Interview With Author JoAnne Longtin-Rames
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi my name is Jo-Anne Longtin-Rames. I’m an elementary teacher who spends my days juggling my career and trying to keep up with my two energetic children. We love spending time together in nature and going on adventures around the world together.
For the last two years, I’ve devoted my evenings after putting the kids to bed, creating “Adventures with Darian”. The first book in my series “A Pirate at Sea See” which went through many re-writes and at times I felt like giving up. It wasn’t easy, and learning the world of self-publishing has been a challenging journey in itself but knowing that I would be furthering our family’s mission of providing representation and awareness for children with vision impairment will make it all worth it.
I’m proud to be a working mom who has “made it work” to chase this dream of mine and make it a reality, and I’m so grateful to my family and friends who helped make it all happen.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book Adventures with Darian – A Pirate at Sea See
This children’s book is inspired by my own son Darian as he navigates the world with a prosthetic eye. This means he has an eye made of plastic acrylic and it matches his other eye. When Darian was only three years old, he was diagnosed with a rare eye disease called Coats. This disease caused abnormal blood vessels which leaked resulting in swelling and detachment of the retina. There are different stages to this rare disease and treatment varies according to these stages. Within three months of this discovery, his eye rapidly degenerated, resulting in emergency admittance into Sick Kids in Toronto where we discovered his retina had completely detached. Within 48 hours, doctors removed his eye. As parents, we worked to help Darian adjust to his new circumstances and learn how important it was to wear his protective eye glasses (polycarbonate lens guard his seeing eye). Since then, his family has trekked forward with the same positive attitude Darian has, always willing to face any challenge with a smile.
We hope this story inspires children with vision impairment to see themselves represented as a hero or a regular kid where VISION impairment is not the focus of the story but a part of it. We strive for representation in children’s literature to promote inclusion, acceptance and empathy. Let’s create meaningful conversations where we celebrate our differences and encourage respect for the uniqueness in us all.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
This is a funny question – I wish I did!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I wish I could list one….but I started this journey to create more representation in children’s literature. After conducting research, I was painfully aware of a market gap in children’s books about or for children with vision impairment etc. It became apparent that children with vision impairment deserve to see themselves represented in stories, but most importantly as main characters who are fearless, compassionate and daring just like my son Darian. Determined, I set out to write one.
What are you working on now?
Another story! This is the one I am very excited about! Its about a Dragon who lost his eye and Darian helps him navigate life with monocular vision.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
No idea. I actually really terrible at marketing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Patience and kindness. These two things will help when the publishing journey becomes overwhelming.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all – Hellen keller
What are you reading now?
The universe
What’s next for you as a writer?
Not sure? Keeping writing stories and hope someone will read them 🙂
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?
Flowers in the Attic V.C. Andrews, The tell-Tale Heart Edgar Allan Poe, The house with Chicken Legs Sophie Anderson
Author Websites and Profiles
JoAnne Longtin-Rames Amazon Profile
JoAnne Longtin-Rames’s Social Media Links