Lara Bury is an Aussie author, wife, mother of 5, photographer, soccer lover, goal-keeper and business owner at “Just B You” and “Chicks on the Go”. She wanted to publish her children’s picture books for a long time and finally she started her interesting journey as an author. Her first published book is “A Walk Like No Other”, a book full of colour, rhyme, fun, and crazy things.
What she loves about writing for kids is she can really use her imagination. “It doesn’t have to be real in fact the more unreal and different or crazy the better!”,- says Lara. Curently she is working on a new book called Aussie Animal Adventures and the next story in “A Walk Like No Other” series.
For those who don’t know you, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Lara Bury, My wife and I have been together for 12 years and married for 1. We have 5 children between us, 4 boys still at home Josh 18, Jackson and Nicholas 16 and Flynn 10 and my daughter Keely 21. We have a Cleaning/lawn mowing/Transport business called Chicks on the Go. I’ve been writing stories for years and have quite a few on my computer. In my spare time I love writing, photography and watching the kids play softball and soccer. I grew up playing soccer and only stopped about 5 years ago.
Did you always wanted to be a children’s book author?
Yes, I’ve always wanted to write a children’s picture book and so excited that I’ve actually done that and can’t wait to publish my next book.
What part of writing children stories have you come to appreciate the most?
I love the fact that children’s stories can be quite imaginative. The more out there the better. There are no limitations.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be patient, everything comes when it’s meant to be.
What’s on your nightstand? Any books?
Yes, I have a book that I read in the 5th grade and it has stayed with me since then. I’m thinking it must mean something that I still have it on my nightstand. I’d love to turn the book into a movie(write the script) as I think it would be a great kids movie. It’s called Master of the Grove by Victor Kelleher and I also have The Barefoot Investor on my nightstand.
When did you write your very first children story?
I wrote my very first children’s story years ago.
What do you wish you’d have known starting out as an author?
I wish I’d known being an author is all about Marketing and how to market your book. Writing is the easy part. Getting Sales isn’t so easy.
What inspires your work?
Imagination inspires my work. Watching my kids play at a young age inspired me to write.
What sparked the idea for A Walk Like No Other?
The idea of A Walk Like No Other came to me after wondering what fun and crazy things could one girl see on her walk home.
Which five words do you feel best describe A Walk Like no Other?
5 words that best describe A Walk Like No Other are…Fun, Colourful, crazy, adventure, family
Why do you think your books make an excellent addition to a child’s library?
I think the fun, rhyming story line and great illustrations really make this a fabulous book for any child to read or to have read to them.
What has been the best reaction from a reader, so far?
I had a mum and teacher message me saying that the kids really loved the story and grasped the fact that it’s not always about winning that you just have to run your own race. I felt so happy when I heard that.
Should we expect to see more stories published in Saphire and Friends series? Any projects coming up you would like to share with us?
Yes, I’m working on a new book in the same style of A Walk Like No Other but this time Sapphire and her brother Jimmy and his mate Ryder and Miss Claire (Sapphires St Bernard) are out on a treasure hunt! It will be full of fun and adventure, colour and rhyme! I can’t wait to publish this one.
I’m also working on a new book called Aussie Animal Adventures. It’s a fun facts kids book all about Australian Animals and Animals that live here. It’s different in that I’ll be using real photos of the animals and my young son Flynn will be the main character. Joining him will be a cute little illustrated quokka named Quentin.
Check out Lara Bury’s website and books here.
