Welcome to another Special Edition of Tuesday Debut, everyone!
I’m so excited for you to see what we have in store today!
Our last visitors, 5 members of Picture Book Junction, were kind enough to begin our education in how picture book collaboratives can benefit us as authors.
Today’s visitor, the one and only Kathy Halsey, has come to share her fabulous new business for authors, Ask Infowoman: A Library Consult, an amazing resource that can help us with school visits!
I usually put our visitors’ photo and bio at the end, but today it seems appropriate to put it first so you know who you’re talking to and how qualified she is! 😊
Kathy Halsey is a children’s author who grew up climbing trees, reading mysteries, and writing poetry in her diary. Currently she serves on the State Library of Ohio’s “Choose to Read Ohio” program and writes curricular toolkits for SLO’s award-winning children’s books. She also spends time digging in gardens, writing haiku, and working with her writing group, The Saucy Supremes. Kathy is a former K-12 school librarian, seventh grade English teacher, and bookseller for a children’s independent bookstore.
Kathy serves as SCBWI Ohio Central-South Co-Assistant Regional Advisor and received a 2019 PBChat Mentorship. She’s proud of her role as Storyteller Academy’s first Community Manager and volunteering in several roles for the Ohio Educational Library Media Association, including that of President and Past President. She lives in Columbus Ohio with her husband and rescue Corgi Scrappy Doo and roots for the Buckeyes and the Bengals.
SUSANNA: Welcome, Kathy! Thank you so much for joining us today! I can’t wait to hear all about your new business, and I know everyone is excited to learn how it can be helpful to them.
KATHY: Happy Tuesday, all! I’m thrilled to be here to talk about a new business adventure I’ve created that I hope benefits those who do or want to do author visits. I’m also happy to share that my first work for hire novelty board book, Be A Rainbow, comes out fall of 2023 from KiwiCo Press! It will be available exclusively to deluxe subscribers of KiwiCo’s Panda line in conjunction with the Let’s Move! Crate. (How that came about is a story for another day!)
I’ve known Susanna since I took her Making Picture Book Magic course when I was a rookie writer. That was a foundational class and many of my good author friends came from her first classes. We met once in real life at a NE SCBWI Spring Conference in Springfield, Massachusetts. Our other connection is that we both love groundhogs. Susanna featured female groundhog power with Punxsutawney Phyllis and I was born on Groundhog’s Day. Hurray! Having Susanna feature me is like an early birthday present!
SUSANNA: So, Kathy, what gave you the idea for this business?
KATHY: I was casting about for a unique idea for an auction the NE SCBWI Whispering Pines Writing Retreat sponsors. The conference is made more affordable because of the yearly auction of one-of-a kind baskets and writerly goods. Attendees donate books or critiques by authors such as Rajani LaRocca and Chris Mihaly. Even a weekend on Cape Cod was offered one year.
Since I fly in from Ohio, schlepping a basket wasn’t an option. I had to think out-of-the-box. That’s when I came up with the idea of “Ask a Librarian.” Of course, it wasn’t Cape Cod, but a few people bid on my consultation. That was the seed for my business, and I didn’t even realize it then!
SUSANNA: How did you come to start it?
KATHY: Fast forward to a year or two ago, and you, Susanna, were looking for more prize donations for one of your contests. I offered my library consultation package as I wanted to give back to you for all your support to the writing community. Thank you! (I’ve participated in the Valentiny, Halloweensie, and Holiday contests for years.) I wasn’t sure if anyone would be interested in my donation, but one of the top 10 winners of your contest picked me as a “prize”! Your encouragement made me think, hmm, maybe I have something here.
Last year, one of my goals was to explore this idea again as a side gig since the query trenches were so slow. What did I have to lose? I asked some of my author friends if they’d be willing to beta test the service and give me a recommendation if they found it useful. And, another surprise, they did!
For six months I offered suggestions: how to make author visits more interactive, how author visits look from the teacher-librarian POV, and how to allay your qualms and know what to expect if you’re a newbie. I also evaluated slide shows for grade level interest and curriculum tie-ins. With good reviews like the one I’m sharing here; I was ready to move forward.
Kathy is an author’s dream come true in understanding the inner workings of schools, how to approach school visits, and how to craft a presentation and workshop that will delight and educate kids while helping teachers accomplish their goals. She knows how the sausage gets made and is more than willing to share. Having access to a former librarian’s insights is invaluable for authors, and I’d strongly recommend her services – Leigh Lewis, Children’s Author, Picture Books and Middle Grade
At the end of 2022, I began a website update, designed a tier of services, and renamed my business Ask Infowoman: A Library Consult. Since my website is still under construction, I estimate the service for authors and illustrators will launch no later than mid-February.
SUSANNA: Who designed your logo?
KATHY: Believe it or not, my hairstylist designed the logo. She’s passionate about reading to her daughter. We’re always sharing our favorite picture books. Abi offered to help me with the website refresh and the logo design since her marketing and social media skills are better than mine.
Abi suggested we rebrand with colors that align with my new passion for informational fiction, the intersection of nature and science, and haiku. Hence, the cool logo! As we kid lit folks know, it takes partnerships to make our creative endeavors better.
SUSANNA: What qualifies you to be helpful in this area?
KATHY: I’ve always enjoyed teaching. In fact, I taught 7th grade for 17 years and was a K-12 school librarian for 15. My new business helps me combine many of my interests and talents. Plus, I found out that through my beta testing period, I really like helping other authors and myself at the same time. I see it as a win-win situation for everyone involved.
As a school librarian, I coordinated many successful author visits over the years in elementary schools and middle schools. I know what makes a successful visit for teachers, students, and the authors themselves. And, after I retired, I worked at an independent children’s bookstore, Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers. I learned more about the book business in that environment— another venue for author events.
Finally, I have been a presenter myself at library conferences, literary conferences such as the Virginia Hamilton Multicultural Conference, and I volunteered in the school system where I retired visiting classrooms to share literature and writing techniques. I feel I’ve had my foot in every aspect involved in the author visit. As a librarian who loves to share information, I want authors and readers to benefit from what I’ve learned over the years. There’s nothing better than a great author visit. That reading excitement that is generated can last a long time and create more engaged readers and writers.
SUSANNA: How can authors and illustrators benefit from what you offer?
KATHY: As mentioned above, I can tailor slide presentations to make them fit the curriculum and the audience. I can also coach those who have little public speaking experience and help them learn to connect with students. I took storytelling in my library training and can offer advice about making stories interactive and an aural treat for listening.
Since I also write toolkits for the State Library of Ohio’s selected picture books and middle grade books, I’m familiar with American Library Association and the American Association of School Librarians guidelines.
I’ve aligned books to NextGen Science standards, Ohio’s English Language Art standards, and the National Council for the Social Studies standards which are organized by grade band. This knowledge base gives my clients ways to highlight the educational value of school visits to use in book promotion, and in promotional copy for websites or flyers advertising visits.
SUSANNA: I think I’d better be first in line to sign up for your services, Kathy! Wow! How much does it cost? Are there different levels of cost? What are they?
KATHY: At this point, I am still structuring costs of this service. I am sure that I will be giving a discount the first month or two. I will be booking 45–60-minute Zoom or phone chats. If clients want to add a la carte services or additional time my rates will reflect that, too. (I do know that I will not be creating lesson plans or book toolkits.) I plan to make Ask Infowoman: A Library Consult service affordable. As a children’s author myself, I know we all need to stretch our money!
Susanna, in closing, I’d like to thank you so much for hosting me on Tuesday Debuts! I’ve been a loyal reader of your blog and books, and this is such an honor!
SUSANNA: You most certainly have, Kathy. You’ve been part of my blog practically since it began! 😊 Thank you so much for coming to visit with us today! I know tons of authors will benefit from your business, and I (and I’m sure everyone else!) wish you the best of luck with this new venture!
Readers, if you have questions for Kathy, please post them in the comments below and if she has time I’m sure she’ll respond! And if you’d like to connect with her online:
http://www.kathyhalsey.com
http://groggorg.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/infowoman1
https://www.facebook.com/kathy.halsey.5
Thank you all for stopping by to read today! Have a lovely, inspiration-filled Tuesday! Maybe today is the day you’ll write your debut picture book 😊
Missed any previous Tuesday Debuts? Check them out HERE!
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Congrats Kathy on this new endeavor. Sounds wonderful! Best of luck!
Hi Maria, you’ve been on this writer road for so long! Thanks for cheering me on!
It’s such a great idea, isn’t it, Maria? I feel like a lot of people can benefit from this!
This sounds like a great business idea and one that is needed.
I’m in Scotland, so things will be different here with different standards, curriculum and even age (kids start Primary 1 at age 4 or 5), but if you had a book/pdf or ebook on the subject I would read it out of curiosity, I will probably discover some tips for myself.
The Scottish school system is different even from the English one.
Good luck!
What a great idea for Kathy, Anna! It’s so true that even when things are a bit different, you can learn a lot from people’s tips and ideas!
What a fantastic business Kathy has sent up. She has a wealth of experience and is extremely well qualified to offer this support for authors.
Ty, Anna. I am just beginning this biz, but that’s a great idea to write a book or whatever about this topic!
Aww, many thanks, Norah!
You’re welcome, Kathy.
She really is, Norah! This is going to be such a help to so many!
Susanna, ty for being my cheerleader and giving me this opportunity!
Absolutely my pleasure, Kathy! ❤️
I know so!
Congrats! Love your new business for writers/published or not. Many local writing organizations look for monthly speakers for their meetings. You are a wealth of information. Mr. Dewey would be proud.
Bless you! This last line made me laugh! LOL
There are so many areas of expertise in the writing world, Bru, aren’t there? Writers, editors, and agents bring their forms of knowledge and perspective, but teachers, librarians, graphic designers, web builders, parents, and kids bring bring different perspectives that can help us with developing story lines, school visits, classroom guides, marketing and promotion, book trailers… the list is endless!
So true. I feel like I wrote so many author guides as a school librarian that I wanted to try a different path. Lots of heavy lifting w/standard-alignment.
This is fantastic, Kathy. Best of luck with everything!
Thanks so much, David. 🙂
I think this is a niche that needs filling and Kathy is just the one for the job, David! 😊
Thank you Susanna for showcasing Kathy’s business.
What a great resource for authors!
Best of luck to you Kathy!
I think it’s a wonderful resource for writers, Phyllis! I’m glad you agree! 😊
Thanks so much for the support!
Congratulations, Kathy! I’m rooting for you!
So nice of you, Sarah! I am rooting for Kathy, too. She has so much to offer!
Aww, thanks Sarah!
Kathy, there’s no one better suited for this business than you. Congratulations!
Joyce, shucks! You make me glow! LOL
Ain’t that the truth, Joyce?! 😊
So happy for you Kathy! Fantastic interview!
Kathy is chock full of information, Marietta, and her business is sure to give tons of authors a boost!
Marietta, you’ve been with me every step. TY, friend.
Sounds amazing, Kathy! So happy for you and this new venture!
Thanks for the support, Jen.
I think it’s going to be really helpful to authors who are just starting out doing school visits, Jen, and even for authors who have been doing them for awhile but could use help doing them better!
Yes, no doubt it will be a fantastic service! I only hope I have reason to use it someday! 🙂
You will! Keep the faith! 😊
I’m so proud of you, Kathy! Honestly, finding someone this qualified and also kind and compassionate is a treasure for all authors doing school visits! Congrats! Thanks, Susanna for hosting Kathey.
I am thrilled to host Kathy, Ellen! I think what she’s offering is invaluable to all of us!
Gosh, I have all the feels now, Susanna!
Ellen, your words are balm to my ears. I do indeed feel blessed and happy to help my community. I learn from mentors who give back like you.
We “Caldecoots” stay together on our journey. TY for your very kind words!
What a fabulous service you’ve developed Kathy – congratulations!
Wishing you bountiful success and many exciting opportunities!
It sounds amazing, doesn’t it, Cathy? I’m excited to see Kathy get this off the ground!
Cathy, ty for your kind wishes. 🙂
Fantastic interview, Kathy and Susanna! I predict many writers will be flocking to Ask Infowoman in the future. So excited for you, Kathy. Congratulations! YAY!
I predict that, too, Beth! How wonderful to have this kind of help available!
Ty, thank you, my dear friend and accountability partner! To our successes.
Three Cheers for Kathy! This will be an amazing resource for writers! So glad to see you find a way to share what you love doing with other writers.
Isn’t it great how people in the kidlit community find ways to use all their unique talents and skills to create not only wonderful books for children, but all kinds of ways to enhance the whole experience for writers, illustrators, teachers, and children?!
We lift each other up, Susanna. Kd Lit folks are like no other. 🙂
Aww, thanks, Sue. It’s fun to stretch my wings a bit while I wait for my “Yes” from an agent or editor. Ty for being by my side, writer friend.
This sounds like an amazing opportunity for authors/illustrators! I can hardly wait for you to launch your business so I can learn more!
Doesn’t it sound great, Heather?! I can’t wait for it to launch either!
Hi Heather, ty and stay tuned. It will pop up like a groundhog soon!
So nice to see you here, Kathy! I feel like I know you through shared events on CtC, although I don’t think we’ve ever met. Congratulations on this new endeavor which will be a much appreciated help to authors who may never have experienced an author visit. Good luck! And thanks for featuring Kathy, Susanna.
My pleasure, Rose! I think what Kathy has to offer will benefit us all!
Yes, Rose, Courage to Create has so many positive and wonderful creatives in it! I take as much advantage of it as I can. See you there! TY.
Great idea, Kathy! You are a wealth of information (and maybe I can benefit from sometime!)
I think we can all learn something from Kathy, Wendy! What a great idea this is!
Thanks, Wendy. Guess I’ve never stopped being a librarian and a teacher. Tee-hee.
Best of luck with this new venture, Kathy! You sound like the perfect person for this service, with your background in education and all your varied experiences. I can only hope that someday I need to avail myself of what you have to offer 🙂
Meanwhile, I know many others will find your support invaluable. Great idea!
Marty. your day is coming. Thank you.
It won’t be long, Marty! Keep up the good work and you’ll be knocking on Kathy’s inbox for her services before you know it!
Love your optimism, Susanna! If and when, it will be thanks to you and all your posts, contests, and bits of kidlit wisdom 🙂
It will be because you work hard at learning, and practicing, and improving your skills, Marty! You will succeed because you keep trying and you get better with every ms you write. And one of these days the right ms is going to cross the right desk at the right time. It won’t be luck, it will be prepared success – because you did all the things you needed to do to arrive at that place and that time with a worthy ms!
Love this idea Kathy. Wishing you all the best. Congratulations on the board book too.
Aww, Stacy, we go back. TY and hugs to Enzo.
It’s a great idea, isn’t it, Stacy? And Kathy is just the right person for it!
Congratulations Kathy! So proud of you. The kid lit community is going to appreciate your knowledge, experience, and kindness. Kudos as you move forward with your new venture and your writing journey!
Charlotte, if wouldn’t be possible without you.
The kidlit community is definitely going to benefit from everything Kathy has to offer, Charlotte! No doubt about that! 😊
Happy 10 years for Making Picture Book Magic!!!
Congrats, Kathy! What a venture for you! I’m proud of you!
So exciting, isn’t it, Tina? Kathy is going to be great at this!
Thanks so much, Tina.
Congratulations, Kathy! This is wonderful. So interesting to learn about your vast experience. I have a question… I have been doing visits for a year now. Would you look at slide presentations that have been created and advise? Best of luck to you!
Well, this is wonderful, Cathy! How great is it that you have a need for exactly what Kathy has to offer? I think this was meant to be! 😊
Susanna, Cathy and I were planning to be roommates at a writing conference but she was unable to attend. That’s how we got to know each other better. 🙂
Serendipitous!
Exactly. That’s part of the fun of the writing life.
Hi Cathy! Thanks for the support and for responding . Yes, I certainly can look at your slide deck. Once I’m up and running the business, I’ll get in touch.
Wow, Kathy, this is an amazing service you will provide! You certainly have the expertise necessary to make this successful!! 🙂
Thanks to you and all the supporters here on Susanna’s blog.
As your long-time critique partner, I’m blessed you’re our “go to” resource on everything KidLit and beyond, actually. From your keen eye on grammar (“… let’s make that an appositive”), to your write-on discernment of storytelling (“Oh this is where your inciting incident starts”), to your wealth of knowledge on education, this next adventure is simply an extension, a natural progression of all that you give. All that you do. God’s increasing your territory. So incredibly proud of you.
Oh, my Pam, thank you for being by my side from the beginning. We are so blessed to be friends and partners. THANK YOU, Pam.
Kathy is a true gem, isn’t she, Pam? (As are you!) I think a LOT of people are going to get the chance to benefit from this new endeavor!
Wow – what an amazing resource! Thank you Kathy and Susanna! Congratulations Kathy on turning your fabulous idea into a business! It will provide so much value to the kid lit community!!
I really think it will, Laura! A good number of picture book writers are teachers or librarians, but the vast majority of us are just people who like to write and have no idea where to begin with school and library visits. Kathy’s knowledge and expertise are going to be so helpful!
Yes, there are many teachers and librarians in the PB world, Susanna. Here to help anyone who feels I can be of service. TY for all your wonderful responses on this post. You are a gem!
As are you! 😊
Laura, you are so kind. Making school visits better for all is my goal.
Kathy, what a great idea! Wishing you lots of luck and success with this new venture.
Thanks so much, Carol. Excited to get started.
I think she’s got a great idea here, Carol!
Yaaaay, Kathy! This is so exciting! I’m sure you’ll be inundated with authors seeking advice! And you know, I plan on taking advantage of your services, too! I want my author visits to be the best they can be. Cheers to your success!
I’ve been doing school visits for years, Jilanne, but I feel very much that I could learn a lot from Kathy! Having never been a classroom teacher, coming up with a presentation that is entertaining and informative for kids in a large group while staying relevant to the book is always a challenge!
Susanna, those large groups can be intimidating. I get it. The keys and we can’t always control them include active teachers who stay with their kids, support for you and the book that begins long before our visits (have kids read it, are admin. aware of the event and support it? Will admin. be there?)
Jilanne, thanks so very much for the support.
I love this idea! I have a PB coming out later this year that could very much benefit from this service, so I will definitely be reaching out once you’ve officially launched.
So glad you’ll be able to take advantage of all Kathy has to offer, Jana!
Thanks so much, Jana. Congrats on your PB debut!
Congrats, Kathy! This sounds great! I love how you are using your experience and expertise to assist us as writers doing school visits. I’m interested in pursuing this!!
Thanks so much Cindy. I should have my soft launch mid-February! Stay tuned.