Thanks for coming back to answer a few questions for my bloggers. Your books are so descriptive and exciting.
Kathy: Lillian,is it true that your first book was a non-fiction book? Tell us a little bit about background and how you became a children's book author.
Lillian:In 1992, I wrote a non-fiction book about handling teenage behavior, "Teenagers! A Bewildered Parent's Guide." The book was quite successful. My editor told me I told great stories and I should consider writing for a young adult or tween audience. I wrote another book, "Sacred Honor," that targeted the young adult market. That book too, a historical science fiction, was also quite successful. After that second book, I recognized that my strengths in writing focused on teenagers and tweens. Since then, I've concentrated my writing on targeting tweens and teenagers.
Kathy: What do you enjoy most about writing for children?
Lillian: Their sense of wonder, their ambivelance to the world and each other, and their wisdom. The clue is to listen to what they're saying, and not interpret their thoughts. I remember my own childhood still, and this makes it easier for me to relate to children as I write their stories.
Kathy: What is the most difficult part of writing for children?
Lillian: Keeping them focused on the written page. Children today are of the "instant gratification" stage and wants to be "entertained" all the time. An author must blend in humor, challenge, and a believable storyline to hold children's attention. Otherwise, the book goes unread.
Kathy: Tell us about the marketing process for authors. What do you do to market and sell your books?
Lillian:
*Word of mouth helps.
*Have a book-party in your home inviting friends, relatives, and the media.
*Tie your book to a current event, a happening politically, economically, and kid-wise. For example, The President Elect is the first African American in U.S. history to take office. The Anna Mae Mysteries: The Golden Treasure: Anna Mae and Malcolm Botts, the first African American sneaker-toed sleuths to solve the mystery of Jefferson Davis lost gold. Take advantage of what's happening around you.
*Read your book in a serial fashion, and post it on your website.
*Get on Internet and regular radio.
*Send out your books for reviews.
*Target your local library and schools. An author can't be shy when marketing and promoting their book. Authors are up against the competition. They must make themselves heard and seen.
Kathy: Do you have a website? If so, please give the URL. If not, where can listeners go online to learn more about your book(s) and to order?
Lillian: Two websites are available for listeners:
http://lilliancauldwell.homestead.com/radioshow.html http://www.authorsden.com/lilliancauldwell.
The Anna Mae Mysteries: The Golden Treasure is already posted on
http://www.amazon.com. Additional bookstores should be carrying it within the next two weeks, or they can buy directly from Star Publish LLC at
http://www.starpublishllc.com.
Kathy: What are you working on now?
Lillian: I'm working on the second book of the series: The Anna May Mysters: King Solomon's Ark, The Black Hat Society, and After. All books for the young adult.
Kathy: What is your best tip for an aspiring children's author?
Lillian: Know your subject matter. Remember what it was like when you were a child, pre-teen or teenager. Human nature doesn't change, just the environment and the social culture.
Thanks again for coming and sharing your knowledge and expertise in the children's book market. We're looking forward to the next book in this exciting Anna Mae Mysteries series.
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