Peas Let Her Be a Princess

Jax Experiences

June 30, 2021
0
1,033 word

In a recent moment of airbnb serendipity, I met a local writer when I was visiting Oviedo, FL. Diane Keyes, my former hometown librarian and current airbnb host, shared her passion for writing and literacy with me.

She told me how she published a children’s book and is the president of The Literary Alliance. I got to learn a little bit about her process and what it is like working with an illustrator.

You can learn about her sweet story, Peas Be a Princess in my recent interview with her. The rhyming book, about a particular princess and pesky prince, is written by Diane E. Keyes and illustrated by Hannah Mericle.

Interview with Diane Keyes

Did you always want to be an author?

My mother was a librarian and TV was limited in my childhood home. So the outdoors and books were my playgrounds. And although I wrote poetry for myself and skits for my friends and siblings beginning in elementary school, I never thought of myself as a writer or thought it was something I could do as a career. It seemed an unrealistic dream. It is exciting to have a published book and call myself an author!

What is your profession, and how did your work impact your desire to write?

My professional career has included 6 years as an educator and 19 years as a Youth Services Librarian for a county library system. I am currently teaching preschool to elementary children using online platforms. Previously, I taught in brick-and-mortar elementary and middle schools. As a YS librarian, I provided weekly programs for preschool and elementary children and led the teen volunteer program.

What made you choose to write a children’s book?

Peas Let Her be a Princess was written when a friend challenged me to write a book. I took one of the scripts I had written for an elementary school program and decided it would make a great book. After 15 years (at that point) as a YS librarian, I had read many children’s books. And although I had read many middle and high school novels as well, I was always drawn to children’s literature as something for me. It made sense for me to lean into what I knew best which was children’s literature.

<br />

What message do you hope to communicate to girls reading your story?

I hope they find a voice in my books. My first book has a strong female who knows what she wants. I plan to continue that theme in future books.

What made you choose the nursery rhyme/fairy tales genre? Are the any similar authors that inspired you?

As you can see from my favorites, I love fantasy stories. Plus, I have always been intrigued with the idea of taking something everyone knows well and turning it on its head to make something recognizable but different. Leah Wilcox is a children’s author who also writes twists on traditional fairy tales.

What was it like finding an illustrator and collaborating together?

I was very lucky. I had a friend who was an artist. She was working as a graphic designer for chocolate candies when I approached her about my book. She had illustrated a few books for others, but nothing had ever made it through the publication process. I loved her illustrations and ideas regarding the book. It was a very enjoyable creative collaboration.

I realize that with traditional publishing, the author may never meet, let alone collaborate, with the illustrator. One of the benefits of self-publishing is to have direct access to the illustrator. The collaboration process was creative and inspiring. It was exciting to see my book through new eyes.

Take a sneak peek and listen to Diane reading Peas Let Her Be a Princess in the following video.

Could you share a little bit about your literacy group?

The Literacy Alliance has been providing children’s programming for over 10 years. It was created due to a need for children’s literacy programming in our community that was not being filled. Children in daycares, homeless shelters, and hospitals were not being exposed to live performances nor did they have enough books in their homes.

Our organization brings books to life with puppets and live performances. We also donate books to the children in our audience. We love to encourage curiosity in children by adding science experiments and magic to our programs. We have provided programs for children of all races and abilities in English, Spanish, and Sign Language. We also have a teen program, Expressions, which awards middle and high school students for their creative talents in visual and written formats.

Check out the Peas Let Her Be a Princess review by Publishers Weekly here.

What is your favorite author, book, and children’s book?

I have lots of favorites, but I will pick one each:

My favorite author – Anne McCaffrey. I read her series “Dragonriders of Pern” in middle and high school. As the first woman to win a Nebula and Hugo award, she was an inspiration.

My favorite book – Princess Bride by William Goldman. I love the humor in this book and the unique approach to storytelling. [Interviewer Note: The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies!]

My favorite children’s book – This is super tough!!!!! I don’t remember as a child what my favorite children’s book was, but as an adult, (today) I’m picking, My Life with the Wave by Catherine Cowan. It is very imaginative, beautifully written and illustrated, and emotional. I love that she was inspired by a story by Octavio Paz.

You can find out more about Diane, her books and The Literary Alliance by visiting www.dianeekeyes.com.