It’s Monday; you know what this means. Right! We have another spectacular Author Interview for you today! And we have a first here on the website: a cookbook author! Let’s learn more about her now!
Donna Glass is a wife, mother of two kids, a lover of comic books, and a home cook. She believes in making mealtime an enjoyable experience through joint cooking and kid-friendly meals. She also believes kids that help with the cooking process are more likely to eat their meals, which leads to a happy, peaceful dining experience. Be a Superhero in the Kitchen is her first children’s cookbook, but she plans to publish more.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I get a lot of inspiration from my dreams. Yes, I dream about food. My kids also help create ideas for the family cookbook, which I hope to utilize in future published works.
When did you write your first book?
I only have one children’s cookbook for sale, for now. “Be a Superhero in the Kitchen” came out March 2020.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not reading for fun or editing for work, I am hanging out with my family. We love playing card and board games.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Getting a children’s book out into the market is expensive!
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to become a social worker. I’ve always wanted to help children and families. I didn’t go into that field, but I do think I’m helping families in a different way.
“Be a Superhero in the Kitchen” will help children become more independent in the kitchen. It will spark their imagination so they can expand on the recipes in the book or create new ones of their own.
Plus, the recipes are inexpensive and not time-consuming. And they taste great!
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Peanuts and peanut butter. No joke. My daughter and hubby love the stuff, so I try to incorporate it into recipes. However, the smell gags me.
Have you ever gotten reader’s block?
As a cookbook author, it’s more like “What am I going to make for supper tonight?” I like to call it “baker’s block.” 😀
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
If I am able to publish more cookbooks, I would want them all to have feel. Kids will always be the Super Chefs and caregivers are the Sidekicks. Each book will have a superhero/comic theme. Diverse characters are a must. And, there will always be a Superhero Tips and a Super Pet.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Illustrator! Alejandro Chamberlain did a remarkable job, and I encourage others to seek him out for their project(s).
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Since I have three adopted cats, ranging from 1-4 years of age, I will have to say a CAT. 😀
BTW: The Super Kitty featured in “Be a Superhero in the Kitchen” is one of my adopted furbabies. Her name is Patrice.
What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters?
There are several characters based on members of my family.
The boy on the cover is my son (and yours truly is with him).
The girl with the cat ears is my daughter.
The little old lady is my mom AKA Nana.
And, as I stated earlier, the kitty is Patrice.
Click on the Image to Purchase from Amazon
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Just one published, so far. “Be a Superhero in the Kitchen”
What’s the best way to market your books?
To be honest, marketing is the hardest part of this entire adventure. Joining Facebook groups have helped. Ads, not so much. If you’re considering hiring a marketing firm, DO your research. I did hire a marketing firm, and they did not help my sales at all. Make sure you select one who understands your book and budget, which age-bracket to market it to, and is not there just to collect your cash or publicize themselves, but really wants you to succeed.
I did have success reaching out to a local school for a fundraiser. I gave the PTO a kickback for every book sold. I’m planning to do a few more this coming school year. My local grocery store also allowed me to do a signing there.
You must be creative if you want your books to sell.
And be proud of every book you sell!
Final remarks:
Adam, thank you very much for hosting me today. I appreciate your support and helping me get the word out about “Be a Superhero in the Kitchen.” To anyone who read my interview, bought or plan to buy a copy of my children’s cookbook, THANK YOU!
If you would like to stay in contact with me or share photos of you or your Super Chef’s cooking adventures, I can be reached at any of these locations:
Website: https://superherointhekitchen.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/superchefseries
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/donna_glass
