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 our honorees and their award-winning, family-friendly products, services, and media.
Writing has always come easy for Chrysa Smith. Still, there are times when she has writer’s block and needs to step away to refresh her brain. It was during those moments that she discovered she had something new to write about: her poodles! In 2008 she launched a young readers series of books that builds on the adventures her own poodles have had!Chrysa is also a model of ways to get your award-winning product out there. Earlier this week she read “No Dogs Allowed!,” a selection from The Adventures of the Poodle Posse for WNJC’s Bubbies World, a children’s radio program hosted by Carol Kasser. WNJC, which broadasts on 1360 AM from New Jersey, also reaches audiences in Philadelphia, PA,
MCA: Can you please tell us about the inspiration for your book series, The Adventures of the Poodle Posse
Chrysa: Sure! I have been living with a variety of furballs for a number of years. When you combine that with my quirky sense of humor, turning their antics into stories was easy. Before becoming a book author, I was a freelance magazine writer, who spent lots of hours at the computer and on the phone. During stints of writers block and deadlines, I began watching my poodles. I realized they were carrying on their own adventures within my house; adventures I hadn’t noticed before, but that were pretty darned funny. I love to write and inspire others to do the same, so I put pen to paper and here I am.
MCA: What are your goals for The Adventures of the Poodle Posse series?
Chrysa: Book 2 in the series came out in September 2009. It is still a book for young readers, and it continues the adventures, with new characters, more funny lines, and a lot more comfort in writing about funny furballs. I hope to increase my visibility with more school visits to more regions of the country. I spent the summer putting together a nifty new PowerPoint presentation and some interactive storytelling activities.
MCA: If someone gave you air time for a 15-second commercial, how would you entice people to try The Adventures of the Poodle Posse?
Chrysa: If you love dogs, a good laugh and some twists and turns, you’re going to love The Adventures of the Poodle Posse
MCA: You started with an idea and now have a successful, award-winning book. Looking back on your journey, what was the easiest part? The hardest? What surprised you the most?
Chrysa: The easiest part for me is always the writing. Even when I made the jump from adult non-fiction to juvenile fiction, telling stories has been a gift for me. The most difficult part has been navigating the publishing process. After a manuscript, then what? Should I publish traditionally, self-publish, find a print-on-demand? What are the pros/cons of each? How to catch a publisher’s eye? What will it cost? How do I find an agent? What do I need to know about the distribution process? There are a million details, and actually, I learned so much. So besides talking about my book, I am one of three writers who now offer seminars to other aspiring writers on how to navigate the process.
What surprised me the most? That I have positively affected the lives of young readers/writers, and that I love talking with youngsters about reading and writing.
MCA: Since launching your book, what has been your most rewarding experience in promoting or sharing it with the public? Do you have a favorite memory?
Chrysa: It has got to be my first school visit. I was at a preschool talking to a group of 50 children about the poodles. In one of the stories, a poodle is rescued from a shelter, and then goes back to find all of the dogs good homes. I could see from the teachers’ expressions that they wanted me to select this little girl who had raised her hand. The girl spoke so softly that I had to ask her several times to speak a bit louder. Finally, the the teachers escorted her up to the front of the room and she spoke clearly and intelligently. After the presentation, the teachers hurried to speak to me and said that this girl had just made a breakthrough. She had a condition called Selective Mutism. She had never spoken in class. This was her first bit of communication in the school, and they were planning to call her mom immediately to tell her the great news. Pretty exciting stuff.
MCA: Could you please tell us why you chose the Mom’s Choice Awards® program in seeking recognition for The Adventures of the Poodle Posse ?
Chrysa: One of my first book events was the Virginia Book Festival. It was a wonderful show and I met Terry Doherty there, and she talked to me about The Reading Tub and sent me some information on the Mom’s Choice Awards. I realized that as a self-published author I needed some direction, some partner in this process, and the organization seemed like one built by real solid ladies, so I bit the bullet and sent in my application.
MCA: What does it mean to you to be a Mom’s Choice Awards® alumnus?
Chrysa: It’s an honor. As a mom, I have read children’s books and watched children’s shows that either have no real story, no real value, or present messages that are not in keeping with my goals as a mother and teacher. The Mom’s Choice Awards seal gives parents a little guidance: it represents people who have taken the guesswork out of sorting through hundreds of titles to find something of value. It narrows down the process and frees up a parent’s time.
MCA: What did you learn about yourself in the process of creating your award-winning book ?
Chrysa: I know a lot more than I thought. I like being in school again (who would have figured?) I have persistence, perseverance, and a little bit of guts.
MCA: Would you recommend the Mom’s Choice Awards® to other entrepreneurs? If so, why?
Chrysa: Definitely. The organization has served as a partner in guiding me through the process—opening doors to other quality organizations, events, lists, and groups that I need to know about (and perhaps become a member of) as a published author. Being self-published, I don’t have a large publishing company holding my hand and dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. The Mom’s Choice Award staff has been a wonderful source of guidance, support, information, and recognition.
MCA: How have you benefited from being a Mom’s Choice Awards® honoree? Do you have any tangible examples?
Chrysa: I get asked all the time what the silver seal on my book means. When I tell them, they’re rather impressed. Kids are impressed by the fact that I won something. Parents are impressed with the fact that the book is worth reading. When I’m out at book signings and public forums, the silver Mom’s Choice Awards seal has increased the number of people who stop, pick up, and browse through the book. That directly contributes to increased sales.
The Adventures of the Poodle Posse: Case of the Missing Steak Bone/Who Let the Dogs Out? (Book 1)written by Chrysa Smith illustrated by Pat Achillespublished by Well Bred Books, 20072008 Silver Medal, Fiction
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