Below is my interview with children’s author, Beffy Parkin, who is following in Dr Seuss’ footsteps with her picture books for young children. This genre is the first that we as readers ever remember reading. That makes it an important genre in the writing world. Check out my interview with Beffy Parkin below, and be sure to check out the links to her books and social media accounts!
About the author and books
Name: Beffy Parkin
Author links (links will open in a new tab)
Book Titles
The Macroodelzig
Don’t Eat Charlie Cheese
Charlie Cheese and the Food Dance
Charlie Cheese Travels the World
Genre: Children’s
Links to Buy
Charlie Cheese Travels The World
Charlie Cheese And The Food Dance
Book summaries
The Macroodelzig follows a creative little girls quest to find a magical beast.
Don’t Eat Charlie Cheese introduces a moustached slice of brie on his journey to finding his perfect job.
Charlie Cheese Travels the World is an insight to different areas of the world using fun synonyms.
Charlie Cheese and the Food Dance sees Charlie’s struggle to choose who to invite to the dance.
Book excerpts
The Macroodelzig: “In the land where the grumpiest things don’t grow big, lives the ever cantankerous Macroodelzig.”
Don’t Eat Charlie Cheese: “Charlie helped to build a bridge and the builders licked their lips, ‘I am here to help construct! Don’t put me on your chips!’”
Charlie Cheese Travels the World: “Charlie walked around the city, it had a busy crowd. The city is quite booming, which means it’s far too loud!”
Charlie Cheese and the Food Dance: “Charlie looked around the fridge, ‘I’ll ask Gertie Gherkin’, ‘I’m sorry Charlie, I can’t go, I’m far too busy working.’”
How active are you in the online writing community? How has this community helped you as a writer?
I try and be as active as possible on twitter, I join in with polls and share advice and opinions wherever I can. The community for writers is very supportive so it’s a lovely source of motivation. It’s nice to connect with other creatives.
What famous books can you compare to your own?
I’m going to say Dr Seuss books, as I love his writing style and he’s a massive inspiration for me and my children’s books. My books have been compared to Julia Donaldson books – which is probably the greatest thing anyone has ever said to me!
How long have you considered yourself a writer? Did you have any formal training, or is it something you learned as you went?
I have no training whatsoever, I was working in a preschool when I wrote my first story, I had the perfect audience for it! I’ve always been very creative artistically, and it must have filtered into my writing ability. I stuck with the ‘writer’ label the second my first editions came in the post.
Are your books for sale at any book stores? Have you tried any other methods of selling hard copies in person versus online?
All of my books are available online, some in stores I never expected! (Barnes and Noble- my humble brag) The first book in the CC series, Don’t Eat Charlie Cheese can be found in some Yorkshire cheese shops! I’m too shy to do library visits or author events, but I have made a school visit to talk about the importance of reading.
Do you focus on word count, hours spent writing, page count, or another way to measure your daily or weekly progress?
I never follow a word count and I don’t document or dedicate time to writing, if I’m feeling creative, I write, if I force it, my brain melts. I measure my progress with how many WIPs I have and how many projects I complete, it’s not a race.
“What If” Scenarios
You’re offered a contract to rewrite your book in another genre. Which genre do you choose and why?
I think I’d change my Charlie Cheese books to horror or something Tarantino-esque haha, always thought Charlie would be in trouble if he met a fondue set!
You’re given $10,000 to spend on marketing for your book. How do you spend it?
Well, promoting my book for free and alone, has been difficult, so I reckon I’d have some book trailers made and throw lots of money at advertising. I’ve got an idea of what I want in a Charlie video, lack of funds is my obstacle.
Your book becomes a best seller. What do you do next?
Apart from the initial calling everyone I know to cry with joy, I think I’d celebrate with a book giveaway (or something more extravagant?)
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Charlie Cheese Travels the World here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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