Best-selling children’s author Sally Rippin on success, empathy and learning to switch off - Women's Agenda

Best-selling children’s author Sally Rippin on success, empathy and learning to switch off

Sally Rippin is the author of the popular Billie B Brown and Hey Jack! series of children’s books, designed to guide kids through the transition from picture books to chapter books.

The Billie B Brown books launched in 2010 and brought a much needed strong and wonderful lead female character to the picture book genre. The spin off series Hey Jack! started in early 2012.

Independent children’s book publisher Hardie Grant Egmont are pleased to announce that as of the release of the Nielsen Bookscan 2015 Mid-Year review, Sally Rippin is the top ranking Female author by volume across all channels in the Australian market.

Sally Rippin is the fourth most read Children’s author in the nation and is officially the most read Female author in Australia in any category, beating out strong international authors like E. L. James (50 Shade of Grey) and Veronica Roth (the Divergent series), and George R. R. Martin (Song of Fire and Ice).

For a while I found air hostesses terribly glamorous, because we spent a lot of time on planes as children, travelling around. There was something so inexplicably magical about someone who could wear a pencil skirt and heels over a 22 hour flight and disembark without a hair out of place. As a little girl I think I kind of put them in the same category as princesses and unicorns. Having said that, I’ve always drawn and illustrated and made books since I was a child. However, I never thought it was something I could do as a career – it seemed just like something I did for fun.

Other creative people who take risks, especially in the arts. People who are raw and vulnerable and passionate and put themselves out there. It takes great courage and enormous drive to be an artist, especially with children in tow, because of how completely and overwhelmingly both of these roles consume you. Rachel Power writes of this beautifully in her book ‘The Divided Heart’.

Probably my father. For a long time I think he thought I’d wasted a good brain and an expensive education on being an artist (which to him, at the time, was just another way of saying ‘unemployed’.) I think he’d always hoped I’d be a lawyer or doctor or some other career that guaranteed financial security and status. In some ways I realise now I may have worked extra hard to prove to him I could be successful in my chosen field. It’s funny, isn’t it? How it doesn’t matter how old and fiercely independent we think are, we still want to please our parents.

My mother has been an incredible role model for me. She has lived an extraordinarily brave and unconventional life and never given a damn about what people might think of her. She has also experienced more suffering than most people could bear but is probably the most buoyant, joyful and adventurous person I know. She is the epitome of the adage ‘what doesn’t break you makes you stronger’. Then, as well as inspiring me to take risks to live a brave and full life, she has picked me up and brushed me off each time I have fallen.

Empathy and drive. So many fabulous women I know with careers in the arts work so hard and they are so driven yet they never develop a steely edge to them. They are not afraid of emotion or vulnerability and can always find the time amongst their own chaotic busy lives to cook a meal for a friend going through a hard time, look after a child, or even just be a kind and generous listener over coffee. I feel so blessed to work among the women that I do.

Friends. See above. There will be many times you won’t be able to balance these two things successfully and that’s when you will need your friends more than ever. And then, never forgetting when things are coasting along for you, it’s your turn to give back.

In the past I would have definitely said working (because my work is me and I’m always craving to get back to it), but now I might do something physical. Out in the sunshine. Like a walk along the creek with my dog and maybe a friend or one of my lovely sons. I work too much anyway.

Oh, there are a few. Obviously my mother for all the above reasons, but I’d also say many of the women I have worked with: Erica Wagner at Allen and Unwin; Hilary Rogers at Hardie Grant, as well as Ann James at Books Illustrated and Kulja Coulston who I do a radio show with. All women who are intelligent, successful and hardworking, but also generous and kind.

An ability to see the bigger picture. To allow myself to wallow for a day or two, then remind myself of all the good things I am so lucky to have in life when there are so many people with so little.

There are many changes that still need to be done around the world to create equality between men and women, but I think this begins with not focusing on changing women’s lives – in general, they seem to be doing a pretty good job of looking after themselves and each other – it’s focussing on identifying and addressing misogyny and sexism and making the changes that need to be made there.

Switching off. I often wonder what it would be like to have a job that is contained within certain hours of the day, gives you a regular and predictable income — and holidays!

Work hard and don’t expect too much, too soon. Find rewards in doing your best most innovative, creative work, not by looking outside yourself for endorsement. In the end, if you have a body of work you can look back on and feel proud of, then you can say you’ve been successful.

×

Stay Smart! Get Savvy!

Get Women’s Agenda in your inbox