Mom’s Choice Awards is excited to announce another post in our interview series where we chat with the inventors, designers, publishers, and others behind some of our favorite family-friendly products.
Welcome, Mom’s Choice readers! Join us for an insightful interview with MCA award-winning author Terrie Sizemore, creator of OOPS and founder of A 2 Z Press. Discover her passion for writing engaging books for pet lovers and her life as a full-time vet!
MCA: Terrie, to get our interview started, won’t you tell us a bit about yourself?
I have loved children’s literature for many years and created a publishing house to promote others’ work as well as my own. Currently, we have over 100 children’s titles. OOPS—about a little girl who tries very hard but sometimes has a difficult time accomplishing daily tasks—is a near and dear story because I had a grandpa who allowed me to grow and was always kind and understanding. I am a registered nurse and veterinarian, and I kayak and bike ride, horseback ride, and swim and exercise regularly. I am always in search of new and fun things.
MCA: You’ve had more than one career, then! What inspired you to become an author, and how have your own experiences influenced your writing?
I have many experiences with children—teaching, rearing, and caring for them as a nurse as well as a neighbor and friend. Children are wonderful and make everything fun and exciting. I have as much fun creating books as I do sharing them with others and children. I attended the Institute for Children’s Literature and competed the beginner and advanced courses. I find inspiration everywhere and try to incorporate those ideas into my writing.
MCA: What do you hope readers will take away from your books, regardless of the genre or audience they cater to?
A message intended for children ages 2 to 7 is that it’s okay to make ‘OOPS’ while they are learning and growing and becoming the people they are meant to be. Everyone makes ‘OOPS.’
MCA: I’d love to know what you find most rewarding about the writing process—and, conversely, what are some of the challenges you face?
The most rewarding part of writing is seeing the ideas come together and the finished work. The challenges are finding topics that haven’t been done over and over again. Originality is challenging.
MCA: How would you say your books enhance the lives of readers?
They are fun, beautifully colored, and engage young readers. Kids enjoy being read to, learning to read, and learning about the topics in many of the books.
MCA: Can you share any memorable moments or feedback that have touched you or reinforced the impact of your work?
I raised a stepdaughter for 10 years and she loved picture books. We would visit the local library and take out 35 books at a time—the maximum allowed—and then we would go home and read them. She thought she was tricking me to stay awake later—and I was tricking her to read and love reading and have a great time doing it.
MCA: I understand you also have a publishing house. Could you tell us a bit about it?
At A 2 Z Press, we have published over 150 titles—activity books, educational books, “just for fun” books, veterinary books, faith-based books and more! I have over 100 children’s picture books; I write for children mostly and so do my authors. The books for children are so they can learn about the world around them as well as some virtues we all want our children to enjoy. There’s something for everyone at our publishing house, including holiday books and craft books, and we welcome authors of all ages to consider patterning with us for their inspired projects. In fact, one of my authors is 101 years old!
MCA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?
Dream and do!
MCA: Can you share with us any future plans at this time?
There’s a lot in the works, especially at our publishing house, A 2 Z Press. I have just finished a cute little book called Never “TOO” Wonderful. It’s about young Kevin who thinks everything is TOO hot, TOO sticky, TOO short, TOO noisy, and so forth, and his mom teaches him to use his TOOs in a much more productive way. My authors are working on more projects, as well.
MCA: Terrie, what incredible undertakings you’re engaged in—as a vet caring for animals, writing your own books, and helping other authors get into print. We wish you well with all your endeavors and look forward to your next interview, about The Day the Cat Said ‘Moo’!
You can learn more about Terrie Sizemore and her award-winning book, OOPS, by visiting her MCA Shop page.
