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| cover illustrated by Pascal Campion |
Alone, Megan E. Freeman’s novel in verse, published by Aladdin an imprint of Simon & Schuster, is a suspenseful, harrowing mystery and survival story set in a Colorado town. Maddie, twelve years old, and George a faithful rottweiler, left alone in an abandoned town survive together in this compelling novel. Ms. Freeman has written a multi award winning mystery and survival novel. Alone is recommended for grades five through nine. However, I would suggest fifth grade through 100+ years. Pascal Campion illustrated the cover.
Two Question Interview with Megan E. Freeman
Hello Megan, Welcome.
ETC: What advice would you give those in K-12 school about writing?
MEF: Once you’ve written something that
feels good and satisfying, ready for outside eyes, find a Trusted Reader and
share it with them. It can’t be just anyone. You may have to secretly audition
several people before you discover the one who qualifies for the formal title
with the capital letters. Your Trusted Reader will be the person who, when
they’ve read and responded to your work, leaves you feeling eager and excited
to get back to your desk to write more. That’s it. That’s the only
qualification. They may also be someone who can offer actionable feedback, like
a critique partner or a fellow creator, or they may simply be someone who reads
for pleasure, like your best friend or a family member. It doesn’t matter. The
most important thing is how you feel once they’ve read it. And the
crazy part is, they probably won’t even realize the gift they’ve given you.
Through the mysterious alchemy created between your hard work and their
generous heart, your Trusted Reader unknowingly partners with you to form a
positive feedback loop that keeps you excited to write and share with them. Your
Trusted Reader motivates you to write more, and they do it simply be being who
they are.
ETC: What did you find most helpful to your writing?
MEF: First, joining the Rocky Mountain chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators was a game changer. The combination of craft resources and industry support is invaluable. I am a better writer because of SCBWI and I am a savvier business person. I encourage everyone to join and take advantage of as many of their resources as possible.
Second, my motto for anyone who wants to be traditionally published is this: Show up. Show up to your desk, show up to conferences, show up to webinars, show up to critique groups, show up to online writing communities. Sign up for workshops that include professional critiques so you’ll have an imposed deadline you’ll have to meet. It doesn’t even matter if the agent or editor or writer likes your work; you will have done the writing, and that’s the most important part. I almost didn’t register for a workshop where I ended up meeting an editor who eventually introduced me to my agent. Imagine if I hadn’t shown up for that!
Here’s another example of what I’m talking about. At the end of 2019, I applied for a place in a juried writing workshop where an author I admired was going to be teaching. I hadn’t completed the required manuscript, but I had the early chapters to submit with my application. Acceptances wouldn’t be announced until a few weeks before the conference, so I had to go ahead and finish the manuscript assuming I would be accepted; there wouldn’t be time to do it later. As it turned out, I wasn’t accepted and the author cancelled the workshop due to COVID, but none of that mattered because I had a completed manuscript that I wouldn’t have written otherwise. It was a win-win, regardless of the outcome of my application.
Every single opportunity that has advanced my writing career or my mastery of craft happened because I showed up.
ETC: Thank you so much for joining us.
Visit Megan E. Freeman
Visit Pascal Campion
Visit your local book store: The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop
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