📚 Up Close & Personal with 'Grandma's & Grandpa's Tales' Cheryl Carpinello @ccarpinello #upcloseandpersonal

Up Close & Personal is one of The Writer’s Life newest features. Here we feature authors who don't mind spilling the beans and telling what it's really like to write, get published and sell that book. Today's guest is Cheryl Carpinello, author of the children's books, Grandma's & Grandpa's Tales.

On Writing…

I started writing when I retired from teaching. After encountering so many high school students who didn’t like to read, I wanted to reach out to younger students in the hopes that I could share my love of reading with them. Since my high school non-readers loved Arthurian Legend (The only books I could get them to read!), I started my own Arthurian tales with Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend. I then wrote The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the Round). After those, I moved on to my Egyptian tales (Sons of the Sphinx and Tutankhamen Speaks). However, I underestimated the appeal young Guinevere and Cedwyn, her devoted friend, would have for readers. Giving into the pressure not only from readers but from the characters themselves, I continued these two remarkable characters’ story. Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend and Guinevere: The Legend complete the trilogy of two kids who value friendship, honor, and loyalty above all else, even their lives. Soaring to heights I never imagined, Guinevere and Cedwyn continue to draw readers into their story. Consequently, the Guinevere Trilogy outsells all my other books! I’ve even had emails from readers wanting their story to continue.

On Being Published…

Every book I publish is like the first time! It’s exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. I believe all writers experience the uncertainty of how their books will be received. It takes tremendous courage to close the file and send the latest creation out into the world. I started on my Grandma/Grandpa’s Tales in 2016. Wanting to continue reaching out to young readers, I decided to go even younger. Since then, I’ve just finished this series for beginning/emerging readers and toddlers. Grandma/Grandpa’s Tales 3 builds on the skills ages 3-7 are working on. Both stories in Tales 3 (Vampires in the Backyard and A Fishing Tale) engage readers with bright pictures, repeating phrases, decision making, and exploring nature. Additionally, unexpected audiences for these books popped up which took me by surprise. Young adults frequently purchase a set for older grandparents dealing with memory issues. Parents have also purchased these to use with their kids dealing with developmental issues. The stories are short and easily read aloud.

On Publishing Industry…

There are three publishing categories today: Traditional, Indie, and Self-published. An Indie author from the from the beginning (2009), I thrive in this environment. My writing goal of getting books into the hands of beginning/young readers remains the same. Traditional publishing, when I first started, took 2+ years for a book to be available to the public. I didn’t want to wait that long. Now more and more books are being published by authors who have chosen to self-publish. Indie authors spend a lot of their money on editing, layout, covers, and publishing to make sure their books are professionally presented. Unfortunately, many authors publish without spending the time and money to do it right, casting a blemish on Indie authors.

I publish with Silver Quill Publishing, an independent publishing group based out of England. I’m one of 12 authors (the only US author) including one member of royalty.

On Marketing…

Marketing is an on-going endeavor requiring a tremendous amount of time, energy, and money. I do market my books at Amazon, B&N, and many other on-line book markets. However, my best markets are at craft fairs, school fairs, festivals, conferences, and conventions. These are where I reach and interact with my intended audience and their parents, grandparents, guardians, and other adults.

On Goals and Dreams…

My goal, in addition to reaching my intended audience, is to write that next book. My newest project is my 5-book series, Feathers of the Phoenix. Summoned by another time, two teens face death and danger in their search for the Five Feathers of the Phoenix required to raise the lost island of Atlantis. Unknown to them is their personal connection to this task. I have the first book, The Atlantean Horse, almost out the door. I’m starting on book 2, The Norse Star.

My advice to aspiring authors is not to get bogged down on any one book. Have confidence in yourself and your ability to tell a story. Close down that critical side of your brain, let your creative side tell the story, and enjoy what you’re doing.

Title: Grandma’s and Grandpa’s Tales Books 1 – 6
Author: Cheryl Carpinello
Publisher: Silver Quill Publishing
Genre: Children’s Picture Books (Ages 4 – 8)

BOOK BLURB:

Grandma and Grandpa’s Tales books 1-3 encourage early readers with fun stories incorporating difference aspects of nature. Book 1, Wild Creatures In My Neighborhood and What if I Went to the Circus, explores the wildlife around neighborhoods and introduces decision-making. Book 2, Singers of Songs and The Not Too Stubborn Humpback, explores a common, but not so common insect, and lets readers see that being stubborn isn’t always good. Book 3, Vampires in the Backyard and A Fish Tale, introduces readers to an extended metaphor and lets them decide if the fish story is real.

Book Information

Release Date: Grandma’s Tales #1 (2016), Grandma’s Tales #2 (2018), Grandma’s Tales #3 (2021), Grandpa’s Tales #1 (2016), Grandpa’s Tales #2 (2018), Grandpa’s Tales #3 (2021)

Publisher: Silver Quill Publishing

Soft Cover: Grandma’s Tales #1 – 39 pages; $9.99

Grandma’s Tales #2 – 66 pages; $13.99

Grandma’s Tales #3 – 64 pages; $14.99

Grandpa’s Tales #1 – 39 pages; $9.99

Grandpa’s Tales #2 – 66 pages; $13.99

Grandpa’s Tales #3 – 64 pages; $14.99

Amazon Ma 1: https://amzn.to/3374bEX

Amazon Pa 1: https://amzn.to/3uHMKpA

Amazon Ma 2: https://amzn.to/3Jan0X5

Amazon Pa 2: https://amzn.to/34HGt2g

Amazon Ma 3: https://amzn.to/3wELnJj