I was lucky to get an interview with Dorenda Doyle, the author of three children's books and one memoir.

Please, tell us a bit about yourself…
I'm American, currently living in Alabama, but originally from the mid-west, Oklahoma. I am a retired educator (30 years at the high school & college levels) and curriculum writer (for two State Dept of Education--Oklahoma and Alabama). I didn't start writing books until last year, and have thus far self-published 3 children's books, all part of the same series: THE KID with the EAR-SPLITTING SCREAM!, THE KID with the STINK-EYE!, and THE KID with the BEDHEAD! A fourth book in this series will be released in late September, THE DOG with THE KID! Prior to this, I published a memoir about my mother, HOW I LEARNED TO LIKE MY MOM. I'm married with 8 grandkids who serve as LOTS of inspiration for my kids books. AND, I love animals (was a zoo docent at one time) and rescue dogs & cats as much as possible.

Why should I buy your book?
The memoir, HOW I LEARNED to LIKE MY MOM, is about a midwestern honky-tonk gal who drank too much, parented too little, wrote country songs, and married 7 times! It’s for anyone who could use the advice of “love and forgive before it’s too late.” My children’s books are for pre-school to 5th grade kids, who just want a fun, fast & easy book to read that teaches idioms and other figurative language; for teachers, it meets state course of study standards and is printed in a dyslexic & autistic-friendly font.

What got you into writing? And how long have you been doing it?
I’ve always been a writer (curriculum, lesson plans, activities, business reports, and PR materials), BUT since I had to make a living, none of it was “creative” writing. THAT kind of writing had to wait until I retired! I wrote & published my first book in April of 2022, and have focused on children’s books this year. Thus far, I’ve published 3, with a 4th to be released in late September.

Why did you choose to write children’s books?
Children’s books, specifically targeted toward pre-school to 5th graders, based on idioms and other figurative language, teaching State Dept of Education Course of Study standards in a fun and imaginative way; each book subtly deals with the additional themes of social behavior, health, acceptance, inclusion, and tolerance.

WHY? It is my mission to make life-long readers of all children by entertaining them and making reading fun! If I can make them laugh, I’ve accomplished my goal. Did you know that 3rd graders who read at grade level are FOUR TIMES more likely to graduate from high school?

Which other author has had the biggest influence on your writing?
As a grandmother, I read a LOT of Mo Willems; his style probably has had the greatest influence on my own writing of children’s books.

What’s the best thing about being a writer?
The best thing so far in being a writer of children’s books is the opportunity to go and read to youngsters at schools and libraries. I LOVE when they laugh. I LOVE when they come up to me afterwards and tell me THEY want to be an author. I LOVE when they volunteer their own ideas for future books. It’s the best of both my worlds—I still get to teach and now I get to maybe create future life-long readers!

What’s the hardest thing about being a writer?
Marketing has been the toughest part. There is SO MUCH more than just writing.  Writing is the easy part (at least for kid’s books) for me; I had no idea how many more things are involved for a self-published author—illustrations, book cover design, back cover design, A+ content, an author website, choosing an editor, a publisher, a printer, and on and on!

Do you have any tips or an author app, tool, or resource that you can really recommend we try?
I have recommended the process of using a Launch Team (when first publishing) to several indie authors. I also recommend getting involved in social media, create a support circle of fellow authors.

And now it's time to yank out your Palantir! Let’s talk about the future. What new projects are you working on?
I already mentioned my 4th children’s book should release late next month. Beyond that I have 3 more books planned for this series, as well as another children’s book that will be targeted toward infant-toddler and new parents.

Do you have any dreams you’d like to share?
More sales. More reviews. More stores carrying books! My memoir last year garnered 6 #1 Best Seller banners on Amazon, so I have that claim to fame (although I wish it had equated to more income! J)  I would definitely like to get some recognition for my children’s book series (Mom’s Choice Award maybe?) Honestly, I would LOVE to find a Literary Agent for my children’s books so I could concentrate on all the books in my head, and she/he could market for me!

Anything else you would like to say before we close?
I appreciate this opportunity, Rune. Thank you!

One of the BEST things in this author journey has been the amazing new friendships with other authors (a by-product I never even anticipated!)

And, I’ve learned to continue learning! Hardly a week goes by that I don’t participate in another online or zoom class to learn this craft even better—there are a gazillion things I don’t know!

I hope a lot of readers discover your writing!
Thanks for doing the interview, Dorenda.