Seymour author Suzanne Hill was the winner of the 2019 Pen It! Publications winter writing contest and received a publishing contract as the prize.
Her children’s book, “Jinx Thinks Valentine’s Day Stinks!” has been released.
Hill said she first discovered the joy of writing stories for children when she began writing stories for her daughter, Heather, when she was a kindergartner.
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“I always dreamed of pursuing a writing career, but life got busy and fast-paced, as it always does,” Hill said. “There never seemed to be enough hours in the day to devote to writing.”
Hill said in the blink of an eye, 25 years had passed and her kindergartner was now a successful grown woman.
Life has slowed down a bit, and she has been able to return to her true passion of writing children’s stories.
“I enjoy the slower pace of life with my high school sweetheart, Tim, my husband of 34 years, and our black lab, Penny,” Hill said. “We’ll be married 35 years in August.”
The book is the ninth release for Hill, who started writing full time in 2018.
“I was the site coordinator at Brown school for Kids Klub until I resigned Nov. 30, 2018,” Hill said. “At that time, I had two books released with Pen It! Publications and several more scheduled to be released from 2019 to 2020.”
Hill said when she resigned, she decided to dedicate the next two years to writing and promoting full time.
“My mindset was I am not getting any younger, so I might as well jump in with both feet and go for it,” she said. “Of course, my husband fully supported my decision.”
Hill said she usually writes during the afternoon right after lunch. By that time of the day, errands and daily chores are done, and she can fully commit and concentrate on the material she is working on without distractions.
“My process is I first come up with the title of the book. Then I form the story around the title,” Hill said. “Once I have the title, the storyline usually flows freely, and within less than a week, I have the rough draft completed.”
After that, Hill adds the finishing touches to her story.
She said it took her two weeks from start to finish to write the book about Jinx and get it submitted to the publisher.
“I certainly hope there will be a 10th book, and I currently have submitted a manuscript for review and consideration,” Hill said. “I have completed three other stories and a sequel to ‘Larry the Lobster,’ which I haven’t submitted those at this time.”
Another one of Hill’s books is “Lewis the Toothless Vampire,” which Hill co-authored with her husband.
The Anti-Bullying Institute’s Bullying Prevention Program has endorsed the book as a student resource for recommended reading, Hill said. It is listed on the organization’s website, rmccharity.org/bullying-prevention-institute/resources/students.
Other children’s publications from Hill include “Eddie the Squirrel: My Family’s Nutty Thanksgiving Traditions,” “Tiny Tree,” “Winkle Has Lost His Twinkle: The Story of the Christmas Star,” “Larry the Lobster’s Lucky Day,” “Who Would I Be If I Wasn’t Me?” and “The Easter Chicken: Henrietta Chicken Learns the True Meaning of Easter.”
Hill had her first short story chapter book, “Jasper’s Long Journey Home,” released in October 2019. The book strongly promotes pet adoption.
All of the author’s books are available for purchase online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart and Pen It! Publications with the exception of “Lewist he Toothless Vampire,” which is only available through the websites of Amazon and Pen It! Publications.
“After 30 years, my dreams of becoming a published children’s book author have at last come true,” Hill said. “Never stop dreaming, and dream big.”