Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Clopton-Dunson.
Hi Karen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always enjoyed being a kindergarten teacher. While teaching, I noticed a need for young readers to be acquainted with history books written in simple texts.
So I began to tell my young students oral stories about historical figures that impacted our world. I was not expecting them to ask, Will you tell us that story again?!” That’s when I decided to put my pen to paper as opposed to reciting them by memory.
As a young child, I often sat in front of the television to sketch cartoon characters, Fred Flintstone was my favorite. I made a decision to marry my love for cartooning and writing to create black history picture books. Thus Doctor Daniel Hale Williams in Twas the Night of a Miracle, Rosa Parks Takes the Bus and The Wacky Discoveries of George Washington Carver were formed.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road to writing and illustrating children’s books was not an easy road. Initially, I had an agent who promised reputable publishers to represent my books. After several months of representing my creative writings, my agent named several publishing companies that were interested in my manuscripts. I was beyond excited and ready to embrace my new career as a children’s author.
My joy quickly turned into gloom when I discovered my agent mysteriously disappeared along with my manuscripts. I never got the full story, but someone from my circle of writers said they “thought” he passed away. The publishers that supposedly accepted my books had no recollection of any of my manuscripts.
I used my downtime to hone my skills as a digital illustrator and create books as a contractual writer.
I realized that when dreams don’t materialize according to my plans, there are always lessons to be learned, skills to be developed and opportunities that I never imagined.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an author of children’s books: write for hire as well as self-published. I have illustrated books for self-published authors, performed as an oral storyteller before small and large audiences, developed virtual stories for a children’s library, produced backdrops for a virtual play, and created greeting cards for a local company.
When I wrote and illustrated, Rosa Parks Takes the Bus, I knew I crafted my finest work. The down years were necessary to enhance my talent and refine my writing. This book has flourished in the UK and other parts of the world. And that is something to be proud of.
My love for teaching crosses many genres. Without the early letdowns and frustrations, I wouldn’t have unleashed my buried talents. Now I am allowing life to flow just the way it is meant to be.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am open to collaborating on children’s writing assignments: educational, animated shorts, write for hire, creating commercial scripts, etc. I would love support via purchasing my history books for young children: Rosa Parks Takes the Bus, Doctor Daniel Hale Williams in Twas the Night of a Miracle and The Wacky Discoveries of George Washington Carver. All sold on Amazon.com
Pricing:
- $9.99. Rosa Parks Takes the Bus
- $9.99 The Wacky Discoveries of George Washington Carver
- 9.99 Doctor Daniel Hale Williams in Twas the Night of a Miracle
