Feature of the Week - Write What Inspires You Interviews Children's Author, Karin Larson

Welcome back to Feature of the Week Wednesdays! Today, I'm delighted to profile my fellow critique partner and children's author, Karin Larson.

Karin, we first met through our Crittin’ Chicks critique group via cyberspace almost ten years ago and I’m delighted to say that we have stay connected through our critique group, personally and publishing journeys. We reside in different parts of the United States, but through technology the connection is authentic, one that I cherish. It’s on my bucket list to meet in person.

Donna, Oh my, has it really been 10 years?? Time flies. I would love nothing more than to meet in person as well, and I cherish our friendship and connection so very much, both personally and professionally.

Now to catch up, I’m curious as I am sure our visitors are:

DMc: Do you hold a day job while continuing to follow your writing muse? If yes, what is your career beyond authorship?

Karin: I do work part time. I am a Speech/Language Pathologist in a private elementary school and work Tuesday through Thursday.

DMc: How many books do you have published? Please share the titles, genre, publisher and synopsis of each.

Karin: I currently have two published picture books for children. BEDTIME KISSES (4RV Publishing, April 2014) is a sweet bedtime counting book for little ones. LITTLE BUG (Guardian Angel Publishing, August 2015) is a story of persistence paying in the long run and also teaches about concepts and prepositions. My third picture book, ALPHABET ZOO, is under contract with 4RV Publishing and is tentatively scheduled for a Spring 2021 release. It is an alphabet book exploring A to Z animals from land, air and sea.

See my review of Bedtime Kisses

DMc: What is your process in creating your characters? Do you create a profile outline or other technique?

Karin: I do not have a process per se nor do I typically create an outline. My characters seem to typically just come to me and start to develop as I ruminate on the story. I do try to later create character sketches to get to know my characters more deeply, but that usually comes after I have a pretty good vision already.

DMc: What is your process in creating your storylines? Do you create an outline, free write or other technique?

Karin: I typically free write. I don’t seem to work well with outlines. Having said that, I do most often write short picture books. I believe I would need to cultivate the ability to better outline if writing longer works.

DMc: Do you attend writer’s workshops and conferences? If yes, what do you feel is the most important aspect of attending?

Karin: I do try to attend at least one conference in person a year as well as online workshops/webinars when possible. Various SCBWI chapters offer great webinars for reasonable prices. I’ve found 12 x 12 and Picture Book Summit both to be very valuable as well. There is always a great deal of good information at conferences in terms of the writing process, market info, etc.; however, the most important aspect has been the contacts made and relationships formed with fellow writers and presenters.

DMc: Please share with our readers your current work-in-progress, your marketing strategy and how to reach you.

Karin: I am currently finalizing edits on two picture books to get them out on submission and have a couple others I am at the point of needing to decide to further edit or scrap them altogether for now. There are a few new ideas calling after StoryStorm this past January as wellJ My marketing strategy needs work! I try to be present/active on various social media outlets and post on my blog, but there is only so much time in the day. Marketing often takes a back seat. One must make time to write in order to have something to market. It is a never ending balance. Readers can find me at the following:

Website:  www.karinlarson.com

Blog:  https://www.karin-larson.blogspot.com

Email:  kslarson@santel.net

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KarinLarson16

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/KLarson5/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/karinlarson8892/

Karin, it’s been an honor to interview and profile you at Write What Inspires You! Wishing you all the very best personally and professionally.

Donna, thank you for featuring me at Write What Inspires You!. Much appreciated! Wishing you all the best as well.

Thank you for visiting, we appreciate your interest! 

#authorinterview

#karinlarson

#childrensauthor

#bedtimkisses

#littlebug

#guardianangelpublishing

#4RVpublishing

#writewhatinspiresyou

#donnamcdine

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Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!


Angel's Forever Home ~ March 2019 ~ Mascot Books ~ 2019 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Six and Older

Dee and Deb Off They Go Kindergarten First Day Jitters ~ December 2015 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2016 Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention Picture Books Five and Under and Story Monster Approved

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014 and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Historical Fiction 1st Place, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2015 Purple Dragonfly Book Award Honorable Mention Picture Books 6+, New England Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist