Kirsten Ealand's path to becoming a published picture book author is a testament to the power of persistence. After completing Writing Picture Books Masterclass at Australian Writers' Centre, Kirsten's debut picture book, Like a Gannet, is now published with Windy Hollow Books. But that's not all – she already has a second book, The Big Backyard Plan, coming out with Affirm Press.
“I grew up in a family that really valued academic achievements over creative ones, so it just never really occurred to me that being an author could be a job,” Kirsten told us. “Unexpectedly topping year 6 in creative writing with my story ‘A day in the Life of a Car' did push me into equal dux of my primary school though, so I really wish I'd picked up on that early pointer.”
A new chapter in life
Kirsten was already writing picture books and attending conferences when she decided to take her craft to the next level by enrolling in the Writing Picture Books Masterclass.
“I'd been writing picture books for a couple of years and had done some smaller courses and workshops and attended lots of conferences, but I really wanted something a bit more structured to pull together and build on all my knowledge,” Kirsten explains.
The Australian Writers' Centre courses came highly recommended by others in the writing community. “I hadn't known about the AWC courses when I first started writing for children but as I got to know more people in the writing community everyone was recommending them to me. The Picture Book Masterclass was exactly what I needed.”
Learning the craft
Kirsten found the course incredibly valuable, particularly in honing her writing skills and understanding the publishing industry.
“I learnt so many great tips on structural editing, tightening my story arc and pacing, as well as invaluable info on exactly how to pitch to publishers,” she says.
One technique that Kirsten found particularly useful was studying mentor texts. “This is something that I still use today. I study picture books that I love and work out the main thing I love about them. Then I try to write a story that captures that element in some way. This was how I started the manuscript that would become my debut book, Like a Gannet.”
Finding success
The impact of the course was almost immediate. “I'm sure it is no coincidence that just a few months after I finished the Writing Picture Book Masterclass I won the Write Links mentorship and was runner up in the CBCA NSW Branch Aspiring Writers Mentorship Programme and received a Special Judges Mention in the Just Write for Kids Pitch It comp. The following year I received my first contract.”
Kirsten's debut picture book, Like a Gannet, illustrated by Deb Hudson, is a fresh take on a first experience story. “It's about feeling the fear, then doing it your own way,” Kirsten explains.
Her second book, The Big Backyard Plan, illustrated by Laura Stitzl, is about friendship and community. “Fun is multiplied by four, when all your best friends live next door!” Kirsten says. “Being best friends as well as neighbours is fun – but imagine if instead of sharing backyard fences, they could share one BIG backyard!”
A perfect balance
Kirsten now works part-time at her regional public library, which complements her writing career perfectly. “I work two/ three days a week and enjoy running story times and baby bounce sessions and getting kids excited about books and reading. It really is the perfect complement to my writing. I get to chat to kids about their favourite books and recommend new ones, I see all the latest titles, and I get free reserves and free tickets to my local Byron Writers Festival!”
The excitement of being a debut author has been a thrilling experience for Kirsten. “I never thought in my 50s I'd have a year of so many firsts! Fittingly my first picture book is a first experience story, because one of the unexpected delights of this debut year has been the joy of so many firsts.”
Advice for aspiring authors
Kirsten highly recommends the Australian Writers' Centre courses to anyone interested in writing. “I often recommend AWC to people. Lots of people ask me how to get a book published or say they have a manuscript or an idea and ask what they need to do. I always recommend they keep writing and learning about the craft and the industry.”
She appreciates the accessibility of online courses, especially for those living in regional areas. “Living in the country, I really appreciate the online courses. Attending in person is wonderful for short workshops etc but having a more in-depth course such as the Writing Picture Book Masterclass available online made it accessible to me.”
