Today we are talking to Ann Brady. Ann is an author, mentor, podcaster and more. She has published an amazing collection of books in a very short time and is always driving innovation with her publications and writing. A fantastic contributor to the indie author community, Ann shares her wisdom in our interview.
How many books have you written and how many have you published?
How many books have you written and how many have you published?To-date I have published 18 Children’s Picture Story Books but have also published a couple of mystery adult short story books and an award-winning historical novel, with a second on the way. I do have a quantity of new stories waiting for illustrations to be created.
Where do you find your inspiration?
By watching and listening to what is going on around me. This is what all good writers should be doing. We take note of the world in general, observing people of all ages. Children playing in a natural environment is one of the best resources for story ideas.
Tell us about your book you’ve chosen to highlight in the interview?
I have chosen one of The Little Friends Farmyard Adventure Books titled ‘The Football Match.’ It is a picture story book and tells about the day the farmer and his family go out and how the animals have a football match.
Everyone loves it because the animals are doing actions not normally associated with them. Such as the chicken heading the ball or the duck kicking the ball over its head. The children’s laughter is a wondrous thing to hear.
What's your tip for parents to encourage reading or a fun book or reading related activity parents can do with their kids?
Find books which intrigue and make reading a fun pastime. Try dressing up, you don’t need fancy costumes use any old thing. Create the characters from within the book in clay or draw them getting the kids to create their own picture book stories. This is something I am doing through an online workshop with one of the largest young people’s arts trusts in the UK in July. The interest in joining in has been great which means children love being creative. It also works well in schools and nurseries.
Where do you sell your books?
My books are available on Amazon, good book shops, from my publisher (Wordcatcher Publishing) and book fairs etc., as well as my own websites. And even though I am based in the UK I am able to deliver my books anywhere.
Marketing your books can be hard. What's one thing you've tried that's worked well and why?
Marketing your books can be hard. What's one thing you've tried that's worked well and why?As with all commodities unless you make every effort to promote your product it won’t sell. Avenues include social media, adverts, promotions. The list goes on. The art is to try each and every one until you find the one that succeeds for you. But again, not everyone one works every time and it will depend on the locale, the season and the situation as well as the book itself.
What would you say to someone thinking of writing their first book?
Talk to me before you begin. Or at the very least someone like me. Not only am I an author and a speaker I am also a mentor of new and developing writers of all ages worldwide. I do this through www.mentoringwriters.co.uk Only by understanding the craft of writing before you begin can you hope to achieve the right quality of success.
Can you share a lovely moment you've had as an author?
There have been so many. Probably the one so many authors will agree with me on, is that moment when you hold in your hand the first copy of your first published book. There is nothing which says ‘I am an author’ better or clearer than then. Another for me was when one of my young mentored writers received a Commendation from The University of Winchester’s Writing Review Board (UK) for her story book ‘My Family.’ She was 13 years old. A more recent one was the message from a young writer placed in a copy of her novella ‘Charm of the Chosen One,’ which expressed her heartfelt appreciation at my having helped her achieve her dream of being published. These are moments to be treasured.
Ann Brady was born in Yorkshire, but now lives in Cardiff Bay, South Wales, UK. She has been a writer for over thirty years and during her working life created, developed, and contributed to one of the first successful, award-winning retail websites in the UK. Ann is a speaker and mentor, turning to writing fiction when she retired from business. In recent years she has used her mentoring skills to aid new and developing writers of all ages worldwide through www.mentoringwriters.co.uk (adults) and www.kids4kids.org.uk (under 18’s).
As an author Ann has published a total of 18 Children’s Picture Story Books, a matching colouring book, Mystery Short Story Books and an award-winning Historical Fiction Novel. Her next Historical Fiction novel will be released in early 2021 and will compliment a musical play she has written.
You can find out more about Ann by following her on Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram. You can find her books on her website.
Where to Next?
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