Author Spotlight: Carole P. Roman

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over 50 children's books. Whether it's pirates, princesses, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children.

Where did you grow up?  

I was born in Brooklyn, New York, but moved to Queens when I was three. At eighteen, my parents moved us to Long Island, so I grew up in three very different parts of New York. They say you can leave Brooklyn, but Brooklyn never leaves you. It was there I learned about family and community that shaped my entire life.

Did you read a lot as a child? 

My grandmother lived with us and I still have the fairy tale book she used to read to me. It was my mother’s book. Those wonderful stories became a part of my imagination. She was a terrific storyteller, my grandmother, and she gave me the love for personal histories and how they are affected by world events. I grew up on her stories about pre-war Europe and trench warfare of World War 1. I started reading Nancy Drew books in second grade in a friendly competition with my best friend. We raced to see who would finish all 100 books first. I think she did, but I went straight into adult fiction by fourth grade and read whatever was laying around the house. My mom and grandmother were avid readers and there was always something. Interesting fact, I still trade books with that same friend 58 years later. 

What were some of your favorite books/authors? 

I love Tracy Chevalier, Bernard Cornwell, Allison Weir, Phillipa Gregory, anything with history in it. My favorite book of all time was ShoGun. It was the perfect mix of history, adventure, romance, and intrigue. However, I love some of the newer books coming out written by Colson Whitehead, CS Harris, and so many others. I can’t go to bed at night unless I read first.

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

I wanted to be an actress, but my parents told me I had to get a practical degree. I took acting, singing, and dancing lessons and was in many amateur shows, but got my degree in secondary education. I taught for a hot minute and my husband asked me to help him build our business. I did and we became one of the largest players in our industry. We employee hundreds of people and I still work there as the CEO. Writing came to me later in life. I started this second career at 58 and haven’t looked back. I have a podcast and founded a magazine. I write under two pen names and am very active in the indie community.

Tell us about some of the jobs you’ve had before you became a writer. 

I sold high-end jewelry. I was a social studies teacher. I have been a dispatcher, reservationist, saleswoman. I have sold children’s coats and babysat for other people’s children. I have worn many hats!

How did you get started writing? 

My mom and I were very close. We did almost everything together, especially read. When she passed from lung cancer, I was in a funk. My sons wanted to help me get out of it, and created a contest to see who could come up with the best story. I brought in Captain No Beard, based on playtime with my grandchildren. It not only won first place in our contest, it was named to Kirkus’ Best of 2012. 

What do you like best about writing? 

I love creating characters. I enjoy hearing how people were entertained by something I created. I love when I hear how a book made them happy or helped them get through a troubling time. It’s intimate to share your writing. It makes the world a smaller, friendlier place. I also like the challenge of doing something new, pushing myself to try new things, new genres.

What do you find the most challenging about writing? 

Getting all the errors corrected. I don't see my mistakes no matter how many times I read it. I see what I intended to say, and those pesky errors irritate me. I put all my books through three professional editors and there are still things that slip through.

What do you think makes a good story? 

A good story is selective to the person reading it. I like human stories. I enjoy reading about a person’s experience in a world I may or may not recognize. I just finished The Nickle Boys and it left me sad, but it was important to be left unhappy. The purpose of the book was to expose injustice in the world. Reading informs and teaches us about what we don’t see. It teaches me never to take my life for granted. It leaves me thinking, there for the grace of God go I. I can only relate the experiences of my life. Reading opens up a whole new world and helps me understand others.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from everyday life. They say to write about what you know. That is always where I start. It makes the book authentic. 

What is your favorite reading/writing snack? 

Popcorn is not only my favorite snack, it’s my favorite food. 

Do you have any quirky writing habits?

I can talk and write at the same time. I can have a conversation with my brother, who is blind and never realizes that I am working on something. I also write horror under the name Brit Lunden, which is weird. I have never watched or read anything that is horror. I hate to see blood, and they said my debut book as Brit Lunden was very scary. It’s funny. I have no idea where it came from. Must have been all those gory fairy tales.

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Don’t get discouraged. Get on a good thread on Goodreads and talk to other authors. If you pay for anything, make it an editor and a good cover.

If you could spend a day in any imaginary world from a book you’ve read, where would it be and why?

Regency England, having tea with Jane Austin. 

Tell us about your latest book/project. 

I just published The Big Book of Silly Jokes and am delighted with the reviews it is receiving. I think the world needs more laughter and I am happy to accommodate. The book is a good way to teach children how to break the ice. It has 800 jokes, plus a chapter on how to write your own. It can be used as a reading tool, and in the case of my granddaughter, it’s a great way for her to practice speech. I also just finished a book on spies during World War II, for kids. It was fascinating. Lastly, I am publishing my latest book in the Bulwark Anthology for the adult readers.

For more information about Carole and her books, visit:

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New Author Enjoys the Challenge of Large Group School Visit

by Carol Hageman

I am a first-time author of a children’s book entitled Bubby’s Puddle Pond: A Tortuga’s Tale of the Desert. My book has been in publication for less than a year and I have had several book signings and school visits, but recently, I was invited by a school to read my book and do a presentation on the artwork before 800 students in grades K-3.  

The academic coach wanted the students to become more aware of the arts. I accepted the challenge, but after I hung up the phone, I realized what I had just agreed to. Up until now, my presentations were typically in the range of 50 students. However, I reminded myself of the years of experience I had acquired as a volunteer in my daughter’s elementary school and library. I thoroughly enjoyed working with children, tutoring them in reading, and being involved with the Art Masterpiece Program. That’s when I realized, I could take on a project of this size, too.

Just a month earlier, I had the opportunity to purchase all of the artwork from the book. It included pencil and ink sketches, a small draft of the book and all of the watercolors. I thought the children might be interested in learning how a book is produced. I would tie that in with the art that made the book special.

When I arrived at the school, I was led to the auditorium to set up. I was told there would be two sessions. The kindergarten and first-graders would be together for a slightly simplified version of the presentation, followed by the second- and third-graders for a more advanced version. I prepared the tables by laying out the pencil sketches, ink sketches, and the watercolors in succession, as they appeared in the book.

After introducing myself, I asked the students how many of them liked to draw, how many liked to read, how many liked to write. After all the little hands went down, I told them there are many new authors and artists in the audience. I told them art comes in many different forms from paintings to sculptors to crafts and drawings. Just like in my book. All of the artwork was done in watercolors.

I shared a story of my experience years ago, when I volunteered in the classroom helping children produce their own book. The students would hand-write their story and I would type them and make a cover out of construction paper. The students would then illustrate the pages and cover. After everyone completed their book, they would read it to the class.

I then proceeded to explain what it took to produce my own book. I started with the front cover, the copyright page, the dedication page, content of the story, fact pages, glossary, curriculum page, and the creative team pages. Finally, the back cover. I explained how many professionals are involved in the production process. Starting with the author, followed by the illustrator, editor, graphic designer, curriculum writer, proofreaders, project manager, production staff, and printers.

The academic coach had scanned the book in order to project it on a large screen as I read it to the students. After the story was finished, pre-selected students came up on stage to ask a question, using the microphone before the student assembly. I answered their questions, and followed up by encouraging them to follow their dreams. If they enjoy reading, writing, and drawing, someday they might be an author, or work on a professional team to produce a book.

Finally, the children were invited to walk by the table to view the artwork. I was so pleased with their responses of enthusiasm! They shared with me who their favorite character was in the story, had positive comments about the watercolors, and thanked me for visiting their school. Needless to say, I left feeling very gratified. I felt very comfortable before 800 children and would love the opportunity to do it again.