Elizabeth Gorcey – #10 on The Gittle List 2015
#10 on The Gittle List 2015
Elizabeth Gorcey earned the #10 spot on The Gittle List for Going to the Park ((Read my review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? Had you ever gotten an award for any of your other work? It was great to be recognized by Aviva Gittle Publishing. We [also] just won the Newbie Author award from Royal Dragonfly.
What’s you earliest memory of drawing or writing? I used to draw and write poetry on the floor in my bedroom starting at age 4. I also used to make shoebox art utilizing all recycled materials.
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? I love the illustrations in the Olivia series by Ian Falconer.
What is your favorite children’s book? The Olivia series by Ian Falconer, I also love Dr. Seuss as well as Mo Williams children’s books. My daughter Olivia’s favorite books are Books: Agatha Christie mysteries and the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.
What inspires your work? I am most inspired by my daughter, Liv.
Elizabeth Gorcey’s daughter, Olivia, the inspiration for the “LOL” series.
What is your favorite color or color combination? My favorite colors are black and white.
Why did you decide to self-publish? Was it harder or easier than you thought to publish your own book? Self-publishing is hard, especially if you have high standards. I want my Liv On Life Book Series to have a very specific look and feel.
Interior illustration by Kajiah Jacobs
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I prefer to work by hand then get it digitally. I love the feel of paper!
Where did you get the idea for Going to the Park? Liv On Life (LOL) is a series of children’s books, inspired by my daughter, Liv. When my daughter was barely 3 years old I began to record the wisdom and advice that she would spontaneously deliver to anyone who was listening. I dubbed these “Liv-isms” and each book in the LOL Series I based directly on these utterances. For me, the message is crystal clear: In a high tech, past-paced world, kids are still the best teachers.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
- I love broccoli it’s my favorite food.
- I love my dog and he goes everywhere with me.
- I love yoga and do it wherever I am.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Do something that you are passionate about in life.
Director, producer and actor Elizabeth Gorcey has expanded her repertoire to book publishing with the Live on Life (”LOL”) children’s book series. The six-book series is written from the endearing perspective of Elizabeth’s daughter, Olivia, who shares her insights and observations on modern-day life. The message is clear: In a high tech and fast-paced world, kids are still the best teachers to remind adults of the simple joys in life. After a successful career acting in such films as Footloose, Teen Wolf, and TV series such as Highway to Heaven, Beauty & The Beast, and Max Headroom, Elizabeth dove into work behind the camera. She is currently working on a documentary she directed and produced call How Old is Old? with Tony Curtis, Doris Roberts, Judge Judy and Tony Bennett. Elizabeth currently lives in LA with her family. When not making films or publishing books, she works diligently on her non-profit art program for terminally ill children called the Caring Stroke Arts Program.
Visit Elizabeth’s website:
Buy Going to the Park on Amazon*
Aviva Gittle writes and publishes children’s stories in English and Spanish. Each year, Aviva runs The Gittle List contest to support her fellow indie authors. Oh, she also loves children’s picture books and is always on the lookout for great ones. The 2016 Gittle List Contest is in full swing: submission guidelines. Follow @AvivaGittle and signup for Gittle News (look right) to be the first to know when they are posted! 😺
Rhonda Paglia – #9 on The Gittle List 2015
#9 on The Gittle List 2015
Rhonda Paglia earned the #9 spot on The Gittle List for Grammy’s Rockin Color Rap-a-licious Rap (Illustrated by (Read my review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? Oh my goodness, I’ve been so excited, honored, and grateful for winning a spot on The Gittle List. I kept thinking, “We GottaGittle, We Gotta Gittle – then I would laugh out loud! Nicole Resele, my lovely former student, illustrated Grammy’s Rockin Color Rap-a-licious Rap.
What’s you earliest memory of writing? 7th grade English assignment: write a fictional story that met a certain word count and learning components. My story was a total flop. I cried. My mother, an English teacher, completely red lined it, then rewrote it for me. Mom got an A – I got zero in writing confidence. [Fortunately], I married a newspaper writer and editor, my husband, Tony. He’s the one who finally helped me gain some confidence in my writing.
What is your favorite children’s book? For the little, little ones, I love all of Sandra Boynton’s books. I also love The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers.
Which writers most influenced or inspired your work? Author Bruce Coville has been a great inspiration. I loved his characters, sense of humor, and page turning stories. When Bruce’s book, My Teacher is an Alien, was first released, I read it to the kids. They went absolutely crazy. With permission from Bruce, I rewrote My Teacher is an Alien as a play that my class performed for the school and parents. Everyone loved it. Our PTO ended up inviting Bruce for an author visit. It was great and he stayed with our family while he was in town!
Interior illustration by Nicole Resele
Why did you decide to self-publish? I love the freedom of self-publishing. I love every aspect of it. I am the author, illustrator (for most of my books), layout designer, and publisher. These are MY books from cover to cover. I do hire a copy editor, but the only manufactured part of my books is the process of printing. I love the fact, that as a self-published author, if I decide to make a change in my book, I can do it. I own all rights to my books and its okay to make changes and make improvements if I find the need. I love the interior design aspect, it’s the illustrating that is the most challenging for me. I really just draw sticks.
Do you prefer to work digitally or by hand? I prefer to work digitally. I don’t consider myself a “real” artist, but the illustrations I do create is in my “grammy” art style. I create it line by line, mouse click by mouse click, layer by layer. An example is the Meeda and Me series, the illustrations are only 2-dimentional, but it’s the best I can do using a mouse. It takes millions of clicks for me to create a book. I think my illustrations are colorful and kid-friendly. They are not professional by any means, but I think kids can relate to their simplicity.
Tell us about your latest project. I’m working on a sequel to Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion. Ratna Kusuma Halim will illustrate it. [I’m introducing] a new, scruffy character, Nibbles McGibbles, who enters the gnomes’ garden space, but that’s all I’ll share for now. I also have a couple more “Woozler” books in the background and one more Doonsey’s Beach Adventure book I’d like to complete. Busy, busy, busy!
Activity Page-illustrations by Nicole Resele
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
- When I was about 7 or 8 years old, I sang and danced with two boys and another girl. Our little troop was called the Tiny Mites. We auditioned for the original Mickey Mouse Club TV show. We didn’t make it on the show, but it’s one of my “claims-to-fame”– ha ha!
- Twelve years before my first grandchild was born in 2008, he came to me in a very vivid dream. I didn’t know it was my grandson at the time, but the dream touched my heart so deeply, that it wouldn’t leave me alone. I wrote and illustrated the dream / story, and titled it, The Ball-Capped Boy. Twelve years later, I understood.
- I still sing and dance. I am a member of the “Toast of the Town Tappers” adult tap group. We perform two tap routines at our Mercer County Senior Follies each year. It’s great fun and wonderful exercise.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Just be yourself – no one can do it better!
Rhonda Paglia is a self-published author of 10 children’s books, 8 of which she has also illustrated. In a former life, Ms. Paglia was an elementary teacher. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband. They have three grown children, five grandchildren, and a little pup named Bella. “Grammy Pags,” as she is called, loves tap dancing, yoga, and writing stories for kids! She is thrilled to be a Moms Choice Award recipient for her Meeda and Me picture book series; an Inkspokes Select Book Award recipient for Three Little Gnomes and a Boy Named Orion, and a 2015 Gittle List Top 10 recipient for Grammy’s Rockin Color Rap-a-licious Rap.
BUY Grammy’s Rockin Color Rap-a-licious Rap*
Contact Rhonda
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Facebook
Blog
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Amazon Author Page
LinkedIn
Aviva Gittle writes and publishes children’s stories in English and Spanish. Each year, Aviva runs The Gittle List contest to support her fellow indie authors. Oh, she also loves children’s picture books and is always on the lookout for great ones. The 2016 Gittle List Contest is in full swing: submission guidelines. Follow @AvivaGittle and signup for Gittle News (look right) to be the first to know when they are posted! 😺
Julianne DiBlasi Black – #8 on The Gittle List 2015
#8 Gittle List Winner
Julianne DiBlasi Black earned the #8 spot on The Gittle List for Sleep Sweet, a book she wrote and illustrated. (Read my review.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? I was thrilled to be included in The Gittle List, I’ve won several other awards for my artwork and writing, but this was my first as a combined piece showcasing my art and text together. It has also been great learning about the other authors/illustrators that made the list and connecting with them through social media.
What is your favorite children’s book? My favorites growing up are still very much my favorites now- anything by Dr Seuss, Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson and A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. Passing them down to my daughter and getting to enjoy them through her eyes makes them all new again.
Interior illustration by Julianne DiBlasi Black
Which artists or writers most influenced or inspired your work? I’m influenced greatly by the dreamy worlds of creative giants like Mike Mignola, Tim Burton and Jim & Brian Henson. The hyper-realistic details of the incredibly imaginative leave me in absolute awe.
What is your favorite color or color combination? It changes. Right now I’m really into Southwestern color combinations; crimson, rust, turquoise and bright copper.
Tell us about your latest project. I’m juggling several new projects right now that are already making my 2016 quite full! Sleep Sweet is coming out as an Augmented Reality virtual pop-up book, I have two new children’s books coming out this spring that I am finishing up the illustrations for, I’m continuing the editing on the two adult novels I wrote during 2015, and I have a solo exhibit at the Maturango Museum featuring my fine art work scheduled for November!
Interior illustration by Julianne DiBlasi Black
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
- Hmm. I once spent the night in a sleeping bag on the Kalahari Desert.
- I’ve done most of my own tattoos.
- I would be perfectly happy eating only sushi and drinking green tea for the rest of my life.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Attributed to Walt Disney is the phrase “Keep moving forward”. So many times I’ve hit dead ends on projects and had to remind myself to just keep moving forward. No matter how slow you go, you’ll soon gain momentum and be back on your feet. Works every time.
Illustration by Julianne DiBlasi Black
Julianne DiBlasi Black is an artist, poet and author influenced greatly by the dreamy worlds of creative giants like Mike Mignola, Tim Burton and Jim & Brian Henson. Blending life experiences and day-dreams through text and image, she draws in children of all ages with her whimsical story lines and mixed-media illustrations. Between writing and creating art, raising her three year old daughter Madison, and writing her popular mommy-blog, she also works as a freelance graphic designer. You may have already seen her work on international commercial packaging, national ad campaigns (Sears, Mitsubishi +) or political branding. Raised in Andover, MA she considers the world her playground and continues to re-locate and travel extensively, adding to her collection of environmental and social experiences. She currently lives out in the Mojave Desert.
Contact Julianne
Website
Amazon Author Page
Online Portfolio
Facebook
Twitter
Aviva Gittle writes and publishes children’s stories in English and Spanish. Each year, Aviva runs The Gittle List contest to support her fellow indie authors. Oh, she also loves children’s picture books and is always on the lookout for great ones. The 2016 Gittle List Contest is in full swing: submission guidelines. Follow @AvivaGittle and signup for Gittle News (look right) to be the first to know when they are posted! 😺
Bev Stone – #2 on The Gittle List 2015
Bev Stone, earned the #2 spot on The Gittle List 2015 for The Red and Black Ladybug. Bev is a two-time winner; her book, They Told Us Something Wonderful Was Coming snagged the #1 spot in 2014.
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? I was elated! I thought it was quite brilliant to announce them one at a time this year. I know, I, and I’m sure many others, anxiously awaited each new day, and each time another book was announced, I thought, ‘Wow, that book sounds so great!’ Then of course I worried that mine might not make the list. I’m enormously grateful to Aviva Gittle for putting in the time and effort it takes to showcase and help all of us indie writers.
What’s you earliest memory of drawing or writing? My earliest and best memory of drawing and painting is in Ms Moscerelli’s 6th grade classroom. Teachers, please know that all the wonderful things you do have a lasting effect on your students. Ms Moscerelli loved art so her class started with an art project every morning. When it was time to put that project away and open our math books, she’d say, “everyone open your books to page ….. ; then she’d say, “Bev, you can continue with your art.” Now, I may not be great at math as a result, but she certainly made me feel very special and helped to start me on my art journey.
What children’s book contains your favorite illustrations? There are so many talented illustrators out there and so many illustrations I love. The Lion And The Mouse, by Jerry Pinkney has to be one of my recent favorites and one purchase I made from last year’s Gittle List, The Kings Dream, written by Harris Tobias and illustrated by Cathy Reene, has some beautiful illustrations.
What is your favorite color or color combination? I love blue hues. I 
usually work with a pretty small palette. Some people say they can recognize my art by the colors I use.
Why did you decide to self-publish? You know, I find self publishing very easy and a perfect fit for me. I’m very happy with the whole process because it allows me to illustrate my own stories and put out as many books as I’d like. The thought of self publishing is a little scary at first — just like anything unknown — but I’ve been publishing with Createspace for about 3 years now and they’ve made it a great experience so far.
Do you prefer to work digitally, by hand, or both? I illustrate all of my stories with watercolors on watercolor paper.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The best piece of advice I was ever given was when my daughter and son were born and friends told me to ignore all the little things that really don’t matter and spend all that precious time with my babies. That wasn’t hard to do at all! Now I can apply that to things around the house that I don’t want to do so that I can spend my time writing and illustrating instead. That works, right?
What do you do to market your books? Well….Hmmmm, I have to admit I’m not very good about marketing my books. I think I’m getting better but I have to be honest, if I could just write them and illustrate them and not worry about marketing, I’d be happy. Actually, the best thing I’ve done, is to enter my books in the The Gittle List contest. In her prompting to get the word out for all indie writers, she’s led me in directions I wouldn’t have otherwise gone, Twitter, for example. You can follow me @Bevstone13. Thanks Aviva Gittle! Also, Melissa Crane, who is in charge of media at the gallery where I show my paintings, has been amazing at getting the word out locally.
Any advice for writers thinking about self-publishing a children’s picture book? All I can say is that it’s been a wonderful experience for me, so if you’re thinking about self publishing, definitely give it a try. I would caution however, have no expectations, accept to enjoy the process and the fact that you actually succeeded in getting that book you’ve been working on in print. Yay!!! Do it. You’ll be glad you did.
Bev Stone is an artist and indie 
children’s book author. Bev started painting and drawing at an early age and was first introduced to watercolor in elementary school. Today Bev paints in both watercolor and oil and continues to write children’s books while living in the beautiful state of Idaho, overlooking the Snake River. Many of her paintings and book updates can be found on her website, www.artbybevstone.com.
You can follow Bev on Twitter: @BevStone13
Credits: All illustrations in this interview post are created and owned by Bev Stone and come from her award-wining children’s book The Red and Black Ladybug.
Rebecca Bielawski: #9 on The Gittle List 2014
Indie author and illustrator Rebecca Bielawski won the #9 spot on The Gittle List 2014 for her book, Meet Bacteria! (See Aviva’s review of the book.) This is book one of the MUMMY NATURE series. The second book in the series, Bees Like Flowers, is free April 25th & 26th. Both books can be purchased for a great price any day!
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? I was excited to win a place on the Gittle List Top 10. It’s always nice to receive some recognition for your work. As a totally independent children’s book creator I believe that The Gittle List is a good way to increase diversity in children’s literature and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate.
How did you hear about The Gittle List and why did you decide to enter your book? The list came to my attention on a Google Plus community board. I hope it continues to grow year by year as self-published authors are often excluded from the competition processes and there is a level of prejudice against us. This is one of the reasons why I entered one of my books.
What’s your earliest memory of writing and drawing? I used to write poetry as a child. I grew up in New Zealand where 
creative writing and art is encouraged and nurtured from an early age. My mum is an artist and my childhood was full of artsy, crafty activities. There were always art materials under the Christmas tree. I remember doing watercolour paintings from photos in the National Geographic when I was little.
What is your favorite children’s book? I don’t have just one favourite. All Kiwi kids, myself included, loved Bad Jelly the Witch by Spike Milligan. It’s so ridiculous, politically incorrect and written as if it was your dad telling you a story and making it up as he goes along. It’s unpretentious. There are many others I loved as a child and new classics I discover every day. Currently The Moon and Farmer Mcfee by Margaret Mahy and Tabby McTat by Julia Donaldson There are too many to mention. I love children’s books. I would rather read a picture book than a novel any day.
Interior illustration from Meet Bacteria!
What was the inspiration for your book? Bacteria are awesome. I would have liked to study microbiology so when I set about making the Mummy Nature series, it was the first book that I wanted to do. The book was inspired by my own interest in the subject and by my children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for unknown cool stuff.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles to completing the book and getting it published? When I came to publish these two latest books, Meet Bacteria! and Bees Like Flowers, I had already dealt with most of the difficulties involved with publishing so it was much easier than the previous books. There are always obstacles to deal with such as updating and improving file formats to ensure that my digital books have the highest quality images and reading experience possible. [T]here are similar challenges with the printed books.
Tell us about your latest project.
I am working on the third book in the MUMMY NATURE series. When it’s completed I will do the Spanish versions. Then, I have two books that have been kicking around in my head and on scrap paper for a long time that I am dying to write. I think they will both be mixed media projects.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. I wouldn’t describe myself as strange or wonderful but a few things about myself: I’m shy; I’m terrified of public speaking, I’m very untidy, I’m not very good at teamwork and I’m glad this is not a job interview.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? You’ve got to know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em. Kenny Rogers 🙂
Once upon a time in England there was a Kiwi girl. She was unsatisfied with her job peeling onions at a factory in Norfolk and yearned for a better life were she could harness her untapped artistic potential and unleash all her pent up rhymes. One day when she realized she had no tears left to cry for the onions she packed up and moved to Spain, fell in love with a handsome Systems Administrator, had two kids, became a children’s author and lived happily ever after.
Buy other books by Rebecca Bielawski*
Contact Rebecca:
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*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Stephen White: #6 on The Gittle List 2014
#6 on The Gittle List. Click to buy on Amazon.
Indie author Stephen White, along with his daughter and co-author Sarah White, won the #6 spot on The Gittle List Top 10 2014 for their book, Thumbpire. It is illustrated by Tony Neal. (See Aviva’s review of the book.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? I’ve received a few previous awards, but this was a special thrill because Thumbpire” was my first writing collaboration with my daughter, Sarah. It’s a great award to share!
How did you hear about The Gittle List and why did you decide to enter Thumbpire? I follow various blogs and websites for children’s writers and read about The Gittle List competition. I entered “Thumbpire” because it’s always a challenge for indie authors to find exposure. Plus, I’m proud of the book!
What’s you earliest memory of writing? It’s hard for me to pull up
Thumbpire interior illustration by Tony Neal.
the earliest memory (I’ve been around a long time) but I’ve always been a writer and storyteller. Although in college, I got the worst grade in my creative writing class – and then became the only professional writer. Lesson: believe in yourself!
What is your favorite children’s book? The adult in me would say Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey because it’s beautifully written and illustrated, and I have so many fond memories of reading it (with well-rehearsed comic asides) to my daughter. The child in me would say any book illustrated by the wonderful Gustav Tenggren.
What was the inspiration for your book? The title Thumbpire struck me out of the blue; I knew it had to be about a thumb-sucking little vampire but couldn’t come up with a story. The idea sat in my slush pile until I asked Sarah, my daughter who is a children’s speech therapist and very talented writer, what she could come up with. It was entirely her concept to have a little vampire whose fangs couldn’t grow in until he stopped sucking his thumb – and the monsters who help him try to break the habit.
Interior page from Thumbpire written by Stephen & Sarah White. (Illustration by Tony Neal.)
Did you have to overcome any obstacles to completing the book and getting it published? The biggest obstacles were technical. I like releasing my books first in “app” form so that I can include things like narration and sound. Being a “hands on” guy (and cheapskate) I did all the technical work myself – sound recording, editing, and generating files and code for use on iOS and Android tablets. I’m definitely an old dog struggling with new technological tricks!
Tell us about your latest project. Dandy Lion will tell the story of a somewhat foppish lion who is entirely too proud of his luxurious mane and much too quick to criticize the appearance of others. Until the day his mane turns as white as dandelion fluff…and blows away. [Aviva’s side comment: “I absolutely cannot wait to read this book!”]
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
- For 16 years, I was the primary writer for everything related to Barney the Dinosaur™. TV, books, a movie, live concerts and more. It’s very gratifying to have touched so many young lives.
- I’m a tremendous introvert who formerly did stand-up comedy. What was I thinking?
- I occupy the entire final page of the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Book
of Human Oddities for standing with my feet turned backwards.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? It was a quote from Henri-Frédéric Amiel inside an actual fortune cookie. “Cleverness is serviceable for everything, sufficient for nothing.” To me, it says that being glib and entertaining can take you a long way – but your life and works also need depth and meaning.
Stephen White is a multimedia writer/creater specializing in humor. He writes for adults and children, and was primary writer for the Barney & Friends™ franchise for 16 years. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, White now lives in north Texas with his wife, Kathy, daughter (and co-author) Sarah, and wildly energetic dog Penny who believes that barking and desk-chewing are essential to the writing process.
Contact Stephen: Thumbpire Website AlphaBelch Website
Buy Thumbpire* (eBook) Download Thumbpire Android App
*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Belinda Brock: #5 on The Gittle List 2014
#5 on The Gittle List 2014 (Click to buy on Amazon)
Indie author Belinda Brock won the #5 spot on The Gittle List Top 10 2014 for her book, GG and Mamela. It is illustrated by Avi Katz. (See Aviva’s review of the book.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? I was, of course, thrilled to see my book, GG and Mamela, earn a spot on the Gittle List Top 10. I have received good reviews, but this is my first award! [Update: GG and Mamela has just been named a finalist in the 2014 Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards. Winners will be announced in April.]
How did you hear about The Gittle List and why did you decide to enter your book? I came across a positive reference to the Gittle List and decided to check it out for myself. I was favorably impressed and, as I believe in my book, I entered GG and Mamela in the competition.
What’s you earliest memory of writing? I’ve had a love of books and reading from a very early age. Writing was a natural extension of that passion. In elementary school, I recorded my thoughts in a journal and submitted stories I’d written to the school newspaper.
What is your favorite children’s book? Asking someone who loves children’s books to single out one is a difficult question! So many come to mind! Some of my favorites are Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and any books by Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, Mo Willems and Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I also adore The Story of Ferdinand, The Story of Babar, Charlotte’s Web and the Fancy Nancy series. For older children, I’d say All-of-a-Kind Family, A Wrinkle in Time, The Little Prince, and The Giver.
GG and Mamela was illustrated by Avi Katz
What was the inspiration for your book? This story is deeply rooted within my own experience. Several years ago, my wonderful mother became ill and I shepherded her through hospice care. Although this was an emotional and intense time, my family and I were genuinely moved by the support provided by hospice. During my mother’s two stays in the residential hospice unit, we greatly appreciated the family-friendly environment and how it differed from that of a conventional hospital.
I wrote GG and Mamela to reflect this experience and offer a gentle and open-ended way to start a conversation with children about death and dying, as well as introduce the concept of hospice care. Moreover, I believe this book illustrates how strength and comfort can be found through love, family and tradition.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles to completing the book and getting it published? I wouldn’t say obstacles, per se, but I did encounter challenges — there was a steep learning curve! Essentially, I established a small, independent press to publish this book, so I undertook responsibility for all aspects involved in such a venture, including such things as interviewing and hiring everyone, negotiating contracts, keeping everyone on budget and schedule, getting copyrights and making artistic decisions.
Tell us about your latest project. I am working on a picture book biography, one of my favorite genres.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. Well, strange and wonderful are often in the eyes of the beholder, but here goes:
- I did quite a bit of acting when I was younger; I do a scarily good impression of the Witch from The Wizard of Oz.
- I lived in France for a year.
- I am the sponsor and steward of the Little Free Library in my
community.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Don’t accept a no from someone not authorized to give you a yes.
Indie Author Belinda Brock
Belinda Brock is currently a writing coach and free-lance editor, Belinda Brock’s background is in teaching and educational publishing. She loves the intersection of literature and art found in picture books and believes their appeal and benefit extend beyond childhood. Belinda writes about literacy, children and books on her blog–grandbooking–at belindabrock.com and also at highlandpark.suntimes.com or follow her on Twitter: @grandbooking.
*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Mariana Llanos: #8 on The Gittle List 2014
Indie author Mariana Llanos won the #8 spot on The Gittle List Top 10 2014 for her book, The Wanting Monster. It is joyfully illustrated by Julián Galván. (See Aviva’s review of the book.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? Had you ever gotten an award for this or any of your other books before? I was very surprised that The Wanting Monster won a spot on the list this year. Last year, my book Tristan Wolf won a spot as well and was a finalist of the Readers’ Favorite Award. It feels really good to be considered for a contest run by a fellow author, who, I know, only looks for quality reads. My second book A Planet for Tristan Wolf has just won an Honorable Mention at the New England 
Book Festival. Yippee!
How did you hear about The Gittle List and why did you decide to enter your book? I saw a post about the contest on the Gittle Publishing Facebook page. I decided to enter because I really appreciate the feedback that Aviva has to give and because if I won (which I did!) then, it would be great for my marketing.
What’s you earliest memory of writing? I been writing since I was very young, probably eight or nine years old. I used to write short poems about anything that would come to mind. I enjoyed reading so much that I wanted to be like my favorite authors.
What is your favorite children’s book? The Little Prince, by although it is not only a children’s book. From the very first time I read it I was enticed by the poetry and wisdom in its words. To me, it is a book that everyone should read.
What was the inspiration for your book? The Wanting 
Monster (available in Spanish) was inspired by my youngest son. He was actually nicknamed “The Wanting Monster” before I wrote the book. His Christmas wish lists started in November and were as long as three pieces of paper, front and back. I decided to create a story about a boy who wanted everything he saw. I can’t say that things happened exactly the way they are described in the book, but I was inspired by some of my kids’ words and actions.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles to completing the book and getting it published? Writing and producing a book is a challenge in itself. Creating a great quality book at low cost is an obstacle, especially when you’re a small, independent publisher. I’ve learned to do many things myself, but there are some things I’m not willing to go without: great illustration and quality editing. I managed to get an amazing freelance illustrator whose prices were within my budget. Julián Galván was a great team member.
Also the editors I worked with were incredibly skilled. My advice: Don’t edit thyself! My editors helped by polishing the story and bringing out the best of my writing. With English being my second language, I always want to make sure that I’m conveying exactly what I want to say.
Tell us about your latest project.
I have just published a new book: No Birthday for Mara. It was also 
illustrated by Julian Galvan. It tells the story of a young girl, Mara, who wakes up excitedly on her birthday only to realize that everyone has forgotten. This is a book about emotions and how we handle them. I did the art design on this book and I’m so proud of the way it came out. I’ve also published it in Spanish as Mara sin Cumpleaños.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
- I love to sing and do karaoke.
- If I was born again in another time I would be a troubadour. I would travel the world with my guitar and sing my heart out.
- I cry a lot… in movies, reading a book, watching a play, in TV ads, Facebook posts, with my own thoughts… the list goes on. I’ve learned to embrace it and use it in my writing. Although most people think of me as a strong person, which I am, I’m also very sensible about the world around me.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Never take your audience for granted. It’s so important for us who write for children. It’s my goal to challenge children’s minds and offer them my best work. Some people think that children will buy—or read—anything, but that can’t be further from the truth. Children demand smart and creative books!
Mariana Llanos is a Peruvian born writer who lives in Oklahoma with her husband and their three children. She studied drama in her native Peru and has worked as a preschool teacher for several years. She encourages reading and writing to schools across the United States and the world, through in-person and virtual visits.
Contact Mariana:
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*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
Anne Merle: #7 on The Gittle List 2014
Author Anne Merle won the #7 spot on The Gittle List Top 10 2014 for her book, Grandpa Talks Funny: Keys to Speaking Grandpa-eese. (See Aviva’s review and the other winners here.) Also, meet the illustrator who brings Grandpa to life, Adina Larisa Sufana.
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? What do you think? I was completely tickled and still am! This is my first picture book and my first award so “thrilled” is how I’d describe my feelings.
How did you hear about The Gittle List and why did you decide to enter your book? I discovered The Gittle List through a LinkedIn writers’ group, then did a bit of research about Aviva Gittle. I found I really liked her books and respected the books that had made the list the prior year. I really believe in my book and wanted to be in the Gittle ranks.
What’s you earliest memory of writing? You don’t want to know! I grew 
up hating writing and reading. But as I read to my children and their tastes grew, so did my appreciation of a good story and good writing. Yep, my kids ingrained the pleasure of reading in me. When they began to read for themselves, so did I. My first professional writing job was family health feature articles for a local weekly newspaper, and the joy of having people read and respond to those lit my writing fuse.
What is your favorite children’s book? I could give you some profound answer here, but you know I’m not going to. Honestly the first thing that leaps to mind is Katie the Kitten, by Kathryn & Byron Jackson. Evidently it was the first book I memorized. I find its specific rhythm so comforting and its unexpected coda always delights me. Who knows, maybe there was a writer in my soul from the beginning. Mom reading it with great style probably fed that perception, too.
What was the inspiration for your book? On summer walks with a very chatty 3 year-old nephew, evidently I fell into a pattern of responding to his stories with the phrase “For Crying Out Loud!” He thought that was hysterical. Much word play followed, and “Grandpa Talks Funny,” began to form in my mind: a tale about the funny images that form in the brains of kiddos when they hear “old fashioned” phrases.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles to completing the book and
getting it published? Biggest obstacle? I’m not an artist and this is a picture book. Not a big leap to solve that problem, right? After pondering it for TOO long, suddenly a light popped on over my head (hmm…there should be an illustration right here for that phrase.) I belonged to online writer & illustrator groups, why not look there? Duh. The best part of this story? The day I decided to not just casually glance at notes left by illustrators in these groups was the day MY illustrator posted her information. She lives in the town in Romania from which my husband’s grandma came. Lights flashed, a bell went off (insert your own image here). After studying her portfolio and writing back and forth we realized it was a match made in heaven.
Tell us about your latest project. I’m writing a couple more books in the 
“Grandpa Talks Funny” series, a holiday book, and have a few other things on the back burner (will this funny talk never stop?)
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you. I am a great sushi chef, the narrator of a top selling mystery-book series (The Sleuth Sisters – under my alter-ego name Anne Jacques), AND a brand new Grandma.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? From my Papa. “Nothing you ever learn is wasted.” In other words what you learn in one part of life grows inside you to be used in another part of your life. This has given me permission to study, explore, and grow in new areas I could never have anticipated. Ya know. Like writing.
Anne Merle is the author of essays featured in the best selling Chicken Soup 
for the Soul books, features in Chicago Sun Times/Pioneer Press Health & Family sections, Family Energy Magazine, iParenting, and other publications. Her passion for children’s books began while reading to her own children. The power of books to create fun, celebrate individuality and help problem solve motivates her writing for kids – and the grownups who love to read to them.
She holds an MFA from the University of Denver, lives in Chicago, Illinois where she taught creative dramatics to children, and wears many other hats.
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Craig Kunce: #2 on The Gittle List 2014
Author Craig Kunce won the #2 spot on The Gittle List Top 10 2014 for his book, Over the Under, and around the Square. (See Aviva’s review and the other winners here.)
How did it feel to win a spot on The Gittle List Top 10? It’s nice to have any creative work recognized. So it was a nice surprise and I appreciate it. I keep any recognition in check though. I just write stories and draw pictures and let everyone else decide for themselves if they appreciate it—or not. Once I’m done, it’s out of my control.
How did you hear about The Gittle List and why did you decide to enter your book? You’re taxing my memory here, but I think I remember reading an email marketing status post from a Goodreads forum I follow. They had reposted a call for entries I think.
What’s you earliest memory of writing and/or drawing? I guess I’ve been 
drawing every since I could hold a pencil. I’ve been doing it so long that I really don’t have a first memory. However, I do remember drawing faces and army battles at a young age. As for writing, I didn’t write seriously until I [was in my mid-30s with kids]. I wanted to share creative stories with them, so I started writing and drawing books.
What is your favorite children’s book? And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. Dr. Suess’ first children’s book. It was my favorite as a child. It’s all about what matters in a child’s life—imagination! Wild, uninhibited, personal, imagination. And the one thing that grownups spend their adulthood trying to recapture.
What was the inspiration for your book? I don’t really rely on intentional inspiration. As Chuck Close once said, “inspiration is for amateurs, the rest of us just show up and get to work.” For Over the Under I just sat down and said to myself, “write a book”—this poem/story came out of me in about 8 minutes. I didn’t change it much from it’s original state. I believe my best creative expression comes when I can tap into my inner self, on the spot, and pull part of me out. Creative researchers refer to this as “flow.” Too much prep, thinking, researching, just isn’t my thing.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles to completing the book and getting it published? No, not really. We print our own books and follow more of a small business model vs. a publishing model. The traditional publishing model isn’t setup to help many individual authors succeed, so we don’t use it. We use what makes the most sense to us and our needs.
Tell us about your latest project. Currently, I’m illustrating an amazing series of middle grade chapter books written by my wife, Jeanna Kunce. We have two completed so far. Each has about 30 illustrations. Jeanna writes these wonderful stories about a young heroine Darien, who goes on these unexpected adventures to save troubled creatures in uniquely distant lands. As for my picture books, I have four in progress and work on them intermittently.
Tell us 3 strange and wonderful things about you.
- I once rode the official Bobsled run for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was clocked at 55 MPH. Scary.
- I’ve been privileged to enjoy a 30-minute creative brainstorming session with Jim Davis. I threw out concepts and ideas and Jim drew Garfield in poses to match my ideas. Very eye-opening and changed the way I approached the creative process.
- I run 2 miles everyday—rain, snow, sleet, ice, or shine.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Create for yourself. Only one person can create it like you. Don’t research, copy, borrow, alter, or be overly inspired by others. Just created it as you would, only then can it be truly original and unique.
Buy books by Craig Kunce*
Gittle List Winner Craig Kunce
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*Please support my indie book business by clicking on the book covers or using the links posted in my blog to buy books and other products. This way, Amazon gives me a little commission that helps me continue the website for you and other readers. Thank you!
