Irving author recalls Costa Rica upbringing in new book
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Irving resident Karyn Hughes never intended to be an author.
Even after writing the first draft of a children’s book, the full-time Cooper Institute of Dallas instructor still never saw herself as an author.
Hughes, who has degrees in physical education and kinesiology, hadn’t considered writing until 2004, when a local prayer group that she attended began to consider the idea of publishing a family magazine.
Because some members of the group, including Hughes, had little writing experience, they decided to enter a local writing contest to warm up their skills.
Five years later, Karyn’s entry to that contest has hit the shelves of bookstores nationwide as a colorful new children’s book, Mango Tree (despite the fact that it fell short of any awards in the contest).
“It is based on my true life childhood,” Hughes said. “I am the [main] character Manzanita. The book is really about us enjoying our environment and getting creative with inexpensive things.”
Hughes, whose father worked as a Baptist missionary among Spanish-speaking communities, was born in Costa Rica and lived there until she was 7 years old.
“I had such an unusual childhood,” she said, “and I got to thinking about the fun stuff we used to do and I thought, ‘Well, why not put the real-life characters in it?’ ”
It was at the suggestion of a friend that she submit her story to Oklahoma-based Tate Publishing.
Hughes said it was hard to imagine her contest entry as a children’s book, until Susie Stone, an artist from Boyd, Texas, created the illustrations for the story.
“Once she added the illustrations, it just came to life,” Hughes said.
Hughes plans to hold signings at Dallas-area book stores soon to promote the book, which was released earlier this month.
If the book is a success, Hughes said she would like to continue writing.
“There are so many fun things I can write about,” she said. “I have thought about doing maybe two or three more stories with Manzanita and her friends.”
Where to buy
Mango Tree is available at any bookstore nationwide or can be ordered through the publisher at tatepublishing.com/bookstore or by visiting barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com or target.com. This is also an eLIVE title, meaning each copy contains a code redeemable for a free audio version from tatepublishing.com.
Even after writing the first draft of a children’s book, the full-time Cooper Institute of Dallas instructor still never saw herself as an author.
Hughes, who has degrees in physical education and kinesiology, hadn’t considered writing until 2004, when a local prayer group that she attended began to consider the idea of publishing a family magazine.
Because some members of the group, including Hughes, had little writing experience, they decided to enter a local writing contest to warm up their skills.
Five years later, Karyn’s entry to that contest has hit the shelves of bookstores nationwide as a colorful new children’s book, Mango Tree (despite the fact that it fell short of any awards in the contest).
“It is based on my true life childhood,” Hughes said. “I am the [main] character Manzanita. The book is really about us enjoying our environment and getting creative with inexpensive things.”
Hughes, whose father worked as a Baptist missionary among Spanish-speaking communities, was born in Costa Rica and lived there until she was 7 years old.
“I had such an unusual childhood,” she said, “and I got to thinking about the fun stuff we used to do and I thought, ‘Well, why not put the real-life characters in it?’ ”
It was at the suggestion of a friend that she submit her story to Oklahoma-based Tate Publishing.
Hughes said it was hard to imagine her contest entry as a children’s book, until Susie Stone, an artist from Boyd, Texas, created the illustrations for the story.
“Once she added the illustrations, it just came to life,” Hughes said.
Hughes plans to hold signings at Dallas-area book stores soon to promote the book, which was released earlier this month.
If the book is a success, Hughes said she would like to continue writing.
“There are so many fun things I can write about,” she said. “I have thought about doing maybe two or three more stories with Manzanita and her friends.”
Where to buy
Mango Tree is available at any bookstore nationwide or can be ordered through the publisher at tatepublishing.com/bookstore or by visiting barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com or target.com. This is also an eLIVE title, meaning each copy contains a code redeemable for a free audio version from tatepublishing.com.
