The Work of Author Jeanette McLeod

The Founder of Company Wizz-e Talks About Her Writing Inspirations

May 2, 2009

From a busy household to running a company to writing, Jeanette McLeod talks to Suite101 about how she finds time to do it all and the children's authors that inspire her

Your company does not just benefit readers but also authors. How does it do this?

We want to give aspiring talented authors the opportunity to have their stories read by children all around the world. We pay authors a much higher % of sales than traditional print publishers. We have a global reach in all of the books we produce by the very nature we are based on the internet. We also provide feedback to authors that submit work to us even if we do not accept them for publication.

You also write. What inspires your writing?

I love writing for children because you are only restrained by your own imagination. Children are not restrained by theirs! Writing children’s books can transport you to any adventure you like. I find my inspiration from my own childhood experiences and seeing the world through my own children’s eyes.

You have not always worked in the world of writing. How did your previous corporate roles prepare you for the work you are doing now?

My previous corporate experience was based around running projects, managing teams and recruiting talent. Starting a business is just like running a project so my corporate experience helped me with this. But in the corporate field I always felt something was lacking. I never felt real passion or a sense of purpose. When I came to the realisation that my passion was to help children’s literacy then everything clicked into place. My role was to then surround myself with a team of talented writers, illustrators, IT specialists, marketing and PR. It was my chance to let the creative side of me out which was stifled in my corporate roles.

I hear you have quite a busy household! How do you find time to run a company, write and keep your head above water at home?

Well with 4 children it can be fun juggling everything – especially those days you realise at 5pm that the kids are due to go to school in fancy dress the next day! Running a company means you have to be disciplined with what you spend your time on. But when you love what you do then you find the time. Other things like the housework sometimes have to wait!

Apart from the professionals you work with at Wizz-e who are your favourite authors and illustrators?

Julia Donaldson is definitely one of my favourite children’s authors and Axel Sheffler is always brilliant in his illustrations. The whole of the Dr. Seuss collection has been passed down through the children and they are always fun to read. As the children grew up then Francesca Simon’s Horrid Henry series became a firm favourite – probably because Henry reminds us a certain little boy living in our house! The list would be too long to include all of my favourites.

Lastly I have to ask… What is your favourite children’s book of all time?

Gosh that is quite a hard question because I love children’s books for lots of different reasons … For its simplicity and the ability for young children to join in it would be Hairy MaClary by Lynley Dodd. I think I know it off by heart it has been read so many times!!

You can read more about Jeanette's company Wizz-e and it's quest to improve child literacy in the first half of this interview

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