Interview with Pamela C Rice

Author of I Grew Grandma’s Tomatoes

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

I am originally from New York and Evanston, IL

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

Family move in my youth. My father was a commercial artist. Shortly before his passing, he accepted a job at Hallmark as an illustrator.

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

My life’s work has been as a graphic designer. I’ve been in the field of Advertising Design and Visual Communications. The last dozen years I have been illustrating children’s books for several authors. I realized at one point that I had my own stories to tell, which were quite interesting….childhood stories; stories that others have told me about themselves.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I believe in writing books that are for a ‘mature’ mind. When writing the “Read-to-me” books, the adults are reading to children. Adults enjoy reading the books themselves and have commented that they aren’t ‘silly’, but very meaningful. I like feel-good books, books that love putting themselves into the story ‘situation. In most of my books I interject places, feelings I remember at that age.
I write books that make both the parent and the child think and ask questions. My first book was “Aaron’s Dream” and came to me while I was out on a night sail. I didn’t labor over it, it flowed freely and I wrote from experience.

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

Young children (who dream and have imagination) and their parents.

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

Because I began illustrating for other writers, there wasn’t too much of surprise. But one thing I try to be aware of is that the illustrations ALONE (especially if is a children’s book) should be able to tell the story without the words. Writing for children, (picture books) the story is usually short. , so within a limited amount of space your ARCH has to be created. The set-up of the story, the ‘rollercoaster’ click-click- clicking to the top; the arriving at the peak, and winding-up the story (the ride back down) the solution, pulling the story together.

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

The GENRE of children’s books requires simplifying. I have had to learn to keep it real simple, but not ‘stupid’. I have had to flip the way I tell a story so that I make sure stories are going to be easy to comprehend.

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

I’ve been less concerned with reaching a huge audience. I have found that most of my books are reaching a wide audience, organically. Teachers, professors, libraries have asked for my books. I have donate books to various organizations and have found they have been dispersed all over the country to schools and special programs. This is one of the main reasons why I have chosen to produce soft cover books. They are cheaper to produce and I can donate them without being too concerned about costs. People need to realize that initially you may have to make a sacrifice to make gains. Advertising, certainly in the past (before social media) was extremely expensive. Giving away samples is a small price to pay to gain a wider audience.

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

There hasn’t been may challenges. As an INDIE author, finding a print-on-demand printer was my initial challenge. This is what I suggest for many new INDIE authors. This will allow you to print as few as one, five, twenty books if you choose, there is no minimum…your unit cost will be slightly more. Also, having the skills to promote you book. Since I’ve been in the industry, I am aware of what it takes…sales is key. Social media has really made an impact.

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

I also consider myself a publisher, because I write, illustrate, print/publish my own books. Illustrating books is my real strength. Many times if I have an idea for a book, it will lead with illustrations (ideas, thumbnail sketches) The illustrations will lead the story will follow.

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

Sales. Sales is a career all by itself. It is a skill. The contacting, phone calls, appointments, some travel, packaging your product. I have always done it to some degree, but it’s not something that I love to do. Marketing is much easier and does require a strategy.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I have just complete a book for older children. Not from the ‘Read-to-me’ series. Ages from 6 – 9. this story also comes from a fond memory when growing up. People would always ask me where I get my ideas from. My response is always from my childhood. We lived in a neighborhood with kids who played outside all summer. We were creative, and did so may things, that is MY source. I will never run out of stories!

ALSO, this past spring, I released my first non-fiction narrative, “Our Red Skies — Free-Spirited African American Adventurers Who Know No Boundaries.” This books was written about 13 friends who I admire.

Real adventurers appreciate being in-tuned with mother nature. They have a sixth sense, a necessary intuitive tool to achieve the task at hand….it is called survival. It is essential for the ‘red sky’ experience, whether it’s sailing the high-seas, diving in the deepest oceans, climbing or biking one of the highest mountains or camping in lush green jungles. Meet adventurers Alpha Thompson, William ‘Bill’ Pinkney, Andrew Ryal, Delia Urgesi-Gray, Don Turner, Johann Hudson, Bobby Mitchell, Jesse Williams, Waymond H. Smith, Rudolph Winfrey, Phil Henderson, the Outdoor Afro Kilimanjaro Team 2018, and Pamela C. Rice. http://www.pamricedesign.com/OurRedSkies/index.html

I am currently working on an off-shoot from this book, which will include people from the world stage.

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

I am an INDIE/self-publisher.