Spotlight Interview with author Beth Mahoney

Q1: Thanks for participating in our Authors.com Spotlight Interview series Beth! Please introduce yourself and your book to help our readers get to know you.

A:  My name is Beth Mahoney and I'm a military brat turned military spouse and mother of three with over 30 years of military life.  I am the Founder of Kids of America's Heroes, a non-profit organization for military children, that closely works with military officials, school Principals, and Counselors to provide better communication between schools and military families.

In 1998 I was appointed Chairperson for the International Webmasters Association of Hawaii, in 2009 I was a VIP Guest at Lockheed Martin in Marietta Georgia to for a book signing about their C-130s, I was a guest speaker for Arkansas Governor Beebe on military family issues, and in 2010 I was a featured Children's Author at the Arkansas Literary Festival. I was award 2009 LRAFB Volunteer of the Quarter, was the founding committee chair for Month of the Military Child, and nominated National Military Spouse of the Year by CINCHouse and Military.com. I attended Hawaii Pacific University for Computer Science and Business Entrepreneurship while attending and speaking at prestigious nationwide conferences and seminars such as Internet World, Comdex, and the Hawaii Technology Expo.  Currently I own and operate WIZKIDS PUBLISHING, a children's book publication company focusing on Elementary School children, parents, and educators.

Meet Robby the C-130! Robby is a military child's icon for all that is brave and proud to be American. Robby will take you on a short journey through his life as a C-130 and the adventures of deployments. He will show your child what he does during deployments, the importance of this beloved aircraft, and the understanding of a military soldier's job that touch the hearts and homes of many.

Q2: Please explain how you came to be a writer, what inspired you to write your book(s) and how long it took. 
A:  My Robby the C-130 Book Series are named after my oldest son, who suffered through Asperger's Syndrome, depression, and anxiety while daddy was deployed. Together we created Robby the C-130 to help cope with the changes.

Q3: What did you enjoy most about creating this book? 
A. I enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with my children and learn more about their emotional issues and progress as we made Robby the C-130 based around military children's emotions during times of war.

Q4: What facets of your life, both personal and professional, are  woven into your book, if any?  
A. Everything in this book is about the emotional growth and developments of my own personal military life and the life of my children.

Q5. How did you get published?

A. I worked with a graphics designer and illustrator to visually appeal to my ideal version of Robby and his emotional patterns. I then put the book together via CreateSpace and since I have a background in marketing, I proceeded from there.

Q6: Did you have any surprises or hiccups along the way during the  book writing and/or publishing process?
A. After majoring in marketing in college and being a marketing director for two large companies, I found it was actually extremely hard to market and advertise my OWN book than it was for other companies. I am still struggling to a point. I think marketing will always toss me surprises and hiccups.

Q7: What one thing did you wish you'd known before you started this project? 
A. Authors.com. I wish I had found this community before I proceeded. It would have saved me a lot of time and money in certain areas.

Q8: You're a fly on the wall when readers are discussing your book.   What would you hope to hear them say about it?
A. I would hope to hear that the children enjoyed it and they want to see more of Robby. I encourage parents to read the book with their children, but it deeply affects the emotions of the children.

Q9: Tell us one thing about you that most people don't know or  would surprise them. 
A. I am a hardcore video gamer and can play PC shooter games and XBox FPS like no other mom!

Q10: What single piece of advice would you give new authors?
A.  Write from the heart because if you're writing for the money, you'll break your own heart.

Q11: Share a short summary of a typical day in your life with us  please. 
A.  Let's see:  6am I am up to get my kids ready for school, 7am the kids are out the door, 8am I am at the gym, 9am I am back home cleaning, 1oam I sit and write, 11am I go to lunch with friends, 1pm back at the house to write, 3pm pick my kids up, 4pm is dinner, 5pm I might write some more, 7pm is all video gaming, and kids in bed by 9pm! I am a non-stop busy mom!

Q12:  Describe where you do most of your writing. What would I see if I was sitting beside you?
A.  At my desk in my livingroom!

Q13: What's your motto or favorite quote you like to live by?

A.  I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best. — Marilyn Monroe

Q14: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us in closing such as your website, an imminent book launch or what you're working on presently? 
A.  I work on a plethora of elementary school aged books for military children and more. I welcome partners or other Authors interested in working on books together. You can view more about Robby the C-130 at www.Robbythec130.com

Thanks for your time Beth! Please share this Authors.com Spotlight Interview with friends and fans by linking to it, Tweeting it, Digging it, sharing it on Facebook and generally shouting about it anywhere you can.

Fellow members, please support Beth by doing the same. Comments and Likes are also most welcome.