Who We Are

I first started noticing the shift many years ago. I was teaching school, raising kids, writing for kids, and reading a lot. The mainstream children’s book publishers and the religious market publishers used to run side by side back then, covering the market for any type of children’s book. But slowly at first, a shift started to happen. More and more books published by the mainstream publishers had themes or conflicts directly connected to the trending issues of society. These trends began taking precedence over strong writing. As time went on, the shift kept increasing. Books that I was excited to read would blindside me with edginess and presentations of values that left me disappointed. The pull between the mainstream publishers, and the religious publishers became more and more strained. Then in 2016, it became too much, and a tear opened a whole new void in children’s book publishing. Where were the new ‘traditional’ books?

Many times over I saw the frustration of parents, teachers, and kids wanting to find good, traditional literature, but only finding fluff, edginess, or a focus on social ills. Where were the portrayals of traditional families? Strong dads? Choices and consequences? Patriotism and duty? Deeper understandings of life? All the hallmark elements of traditional literature had diminished in availability, and those that were being published were buried without marketing fanfare.

I also saw the frustrations of writers. So many strong, traditional stories were not being picked up by the mainstream publishers because they weren’t ‘edgy’ enough, or didn’t include the expected social agendas. Mediocre writing was being published over strong writing, because ‘good literature’ was no longer the focus.

Parents began having their kids read ‘old’ traditional literature, the books the libraries were weeding out to make room for the new. The problem is though, that kids today are different. The way they read and learn is different. They need ‘new’ writing styles.

So that’s what Chicken Scratch Books is. We’re here to fill the void created by the separation of mainstream children’s book publishers from their historic place. We’re here to provide traditional children’s books in a world where many writers have been unable to find a home for their traditional writing. We’re here to publish good literature for kids. That is our only agenda.

If you explore us much, you’ll see that we are different. We are teachers. We are parents. We are writers. We are entrepreneurs. We do things differently to ensure that kids – and their gatekeepers – longing for good, traditional literature won’t be disappointed.

Publisher and Senior Editor - Kiri Jorgensen

Kiri Jorgensen is the Publisher and Senior Editor at Chicken Scratch Books. She is also a writer, teacher, entrepreneur, and most importantly wife and mother. Her involvement in the world of children’s literature spans almost three decades from several different angles. She taught in the public schools for 16 years where she created writing curriculums for middle school kids. She has written and produced over 30 stage plays for children, served as the Regional Advisor for SCBWI Montana, and has taught writing courses in a variety of settings, age ranges, and genres. Her passion is all books middle grade, but she is especially drawn to small town historical, true to life contemporary, and of course well-crafted magical realism. Any strong middle grade story will connect.

Besides the world of teaching and story, Kiri loves gardening, sewing quilts, being in nature, and bragging about her four amazing kids. She lives with her husband and a plethora of pets in rural Montana, where she cooks her meals on a wood-burning cookstove and is grateful every day for being right where she is.

Social Media Marketing Director and Outreach Coordinator - Erin Edwards

Erin spent her childhood bringing library books home by the wagon load and staying up late under the covers with a flashlight and her favorite stories. She spent over a decade homeschooling her four children and good literature was the foundation of their learning time together. Erin had a very eclectic style of homeschooling; her family dabbled in Unit Studies, Parent Partnership Programs, and a local Thomas Jefferson Education Commonwealth where she taught classes to all ages. She loves the homeschool community and is excited to spread the word about this special publishing company.

Erin is currently finishing her degree in Communications with a Social Media Marketing Certificate, still being a mom to all her teenagers and is the proud wife of a firefighter. Erin is a true Pacific Northwest girl, born and raised, so she spends all year out of doors. Her perfect day is a long trail run with her vizsla, coming home to delicious food and a good novel, and having her family near.

Title Promotion Specialist - Kelli McKinney

A debut author herself, Kelli McKinney is passionate about helping other authors reach their audience. She spent twenty years in corporate marketing and advertising before becoming a freelance copywriter, blogger, and author.

When she’s not writing, marketing, or reading, Kelli loves spending all the time she can with her husband and son. She loves traveling, cooking, tea, and her dog (not in that order).

Production Manager - Jennifer Carson

Jennifer Carson is the production manager for Chicken Scratch Books. An author and artist herself, Jenn loves to infuse the world with creativity and imagination, and enjoys helping others bring their dreams to life. Jenn has a degree in creative writing and has written several books, stage musicals, and a couple of movie scripts, too. She is the mother of four grown boys and lives in Michigan with her husband and her two furry girls, Pippen and Willow.

Course Instructor - Julie DenOuden

Julie DenOuden was born and raised in Southern California but now calls South Carolina home. She currently teaches 6th and 7th grade, but has taught everything from 3rd to 8th grade in her 10+ years in the classroom.