Author Interview with Kathy Vassilakis
I’m interviewing Kathy Vassilakis today, author of children’s picture book “I Woof You from the Bottom of my Heart”. Thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions, Kathy!
1. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I knew I wanted to be an author when I was very young. I always enjoyed reading to children and knew from a very young age I would love to write a children’s book someday.
2. Where did you get the inspiration for your book?
The inspiration for my book came from my daughter and her relationship with our dog.
3. What is your editing process like?
The book was edited by a professional editor.
4. What was the most challenging part of writing this book?
The most challenging part of any children’s book I believe are the illustrations.
5. What were your writing goals for 2014, and did you accomplish them?
My writing goals for 2014 were to finish and publish I Woof You From The Bottom Of My Heart
6. Are you working on something now? If so, can you tell us a little about it?
Not yet but I would love to write another children’s book soon. Between juggling being a stay at home mom to an 18 month old and writing it’s very difficult to find the time. But I will keep at it and write another book soon.
About The Book
Title: I Woof You From the Bottom of my Heart
Author: Kathy Vassilakis
Genre: Children’s Book
The idea to write this book came from my daughter and my dog. This book was written to show children how special a bond and friendship they can have with their dog. Dog’s are wonderful pets and love us unconditionally. They will protect and love us no matter what. Children deserve to learn that at a very young age and grow to love all animals. Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character
Author Bio
Personal Biography of Kathy Vassilakis
Kathy Vassilakis used to work in the corporate world. She majored in accounting from Brooklyn College and followed her dream to work in corporate accounting for 15 years until she became a mom.
Being a mom was her dream all along and she left accounting to raise her beautiful daughter Sophia. She’s been writing stories for her daughter for quiet some time and decided to write her first children’s book of many to come I Woof You From The Bottom Of My Heart.
The idea to write this book came from my daughter and my dog. This book was written to show children how special a bond and friendship they can have with their dog. Dog’s are wonderful pets and love us unconditionally. They will protect and love us no matter what. Children deserve to learn that at a very young age and grow to love all animals. Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character.
Growing Up
I grew up in Brooklyn NY. I was the second child out of two. I have one sister named Joanne and always had animals. We had many dogs throughout my childhood from Pomeranians to Chows. I also had ducks, roosters, chickens, bunnies and many more animals. I was and still am a huge animal lover.
My love of books started when my mother used to read wonderful stories to my sister and me every night. She always tried to teach us both languages Greek and English. My parents were born and raised in Greece so Greek was their first language. Most of the stories she read to us were in Greek but that started my love for reading and writing. I learned both languages and am now fluent in writing and reading Greek which I am very proud of.
Family
I’ve been married now for five years and have one beautiful daughter. My daughter Sophia is 17 months old and she is my whole world. I also have a Japanese Chin named Bella. My husband, Greg, has always supported and believed in me, and my family will always be my inspiration.
Creating I Woof You From The Bottom Of My Heart
I have spent twenty years writing stories and brainstorming ideas for children’s books with my family. I came up with the characters Sophia and Bella after my own family. I was inspired by my daughter and the relationship she has with Bella and created I Woof You From The Bottom Of My Heart to teach children ho special a bond they can have with their dogs.
Compassion for animals is greatly connected to goodness of character this is the motto of the book. All animals deserve to be loved, respected, and treated right.
After a lot of hard work and many sleepless nights, I was finally able to publish my first book: I Woof You From The Bottom Of My Heart. To me, finally seeing my book in print and being able to share it with the public has made all the late nights and long hours worthwhile.