Check out Barbara Renner’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Renner.

Barbara, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
The year I retired from teaching, my husband and I spent the summer in Minnesota – a very long way from my family and friends in Phoenix. After the whirlwind life of a busy teacher came to a close, I wandered around our condo wondering what I was going to do. One of the reasons we vacation in Minnesota is the opportunity to fish and admire the beauty of the Midwest, a land in complete contrast to the Southwest. That’s when I fell in love with the Minnesota state bird, the Common Loon. I researched the intriguing waterfowl and have written and self-published four picture books about Lonnie the Loon. I wanted children and adults to learn about loons as well, so I interspersed interesting facts throughout the books. Back home in Arizona, and after watching the darling covey of quail running through our yard, I decided to write a series of picture books about Quincy the Quail and his family. I continued my pattern of including interesting facts in my books so readers can also learn about the Gambel’s Quail. I’m writing more concept books about fascinating birds, such as the Trumpeter Swan, but am also expanding my horizons by penning manuscripts that are wholesome and family oriented. I’m a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and enjoy networking with other authors.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
It gives me pleasure to ensure others are happy and content. I’ve enjoyed several different careers in my life, mostly in service industries, and I aspire to continue pleasing others, particularly children, through my writing. I want children and adults to enjoy reading and learn from my stories. Truly believing in lifelong learning, I thoroughly enjoy researching the animals I write about and passing that knowledge along to young readers. I hope that my readers, young and old, are inspired by the messages in my books.

Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
Authors publish their books through traditional publishers or independently. When authors query a traditional publisher or agent, they usually wait up to six months to learn if their work will be represented. If a publisher or agent accepts the manuscript, it could be another 1 – 2 years before the book is actually published. If an author chooses to self-publish their work, that author needs to perform all the tasks a publisher would normally do – contract an illustrator, edit, format, design, and market. In both cases, a great deal of time is involved, whether it is waiting for the book to hit the shelves through a traditional publisher or finding advertising and marketing avenues as an independent. The cost of self-publishing is also a factor. A large number of books need to be sold before indie authors realize a return on their investment.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My website, RennerWrites.com, lists stores in Arizona and Minnesota where my picture books can be purchased as well as a way to buy my books online. The Heard Museum Gift Shop recently placed my signed Quincy the Quail books on their shelves for purchase – I’m very excited about that! The Heard also asked me to do a book signing at the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest February 9 & 10, 2019. I have a table at Happy Trails Resort the first Fridays of January – April where I sell and personalize my picture books. The Tucson Festival of Books is March 2-3, 2019, and I’ll be selling my books in a corner booth along with six other children’s authors. I love to sell my books at Farmers’ Markets, libraries, craft boutiques, and street fairs. I post locations of upcoming events on my Facebook page, Renner Writes. In addition, I love to go into classrooms and read my books to children. In 2019 my goal is to set up book fairs at schools around the valley with three other authors so we can read to the classes and offer our books for sale at special prices. The book launch for my new picture book, “Quincy the Quail and the Mysterious Egg,” will be Saturday, January 26, 2019 (1:00 – 3:00 pm), at the North Mountain Park Visitor Center, 12950 North 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85022. My books are also available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rennerwrites.com/
• Phone: 480-448-1112
• Email: barb.renner@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbararenner
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renner.writes/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/barbararenner
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCACt5E_aZAuob-_FREHPDEQ

Image Credit:
Lilly, my number one fan

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