1. What inspired you to write this book?
Sometimes kids have a hard time making friends. From my observations in the classroom and the schoolyard, the best friendships are forged when kids really listen to each other, appreciate their own individuality, and accept the uniqueness of a new friend. They realize that there is a lot they can offer each other by sharing that experience – this spells fun. Their actions and feelings through the friendship process was my inspiration for the story.
2. What exactly is it about and who
is it written for?
Feathers & Fins is about Kabish, a fish who wants to fly and Bailey, a bird who wants to swim. Although some birds can swim, like ducks, and some fish can fly, like flying fish, Kabish and Bailey are not a member of those species that would give them those options. Those adaptations wouldn’t be enough anyway. Kabish and Bailey want to experience what it would be like to be in an environment that is completely alien to their own. There is an element of danger. The story is about fulfilling their dreams. That can only happen if they trust one another, and then have the confidence in themselves to help someone else. Feathers & Fins is for all children, including young children, who are discovering who they are, and who they want to become. This happens when they share themselves and accept what others share with them.
3. What do you hope readers will get out
of reading your book?
For
a younger child, my hope is they will use their imagination and delight in the
solution that Kabish, a fish, shares with his new friend Bailey, a bird.
Bailey can now enjoy being under the water and take a tour with someone who
really knows his way around. I hope that same young reader will recognize
the practical solution that Bailey comes up with to give Kabish, his new
friend, the adventure of a lifetime. An older school aged reader will
also enjoy the story as they question the feasibility of the solutions.
And, in asking those questions, the older school aged reader will experience
the same process that scientists use to make the impossible, possible.
For parents and educators, the story compliments their efforts to teach
children about the power of friendship, how to use one’s imagination, how to
believe in yourself, and how to translate dreams into reality - this is how we
learned how to explore space and reach the ocean depths.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?
I
called the book Feathers & Fins because it is the fins of
the fish and the feathers of the bird that enable the main characters to
explore in their respective worlds with their new friend. At first, they
think that their fins or their feathers can be used interchangeably - Kabish
could use his fins as wings and Bailey could use his wings as fins. It
takes a near fatal experience for each of them to realize that the thing they
both need is air. Getting air in the form that is unique to their species
requires trust in each other, and confidence in themselves.
The
eBook cover has three main components. First, using Bailey and Kabish as
part of the illuminated “F” shows their special bond. Second, the
silhouette of the bird on the “&” represents Bailey – he is stuck. He
isn’t flying with his bird friends who are circling above to see what he will
do next. Third, the “S” which links the sky with the depths, shows a wave
on the surface and a net below. While the rest of Kabish’s school is
swimming freely, Kabish feels trapped by his surroundings. That is why he is
shown caught in the net. I included the solution on the cover - Kabish’s
bubble is there for Bailey, front and center, and Bailey is clinging to his bag
with Kabish. This cover represents the perfect synopsis of Feathers
& Fins.
For
the Paperback cover of the book, I consulted with my Editor, Rosemary Strohm,
and decided on a simpler illustration. The cover hints at how Kabish will
make Bailey’s dream come true. The expression on Bailey’s face shows his
excitement and wonderment as his dream of being under the water is realized.
The back cover illustrates their bond of friendship that comes from
reciprocation of friendship and trust. The goal of the updated paperback cover
was to quickly bring the reader into the story. I think it does the job.
I am proud of both cover designs.
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have
for fellow writers – other than run!?
Feathers & Fins is my first book, and a labor of love. Bringing this
story to life created an opportunity for me to engage with others and capture
ideas, comments, criticism, and support throughout the process. Writing a
book takes time, patience, trust in yourself and a lot of love. I would
tell other new writers/illustrators to write every day, draw every day, and
never give up. Don’t be hard on yourself especially if you feel you made
a mistake — learn from it and move forward. It is OK if you put the story
aside for a while and then start again fresh. Follow your dream, have
confidence, and don’t be afraid to trust the process, even if the process feels
unknown. And engage a good friend who can help you to imagine - just like
Kabish and Bailey.
6. What trends in the book world do you see --
and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
The
children’s literature themes are expanding to include stories dealing with
race, diversity, cultural differences, socioeconomic conditions and more.
Wonderful new authors who can speak from experience, are giving us
stories that speak to our entire planet and all the people that live
here. These stories are so important because they give voice to childhood
experiences that can be challenging in our 21st Century.
The challenge for all children’s authors is to write books that include these
themes even if it they are not the focus of the story. All children
readers should be able to relate to these themes, even if, they are not
experiencing violence or prejudice or poverty. Someone they meet might
be, and it is the duty of humanity, including authors, to make sure all
children feel loved and accepted for who they are. The solutions are
universal: respect, empathy, tolerance, acceptance, and friendship.
For
some time now, children’s literature has been in direct competition with the
internet, movies, streaming TV, and video games. While technology is a
wonderful tool for creativity, it can rob a child of developing their
imagination. Sharing a story with a child and giving the child the
experience of reading a book independently, is not the same as sharing a movie
or video game with a child. Movies and games do too much imagining for
the child masked as “interaction”. Nothing nourishes the imagination like
a good story that is well illustrated. Unlike a movie, the child can stop
the reader to ask a question, predict what will happen next, and offer their
own editorial without disturbing the flow of the story. In fact, asking
questions about a story as you go along is encouraged, that is how vocabulary
is built, and imagination grows. There is no better interaction.
While I see animated eBooks in the Children’s book industry future, I hope it
doesn’t rob the child of genuine interaction with the story and their own
imagination.
7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?
Absolutely, watching children interact (to
make friends) in the classroom and on the schoolyard has been invaluable in my
writing. Fitting in, and yet not being afraid to stand out, is an
important lifelong lesson. There is a whole generation of children who
have had their social interactions with their peers impacted by COVID. It
is so important for children to make connections. It is important for our
community, our country, and our world.
8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?
When I sit down to write a children’s story, I
think in rhyme. I can’t help it. It is my style. Incorporating
rhyme into my writing adds a delightful layer of challenge and engagement for
both me and the reader. This challenge pushes me to think outside the box
and explore new vocabulary, metaphors, and literary devices to enrich my
storytelling. This helps to grow and evolve my writing style. It
requires a keen sense of wordplay and a creative approach to advancing the story
while adhering to the rhyming scheme. From my perspective, rhyming
stories appeal to a wide range of audiences, both children and adults, and it
makes my story accessible and enjoyable to readers of all ages.
I
have been influenced by Dr. Seuss and his use of rhyme to tackle controversial
themes. Sandra Boynton helped me understand that ear-pleasing rhyme lets
the reader (child) know they are doing great, just being themselves.
Beatrix Potter’s books are wonderful for their illustrations, which compel the
reader to believe her animal characters can really talk. This heightens a
child’s imagination with the right balance of rhythm, realism, and
fantasy.
As
a parent, I took note of the favorite stories of my own children and the ways
the storytelling captured their imagination. They loved Mike
Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton and how a little
boy had the idea to save the Steam Shovel, while saving face of grown-ups who
almost botched an important project. Timothy Goes to School by
Rosemary Wells had them paying attention to Timothy’s real feelings of being
left out, how he isn’t the only one who feels that way, and how the two friends
overcame a bullying situation by finding each other. Finally, Katherine
Applegate is a master at taking a living thing (non-human) and giving them a
voice. The One and Only Ivan is wonderful for giving
children an understanding of how animals feel if they are not respected,
and The Wish Tree always moved my kids with its tale of
diversity, respect, friendship, and sacrifice. I constantly draw on these
masters to grow in my craft.
9. What challenges did you overcome in the
writing of this book?
For
me, keeping to a schedule, staying motivated, and learning a multitude of
(apparently disjointed) computer applications, all while navigating an
“electronic” self-publishing process were my biggest challenges to
writing Feathers & Fins. While anything related to
technology is out of my depth, I decided to use the computer for creating the
writing, art, and illustrations of the story. In addition, there was the
need to understand the ground rules of a picture book – the story’s word
length, page length divided by 4, planning a one-page drawing for an eBook and
then how two “one-page drawings” might come together in a paperback’s two-page
spread.
The
first step in my story writing process was completing the first draft of the
story itself. This became the foundation for illustrations and
iterations. Next was creating the first set of illustrations to
complement the story. As a pastel artist (on paper), using the Procreate
computer application for my illustrations was a brand-new experience. It
took time to learn this technology medium to express myself, but using a
digital drawing tool was a huge time saver and helped me to streamline the
publication of my book – easily bringing together the writings and the
drawings. The eBook was self-published first (on Amazon) and the
paperback version was self-published second (also on Amazon) with the help of
Rosemary Strohm, Creative Director. The good news is
publishing Feathers & Fins was a wonderful learning
experience and I am using this knowledge to complete my second children’s story
book more easily.
10. If people can buy or read one book this
week or month, why should it be yours?
Feathers & Fins is a true family read. It explores, in a way that a child can understand, the profound impact of meaningful connections. As a parent or caregiver, if you believe the world often seems increasingly disconnected and self-centered, this book reminds us of the fundamental importance of human relationships for personal growth and a happy, fulfilling life. Feathers & Fins creates a framework for children to confront their experiences of making friends – having the courage to say hello, feeling awkward and different, trusting yourself enough to trust someone else, listening to others, and feeling good about what makes each of us unique.
About The Author: My name is Peg Baran. My pen name is
G.G., the name my grandchildren have chosen for me, and I love it! Peg
Baran is a highly respected author, artist, illustrator, elementary/middle
school teacher, and STEAM educator, with over 25 years classroom
experience, specializing in art, math, and science. She was one of the
prime developers of the in-school Art Program for the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia and one of the first to establish a STEAM Program for St.
Maximilian Kolbe School with her class projects: the InertiaLand, the Invention
Convention, the Aldrin Mars Cycler Colony Mission, and the Underwater City
Project (Ocean Learning Center). Peg’s art and illustration experiences
were formed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Hudson Valley Art
Association, and the Chester County Art Association. These institutions
provided her with a diverse range of art techniques, styles, and exposure to
various art forms. Finally, storytelling is Peg’s passion. Stories are
based on children confronting and surpassing milestones in life, framed in a
positive outcome. By capturing these stories in verse and illustrations
she continues her chosen vocation, engaging with children and guiding them
through stories. For more info,
please see: https://www.ggewillikers.com OR https://www.booksbygg.com
Need
Book Marketing Help?
Brian Feinblum, the founder of this
award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available
to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He
has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in
all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!
Read
This!
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/authors-can-run-to-success.html
Oh, So That’s Why Muy Book Failed?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/oh-so-thats-why-my-book-failed.html
It’s
Ok To Mess With Our Language?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/its-okay-to-mess-with-our-language.html
Honorary Literary Days
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/09/honorary-literary-days-coming-up.html
The Author’s Book Marketing Escape Room
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-authors-escape-room.html
Who Do Authors Listen To?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/who-do-authors-listen-to.html
To
Sell A Book, Just Ask?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/to-sell-book-just-ask.html
Self-Help Advice For Authors Marketing Their
Books
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/self-help-advice-for-authors-marketing.html
Are
Book Industry Monopolies Killing Authors?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/are-book-industry-monopolies-killing.html
Do
Authors Have A Barbie Complex?
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/do-authors-have-barbie-complex.html
Authors:
You’ll Sell More Books If You Write Better!
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/authors-youll-sell-more-books-if-you.html
Embrace
Your Writer Avatar To Quell Fears
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/embrace-your-writer-avatar-to-quell.html
28
Digital Book Storefronts That Your Book Should Be On
https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/28-digital-book-storefronts-that-your.html
About Brian Feinblum
Brian Feinblum should be followed on LinkedIn. This is
copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now
resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue
dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The
Writer and IBPA’s The Independent. This
award-winning blog has generated over 3.4 million pageviews. With 4,600+ posts
over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by
BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018
as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by
www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades,
including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book
publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with
many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with
best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen,
Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard,
Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C.
Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a
panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA,
Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction
Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland)
Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association.
His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal,
USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News
(Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The
Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult:
www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.