Caitlin Costello
Caitlin can be found at:
Website: lostcoastspinnery.com
Bluesky: @lostcoastspinnery.bsky.social
Tell me what inspired you to write your (debut) book?
I’ve been writing since college (over 30 years). I have done a number of ghost writing gigs for magazines and short story collections. I’ve been published under a number of pen names in the ‘romance/erotica’ genres however given that I spent decades in public service it would not be sensible of me to use my given name. To answer the why of erotica. I had submitted a number of stories and got the usual, ‘this is great you should send it to an agent/publisher’ and not once was my work ever selected. So to help pay the bills I wrote what would sell. At Mass College of Art I studied fine illustration and photography and it wasn’t until recently I dug through the boxes I’d stored of legal pads going back years where I had written stories long hand, short runs of ideas, dialogue that would pop into my head that I liked and I found one pad filled with ideas for children’s illustrated books.
What came first the characters or the world?
Nearly always it’s a combination of both. The world is usually inspired by something that I believe is ignored by our politicians (take your pick, the loss of bees, the global climate changes, the exponential increase in storms with the accompaniying cost/damage, not properly funding education, caring for the elderly and poor). The character is then what I wish could be the agent of change.
How hard was it to get your first (debut) book published?
I’ve decided not to even attempt to send this book to a publisher. I’ve committed to funding it 100% myself and have it properly printed in hardcover. However that being said, I do have interest from an American publisher that saw some of my artwork on social media and reached out. But after all these years of waiting I’m going to do it myself and see if the public embraces Gary or not (the main character).
How long did it take to write?
The overall plot an hour. The actual writing? Weeks of picking it apart. Editing it over and over. Agonizing over the placement of single word as it’s meant for children under age 12 but I wanted it to be enjoyable for parents to read aloud too.
Do you have a writing playlist? If so do you want to share it?
Actually no, I don’t have a preferred one size fits all playlist. When I’m painting I put on headphones to work. When I’m painting with a certain style or trying to get a visceral feel to the piece I will play music that keeps me rooted to the work. So as an example; painting a gloomy monastary haunted by time then perhaps some Gregorian chants and dark Germanic opera. Painting something inspired by Franzetta? Then late 80’s rock. Soft watercolors? Enya. For writing itself the music doesn’t matter. I pretty much tune out the world and just get lost in the writing.
How many publishers turned you down?
I stopped counting at 52.
What kind of reactions have you had to your book?
I’m very pleased to say the reactions have been wonderful. They have been so good that I feel a bit stupid I focused on short stories and novellas for so many years. Now will the feelings be the same once the artwork and formatting is done? I can’t say. But I’m hopeful. Unlike many of the kids books I see being pumped out that have an obvious look of AI, my work is done on paper with blue pencil. I scan the pages in on a large format Canon, then I do the painting digitally with Sketchbook Pro and CS6 with a large Wacom tablet. And while the change to mostly digital was difficult it’s saving me a small fortune in paper which has become prohibitivley expensive to keep dumping in the recyclying if I feel it’s not perfect.
What’s the favourite reaction you’ve had to your book?
Since nobody has seen the artwork yet it’s all been letting people read the draft. I think my favorite would be reading it out loud to some kids that came into the wool mill. Normally we don’t allow children in the wool mill because the machines are dangerous but it was clean out day (when all the machines are deep cleaned) so when a few people came in with children we gave them a tour. I was working on a story board to set up my illustrations and was asked what I was doing. I explained I’d written a book about a monster that didn’t want to be scary. They wanted to hear it and it was a blast to see them pile on the couch in the knitting corner and listen. Then it was lots of questions after, which was really nice.
What can you tell us about your next book?
It’s about a bee scout.
Do you take notice of online reviews?
No.
Would you ever consider writing outside your current genre?
I do on a regular basis. I also write a blog for the wool mill. (www.lostcoastspinnery.com) but I have to try and find a voice when I’m not writing for the blog as I lean toward sarcastic and dark humor. So when I write for children I actually pretend I’m my Irish grandmother telling me a story and I use her voice, her manner of speaking and somehow when I’m trying to convey something that might be scary it sounds so much nicer coming from my version of her.
What did you do before (or still do) you became a writer?
I served in the military (helped pay for college), worked in public service, did private research for hire, and now I own a wool mill and a small farm where I raise five breeds of sheep for their wool in Ferndale, California. We don’t sell or butcher anyone. It’s very much a live and let live operation. When they get old they move into the geriatric squad pasture and are allowed to live out their days in peace.
Which author(s) inspire you?
Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Ann Perry, Agatha Christie, Terry Pratchett, Jane Austin, P.D. James, Dorothy Sayers, Karen Harper, Dennis Lehane, Lee Childs and there’s more but I’d I’m afraid it would be too long. I have a massive book collection.
Which genres do you read yourself?
Fiction, mystery, fantasy, historical (that’s a favorite), biographies (usually older than 100 years), and short story collections.
What is your biggest motivator?
Knowing how much it costs to keep the farm running when you don’t ever slaughter anything. Feed and hay isn’t cheap and with the current administration pushing everything into private equity, gutting public education and embracing cruelty I feel an obligation to fight back. Writing stories of kindness, hope, pushing through adversity give me purpose.
What will always distract you?
I have adhd. A random bird on the windowsill can distract me 🙂
How much (if any) say do you have in your book covers?
I do all my own artwork for my book covers, and I use GIMP to design my end papers.
Were you a big reader as a child?
Yes. My parents got me my first library card at the Dedham Public Library when I turned 5. By the time I was 7 I was allowed to take three more books per week than the maximum for my age group.
What were your favourite childhood books?
Greek and Roman mythology, adventure (loved Doyle), the Hobbit, Watership Downs, any comic book I could get my hands on.
Do you have a favourite bookshop? If so, which?
Sadly there is not a book shop in the tiny town I reside in so I have to drive to Booklegger in Eureka, CA about 30 minutes away.
What books can you not resist buying?
A cozy mystery and one that grabs me in the first two pages. If I get that rush at the bookstore I will always buy it. Even if I’ve never heard of the author before.
That being said, I’ve purchased some New York Times best seller books that ‘everyone was shouting about as a must read’ and found them to be absolutely awful. Like dreadful. Sitting and trying to force myself to read them only to be furious with the improper use of language (saying ‘pram’ which if the book was based in the UK is fine but Seattle Washington USA? No.). Or just endless over description…a full page of adjectives. I tried to read 50 Shades of Grey (gifted by a friend who thought it amazing). It was rubbish. Tried the Twilight Series. Never got past the first chapter. Awful. Then there was one where the main characters enjoyed eating shopping tv fake diamonds. Everyone of them went to the donation center.
Do you have any rituals when writing?
I used to sit down with a glass of wine and a cigarette. Now it’s just a comfy chair and lap rug. I prefer to write in my studio long hand.
How many books are in your own physical TBR pile?
Um. It’s at least 40. I’ve taken to also putting TBR books in my office because I keep telling myself I will find the time to actually get to them.
What is your current or latest read?
Without Precedent by Lisa Graves the book I just finished is One Girl and Her Dogs by Emma Gray.
Any books that you’re looking forward to in the next 12 months?
I love Joe Hill. I read Heart Shaped Box and Nos4atu, so I’ve gone and purchased all this titles. They are in a nice stack next to my bed. I’m really hoping to stop working 60 hours a week at the mill and with our new employees just work 40 which would be lovely and then I’d be able to read at night for enjoyment. Right now the mill is so busy we can barely keep up with the six of us and I’m already in need of a much larger building. So my reading list will have to wait until all that is fully sorted out. Right now I do use my Kindle to read during my lunch break or if I have to take long drives (pick up wool) I will listen to a book. I prefer reading myself to the audio books but I make do on long drives.
Any plans or projects in the near future you can tell us about?
I have 4 other children’s books that are drafted and story boarded out. If this one at least breaks even then I will find the time to finish the others.
Any events in the near future?
No. I do attend wool and fiber festivals where my art is also on display and sells quite well. I plan on offering my first book at the next years run of Pacific Northwest festivals.
and finally, what inspired you to write the genre you do?
I have always loved illustrated books. And even now if I see a gorgous cover of a childs book I will buy it, look at it for the sheer pleasure of the art then donate it to the local library. And for myself I’m writing the books that I have yet to see on shelves.