I write children’s books. I enjoy showing them the world, visitng and learning from their own homes. Educating and teaching the little children that there is a bigger world beyond their own borders. I am considering writing more children’s books focusing on the environment of the earth and its living beings making them aware of how important it is to take part and have the interest to save our planet earth and our unique wildlife animals from all distraction that greed and humanity causes.

Why did you decide to write a book? (Why do you write?)

I decided to write because I love teaching young children and giving them my knowledge. Children have to be taught to read from a young age and they love books, they have curious little minds.
How long have you been writing? (Did you write at school? Did you start recently?)

I started writing at a young age, but I only published a few years ago when I came to the USA children were curious and had questions of the world beyond them, they did not realise and know that there was a world bigger than theirs.

How do you think you’ve evolved as a writer since you’ve started? (what have you learnt?)

I have learnt to be patient when it comes to selling and learnt that a lot of tweeting and push is needed to get my work and books known. We did not have this technology in Africa, so this was all new to me. Selg publishing is also something I leant to do.
Is there anything you wished you’d known when you started writing?

Not really I learnt a lot as I went along and especially from great author friends that guided me through the ad processing. I also learnt how to selfish publish.

 
Do you structure your plots or just go with the flow?

II structure my plots/pages and set them out.

Do you do a lot of research when writing a book? (if so, explain how or what you did)

Yes I do as I like and have to get my facts right as I am writing for children that are absorbing interesting information in my books.

Where do you draw your inspiration from? (what drives you creatively)

I draw my inspiration from our son Captain Frankie who is the main character in our children’s travel books and from my family in general as well as my autistic student children that I love to teach and read to.

What draws you to this genre? (why do you prefer to write the stories you do?)

I love to teach the children of the world and especially the unfortunate children of Africa who are unable to travel to the rest of the world due to poverty. They love to learn and hear about the world and beyond them. They love to watch airplanes flying above and wonder where they fly to and their purpose of being in the deep blue skies.

Can you relate to any of your own stories? (Give a personal explanation if you can!)

Yes when I travelled to Greece at a young age I was curious and fascinated that one could see other parts of the world and fly in the sky with an airplane. I loved discovering and being adventurous, curious about other cultures around the world.

 Do you use an agent? (why? Would you if you don’t?)

I do not use an agent and never have thought of one. I did start off with a publisher and it cost me way too much money and I ended up doing all the marketing and most of the work on my first book.

How much time do you devote to marketing your books?

I devote at least 2 hours a day.

How do you get your book reviews/reviewed?

I use bloggers and send out free paid copies to them I also give out free paid copies to authors and family.

Do you ever run free book promotions? Have these worked for you?

Yes I do and I do find they work, I love when little children give me their reviews too.

What are the main benefits of being an independent author?

I love having control of my own and interacting with my fellow authors who are helpful and social too.

What is your favourite quote from a book?

Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
—The Minpins by Roald Dahl

Any tips for aspiring authors?

Be proud of your work and never let anyone bring you down you have a unique talent and work on it. “Be bold and be Brave” my favourite quote in life.

Here are the links to her wonderful books:

My First Travel Book
(My First Travel Books) (Volume 1)

http://www.amazon.com/My-First-Travel-Book-Books/dp/1499112793/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

The Seven Natural Wonders Of The Earth
(My First Travel Books Book 2)

http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Natural-Wonders-Earth-Travel-ebook/dp/B00JS5M37G/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

The Seven Wonders of the World
(My First Travel Books Book 3)

http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Wonders-World-First-Travel-ebook/dp/B00KQGLVNS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Africa’s Big Five Wild Animals
(My First Travel Books Book 4)

http://www.amazon.com/Africas-Animals-First-Travel-Books-ebook/dp/B01790RIGC/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

My First Fun Golf Steps
(My First Travel Books)

http://www.amazon.com/First-Golf-Steps-Travel-Books/dp/1910115142/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

My Greek Traditional Cook Book 1: A Simple Greek Cuisine

http://www.amazon.com/My-Greek-Traditional-Cook-Book/dp/149613219X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

My Greek Traditional Cookbook 2: A Simple Greek Cuisine

http://www.amazon.com/My-Greek-Traditional-Cookbook-Cuisine-ebook/dp/B0151KVP3O/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Where you can find her:

Website: http://www.annaandfrankieothitis.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aothitis/status/673184422296965121

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaFrankieOthitis

Amazon Author Page:
Links to all her books: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7108778.Anna_Othitis

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-george-othitis-87418961

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/103546575411272797846/posts

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kys82Wfvc1o

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/aothitis/