Today we’d like to introduce you to Devo Carpenter
Hi Devo , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am originally from the Beaumont area I left when I was 17 after graduating high school. College was Lamar University. I studied theater. One bad marriage one good marriage that has lasted 38 years so far. Four children 6 grandchildren and 12 chosen children. I started in the 1980s as a professional clown as a way to defer childcare cost and stay home with my kids. I got the job at Austin Public Library in the early 1990s. I originally took the job at 8 dollars an hour 20 hours a week to secure insurance for my kids that was 29 years ago
A few programs I am proud of are:
Second Chance Books this was a library we ran at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Detention Center we ran the library and did writing workshops, author visits book clubs etc. We won a 5000 dollar award from the James Patterson Foundation, project of the year from Texas Library association, Texas Humanities award
Storytime connection – we trained caregivers to go into daycares and do storytime, we gave classes to parents also incarcerated fathers and mothers on how to incorporate literature into their children’s everyday lives onsite and offered early literacy programs in the libraries. Complete with hands on activities and scripts for presenters. We produced a series of early literacy videos available on you tube featuring puppets I made these are for use by parents or caregivers.
The Van Show this is an ongoing project where we interview authors so kids can see behind the books and see writing as a viable option for their futures. As of last year we had over 100,000 views most of these were teachers and librarians so the number is higher than it shows. You can find the Van Show here https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-B1wkbkWXWSfVrwl4hEwytlr1s9anVlI&si=hluj1taEeySDMo4I
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been rough. My father was an alcoholic I am the youngest of five my youngest brother was 9 years older than me so my mom and I were basically alone dealing with my dad. Who was hospitalized on many occasions. My mom was very religious and did not know what to do with me. College was hard I am bipolar, adhd and dyslexic. I had many challenges. As a young adult I had addiction problems and married poorly the first time and ended up losing my son for many years. My husband now Joe is an artist so money was always a struggle when my children were young. Working at the library has been great but it is a bureaucracy. I am a lets do it and apologize later. This has served me well but also put me in the hot seat more than once. I love writing and puppeteering. The challenges there are physical. Puppetry is not for the faint of heart. Writing is my passion but the muse is not always kind and blank pages are daunting.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a puppeteer, voice actor and writer. I was a professional clown for 30 years. I am known for all three and have retired my clown. I recently got published in a poetry anthology available on Amazon “Metaphors in Mourning” and my work has been picked up a few more times for online journals and blogs.
My puppetry skills have been honed and trained. I have attended the O’Neal puppetry conference multiple times. It is a puppetry intensive that teaches you more than you can imagine. I also have worked with Trouble Puppet theater and Glass Half Full theater doing adult puppetry. I am very confident with my puppetry skills.
I have been doing voice work since the 1980s it is one of the jobs I did when I was in college and again in Austin to pay the bills. I had multiple voice coaches over the years and studied it intensely in college.
I have been journaling since I was 10. This year is the first year outside of my city responsibilities I have tried to get my work published. I have four children’s books I will be taking to publishing houses this year in hopes of getting them published. I am very active on Substack and have had many pieces picked up for reproduction in other online archives .What makes me stand out in my writing is how I look at the world. I have had many struggles with my mental health getting a diagnosis of bipolar when i was in my 50s. gives me a unique perspective.
What’s next?
I want to travel. This year I am going on a girls trip to Portland in March and a family vacation in Washington DC in July. I hope to go overseas next year and expand my world.
I want to get my children’s books published by one of the larger houses so they get more traction. One of the books is Bebe’s Mom the life of a bipolar woman as seen through her daughters eyes.
I am retiring in September of 2026 and will start writing full time.
So yes changes and they all are good. You can find me online at devomurphycarpenter.com
my social media is https://devocarpenter.substack.com
Contact Info:
- Substack: https://substack.com/@devocarpenter
- Bluesky: @writerdevo.bsky.social
- Youtube: devojoj@icloud.com
