An Interview with Carol Selick, author of Beyond the Song

Carol Selick is a performing singer and songwriter and a music educator with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.

Her recordings, Life Is Believing in You and Just Gonna Think About Today, feature a mix of standards and originals.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I knew I wanted to write a coming-of-age book since the late 60s and early 70s was such a groundbreaking time period. It influenced our lifestyle, politics, and music. Women were finding their freedom and their voices and I wanted to write about my experiences and my generation’s experiences.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I was a piano and voice teacher for many years and also taught a pre-school music class.

I also worked with a very accomplished songwriter in New York—Rose Marie McCoy, who wrote for many, many artists, including Tina Turner, Nat Cole, Linda Ronstadt, etc.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I start every chapter of my book with original lyrics. “Beyond the Song” is the title of the song that begins the last chapter in my book.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

It was thrilling to see my book cover and hold my book! I spent decades on and off working on it and it is still one of my proudest accomplishments.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

The soundtrack to my book is songs written by women singer/songwriters from the late 60s and into the 70s. Women like Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, and Carly Simon. I perform music programs at libraries talking about and singing the songs of these great women artists!

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope readers come away with the knowledge of what it felt like to be a part of the counterculture. I also hope that they realize I am coming from an honest and sincere place—warts and all.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

Recently, I published a children’s picture book, Play for Me, Peter, about a young boy who wants to learn jazz piano like his grandfather. I am currently working on another children’s book—Sing for Me, Sarah.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.