Continuing a Chat with Karlie Waldrip, Deaf Children’s Book Author (Part 3)

In December 2024, we released Parts 1 and 2 of our interview with Karlie Waldrip, author of the children’s picture books I Deaf-initely Can, Rhett the Heeler and We Deaf-initely Can, Let the Adventures Begin, which both showcase Karlie and her deaf dog, Rhett.

We are pleased to present Part 3 of our interview! Karlie Waldrip is a Deaf author, she shares the details of her writing journey, publication, and the feedback she’s gotten on her books.

Please enjoy a unique approach to our Q&A—we’ve included videos of Karlie signing her responses, allowing you to engage with her answers in a whole new way. Plus, you can easily follow along with the text provided below!

Getting Started as an Author

ASLPB: Getting into your writing: how long have you been writing for? And what first inspired you?

KW: Honestly, I've never really enjoyed writing for fun—you know, making up stories. I really was never a writer. Really. What inspired me to write? My first children's book was a few things: I've had some friends that were like, “Hey, you should write a book about your story. Oh, you know that'd be cool.” You know, just kept it in mind. It wasn't like, “Oh, yeah, for sure.”

And then also really the teacher in me. I taught first grade and then became an itinerant teacher for the Deaf, and the teacher in me was like, “We need more Deaf authors.” You know, d/Deaf authors like writing the children's books. I mean, there's a few out there, but we need more.

And then, you know, with me adopting Rhett, it's like, okay, I feel like I have the story to share with everyone that's educational and fun. Like [for] hearing kids and adults to learn something and for d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing kids to relate to the book.

So, I decided, you know, I'm going to go ahead and write my first book. And that from start to finish, getting my book was eleven months. I was on it. I was so passionate once I got started.

The Writing & Publishing Journey

ASLPB: You have two children’s books currently published. What was the writing and publishing journey like for you? What have been your favorite and least favorite parts of the process?

KW: Yes. So now I have two children's books. So the first one is I Deaf-initely Can, Rhett the Heeler, and then our second one we just came out, We Deaf-initely Can: Let the Adventures Begin (Deaf-initely Can - Series).

The writing journey was: so the first one, I, you know, just got on Google Docs for the slides and just typed, and then I would go away and then I'll come back, you know, and edit it. Add things, change things, and then close it, you know. Go away for a while and then open it up, and then when I felt like I'm ready for someone to look at it, I asked my family and friends to help me edit my story, and they were so willing. They were so excited. So I'm super thankful for my family and you know, co-workers, mostly my mom and dad and my sister. Those three really just, you know, helped me through the editing process, which has been amazing. 

My favorite part is seeing all of my illustrations. So I hired a Deaf illustrator. Her name is Lucy and she lives in London. And my goodness, she is amazing, so colorful. When she would send me like, like sneak peeks, like, just to see what it looks like, I would get so excited when I was seeing on my phone or, you know, in my emails—and I would get so excited. So colorful.

The least favorite part, I would say, behind the scenes of…setting up the books. Like one of my struggles was that I did not know that Texas has a Texas comptroller. I almost got suspended because I did not register with them for a year and someone was like, “Hey, you have one right?” And I was like, “No, I don't. What is that?” So I, like, I called. “I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I'm mute, you know, becoming a children's book author.” They said, “It's okay.” That part was scary and not fun. Yeah.

Positive Feedback and Impact

ASLPB: Writing a book is so much work! What positive feedback have you gotten from your books that make it all worthwhile?

KW: Writing a children's book is so much work. It really is, but it's also worth it. I have gotten so, so [much] positive feedback and [so many] positive words. I was honestly not expecting, you know, my books to really go out. You know, it's like, oh! You know? Oh, so I'll sell a few here and there.

But I was wrong. I did not realize or even plan for my books to really go out there, and I'm really just so fortunate. Such amazing supporters have gotten so many parents reaching out to me. Like, “Oh my gosh, we really love your book. When is the second one? Will there be a third?” Like, okay. You know, it's just amazing, teachers using our book in the classrooms. Hearing teachers, d/Deaf teachers, d/Deaf Students, hearing students that had no idea about deafness and they just, like, use our book and learn about deafness. “Deaf girl. Deaf dog, Wow. Like, I want to learn more.” And then, you know, I hear from deaf kids who are like, “Loved your book. What do you know to adopt A Deaf dog? One day? I want to become a d/Deaf author with you.” It's just so amazing to see such positivity with these books. Like, I am so excited to have our books go out even further. Really [it] is all over the world, like Australia, Canada. Fiji. Honduras. It’s really out in so many countries. It is in Italy. It's just so cool. We'll see.

Connecting with a Deaf Illustrator

ASLPB: How did you connect with your illustrator, Lucy Rogers?

KW: As a d/Deaf author, I knew that I wanted a d/Deaf illustrator. So there's a website called…I believe it's Deafanimationcrew, and they have a list of…Deaf authors, Deaf illustrators, Deaf filmmakers. Really a list.

So I contacted the help person [and] was like, “Hey, can you send me experienced children's book illustrators?” And he was like, “Yes, we sent you a few Deaf illustrators.” So I reached out to a few, say maybe like eight Deaf illustrators, and I just really connected with Lucy. She just really matched my vision. Like her colors her style, that was something that I've learned. Like there's so many different styles of illustrations, and I was just really drawn to Lucy’s and her work and her experience. So I am so thankful that I have found her because she's been amazing, and for sure will have her illustrate all of my books if there's more to come.

Future Plans and Continuing the Mission

ASLPB: What are your plans for the future?

KW: The plans for the future—really, right now, I'm so busy with my first and second books because I do it all on my own. I created my own website for people to order if they want a book (hardcopy autographed). So when someone orders, I see, and I have to package them and then drive to the post office. And, you know, now that I have a daughter, it's so hard.

The timing, planning, buying supplies, and making sure I have enough books to order for it to print and ship—there's just so much behind the scenes that it's very time-consuming, but I'm enjoying it. It's so much fun being a self-published [author], like really just doing it all on my own. It's a lot of work, but it's so worth it.

I do a lot of author visits, virtually and in person. So, I live in Texas. I've done author visits all over Texas. I have flown out to Kansas for an author visit, Wisconsin right now, I'm in California for an author visit, and I will be going to Georgia. I will…have a lot of author visits in the future. So I just plan on just really spreading the word of our story and I really do feel like it's really educational. It's fun. And we just need more Deaf authors and Deaf illustrators. I hope to impact these kids. 

Final Thoughts

Karlie’s journey highlights the power of perseverance, community support, and the importance of authentic representation in children’s literature.

Where to Buy: You can find Karlie’s books, I Deaf-initely Can, Rhett the Heeler and We Deaf-initely Can: Let the Adventures Begin, on her website. Don’t forget to follow her on Instagram for updates and inspiration!

Thank you for diving into our blog!

Thank you for diving into our blog! Meeting inspiring individuals like Karlie Waldrip reminds us why authentic representation in children’s literature is so powerful.

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Limitless Potential of ASL: ASL Picture Books Sign Language Blog is a platform that invites you to explore the world of American Sign Language and the Deaf community. The blog offers insights, author interviews, and educational materials for anyone interested in ASL education and Deaf culture. It's a valuable resource, whether you're new to ASL or a seasoned member of the Deaf community. Subscribe today for free to start your ASL journey with us!

Melody Gibson is a writer and editor based in New York State. She has bachelor’s degrees in both communications and graphic design. Melody became enchanted by picture books when she had her son and started reading to him as a baby. She writes about children’s literature, family relationships, special needs advocacy, child development, and more.

Kathleen Marcath is an advocate for literacy and the Deaf community with a passion for creating inclusive spaces through ASL Picture Books. With a B.A. in Deaf Studies and a deep love for storytelling, Kathleen works tirelessly to inspire young readers and empower educators.

When Kathleen isn’t writing, she is busy connecting with audiences through dynamic author visits—both virtual and in-person. These sessions bring ASL to life and leave lasting impressions on students, classrooms, libraries, and organizations.

Want to bring the magic of ASL Picture Books to your community? Schedule an author visit today! Whether you’re an educator, librarian, or parent, these visits are the perfect way to inspire children and celebrate Deaf culture through engaging stories and activities.

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