Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing books on a dare from my son. He persuaded me to write a children’s book based on a game I paly with my grandson. Captain No Beard An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life, went on to win the Star of Remarkable Merit from Kirkus Review, was named to Kirkus Review’s Best of 2012, The Erik Award and the NABE Pinnacle Award 2013. Pepper Parrot’s Problem with Patience, the second book in the series received Five Stars from the Foreword Review. I followed with Stuck in the Doldrums, Strangers on the High Seas , and The Treasure of Snake Island. Strangers on the High Seas was named Best Children’s Book of the Year 2013 by Reader’s Views. Children love the captain and his crew, and the adventures keep coming.
I am a former social studies teacher and decided to write a non fiction cultural book for my audience of 3-8 year olds. If You Were Me and Lived in… has spawned 12 books so far and many awards. If You Were Me and Lived in …Mexico, was the first in the series. It is a simple approach to gently open doors on customs and culture for the very young. It touches on the differences and similarities and has been embraced by both children and educator. Mexico received the NABE Pinnacle for Best Children’s Non Fiction 2012, If You Were Me and Lived in…France was named as a finalist in the Juvenile Non Fiction category Foreword Review Book of the Year. Rebecca’s Readers Views Gave If You Were Me and Lived in…Norway, the Creative Non Fiction Award, France received General Non Fiction. If You Were Me and Lived in…South Korea received an Honorable Mention by Readers Views. To date, the following is a list of the countries published; Mexico, France, South Korea, Norway, Kenya, Turkey, India, and Australia. I have also written a child’s introduction to yoga, called I Want to Do Yoga Too.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my newest entry to the Captain No Beard series is called The Crew Goes Coconuts. It was inspired by the rash of bullying in the news. It addresses peer pressure. All the Captain No Beard books address important topics like sharing, friendship, cooperation, stranger danger, and such.
I am working on the following countries for the non fiction series, Portugal, Russia, Peru, and Greece. I keep picking countries that interest me and I try to be as diverse as possible.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write my books at sunrise and am very fast. Usually it is done an hour or so later. They are direct, and I don’t like to keep going over them. I submit them for editing to see the response. I don’t like to overthink them. Every word has to be important to the topic. After I get them back, I particularly like to simplify the non fiction. I edit them down, because I want them to be as basic as possible and leave it to the educator to amplify the lesson to the needs of the child. They are basically a catalyst to open doors to learn more.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read all the time, every day for hours. I read histories, fiction, and non fiction. My all time favorite book is Shogun, which is about a Western swashbuckler’s introduction to Asia. I guess, while Blackthorne was technically not a pirate, I was influenced by his adventurous ways. I have always been fascinated by other cultures. So that book is a perfect marriage.
What are you working on now?
I just finished Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis, and an unnamed Captain book to introduce my newest grandchild. Many have guessed that the key players in the books are my three grandchildren. A fourth is on the way and had to be written in!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
www.caroleproman.com.
I have a blog, Facebook, Twitter and website all run by my media goddess, Julie Gerber from Away We Go Media. I would not have been able to do anything without her. I knew absolutely nothing and she has guided me in the right direction to save both time and money. I looked up many review sites like Children’s Book Review, Say What Savannah Mae, Rebecca’s Reads, Reader’s Views, Al Galasso from NABE, Geri Ahern and take promotional packages. They have also guided me in the right direction. Julie gets the word out on as many blogs and helps me find as many people as we can to review. I send out a press release to get as many reviews as I can. If you don’t let people know about your book, it won’t get read.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get a good media person to help you promote your book. If you are not prepared to give out your book in promotions, giveaways, and reviews, nobody will hear about it. Get as many reviews as you can, but not your family. Get people to write HONEST reviews or you won’t be taken seriously. Read other books in your genre and start reviewing. You will see familiar names and then you can ask them to review your work. Those Harry Potter and Fifty Shades of Gray self published lightening strikes happen very rarely. Don’t quit your day job.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Have a thick skin. Not everybody is going to like your work. Constructive criticism is a good tool to help you develop as a writer.
What are you reading now?
Amy Licence has a bunch of books on the Tudors. I am zipping though them and loving it. I am also reading a fictional account of Catherine Of Valois, but I don’t remember the name.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to turn my books into coloring books for children. I think they will enjoy. The artwork is wonderful. I have a bunch of person appearances in local school and that is so much fun. You get to interact with the kids and get a real feel of what is working and what should be ditched.
I will always have another Captain No Beard an cultural book coming out.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Shogun, Gone with the Wind, The Bible, How to Survive on a Desert Island. ( I don’t know if that book exists but if it doesn’t I’d probably write in on the paper from the others)
Author Websites and Profiles
Carole P. Roman Website
Carole P. Roman Amazon Profile
Carole P. Roman’s Social Media Links
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