I am thrilled to have interviewed author Patrice Wilkerson, who shared with us details of her writing life, her book ‘My Favorite Season is Spring‘, which was released on 1st May 2023, and answered a few fun questions. This post contains affiliate links.

Patrice Wilkerson, a Story Monsters Approved Award Winner, is an author from Mecklenburg County, Virginia. In 2010, she published her first book, “Through It All, I’m Going to Make It.” Her writing has been featured in “Quilted Poems: An Ekphrastic Collaboration of Poets & Quilters” and “Dear God: 118 Devotional Prayers for Teens and Young Adults.”

Wilkerson is a member of the Poetry Society of Virginia and Hampton Roads Writers. In 2023, she published her first children’s book, “My Favorite Season is Spring.” Her book won the 2023 Story Monsters Approved Award for Picture Books Fiction.

Ever since I was eight years old, I enjoyed writing. I enjoyed reading books as a child and I had always wanted to write a children’s book. I wanted to write a book that children could enjoy reading and also learn from. I decided to write about the different seasons and talk about my favorite season which is spring and all the fun things that you can do during spring time.

I had a notebook with all of my ideas wrote out.

I chose the title of the book at the beginning.

The character in the book is Susie. I thought of that name in memory of my aunt Susie.

I read a lot of different children’s books to have a basic idea of what children are reading now. I also read articles on how to write a successful children’s book.

I chose to write a picture book/children’s book because picture books are one of the most important forms of writing because they can be a teaching tool for children. I wanted to teach children about the season of spring through rhythm and rhyme.

It took me a little over a year to complete my book. My publisher, Jan-Carol Publishing made it a smooth process. Also, my illustrator, Brooke Beaver, was excellent to work with.

Fun, Colorful, and Sweet

The hardest part about being a writer is trying to market yourself and find the best ways to promote your books. It’s difficult trying to find the best cost-effective methods of advertising. I find it difficult trying to get my work out to the readers.

Readers should pick up my book because it’s a fun and easy read for children. It’s also a great learning tool to teach their children about spring and all the fun things there is to do during springtime. It’s a sweet story and children will love the illustrations as well.

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My writing quirks is that I write better early in the morning. I have all these great thoughts that pop in my head and I jot them down on my notes on my phone.

I write in a chair in my living room near the window.

My cameo role would be playing Susie’s teacher.

“Hoo, Hoo” that was a great book!

A big thank you to Patrice Wilkerson for sharing her writing life with us and for a wonderful interview.