28 Nov Caroline Perry, THE CORGI AND THE QUEEN, and a Giveaway!!

It’s an exciting day here over here at Writing Outside the Lines! I met the amazing Caroline Perry in my marketing group, PB SPree, and I am so excited that she is visiting the blog today. Her debut picture book, THE CORGI AND THE QUEEN, is getting a lot of well-deserved recognition, and I am honored that she’s here today. It was released on Nov. 22, and lucky for me, my copy arrived today. It’s beautiful!  

Welcome, Caroline! 

EL: So, let’s get going!  Welcome, Caroline! Will you please tell us a little about yourself? (And do you have a corgi? 😊)

CP: I’m from the UK, but I lived in several other countries as a child. I’ve been living in California for the past fifteen years, and my family and I recently moved to a coastal community of Los Angeles. We’re renting at the moment, and unfortunately, we aren’t allowed to have pets.  I’ve had several dogs in the past, and I definitely see another one in my family’s future (or several, if my daughter gets her way!)

EL: Dogs are the best! Of course, I’ve read the book, but will you tell our readers who may not have read it yet a bit about THE CORGI AND THE QUEEN?

CP: This book tells the story of a young Princess Elizabeth and Susan, the feisty Pembroke Welsh Corgi pup she received as an 18th birthday present. Elizabeth and Susan were inseparable, and the corgi was by her royal companion’s side throughout many of the defining moments of Elizabeth’s life: during the dark days of World War II, when she served in the military to aid with Britain’s war effort; when she married her beloved Philip Mountbatten; when her father, King George VI died; when she was crowned Queen; and when she had her first child, who is now King Charles. Elizabeth and Susan’s friendship really was a love story like no other, one that founded a regal dog dynasty! Fourteen generations of royal corgis were directly descended from Susan.

EL: Fascinating! How did you get the idea for this fabulous book?

CP: Like everyone else, I knew that the Queen adored corgis. I’ve been a journalist for the entirety of my adult life, so I always look for the ‘why’—what happened to make her love that specific breed so much? When I started to research Elizabeth’s younger life and found out about Susan, I was completely enchanted. I had to write the story!

EL: And I love this picture of you at the Queen’s Jubilee! Do you have a specific writing routine? If so, please tell us about it.

CP: I have three kids, and I also work, so I don’t have any set routine. I try to snatch a couple of hours of writing time when the children are at school, but this doesn’t happen every day. I will often write when everyone else in the family is sleeping, as I am definitely more of a night owl than a lark! I know that some people adhere to the ‘butt in chair, write at the same time every day’ method, but that doesn’t work for me. I go through phases of high productivity (I wrote several PBs and a middle-grade novel this year!), but I believe that it’s absolutely OK to take time out and lie fallow sometimes.

EL: Wow! That’s pretty prolific for one year! But what do you do if the words don’t come?

CP: That’s a very good question! I think all writers have this dilemma, and I’ve learned that trying to force it never works. I usually despair for a minute, and then I stop trying so hard! I am surrounded by young kids (mine and others), and by immersing myself in their worlds and just playing with them, it really helps to see what makes them laugh and what makes them excited or emotional, and I try to bring that to whichever manuscript I’m working on at the time.

EL: Thank makes sense. What do you think is the best thing about writing for kids?

CP: As you said, my debut just came out this week, and when I saw the first photo of a real child reading mine and illustrator Lydia Corry’s book, it made me cry! I was also tagged in a library’s photo, and seeing it on their shelves gave me goosebumps. It’s just unbelievable to think that the story I wrote back in 2019 is now in kids’ hands, and I truly hope it will make its way into lots of their hearts, too.

EL: And here are some other great things! Check out these pictures of Caroline’s stand at Corgi Beach Day in California and a gorgeous cake from her family. 

On a different note,  Caroline, what is the most difficult thing? 

CP: I call it a ‘writercoaster’ of emotions! The rejections, the long waits, the imposter syndrome, the ‘compare and despair’… there are elements of this business that can be very tough for any author to deal with.

EL: I love that term! It certainly is a “writercoaster!” Knowing how difficult it can be, do you have any advice for aspiring kidlit writers? 

CP: Keep writing, and keep critiquing (this is so important, I’ve learned so much about my own craft by critiquing others’ work). Celebrate every small ‘win, from a champagne rejection to some kind words from a peer. Find yourself a solid support system: the kidlit community is absolutely wonderful and so generous when it comes to sharing advice and resources. I’ve made some lifelong friends on this journey, and I am so thankful to everyone who has played a part in making my publishing dream come true.

EL: Thank you so much, Caroline! I’ve loved learning more about your writing journey. 

NOW….Caroline is offering a signed book to one lucky winner. Please comment on this post, and if you are a subscriber and/or you share this post, let me know, and you will get an extra chance to win.

Bio: Caroline L. Perry has never lived in a palace, but she has lived in four countries (and visited more than 60 others). Caroline has worked as a journalist for many years, but THE CORGI AND THE QUEEN is her first picture book. Caroline was born in the UK but currently resides in California with her husband and three corgi-loving kids.

THE CORGI AND THE QUEEN is available from anywhere books are sold!

Website: www.carolineperryauthor.com

Twitter: @Caro_Perry

Insta: @carolinelperry

TikTok: @carolinelperry

On a personal note, I’m thrilled to let you know that my newest picture book, DEBBIE’S SONG: THE DEBBIE FRIEDMAN STORY is available for pre-order now! 

Purchase on Bookshop.org or Amazon

Also, to learn more about me, my books, and my school visits, please visit

www.EllenLeventhal.com