Otter’s Coat: The Real Reason Turtle Raced Rabbit received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Cordellya Smith.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
This book is entitled Otter’s Coat: The Real Reason Turtle Raced Rabbit. It is the first book in the Cherolachian Tales Series. It was published in December 2021.
What’s the book’s first line?
The first line in the book is “Long ago, when the world was made, all the animals were given special gifts.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch.”
This book is the story behind the famous race between the Tortoise and the Hare. Everyone knows Turtle ended up winning the race, but most people don’t know Turtle was racing to help his friend, Otter, get back his coat from Rabbit.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An Event?
This book was inspired by the stories my great-grandfather told when I was a child. I always loved them, but they were never anything like the published stories in the library. When I grew up, I realized his stories were a blend of Cherokee and Appalachian culture, just like him. I wanted to share my version of his stories so my children and others would always have access to them.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
This book shares an interesting twist on the classic tale of the Tortoise and the Hare that allows parents to discuss many important concepts with children: personal strengths, the harm caused by envy and jealousy, how to help our friends, and forgiveness.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who does the main character remind you of?
The most distinctive thing about Rabbit, the main character in this story, is that he is dealing with some of the same emotions children experience as they move from childhood into adulthood. He wants to be the best and have the best. He wants the other animals of the forest, his friends, to see him as a winner. As part of that, he doesn’t realize that his friends see him and love him for himself. We are all given special gifts. There is no need to try to take someone else’s gift. Instead, we should celebrate the good in ourselves and others.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I did not always love reading and writing. But, once I started to love reading and the different worlds I could enter with a book, I started to love writing. I wanted to share my stories. That was in my early teens.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
No, I released my first book seven years ago. Then I took a giant step back and focused just on my writing and the response I wanted to receive from the reader. That process made me a better writer.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I work in education. When I started my career, I taught reading and writing classes. Then I transitioned to the administrative side of education. At present, I work for the University of West Georgia as a degree auditor.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I write a little every day. The goal is always at least an hour, but some days are a little more and others a little less depending on the other activities of the day.
What’s the best and hardest part of being an Indie?
The best part about being an Indie is that I get to work with the illustrator personally and make sure that the illustrations created align with my vision for the book. The hardest part is that I have to do all my own marketing to create an audience for my book. Both of these have taught me a lot about what it takes to make a really great book.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow Indie authors?
Make sure you spend time writing. We all get better with practice.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling?
I would if the offer was right.
Is there something in particular that motivates you?
I love when children smile or laugh as they read my stories.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I most admire writers who can create whole worlds including languages and histories with their writing. Among these I would include J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and J. K. Rowling.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
I wish I could have written the Narnia series. It was one of my childhood favorites and I still marvel at how well constructed it is today.