Along with a staunch group of Australian literary professionals, Ellie Royce is a strong advocate for promoting encouragement for families to connect with older generations, share love and facilitate the power of memory. Her latest picture book is one in a line up, not only involved in initiatives to create awareness of ageing people and […]
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Blog: Perpetually Adolescent (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: World Dementia Month, Book News, picture book, Author Interviews, Kayleen West, elderly, Shortlist, Alzheimer's, Andrew McLean, dementia, New Book Releases, Ford Street Publishing, Working Title Press, Aaron Pocock, Wombat Books, ageing, Karen Tyrrell, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Debra Tidball, Leigh Hedstrom, When I see Grandma, Speech Pathology Australia, Ellie Royce, Lucas and Jack, Romi Sharp, Celia and Nonna, Victoria Lane, Digital Future Press, Harry Helps Grandpa Remember, Anna McNeil, Do You Remember?, Kelly O'Gara, Add a tag
Blog: Perpetually Adolescent (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Alzheimer's, dementia, Ford Street Publishing, biscotti, Book Reviews - Childrens and Young Adult, Romi Sharp, Celia and Nonna, Victoria Lane, Parkinson's, Victoria Thieberger, Book News, picture book, love, Author Interviews, Kayleen West, grandparents, old age, Add a tag
Victoria Lane has made a successful career from writing; as an award-winning financial journalist for many years, editor and correspondent for many leading media publications, and of course, as a picture and chapter book writer for children. Today, we delve into Victoria’s writerly mind as she shares her inspirations behind her touching picture book, Celia […]
Add a CommentBlog: Tara Lazar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Picture Books, Kayleen West, PiBoIdMo Success Story, PiBoIdMo 2013, Adoptive Father, Without Me, Add a tag
by Kayleen West
As a child, my mother used to tell everyone, “She’s such a daydreamer (adding a disapproving sigh).” I used to hate it, but she was right; I do dream big—and love it, it’s what creative people do best. You may be the same. When communicating in words or pictures it is the way we bless others. We invite others into our dreams and adventures, make them smile, laugh or indulge a little. I am a dreamer. I do dream of a better world-it can be ugly. I can’t save children from pain and disappointment, but if my books help a child smile, laugh, or feel better about themselves or their situation, I have contributed.
I started living this dream job in late 2010. I began late in life (I’m 48) but threw everything into it. I hope to bring many book babies into the world. There is nothing better than adding positives to a child’s life, and what better way than through picture books.
When Tara asked me to share my success story, I was eager to have the opportunity to publicly thank her. I never forgot PiBoIdMo had been instrumental in the birth of my new book, and had helped me form a good habit. You know, we can be slogging away in this industry, unaware of the impact we can have on others. She may blush at this but Tara should be credited with sowing seeds of success with her creative challenge. It is an unpaid gig but something to be very proud of. So thank you Tara!
Creative Challenges
I love creative challenges. They motivate me to be brave, step out in the new, learn, and grow as an artist. I tend to throw myself in 200% believing for something great—no loss in trying right?
Participating in the November 2011 PiBoIdMo I made a commitment to find a minimum of 30 picture book ideas. I focussed more on creating the habit daily rather than the quantity. Giving it my usual 200% I finished with almost double my intended goal. I was also left with the motivation to write more often.
Loaded with a smorgasbord of ideas and incredibly inspired, I began developing a few. You’ll never guess which one made it into publication first? Answer: the very last one—my last idea became my first publishing house success. WITHOUT ME, published by Wombat Books, has just been pre-released this month and will be launched in November. Sometimes we give up just before success. I wonder what if I had not completed the 30 days? Okay, let’s not go there.
Thinking up ideas wasn’t difficult as I am often flooded with inspiration if I look for it. My challenge is always deciding which ideas to develop and not all at once. I get pretty enthusiastic. Many of the ideas that presented themselves from PiBoldMo were worth exploring, and so I have worked to develop more of them. Anyone else need an extra lifetime for writing?
I haven’t submitted many at all. After signing with Wombat Books, everything took off like crazy (personally and professionally), including a second, third, and possibly a forth picture book contract in the past 12 months! Do note that two of these I am illustrating only. I only say this to show you that contract work can snowball once you get started. Sometimes publishers want to see you will follow through and are easy to work with.
At the time I was working on my very first picture book, ADOPTIVE FATHER (a personal non-profit project) which was very important and a lot was going on, but I decided that PiBoldMo was a good investment of my time—was I right OR WHAT?
I hope this inspires you to throw yourself into PiBoldMo 2013 and see what you come up with. I pray my success story encourages you to sign up, be inspired and birth a publishing winner this November.
Hopefully we will be reading about your book next year.
Although an initial childhood dream was to write and illustrate for children, Kayleen West was encouraged to venture into a career of an exhibiting fine artist and later a graphic designer.
Returning to her original passion, Kayleen is now a published children’s Author and Illustrator working on her forth children’s book. She also writes Christian content for magazines and blogs.
Her work has won many awards and hangs in private and corporate collections in France, United States, Italy, in the Australian Embassy in Ireland and in government collections in Australia.
Visit her at KayleenWest.com.au, fan her Facebook Author/Illustrator page, follow her on Twitter, and learn more about her PiBoIdMo success book, WITHOUT ME?.
Kayleen is giving away TWO signed picture books! ADOPTIVE FATHER and WITHOUT ME?.
Both prizes will be given away at the conclusion of PiBoIdMo. You are eligible for these prizes if:
- You have registered for PiBoIdMo.
- You have commented ONCE ONLY on this post.
- You have completed the PiBoIdMo challenge. (You will have to sign the PiBoIdMo Pledge at the end of the event.)
Good luck, everyone!
Blog: Watercolor Wednesdays (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Journaling, Sketchbooks, traditional watercolor., Kayleen West, Add a tag
I am a bit late posting as school holidays are full of 3 young active kids wanting super abundant attention but I did contribute. In my downtime I like to play in my artist journal and so this is one of the pages I did last week.
More on my blog: http://kayleenwest.blogspot.com
Blog: Watercolor Wednesdays (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Kayleen West, watercolor, Journaling, Sketchbooks, Add a tag
I am thankful for sketchbook journaling in between work. It is a great way to just have aplay. |
it’s awesome seeing all these success stories. very inspirational!
I have always been a daydreamer and space cadet. How wonderful that dreaming big has paid off in a big way for you. Congratulations! Also, you look at least a decade younger than 48.
Congrats on your success, Kayleen, and thanks for encouraging us!
Thanks for the inspiration. You look too young to be “getting started at 48″!
I love reading these success stories of people who are a little newer to the field! Kayleen, congrats and thanks for providing inspiration.
Kayleen, What an inspiring story! Much success with your books.
I’ll be watching to see when Without Me comes out! What a great story!
Congratulations, Kayleen! What an inspiring story!
I’m a late bloomer, too, with one PB under contract. I never thought of myself as a daydreamer, but like that description better than lost in her thoughts! Your success story inspires!
Kayleen, thank you for sharing your ideas and insights!