Meet Gina LoBiondo, Author of Pegasus - A Dragon's Tale
What inspired you to become a children's author?
I have been writing for 38 years, 9 months, starting on 28th October, 1973, when I was 13. Over the years I’ve written in various genres i.e. science fiction, biographies, poetry, plays, etc. I have always loved children’s literature and wanted to contribute to the genre with my own tales.
How did you come up with the idea for your book Pegasus - A Dragon's Tale?
I wrote it years ago as a short story with two human princesses who find the dragon’s egg. When my nephew got married and became an instant father, his two kids became my niece and nephew as well. For Kameela’s birthday, I decided to get her a Build-A-Bear, which, in turn, gave me the idea of turning the humans in the story into bears and naming them after Kameela and her brother Dayshawn.
What do you think children will enjoy most about your book?
The kids love the story itself and the colourful illustrations. Those I read to at the school all sent me thank you notes with their favourite parts of the story.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Keep writing and don’t stop! Never give up! I tried for 16 years to break into the “traditional” publishing industry, without any luck. There are so many ways of getting published today – my personal choice is self-publishing. Since I am the publisher now, I still use CreateSpace for my printer. They do a wonderful job and I find the print-on-demand option ideal. There are no outrageous fees and everyone gets their cut only when a book is ordered.
Are you currently working on other books?
My next project is a 120-page retelling of the Cinderella story. I wrote it originally as a full-length, 2-Act stage play and the following year took each scene in the play and wrote a chapter around it. It’s, basically, the faerie tale we all grew up with but with a twist that no other version has which makes it unique. I’m hoping to have that out by September. Beyond that I have a sequel planned to PEGASUS, which I hope to have finished and available some time in 2013.
You can find out more about Gina LoBiondo and her books by visiting www.ginalobiondo.com.
I have been writing for 38 years, 9 months, starting on 28th October, 1973, when I was 13. Over the years I’ve written in various genres i.e. science fiction, biographies, poetry, plays, etc. I have always loved children’s literature and wanted to contribute to the genre with my own tales.
How did you come up with the idea for your book Pegasus - A Dragon's Tale?
I wrote it years ago as a short story with two human princesses who find the dragon’s egg. When my nephew got married and became an instant father, his two kids became my niece and nephew as well. For Kameela’s birthday, I decided to get her a Build-A-Bear, which, in turn, gave me the idea of turning the humans in the story into bears and naming them after Kameela and her brother Dayshawn.
What do you think children will enjoy most about your book?
The kids love the story itself and the colourful illustrations. Those I read to at the school all sent me thank you notes with their favourite parts of the story.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Keep writing and don’t stop! Never give up! I tried for 16 years to break into the “traditional” publishing industry, without any luck. There are so many ways of getting published today – my personal choice is self-publishing. Since I am the publisher now, I still use CreateSpace for my printer. They do a wonderful job and I find the print-on-demand option ideal. There are no outrageous fees and everyone gets their cut only when a book is ordered.
Are you currently working on other books?
My next project is a 120-page retelling of the Cinderella story. I wrote it originally as a full-length, 2-Act stage play and the following year took each scene in the play and wrote a chapter around it. It’s, basically, the faerie tale we all grew up with but with a twist that no other version has which makes it unique. I’m hoping to have that out by September. Beyond that I have a sequel planned to PEGASUS, which I hope to have finished and available some time in 2013.
You can find out more about Gina LoBiondo and her books by visiting www.ginalobiondo.com.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012