Pump Up Your Book Chats with Children’s Book Author Hayley Rose

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Hayley Rose grew up in the beach side town of Pacific Palisades , California, to a family of visual artists. In the early 1990’s she traveled the U.S. with her band Crush Violet. In 1994, after a family reunion, she was inspired to write a children’s book. Looking for a cute and catchy name for a main character, she kept hearing “first in, first out”. Hence, the name Fifo was born. Hayley’s mother would often ask her what she wanted to be when she grew up, so Hayley decided to start her series of “Fifo” books with that very question. Her first book, Fifo “When I Grow Up” was published in 2002. Her love of travel inspired her second book in the Fifo series, Fifo “50 States”, published in 2010.

Along with writing children’s books, Hayley has been working in entertainment business management for the past 15 years, specializing in concert touring. She has worked with many “A list” musicians including Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart and Candlebox just to name a few. Hayley hopes to one day soon release an album of children’s songs. She is a currently member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and resides in Los Angeles, CA.

You can visit her website at www.fifothebear.com.

Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

I wrote Fifo “50 States” for two very important reasons. First, I wanted to encourage kids to travel, explore and enjoy this great country of ours. I found a lot of people never leave their home state. It’s a great big world out there and I want everyone to get out there and enjoy it. Second, most of the information in this book is taught in school and I wanted to give kids a head start.

Q: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

The hardest part about writing this book was finding my rhythm. Since, Fifo “50 States”, is more like a reference book, I wanted to make sure it was fun to read and not just educational. So once I knew how I wanted to write it, I had to research the facts, which for me was the easiest part.

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

Yes, my message is to get out there and explore this fabulous country we live in! One of my favorite places to visit is the Flume Gorge located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

I believe I was bitten at birth. I always loved to write. It’s such a great outlet and a great way to let your imagination run wild. I still have copies of the stories I wrote all throughout school. It’s fun to see how my writing style had changed through the years.

Q: Besides books, what else do you write? Do you write for publications?

I don’t write for any publications at the moment but I do write music. In the early 1990’s I was the lead singer in a band called The Crush Violets. We wrote a ton of songs with a lot of harmonies and I loved it. Nowadays, I write songs for kids. I have an album coming out at the end of the year with my friends Laura and Greg Zepkin. All the songs are educational, from manners and etiquette, to songs about bugs. It’s going to be great.

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

Write, rewrite and then rewrite again.

Q: Would you like to tell us about your home life? Where you live? Family? Pets?

My mother, sister and niece all live in Scottsdale, AZ. We are a very small close knit family and talk daily. My niece, Sydney, just started high school and loves it. My sister, Melissa, and mother, Reba, own their own business called Biz in a Boxx teaching children how to become young entrepreneurs. Unfortunately my father passed away some years ago but I am sure he is cheering us all on from the other side.

Right now I live in Los Angeles with my cat, Kytti. She’s a rescue and very sweet. I’ve had her about a year now. When I’m not working in business management or traveling I like to work on mosaics. I come from a very artsy family and my mother, sister and I have just opened our own Etsy.com shop called Multi Media Mosaics.

Although I was not able to have children of my own, they are a very big part of my life. Along with my fabulous niece, I have two very adorable Godchildren, Zack and Chloe, whom I see almost everyday.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your childhood?

Until the age of 12, I grew up in Pacific Palisades, CA overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. My family had been in the Los Angeles area since 1904 but in the late 1970’s my parents decided it was time to move out of California to the small town of Parker, CO. There we lived on a ranch with three horses, three dogs and nine cats. Except for shoveling snow, it was great place to grow up.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

In the living room on the sofa, preferably with a Hershey Bar at my side.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

I like to take a drive. Must be the hum of the motor but I do my best thinking in the car. It doesn’t really matter where I’m going either but if I happen to end up at the mall, bonus!

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

The first thing I did was to call my mother. She has a lot friends and I knew she would help to spread the word. You should never underestimate word of mouth.

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

Yes, I believe I am addicted to Facebook at the moment. I love to see what everyone’s doing. It’s a great way to keep up with what’s going on in your neighborhood, too. I have happened upon some great deals by checking out the pages of business owners in my area. Of course, it’s a fabulous tool for self promotion. I just joined Twitter as well and I think it’s a great way to reach out to people globally. Please join the Fifo The Bear Books fan page for the latest news.

Q: How do you think book promotion has changed over the years?

Now with the internet, blogs and social networking sights the opportunities are endless. You can reach the ends of the world without ever leaving your home.

Q: What is the most frustrating part of being an author?

The most frustrating part of being an author is the waiting. It’s certainly an industry that requires a tremendous amount of patience, which is a skill set I’m stilling working to improve. It took three years to finally get my book out there. The illustrations alone took a year to complete; although it was worth the wait.

Q: What is the most rewarding?

The most rewarding part of being an author is when your readers tell you how much they love your work. I’ve had parents tell me how their kids even sleep with book. Knowing that what you’ve written has a positive impact on someone and that you’ve made a difference is an incredible reward.

Q: How do you think book publishing has changed over the years?

The publishing industry has changed dramatically over the years with the advent of new technology. E-books, audiobooks, Kindle and the Nook and even print on demand didn’t exist years ago. These new mediums have also spurred cost-effective and efficient ways to publish your work, from the major publishing houses to small press and self-publishing and even green publishing. There are a lot more options out there so you can pick the one that is right for you.

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

I would wish that racism would cease to exist. You should embrace people for their differences. We are all equal. My grandparents were very fortunate to have met Marin Luther King, Jr. and gave a lot to his cause.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

I would choose London, England. I love it there. I love the people, the culture, the accents – all it all. I could do without the weather most of the time, but I go every year and I have many friends there. It feels a bit like home, just older.

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

First, I would thank my parents who have always supported me in whatever I do. They taught me that I could be and do whatever I set me mind too. Of course, I would thank everyone who had helped me along the way and everyone who had taken a moment to stop and read the book.

Q: Thank you so much for this interview, Hayley. Do you have any final words?

A big thanks to your readers and a special thank you to Pump Up Your Book for this fabulous interview. All of the hard work and time you put into book promotion for us authors is greatly appreciated.

Also, Fifo “50 States” and Fifo “When I Grow Up” can be purchased at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and of course, fifothebear.com where they come personally autographed with tattoos and bookmarks.

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach