Meet Kimberly Luttery | Children’s Books Author and Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Luttery and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe what sets me apart is the passion I have for telling stories that speak to the heart, the joys of being a child, and that reflect the simple experiences that people have growing up that turn into cherished memories. I had a wonderful childhood full of love from my parents, brother and sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and extended family. I can remember vividly the times that we shared, and I get much of my stories’ inspiration from those moments in my life. To me, these experiences are universal, no matter where you come from. I’ve been told by adult readers that my books help them recall moments from their own childhoods, and that motivates them to focus on creating memorable experiences with the children in their lives. As adults, we sometimes forget that we were once kids, but being around children and seeing the world through their eyes reminds us of when we were young and looked out at the world with great optimism.

The journey to where I am today was not easy, and it took a while for me to get here. As a child, I created my own children’s picture books using crayons and poster boards. The seed for my future was planted then.

After college, I immediately started working and that took me away from the creative space for some time. Instead of writing fiction, I wrote PSAs, corporate speeches, and non-profit feature stories. However, during my personal time, I never put down my creative writing pen. I continued to write poetry and short stories. Later in life, the seed that I planted years ago sprouted because my passion for writing children’s picture books never died, and I decided to refocus on that.

I got here through hard work, a lot of reading, and research to understand the children’s picture book genre. I am extremely proud of the books that I have written so far; Grandma Had a Grandma Too, I Am Wonderfully Made, and Grandpa Had a Grandpa Too. These interactive and universal stories appeal to children ages 3 – 8 years old, but older children and adults love them as well. The simplicity of the language is perfect for reading aloud as a bedtime or anytime story.

My passion for writing my own stories inspired me to help other aspiring authors publish their books. I provide consulting services for the self-publishing process, writing, editing, and proofreading. I want to help others succeed and share the knowledge that I have gained through learning the process of how to create my own book from start to finish. It is so satisfying to help other authors and see how happy they are when they hold their completed books in their hands.

I think that the traditional work model is somewhat antiquated in today’s world. So many people today are doing their own thing career-wise, and I love that. I believe that is a big win for creatives because we can sometimes feel depleted and incomplete when we work outside of our passion, and there is always that little tap on the shoulder telling us that we should be doing something else.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is so much to see and do in Atlanta because there is such rich history here. I would take my friend to the Centennial Olympic Park to hang out, and then walk over to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Georgia Aquarium, and The World of Coca-Cola. I would also take someone to the Fernbank Museum to enjoy an I-Max movie and check out the massive dinosaur skeletons. We’d also hang out at Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, and go to the Sweet Auburn area to visit the King Center. One of my favorite places to grocery shop is the Dekalb Farmer’s Market because they have foods from all over the world and a fantastic deli.

As far as dining is concerned, I like Fox Brothers BBQ because they have the best brisket burger and smoked wings. Dining at the Westin’s Sun Dial Restaurant is a great experience because it sits at the top of the building and rotates 360 degrees so that you can see a panoramic view of Metro Atlanta, and that is where my husband and I got engaged. One of my favorite places to eat for special occasions is a Brazilian restaurant called Fogo de Chao. Their menu is fantastic, and the ambiance is very nice. I would also take my friend to my favorite Japanese restaurant called Ru Sans because they have some of the best sushi.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Three people come to mind. First and foremost, I want to acknowledge my mother who has always loved and supported me in whatever I do. My husband, who is my biggest cheerleader, has pushed me to go outside of my comfort zone. Last but not least, my friend, artist, and graphic designer Nicole Collie. She can interpret the descriptions that I give her of the book pages into beautiful illustrations that represent what I believe young readers will enjoy.

Website: www.kimberlyluttery.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lutterykimberly/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-luttery-76809b110/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyBarrettLutteryBooks

Image Credits
All photographs are owned by the author, Kimberly Barrett Luttery