Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Bennett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kelly, thanks for joining us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

Money, money, money. . . they say that one must be either privileged or foolhardy to pursue a career as a writer, as writing requires time and money: time to imagine, create and physically write and rewrite thousands of words and pages; and because, like most art forms, pay checks only come after the work is finished, money to pay the bills so one can write. When the idea of becoming a writer struck me, I had neither of those things. I was an almost-single mother of two children, 2- and 4-years old who’d been working in restaurants since I was sixteen. I hadn’t finished college. My marriage was falling apart, our business was going under, and my husband already had one foot out the door. Looking back on it, I think my situation made me ripe for possibility. It’s like that saying when you’re on the bottom, there’s only one direction left to go. Up for me was this dream of becoming an author. I was an avid reader and in school had received high marks for my writing, so I knew I could write. But I did not have one single idea how one went about become an author. Besides, dreams don’t pay the bills. So while I continued waiting tables, I started applying for jobs–any writing-related jobs. I got one too! Not however, the job I had hoped for. It was a part-time position processing book orders for a small publisher. Literally taking phone orders, filling out order sheets, and sending them to the warehouse. The only think remotely connected to writing was that I was processing orders for books. That non-writerly order- processing job, however, exposed me to more than any “real writing” job could have. I learned what went on inside a publishing house, the economics of selling books, marketing, catalogues, catalogue copy, author and store discounts, royalties, and even some of the decisions that go into which books to publish. I learned about the business side of publishing, knowledge that has proved invaluable.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been writing professionally for more than thirty years, both fiction and non-fiction–mostly picture books celebrating all that goes into being a kid—families, friends, pets, fun and games! My award-winning picture books include NOT NORMAN, A GOLDFISH STORY, which I’m thrilled to say was a Jumpstart “Read for the Record” book shared by more than 3 million people around the world on one magical October day, and its companion NORMAN ONE AMAZING GOLDFISH; DAD AND POP, an ode to fathers and stepfathers; VAMPIRE BABY about a biting baby sister; YOUR DADDY WAS JUST LIKE YOU and YOUR MOMMY WAS JUST LIKE YOU; , DANCE Y’ALL DANCE about one two-steppin’ night in a Texas Dance Hall, and ONE DAY I WENT RAMBLING about the power of imaginative play.

Currently I’m strutting around prouder than a peacock because my new picture book, THE HOUSE THAT RUTH BUILT, illustrated by Susanna Covelli (published by Familius), an historical non-fiction picture book celebrating baseball, Babe Ruth & Yankee Stadium, the biggest, tallest, grandest stadium of its time, it out in the world. With true-to-event illustrations, reminiscent of Norman Rockwell, and facts on every page about the stadium, the teams, and baseball, it recreates the excitement—on and off the field—of that 1923 opening day game in Yankee Stadium. Prior to the game, legendary slugger Babe Ruth said he’d “give a year of his life to hit a homer” that day. In the bottom of the third inning, two on, two out, the big question was: Could the Babe come through?

This truly is a heart book. It’s dedicated to my grandfather, Joe Silva, who was a semi-pro catcher the same time Babe Ruth was playing–and may or may not have played with him. And we are a baseball playing family. My son, Max, and daughter, Lexi, played baseball and now the four grands are playing baseball.

My love of writing can be traced back to when I was two-ish and scribbled what I’m sure was a very important message all over the neighbor’s car. (And of course, blamed my older brother for it. Seriously though, I have always been a writer. In school, whenever a teacher gave one of those multiple option “write, draw or make something” assignments, I always chose option #1 Write. Which is sort of ironic, in that I am also a lefty and as lefty’s often do, have the worst handwriting.

I’m originally from California, fourth generation, born in Santa Cruz, with saltwater in my ears and the sailor shanties humming through my veins. The youngest child of a young, twice-divorced mother of a time when women “stuck it out” and children, especially girls, were to be seen or heard only on special occasions. Sloppy as my handwriting was, I learned early that it was better to write my feelings than to speak them. A practice I believe that led me to become a writer. My early years were ragged. I never knew my father. My mom remarried, badly. And on my stepfather’s whim, we moved often. My brother and I attended five grammar schools before I was ten and mom finally stepped up for herself and us and sought counselling and a divorce. Even after counseling, mom sought out and lived a soap opera life. I mentioned this because no matter what one makes of oneself later, those first years are formative. From my mother I learned the importance of education. And to seek help when needed–professional and otherwise. I learned what kind of person, mother, neighbor I did not and did want to be. I also learned that we are, all of us, tough, strong and resilient. That’s why I write for children now. I’m really writing to please, entertain, reassure the child I was then. My goal is to create books children find entertaining, so they will want to read and keep reading, and at the same time, offer children hope.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

If you want to write-illustrate-create literature for children, then you need to remember five capital letters: SCBWI.

SCBWI stands for the Society of Illustrators and Writers, an international non-profit organization for authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults. There are SCBWI chapters in every state, many cities and countries all over the world, each of which holds meetings, hosts critique groups, gatherings to support, encourage and educate children’s writers and illustrators. At SCBWI Conferences attendees can connect with agents, editors and others in the publishing industry, as well as attend seminars and workshops to learn more about craft. What’s more, the SCBWI website includes lots of information about how to submit stories and artwork to publishers, including formatting manuscripts, writing query letters, and even what types of stories publishers are and are not looking to acquire. While SCBWI does charge a membership fee, much of the information on the website is accessible to all and guests are welcome at meetings. If only I had known about it then: SCBWI The website is www.scbwi.org.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an author, is seeing children choosing and reading stories I put down on paper.

I write for children. Not to teach them or show them or guide them, but to make them laugh and wonder, imagine and hope. My first and foremost goal is to entertain. I write because I want children to read, and keep reading, and like to read. You’re reading this, so already you are heads-and tails above so many others in this country. I looked it up (because I can): Approximately 32 million adults in America are considered to be illiterate; about 14% of the entire adult population cannot read. I want to change that.

Nothing makes me prouder than when folks share photos of kiddles hugging my books. Watching them slide their fingers along the page beneath words I wrote…hearing them say those musical words: “Read it again!”–pure joy!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kellybennett.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellybennettbooks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellybennettbooks/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kgbennettbooks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHc9sQaTxv2ASa8dO5LFgPg@kellybennettbooks9789
• Other: Blog: Kelly’s Fishbowl http://kellybennett.com/blog/ Pinterest: @notnorman