Local Authors: Rhonda-Kay Gatlin

Today we’re visiting with second-time children’s author, Rhonda-Kay Gatlin to share with you her latest publication, “Firecat Rescue”, and it’s an adorable book! In case you’ve missed previous articles, we’ve learned that there are nearly two dozen authors locally here in town. We created this series to share the authors stories and to let all of you – prospective readers – get to hear about their works. (If you’ve missed our previous columns, we’ve got links for you at the bottom of this page.)

Please share a short bio to introduce yourself.

Rhonda-Kay Gatlin’s heart and soul is in writing children’s books. She retired after teaching 40 years in primary education 25 years in Boulder City. Nevada. In 2016, Rhonda-Kay received the American Graduate Champion award from Las Vegas Public Broadcasting System (PBS) for her active role in making a difference in students’ lives. Rhonda-Kay was nominated Author of the Year 2020, through Path To Publishing for Excellence in Publishing and Vision in Children’s Literature. She has three self-published books GRANNY’S COBBLER a COUNTING BOOK, AGGIE’S PURPLE HANDS coming out 2^nd edition in paperback and her new picture book FIRECAT RESCUE, published March 31, 2023 on Amazon.

Please tell us about the book(s) you’ve written and a short synopsis.

Valentina longs to be the first girl to apply and the first cat to join a fire station manned, or dogged, by Dalmatians. The firedogs do not accept her, but Fire Chief gives her a try. Valentia wants to prove to herself, the Fire Chief, and her fellow firedogs that she is worthy of being a member of the Fire Squad. She perseveres and learns all the difficult jobs. When a serious fire call alarms sounds Valentina goes on her first fire rescue.

What inspired you to write it?

My grandson sent me a picture of him visiting the fire station in his hometown. I started thinking about all the times I took my students in second graders to our fire station in Boulder City, Nevada. The story began as just Dalmatians in the fire station, but as the year progress Valentina emerge as the main character. Then it took on a whole new concept to bring out the feeling of acceptance and perseverance. Once I had my manuscript finished then I started looking for an illustrator and I found her in my own writing critique group. Roselle Reyes took my story and brought it to life with her creative artistic skills.

What do you hope your readers experience or learn from reading your work?

There are two reasons why I wrote FIRECAT RESCUE.

Valentine’s perseverance and hard work helped her achieve her dream. I want children to realize if they persist, study, and give their all their dreams can come true. Second the Dalmatian dogs were cruel and did not give Valentina a chance at first so be accepting other others and be kind to everyone.

When and how did you publish it?

It was published March 31, 2023, through kdp at Amazon.com

What events in your life contributed to your becoming an author?

When I retired from teaching, I needed a new challenge and I loved reading picture books to my students and I wanted to help bring good quality literature to young children.

Did you take any formal or informal classes or seminars in writing? What would you say to other would-be authors about the process of writing?

I took a few classes in my master’s program, but until I got serious in being a professional children’s author. I didn’t realize how important it is to know your craft. It takes revision after revision, but if there are not critique groups and other professional authors to looking at your work and asking questions. Along with classes, zooms, and webinars it is a daily process. I hear people say, you wrote a book I plan to write a book then I say well you better get started because it is hard work.

How long have you lived in Boulder City? What do you like most about living here?

I married my husband Chris and we moved to Boulder City Chris; hometown. I began teaching at Andrew J. Mitchell Elementary School and I fell in love with the children. I taught my last twenty-five years here in Boulder City. I have been living in Boulder City for almost 34 years and I love the small-town atmosphere, with a feeling of one big neighborhood. I am proud to live in Clean Green Boulder City.

Any other thoughts you’d like our readers to know about you or your work?

I am having a book sale and signing my new book FIRECAT RESCUE at Dam Roast House Browder Bookstore on May 6, 2023, at 11:00-2 pm.

May 7^th at Copper Cat Bookstore in Henderson at 12:00-3:00 pm. I hope to see you there.

Below is the URL for FIRECAT RESCUE. Please leave me a review:

https://www.amazon.com/FIRECAT-RESCUE-Rhonda-Kay-Gatlin/dp/B0C126Q9B1?ref_=ast_author_dp

We hope you’ve enjoyed this visit with Pam! If you’ve missed any of our other interviews in this series, you can see all of these authors stories here: