Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Well, my name is Saragine Francois and over one year, I discovered I have a God-given talent…to write children’s/young adult books. While earning my bachelor’s and master’s degree in child study and literacy, I was exposed to children literature. Although I knew I had a talent, I did not believe it was for me and ignored it. The more I threw it in the back burner, the faster it crept up on me until one day; I woke up in the middle of the night and told my husband, I’m going to write. This is how “The White Gorilla and the Three Chimpanzees…a day from the zoo” came to be.

Describe your book ‘The White Gorilla and the Three Chimpanzees...a day from the zoo’ in 30 words or less.

Fun, entertaining, adventurous and full of laughs! When a few apes escape the zoo, they are mistaken for actors in suits and become fugitives. Kids love it!

What was the hardest part of writing your book? 

Keeping the story to a minimal and still have a storyline for young children to read without getting bored.

What books have had the greatest influence on you?

That’s easy! All the Disney books where the story and animations comes to life. The stories are told by animal characters in a fun and exciting way and are embedded with magical themes that attract readers to read books. 

Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

I twitter a lot about my books, I tell all my friends on Facebook, Google+, Linkedin and the likes. I advertise on www.yabookcentral, www.childrenandbookreviews, www.thechildrenbookreview.com etc. I participate in giveaways and attract future buyers with my book trailers.  

How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

I watch the animated shows with my son to get some ideas about how characters are formed; the storyline is developed, and look at his face to see how he responds to all the elements of the show. I also read children’s books, Newbery Medal Award books and go to see some movies for its special effects.

What are you working on next?

Not only I’m working on writing other children’s and young adults books, but I am in the process of pursuing an agent for my 250 page novel titled “Goddesses of the Sea.”  This novel not only entails magical themes but is incorporated with mermaids, princes/princess and a demon.