Please welcome Canadian middle-grade author Sharon Skretting to Adventures in
Publishing. Sharon is the author of The Ultimate Treasure Quest I: The Jewel of Peru, and founder
of Quest Teaching. She was born in small town Alberta, Canada and still resides
in a small town there with her husband of 28 years. She has three grown
children and has been teaching elementary school for eighteen years. Now that
her children have left the nest, she is spreading her wings into the realm of
professional writing. Being able to use her love of writing is Sharon’s dream
come true. Her goal is to write fast paced, excellent literature filled with
interesting characters, danger, and intricate plots that will hook readers
grade 4 and above and make them want to learn more.
Thanks for
visiting Adventures in Publishing, Sharon. To get
started I thought I'd ask you about high school and sports, since that's what
my current book project is about, and then we'll move on to your writing and
book projects.
Most of us have strong feelings about our high
school experience. Was yours a yay or a nay? Please explain.
I think it was
yay. Junior high was rough, but senior high brought new friends, new
experiences, first love and first broken heart! It was also during my time
in senior high when my English teacher expressed an interest in my talent
for writing. I think that his encouragement started my love for writing.
Did you play sports in high school? If yes,
which one(s) and how did it work out for you? If not, do you have children who
play sports?
Sports have
always been a part of our life, though I’m more artsy creative than the
coordinated. I have always been an avid curler and still skip a rink.
Yes, it’s the Canadian thing to do, eh! I also golf. My daughter
was in figure skating and volleyball, while my son kept us busy going to every
hockey rink around. Now that they are grown, I finally have time to
write. But I still have to hit the treadmill or I will become mush.
Marketing is a big part of an author’s work. Do
you have any key marketing tips for authors?
I’m still
learning myself, but networking is huge, Get to know people, help them first
and they will return the favor. Stay true to yourself and take every
opportunity you can to connect with your readers and other authors.
There’s so much to learn!
Can you tell us about your latest project?
Being an
author is my moonlight job so writing The Jewel of Peru, developing the supporting
teacher website, and working on teacher materials, have
taken me the better part of the last 2 years. Though it’s been
challenging to do, while teaching full time, and being the
literacy lead at my school, it has also been so rewarding to use everything
with my class. They loved it and I loved their reaction! Surprisingly,
the response has also been very positive from adult readers. Now, all are
eagerly awaiting the sequel so I that’s my goal for the next few months. I
hope to have the sequel out by next summer! Stay tuned for the Ultimate
Treasure Quest II!
Where can we learn
more about you and your books?
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