Welcome to Author Services Australia Karen Hendriks, and welcome to our author interviews! If you could start by introducing yourself to everyone, let them know where you’re from and some of your interests and hobbies.
Hi, I’m Karen Hendriks, an Australian children’s author who lives on the south coast of NSW in Shellharbour. I’m always curious and love travelling, especially to Europe or Bali. I visit the children’s section in libraries when I travel and explore local book shops. Anything to do with the ocean makes me happy. I adore sea life – like whale watching, dolphin spotting or keeping an eye out for the one little seal that visits where I live. I escape into a local rainforest sometimes or walk on the beach. Community yoga is fun and pilates. Chilling in a local coffee or reading in the bath make me happy. I am a Matilda’s fan and know their draw in the Paris Olympics is tricky because they will face the USA and Germany. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed they get through their round.
What inspired you to start writing?
Me, myself and I inspired me to write. I could read at 4 years old and loved English at school. When I was at the University of Wollongong, we had to write a short story as part of an assessment and the lecturer came and personally told me I should write and also wrote it on my paper. It always stuck in my mind.
What is your preferred genre to write in?
Children’s books.
What is your writing process?
I focus on one story at a time and work on it when I can. It might be just a read through or one word. I think about the story a lot, too.
What is one thing you wish you knew now that you didn’t know when you started writing?
Writing takes time and finding your voice is a slow burn. Enjoy your writing and just be you.
What was the hardest part of self-publishing?
The setbacks are frustrating and believe me you will encounter them. Everything about self-publishing takes lots of time and you make every decision. There is no one else but you. You will lie awake agonising over one word or one apostrophe. It does keep you awake at night as you think about things.
If you use a pen name, why and how did you come up with it?
No, I don’t have a pen name.
Which book is your favorite and why?
Rather than share one favourite book because I would sound a bit boring, because everyone loves the picture book I do, I shared a few more books. My favourite picture books that are new releases change, but the perennial that I have always adored is Where the Wild Things Are. I love it because it is as fresh today as it was back in 1953. Katrina Nannestad’s middle-grade books rock, especially Waiting for Storks – it is so powerful and really hits the heart. Eckhart Tolle’s wisdom and self-help in the Power of Now really helped me when I was seriously ill.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Mmm, a bit tricky but Tania McCartney, Katrina Nannestad, Stephanie Owen Reeder, Cate Whittle, Emma Quay, Aleesah Darlison, Ashling Kwok, Robert Vescio, Amelia McInerney, Sue Whiting, Nina Rycroft, Maura Pierlot, Samantha Tidy, Shelley Unwin, Susanne Gervay. Sandra Bennett. There are more but I think I should stop now.
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on a post-World War 2 picture book story that I have wanted to write for over six years. It could be a middle grade, but I envision it as a picture book, so I am sticking to my vision.
How do you handle a bad review?
I just keep moving forward. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I try not to let things like that worry me.
What’s next for you as an author?
I have a few new picture books coming but it is too early to say much. I can reveal that Vespa Jones and Marshmallow will be out next year. My publisher has not given me a date yet. I have just seen the first roughs and I can tell you that Vespa Jones and Marshmallow is one awesome book! This is one very cool, imaginative story that will blow your socks off.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Writing and enjoying my author journey as it keeps on unfolding.
If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?
To time travel so that I can go back in time or forward in time and see the world as it was and as it will be one day. I am always fascinated by history and innovation. Will we be flying in the sky in the future and heading into space to colonise? Was it really like it is written in the past? Everything written is someone’s interpretation but seeing for yourself and how it really is/was lets you really know.
Where is your ultimate holiday destination?
Europe, as I have European heritage and family over there, and Bali to escape from the trappings of a busy world that demands a lot.
What are some of the items on your bucket list?
I really want to swim with whale sharks. They are so beautiful and majestic and huge.
I want to go back to Prague and meet my friend Hanna again and go to Friedland and find my family’s birth, marriage, and death certificates.
Work hard on my current story and try to get it published. I believe it needs to be heard.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do an author interview, Karen Hendriks!
Check out where you can buy Karen Hendriks books below and how to follow Karen Hendriks on social media. If you would like to do an author interview or have questions about our author features, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Author Name: Karen Hendriks
Genre/s: Children’s Books
Author Website: karenhendriks.com
Social Media Links: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Goodreads.
The Best Link to Where People Can Buy Your Book: karenhendriks.com
Our Shellharbour is also available at many local outlets in Shellharbour.
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At Author Services Australia, we support Australian, New Zealand, and International self-published authors and writers with a full range of affordable self-publishing services, including ghostwriting, copyediting, developmental editing, proofreading, ebook and paperback formatting, book cover design, children’s book illustrations, graphic design services, manuscript uploading assistance, and social media and marketing.
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I am absolutely thrilled to be spotlighted with an author interview on Author Services. Thank you for asking such in depth questions and for posting the interview on your platform. I am very honoured much gratitude Karen
You’re welcome, Karen! It was a pleasure having you join us for an author interview and learning more about you as an author and writer.
Thanks Clayton I loved the experience and also have learnt things too. Appreciated.