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Book Giveaway and Green Guest of the Month: Nancy Stewart, Author of One Pelican at a TimeThis month I had the honor to interview St. Louis-area author Nancy Stewart. Nancy’s recently released picture book, On Pelican at a Time, is the first title in a new eco-conscious series about Bella and Britt, two friends who love living by the beach. In One Pelican at a Time, the two heroines embark on an adventure to save an old pelican after the Horizon Deepwater Spill of 2010.
***Book Giveaway: Leave a comment at the end of this interview for a chance to win a signed copy of One Pelican at a Time.
What inspired you to write One Pelican at a Time?My husband and I bought a condo on the water in Clearwater Beach, Florida, three years ago. Although I didn’t know it would, that decision had a profound effect on me. I watched the marine life on our daily walks and quickly grew to love it all, particularly the brown pelicans. And then the spill occurred. I had already written two other books in the Bella and Britt series, Sea Turtle Summer and Bella Saves the Beach. My publisher, Lynda Burch at Guardian Angel Publishing, and I thought a book on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill demanded to be written. And so I wrote it.
Can you share some of the highlights on your path to publication?
I was one of those kids who wrote a lot, loved English Literature and composition classes and had an ongoing love affair with words. I didn’t begin writing with a view to publication, though, until about five years ago. I was teaching Children’s and Young Adult Literature to university students and remembered how much I enjoyed picture books. My first books were just that, first books. I began querying way too early and wondered why my books weren’t snatched up. Now when I look back, it’s abundantly clear to me why they weren’t! I joined SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and became involved, both locally and nationally. I knew I needed more of a platform to be taken seriously, so I not only did a web site but started blogging. That has made such a difference to me professionally. Blogging, particularly, has forced me to write daily for adults and not just for kids. No one is more surprised than I that people from many countries, including Russia, Indonesia and South Korea, are now following.
What do you hope One Pelican at a Time will impart to your readers?
My hope is that children will read this book and want to know mor
3 Comments on , last added: 3/12/2011
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Wow! great interview. I cannot wait to read this book and use it in my middle school classroom as a mentor text.
Thanks for making this available.
ValB
Hello,
I am a huge fan of Nancy. Thanks for posting such a great interview.
Nicole Weaver
http://marieandherfriendtheseaturtle.blogspot.com
Nancy,
I donate all of the picture books I get to a small local library. I think it would be a great addition to their collection.
Blessings,
J. Aday Kennedy
The Differently-Abled Writer & Speaker
Children's Author of Klutzy Kantor & Marta's Gargantuan Wings
www.jadaykennedy.com
http://brainfartexplosion.blogspot.com