It’s not just J.K. Rowling, who has decided to move from writing for children to adults. Bestselling children’s author Lisa McCourt, who has written 33 books that have sold more than five and a half million copies and been translated into 11 languages, just released her first book for adults, Juicy Joy (Hay House). Known for I Love You, Stinky Face and for developing the Chicken Soup for Little Souls series, McCourt’s newest title is a handbook for developing self-love.
“It really was a very long evolution to write this book,” says McCourt, who describes herself as “a closet self-development fan” since age 14, when she first began reading Wayne Dyer. Juicy Joy grew out of school workshops she gave for parents and teachers on self-love. “In talks with teachers and parents I made these concepts accessible. That’s what gave me the juice and excitement in my career,” says McCourt. She views her earlier books as works for parents to teach kids to love themselves and tools for parents to show unconditional love for their kids.
Despite her earlier writing achievements on the children’s side, McCourt didn’t get a contract for her adult book in the usual way. Instead she signed up for a November 2010 Writer’s Workshop Cruise sponsored by Hay House at which prospective authors were given a chance to pitch their proposals directly to Hay House editors. The winning proposal, Juicy Joy, received a $10,000 publishing contract. It took her another six months to complete the book with its encouraging message to be who you are.
Late last month McCourt kicked off a Florida tour for the book, which included a stop at the Boca Raton Barnes & Noble. She will also visit bookstores in Coral Gables, Tampa, Naples, and Boynton Beach. McCourt has also begun expanding on the ideas expressed in the book on her new radio show with psychic Barb Powell, “Juicy and Jaded,” which began airing in February on CBS New Sky Radio on Wednesday evenings.
This does not mean that McCourt has any plans to abandon writing for kids. She is working on a YA novel, but for now she says, “I don’t see a great home for self-help/metaphysical books at kids publishers right now.”
