[This is the transcribed version of the live show with Sass Bloom and Michelle Dennise.]

Sass Bloom:  Hello, hello, hello everyone!  I know that all of you are happy to be here today.  And I know whyyyyyyyy!  Michelle Dennise is in the studio!

[Audience cheers as Michelle enters.]

Sass Bloom:  Michelle, thank you so much for being here!

Michelle:  Thank you for inviting me.

Sass Bloom:  I am very excited that you decided to visit Blountiville, Michelle, and I am very happy that you decided to come over to our studio, so let’s get right to it…. You are a brand new author, yes?

Michelle:  I am a new author. I started writing early last year and in fact my 1 year anniversary of publishing my first book is coming up soon.

Sass Bloom:  Congratulations!  One year, multiple titles, Michelle, how did you get here?  Did you always want to become an author?

Michelle:   I dreamed of being an author from a young age. I was and still am a big bookworm. I love to read and escape to many places I would never really get to.

Sass Bloom:  I hear that a lot from authors.  They start dreaming about it at a very young age.  What a beautiful accomplishment to now be what you always wanted to be.  Let me ask you Michelle, when you began writing your first title, did you think that another would follow? 

Michelle:  Oh yes! I think I was writing more than one book at a time, the ideas just kept running wild in my mind.

Sass Bloom:  Oh I love that!  The mind of a true creative!  Okay now be honest, is it everything you thought it would be?

Michelle:  Honestly, no!  That young girl’s dream was a little imaginative and different to my dream today. Back then, I dreamed of outdoing RL Stine (haha!). That gives me a giggle today. I loved his books and he inspired me, I guess, but today my dream is just to bring the dream of becoming an author to life. To be able to say I did it.

Sass Bloom:  Okay, where’s the tissue?  That brought tears to my eyes.  See, folks, that’s why I love these interviews.  I am privileged to interview people that are willing to let us in like this.  How wonderful for you, Michelle.

So, you are an author.  Why the indie path? Did you ever want to be a traditionally published author?

Michelle:  Back then I didn’t know there were other paths so I suppose I wanted to be a traditionally published author, but not today. I chose the indie path because I wanted to be in complete control of my writing and publishing. For me, it is a hobby and a fulfillment of a young girl’s dream. I think adding the pressure and stress of deadlines would take the fun out of it and I wouldn’t want that at all. I also don’t like being told what to do (haha!), so I definitely prefer the indie path. It’s my work, my way.

Sass Bloom:  Well said!  However, I must ask….  If you were offered a chance to be published with a publishing house, what would you do and why?

Michelle:  I would politely turn it down for the same reason given in the previous question.

[Audience laughs and cheers.]

Sass Bloom:  This indie author means business, people!  Ha!  I love it!

Now, let’s talk a bit about the artwork for your stories.  I know that you were the original illustrator for your books; I loved the artwork, by the way. Is there a specific reason you chose to bring on another illustrator for your titles? 

Michelle:  Yes! I can’t draw. Simple as that haha! I illustrated my first book to give it a go and I liked the end result, but illustrating takes me away from writing and there just isn’t enough time in the day as it is. I worked with 3 different illustrators for 5 of my books and I am very happy with their work.

Sass Bloom:  I have to tell you, I liked your illustrations.  I did.  They were simple, relevant, and colorful.  I do, however, like the illustrations that you currently have for your titles, so bravo either way.

Speaking of titles, Michelle, exactly how many titles do you have so far, and how long did it take to publish each one?

Michelle:  I have 6 published, 7 if you include a quick slap up I did in the beginning but it is only available as an ebook through Smashwords. I can’t remember how long it took to publish each book exactly but it took 1-2 weeks to write and edit them, then I had to wait for the illustrations which took a little longer. The hardest part of publishing them was fiddling around with getting the layout all lined up to meet requirements. That was often a frustrating time.

Sass Bloom:  But a couple of weeks to write AND edit is wonderful.  Wow!  That’s impressive.  So it brings me to the question, how do you get your stories? Are you inspired somehow, or do you write things down as they come to your mind? Are your characters actual people that you know?

Michelle:  I seem to always have a story playing out in my head. Normal, everyday things can spark an idea and my mind seems to automatically run with it. If only my mind could get it out onto paper right then and there….  For example, the idea for my book, The Mixed Up Pet Shop came about one day when I was cleaning out my bird aviary and my hyperactive dog was jumping up at the aviary door and I joked how funny it would be to see him in there (without the birds of course).  I think I have an overactive and sometimes oddball mind. But hey, that comes in handy for an author.

Sass Bloom:  Yes, I suppose it does come in handy.  I personally don’t know how you authors do it?  Running about with stories constantly swirling around in your minds [laughs].  You all have talent, that is for sure!

You told us the story about your dog and how he basically inspired you to write, The Mixed Up Pet Shop, let me ask you this, if you could choose only one of your stories, as your FAVORITE STORY OF ALL TIMES, which one would you choose and why?

Michelle:  That is a question I’ve often asked myself and I honestly struggle to choose just one. So I would have to say it’s a tie between Where are you Baby Bird? and The Mixed Up Pet Shop. These were the first two I wrote, even though Where are you Baby Bird? was the last one published.

I am very fond of my birds, mostly budgies, and they inspired my book, Where are you Baby Bird? I did in fact write this one first and so it is a favourite because it kicked off my writing hobby. The Mixed Up Pet Shop is a simple, short story that gives the kids and parents alike a giggle and a laugh and that is what I love about it most. It makes it a memorable book and gave me my first little fan. A Mum sent me a video of her baby boy laughing as she read it to him. This is a special memory for me as I love knowing that my book will hold a precious memory for this Mum when looking back at her baby’s first favorite book. I know I have kept my own son’s favorite book from when he was a baby.

Sass Bloom:  Oh how precious; that must have felt great.  That is probably something to keep you going forward with your writing.  Are you still writing for children, or, you did what you came to do, and now it’s onto other things?

Michelle:  For now, I am taking a break from children’s books [Audience whispers in disbelief] and working on my first novel. I feel I owe it to the young me with the big dreams to get at least one novel out there. It’s only in the very early stages right now so I can’t reveal anything, other than to say it takes a lot longer to write ;).  I will start talking about it and revealing bits when the right time comes so I hope you will follow my author page to stay tuned.

Sass Bloom:  Ohhhh, Michelle.  I didn’t see that coming.  Oh wow.  Your stories for children are great.  What are you doing to us????  We know you still have stories swirling about.  We know you do.

Well, I am happy for you on this next adventure.  It does sound exciting, but please, don’t forget about your little fans.  I am confident that they are ready for your next children’s book!

Okay, marketing.  Dun, dun, dunnnnnnnn.  Talk to me, Michelle.  I hear that marketing IS THE worse part of self-publishing. Do you agree?

Michelle:  Oh I agree completely.

Sass Bloom:  Ha!  Tell us why you agree.

Michelle:  I struggle in this area. I am not a salesperson or experienced in marketing. I don’t feel comfortable putting myself out there. Lucky for me, I’m doing this for a hobby and not counting on it to become my full time career. Thankfully, I don’t have the pressure of chasing sales and making money from my books. Of course, I do want my books to sell, but what matters to me is finding my books in the hands of readers and knowing they enjoyed it. I would love to get my books into libraries throughout Australia (to begin with) so that many little hands can discover my books.

Sass Bloom:  I hear that a lot.  Not too many people like the idea of tooting their own horn.

Now for a question that indie’s love the answer to.  Has there been anything that you tried that you now deem as “a total waste of time” in terms of marketing?

Michelle:  Buying facebook ads. A waste of time and a waste of money.

Sass Bloom:  Well, she couldn’t get more direct than that.  I sense tension there, Michelle.  That’s for another segment.  Moving on.

I have a question for you from Cat Blount. When did you start to feel like a real author? 

Michelle:  As soon as I received my proof copy of my first book, Where’s My Sandwich? Holding an actual book that I wrote and illustrated in my hands made me a real author. If I never sold a single book, I would still be a real author. I wrote it, I published it, it exists. That was a proud moment. I remember feeling like a little girl when it arrived and I squealed.

Sass Bloom:  Michelle, how wise of you.  I rarely hear that type of proclamation from indie authors, after their first book.  I 100% agree and yes, you wrote it, you published it, you authored it.  You are an author.  I love it!

Michelle, you are indie and proud to be indie.  There’s no doubt about that.  What is your best advice for new indie authors?

Michelle:  Live your dream. It is achievable and you can do it.

Sass Bloom:  Perfect!  Well, we are almost at the end of our time with you and before we welcome questions from your young Blountville fans, I am going to ask you a question that I ask all of my author guests…. When you think of yourself and where you are as an author, what is the first word that pops into your mind and why? 

Michelle:  Novice. I only got started a year ago and have a lot to learn and experience still. It is a journey.

Sass Bloom:  You know I don’t know if I can handle much more of these mature answers, LOL.  You have this down.  Let me tell you.  Right, guys?

[Audience cheers]

Sass Bloom:  Okay, it’s time to turn the questions over to you young fans.  Our first question comes from Sally.

Sally:  I like your book The Mixed Up Pet Shop. If you had an alligator in the story, where would you put him before the pet shop was fixed?

Michelle:  Hmm, there’s a thoughtful question…where would I put an alligator?

How about in a penguin enclosure?

Sass Bloom:  Oooh, I like that!

Michelle:  Can you imagine an alligator slipping and sliding around on the ice? Or perhaps up in a tree? Sitting on a branch, eating leaves like a Koala.

Sass Bloom:  I pictured that in my head.  Great question.  Thank you Sally.  Josh, what would you like to ask Michelle?

Josh:  Do you still have pets?  

Michelle:  I do. I have a small dog named Moses who is quite active and fun to play ball with and too many birds to count. There’s over 20 budgies, 2 cockatiels and 4 conures.

Sass Bloom:  Okay, you have a mixed up pet shop!  How fun!  Ally?

Ally:  Do your children like your books? If they do, which ones are their favorites?

Michelle:  I had a special book written for each of my children. My son loves dinosaurs so I wrote Jaidyn’s New Pet for him and my daughter loves babies so I wrote Mummy’s Baby My Baby for her.

Sass Bloom:  I love these titles.  Right?  Thank you, Ally!  Your turn, Mandy.

Mandy:  I like the story Where’s My Sandwich? Are there any dangerous animals in Australia?

Michelle: I think the scariest animal found in many places around Australia is a snake. I am petrified of snakes, especially when they can be found in your own backyard. Thankfully I have not personally experienced this but I fear the day. As for dangerous animals in general we do have  crocodiles, spiders, jellyfish, sharks, stingrays but thankfully most of those are only in specific areas and not found everywhere.

Sass Bloom:  Eeek, I think we can all do without a snake in our backyards!  That was a great question, Mandy.  Sean, your question.

Sean:  Will you ever write a book about insects? 

Michelle: Both my children love ladybugs so it is always a possibility.

Sass Bloom:  Yay, another children’s book.  Thanks, Sean.  Emma?

Emma:  Is it hot all of the time in Australia?

Michelle:  Not all of the time. Summer is quite hot and icky but Autumn and Spring can be quite pleasant. Some parts of Australia gets snow in Winter, however, I have never been to those areas. I don’t like the hot weather so I am glad it is not always hot here.

Sass Bloom:  I didn’t know that it snowed in Australia.  Is that bad that I didn’t know?  Wow, these are perfect questions.  Nicole, what’s your question for Michelle?

Nicole:  I want to be an author when I grow up. Is it easy?

Michelle:  I don’t know if I would say it is easy, or hard. It all comes down to your imagination and writing skills. What I do find easy, is that there are many genres and we all have different writing styles so I think becoming an author is very achievable.

Sass Bloom:  Nice answer.  Thanks, Nicole.  And our last question comes from Peter.  Would someone please lower the mic stand for Peter?  Perfect, thanks.  Peter, it’s your turn to ask Michelle a question.

Peter: Do you play soccer?

Michelle: No, I don’t play soccer but both of my children do so we often watch and attend soccer games. My son dreams of becoming a professional soccer player when he grows up.

Sass Bloom:  So there you have it!  Wow, what an interview!  Michelle, thank you sincerely for visiting us!  We learned so much from you today.

Michelle:  Thank you for having me. I enjoyed it.

Sass Bloom:  Michelle Dennise everyone!

[Audience cheers]

Sass Bloom:  We are not done yet!  Everyone in today’s studio will receive a signed copy of Michelle’s fun title The Mixed Up Pet Shop!

[Audience stands up and cheers.]

And for those of you at home, Michelle has something special for you too!  Answer the following question to have your name placed in a raffle to win a free copy of Michelle’s ebook The Mixed Up Pet Shop!  That’s right!  A free copy!  One thing though, you have to answer by the 14th.  At that time, Michelle will pull a name from a hat, and we will announce the winner here.  Here’s the question:

If you could pick any animal and place it in the wrong home/habitat, which would it be?

If you could pick any animal and put it in the wrong home/habitat which would it be and why?

And there it is! 

For more information about Michelle Dennis and her children’s stories, please visit http://www.michelledennisebooks.wordpress.com