Daily Inspiration: Meet Vincent Kunz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vincent Kunz. 

Hi Vincent, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
To this day I have no idea if children’s literature is what I’m supposed to be doing, but the magic that lives within a good story is undeniable, and it calls out to provide that same enchantment to others as it has been given to me. I’m drawn to the idea of pushing children’s literature in unconventional directions, not only because I think children are emotionally sophisticated, but also, because the child inside of me is still driving the ship, and honoring that voice the best thing I believe I can do for the world. 

Artistry runs deep in my family on both sides, but my thoughts were fixed on money from an early age. I thought money was the way to happiness, fulfillment, and freedom. I thought an expensive life was a good life, so my choices reflected that; getting a degree in business rather than artistic application and starting a career in the financial industry. I was happily plugging along this way, envisioning myself as a high-powered, totally optimized corporate something-or-other. Then, when I was 22, I got fired, and everything changed. Getting fired from an entry-level job shouldn’t be life-altering – I wasn’t earning a lot of money, and I was able to find another role in the financial sector soon after – but it shook me in a way I’d never been. It was that moment which revealed to me a notion about life that redefined my approach to this day: nothing in life is guaranteed, nor is it ever justly owed. It doesn’t matter how hard you work, or how much thinking, planning, prepping, or yearning you do, life reserves the right to tilt the board and spill the pieces to the floor. A notion that is both defeating and empowering all at once. My life was interrupted for a single moment, and that was all it took for clarity to intervene. Nothing is guaranteed, no promises have been made, yet we are here and that is beautiful. So, the only thing that is sure is to be true to yourself while being good to others, and for me, this was the doorway to doing meaningful work in life. 

I treated this moment like a second chance or sorts. The playful, creative flame of my inner child had been rekindled after many years of neglect, and now it was time to really pay attention. I worry that if I turn in another direction again that spark may be lost forever, so I am a constant gardener of words and pictures now, always planting seeds, watering, and pruning. The arrival of my daughter only fed the flame and pushed me toward finding ways to legitimize my efforts in the market, so in 2018 I joined The Society of Children’s Book Authors & Illustrators (SCBWI), which is a wonderful organization that helps me remain actively engaged in the kidlit community. Through this organization, I was able to connect with other local authors and illustrators, some of which have done some excellent notable work in the market, and just being engaged with the market in this way has helped shape what kind of experience I am looking for as a professional author and illustrator. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I consider myself extremely lucky. The people closest to me mean everything and are the fuel that carries me onward through dark or lifeless periods. My wife’s heart is my heart, and I’m convinced that without her I would be directionless and utterly toxic. That’s just the honest truth of it. 

Pursuing a career as an author and illustrator is both the most fulfilling and the most continuously challenging decision I’ve ever made. There are moments of glory and of crippling doubt that ebb and flow, which can make you feel downright crazy at times. There is a lack of control over the process in almost every phase that always has to be acknowledged because so much of it is just casting your talents out and hoping for the best. Stoicism can be a useful tool there. But the uncertain and even tumultuous nature of this work can’t deter my love for the craft. It is an exciting adventure to push it further and see how it will develop into unknown areas. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a graphic designer by day and children’s author and illustrator by night, though I am still seeking representation and publication. I have written both full-length stories and many small, one-page illustrated poems that I would love to compile one day to publish as a collection. My writing usually carries a message on the surface my readers can pick out and interpret – I believe children’s stories make for an excellent medium to encourage new perspectives and ignite imagination, so I look to provide readers both young and old with that through my stories. That comes with the overarching desire to create good in the world through my work, and I think this is what makes my approach to the children’s market a bit different than others here. In 2020 I was able to bring that vision to life through a fundraiser that auctioned off one of my full-length, pre-published book dummies. Together we raised over $2000 to go to an organization called FirstBook, which aims to provide children in low-income areas with books for both enjoyment and education. That was what I’ve been the most proud of through my work so far, and I hope to continue seeing successful efforts like this come from my writing. 

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always open to the possibility of collaboration. It helps me to remove constraints from my vision of what a literary career should look like, and to be open to new experiences. Social media is paramount right now when it comes to supporting artists, and I’m no different in that regard, so engagement of any kind with my work is always deeply appreciated and will help me to continue moving forward. The support for the FirstBook fundraiser left a mark on me, and I would love to make a tradition of that with my dummy books in one way or another. Even if the level of success for those kind of efforts may vary in the future, I hope my stories can remain a catalyst for us to do good. I can always be reached at my email vincentkunz.lit@gmail.com as well as on social media @vincentk_nz 

Contact Info:

• Email: VincentKunz.lit@gmail.com
• Website: Vincentkunz.com
• Instagram: @vincentk_nz

Image Credits
Vincent Kunz