Julia Antoine: Author’s Love of Writing Leads to an Award Winner

How many times have you said to yourself I should write a book? Have you ever dreamed of having your work published? Imagined people reading your books and hanging on your every word? Julia Antoine did.

Julia has been writing since she was young, but it wasn’t until recently that Julia picked up where she left off and turned her love of words into physical books. Her published works run the gamut from children’s books to drama and romance for adults. Three of those books – [amazon_link id=”0972878963″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Too Clever[/amazon_link],[amazon_link id=”0972878971″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ] Two Clever II – A Tropical Christmas Story[/amazon_link], and[amazon_link id=”0983602905″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ] Too Clever III – Curious Mary and Esme the Bunny[/amazon_link] are Mom’s Choice Award® winners!

What took her so long to get back to writing? Well, it could have been because she was busy earning two Masters and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University in Boston. Or it might have been her career; she is currently an administrator at a career school in Connecticut. Or then again, it may be because she was pursuing another passion. Julia is the president of the non-profit Professional Wardrobe, which helps dress individuals for job interviews.

Please welcome Julia Antoine to the Spotlight!

MCA: Welcome to the spotlight Julia! Can you please tell us about what motivated you to create your books?
Julia:
  I don’t believe I can attribute my writing to any one thing, but if I have to settle on one, I’d have to say my love of writing.

As far back as I can remember I’ve had a strong love for reading. I read everything I could put my hands on. By the age of nine, I’d read Twenty Tales from Shakespeare.

My love of writing is a natural progression from my love of reading. When I first began writing, I wrote about the things I saw around me. Then, when I went back to school, I didn’t have time to indulge myself with creative work. Every paper I wrote was for a grade; it no longer was any fun. However, after graduating, I revisited my first love – reading for fun and enjoyment. Writing for fun and enjoyment quickly followed.

MCA: Now that you have three award-winning books, what are your goals for the next year?
Julia: Keep writing and taking some time to promote and market my books. I don’t believe I will ever tire of writing.

MCA: Please name three ways your Mom’s Choice Award® will help you attain your goals.
Julia: I hope the Mom’s Choice Award® will help bring some visibility for my books;  help in marketing and promoting the books, as well as give me some credibility as a children’s book author.

MCA: Can you share with us what you learned about yourself as a writer in creating your award-winning books?
Julia: I have always been a perfectionist, so that wasn’t something I learned in this process. I get very upset if after proofing and reading the book several times, there are still mistakes. I would open a random page and come upon an error that the editors and I missed.

It ruins my day … and can be costly! I will spare no expense to correct the error. I’m learning to leave it alone because I’m beginning to realize no book is error-free.

MCA: Since launching your books, what has been your most rewarding experience in promoting or sharing it with the public? Do you have a favorite memory?
Julia:
I would have to say that the most rewarding was my day at the Meet The Authors event, as I signed my books at the American Association of University Women conference in Washington DC, last summer.

MCA: As a new honoree, do you have any questions you’d like some of the “old hands” to answer for you?
Julia: How do you get the Mom’s Choice Award® to work for you? Were you able to realize any benefit from this award?

MCA: Share your experiences with us, MCA Alumni!

Mom’s Choice Awards® Honors

[amazon_link id=”0972878963″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Too Clever[/amazon_link] [amazon_link id=”0972878971″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Too Clever II- A Tropical Christmas Story[/amazon_link] [amazon_link id=”0983602905″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Too Clever III – Curious Mary and Esme the Bunny[/amazon_link] by Julia Antoine
Envision Business & Computer School Publishing
Juvenile Level 2 (Ages 9 – 12)
Silver – General Non-fiction

Contact, Connect, and Network with Julia

   

The Alumni Spotlight is a periodic feature on the official Mom’s Choice Awards® blog. It is part of our ongoing effort to “shine the spotlight” on you and your award-winning, family-friendly products, services, and media.

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