8. Chatting with Jackie Hosking, writer and ebook publisher.

This week I welcome a very special guest, as all my guests are.  Members of PIO (Pass It On) know the lovely Jackie Hosking – talented poet and writer, as well as compiler,  editor, publisher of PIO and  now,    — drum roll  please –  eBook publisher.

Jackie chats with me about her foray into e-Book publishing, as well as a little about her writing journey.

Welcome Jackie. Please help yourself to wine and nibblies.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Being a writer wasn’t something that I consciously thought about; it was just something that I did. I loved to write in my diary and write letters. When school required me to write short stories I found it a pleasure, not a chore.

When did you start writing?

I started writing consciously after my last child was born.  He is ten, so about ten years.

What genres do you write in/or have written in?

I mostly write for children – children’s short stories, in prose and verse and rhyming poetry. I have written short stories for adults and I particularly enjoy flash fiction or the very, very short story. I have also written poetry for adults some of which are travelling around on the Melbourne trains thanks to the work of Moving Galleries.

PIO (Pass it On) members certainly know of your commercial success as a children’s poet, especially for The School Magazine and other children’s publications.  However, for non PIO readers, could you let us know when this all began.

My very first children’s poem, ‘If I Were a Giant’ was published by the School Magazine in 2005. Before that I was writing for a UK website called The Bad Mothers’ Club where I wrote poetry about children for (bad) mothers. My children’s poems have been described as old fashioned but not dated; I quite like that description. Since 2005 I have had many poems published all over the world.

To view Jackie’s extensive publication list please click on the following link:

http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/my-publications/

What inspired you to write your informative book, How to Write Rhyme like the Experts? And why did you decide to e-publish  it?

I’ve been editing children’s poetry since 2006 and in this time I have noticed that new rhyming poets make similar mistakes so I thought it might be useful to put together a booklet to help demystify the art of rhyme and meter.

How did you go about gaining information on e-book publishing?

Actually I picked up a tip in PASS IT ON. A subscriber provided a weblink to a site that converts word docs into pdfs. I designed the booklet in a word doc then converted it. It was very easy.

How long did the process take ie. from writing your book to publishing it? And how did you go about editing your work?

Because the book is more of an information booklet, it didn’t take long at all, maybe a week. I was never planning to sell it as a book on its own, more as an extra for those who use my editing service. The editing was done as I went along and I gave it to a couple of colleagues to read over and I took any suggestions into account.

Did you encounter any obstacles during this process?  If so, what were they?

No not really.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of e-book publishing? What were your greatest learning curves?

What I like about it is that I can email off a copy to anyone who asks for it without leaving the office. It’s a way of sharing information with minimum fuss.

How do you go about marketing your e-book?

I offer a discount to users of my editing service, $5.00 instead of the full price $10.00. I advertise it in PASS IT ON and I advertise it on my website.

Are you interested in finding a commercial publisher? Why or why not?

Not for the e-book as it’s very specialised and really more suited to an email attachment. For my poetry, definitely – a commercial publisher would be very welcome.

Even though you have established yourself as a fantastic children’s poet and editor of the resourceful PIO, where would you like to be in five year’s time?  – ie. writing/publishing wise.

I would love to have a collection of my poetry published. I hope to still be involved with PIO; I think it is a great resource and I hope too, to be still helping other poets.

What projects are you working on now?

I’m always writing new poems and submitting them to competitions and publishers. I also try my hand at picture books and have a half dozen bubbling away.

What words best describe you?

Persistent, curious, helpful, cheerful and active.

Have you any other words of advice?

Have fun. If you’re not having fun (most of the time) then try something else. Life’s too short to be miserable.

____________

And Jackie, just to finish off, could you just complete the following:

At school I was … neither popular nor unpopular – just Jackie.

When I was a child I wanted to be …a washing up lady (and I’m a mother so be careful what you wish for!)

I relax by    … walking and talking with friends.

For more information:

Web/blog -

http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/

Jackie’s  manuscript service – includes some testimonials from happy customers , and  I am one of Jackie’s happy customers.

http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/rhyme-rhythm/

Information about PIO:

PASS IT ON is a weekly, on-line, interactive, networking newsletter for those involved with or interested in the children’s writing & illustration industry.

It was voted ‘Best Non-Fiction Magazine’ in the Preditors & Editors Readers Poll for 2008 and placed 2nd in 2009 & 2010 in the ‘Writers Resource Category’.

http://jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com/

To receive a recent issue and to enquire about subscribing please email  Jackie Hosking at jackiehosking [at] bigpond. com

Jackie Hosking | poet | editor | publisher
PASS IT ON (Children’s Writing/Illustrating e-zine)
www.jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com

Jackie is one very busy and talented writer.

Jackie, thanks for sharing.  I also look forward to seeing your collection of poetry in print.

Thanks Helen – it’s been fun.

Helen Ross interviews Jackie Hosking 26 August 2011.  Copyright Helen Ross August 2011

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