Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new children’s book author that’s really excited to get more into the space in the next year. My first children’s book, called Fitness is Fun, was published in late 2018 and is the first of a series about all of the fun ways kid can exercise – biking, running, dance, soccer, yoga…you name it!
Even though I’m a new children’s author, I have been a writer for the better part of a decade, working on everything from investigative journalism assignments, to my own travel blog when I left the states to travel the world. My website and writing portfolio outline all of the writing I have done to date.
www.kaylamferguson.com
https://writers.work/kaylaferg
In addition to this children’s book series, I have a number of other literary projects in the works.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am a lifelong athlete and current 100mi endurance runner. I have discovered during my adult life the profound impact growing up with fitness, sports, exercise, teammates, etc. has had on me well beyond my competitive athletic years. I want to inspire that – healthy living, teamwork, enthusiasm to accomplish something challenging, and all of the other benefits of childhood activity – in our younger generation.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think if most people saw where and how I write they would wonder how I ever write anything at all, or keep track of it. Sometimes inspiration strikes at the most unexpected times, so I have collections of writing on my computer, on Google drive, in notebooks in drawers, on sticky notes inside books, on the note app on my iPhone and other places that I found to be convenient at the time of inspiration. It seems incredibly disorganized, but I know exactly what I have written where and have no difficult finding what I need when I need it. I’ve tried to make a more organized collection of things I’m working on writing but that just doesn’t seem to work for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Elizabeth Gilbert. Her ideas and they way she articulates them are so impactful; I would say she’s the author I’ve read the most in the past couple of years. I’m also a huge fan of Haruki Murakami, a Japanese author that I discovered while traveling and have come to follow very closely. His prose is different than many American authors, but I think it offers a fresh style for me to call upon when doing my own writing.
And, the first book I remember really loving in every possible way was To Kill a Mockingbird, so I have to put Lee Harper on the list as well.
Reading is one of my favorite past times and I’ve read so many books over the years it’s hard for me to name all of the authors I’ve resonated with and drawn inspiration from, but these three are staples that always stand out to me.
What are you working on now?
Throughout the next year I am working on my Fitness is Fun children’s series, an expansion of the first book I published at the end of 2018.
I also have a novel I’ve been working on that was inspired by my around-the-world trip in 2015-2016 that I’m hoping to have a rough draft of by the end of this year.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am very new to the space and still figuring out what works best. I would say to date I’ve had the most success with my inner circle; friends and family supporting my endeavor, telling others about it and giving me ideas for ways to market it. As they say, word of mouth is the most powerful marketing tool!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author, and have gladly been accepting advice! But what I have learned so far is the most valuable thing to do is to just go for it…to stop worrying about perfection and reception and just do the thing (publish the book) you’ve been wanting to publish. The support I’ve received from just putting myself out there has been incredible!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It comes in the form of a quote: “remember who you were before the world told you who you were supposed to be.” Authenticity is everything.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading a couple of books right now (I have a weakness for book clubs and join way to many of them):
-Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward
-Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami
-How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age by Dale Carnegie and Associates
What’s next for you as a writer?
This year I intend to work on building my personal brand; I’ve done a lot of freelance writing over the last decade, but haven’t done a ton of work to associate it with a branded foundation of who I am personally and professionally.
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?
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
IQ84 by Haruki Murakami
The Harry Potter series (if that can count as one book!)
Author Websites and Profiles
Kayla Ferguson Website
Kayla Ferguson Amazon Profile
Kayla Ferguson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account