Part of what drives us to be writers is our desire to share our message and make a difference in the lives of others.
Multi-published children’s author Janet Ann Collins does just that. Janet and her husband raised three foster sons with special needs, and you’ll find the complexities and challenges of special needs children occurring as a regular theme in her books.
Why Did you write A Shadow of Fear?
Several years ago at a school reunion an old friend told me she had admired my courage when we were kids. That amazed me because I’d been scared a lot back then. I realized courage doesn’t mean a lack of fear, but doing the what is right in spite of fears, and decided to write a book to help kids understand that.
What’s the most important thing readers will learn from A Shadow of Fear?
I hope young readers will learn to face their own fears and do what is right after reading this book. In fact a friend told me she’d given the book to a boy who actually faced his own fears and changed his life for the better because of reading it. I was thrilled to hear that and hope the book makes a similar difference in other kids’ lives.
What did you know going into the publishing process that helped you the most?
The publishing process is so complicated it’s impossible to choose just one thing, but here are some important ones:
- If you’re really a writer you will get rejections.
- You’ll have to rewrite your manuscripts and rewrite them again.
- It helps to get input from others such as a critique group before submitting anything.
- You must know the audience you’re writing for.
- If you get a book published you’ll have to do a lot of marketing.
What did you learn—good and bad—through this that you’ll apply the next time?
I learned that marketing isn’t easy. With children’s books it’s necessary to reach parents and teachers. There are lots of online sites such as Facebook groups where it’s possible to do that.
Making a positive difference in even one person’s life makes all the work worthwhile.
What advice can you give children’s book writers about finding a publisher?
I suggest authors who write for children join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) where they can find information about publishers and how to improve their craft. And they can find publishers by purchasing the annual Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s Market Guide.
I’m glad you mentioned that, Janet. There a multitude of organizations for writers, many of them genre specific like SCBWI, Romance Writers of America, and Mystery Writers of America. These organizations offer a variety of benefits so check them out thoroughly and make sure their membership meets your needs and budget. Concerning the SCBWI, they have a conference coming up at the end of July. Readers check 5 Upcoming Writers Conferences for more info.
Janet, thank you so much for joining me today. I pray God’s best for your books and future endeavors. If you have a question for Janet, please put it in the comments below.
About Janet Ann Collins
Author Janet Ann Collins has written feature articles for newspapers, her work has appeared in various periodicals and anthologies, and she’s the author of other books for children. Collins and her husband raised three foster sons with special needs in addition to their birth daughter. She’s a retired teacher and lives in Northern California. For more information please visit her website, www.janetanncollins.com.
About A Shadow of Fear
Ben wants to act like Jesus so his parents will think he’s mature enough to go to camp. But when his friend who uses a wheelchair needs him to do something truly dangerous, can Ben face his fears?
For ages 6-10. Published by Mantle Rock Publishing. Book can be purchased at Amazon.
Thank you very much for interviewing me here.