In Conversation with... Renee Price

Today I’m chatting with children’s author, Renee Price. Renee is the author of the Digby Fixit series, founder of Create-it-kids, musician, performer, and puppeteer (though she informs me she is still working on that). Renee is an inspiration to me. Nothing holds her back from achieving her goals. She just goes for it. 

Megan: Hello, Renee. 

Renee: Hi Megan, I've managed to be child-free for about 20 or so minutes. Hoping that's enough time! 
 
Megan: We might have to do it over a couple of days. The interviews usually take about an hour to an hour and a half. How quick can you type? 
 
Renee: Oh sorry! Did I miss that piece of info? I'll see how I go. 
 
Megan: Shall we dive right on in then? 
 
Renee: Sounds good 
 
Megan: I’ve been watching your journey over the past three years with great fascination. I’ve followed your journey as you’ve self-published not one, but two picture books that seem to be doing really well and kids are loving them. Digby’s Moon Mission came out in 2014, and you followed it up with Digby and the Yodelayhee… Who? in 2017.  
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1. Can you tell me why you decided to publish these books yourself, and how did you go about it?  
 
2. Can you tell me what your process was like to create Digby’s Moon Mission and the second book, Digby and the Yodelayhee… Who? 

Renee: Thanks, Megan! It's definitely been a challenging, yet rewarding journey. 1. I’d submitted stories to traditional publishers for about two years with either polite rejections or no response at all. After drafting Digby’s Moon Mission, I had the story professionally assessed and edited.

I also had a wonderful mentor who had pursued self-publishing for some of her own work. My mentor and illustrator saw great promise in the story and character concept. I didn’t want Digby to become another manuscript tossed aside or overlooked by trade publishers. He was different. He needed to share his voice. The best way to ensure this was to self-publish. I researched for 12 months, the processes, challenges, pitfalls, and benefits involved with creating a trade-quality children’s book.
 
Megan: And you certainly have produced quality books to be proud of. You ended up going with Taadaa Books. What was it like to work with Anil and Orzan from Taadaa Books?
 
 
Renee: Your question two: The process started by commissioning an illustrator, and I found the amazing Anil through a Facebook author/illustrator page. I then worked with my editor through many revisions of the first book - once the manuscript was ready, Anil and I worked on the storyboard together then her and her husband, Ozan (Tadaa Book) worked their magic - Anil with illustrations and Ozan with design.

Anil and Ozan are fabulous - so incredibly helpful with all aspects of the self-publishing process. I couldn't have done it without their guidance, and the source of information, Tania, my mentor provided.

Tadaa Book were familiar with the printing company, Ingram Spark, which is who I used for Digby's Moon Mission. They are a print-on-demand service, so it was good to know I could print as many or as little copies as needed. They offer online distribution as well, and I also sourced my own distributor here in Australia, Dennis Jones & Assoc.
 
Megan: It sounds like you have a wonderful team around you to guide you through the process. I don't think a lot of people realise how much hard work goes into creating a picture book.
 
Renee: This is true! It takes a village to make a book!... or something like that. Haha! My second book followed a similar production path, except that this time, I printed offshore rather than through Ingram Spark. Quality and pricing were much better.
 
Megan: You have the whole performer package going on too. You sing, write your own music, even do puppetry. Does music influence you when you write your books? 

Renee: I do! I wanted to offer a unique 'service' to help market my books, and I've had a life-long dream of being a children's performer - I just love creating for kids. I love that I can combine my passions - writing stories and songs, and utilise these to communicate, interact with, and engage young children.

Music plays a significant part in my writing process, and I was so excited to publish Digby and the Yodelayhee Who? as it brings my two writing loves together. I have some other manuscripts in the works where music is involved.

Music plays a significant part in my writing process, and I was so excited to publish Digby and the Yodelayhee Who? as it brings my two writing loves together. I have some other manuscripts in the works where music is involved.
 
I love uniting the two artforms — I feel they credit each other so well — especially in early childhood, language development, imagination and creativity can really flow.

Although I'm still working on refining the puppetry skills! Haha
 
Megan: I’ve seen the video you did with Debra Tidball with her new book, The Scared Book. It was great.
You are also the founder of Create It Kids as well as (and I’m quoting from your website here) ‘a qualified early childhood teacher, music educator, children’s author and performer, with 13 years collective experience in early childhood education, writing and entertainment. What response have you had to your performances and books?  
 
Renee: Thank you! It was a delight to work with Debra on the video - such a fabulous opportunity and so fun!
 
Megan: I’ve also seen other videos of you performing with some kids. I say ‘with’ because they were all in there dancing around, totally involved with your singing and music.
 
Renee: My performances are where I really feel at home — I love how interactive they are, and I can be totally crazy, and it's a good thing. The kids respond well to the high energy and interactive nature of the performances, and it leaves a lasting impression — on them, and me. Schools and preschools have been really happy with what I offer for their kids/students. I hope to broaden the audience next year with shows further from home.
 
The response I've had from my work has been so positive and incredibly encouraging. It's a big risk being an indie author, so when your book babies are out in world, you just hope they are well-received. My books have had quality reviews on sites such as CBCA Reading Time, Boom Books, Kids' Book Review etc., and continue to do well. My second book was recently listed on the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge which was wonderful.
 
Megan: Wow! Congratulations. I did see your second book listed on the reading challenge. I’m sure there was some happy dancing around the house for that. Your self-published book on a list like that.
 
Renee: Oh, yes! I was thrilled! Such a huge achievement (and great reassurance to have recognition such as this).

Megan: On your website you share that both you and your eldest son and have a rare, genetic condition, called Cleidocranial Dysplasia. Can you tell what sort of obstacles you’ve overcome to get to where you are today with your writing and performing?
 
Renee: I spent a lot of time in hospital as a child — either attending specialist appts, having tests, surgery, treating fractures - reading, writing and music were my escapes and comfort. Having physical limitations such as short height, weak bones, and muscles, I couldn't do a lot of the 'normal' physical activities kids could, so I found ways to overcomes this through creative involvement - music lessons, theatre performance, and writing. In a way, my condition has helped pave the way, and I love everything about what I do.

The trickiest part though, has been the last 10-12 years where I've gradually lost my hearing (due to the bone fragility of my condition). I now have moderate-severe hearing loss, so without hearing aids, I'm lost!

Thankfully, because of the hearing aids, I can still enjoy my music, though it does have its challenges in the recording environment (and even with hearing aids, I still miss some sounds). Does have its bonuses though when I'm being annoyed by certain sounds — I just take them out to get some peace!
 
Megan: So often it is those very things that we think are obstacles are the very means to pave the way towards something we may never have discovered about ourselves.
 
Renee: So true!
 
Megan: This year was the second year that Create It Kids has donated money for Jeans for Genes Day which supports research into genetic diseases, birth defects and cancers at Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI). How important is to you that you can use your author and performing platform to be able to get the word out there, and hopefully one day see medical breakthrough in these areas?
 
Renee: I often feel overwhelmed with people… people's stories and challenges — being so close to home for me, and having something I can use to help increase awareness mean so much, I just hope if my tiny level of involvement can reach even just one new person, it will create a ripple effect.

Sorry - the wording there is all weird. Couldn't express it very well!

Megan: That's okay. I thought something was wrong. Sometimes when something is close to our hearts it can be hard to express, no matter how good with words we are.
 
Renee: Hit the nail on the head there.
 
Megan: And I’m sure that what you’re doing will have a long-lasting effect on many people.
 
Renee: Thank you - so many creatives have had long-lasting effects on me. I love this industry.
 
Megan: You blog for Just Write for Kids. Last year in June you wrote a blog post entitled, This message will self-destruct. http://www.justkidslit.com/this-message-will-self-destruct/  .  

In this blog post you said, ‘And now, here I am, doing it all over again. Fearing the opinions of others. Comparing myself and my ‘failures’ to others, seemingly endless success. So much wasted energy!
You know what?! I’m done. Done with fear. I’ve spent the better half of my life living with it, now it’s time to lay it to rest. I don’t expect this to be an easy journey, but I’m tired of the alternative. Tired of enduring the ‘F’ word. I know deep down I’m one of the awesome ones… we all are! It’s time to kick fear to the curb and let courage step in.’

I love that last part, ‘It’s time to kick fear to the curb and let courage step in.’

What differences have you seen in your life since you’ve made that commitment to yourself?
 
Renee: You know, it's enlightening to sit and re-read this passage (thank you). It's a commitment that, I will be honest, has softened at times, but I think the difference is since making it  I'm now more aware of when the 'F' word starts creeping in, and I know how to manage it better — I'm in a more confident space, and I'm able to zoom out and look at the bigger picture when I'm feeling doubtful or a little anxious about where things are headed, what I'm up to etc.

I also have a newfound outlook that anything is achievable if we want it badly enough — we just have to work hard to get there, and never miss an opportunity for growth.
 
Megan: That is so true. It’s amazing what we can achieve if we know how to address fear, look it in the eye, and say, ‘Get out of my way! I’m doing this.’
 
What next for you? Will there be another Digby Fixit?
 
Renee: That's a great question! I'm working on some more Digby stories; however, I want to spend more time on 'non-Digby' work so that I can continue building my body of work, and submitting to traditional publishers. I'm unsure I will self-publish again, so that is the biggest question regarding Digby books — but I will continue to spread the word of his stories with performances, perhaps scriptwriting as well — I'd love to see his stories on the big stage.
 
Megan: That would be fabulous. Any last words of advice to your fellow creatives?
 
 
Renee: Dream big, work hard!
 
Megan: Great words of advice.

​‘It’s time to kick fear to the curb and let courage step in.’ Renee Price.

Three fun facts about Renee:
 
My favourite colour is purple.
I'm the eldest of five in my family - all of us are musical.
The first concert I ever went to was John Farnham when I was eight-years-old. 
 
 
Megan: Thanks for taking time out to chat with me today, Renee, and being willing to share your journey with us.
 
Renee: Thank you so much for the awesome interview - I love the personal nature of your questions - it really gives insight into the 'person' behind the creator.
It's been my pleasure to share. I'm really grateful for the opportunity.
 
Megan: Bye, bye for now. I can’t wait to meet you in person at KidLitVic in Melbourne next year.
 
Renee: Thanks again! xx
 
About Renee:  Renee is a children’s author, songwriter and performer, from Newcastle, New South Wales. She began writing in 2010 after teaching in early childhood and primary school settings for eight years.
 
In 2012, she held the role of Editorial Coordinator at Newcastle’s Child magazine, working within various aspects of the publishing industry, including reviews of children’s books and music, and composing articles for the publication.
 
In December 2014, Renee released her first picture book; Digby’s Moon Mission, through her brand, Create It Kids, and performs a dramatisation of the story for preschool and young primary school audiences, incorporating theatre, song, storytelling and puppetry. Renee has developed a series from her first publication, with Digby’s second book due for early 2017 release.
 
She will continue adapting each story for dramatisation.

Renee is a current member of CBCA NSW and Newcastle Sub-Branch, Australian Society of Authors and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Where to find Renee on social media, links to places she blogs, and her website.
Social media - www.facebook.com/DigbyFixit & www.facebook.com/CreateItKids 
Twitter handle @CreateItKids

Websites - www.createitkids.com.au & www.digbyfixit.com 
Some of her songs for kids are recorded here. 
Renee's Digby performance promo video link. 
She is also on the team at www.justkidslit.com and is an admin for the Just Write For Kids Facebook group.
 
YouTube clip of Digby and the Yodelayhee… Who?

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