MEET THE AUTHORS: Richard and Mary Rensberry
“MEET THE AUTHORS”
Authors Richard Rensberry (GOBLIN’S GOOP ) and Mary Rensberry (I AM SPIRIT, the ABCs of an Ideal Spirit) are with us today to share a bit of their personal story and to tell us about their latest books. So, let’s get ready to meet the authors! ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author http://www.4writersandreaders.com
Welcome Richard and Mary Rensberry. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. Tell us a little about your family life how it fits into your writing life.
Our lives have always been rooted deep in family. I was one of nine children born and raised on a farm in Northern Michigan. I am an uncle, great uncle and great, great uncle many times over. Mary was born and raised in Texas in the city and also on a ranch in the country. She is the mother of two morally sound and positive adult children. Family values was one of the integral connections that brought Mary and I together. We now have three thriving grandchildren and can’t wait for more. Both of us believe that strong family values is one of the major driving forces in building strong and ethical communities. You will find strength of family inherently woven throughout our collaborative children’s books as well as our own individually authored books.
How long have you been writing and how do you work together OR do you?
I (Richard) began writing at the age of twelve and had created my first poetry chapbook by the age of fourteen. Later in life my poetry appeared in small journals like the Midwest Poetry Review and Touchstone Press. In 2013, Mary and I formed QuickTurtle Books®. We have since collaborated on writing and publishing several children’s books as well as offering editorial advice on each other’s independent works. Both of us value and respect each other’s critical input and helpful insight. Mary is definitely my muse and inspiration. For her, I am her editor and often times, color coordinator. She knows how to work the internet more than I and I know how the smaller parts fit into the whole, if that makes sense.
While we are both authors, passionate about writing, we draw from different backgrounds for the materials in our books. Mary’s background for years was teaching children and she tucked away her desire to write so that she could help others with the basics of learning. Her writing career began around 2009 with ideas of writing followed by a book self-published on Blurb entitled, Fowl Art in 2010 then Listen: Listen to YourSelf in 2011. So Mary has been writing for a shorter length of time but is definitely just as passionate about the works we do not only together but on her own.
Can you give us a brief synopsis of the books we are featuring today?
Mary’s current book, I AM SPIRIT, the ABCs of an Ideal Spirit, made its début the first of this year. It is about being “spirit-filled”and the capabilities and potentialities we all have as the divine lives within us. This was written on the heels of Christmas Christmas Everyday published in 2016 for children of all ages with the simple message that giving and sharing can be done each and every day of the year and not only during the Christmas season. Mary is actively following up the Everyday Series book with a children’s version of I AM SPIRIT for 6-9 year olds due to be out in less than a year.
Mary was prompted to write I AM SPIRIT, a spiritual book with universal messages, due to the prevalent attitude in society that we are at the effect of life itself, that we are only a body. She adheres to the viewpoint that television and the media have capitalized on this erroneous idea of being a body with their prescription drug advertisements, sexual innuendoes & escapades, all materialistic in nature.
My brand new children’s picture book GOBLIN’S GOOP is a modern-day take on the Battle of Jericho. It is an environmentally friendly book swarming with bugs and goblins from the Evil Empire of Monsanto. Like most of our children’s books, GOBLIN’S GOOP, is thoughtfully illustrated and written in verse and rhyme. It is for children five years old and a bit older. Mary formulated the idea and I ran with it, being prompted by the GMO grains that have polluted our organic seed bank even here in the Amish Country. I guess I should add that adults should and could benefit greatly by reading it, too.
Can you give us a favorite line from each of the books?
A favorite line from Mary’s book I AM SPIRIT, would be “I AM observant,”
This line is chosen out of the 26 simple messages because ‘LOOKING’ and being observant is a lost art in today’s world. People see what they want to see verses what is really out there in the environment. When you are able to really look and confront the environment, then that ’s when something can be done about it.
One of my favorite couplets from Goblin’s Goop, is “Crickets came screeching with fiddles and bows. Mosquitoes came blowing their notable nose.”
The rest of the book follows the same lively pattern and rhyme.
What’s the hardest part about writing?
The hardest part for Mary is writing words upon words. She likes a simple message as life to her is simple and can be put down in simple language. Other than that…the hardest part about writing is the marketing aspect. It is difficult to get our books in front of enough people to create the effects we are trying to create. This interview is an opportunity and promotional avenue to help do so and we thank you, Bette and the readers, for the privilege to be here.
How can readers get copies of your books?
Readers can find and get copies of all our books from Amazon by just typing one of our names into the search box. Links to our books are also available at: http://richardrensberry.com and http://maryrensberry.wordpress.com. Autographed copies can also be ordered directly from us by contracting us at: maryandrichard@quickturtlebooks.com
What’s the best piece of advice you can give to new authors?
The best piece of advice we can give to new and unknown authors is to understand that writing is just a small part of being a successful author. We write for about three months out of the year and the remainder of the year is spent on the marketing and technical aspects of the business. Be prepared for not being well enough prepared to sell your books.
The best piece of advice Mary can give to new authors is don’t give up: Be persistent. Find out what you are passionate about and then find the audience for the topic being written about. Develop relationships with your family, friends, and those online, too.
What’s next on the agenda for authors Richard and Mary Rensberry?
I just completed my new adult travel book called CITY SLICKER’S GUIDE TO THE AMISH COUNTRY. It is a look into the nature and commerce of North Eastern Michigan’s Amish Country of Fairview, Comins and Mio, our home. I am currently at work on a new children’s book about the AuSable Railroad built and operated locally by a couple just down the road. I am seeking the help of a local illustrator to begin the project. We are also looking for someone to take over the marketing aspect of our projects.
What’s next for Mary is putting I AM SPIRIT into paperback and Kindle format while continuing with the children’s book on that subject. Look for our latest books at the beginning of 2018.
Richard and Mary, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you better and to learn more about your writing and your books. It’s been a pleasure!
FIND THE BOOKS
- I AM SPIRIT, the ABCs of an Ideal Spirit https://www.amazon.com/Am-Spirit-ABCs-Ideal/dp/1940736218
- GOBLIN’S GOOP https://www.amazon.com/Goblins-Goop-Mr-Richard-Rensberry/dp/1940736226
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Bette A. Stevens, Maine Author 
Written
on 06/21/2017