Meet Austin K. Graff, Inkandescent Kids Book Fair Featured Author!
His book, 111 Places for Kids in Washington That You Must Not Miss, will be available for sale at the Inkandescent Kids Book Fair! 
Inkandescent Kids: What advice do you have for kids who want to become writers?
Austin Graff: Read, read, read. As you read other people’s writing, spend time reflecting on what makes it great. It’s a gift that we can learn from the millions of writers who have gone before us.
Inkandescent Kids: How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a writer?
Austin Graff: When I was a child, I loved writing stories in school. That passion carried with me from elementary school to university. When I got older, I told myself I’d never write a book because of the work it takes. When my publisher offered me a contract to write this book, my wife encouraged me to do it simply so we could have a tangible memory of my daughter and me exploring all of D.C.
Inkandescent Kids: What is the most important thing you’ve learned about writing?
Austin Graff: Just start writing. Every month, I had 10-12 chapters due to my editor. Some months, I felt uninspired, but if I just started writing, the words would eventually flow.
Tell Inkandescent Kids about 111 Places for Kids in Washington
That You Must Not Miss.
Austin Graff: My publisher has a series of books in most major cities around the world built around visiting 111 places. Washington, D.C. has a few versions, including one for Black history and women’s history. My book is the kids’ version. My now nine-year-old daughter and I walked every street and alley in all 136+ D.C. neighborhoods and kept a running list of our favorite kid-friendly spots from playgrounds to museums to restaurants. This book is essentially my daughter’s favorite places in her hometown of Washington, D.C.
Inkandescent Kids: How did you get the idea for your book?
Austin Graff: I’m friends with Andrea Seiger, the author of 111 Places in Washington, DC That You Must Not Miss. She had heard our publisher was looking for someone to write a kids’ version for D.C. She put my name forward and the rest is history.
Inkandescent Kids: What do you hope readers will take away from your story?
Austin Graff: I wrote the book not just for tourists, but also for locals. All 111 places are in every part of the city of D.C. My hope is that it sparks curiosity to explore D.C. as a whole and see the human side of the nation’s capital.
Inkandescent Kids: What was it like to see your work published?
Austin Graff: My daughter is the most proud! Since she’s a big part of the book, she’s so proud. Every time we see it in a bookstore, she squeals and runs over to see it. It’s so fun to see!
Find out more about Austin K. Graff and his book at his website: Home – Curiosity & Connection
and be sure to follow him on social media!
Austin Graff (@AustinKGraff) / X
Austin Graff (@austinkgraff) | TikTok
Get your copy of 111 Places for Kids in Washington That You Must Not Miss at the Inkandescent Kids Book Fair! Free tickets on Eventbrite: Think like a reporter: Out of the mouths of kids come great ideas Tickets, Saturday, August 8 • 12 PM – 4 PM | Eventbrite