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Zebee: Good morning all you out there in Bloggerville. Today I have a really cool book to share with you.
How many of you like spiders? I knew it, not too many huh? After reading everything in this picture book, you might feel differently.
Look! Here come Bill and the star of his story. Hi Bill, hi Ari.
Bill: Hi Zebee. Love your ‘V Zoo’, don’t you Ari?
Ari:
Yes, there are so many places I could spin webs here. Hi Zebee, thanks for having us here today.
Zebee: You are both most welcome. So, Bill what got you to write about spiders?
Bill: Well, spiders have always seemed to be quite at home around our house, both on the outside and the inside. They really are quite helpful. So, my wife and I don’t get too freaked out oves spiders. When our grandson was young, he was very curious, especially about things that crawl around on floors and walls. When he saw a spider in the bath tub or sink, he really got excited. So, it seemed like a fun story to write about.
Zebee: We have spiders all over the ‘V Zoo’ and they seem to keep the mosquitoes and flies under control.
So tell me Ari, why did you pick this particular sink to spin your web in?
Ari: That’s a very good question, Zebee. I guess the main reason is the sink is downstairs so I didn’t have far to go once I came inside the house to get warm. Believe me, if you had eight legs and feet like I do, you wouldn’t want to do a lot of walking, especially up all those stairs. If you’re careful, sinks and bath tubs are great places to hang a web because there’s plenty of water when I get thirsty. Besides, I like visitors and Bill and his family who live in this house stop by often to wash their hands or brush their teeth. I feel like I’m part of the family.
Zebee: Sure sounds like it. I think Suzy did a great job with her pictures. She drew you exactly how you look, don’t you think, Ari?
Ari: Yep, that’s me alright. I think Suzy really captured my softer side. Don’t you just love what she did with my beautiful brown highlights? I suppose you could say Suzy’s my favorite artist.
Zebee: I couldn’t agree more. So Bill, where did you learn so many interesting things about spiders? I had no idea that some spiders have 12 eyes and that some have none at all! Or that they don’t have ears and hear by picking up sound vibration from the tiny hairs on their legs. Cool stuff.
Bill: Yeah, I know what you mean. When you get to know them better, spiders are really fascinating. There are hundreds of books in the library and places on the internet where I found information about spiders. I could hardly believe how many people love to study spiders all over the world. Maybe some of your readers might want to grow up to be Arachnologists. That’s a fancy word for someone who spends their life studying spiders.
Zebee: This book is so full of information and fun to read at the same time. So, where can my readers pick up a copy of “There’s a Spider in My Sink!”
Bill: Luckily the books are easy to order online. Here's a link your readers can try, with their parents’ permission, of course.
Guardian Angel Publishing Bookstore
Zebee: Thanks for stopping by today Bill and Ari. Come back sometime, okay?
B&
Ari: We will. This was fun. Thanks for having us here to share our book “There’s a Spider in My Sink!”
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Interview with Children’s Author Bill Kirk
by Mayra Calvani, March 6, 2009
MC: My guest today is children’s book author Bill Kirk . I’m always intrigued by what drives writers into the wonderful world of children’s literature. From an Air Force intelligence officer to the author of sweet children’s tales in rhyme? I’m sure you’ll find Kirk’s life interesting.
For my review of his book, "There’s a Spider in My Sink!", please visit my blog at
Book Talk Corner on the Today.com or reviews of other children's authors at Mayra's Secret Bookcase at Blogspot.com.
BIO: Bill Kirk’s professional life has spanned two careers over 39 years. In 1989 he completed a 20-years career in the US Air Force as an Intelligence Officer and North Africa Specialist. Since his retirement from the Air Force, he has also completed a second career with the state of California where he has worked in analytical, supervisory and managerial positions in the Departments of Health Services, Child Support Services and Social Services for 19 years.
Bill’s writing has been influenced by his travels all over the world. Born in Germany, he has lived on four continents and has traveled widely in South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the U.S.
He has also written news and features for weekly and monthly community newspapers in Sacramento. He was a member of the editorial board for both papers. His creative prose has also appeared in Inner Words magazine.
More recently, Bill has shifted the focus of his writing to rhyme-children’s rhymes in particular. His interest is in challenging the imagination and the learning of early and young readers by exploring everyday stories set to rhyme and filled with quirky, unusual word combinations and usage. His children’s stories have been published by Boys’ Quest, Wee Ones, Saplings, Grandparents and Fun For Kidz magazines and an e-book (”There’s A Spider In My Sink!”) published by Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc . Bill has been the moderator of an on-line critique group, the Rhyming Critters 2 for the past six years and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
MC: Thanks for this interview, Bill. Do you consider yourself to be a born writer?
BK: Great question, Mayra. I suppose in a way, I do, although my first recognition of that interest and ability was in high school when I began keeping a journal. Once I realized I liked to write, I think it was just a matter of time until I found myself at a point in my life when I had the time to do it consistently. That’s really when I started getting better at it.
MC: Tell us about your recent release. What was your inspiration for it?
BK: My first children’s picture book, written in rhyme was released in January 2009. It is titled “There’s A Spider In My Sink!” about a little boy who finds a spider has moved into his bathroom sink without even being invited. I would have to say that our grandson, four years old at the time, gave me the idea for this story. He was curious and intrigued by just about anything that crawled. When a spider actually appeared in his sink one day, he was thrilled and at the same time not quite sure what to do with it. That’s how the story got started.
MC: What about your other children’s books?
BK: All of my children’s books are written in rhyme. I find that format to be very fun to play with. Maybe that’s my inner child trying to escape. Several of my books are fiction, about every-day things that happen or might happen in a child’s life. I have also written a series of nine non-fiction anatomical rhymes about the different parts of the human body, such as the skeleton, muscles and skin. The first book in that series is scheduled for publication late in 2009 with the others to follow in 2010 and 2011.
MC: Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If yes, how did you ‘cure’ it?
BK: I think every writer has suffered from writer’s bloc at some point along the way. I know I have. I suppose it’s a little bit like when you are trying to write a report for a school project and you can’t quite figure out how to get started.
Sometimes writers say that their writing muse has left them. I’m not sure why it happens but sometimes I get a story to a certain point and then I’m not quite sure what I want to happen next in the story or which direction the story should take. Sometimes, the best “cure” is to leave the story alone for a while and do something else. When you come back to it, an idea may come to you that you had not thought about before. Other times, doing mental exercises to try and stimulate your thinking can help. Either way, it sure is great when the writing bloc is over.
MC: Some writers go on long walks, others keep a journal, write at a café, or listen to music. What do you do for inspiration and unleashing your creativity?
BK: I like to run. When I go out on for a run, especially on a trail, my mind just totally clears as I let the thoughts just flow. I also like to listen to quite music or sometimes just sit at my computer in total silence with no distractions.
MC: Describe your working environment.
BK: I have a separate room which my wife and I share as an office. It has a desk and a computer and printer and lots of books. Sometimes the desk is more cluttered than I like. But I can usually look past all that and just focus on what I am putting on the computer screen. Although I sometimes jot ideas down long hand, for me the computer is my favorite writing tool. It may sound a little strange but I also keep a pen and pad of paper by my bedside. Many times I have awoken in the middle of the night with an idea for a great rhyming set and I have to write it down before I forget about it. Sometimes I have to laugh at what my writing looks like the next morning because I wrote my idea down in the dark.
MC: Are you a disciplined writer? What is your working style? Do you like to outline and plot ahead, or are you more of a stream-of-consciousness writer?
BK: I’m more of a stream-of-consciousness writer, maybe because I first need to capture my story idea. Then I need to put it into rhyme. To do that, I don’t use a rhyming dictionary. Instead of go through the alphabet in my head and make a note of all the words that rhyme with a certain word and listening for the rhythm. Then I start hooking words and sentences together to move my story along.
MC: Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your works?
BK: Yes, my web site URL is: http://www.billkirkwrites.com
MC: Thanks, Bill, and good luck with your writing endevours.
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May 28, 2010
Interview with the Children's Poet Bill Kirk
by Jessica Aday Kennedy
on A WRITING PLAYGROUND blog
THERE'S A BEETLE IN MY BED
by Bill Kirk
ISBN: 978-1-61633-005-7 (print); 978-1-61633-006-4 (e-book)
Price: $9.95 (print); $5.00 (e-book)
Format ebook, paperback, hardback, CD: e-book, paperback
Genre/age group/type of publication: children’s picture book primarily for ages 4 – 9.
Available at Amazon
Brief synopsis: Imagine how surprised a little boy would be if a beetle suddenly appeared in his bed at bedtime. Just look at how big it’s getting! Beetles are cute but couldn’t it find somewhere else to sleep? Maybe Dad will know what to do. And so goes the story of a boy looking for a way to postpone bedtime. And it works until Dad finds out there’s no beetle in the bed after all. Keep reading to get the full story, plus a load of interesting factoids about beetles, a glossary and a bonus rhyme.
Bill Kirk
Blog Address: http://billkirkwrites.blogspot.com
Website Address: http://www.billkirkwrites.com
Email: billkirk@billkirkwrites.com
Bio: Bill Kirk was born in Giessen, Germany, where his parents were stationed with the U.S. Army-Air Corps. He followed the nomadic lifestyle of a military brat, living in Europe, South America and the U.S., until he attended college. In 1969, he began his first career as an Intelligence Officer for 20 years and in 2008 retired from his second career with the State of California.
With two decades of bureaucratic writing behind him, Kirk decided to try his hand at rhyme. So, most days, you will find him at his computer in his Sacramento, California home, where he lives with his wife, Rita, a Clinical Psychologist. Married for 40 years, Kirk and his wife, Rita, have two children and three grandchildren who are the inspiration for many of Bill’s stories. His rhymes have been published in Boys’ Quest, Fun For Kids, Wee Ones, North Dakota Horizons, Absolute Write and the Baseball Almanac among other publications. Several books are in the pipeline for publication by Guardian Angel Publishing over the next three years. In his spare time, Kirk is a Boy Scout leader, Eagle Scout and long distance runner.
Aday: How do you find reliable resources on the internet? Did you use any printed books?
Bill: For me the Internet is a terrific source of material for researching the factoids I include with my fiction rhyming stories. But to be sure of my facts, I cross check everything and verify numbers by using at least three original sources that contain the same information. I also check the credentials of the author of research articles. Overall, I’ve been very satisfied with the Internet. In some cases, I also use hardcopy material if it is readily available. For example, for my anatomical series of rhyming picture books, I used a book titled The Anatomy Coloring Book, which is a wealth of information and excellent drawings of different body systems.
Aday: Your book is a mixture of fictional poetry and facts. Which do you write first? Explain your writing process.
Bill: I pretty much always write the rhymes first after the story idea has begun to form in my mind. For example, in the Beetle story, once I knew where I wanted to go with the story, it was just a matter of thinking about the simple yet key rhyming words that the story gives me—bed, head, sheet, feet, hat, cat, etc. I also decide which lines I want to rhyme, which kind of depends on the complexity of the rhyming words—meaning how many possible rhyming sets are there. I also don’t use rhyming dictionaries, preferring instead to run through the possible rhyming sets in my head alphabetically. It may take a bit longer but I feel I have exercised my brain when I do it myself—call it my defense against senility.
When I have a fairly good layout of the story in rhyme, I start the editing process to tighten up the rhythm. Do I want to start each line with a hard or soft accented syllable? What cadence will I use? How many beats to the line. Will each line have the same number of syllables or will I vary the length and number of beats? After the rhyming part of the story is done, that’s when I start matching up my fact finding with the story itself. And finally, a fundamental layout decision has to be made in conjunction with the publisher as to whether the factoids will be included in the pages of the story or all together at the end of the book.
Aday: What avenues of promotion will you follow?
Bill: That’s a good question, Jessica. As you know, promotion is always a challenge. Over time, I have slowly developed a list of contacts with teachers, librarians and some local booksellers where I might showcase my books through readings or book signings. I have seeded my books to a few key spots that seem to have good potential. For example, I dropped off donated copies of my books to our grandson’s former grade school library and to the Montessori school he went to as a preschooler. Partly I want to support the schools and partly I want to get some exposure.
On a larger scale, I use several online networks to post my new releases, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Jacketflap. I also post information on my blog and my website. And I usually have a stash of business cards with me to give to pretty much anyone with kids or grandkids or who I feel might take the time to visit my website. I have done press releases to our local paper and to alumni groups where I attended schools in Florida, Georgia, Texas and North Dakota. And then there are all the friends and relatives who I badger. But overall, I’d have to say I am still learning the promotional game, including what works and what doesn’t. No doubt there is more I could do—and probably will do as I get better at it.
Aday: Any unique contests and prizes?
Bill: You know, I haven’t gone the contest and prizes route. Partly, I don’t have the time for it right now. And I’m not sure of the return on the investment of time. I would rather follow an approach of making key donations (I suppose you could call them prizes) where I think the kids will have the best chance of seeing the books.
Aday: Are all of your books in rhyme? Can you give us a taste of each?
Bill: Yes, so far all are written in rhyme. For me, the rhymes make my stories what they are. I’ve tried writing in prose but I don’t seem to have the knack for that. Maybe I haven’t spent enough time at it. Let’s see. Here are some verse segments from a few of my rhymes—some books, some not.
“My Grandma’s Kitchen Rules!
From My Grandma’s kitchen windowsill,
Is filled with nifty stuff.
And though it seems there’s not much room,
There’s always room enough.
Some twisting ivy intertwines
My bottles, pots and jars.
And everything I bring to her,
She puts in special spots.
“The Cubs’ Last Game”
"Gather 'round, boys," we heard the Coach call!
"Practice is over! It's time to play ball!"
We stood in a circle; our hands were outstretched
And on our game faces, resolve—firmly etched.
The Coach called our names, going right down the list,
So we'd know our positions; so no one was missed.
Then Coach led our Cubs in a rousing good cheer,
To muster our courage and cast away fear.
We took to the field, all eyes on the mound.
For just a brief moment there wasn’t a sound.
At home plate the umpire yelled out through his hands;
“Play Ball!” broke the silence for players and fans.
“No Bones About It”
Without all our bones,
We’d be shapeless and blobby—
Just skin, guts and muscles,
All gooey and globby.
To learn all their names,
Let’s start from the bottom;
And when you can say ‘em,
You’ll know that you’ve got ‘em.
Your toes are phalanges;
The tarsals come next.
They wiggle and move
When your feet become flexed.
Aday: Where did “There’s a Beetle in my Bed!” come from? What are some of the ways you ignite your muse?
Bill: In the Beetle book, the story is about the boy who doesn’t really want to go to bed. Anyone with children or grandchildren has no doubt experienced a few delaying tactics at bedtime. The boy in this story conjures up an imaginary beetle in hopes of buying himself a little time. Then Dad appears to end the wild tale. Having lived the basic bedtime routine with our grandson, all it took was a little imagination to come up with a beetle as the protagonist.
As for the muse, that’s a hard thing to put my finger on. Some days a rhyming story will materialize in a matter of a couple hours. Other times, days or weeks may go by before “all of a sudden” something pops. Ultimately, I think it’s a matter of giving myself time to think and play with words. Sometimes the play results in a product. Other times, it’s just play. I’ve been working on one rhyme—albeit a very long one—for two or three years. And the end is still not within sight.
Aday: How do you incorporate poetry into your school visits?
Bill: School visits have so far basically been readings. I’ll pick two or three of my books that I feel will match the age and interest of the kids. I get down on the floor with the kids and lead off with a few questions about the story scenario: How many of you have ever found a spider in your bathroom sink or bathtub? What did it look like? Was it big or small? Then I listen and let the discussion go wherever it will and finally, I open the book and start the story. So, the answer is, rhymes are always a part of the school visits—at least so far.
Aday: Is there anything else you can share with us?
Bill : Thanks so much for inviting me to share some of my stories with you, Jessica. You have asked some great questions which have stimulated my thinking about my work and how I might do a better job of getting it out there for readers to see. In fact, the information sharing you do through your interviews provides a great opportunity for authors to do just that. Thanks, again. And best of luck with your writing.
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Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Boy Scout Leader and Children's Author: Bill Kirk
(Interviewed by Donna McDine on her blog at http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/)
Children’s author, Bill Kirk and I first met through Guardian Angel Publishing about a year and a half ago and have forged a wonderful cyberspace connection. Recently, Bill took time out of his busy schedule and provided me an opportunity to get to know him better. Come along for this laugh out loud (no I didn’t use LOL…my girls think it’s weird for their mom to use text lingo. Shh…don’t tell them I just used it) interview and become inspired.
DMc: The Sum of Our Parts: Circulation Celebration is told in rhyme is an ingenious way of learning the human circulation system. Please share with us your inspiration behind this concept?
BK: Great question, Donna. I suppose it all started with a rhyme I wrote about all the bones in the human skeleton a few years ago. At the time, our grandson was struggling a bit with learning the bones in seventh grade science class. So, I wondered if there might be a catchy way to verbally walk him through the bones using rhyme and a jaunty rhythm to help some of the strange names stick. In the process, I figured I might as well see if it would get any nibbles from editors and publishers.
Finally, after lots of rejections, one editor I contacted liked the anatomical rhyme concept and wanted to see more. So, I decided to pick the body apart into its various systems using rhyme as the primary driver. Although it didn’t work out with that publisher, soon after, I found a welcome home at Guardian Angel Publishing. Other books in THE SUM OF OUR PARTS series (muscles, skin, brain and other systems) are in the pipeline for publication over the next couple years.
As for what started me down this path in the first place, I’ve been a runner for over 40 years and have worked through more than my share of running injuries. I’ve also been a long time student of what makes our bodies tick, including studying pre-med in college—until I ran into Organic Chemistry, that is. So, learning and writing about the various body systems has been a good way for me to keep my hands on the subject. For me, it’s been a fun journey.
DMc: You are an avid Boy Scout leader. Have you incorporated any of your writing into a lesson for your scouts to earn a badge?
BK: What a great idea. Now you’ve got me thinking. Actually, I did write a Scout related rhyme once, although not specifically for earning a Merit Badge. It was after I had completed my training in Wilderness First Aid which is a course required by at least one of the adult leaders taking any group of Scouts into remote or challenging hiking or backpacking areas such as in the High Sierras.
In a somewhat humorous fashion, the rhyme tells of a weary Scouter who has just faced treating broken bones, head injuries, cuts, shock, dehydration and altitude sickness in the wilderness. Arriving home, he debates whether to recount the details when his wife asks, “How was your day?” then decides he can’t bring himself to do it. The rhyme was published in the Boy’s Life online blog Cracker Barrel to generate interest in the course among adult Scouters who participate in High Adventure Team activities. Also Scouts over the age of 16 are encouraged to take the course to develop their advanced first aid skills.
DMc: What is the most valuable piece of advice you received when you first started writing for children?
BK: One positive piece of advice stands out, as well as one negative comment that turned out to be positive. The first was to go for the story first and everything else will follow. That is, if the story is solid, what’s left is for the writer to figure out how best to tell it. But if the story is iffy or not well developed, it doesn’t matter how well written the piece is, it will likely not get an editor’s second reading or capture the interest and imagination of any reader, particularly a child.
The second comment that has stayed with me as a motivator was, “Any story written in rhyme can be written better in prose.” Well, I have to tell you, that is just the challenge I need to prove the person wrong. Granted, some rhyme can be atrocious, including some of my own. But for me, rhyme is a unique form which pulls the reader into the story with the quirkiness, simplicity and fun of the word play and the nature of the rhythm.
In fact, the rhythm can set the tone for the piece. Is the story filled with action? Give it a staccato beat with shorter line length. Is it a mood piece? Allow the rhythm to flow slowly and smoothly.
As for rhyme, the options are virtually endless. Do you rhyme every other line, first-third or second-fourth? Do you rhyme all four lines in a verse? Do you use internal rhyme within the lines or only rhyme the line endings? Within the first few lines of the story, the reader will likely be looking for what to expect in terms of the rhyme, cadence and rhythmic patterns.
When written well, a rhyme can provide both comfort and anticipation as the reader settles into the rhythm and awaits the next rhyming sequence. Besides, it’s a lot of fun to write….
DMc: What has been your most memorable experience as a writer to date?
BK: I was asked via e-mail by the mother of a young student in Texas if he could use a baseball rhyme, “The Cubs’ Last Game” for a poetry recital at his school. I had written the rhyme when my grandson, Dylan, was playing Little League baseball. The mother and her son had been searching for a poem and had come across my rhyme on The Baseball Almanac website under The Casey Collection.
I was thrilled to know someone was reading and using the rhyme and was even happier when the mother e-mailed me a few weeks later to say her son had won first place in the competition. He had actually drawn out a large baseball diamond to lay on the floor. During his recital, he played the parts of the players in the rhyme, even runing the bases to “score” the winning run.
DMc: Please share with us your current work-in-progress.
BK: Ah, so many rhymes and so little time. One story in particular has been “in progress” for over three years. My working title is “A Whale Of A Tale In The Midst Of A Gale.” I’m not sure it will ever see the light of day but it’s been a fun project to get back to it every couple months as I fiddle with lines, add verses, resolve conflicts and try to bring the story full circle to a conclusion.
The manuscript has gone from sort of a long-ish regular rhyming story to one that is now written in a series of chapterettes. I suppose it may turn out to be nothing more than an ongoing warm-up practice piece to help me keep my head in the rhyming game—maybe a little like the warm-up vocal exercises a singer uses before a performance.
Otherwise my writing interests include non-rhyming poetry, humor and satire. And I even have an international conspiracy novel that’s been on the drawing board for two decades. Needless to say, my slush pile abounds.
DMc: A signature request I like to ask every author, illustrator, editor, etc., I interview is for the individual to share with us a tidbit form their lives that the reader will find either humorous or surprising. Bill, can you please share one with us?
BK: Hmmm…. Let’s see. I’ll tell this story for the kids out there. When I was younger, my family used to visit my grandparents’ farm in Mississippi. There was no running water, no electricity and no bathroom except an outhouse. There was also a smokehouse and a chicken house. So, there were lots of chores to do and kids had to come up with their own fun.
During one visit, when I was about six years old, my cousins and I were sliding down the tin roof of the chicken house. It may sound strange but what a great slide it was! We would slide down almost to the edge, then scramble back up to the peak and go again. For added excitement, the dare was to slide down head first—until, that is, I didn’t stop myself soon enough and slid off the roof head first. The good news is I didn’t hit the ground on my head. The bad news is I fell head first into a 50-gallon barrel of slop. For those adults familiar with farms in the old days, you will know what slop is, as in slopping the hogs.
Needless to say being submerged in slop with no way to get myself out was about as close to “Fear Factor” as I had come to that point in my life. It seemed like an eternity. But fortunately my cousins quickly jumped off the roof and dumped me out, spilling slop all over the ground. Of course, the pigs were thrilled with their unexpected feast. As for me, after I had stopped coughing, gagging and sputtering, none of my cousins wanted to get too close to me, at least until I got cleaned up in one of my grandma’s famous super-chilled, well-water washtub baths. Brrrr!!!
Be sure to visit Bill at: http://www.billkirkwrites.com/
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Monday, January 23, 2012
Author Bill Kirk In Conversation
Interviewed by Susan Berger at Pen and Ink Blog: (http://www.thepenandinkblog.blogspot.com/)
Meet Bill Kirk, author of several picture books including a non-fiction picture book series. The Sum of Our Parts. These clever, informative
books take us on journeys through the human body. Full of side bar factoids, they are written in rhyme: No Bones About it, Circulation Celebration
and MusclesMake Us Move. All three books are illustrated by Eugene Ruble.
P&I: Bill, where did you get the knowledge to write these books?
BK: I spent three years in pre-Med, then totally changed direction my senior year after bombing Inorganic Chemistry. After college I remained
curious about what makes the body tick and during nearly 40 years of running, I have had at least my share of aches, pains and injuries. So,
learning how to stay healthy and injury free seemed like a useful survival strategy. Part of that learning process included becoming a
Certified Massage Therapist nearly 15 years ago. That course of study included a heavy dose of anatomy and physiology. Once I figured out how
to pronounce Gastrocnemius and Sternocleidomastoid, pretty much everything else fell right into place.
P&I: When did you start writing Children’s books?
BK: Around 1998, when our first grandchild was about three years old. Before that my professional life included 20 years as an Air Force
Intelligence Officer and North Africa Specialist. I also spent 19 years working for the state of California as a Research Analyst and Staff
Services Manager. I did a lot of bureaucratic writing during those years. By 2004 or so, I finally had a few things published in children’s
magazines. But it wasn’t until after I retired in 2008 that I felt I finally had sufficient time to devote to writing. It was then that my
luck in the book publishing arena began to turn.
P&I: Tell us about your journey to publication.
BK: Like most authors, my rejection pile—especially in the early days—was large and growing. I stopped counting several years ago after 300
rejections, mostly because I was running out of room to keep them all. Besides at least part of the reason I had kept the rejection letters
was to be able to tell myself at least I had received an actual response from an editor or publisher—you know, autographs from the publishing
elite—like Simon and Shuster, Harcourt, Fish and Stream and Tattoo Quarterly (OK, I made that up.) Then I got a referral. A former member of
my critique group told me she had submitted a manuscript to a certain publisher.
Although my friend’s manuscript wasn’t accepted, she remembered some of my rhymes and felt they might fit the publisher’s criteria. Hey, it was worth a shot. So, after some thought (and taking
a look at the publisher’s website), I pulled out “My Grandma’s Kitchen Rules!” and shipped it off electronically. Lynda Burch at Guardian
Angel Publishing responded almost immediately saying her reviewers loved it and did I have anything else. All of a sudden, those 300+
rejections evaporated and I cleared my calendar, anticipating the next incoming call would be from Oprah. It took over a year to hit the
street but I’ll never forget that feeling of let’s call it exuberforia.
P&I: Is your publisher cutting back on publicity, and if so, how are you handling that?
BK: No. If anything, new distributors and outlets are being added in the background. Also, GAP maintains a comprehensive website to showcase
the books of all the authors and artists under the GAP publishing umbrella. That said, any other book-specific publicity (via press releases,
promotion and marketing) is largely the responsibility of the authors.
The Publication journey was hard. Promotion…? The closest analogy to publication versus promotion I can think of is when I went to Air Force
Winter Survival Training in northern Washington state. One phase was a 30-hour prisoner of war segment where we were placed in various
“torture” boxes and cells, fed rice and fish heads and allowed to fully experience and develop fear of the unknown. That was the equivalent
of the publication journey. The next day, we were dropped off in the middle of nowhere, waist-deep in snow, for 5-1/2 days of strenuous winter
camping and backpacking on an almost non-existent diet of 500 calories per day (i.e., promotion and marketing). The prisoner of war phase
(i.e., the publication journey) suddenly seemed pleasant by comparison.
P&I: How do you handle promotion?
BK: I seek out local schools and libraries for distributing and selling my books. I have also designed and maintain my own website and blog and
I look for online networking opportunities to keep my“billkirkwrites” brand in the public eye. I do readings to classes. I try to become one
with the group so the boys and girls know they can ask any question and make any observation. That generates some excitement during the
reading and makes the kids feel part of the experience. (I would recommend wearing comfortable clothes, preferably something that will let you
get right down on the floor with the kids.) There’s always more that could be done. But time is the limiting factor.
P&I: Do you feel that social media has helped sell any books for you?
BK: That’s a very good question. There is some evidence of interest and expressions of support on social media such as Facebook and networks
such as LinkedIn, Jacket flap, Authors Den and other such sites. However, actual sales are difficult to track. Although some (but not all)
sales are tracked on Amazon, there are many sales pathways and distribution databases which are not accessible by authors. The limited sales
data also limit the market analysis that might help authors know where to put their promotional emphasis. This one is a tough nut to crack.
You just have to do the best you can to get the word out there.
P&I: What are you working on right now?
BK: Mostly I’m working on networking and on updating and revising my website. Because my blogging has been spotty during the last couple
months, I’m devoting a bit more time to writing blog posts. And I’m already looking forward to National Poetry Month next April when I will
once again participate in the Writer’s Digest Poem A Day Challenge. Anyone who has an interest in or talent for writing poetry may wish to
put that on their calendars. A daily prompt is provided and the challenge is to write a poem each day for 30 days. At the end of the month,
you will have at least a few really good poems and the bones for several more.
P&I: Is there something you hope to write or find a home for that you haven’t finished or even started yet?
BK: There are a few more books in my anatomical series of rhyming picture books, THE SUM OF OUR PARTS, that are expected to be published over
the next couple years or so. The next three are:
"A Brainy Refrain". This book will help you learn about the different parts of the brain and some of the nerves that
control the various body functions while you are awake or asleep.
"Once Upon An Eyeball"/"How The Nose Knows Roses". The eyes and nose are neighbors. So what better way to learn
about both than through two short anatomical rhymes in the same book. Part I covers the eye and Part II is all about the nose. Whichever one
you pick, you'll know them both in no time.
"The Skin We're In". This book is about surprising things that our skin does for us.. Get ready to learn the real
skinny about skin. The series will eventually have nine books.
Besides those children’s picture books, I’m hoping to publish a collection of my rhymes. I’m also toying with compiling a book of short humor
articles. Many of them have already appeared on my website where I feature a monthly humor piece. Life is full of humorous stuff and even
some serious stuff that can be looked at in humorous ways—lots of fodder for the writing canon. Dave Barry, look out!
P&I: It’s been a pleasure hosting you today, Bill. Thanks for stopping by.
BK: You are so welcome. I appreciate the invitation and I feel honored to be among the many talented authors you have interviewed.
My mom is going to be so proud when I tell her about this….
The Management would like to thank Bill Kirk for this interview. For more about Bill Kirk visit him at
http://www.billkirkwrites.com .
The Book links in this interview are all on The GAP bookstore.
Bill's books are also available on Amazon.com.
Copyright © 2002-2020 by billkirkwrites. All rights reserved
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