Author Spotlight September 2021
I am very happy to spotlight an Author from UK this month, Please enjoy and if you have any comments please share them. If you are interested in a my spotlight Series please e-mail me to Spiritw74@yahoo.com
Author Spotlight September 2021
Review- “What’s an OG?” This book reminds me a little of Dr. Seuss. It combines
beautiful illustrations with very simple rhyming words. It has a great flow
that younger children will enjoy. I think it will be a good read for children 2-
to 5-year-olds. The main character a wise owl, is talking to the
audience trying do explain What is an OG? I can imagine this book being read in
front of a classroom of pre-k to kindergarteners, and I can picture the
children getting into it. I will give this one 4 stars because I believe the
author could have played more with the rhyme and expand the book a few more
pages. Overall, this is a great read and a book many young children can
enjoy.
Mary Barry:
Author, Publisher, Researcher, general Dogsbody and Coffee Maker at Malba Books
Who goes on adventures with Ogs,
Ugs, and Ails.
With my first book “What’s an
Og?” out into the world since February this year and “What’s an Ail?” is
on its way, I feel like I’m a real author!
“What’s an Og?” was written and the series conceived during one of the many
pandemic lockdowns, but its origin come from many years ago when I started to
write books to help teach my children to read.
These books were written using simple phonics and personalized for each of my
three children. Written in pencil on school copybooks with stick figures,
these were very basic indeed but planted the seed which then remained dormant
for 30+ years.
Rooted in the science of learning, these books use rhymes, repetition, and fun
to make the sounds stick.
Fast forward through careers as a laboratory technician, research scientist,
science lecturer and positive reinforcement horse trainer, to the
pandemic. This literally brought a halt to my gallop (I had been
travelling extensively giving courses to groups of horse owners). But it
did give me the gift of time to sit down and write those books that have
been in my mind for years!
What inspired you do become a writer and publisher?
My own children.
When they were young, there were no real beginner readers available that
used simple phonics to help them learn the sounds of the letters, so I used to
make books for them. Each book was personalized,
and we started with very simple three letter words that they could sound
out. As their skills grew, so did the
challenges in the books.
These were simple copy books with my stick figure illustrations, and they colored
them themselves!
Please tell us about the job you used
to have and how it compares to the one you have now?
Jobs: I spent many years teaching at college level
but the latest career I had was teaching horse owners how to train their own
horses. Positive reinforcement has
always been key in my work. This process of teaching uses the same methodology
that I want to incorporate in my book series.
Teach component parts, use easy
achievable steps Make it rewarding It should always be fun.
Who inspired you to become a Writer
and Publisher?
There was no one person who was my
inspiration. I have always been a reader
with an eclectic taste in books and read everything from thrillers to crime
novels, serious science to romance novels – all depending on my humor and
whether I was looking for stimulation or sheer escapism.
When my kids started reading independently, we did acquire all the Roald Dahl
books and for me, the writing style, simplicity, and fun are things I would
love to emulate.
Please tell us a bit more about your
childhood in Ireland.
Waterford, in the south-east of Ireland is where I
spent the first 18 years of my life. The
eldest of five, I had a (mostly) very happy childhood. Family was very important to both my parents,
so I grew up with loads of cousins at a time when we had a lot of freedom to
explore the world around us independently.
Books were always very important for me, but we also had trips to the beach, my
uncles farm, fishing for pinkeens in streams, riding our bikes to go swimming, picnicking
etc
Can you share a moment in your life
that changed everything?
When my first daughter was born, that had a massive
impact. Suddenly, I had this tiny,
entirely dependent creature to care for.
What kind of advice can you give to
new writers?
Really research the area you want to write in,
join groups of other supportive writers and ask for help!
What are some of your favorite
authors you have read?
Kids’ Books: Favorite is Roald Dahl
Romance
and absolute escapism: Marian Keyes
Crime
Novels: Patricia Cornell, Michael Connelly, Serious stuff: Norman Doige, Simon
Sinek.... Plus loads more
If you can go back in time and change
one moment in your life, what would it be?
I would go back and write my
books years sooner!
Tell us a bit about your family and
how they have influenced your life?
My brothers and sisters have been very supportive
throughout my life. My kids have been
the major reason that I wrote my books.
Do you have any wise words to share
with our audience?
You're never too old to follow your dreams!
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