of the bus, tells how he was chosen to become a Playbus for the children. The bus tells what is happening to him, including being loaded onto a huge truck and being taken to New York USA, where work started on converting him. It conveys his excitement at all the events and how he will look when he is finished. My bus also remembers the others left behind in the UK, and wishes they too could become as happy as he is.When the work is done and he is very smart, with a big smile, the driver and playleader are introduced, and they give him a name, which he is really happy about. The stories then tell where they went, and the children (by name) who visit the bus to play. The book has ten short stories and each story builds on the one before. The book is fully illustrated. I am enjoying this work – real escapism, hours are lost!!!

2. How long have you been writing for children?

I have 3 adult sons and ten grandchildren, and started to write for children, when my sons were small, and then for grandchildren, and wider family. Until recently, I never attempted to publish any of my work, but with encouragement from family, friends and neighbours, I submitted my current book, titled William the Fairground Car, and this was published in New York, in December 2008.

3. How much time do you spend each week writing and/or revising? And how much time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researching markets and so on?

I am currently spending about 3 to 4 hours a day on promotion and researching the markets. I know my book is good to read, but I am trying to ensure people who may be interested know about it. This does reduce the time I have for writing at the moment, but I always spend some time writing, because it is so relaxing, I am in a children’s world, with no ‘day to day’ problems to deal with.

4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you reading right now?

I spend about an hour each evening reading children’s books, as they are both fun to read and I learn how other authors go about their work. I am currently reading ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’, as there were so many positive reviews, I wanted to read it. They were right – it is good.

5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share with other professional children’s writers?

The best advice I could give any would-be-writers, is to only write in the genre you enjoy. When you are enjoying your work, it becomes a task you want to do, not a chore.

6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?

My favourite online resource must be your site. You give us new authors a chance to be noticed, as well as reviewing and reccomending both new and established books. Thank you so much for the opportunity. Sally smiles and says ‘thanks for the vote of confidence’.

7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote your published works and/or your writing skills?

My current book, titled William the Fairground Car, is a series of ten short stories, again each story building on the one before. It is fully illustrated. William is the main character on his Merry-go-Round and he has seven other carriages as his friends. They can talk to each other, in a way no-one else can hear. The stories cover all the excitement the children experience when visiting the fairground, including fun rides on William’s merry-go-round, and visits by elephants, clowns and ponies from the nearby circus. The stories are told from the perspective of William the Car, and he tells how much fun he is having with all the children.It makes nice bedtime stories, and reading for the younger reader.My publishers website is: http://eloquentbooks.com/WilliamtheFairgroundCar.htmlMy blog (new) is http://myjourneytopublication.blogspot.com/

Thanks for visiting, Irene. If YOU would like to be profiled here in this blog, drop me a line at sally @ sallymurphy.net (remove the spaces).