Interview with Megan E. Freeman: Away

Cover art by Pascal Campion. Location Tattered Cover, Aspen Grove.

 

 

 

 

With Away the companion novel to Alone, Megan E. Freeman has written another New York Times bestselling novel. Away published by Aladdin an imprint of Simon & Schuster in 2025, caries one to a dystopian future with engaging, captivating characters.  

Pascal Campion’s cover art invites the reader into the novel in verse. Away is told from four points of view in a varied format which includes: newspaper articles, letters, and screenplays. Ms. Freeman demonstrates prescience with her depiction of evacuation scenes and camps. The main characters solve the puzzle and the novel concludes with hope and a satisfying ending.  

Clay Hobson rendered the interior illustrations and Heather Palisi designed the book jacket. The novel is 480 pages and was purchased and will be given to a grandchild.

 

One Question Interview with Megan E. Freeman

ETC: Welcome Megan. I loved the Pax character, vomit and all. What was your inspiration for her?

MEF: I knew when I was writing AWAY that I wanted to have multiple points of view and that the main characters would span a variety of ages and be from different parts of Colorado. But I also liked the idea that at least one of them would have a sibling. Making Pax quite a bit younger than Harmony opened the door for some levity, as well as created a proxy character who could ask questions and be curious about things the reader might also wonder about. Pax also introduced some occasional conflict, either directly with her sister or when the friends had to censor their conversations in front of her. Her maturation throughout the story also helped illustrate the passage of time.

ETC: Thank you for visiting, Megan.

Links:

Visit author: Megan E. Freeman

Visit cover illustrator here: Pascal Campion

Visit Greg Pattridge host of: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Previous interview with: Megan E. Freeman: Alone 

Visit your local book store: Boulder Bookstore

 

Interview with Stan Yan: The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang

 

Art by Stan Yan

 

Stan Yan’s middle grade, graphic novel, The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang, with its flame red and embossed black cover, leaps out and catches the eye and was published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers an imprint of Simon & Schuster in 2025. The text and plot carry the reader through the travails of Eugenia, not least of which is the dreaded rope climb in physical education. Eugenia encounters parental pressure regarding grades and academic studies, an annoying younger brother and a dear friend who is accident prone. Humor stalks the pages. This book will engage reluctant and advanced readers with its action, hilarity and resolution.

Mr. Yan wrote, digitally illustrated and created a new font, Eugenia Wang for his novel. Greg Stadnyk designed the book. This novel was purchased by me and will be given to the grandson.

One Question Interview with Stan Yan

ETC: Welcome Stan. What advice would you give those in grades K-12 who would like to become writers, or illustrators or cartoonists?

SY: My advice would be to lean into your passions. The only guarantee in our pursuit is you will spend a lot of time doing it. There is no guarantee you will make money at it. Sometimes the only payment we get is in the enjoyment or satisfaction of the process. If you'd be willing to do something even if you're not getting paid, it's probably a passion. And regularly finding time for our passions is important.

ETC: Thank you, Stan for the realistic answer.

Links:

Visit author, illustrator and font designer: Stan Yan

Visit Greg Pattridge host of: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Visit your local book store: Boulder Bookstore