I’m an Author

My co-host Lori Scott has an exceptional series about bringing her YA novel from concept to reality, but for my contribution this month, I’m going straight into celebration mode. I hope you’ll join me! Follow me and drop a like or comment on my Instagram @kellimckinneywrites or Facebook page, Kelli McKinney-Author.

I’m so excited to announce that my debut middle grade novel, Jeff Pennant’s Field Guide to Raising Happy Parents, published on October 1 with Chicken Scratch Books! Here at Almost an Author, I’ve been reporting many of my ups and downs as I’ve worked on my craft these past several years.

As you know, this has been fun, but not always pretty. That’s okay. Growth is messy sometimes. That’s why this celebration is oh-so-sweet and why I’m so happy to share it with you.

Because if I can do it, you can too.

So, my dear friend, I’m thrilled to share my book cover, blurb, and all the upcoming fun things, because it’s been a crazy ride getting to this day. Thank you for coming along with me.

Jeff Pennant’s Field Guide to Raising Happy Parents is a humorous contemporary middle grade novel about learning to see beyond yourself and recognizing the perspectives of others. Fifth-grader Jeff doesn’t understand why he’s always in trouble with his parents, so he conducts an experiment to help him learn what will make them happy. Along the way and amid the science, video games, and turtle mishaps, he discovers what true friendship and love in a family are.

When Kelli McKinney and her family aren’t exploring national parks, she can be found sipping cinnamon tea, struggling to keep houseplants alive, or chucking a toy across the backyard for her English Mastiff. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and her graduate degree in radio/tv/film from the University of North Texas. She enjoyed an eclectic-yet-fulfilling career in corporate marketing before wandering off to be a writer. Now, she is a part-time copywriter and blogger, a full-time mom, and a children’s author. JEFF PENNANT’S FIELD GUIDE TO RAISING HAPPY PARENTS is her debut novel. She can be reached through her website for events, visits, and questions at www.kellimckinney.com.