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Local children’s author delights attendees at library event

Author Jennifer Carson reading Ducky’s New Ball on Saturday at the Manchester District Library.

Jennifer Carson, 1993 Manchester High School graduate and parent of a current MHS student, was the star attraction of the “take your child to the library” day at the Manchester District Library on Saturday. Carson is the author of two middle grade books, the first of which, Hapenny Magick, she read a chapter from, and a new picture book she read to the youngest attendees. She then answered audience questions.

Her new book, Ducky New Ball, is illustrated with photographs of animal figures she designed and sewed herself. She explained that she lacked confidence in her drawing and painting skills but has been making dolls since 2005 so decided to use the skills she had to illustrate her book. She brought the landscape and figures she had built with her to the event. Carson explained that she worked with a local professional photographer and that it took six hours to do the photography for the book.

While Carson went the traditional publishing route with her first two books, working with a small publishing company (which has since been purchased by a larger company), she is going the other route this time and keeping control over her work and the publishing process. She stated that she much prefers this route and that it is not worth the mental health cost to go the other way.

Carson also announced that she is working with the Chelsea Players to put on a musical based on Hapenny Magick this summer in Chelsea. The musical was previously performed in New Hampshire, where Carson lived for several years. The book and musical are about an orphaned hobbit-sized fairy who has to save her best friend and her village.

In answering what advice she’d give to aspiring writers, Carson recommended writing every day, making friends with other writers, and working to keep each other motivated.

The event concluded with a door prize drawing, pizza and punch.

For more information on Jennifer Carson visit .

photo courtesy of Tamara Denby

photo courtesy of Tamara Denby

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.