Meet fellow Clean Indie Reads author Shannon L. Mokry – with a New Release!

Today I’d like to introduce fellow CIR author Shannon Mokry. Welcome Shannon!  Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi Sandy – I grew up in sunny California and then moved to Texas about twenty years ago where I now live with my husband, three daughters, cats,  and chickens. I’ve been a writer since grade school, and set out on my current journey to share my stories about three years ago. The Bubbles stories came about  due to stories I would tell my youngest daughter Charlotte when she would get me up during the night. She’s my inspiration. My first book “Bubbles and the Berry Bush” for example came about because she needed something fierce to keep her dreams safe, but not something scary, so we got a bubble blowing dragon. Then I decided if she was going to make me think I’d give her something to keep her brain busy while she slept. So that first book deals with conflict resolution and forgiveness.  My next picture book was just released, its called Bubbles and the Shark Attack. Like the first book, its designed to teach something. In this case its teaching kids to be aware of what’s going on around them. Children are naturally self-centered, we need to combat that by teaching them that they need to be aware of more than themselves. Lets face it the world is full of sharks, and we want our kids to stay safe. Don’t worry about this book being too scary, I did write it as a bedtime story for my own very sensitive little girl.

Hey, I’m from California originally too! But with your books, how sweet! Written for your own daughter, and now being shared with others! Makes me wish I had someone to read a bedtime story to! Well, before we learn any more about your books, I have three questions for you so here we go. First, what three things would you say are the most important for an aspiring author to keep in mind as they being their writing journey?

Inspiration comes from all different places, so carry a writing journal so you don’t forget the good ideas. The first draft is never your best draft, rewrites are important, but don’t overthink it to the point that you don’t finish. Lastly, get to know your audience, who are you writing for? Yourself or a specific group? It’s okay if you’re writing just for yourself, just be honest about it.

Great advice! Now, second question, what makes you happiest as an author?

Getting feedback from kids. Of course feedback from the parents is good too, but when a kid runs up and tells me how much they love my characters, its an awesome feeling.

It’s always wonderful to hear your books are appreciated! Now, one last question – Are you indie published, traditionally published, or hybrid? And what are your thoughts
on the whole indie vs. traditional topic?

I’m an Indie. I actually started my own micro publishing house, Sillygeese Publishing, LLC. I love being an indie, I researched all my options and decided I wanted the control that you only get as an Indie. It is definitely the more expensive route, especially for a picture book. Its also very rewarding. My thoughts? Every book has to be evaluated for
its possible success as a traditional or indie book, I’m not ruling anything out
for my future, I can only say I like my decision so far.

I’m indie too–and yes, I love the control it gives you in every aspect. Now, how about telling us about your newest release?

As mentioned above, this book is designed to teach  kids to be aware of what’s going on around them. Lets face it the world is full of sharks, and we want our kids to stay safe. Don’t worry about this book being too scary, I did write it as a bedtime story for my own very sensitive little girl.

You can find this book on Amazon by clicking here.

Or you can visit Shannon’s author profile here.