Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a self-published children’s author / illustrator, with a soft spot for cuddly toys, and a love of climbing mountains. I currently have 18 children’s books available on Amazon, including a series of 10 rhyming picture books.
My credited “co-writers” are a bunch of cuddly toy book writers, called the Top of the Wardrobe Gang.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Chronicles of Ragnar Rabbit (Book 2) – My First Mission” is the name of the book that I’ve just released. This is a comic-style Beginner Reader about the adventures of a toy rabbit.
I started this series for a bit of a change inbetween writing my rhyming picture books. I guess the ideas in it are inspired by my own love of adventure, and by wanting to bring some of the excitement of films such as “Mission Impossible” in a package more suitable for younger readers.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think all my writing and illustrating will be seen as very strange to “normal” people. Due to severe neck problems, I’m unable to use conventional work stations. Instead, I write and illustrate on my iPad using my right hand, whilst lying on my left side. (Drawing often involves balancing the iPad with my right knee, which can be amusing to watch for my family!)
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I used to particularly love reading adventure books about the Famous Five and the Hardy Boys. Before that, I loved the zany rhymes of Dr. Seuss.
More recently, as an adult, I began reading many of the great books by Michael Morpurgo.
What are you working on now?
I have several more rhyming picture books written, which I need to start illustrating. I’m also reformatting all the pictures in my older rhyming picture books in order to make them look good in landscape rather than portrait orientated pages. This is for them to be made into “read aloud” books within the “Baby’s Brilliant” app. The app is currently on iTunes.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve yet to find one. Promotional options seem to evolve constantly.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Work hard, keep improving, and don’t give up!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You can never please everyone, so stop trying to.
What are you reading now?
Sadly, apart from constantly checking out other picture books, my main reading at the moment involves trying to learn to code in HTML, to give me more formatting options for my eBooks.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I feel that I’ll be wanting to create rhyming picture books for a while yet. I’ve also got 3 or 4 more books planned in the Ragnar Rabbit prose series.
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?
Dr. Seuss – Oh, the places you’ll go!
Collins gem – SAS Survival Guide
Jan Sadler – Natural Pain Relief
Jon Kabat-Zinn – Full Catastrophe Living
Author Websites and Profiles
Melinda Kinsman Website
Melinda Kinsman Amazon Profile
Melinda Kinsman’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account