Author, Lisa Manzione, on her Award Winning Title . . .
The Adventures of Bella and Harry: Let's Visit Paris!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING? I have been writing about 5 years.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN WRITING? I was inspired to begin writing this specific series due to my love of travel and the joy of exploring the world in which we live.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE The Adventures of Bella and Harry: Let's Visit Paris!? My inspiration came from the lack of knowledge our youngsters have regarding the world around them. I believe by making learning fun, children retain more knowledge about the subject they are studying/reading. Hence, the cute, fun characters were born!
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR AND WHY? I love James Patterson! I enjoy reading the detective books based in San Francisco. I love the fact the main character is a female detective.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK... AND WHY? I have several favorite books, but the 5th Horseman is one of my favorites written by James Patterson. I particularly like the focus on the Women’s Murder Club and the way the ladies interact with one another.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR OTHER PUBLISHED BOOKS? I have published two additional books in the Bella and Harry Series. The Adventures of Bella and Harry: Let's Visit Venice was published in May, 2011 and available in late October...The Adventures of Bella and Harry: Let's Visit London! The series can be purchased at www.BellaAndHarry.com
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF: By trade, I am an accountant and have been ticking and tying numbers for about 30 years! Once my children (24 & 22 years of age) left for college I started writing children’s books as a fun, creative outlet. From there, the series has blossomed. I hope to add to this series by creating lesson plans and submitting the books/lesson plans for local school programs to utilize.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS? Yes, I have three additional books in the works! Let's Visit Cairo!, Let's Visit Athens!, and Let's Visit Barcelona! We hope to release our first ebook by year's end. They will be available in early spring, 2012 and can be purchased through the Bella and Harry web site www.BellaAndHarry.com
WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS AN AUTHOR? With this particular series, the biggest challenge is variety. I think it is important to cover similar topics in each book, but I don’t want the books to be exactly the same. Coming up with different ways to discuss similar topics can be taxing.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS? My advice...Don't give up!
DO YOU EVER SUFFER FROM WRITER'S BLOCK? I do not suffer from writers block with the series. There are so many wonderful places to visit and discover in the world, inspiration is endless.
CAN YOU OFFER ANY TIPS ON HOW TO GET PUBLISHED? Persistence. Don't let denial or criticism get in your way. If you believe in your product, proceed...full speed ahead!
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? Yes, I would like all of your readers to know that 5% of the net proceeds from the sale of The Adventures of Bella and Harry books and supplies will be donated to the ASPCA.
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