Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Kastner.
Hi Kathleen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Before becoming a children’s book author, I was a yoga studio owner in Kansas City, MO for 16 years. I moved to Encinitas with my husband in 2015 to be closer to our spiritual community at Self Realizaition Fellowship. I’ve been a yoga teacher for 30 years, which has changed my life for the better on every level. It inspired me to become vegan and an animal right activists in 2002. Yoga encourages the practice of ahimsa, non-harming, which can be applied to all areas of our lives: our food choices, clothing choices, the companies we support, our thoughts, and actions. Helping animals is my purpose in life.
Yoga and my love for animals inspired me to write my Karma Cats children’s book series. I wrote the books in memory of my soul mate cats, Julian and Oliver, who were my best friends for 20 years. I wanted to honor them by writing the books to help teach kids to be kind and compassionate to animals and to take action for animals. My fifth book in the series, Karma Cats to the Sea, launches Sept. 12th. Julian and Oliver rescue Savannah the sea lion pup from a dangerous fishing net. It teaches kids the importance of keeping our oceans and beaches clean to protect sea animals. I’m hosting a Book Launch Party on Sept.12th at Swami’s Cafe in Encinitas on Hwy 101 at 10:30am and all are invited! I will be selling and signing books and there will be cupcakes and crafts for the kids.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road by any means…. My biggest struggle has been in marketing the books. Writing them is the easy part. As a self-published author, it’s my responsibility to reach out to schools, libraries and bookstores to set up storytime events to help promote and sell the books. I’m grateful for every “YES” and invitation that has come my way and to everyone who has bought and supported the books. THANK YOU! I can’t do what I love without you.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the author of the Karma Cats children’s book series, which includes: Karma Cats to the Rescue, Karma Cats to the Farm, Karma Cats Kitten Adventure, Karma Cats Puppy Quest and Karma Cats to the Sea. Each book is a daring new adventure teaching kids to be superheroes for animals! My books are based on real animals and animal welfare issues, like abandoned pets, lost pets, street kittens, factory farming and fishing. The photos of the animals are featured in the back of the books to help kids make the connection to the characters in the story. I ‘ve been an animal shelter volunteer at Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas for ten years. I get a lot of my story ideas from working with homeless pets and helping them find their forever homes. I am the most proud of being a cat mom to three amazing rescue cats, Noah, Alijah and Olivia, who are featured in Karma Cats to the Rescue and Karma Cats Kitten Adventure. Being their mom is my favorite thing in life!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Write your story and hire a professional editor to review your content and grammar. If you need an illustrator, look at the web site: www.fIverr.com and study illustrators’ portfolios and read their reviews before hiring one. You can also look for graphic designers on Fiverr to layout the book and format it for you. For paperback books, I recommend self-publishing on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). It’s FREE, easy and they have customer phone service. For children’s hardback books, I recommend using Ingramspark. They will distribute your book to Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other retailers. Most importantly, believe in yourself and NEVER GIVE UP on your dreams!
Pricing:
- $18.95 Hardback
- $12.95 Paperback
- $4.99 E-book
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kathleenkastner.com
- Instagram: @kathleenkastnerauthor; @karmacatsbooks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathleenkastnerwriter/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleenkastner/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kathleenkastner
