Author Spotlight - DeeDee Fox on her Award Winning Book, The Ruby Red Slippers

What inspired you to begin writing?
I didn't always want to be a writer.  I studied art in college and had always dreamed of making a living as an artist.  But it didn't take me long to realize that it can be pretty difficult to make any sort of income that way.  Eventually, I began working for a newspaper as a graphic artist where I eventually became the assistant editor.  That was when I learned to love writing.  My boss at the time, the editor of the magazine where I worked, was truly my mentor in writing.  I learned so much from her about writing with feeling and breathing life into my words. 

What was the inspiration behind your award winning title, The Ruby Red Slippers?
I was actually in the process of working on a novel when my sister told me a story about my niece and her little friend.  The story gave me goosebumps.  I decided to take a break from my novel to write their story, which I also illustrated.

Who is your favorite author?
That answer is probably always going to change; but at present, I'd say my favorite children's book author is Geraldine McCaughrean.  I'm inspired by her use of the English language.  She truly has a gift for writing.

What is your favorite children's book?
My favorite children's book has always been The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, by Julie Andrews Edwards.  When I was a child I had a voracious appetite for reading.  Her book pulled me in and got me caught up into it like no other book ever had.  I was enthralled and entirely delighted by it. 

Tell us a little about yourself:
I live in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota on a hobby farm with my husband and our youngest daughter.  --We have three older children, two in college and one who is getting married this summer.  I grew up in the city, so I still get a kick out of telling people we have chickens and cows and a barn and tractors. I'm madly in love with my husband and I'm so thankful for the life that we live.  I'd have to say I am truly living the life I've always dreamed of.

Do you have any new books in the works?
Yes, I am currently working on a children's chapter book entitled Marquise of Aviarra.  It is a book with a very special message for children about loving and respecting themselves for who they are.

What challenges do you face as an author?
I would say the biggest challenge is finding the time to promote my work, while still working on my writing.  It can really be a chellenge to find the time to write.  --And I LOVE to write.  But balance is the key and I'm still working on figuring out how to juggle everything.

Do you ever suffer from writer's block?
No - I always find it interesting that other people do.  I suppose there are times when I have to walk away from what I'm working on in order to give myself a fresh perspective on something.  But overall, I'd say that really isn't an issue for me.  - When I can find the time to write, the words just seem to flow.

Can you offer any tips on how to get published?
The biggest thing I would say is that becoming a published author requires patience and perseverance.  Get your work out to anyone who will see it.  Then be patient.  --Don't rush the process.  I can tell you that the wheels turn extremely slowly in this industry.  If you're not hearing back from people on your work, then maybe you need to develop your manuscripts a bit more.  In the meantime, keep writing and developing your style.  Some people can pull off the self-publishing bit, but I don't think that's for everyone.  And some people can be so eagar to get published that they fail to learn enough about a potential publisher.  There are publishers out there that can do a lot for you, but most will expect you to do the majority of promoting yourself. -- That can be a full time job.  So know what you're getting yourself into up front.  Ask around and do your homework before you sign on with anyone.

Any further thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
I always like to point out that the model for my illustrations in The Ruby Red Slippers was my youngest daughter.  We had so much fun working together on this project.  It warms my heart to see her face inside the pages of this book which is truly very special to me.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Return to Finkleton earns our Seal of Approval

In KC Hilton's newest book, Return to Finkleton, siblings, Jack, Lizzie and Robert find themselves immersed in adventure once again.  Two short years after moving to Finkleton, Lizzie stumbles upon a secret so incredible, it simply cannot be contained.  After over-hearing Lizzie speak of it with Jack, Robert sets out to find the source of her secret.  As a result of his discovery, Robert unwittingly causes a calamitous series of events.  Distraught and ridden with feelings of guilt, he sets his mind to making things right . . . and in the process, embarks upon a magical journey.

Hilton has done it again.  Young readers, prepare to find a comfortable spot on the edge of your seats.  --Sure to be a favorite with youngsters, Return to Finkleton is enrapturing!

Return to Finkleton earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval, a designation reserved for those books which uphold the rigorous criteria set forth by the Children's Literary Classics review committee, a team comprised of individuals with backgrounds in publishing, editing, writing, illustration and graphic design.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Awards Provide Tremendous Advantage in Promoting Books

"Being an award winning author has made a huge difference in promoting my work. Displaying the awards on my website and blog (including the links to CLC with the reviews and awards) has also helped. The awards are noticed immediately. To receive such prestigious awards from a reputable company has made my books very competitive among other books.  Paperback book sales have increased dramatically. Large orders, through Amazon and expanded "Being an award winning author has made a huge difference in promoting my work. Displaying the awards on my website and blog (including the links to CLC with the reviews and awards) has also helped. The awards are noticed immediately. To receive such prestigious awards from a reputable company has made my books very competitive among other books.  Paperback book sales have increased dramatically. Large orders, through Amazon and expanded distribution sites, have been anywhere from 12-28 books at a time. I can only assume these orders were from book stores or classrooms."

~ Literary Classics Award Winning Author, KC Hilton

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

Award Winning Author Speaks on the Benefits of CLC Book Awards

"My middle grade adventure novel The Secret of the Sacred Scarab was a Winner of the Gold Award Mystery Pre-Teen 2011 Children’s Literary Classics Awards.  The prestige attached to winning gold is enormous and did much to catapult my book into the ''recognized'' status we all seek for our work. Although my book was already in print, I had yet to release the e-book. When I did, I was able to add the award details to my e-book.

-I think the kudos attached to winning definitely have benefited me as a writer and indicated that my book has achieved a very high standard of excellence."

 

~Literary Classics Award Winning Author, Fiona Ingram

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Co-authors - Cherie Benjoseph LCSW & Sally Berenzweig MEd, MA

Speaking with Cherie:

What inspired you to begin writing?

In my practice as a  school social worker many years ago, I developed a love for the use of books in my counseling with children.  After we founded KidSafe, we were inspired to write Prevention Education books to both use in our program, and most importantly, to share with parents nationwide so they could teach their children personal safety at home. 

Sally, the co-author, was inspired by her Aunt, the late famous author, Laurie Colwin.

What was the inspiration behind your award winning title,

My Body is Special and Belongs to Me?

Parents inspired us!  Without fail at our adult seminars - parents would express their concern about wanting to talk with their children about the important topic of safe and unsafe touch and good and bad secrets, but were afraid they would scare their children instead of empower them.  This need - for parents to have "the conversation" in book form, easy-to-read, fun "real" pictures, and teaching from a place of fun, not fear (the KidSafe philosophy) was the inspiration for our book.  Every child needs to know that they have the right to be safe!  What better way to share that important lesson than through reading with your child.

Who is your favorite author?

Presently I do not have a favorite author - there are too many to choose from.  But I will give a thumbs up to my 12 year old son's favorite author, Rick Riordan.  I hope he continues to write - as my son is reading a book of his a week, and it makes me a very happy mother.

What is your favorite book?

Gavin De Becker's The Gift of Fear - inspired and empowered me to reconnect to my intuition.  We women just "know" - but sometimes we forget to tune in. This book was a great wake up  -  and an inspiration to the message of KidSafe.

Do you have any other published works?

Our first book - Jack Teaches His Friends to be KidSafe!, is heading into its second edition this winter.

Tell us a little about yourself:

I am first and foremost a mom of two amazing children who inspire me to write and teach others about keeping our children safe.  I have always been an avid reader and fell in love with children's literature during my child lit class in college  -  Dr. Glass, my professor, is the only teacher I have kept in touch with after 25 years.  This love for books and connecting with others is the driving force for our books, magazine articles and blogs.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Our goal is to continue our Safe and Smart Series, providing a children's picture book for each of the KidSafe Skills we teach in our curriculum.  We cannot reiterate enough the importance of children learning through the use of books.  We find retention and comprehension of the skills we teach are so apparent in the children who are using the KidSafe books at home.  There is not better way for a parent to spend quality time with their child than reading to them.

What challenges do you face as an author?

Being an author of educational books, and I speak for both Sally and myself, is the challenge of sharing the messages and lessons in an age appropriate, yet exciting-to-read manner and keeping the book fun and child friendly.  We also want the adult readers to gain the information so they can "continue the conversation."  We are always grappling with finding ways to make the materials user friendly for everyone.  And of course, there is always the challenge of finding the time to write!

Do you ever suffer from writer's block?

Of course!  - Sometimes I just write a nonsensical first sentence to get the juices flowing and then go back to edit.  It helps get rid of the blank page syndrome.

Can you offer any tips on how to get published?

We have a lot of experience in the realm of self-publishing which we would be happy to share.  On an aside - We, Sally and I, have embraced the new platform of blogging (we are on ten sites presently and you can find our blog on our website) to get our message out to the adults regarding personal safety and parenting.  This venue is very different from writing a children's book but has led to many new contacts in the publishing world - including having articles published in print magazines.

Any further thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?

There is no greater gift we can give our children than to read to them. It does not matter what age they are.  And books are especially helpful to read with your children when introducing sensitive topics.  So cozy up and enjoy My Body is Special and Belongs to Me!


LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com