Two awards, one article...

The January awards edition of the Family Review Center Magazine has been released today. Sir Licksalot & The Bay Fools was awarded with the Best of the Year for 2014, and Author D.L. Carroll was chosen for the Star Award, which awards outstanding companies and business owners.

Check out the magazine and the interview with D.L. Carroll...

Here is the link and the interview below it.

  http://issuu.com/familyreviewcenter/docs/2015-1-1?e=14724324/11138941
 
Question: When and how did your company form?
Answer: By chance. While taking a sabbatical in late 2006, I accepted a NANO writing contest challenge to write a novel in 30 days. My son wanted to read it but it was adult material. He asked me to write him a book. Since he struggled to find reading material that kept his interest for SSR (Sustained Silent Reading) I wrote him a story about a dog named Sir Licksalot. In 2008 Children’s Chapter Book, Sir Licksalot & The Maverick Fools, was published followed by Sir Licksalot & The Island Fools in 2012, Sir Licksalot & The Arctic Fools in 2013, and Sir Licksalot & The Bay Fools in 2014.


Question: What is your mission statement?
Answer: Write to ignite a child's desire to read and then leave a paw print on their heart.


Question: Please tell us a little about your family.
Answer: I am a single mom, with an 18 year old son in his first year of college. We live in the Silicon Valley. Another member of our family is a miniature dachshund named, Rocky. When Rocky was a puppy my son was just 5 years old. Rocky woke him up every morning with wet kisses. One morning my son told him, "Stop, Sir Licksalot!" Rocky is the inspiration behind the mischievous & inquisitive character, Sir Licksalot.


Question: What are your goals for 2015? Answer: Looking ahead for 2015...Ideas for book 5 are keeping me awake at night. An outline is drafted. It is my intention to complete this manuscript. I am also planning to make a couple school visits. Increasing awareness of the series is always a goal. More online presence and social media attention will be a focus.


Question: What were your top accomplishments of 2014?
Answer: In 2014, the Sir Licksalot Series was featured in Bay Area Parent Magazine and also in a local newspaper. A science camp embraced Sir Licksalot & The Arctic Fools, carrying it on their book shelves for the campers to read. A 5th grade class read, Sir Licksalot & The Arctic Fools, and highly recommended the teacher to purchase the entire series for her future classes. The 4th book in the series, Sir Licksalot & The Bay Fools, was published and released in late October. Family Review Center's timely efforts for the pre-published review that resulted in a Seal of Approval recommendation & the most recent "Best of the Year" honor for book 4. It was a great year for the Sir Licksalot Series.


Question: What was the hardest part in launching your product and/or company? Answer: The hardest part was learning about the publishing industry.


Question: What is your one piece of key advice for new entrepreneurs?
Answer: Educate yourself about your market. It is exhausting, yet exciting, at the same time. Determination and passion will help you conquer the roadblocks, and in my case as an author, rejection and criticism.


Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Answer: Learning how to write cartoon scripts.


Question: What is your next big adventure?
Answer: My vision for the future is turning each book into a 30 minute cartoon.


Question: What would be your dream vacation?
Answer: A 3 week trip to Europe.


Question: What is your favorite hobby? Answer: That is easy, writing!


Question: How do you relax?
Answer: I love to visit the beach and go for long walks in the mountains. I am a big fan of the movie theater too.