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A Whole Harvest of Iowa Authors-Fran Kennedy
Fran Kennedy of Dubuque has authored two children’s books, and that’s just so far. They’re good; I know because when
I finished reading one to Granddaughter Keely, the only thing she said was, "Please read that book again."
Fran, what drew you to write children’s stories?
I was born into a family of readers and writers. Picture books have always been a favorite genre. I decided to be a writer after Miss Junker, my second grade teacher wrote on my report card: Frances has a fine feeling for stories and poems. She understands the beauty and humor. I am tempted to send her comments with my manuscripts to would-be publishers.
Until the late ‘60s I only wrote to fulfill school and work assignments. My interest in writing was renewed when I became aware of Donald Graves, Donald Murray, Lucy Calkins, Jim Davis and the Iowa Writing Project. I enroll in writing classes and attend the University of Iowa Summer Writing Festivals.
In 1991 I submitted a manuscript to a publisher. Many stories and rejections later The Pickle Patch Bathtub was in bookstores.
How did you land Tricycle Press? That's impressive.
I searched Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market for a fit and submitted my manuscript to publishers for three years. I received a rejection letter from a Tricycle Press editor, regretting that their picture book quota was filled for the year. She said this was a good story and urged me to keep trying. Twelve months later, she called and asked if it was still available. It was!
So many people want to publish children's stories, a genre some see as an easy road to success. I'm betting you may disagree.
Because children’s picture books are only 32 pages and about 600-1,000 words, people think they’re easy to write. But that’s
the catch. Authors of this genre do not have the luxury of lengthy descriptions to tell their tale. One must have that
slash-and-burn gene to be this kind of writer.
Common question: Do you select your own illustrator?
No, but I was fortunate. Tricycle Press chose the best for my stories, Sheila Aldridge.
Advice for aspiring children's authors?
Make writing your passion.
Where are your books available?
In bookstores and on Amazon.
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The Just-Right, Perfect Present
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