Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Campisi.
Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, a UNESCO City of Literature – so it’s perhaps no surprise that I grew up with a passion for books! I was lucky enough to have a library at the end of my street, and I lived there, reading everything I could get my hands on. Once you spend enough time immersed in books or other expressive art forms, you begin to see the world in terms of stories, and it wasn’t long before I started writing stories of my own. I studied Linguistics at university, then went to work in publishing, all the while working on my books. I published a few short stories here and there, but funnily enough, I came to children’s literature through an Old English class I took for fun! The class re-introduced me to poetry, and from there, I found my way to picture books, which have a lot in common with poetry in terms of shape, language, and focus.
It took me about ten years to sell my first book – publishing is a notoriously slow industry with a very long apprenticeship period – but I now have six out, with another twelve or so on the way, including a chapter book series and a middle grade series. My newest title is Quacks Like a Duck, about a platypus who gets mistaken for a duck at a fancy dress party. It features charming illustrations from South African artist Maria Lebedeva and has been well-received critically by readers. (Hooray!) It’s also a good excuse to try some Aussie culinary delicacies such as pavlova or fairy bread!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Any creative career has its challenges! Writing is a very competitive field with very long timelines, and it’s hard to know how a specific idea will land – if at all! So much of it is timing and luck. I’ve had deals fall apart because an editor or agent had moved on, for example, and a book that had the misfortune of launching in April 2020, when bookshops were closed. On the other hand, I’ve had wonderful opportunities fall into my lap because I sent a well-timed email or saw a call for submissions on Twitter. As a creative, it helps to know what’s in your control – the words on the page – and to separate yourself from your work. A solid work ethic, together with a little bit of shamelessness, can go a long way! I’m a copywriter in my day job, and that’s helped me develop a thick skin! I’m also learning to actively chase after the opportunities I want to make my own, which has made a big difference in my career trajectory.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I’m best known for my picture books Luis and Tabitha, Five Sisters, Very Lulu, and Quacks Like a Duck. All are warm-hearted, gently humorous titles that explore our connection with ourselves, others, and the natural world. I have several more forthcoming titles, including two picture books, a cheerful chapter book series, and a middle-grade series coming out in 2024. I can’t share details yet, but they all feature animal shenanigans and some fantastical settings! I love the idea of humor as a lens through which to explore complex and challenging ideas or experiences, and children’s fiction naturally lends itself to that. My work tends to have a light-hearted touch, but at the same time, it’s agnostic in tone or genre – you never know what you’re going to get! (Nor do I, which is half the fun!)
Any big plans?
I want to keep exploring different media and storytelling methods, and I’m starting to dip my toe into film and television writing, which has been a fabulous experience! Every format has unique strengths and requirements and challenges you to think about the story and reveal information in new ways. It’s like doing a jigsaw puzzle! I have a few books releasing in 2024, so that will be a huge year for touring, promotion, and, hopefully, some writing! A creative career is full of surprises, so I’m quietly excited to see what’s on the cards. In the meantime, I’ll keep putting one word after the other until the next story is done!
Pricing:
- Luis and Tabitha – $16.99
- Very Lulu – $17.99
- Quacks Like a Duck – $17.99
- Five Sisters – $16.99
- Axolotls: Day to ZZZ – $9.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stephaniecampisi.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephcampisi
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/stephcampisiauthor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephcampisi
Image Credits
Stephanie Campisi
