Ever thought of a story idea and said, “Someday, I’ll do something with it.” Amy Myers-Koon did also. Then that day came and she now has a lovely children’s book about her adventurous dog, Olive. Learn more about her and what she hopes readers get from the first book in her Oh, Olive! series.
Let’s get started learning about you. Who is Amy Myers-Koon?
I live in Greensboro, North Carolina, with my husband, Josh, my Bernalier, Odin, and my Australian Cattle Dog, Olive. A fun fact about me is that I am in a bad bowlers’ bowling league that I have been a part of for several years. My handicap confirms that I still belong in that league. Professionally, I have been an audiologist for over twenty years, and I love that I get to help people hear. I currently work at the University of North Carolina Greensboro where I pay it forward to the next generation of audiologists by teaching and working in the Speech and Hearing Center.
Writing a book was never something on my radar, but one day I had all these ideas in my head and stories about what Olive has done over the years. So, I began to write them down. Then over time, it became a consideration to write a book which turned into pursuing an opportunity that led to me now adding “Published Author” to my personal resume.
Tell us a bit about Olive Gets a Tummy Ache. What is it about and what inspired you to write your book?
Olive is an Australian Cattle dog who is very adventurous. Her adventures led me to start documenting what she has gotten into. Olive Gets a Tummy Ache is based on a true story about my dog Olive who got into too many treats one day. The treats she ate in the book are consistent with her true story and the side effects from her being naughty lead her to being sick for about a week. I’m not sure if she really learned her lesson though—LOL. She is adventurous after all.
How did you find Argyle Fox Publishing, and what convinced you that we were the right publisher for you?
My dear friend Amanda Midkiff has had three books published with Argyle Fox Publishing and is currently working on a fourth book. She had nothing but wonderful things to say about this company. She connected me with Daniel, and I instantly felt comfortable about the process and got things started within a few days of our official meeting. As I was new to publishing a book, Daniel made it super easy to get through the process, and I felt supported and more importantly, I felt heard during the entire process. He took my words, ideas, and vision and turned them into this amazing children’s book that I get to share with the world.
Who is your target audience, and what do you hope readers get out of your book?
Olive Gets a Tummy Ache is for children between the ages of three and eight. However, I did a reading recently to a group of nine- to eleven-year-olds during a camp. Unexpectedly, I received applause and lots of follow-up questions from them, so I’m going to say that it is well received with older children too.
The illustrations Nastya Bankulova created for your book are so lively and cute. How do you feel she captured your vision for your book, and how was the process of working with her?
She did an amazing job. I am constantly asked how I met the illustrator, and I tell them that Argyle Fox Publishing brought us together. I love the colors. I love that Olive looks like Olive and not other popular cartoon characters. My book about Olive is about my dog Olive, and I wanted it to be in her true likeness. Nastya captured her perfectly.
Now that your book is published, how will you measure whether it’s a success? What is your goal for your story?
My goal is for this book to get into as many kids’ hands as possible. Don’t get me wrong, I want to make a small profit, but the most important thing to me is to see a kid smile while they read my book, to see a kid point and comment when they are reading my book. And most of all for the kids to ask for the book to be read to them again. There is no better measurement of success than to hear, “Read it again!”
What are you doing to market your book and let folks know it is available?
I currently have my book in four stores (a children’s bookstore, a boutique in Virginia, a boutique in North Carolina, and a dog park bar). I had my first book signing two days before my official release date. I also have two upcoming signing events in July and two book readings in September. I am routinely going to different children’s stores and bookstores to ask if they are interested in my book. I am posting on Facebook and asking friends and family to please share my posts. I am connecting with local libraries as well as summer festivals and event planners. When the school year begins in August, I am going to connect with local schoolteachers to read to their classes.
What feedback have you received so far on your book?
Thus far, kids have given me great feedback. They tend to be pretty honest, so I am taking their feedback as a compliment. They have asked me to read the book to them again. They’ll ask me questions about the book. They’ll say, “She must have a big stomach” (referencing Olive). I have been given applause. I have been told by parents that their kids loved the book and asked them to have it read at bedtime several nights in a row. One little boy told me, “You can’t have more than one chocolate bar,” so the message about eating too many treats causes a tummy ache is resonating.
What did you learn about the publishing process that surprised you?
How many steps are involved to get to the final project. I knew it would take time and work, but the number of detailed steps involved was surprising to me. It was definitely a great learning opportunity for me.
What would you say to other children’s book writers who have a story but aren’t sure if it’s worth publishing?
Send your story to Daniel. Let him look over it and see if you have something to pursue. If you do, it’s your choice as to what you want to do with his response, but you don’t know until you send it to him. Take a chance. This was an unexpected journey for me but because I took a chance, I will always be able to say that I am a published author.
I know you have a lot of other books up your sleeve. Can you give us a sneak preview of what’s next and when you plan to present it to the world?
The plan is for my books to become an Oh, Olive! series. I have ten stories that I am playing with. I have another dog named Odin who has only been a part of our family for one year. I have been asked multiple times when he will get introduced. I think he will make an appearance in my second book of this series and call it Olive Gets a Brother, which will teach children about sharing.
Where can readers find you online?
My book is available on Amazon. It’s also available for purchase at The Little Bookworm in Blacksburg, Virginia, Southern Hearts Boutique in Dublin, Virginia, Doggos Dog Park & Pub in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Just Be in Greensboro, North Carolina. You can find out where I’ll be and what’s happening with Olive’s book on my Facebook page, and you can email me with any questions.
Is there anything else the world should know about you or your writing?
I’ve said this already, but this really was an unexpected writing journey for me. I think most people will say something like, “I should write a book about that” or “That would make for a good book,” but they don’t do anything more than say that. I actually took my thoughts, wrote them down, and took a chance.
On a personal note, the inspiration also came from a loss of our son during an ectopic pregnancy, so this unexpected writing journey became a therapeutic way to work through this loss. Now I have been able to provide a story that others can share with their children.
I’m so glad I took this chance, and I really hope that others will enjoy reading about Olive’s adventures and learning lessons that our clever girl had to learn.
We hope readers learn from Olive as well. Thanks so much for sharing, and here’s to success!