I’d like to introduce you to Nan Carlton. I have known Nan for a couple of years through social media. But recently I met her in person at an event. She’s a wonderful and talented author/illustrator. I hope you enjoy her interview. 

Nan Carlton is an award-winning writer and illustrator of children’s books. Originally from western North Carolina, today, she and her husband divide their time between Richmond, Va. and Cape Charles, Va.

Nan holds degrees in music education from Lenoir-Rhyne University (BME) and Appalachian State University (MA). Her work experiences include public school music teacher, church choir director, and private piano and flute instructor.

In 2024, her first two picture books, Huck, Chuck, & Bruce: At the Shore and You Can’t Judge a Bee by Its Color, were published. Nan’s writings for adult audiences have been included in the Eastern Shore Writers Association’s Bay to Ocean Journal, Guidepost faith-based anthologies, and Southern Christian Writers Conference’s blog posts and quarterly magazine, Anchored. She has received awards for her poetry, short stories, flash fiction, and picture books.

Where are you from? I was born, raised, and educated in western North Carolina. Currently, my husband and I divide our time between Richmond, Va. and Cape Charles, Va.

When did you begin writing stories? At age 62, I got serious about writing. Although I wish that I had started this writing journey earlier in life, I’m resolved to trust God’s timing regarding this matter.

You first self-published and later received a traditional publishing contract. How did that feel? Yippee! I’m over-the-moon thrilled to publish a book without opening my checkbook—or my husband’s wallet.

You’re also an illustrator. How did you develop your illustration skills? I was a middle-school music teacher in my twenties. Of course, I had bulletin boards in my classroom to decorate, and I loved trying to make them colorful, creative and inexpensive. When I illustrate a children’s book, I use the same method as I did when I was a teacher. Give me some scrap paper, scissors, and a glue stick, and I’ve got what I need to make a cut-paper collage illustration. Before I start an illustration, I see the finished project on a classroom bulletin board in my mind’s eye, and then, I make a teeny, tiny version of this.

Congratulations on your new book! Can you tell us about it? Puppy Love published by Abundance Books. That’s the title of my next children’s book. The book is written in rhyme, and the whimsical illustrations are rendered in cut-paper collage. Puppy Love encourages the adoption of rescue animals from shelters and teaches children the importance of proper food, exercise, and hygiene when caring for pups.

What inspired you to write this story? When I’m a vendor at book events, potential customers (aka future friends) frequently ask if I’ve written a board book for the little ones. Puppy Love is the answer to this request. It’s my first board book, and I’m very excited about this new addition. I’m a practical gal, and I believe the subject matter here is also a practical choice because most children adore puppies.

How long did it take from writing the book to publication? I wrote Puppy Love a year or so ago. I pulled it back out at the end of 2025, made a few edits, and added one additional stanza. The illustrations took a couple of months. From the inception of the story until the release date of the book will be about a year and a half. That’s not bad in this industry.

What usually comes first for you: the idea, the character, or the illustrations? The germ of an idea always comes first in the development of a new project. The illustrations come last.

What has been the most challenging part of being a writer or illustrator? How much time do we have? 😊 I don’t even know where to start. Let’s see. The most challenging parts (plural) of being a writer and illustrator are:

  • dealing with the occasional rude editor, 
  • when publishers and/or printers do not meet a promised deadline,
  • the inordinately long publishing process, and 
  • when a shipment of books arrives, and the pages are upside down or glued together or falling out or are not pages from my book!

Truth be told, every job has its ups and downs. Writing and illustrating is no exception. But then, there are days when a child (or parent) comes up to me and says, “Ms. Nan, I love your book!” These days make the frustrations and woes melt away.

You travel a lot to promote your books. Do you have any spare time? What other interests or hobbies do you enjoy? Spare time? What is that? My typical work week is 60-70 hours. When I’m not busy writing or illustrating, I enjoy reading, traveling with my husband, reading, lollygagging in my front porch swing, reading, playing the mountain dulcimer, and reading. I’m also quite fond of Sunday afternoon naps.

What’s next for you as an author/illustrator? I’m currently co-authoring/co-compiling a nonfiction book with my friend, Tara Fortner. The working title for this project is We Whisk You a Merry Christmas: A Collection of Southern Tales and Treasured Recipes. It’s a faith-based book and will include short stories written by women from 11 Southern states, regional recipes, scripture passages, prayers, and lyrics from holiday songs.

My picture book, My Other Brother, is being released on October 15, 2026. This book seeks to help children cope with the death of a sibling.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know? Someday, I hope to publish two Christmas books for older children: an early reader chapter book and a middle-grade novel-in-verse. I enjoy writing short stories, poems, flash fiction, and flash nonfiction for adult readers and plan to continue writing in a variety of genres.

How can readers follow you?
Facebook: daily posts on Nan Carlton Books

Website: “Events” Page – updated weekly, find out where my next book event will be
               “Blog” Page – monthly blog posts on the 15th of each month

Newsletter: sign up for my quarterly newsletter on the home page of my website

Connect with Nan at www.nancarlton.com.

Nan, thanks for stopping by. Best wishes in your author journey.