Brain Burps About Books Podcast #221

When You Get Interest from Traditional Publishers But Say No Thanks

An Interview with KeeKee’s Big Adventures Series Creator Shannon Jones

Announcements

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Contributors

• Julie Falatko reviews I Don’t Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty and Mike Boldt

This Week's Guest is Shannon Jones!

This week’s guest is Shannon Jones. For Shannon, her love of travel began at a young age. It opened her eyes and ears to the world. As a grownup, living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with her husband Paul and kitty KeeKee, the idea for KeeKee’s Big Adventures was born. After twenty years in the marketing field, Shannon is launched on her new adventures, following her passion for writing and excited to be helping kids in their quest for learning and discovery.

Shannon's first book KeeKee's Big Adventures in Paris, France won the Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Awards Silver for Best First Children’s Book in April 2014 and Gold Mom’s Choice Award in Autumn 2013. KeeKee's Big Adventures in Rome, Italy received a Gold Mom's Choice Award in April 2013.

Her third book, KeeKee's Big Adventures in Athens, Greece, landed October 2014 and just received a Gold Mom's Choice Award.

Shannon and I talk about

• Why, even though Shannon got interest from traditional publishers, she decided to self-publish.
• The unusual process through which she found a great illustrator.
• Her editor is Lisa Pliscou.
• Her printer, Phoenix Color.
• The Bilingual pronunciation guide in her books.
• Getting geography lessons from a cat.
• The KeeKee Club.