I’m working with Arcadia Publishing to develop Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know –which is a great little series of books that encourages kids to explore special things in their own city and state. Of course, the Charleston book was done first but we are now launching 7 other cities including Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati, and Buffalo.

I’ve actually lost count of individual titles! When I develop a new series for a publisher, I establish the premise and outline all the books so I’ve literally had a hand in doing hundreds of books. I write as many as I can myself (probably around 100 over the last ten years) but I also often recruit and direct teams of writers to help.

I love the challenge! Publishers come to me with a problem and it’s up to me to find a creative solution. For example, National Geographic asked me to develop a series that would help kids learn more about science while improving their non-fiction reading skills. So I created the Reading Expedition Science series which has sold more than a million copies and has even been translated into Chinese. It’s a wonderful feeling to know my books are influencing so many kids!

The biggest problem is that there never seems to be enough hours in the day. I get pretty reclusive with all the research and writing so I’m always extremely grateful to have such supportive family and friends who don’t take such "withdrawals" personally.

I was born in Biloxi, Mississippi but grew up in Ohio with three rowdy brothers and two wonderfully sensible parents. I always loved science, so I got a degree in biological sciences from Miami University and moved to Chicago to teach high school biology. However, in 1981 I accepted a position as an entry level science editor at Scott Foresman publishing company. The educational publishing world fascinated me and over a thirteen year period I earned promotions through all the editorial ranks before becoming president of the company in 1995. However, the urge to return to the creative side of things was strong, so after a couple of years I stepped away from corporate management to become a full time writer—and that’s when I moved to Charleston.

I love to travel with my husband Bob who is the Southeast Regional Sales Director for Continental Airlines. My two children, Lindsay and Eric, often travel with us—especially to such great places like China, Costa Rica, and Japan! Lindsay (a University of Southern California grad) works at ABC/Disney in Los Angeles and Eric (a College of Charleston grad) works at Sylvan Dell publishing company in Mt. Pleasant.

The Cool Stuff Arcadia books are being so well received that I’m writing 14 more books in that series. I’m also doing the "finishing touches" on a new science series that I’ve been working on with Sally Ride and her team in San Diego that will be launched next year.

I’ll be signing the Charleston "Cool Stuff" book in support of some local events this fall including the Daniel Island Home Tour on October 16 and the Capital Bookfest at Marion Square on November 6.

Kate’s Cool Stuff books can be found at Barnes and Noble, www.arcadiapublishing.com/arcadiakids, and other retailers such as Wonderworks and the Qwik Pac and Ship store on Daniel Island.