Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Hamby.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My father-in-law named one of our many cows, ‘Chicken Lips’ and my two daughters, who were around four at the time, thought it was just hilarious. I had a light-bulb moment and thought that this would make a great story – Why in the world would someone name a cow, Chicken Lips?!?!? After a few months of writing and submitting my story to publishers, I got picked up by Mascot Books.
Things started to fall into place, my father-in-law’s band (Settendown String Band) wrote a little song called “Be Your Own Cow” and it also happens to be how I sign all of my books. Chicken Lips is a story about finding out why he has this goofy name, but it’s also a book that teaches you to be yourself!
I started visiting schools in September of 2018 in mostly North Georgia. In October of 2019, I hit a huge milestone of 100 school visits. The best part…. I have visited most of the schools for free! (That’s right – no charge to the schools within 60 miles of 30028!) I get asked a lot of times why do I still do it for free locally???? The honest answer is I love seeing the kids get excited about reading, about figuring out why Chicken Lips has his name! I love answering all of their questions! I love giving back to my community and as a school employee’s daughter, I love giving back to our schools!
I always hope to spread a joy of reading and to make the kids feel special! When I visit schools, I don’t just stand there and read the book! We sing songs, we play games, we make sound effects and we laugh. With the older kids, we talk about the journey of creating a book. We discuss all the different career paths I encountered. We talk about perseverance and going the extra mile. My greatest wish is to be an encourager of these kids’ dreams and to sprinkle in some goofiness, just like Chicken Lips, along the way.
I am constantly booking new schools to visit (and this year revisiting some familiar ones to read my second book, Chicken Lips: One Lucky Cow!) I can’t wait to meet even more new friends in the new year!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I struggled to find the confidence to put my book, and myself, out there in the beginning! Who would like it? Thank goodness for a family that believes in pushing each other! Marketing and advertising is also something that is still difficult for me! It’s hard to know what to share in the social media world. It’s hard to know if you’re sharing too much or not enough! But, my little book has taught me, just like so many of the kids I talk to… You’ve just got to “Be your own Cow!” So, I try to just be me. What I share and what I talk about means something to me.
Chicken Lips by Kristy Hamby – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am most proud of spreading Chicken Lips’ message to “Be Your Own Cow!” I am so appreciative of all the schools and businesses I have had the honor of visiting. I think what sets me apart from others is that I am willing to visit the local schools for free. I consider it an honor to be invited into these amazing places.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Hitting my 100th school visit this past October at Midway Elementary was mind-blowing! When I first released Chicken Lips, I had no idea if I could even get into one school, so I was just so humbled and thankful! I was also shocked when I visited Haw Creek Elementary and saw Chicken Lips was painted in the Principals recommended reading section on a huge column in the school.
Pricing:
- Chicken Lips $14.95
- Chicken Lips: One Lucky Cow! $14.95
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chickenlipsthecow.com
- Email: authorkristyhamby@gmail.com
- Instagram: @authorkristyhamby
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkristyhamby
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorkristyha1
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
