Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been a published author since 2000. My first book is a travel memoir about my first journey to West Africa. I have written, or I should say, published three adult books and two children’s books. A third children’s book will be published in early September. Before becoming an author, I was a career banker―quite a stretch from being an author I guess you would say! I do enjoy writing though; I’m passionate about it.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Nosey Charlie Chokes On a Wiener! It will be published within the next few weeks. It is the third book in the Nosey Charlie Adventure series―picture books for children ages 3-8. There is a fascinating story about how this came about, but I’ll give you a brief version of it here: I was walking up a broad street in Toronto on my way to work on a crisp fall morning when I observed a gang of squirrels feasting on hundreds of ripe crab apples that were strewn on the ground in a small park in the heart of the city. Suddenly, an idea came into my head! Write a children’s book about a squirrel living in a big city. And as they say, the rest is history. I wrote a blog post tittle “PERSEVERANCE, A GREAT ELEMENT OF SUCCESS,” and in it I tell the story in more detail.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t say that I do. I tend to write late at night into the wee hours of the morning, but I do not believe this is unique.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m an avid reader and I read many genres. I wouldn’t say I have been greatly influenced by any single author. I will say, however, that I love John Grisham and John Le Carre for the intriguing stories they write, and I adore Maya Angelou for the way she writes her non-fiction stories.
What are you working on now?
Besides the children’s books I’ve mentioned, I wrote a novel set in Jamaica in the late 1950s. It was edited and I need to do some fine tuning, however, the children’s books are my priority at the moment. As you know, marketing is important.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I wonder if there really is a best method. You have to utilize several methods at different times in a book’s cycle in order to properly promote it. When I published my first book in 2000, social media was not as popular as it is today. I threw a big launch event with speeches and food and sold hundreds of books there. I also gave speeches at many community events and sold hundreds of books that way. Today, we rely a lot on social media in one form or another. Furthermore, promoting children’s books is a tad different from promoting adult books. For me, I think Facebook and LinkedIn are probably the best social media methods. I hope that appearing on a couple of TV stations and doing interviews on a couple popular radio stations will also give the book a good boost.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would advise new authors to pursue their dreams, and if writing is one of them, keep plugging away. Just remember, you do not become famous or wealthy overnight!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“PERSEVERANCE, A GREAT ELEMENT OF SUCCESS, IF YOU KNOCK LONG AND LOUD ENOUGH AT THE GATE YOU ARE SURE TO WAKE UP SOMEBODY.” I live by this creed.
What are you reading now?
The Audacity of Hope and Secret Daughter (I tend to read more than one book at a time!)
What’s next for you as a writer?
To get the children’s books properly set up, then complete my novel.
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?
Off the top of my head I have no specific titles, but the books would have to include something about survival, something humorous, something spiritual―a Bible, and something absorbing that I can get lost in.
Author Websites and Profiles
Yvonne Blackwood Website
Yvonne Blackwood Amazon Profile
Yvonne Blackwood’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account