Interview with Nancy Chovancek

Author of Angry Birds and Beehive Hair

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born in Chicago and raised in the northwest suburbs. I still live in the northwest suburbs!

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I still live here.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

Angry Birds and Beehive Hair was my first published book. However, it wasn’t my first book. I self published a book about hearing loss, Meniere’s Disease and cochlear implants. “I Can Finally Hear Birds,” is on Amazon with good reviews. Angry Birds was the child born from the blog I used to write, “Hold on: I’ve Got Something to Say.” I took the true life blog posts and wrote essays and short stories from them. That’s how Angry Birds and Beehive Hair originated.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

For the hard of hearing, or those who have Meniere’s (Huey Lewis is a great example), my book tries to lighten the heaviness of a life changing experience. It’s food for thought, and enlightens readers how the cochlear surgery process works. Angry Birds and Beehive Hair was reviewed and compared to Erma Bombeck’s writing. I’m a bit irreverent, and let’s just say that I’m the friend you need to tell others about before they meet me.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Obviously, hearing loss resonates with anyone who has a deaf child, those who know that their hearing has been reduced, and for Meniere’s sufferers they realize that they are not alone in their lifelong struggle. The examples I set in the book are every day relatable. Angry Birds will connect with people who like a quick, witty, read. Italians would love it because there are several mentions of my mom and the book for which it is named. Every day struggles that people just want to scream at the top of their lungs how much they hate it…I do it for them instead.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

The first book on hearing loss was self-published, so it was easy. Angry Birds cost me an arm and a leg! Seriously, the only thing that was worth every penny was their editing. The marketing was ridiculous in cost with nothing gained but other publishers wanting to buy the rights to my book. No thank you.

If you could, what advice would you give to past self yourself before embarking on this journey?

Check the box. I’ve been writing pretty much my entire life and having a published book in the library of congress was a goal for me by my 50th birthday. If you set a goal, finish it. If you don’t, you weren’t passionate about it to begin with.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

The answer would be “The number of people who have read, ‘Becoming,’ by Michelle Obama,sort of people.”

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Well, my latest challenge is taking my stories and making them live with story slams. It’s a perfect outlet for me to bring my less than 1000 word, 5-7 minute, real life story about myself to life in front of an audience. I’ve been selected to do story slams three times now and I absolutely love it. You can get more information by going to firstpersonlive.com. I’m under the Teller Gallery.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Writing definitely. Publishing? Not so much. The best marketing for me is telling the story live in front of a few hundred or so people. It’s simply more relatable.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Publishing because I don’t have a damn clue, nor do I have several thousand dollars to spare for Simon and Schuster to back me up. Sigh.

When do you think you will you write your next book?

Good question. Ever hear of writer’s block?

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

The first book was self published. Angry birds was through a hybrid publisher whose name escapes me at the moment.