And Dad’s a Vampire?!

Great lesson: sign up for your local public library’s newsletter! This is how I learned about a Book Release Party for LUMBERJACKULA, a hilarious middle-grade story about a boy with a lumberjack mom, a vampire dad — a boy who just wants to be a dancer.

The event is Tuesday 19 July 2022 from 3 – 5 p.m. MT in the William F. Hayes Memorial Auditorium in Boise’s Main Library downtown with help from Rediscovered Books. Read more about it on the Library!’s website.

Author Mat Heagerty and his family moved to Boise in the fall of 2021. You can read this interview on IdahoPress.com … or visit Mat’s website.

As you can see from the header graphic, this isn’t Mat’s first book — just his most recent, and we look forward to many more!

E. G. Moore

A vibrant and engaged author of YA and middle grade books from northern Idaho, E. G. has published two books, both middle grade novels:

  • Rowdy Days of Dom Sanders, a historical murder mystery
  • Moon Daughter Rising, a Native American mythology fantasy

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

I have seasons of writing routines, mostly dictated by my roles as mother, wife, and worker. I often spend a lot of time developing bits and bobbles of the story mentally before I sit down to write it. Usually I write late at night in spurts, tucked away either in my office or my bedroom with a hot tea and chocolate. I also try to have at least two writing retreats per year. The pandemic put a damper on that, but when I do those, I write like crazy to finish a draft usually. It’s hard to get a lot of work done in one setting at home with three kiddos who need me, so this is a golden opportunity to feel like I really accomplished something.

Continue reading “E. G. Moore”

Celebrating Powerful Peaceful Warriors

This book for younger readers is about two men who marched in different lands, but who evidenced the power of the idea of freedom and equality for all.

Mahatma Gandhi began his nonviolent movement in 1915. Dr. Martin Luther King’s struggles became visible in the 1950s. But both men knew how essential it is to continue to instill the values of peace, equality, and respect for our fellow human beings — today, and in the generations to come.

Find this book

In the author’s words

My name is Mita Pandya-Sandil. I’m a wife, mother, teacher and artist. I was born in India and raised in America. My family shares the same story as many immigrant families who came to America for a better life. My parents valued education and wanted their six daughters to have all the opportunities possible. Every experience and opportunity I have in my life is owed to the sacrifices made by my parents. In the face of hardship, my mom’s motto was always “Yes, we can!”  My father instilled the love of literature and always remaining curious in life. I love my heritage and Indian values and will always be grateful to the country I’m proud to call my home.  If we all looked at the world in terms of the values we receive rather than the borders we cross, we would see that our visions for the world and its future are shared. I want to make the book available on the shelves of our local libraries, schools, and bookstores. I’ve always believed that where schools fall short, or parents don’t have the answers, books often bridge that gap.  Let’s fill the holes in history together!

Mary Ann Fraser

A recipient of many awards for her books — including Junior Library Guild Selection, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Book Links Book of the Year, IRA Young Readers Choice Award, and American Booksellers “Pick of the List” — Ms. Fraser has written and/or illustrated over seventy fiction and nonfiction books for children.

Her most recent title is her young adult (YA) debut, Mortal Remains.

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

 I am definitely a morning person, so I do my best to get an early start on my writing. In the case of my last novel, that meant as early as four in the morning sometimes. If I’m on a roll, I will continue working late into the night.

Continue reading “Mary Ann Fraser”

Do you work with children’s books?

A new addition to our Writers’ organizations in (and near) Idaho page is the local (Utah and southern Idaho) chapter of SCBWI — the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illlustrators.

They’re currently meeting via Zoom (online conference, during COVID) with the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 19 January 2021 at 6:30 p.m. You can network with colleagues and even submit your work for feedback. Contact maryannfraser.com to register for the meeting and to answer any questions you might have.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash