MEET THE WRITER

Vanessa Joy Moore

I was recently interviewed by Jackie Hosking from PASS IT ON (PIO) Magazine,

you can find it here: 

jackiehoskingpio.wordpress.com

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As a writer/author, how would you describe yourself – beginner, emerging or established?
 
Emerging definitely.

When did you know that you were a writer? Did something specific happen for you to feel that this was what you wanted to be?
 
I literally had a dream about writing children’s picture books in 2017.  In the dream I could vividly see the words which I thought was the title of the book but it ended up being the theme through all of my picture books.  I thought why not give it a go and that’s where it started from.
When and why did you start submitting your work to publishers?
 
I had been accepted into the “Dream Team” for a 6 month course in 2019.  Then towards the end of that course, I did have my first three books ready to submit.  I also had finished the illustrations for my first book. I just submitted them to about 19 publishers, then a few more later.

Were you encouraged or discouraged after doing this?
 
I was feeling very positive and encouraged that someone was going to publish my books.  I had the feeling that I wouldn’t have had that dream if it meant nothing.  I am a very positive person and I feel that sometimes we are just lead to do something special.  What is special about these books are that they are inspiring, encouraging and empowering for children to realise that you just have to keep trying and that you can do more than you think you can.
 
What and when was your first acceptance? How did you feel?
 
I finished my writing course on the 5/7/20 and I heard back from my publishers, while I was in New Zealand visiting a very sick friend.  They offered me a publishing contract for my first picture book, “You Can Swim”.  When I arrived home, I sent them a reply and I then thought long and hard and even saw a Solicitor about the contract.  He said it was a very good contract for a first time author, so I accepted.  I felt incredibly lucky to be offered the contract straight away.  I’ve heard of so many that have had to wait years.  This was another reason why I thought this is all meant to be.
 
What has been your most recent acceptance? Do you feel any different?
 
I have just sent off my second book to the same publishers and received a reply saying it will take up to 6 weeks for a decision.  I’m sure they will want to publish my second book as it is a follow on series. I am feeling positive.
 
Do you get rejections? How do you cope with them and do you have any advice for our readers on this front?
 
Of course I had rejections and I’m sure everyone does because not all publishers are wanting to publish what you have written.  Out of the 19 I didn’t hear from a few and others did let me know that they weren’t interested.  Also New Frontier sent my manuscript to a sister company who were interested but I had already signed with the UK Publisher.  Then I also received an offer from another UK Publisher as well.  It was all very exciting and I thought I must be doing something right to receive 3 offers.  I feel like you just have to keep sending, sending, sending and if it is meant to be, you will receive an offer.
Do you enter competitions? How have you fared? Would you recommend entering comps? Can you recommend any specifically?
 
I haven’t entered any competitions yet.  I’m sure that it would be good for writers to do that.  It certainly has the power of getting you out there so to speak.  I feel my publishers are definitely promoting my books.  I have seen 2 sites in N.Z, 2 bookstores in Melbourne, 2 websites in Australia - Dymocks and Angus & Robertson.  Then there is amazon.comand amazon.com.au as well as Book Depository and Booktopia.  There were bookstores in the US too.  Also there are big bookstores in the UK and a website in Holland, 2 websites in Norway, 1 in Sweden and 1 in even Bangladesh (who would have thought).  So I’m very happy with what they have done up to date.
 
Do you go to conferences/festivals? Do any stand out? Did they help with your career?
 
I haven’t been to any conferences or festivals yet. 
 
How long have you been writing? And what have you written?
 
I started writing in mid 2017 and I have written 18 picture books and 3 early readers. I do plan to do different age books in the future and hopefully an adult book about my life.
 
Do you have a funny story about your journey that writers might be able to relate to?
 
My daughter took me to a physic fair.  The lady I had a reading with, said that they are telling me to tell you that they are really happy you took notice of that dream, because this is what you should be doing and I was also told that I should be doing the illustrations for my book too.  I said “REALLY”
I was putting it off and getting signs that I was ignoring.  I was putting up a wall saying to myself “I don’t think I can do this”  I even was down on Kangaroo Island going into an art gallery where I saw a beautiful drawing of a kookaburra (which by the way I relate to a really good friend who passed away) and I told the owner I really like that drawing and he said to me that there is a story behind that.  He said the lady that did that had only been drawing for 6 months and that she was 60 years old.  My sign was that I can do it at my age and if she could do that in 6 months so could I.  I still was putting it off until a year later when I had a ‘lightbulb’ moment thinking about things and I thought how can I tell these children in my books that they can do more than they think they can and not do it myself.  So straight away I rang up an art class and there wasn’t a class for the time that would suit me, but she did give me the name of a children’s illustrator who actually did private lessons.  So I rang him and the rest is history.  The publishers accepted my illustrations for my first book and they took me 4-5 months to create.  I am now up to my 10th book with my illustrations.
 
What or who inspires you?
 
People who are talented and help others in achieving their goals in all different areas of life and at the same time are caring and giving back to the community.
 
Have you ever won an award/grant? What was it for?
  
No not yet but it will be something to aim for in the future.
 
Do you belong to any professional organisations such as SCBWI, ASA, State Writers’ Centres. Have they been helpful? 
 
No I don’t at this stage, but I’m sure it will be very helpful for so many up and coming writers.
 
Have you participated in writing workshops as a student either in person or online? Which ones were memorable?
 
I have participated in several writing workshops.  I really think this has helped me to understand the process and to receive so many good tips not just about writing but about publishers too.

Do you belong to any Facebook groups that you’d like to recommend?
 
I belong to “The Dream Team,” “Share Your Story,” and “We Are Writers” as it is good to see what others are doing and also to be given wonderful information about things that are coming up.
 
Do you run writing workshops? What do you include? 

I don’t run any at this stage as I think it’s a little early to do that for me, but eventually I would love to do that to help others achieve their goals.
 
We all know that would-be writers should read and write as much as possible – do you have any other advice?
 
I just feel that you need to write something you are passionate about and also have knowledge in the subject because it will come across as more authentic in your writing.  You need to just write and write and then you need to go back and take some things out and add some things until you feel like it is an ok draft.  You can always have it edited professionally to get advice on how you are doing.  This is a must I feel.
 
Do you have an online presence? What works best for you?
 
I do have an online presence.  I started with a Facebook page @nessiejoymoore
Then I started my own website:  vanessajoymoore.com
My website does have some illustrations as well as a blog and a contact form if anyone wants to contact me.
I am also on instagram too #vanessajoymoore
I also put up inspirational quotes on all my social media, which I am passionate about.

Thanks so much Vanessa for sharing your writer's journey with us!