An Interview with Christine Kessides

Christine Kessides first imagined A Tail Tale when she was a student, but didn’t publish it until her first grandson arrived—who loves a good story and, coincidentally, looks like Wally. Christine is also the author of Magda, Standing, an award-winning Young Adult historical novel. She lives in Maryland with her husband and spends as much time as possible (in person and virtually) with her four children, two grandsons, and granddogs around the country.

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

The story is about a boy, Wally, who tries on tails in an effort to have special powers that might help him make friends when his new classmates aren’t very nice to him. So the title “A Tail Tale” seemed very obvious and came to me almost immediately with my first draft.

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

Sarah Gledhill’s illustrations brought the story, and the characters, to life beautifully. Her cover captures the personality of the boy Wally and the Snake (who is all tail and gets bullied too). I’ve heard so many compliments on the cover! I also love the solid feel of the hardback, which has a very attractive appearance.

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

My first inspiration to write fiction led me to my Young Adult historical novel Magda, Standing, which was published in mid-2023, based on family history. A Tail Tale is a whimsical story that I wrote as a skit for a high school class. Then I forgot all about it and never thought of writing a children’s story for decades, even while I raised my own kids. A couple years ago I found the original faded, typewritten draft of A Tail Tale in an envelope with old school papers and decided to work it over. I took classes and attended webinars on how to write children’s picture books (very different than a novel), and got helpful advice from other picture book authors as I revised the story. I also told the story to my first grandson when he was about 5, and took note of his reactions and questions as my first critic.

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

I’m retired from a career as an economic policy analyst at the World Bank in Washington, DC, where I did a lot of writing—which was not creative writing, but it made me very used to expressing ideas clearly, setting and meeting production deadlines, and accepting to revise, revise and revise.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

I really enjoyed interacting with the Atmosphere Press team of editors and production staff, as well as with the illustrator. And now I’m having a good time sharing the book with my own grandkids, other children and their parents.

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

I’d like a child who feels insecure or shy around other children, and who may be bullied or just excluded by peers, to know that he/she is strong and capable. Being sensitive to others who are also vulnerable makes us more understanding, and as we try to empathize and learn about them, we can become friends. I hope my child readers can relate the story to their everyday experiences and that it will help them gain confidence in themselves.

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

I’ve written a sequel (Tail Tale Too), which will be published by Atmosphere Press in early Fall 2025.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

My experience with Atmosphere Press was very positive—which is why I sent them the sequel and collaborated with the same artist, Sarah Gledhill, who has produced another wonderful set of illustrations. Many new authors are wary about working with a hybrid publisher because some companies don’t provide good value for cost, but I encourage them to look at Atmosphere Press because of the very professional staff and high-quality production.

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