What inspired you to begin your journey as an author, illustrator, and publisher all at once?
I actually had a dear friend and fellow author, Patty Wiseman, encourage me to create the illustrations for her children's book, then she assured me I would be great at publishing. I have always wanted to have my writings published and once I published a few clients I tried my hand at writing.
You started with children’s books—what drew you to that genre initially?
Two years ago I became a grandma and I wanted to make happy, wholesome books for him and all children to read.
How did your creative process evolve as you expanded into fiction and non-fiction writing?
I haven’t published my own non-fiction yet, just a client’s, but I enjoyed it and have started working on a little something of my own that I hope to publish next year.
As the owner of CS Publishing, what motivated you to step into the publishing side of the industry?
I have met the greatest people, and I think I have had the best clients, I have had seasoned clients, first timers, some whose past publishers have retired, artists, and more. One by one, new people are being referred to me.
What has been the most rewarding part of helping other authors bring their stories to life?
I love being able to help people make their dreams come true. I have a copy of every one of my clients books that I publish, I put them on my website and Facebook.
Can you share the inspiration behind your series “The Texas Law Dogs?”
I had started a series that seemed to only interest girls, so I wanted to get boys attention to reading. The four dogs represented in the “The Texas Law Dogs”, are about my actual four rescue dogs. Watching them play in the yard together, gave me inspiration for the series.
“The Case of June the Raccoon” is part of that series—what makes this installment special to you?
Since I am an Illustrator, I like to create the character first and then the story. I just thought June the Raccoon was so cute, I wanted her to be a part of the whole story, not just the Law Dogs.
Your “Tinker the Little Angel” series has captured young readers—what message do you hope children take from it?
I hope that children learn to remember family that has passed & I hope they believe they are watching over them, and still loving and caring for them every day.
How do you balance writing, illustrating, and publishing multiple projects at once?
Well, the balance is actually easy, the client always comes first, and I do my writing in after.
You’ve collaborated with several authors like Patty Wiseman and Tracey D. Hill—what do you enjoy most about creative collaborations?
I love creative collaborations, author Patty Wiseman has become a dear friend, she lives very close to me and we talk almost every day, author Tracey D. Hill and I also just became wonderful friends who talk almost every day, and usually not about our books, but we do all ask each other for critiques on occasion. I try to make great relationships with all of my clients.
What was your experience like illustrating books such as “Ozzie Needs a Friend” and “The World is a Rainbow?”
“Ozzie Needs a Friend” was the very first book I did illustrations for, I had so much fun coming up with the animal characters and I loved the book. The same with “The World is a Rainbow” the second time I did illustrations, I adored the book and learned a lot making her people characters.
Having worked across multiple genres, which do you find most challenging—and why?
I think novels, of any genre, are the most challenging, they are fun to do, but there are rules to be followed. I call it Publishing Etiquette, some publishers don’t follow those rules, but I think they are pretty important to be consistent.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are considering self-publishing or starting their own publishing company?
‘Do your homework’ – I always tell people, “verify what I am telling you, check other prices for the same work, ask questions.” I believe any publisher worth their salt will take the time answer all of a persons questions no matter how long it takes. I emailed back and forth with one client for almost 5 months before he hired me. & I even offer a class where I teach people to self-publish.
With so many projects underway, what exciting plans or upcoming releases can readers look forward to next?
I am just about to publish books from my newest clients Beth Patman Howlett a book called “The Green Death” in May, and my Client Mr. Lou Ells book “The White Pebble” out in June. My client K.D. McLemore has novel number two in his series ‘The Destiny, Arkansas Series’ the book “Gravitas” coming out some time in or at the end of the summer, and award winning author Patty Wiseman is currently working on a novella companion book to her novel “Somewhere Between” called “Secrets Within”.
Would you recommend AllAuthor to fellow authors, and if so, what services or tools on the platform have you found most useful in growing your business?
I would definitely recommend AllAuthor, in fact I have sent you at least three or four new clients just this year alone. You have a great ‘marketing’ service for $29 and another for $69 that’s get’s new authors noticed. They can have followers and you can update just like your website or Facebook. I personally Love you All. And I thank you very much for this interview.