Today, my interview is with Joseph Spraga, author of a modern day nursery rhyme.

TN: When did you know you were a writer?

JS: I knew I was a writer in college, but I did not start taking it seriously until many years later. I have always observed life, and read books. Seeing the connection between the two is a very natural and important thing for me.

TN: What is your writing style?

JS: My writing style for my children’s literature is verse. However I make sure to be as didactic as I can be with overtones of social commentary while still keeping it entertaining.

TN: Why did you write your first book?

JS: I wrote my first book because the chorus of the book popped into my head one day while in a painting class in college. It had been an ear worm for me for many years. I knew then that I had to make a story out of it.

TN: Why did you decide to self-publish?

JS: I decided to self-publish because of the size, and subject matter of my book. Although many traditional publishing companies liked my book, they didn’t see a way they could market, or make money on it. So I did it myself.

TN: You have a very interesting and beautiful cover design. How did you come up with it?

JS: “The Snitch, The Witch, and The One Who Was Rich,” is the title of my book. I wanted to have a logo that represented these three characters and “brand” my book as well.

TN: What software did you use? for print? for eBook?

JS: For my hardcover book it was a lot of Photo Shop, Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft Paint. Once I put the final pieces together, I was able to upload my eBook to Amazon. I had my book printed through Print Ninja. Again since I had a final PDF, I just sent it to them and they printed the book.

TN: Do you have any tips for someone who is considering self-publishing?

JS: Yes. Patience, a lot of patience. Social media, and book signing events whenever you can.

TN: What do you do when you are “stuck?”

JS: When self-publishing, I get “stuck” on something every day. It doesn’t stop. I look to other mediums for inspiration. If the internet is a dead end on a particular day, I read a newspaper. If I have writers block, I do the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, HOW? Questions to myself until I am able to see the path ahead of me, and for my story.

TN: Describe the plot of your book.

JS: Welcome to Moonwood, a modern day nursery rhyme about how to use your time wisely and be a better you! Follow these quirky townsfolk in a beautifully illustrated picture book, as they gather outside the clock tower and seek Father Time’s wisdom on achieving personal goals, and getting along with each other in their magical community.

What will they discover? Time is the only true commodity. This story shows both children and adults, that we must use what little time we all have to be good to each other.

TN: Which one of your books is your favorite?

JS: “The Snitch, The Witch, and The One Who Was Rich.” For me, it answers important questions and deals with the most common issues we deal with as a society on a daily basis.

TN: Thank you Joe for sharing with us, and I wish you continued success with your writing.