Writers Spotlight: Abigail Brand

Normally, the afternoon crowd in the M3 Coffee Shoppe is a teeming throng of teenagers. This week was only different because there was a darling little girl signing autographs for the pseudo-adults. Abigail had a backpack filled with Little books. Red stopped by to see what was on the horizon for the well-established six-year-old author.

M3: Abigail, I got a chance to talk to your Mommy to get to know you a little better. Would you read your author profile to the M3 Readers?

AB: Abigail Brand is the 6-year-old author/illustrator of the Hello Little Series. All her books are self-published, hand-written, and hand-illustrated, 14-page children’s books. Abigail Brand donates half the money from her Hello Little books to Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

M3: You are a very accomplished little lady. Do you have someone to thank?

Abigail Brand

AB: I want to thank my mommy for all the stuff she taught me when I was younger and all the books she read to me. And I want to thank her for always encouraging me to do the things I want to do.

M3: Reading is very important for all children. That is why we appreciate you writing and illustrating your books. How did you get started writing children’s books?

AB: I started by making things for my mommy. Ever since I was really little, I’ve always been drawing pictures and making up stories. I’ve made up plays and I’ve even written a couple songs and the music to go with it. I just love being creative! Even though my books are published now, I still make things for my mommy sometimes.

M3: (Abigail has an adorable smile.) I am sure your Mommy loves them, too. What would you like to tell someone who is just beginning to write a book to encourage them?

AB: You don’t really have to know exactly what the story is before you write it down. Just start writing!

M3: That is really smart advice, Abigail. You know, I usually talk to authors about their day jobs, but you are still too little to work.

AB: Well, I do have a day job. I go to school all day. And I have lots of after school and weekend activities. I don’t know if my fans care, except that I’m six, so I’m supposed to be in school, haha!

M3: I am sure your fans do care! You need to stay in school. How do you find time to write with all you do?

AB: I am very busy, and it is hard to find the time. Mostly, I write when I feel inspired. But sometimes, when a book is almost done, I make a schedule. That way, it doesn’t stay almost done for too long.

M3: That is a very good way to do it. Do you ever take a break? Grown up authors call it a hiatus.

AB: I usually take about a month in between to give my mind a little rest, but it’s hard to stop thinking about writing. (giggles)

M3: Grown up writers do the exact same thing. What are you working on right now?

Hello Little Cloud

AB: Right now, I’m working on the Spanish translation of Hello Little Cloud. It’s called Hola Nubecita. And after that, Hello Little Zoo will be available in September. The story is already written, but I’m going to draw the pictures over the summer. I’m really excited about it. The art in Hello Little Zoo is going to be very different from the other ones!

M3: You draw so well, too. Your books are really special to the readers. Why are they special to you?

AB: My book series is called Hello Little because I used to call my little sister Gabrielle “little”. And I’m donating to the NICU because my baby sister Natalie pooped in Mommy’s tummy and had to get checked by the NICU. The Hello Little Series is dedicated to my little sisters.

M3: That is very sweet of you, Abigail. You read a lot of children’s books. What make the Hello Little Series different from those books?

AB: My books are hand-written and hand-illustrated, by me. Plus, I donate so much of the money to a really good cause. The little babies need lots of help.

M3: Other writers think what you do is really grown up. How do you feel about other writers you have met?

AB: I think other writers can become my friends because we like doing the same thing [writing].I’m going to a writer’s conference on Friday, so I can meet lots of other writers!

M3: That sounds like fun! Being an author can be a tough job, Abigail. Have you fought any tough battles?

Hello Little Flower

AB: A few people have said they don’t think I write my books. It hurts my feelings because I worked so hard for a long time. I know it might be hard for people to believe that a six-year-old could write books that people want to buy, but I hope I can change the way people think about what kids can do.

M3: I think you already are. I met you on Twitter. There are not a lot of six-year-olds with a Twitter account. How important is social media for your books?

AB: It’s really important. My Facebook page, my Twitter profile and my website are where I let all my fans know what’s going on. There’s no other way they would know. And also the way I spread the word and get new fans. Thank you to everyone who has supported my talent and my cause!

M3: You are a darling. Now, just between us. Tell me a secret you are not so sure you want me to tell everyone else, but it would probably be okay if I did tell anyway.

AB: I talk a lot. I mean A LOT, A LOT!

M3: (Laughing.) As long as you are not talking in class, I think that is just fine! Tell the M3 Readers in 15 words or less why they should buy a book from the Hello Little Series.

AB: Because it’s for a good cause. Half the money goes to the NICU!

M3: Thank you, Abigail. I hope to see you again when you new book comes out this fall.

~~~~~~~~~~

Darling M3 Readers,

Please take a few moments to check out Abigail Brand and Hello Little Series. Visit Abigail’s blog to learn more about the author and her books. Follow her on Twitter for the latest on her upcoming books.

Thank you for your unwavering support of the talented M3 Coffee Shoppe authors. When you tweet and +1 this post, please use the hashtags #authors, #books and #WW.

When this post goes live, Abigail will be in school. Please leave her comments. She will come by when she gets home to respond to you!

Red.
M3


(c) Ann Marie Dwyer 2012
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37 Comments

  1. Laurie

     /  April 12, 2012

    Oh, what a sweet little girl. It’s so amazing Abigail does that it made me cry. It is inspiring to see a child make such a difference when there are grown people that won’t bother.

    Abigail, your mommy has to be extremely proud of you. I know I am.

    Reply
  2. I am going to buy Little books today! I suspect my grandson will love them, thanks for this one Red.
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    Reply
    • Wow, thank you! 🙂 I think kids like my books because it makes them feel like they can do it too. After my first book, a boy in my class told me that he thought it was really cool because he didn’t know kids could write books. And since then, a few kids have told me they’re going to start making books too! 😀

      Reply
    • Red

       /  April 12, 2012

      I just bring them to the Shoppe…they do the hard parts!

      Reply
  3. Mia

     /  April 12, 2012

    Well hello there, Little Abigail! I am glad to know your baby sister is doing well! My almost 4 year old twins were born before time, but fortunately their stay in my country’s NICU was very short and they were fine! I think it is so wonderful you already know how important and FUN it is to be creative 🙂 Keep talking, keep writing! All the best to you, and cheers from overseas!

    Reply
    • Thank goodness your twins were ok. My baby sister didn’t have to stay in NICU. She pooped in Mommy’s tummy before she was born and the NICU came to do some tests. I just really think what the NICU does is so important to help babies like my sister and save little babies like your twins! Thank you for telling us your story.

      Reply
  4. Denise Billings

     /  April 17, 2012

    Hi Abbie, Grandma Necie here, I just love reading your books and checking you out online. This was the best interview yet. I am supremely proud of you.

    Reply
  5. Very cool. I probably would never have heard of her without this post.
    Thanks, Red!
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