Welcome Our New Author-Krissy Clowe!
When we hosted our #FaithPitch event in February this year, we invited all agents and editors who have an interest in faith-based fiction across the industry to join us. We also were hopeful that a variety of writers with completed, edited, and polished manuscripts would join us and find a connection with an agent or editor that was a good fit for them.
Both of these things happened for us at Little Lamb Books, and we are excited to introduce to you our next new author, Amberly Kristen Clowe!
While Amberly has published a few children’s books previously with other publishers, this was her first time to pitch during #FaithPitch, and when Amberly sent in her submission for a chapter book series after receiving a like during the event, she peaked my interest when she compared her main character, Teeny, to Ramona Quimby, an iconic children’s book character who is equal parts mischievous and creative. I’d been looking for a strong character that would entertain our young readers, and Teeny seemed to fit that description.
I interviewed Amberly for the blog so you could get to know her, hear about ways to follow her, and join me in welcoming her to our growing flock of authors. Her debut chapter book, Teeny Sweeney and the Mustache Cash, will arrive in 2018, and, trust me, you need to stay tuned because we have some fun plans surrounding this first book in her series!
Where do you call home?
Kingwood, Texas
What made you choose to participate in #FaithPitch in February?
I was intrigued by the idea of a Twitter pitch party specifically looking for Christian literature, and it really was as cool as it sounds. We were a huge group of Christians in the writing community, rallying for one another and pitching awesome idea after awesome idea. I was blown away.
What do you love about your main character, Teeny?
Teeny is so alive. She is such a vibrant and big personality. And, just like the rest of us, Teeny is flawed but learning.
How do you juggle being a wife, mom, and writer?
I now put everything in my phone…from appointments to grocery store lists. My phone is a lifesaver!
What are some of your favorite children’s books?
My son belly laughs every time we read Mo Willems’ Pigeon books. He’s a die-hard Star Wars guy too. My daughter loves books with sparkles and flaps and all that is pink. She especially enjoys the Fancy Nancy series by Jane O’Connor. The Boy and the Moon written by James Christopher Carroll and Eloise written by Kay Thompson seem to always add an extra bit of magic to our bedtime routine. I never get tired of saying “dah-ling” in the most dramatic way I can.
What has been your biggest inspiration for wanting to write and publish children’s literature?
For me, there is nothing quite like a child in love with a book. The giggling, gasping and especially the sparked imagination that great literature inspires, all of this brings joy to my heart. I get to have a front row seat.
Amberly and I feel like we’ve known each other forever thanks to taking the same college class (Children’s Literature) on the same campus (University of Texas, Arlington) in the same town (Arlington, Texas) and we taught in schools in the same district many several a few years apart! 😉
Everytime I say the title of this book I smile, and I think when you get your hands on a copy of it, your young readers will smile too! I’m thrilled Amberly chose Little Lamb Books to be her publisher, and I’m so thankful we have such an amazing event like #FaithPitch (Our next event is June 28!) to help faith-based writers like Amberly find their book a home. Stay tuned to our blog and social media as we plan and promote Teeny Sweeney and the Mustache Cash and the journey from pitch to chapter book series! You can start following Amberly on Facebook and Twitter and on her website too.
Lambie Love,
Rachel