Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Interview With Author Wanda Obermeier

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?

An empty nest, the death of the Berenstain Bears creators, and the need to

have good books for my grandchild. All of these events prompted me to

start writing children's books after years of writing songs for children and

adults.

 

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for?

Mama Bird Papa Bird encapsulates a story of life, from a bird's

perspective, fable like, with themes of nurturing, natural growth, and

ultimately leaving the nest. Actually, it's MY story of having been

blessed with one child, after years of tear-filled infertility.

 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? Universally

speaking, Mama Bird Papa Bird is the human life story. Planned or unplanned,

babies symbolize that life goes on and parents have the responsibility to nurture

their offspring.

 

4. How did you decide on your book's title and cover design?

The book title, after googling there was no other title like it, with the

exception of the 60's group The Mamas and the Papas, I federally

trademarked the title Mama Bird Papa Bird ® because I knew I had a

classic one-of-a-kind title! And the cover needed to be eye-catching,

which it truly is.

 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other

than run!?

Seek some wisdom from editors, marketing specialists, other writers,

mentors, writer's circles, etc. Don't act like you're the lone ranger! It takes

a lot of people to help bring success to your book!

 

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the

book publishing industry is heading?

Children's literature is in high demand, and if your bilingual, the world is

your oyster!

 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy

when writing this book?

Absolutely! Rejection was my motivation! I actually was naieve enough

to call Scholastic. After asking me “Who is your literary agent?” I hung

up utterly ashamed. But I was determined to find out how to acquire a

literary agent. Then of course there was the Benjamin Franklin Silver and

the Mom's Choice Gold awards. Those two things will change the status

of an ordinary book to extraordinary! Joining IBPA was the single most

life changing move in my professional career. They literally took me to

school: Book Publishing 101.

 

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is

your writing similar to?

I've been told I have a musical like cadence, and my husband calls me

Mrs. Seuss. And while I admire the morals and good values taught by the

Berenstain Bears, and Aesops Fables, I would say perhaps in a word,

didactic, I think. There needs to be an educational take-away, not just

entertainment.

 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

Definitely finding the right illustrator. Faith Thomas nailed it! And if it weren't for her

excellent skills as an artist, this book would not have attracted the attention of

so many. Turns out, you CAN judge a book by its cover.

 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be

yours?

Mama Bird Papa Bird is destined to be a classic. (Not my words, but from

Midwest Book Review.) And the fact that Mama Bird Papa Bird earned

two awards that signify excellence, you have a prescreened book that not

only will you enjoy reading as an adult, your children and grandchildren

will be mesmorized by the artwork that seems to leap off the pages like

an animation. Finally, you will want to keep this book as one you will

treasure for a lifetime.

 

About the Author: Born in Milwaukee, WI in 1962, “this grandma-and-a-mama” lives in Georgia with her husband of 40+ years. Bachelor's from the UW Stevens Point, Master's from Marian University in Educational Leadership, and singer-songwriter, with 300+ songs in her music catalog. Former State Coordinator. Nacel Cultural Exchanges, based in Tours, France, placing over 3,000 students in Wisconsin homes and sending Americans abroad. 25+ years of experience teaching Spanish and ESL (English as a Second Language) to Hmong immigrants

and South Americans in Marathon County, WI. For more info, see: AdnawPublishing.com

 

Need Book Marketing Help?

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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

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