Tanja Wijnen, the talented author of The Pangolin Killers (Danish title: Skældyrsjægerne), crafted her debut children’s book while studying with the Writers College. Guided by award-winning author and mentor Helen Brain through the Write a Children’s Book Course, Tanja’s experience with publication is as exciting as her book’s plot. And her success didn’t end there: her publisher was so impressed with her first book that they’ve requested a sequel!
Getting Started as a Writer
When asked about her process from student to published author, Tanja says, “The dream of becoming a published author was always lingering, and I returned many times to the Writers College for courses in creative writing and journalism.” Eventually, Tanja took the leap and enrolled in the children’s writing course, where Helen’s one-on-one guidance helped her refine her second draft. “That made all the difference,” she recalls.
Drawing inspiration from her experiences working in Uganda, Tanja spotted a gap in the children’s book market. She felt that the African continent held an exciting appeal for overseas audiences and decided to weave the theme of wildlife trafficking into a fast-paced story for children aged 9 to 12. Tanja’s interest in politics shaped the story, which she described as a “thriller” that also includes factual sections on topics like pangolins, wildlife trafficking, and South African tourism. As she notes, “It appeals to parents – who, in the end, buy kids’ books – while the kids choose it for the action element.”
Overcoming the Challenges of Writing
Tanja’s path wasn’t without its challenges, the biggest of which was finding time to write. As a busy mother of three, she explains, “I wrote a lot of the book in obscure places to avoid interruptions.” The final chapter? Written “under a cover in the pouring rain at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens!”
Deadlines were another tool that helped her push through. “Helen set deadlines, and I (mostly) managed to keep them,” she says, crediting her Writers College mentor for helping her stay on track. Tanja’s next book, too, will be completed with the support of Writers College mentors.
The Writers College Course Experience
The Write a Children’s Book Course was, as Tanja puts it, “fundamental” to her success. The course not only gave her the tools she needed to write and revise but also provided insights on how to approach publishers. The English version was self-published through an agency recommended by the Writers College. For the Danish edition, Tanja ventured into traditional publishing and even used her newly acquired skills to approach Danish publishers directly.
Tanja attributes much of her productivity to a lesson from her tutor. “Helen repeatedly told me to ‘just write,’” she says, describing how this approach helped her avoid the trap of overthinking and editing excessively.
An International Success
Seeing The Pangolin Killers translated into Danish was a surreal experience for Tanja, who was thrilled to present her book at Denmark’s largest book fair. “It was incredibly inspiring; nothing beats signing your own book for someone who has just bought it!” she says. Not only did her book receive formal acceptance as educational material in Denmark, but it also gained traction in Danish public libraries – a significant achievement for any new author.
The book’s popularity with children and parents alike has been encouraging. From reviews by book bloggers to an endorsement by the WWF, Tanja’s debut has been met with enthusiasm. A particularly memorable review came from a young reader who felt the story “spoke directly” to him, while a teacher even created educational material based on the book.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
For those who dream of publishing their own work, Tanja has a few words of advice: “Take a writing course with the Writers College. It definitely helped me achieve my dream.” She also encourages aspiring authors to “not overthink – just write” and to treat their book project like any other job. Perseverance, she believes, is essential in getting published.
The first formal recognition the book received was a long-listing in the Page Turner Award (a UK writing competition). This may have had a snowball effect, so consider submitting to writing competitions.
There were surprises that came with publication, particularly the need to become her own marketer, salesperson, and social media expert. “It was quite the learning curve and kept me from writing the next book for a long time,” she admits.
What’s Next?
With her publisher’s support, Tanja is already hard at work on her next book, which is set in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. In this instalment, she plans to delve into complex topics like refugees, illegal diamonds, and traditional medicine. “I went to Uganda to do research in September,” she says. Now, it’s time to get the words down on the page.
Tanja proves how creativity, determination, and the right guidance can turn a writing dream into reality.
