Mar 4, 2007 —
Name: Chrissi Hart
Education: Bachelor of arts degree in psychology, 1977; British Psychological Society diploma in clinical psychology, 1981; Ph.D. in psychology 1992
Title: Author
What attracted you to this career? A desire to write stories from my cultural heritage that would be inspiring and spiritually uplifting for children.
What have you published? "Under the Grapevine: A Miracle by Saint Kendeas of Cyprus" and publications in the field of psychology, which are listed on my Web site: http://www.chrissihart.com.
What advice would you give a person who is going into this career? Read children's books, including Newberry winners and Honor books. Read books on writing for children, and attend courses on writing and storytelling. Join The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and buy the "Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market." Get experience working with children, such as teaching, library or voluntary work. Have a professional writer critique your work and consider joining a writers' group. Finally, write from your heart about what you know and what inspires you.
What job options might a person have within this career? If you are successful, you can make a living as a writer. Other options are in teaching, editorial work, writing for magazines or writing about licensed characters (e.g. Barbie).
What training/education is required? Attend workshops and conferences and read books on writing for children. Experience with children is a definite advantage.
Are there many schools that offer this training/education? The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators offers workshops and conferences nationally. There are local courses run by the Harrisburg Area Community College or the Central Pennsylvania Writers' Consortium. The Institute of Children's Literature offers a distance learning course.
What are the possibilities for promotion? As an author, you are self-employed and, therefore, need to self-promote.
What might the pay range be for this career? Authors are paid royalties by the publisher, or work is purchased outright. Rates vary between publishers and for different kinds of work.
What traits are required for this job? You need to be creative, persevere and like working alone. You also have to be able to accept criticism and work constructively with a team of editors and be willing to self-promote. Confidence for book readings and interviews will help promote your work.
What was your first job? My first job was as a psychology assistant at a hospital for mentally handicapped children and adults in England.
What will influence this career during the next 10 years? People's reading habits, literacy, technological advances and e-books.
What are the biggest misconceptions about this job? That it is easy to write for children. Writing is a craft that requires hard work and much revision before it is ready for submission.
This Career is a regular feature in the York Daily Record/Sunday News that looks at a host of careers through the lives of real people in York and Adams counties. If you have suggestions for a topic, call Joli Harrington at 846-4588 or e-mail joli.harrington@gmail.com.
