Meet Jason Whiteley, Author of Tales From the Tacklebox: Escape From the Crooked Tree
What inspired you to become a children's author?
In recent years, I struggled to find books for my son and my niece that reminded me of my childhood. I wanted a book that was long enough to interest a confident emerging reader, but illustrated well enough that it could hold the attention of a child who still needs a bit of help. It seemed to me, at least anecdotally, that I could find shorter picture books and longer early readers, but nothing in between. I wanted to create a bridge.
How did you come up with the idea for Escape From the Crooked Tree?
I was spending time with my son and my niece (ages 7 and 5, respectively) in a lake house where I spent my summers as a child. We passed a rainy afternoon on the porch, and I was doing my best to keep them occupied. I started telling stories from my summers there with my siblings and my cousins, but I told them from the perspective of the lures. They thought it was hilarious, so I started writing them down.
What do you think children will enjoy most about your books?
Children love adventures, especially when they can identify with the characters. The lures in the tacklebox are similar to children in many ways: they have difficulties with their friends, they long for recognition, and they are constantly in a world where they are massively outsized. I think that the scrappy nature of the lures and the mishaps they must face will amuse and impress my readers.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Believe in yourself. There are many stories of authors who chose to maintain their true voice, when it would have been easier to abandon their passion. The publishing world is more open than ever, so every writer has a chance to be heard – either through a traditional publisher, a self-publisher, or even a multi-media application. If you have a dream, write it down and chase it with abandon – and enjoy every minute of it.
Are you currently working on other books?
Yes. In addition to a fiction novel or two (what writers doesn’t have one of those going), I am currently fund-raising on Kickstarter for the sequel to Escape From the Crooked Tree, entitled the Hydrilla Clump and the Bigmouth Popper. I am excited about continuing the series because there are so many opportunities to development the characters and put them in a some really absurd situations.
In recent years, I struggled to find books for my son and my niece that reminded me of my childhood. I wanted a book that was long enough to interest a confident emerging reader, but illustrated well enough that it could hold the attention of a child who still needs a bit of help. It seemed to me, at least anecdotally, that I could find shorter picture books and longer early readers, but nothing in between. I wanted to create a bridge.
How did you come up with the idea for Escape From the Crooked Tree?
I was spending time with my son and my niece (ages 7 and 5, respectively) in a lake house where I spent my summers as a child. We passed a rainy afternoon on the porch, and I was doing my best to keep them occupied. I started telling stories from my summers there with my siblings and my cousins, but I told them from the perspective of the lures. They thought it was hilarious, so I started writing them down.
What do you think children will enjoy most about your books?
Children love adventures, especially when they can identify with the characters. The lures in the tacklebox are similar to children in many ways: they have difficulties with their friends, they long for recognition, and they are constantly in a world where they are massively outsized. I think that the scrappy nature of the lures and the mishaps they must face will amuse and impress my readers.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Believe in yourself. There are many stories of authors who chose to maintain their true voice, when it would have been easier to abandon their passion. The publishing world is more open than ever, so every writer has a chance to be heard – either through a traditional publisher, a self-publisher, or even a multi-media application. If you have a dream, write it down and chase it with abandon – and enjoy every minute of it.
Are you currently working on other books?
Yes. In addition to a fiction novel or two (what writers doesn’t have one of those going), I am currently fund-raising on Kickstarter for the sequel to Escape From the Crooked Tree, entitled the Hydrilla Clump and the Bigmouth Popper. I am excited about continuing the series because there are so many opportunities to development the characters and put them in a some really absurd situations.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012
