Author Interview: Tracy Badua and Ghoul Summer Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m super excited to have Tracy Badua back to share about her new MG Ghoul Summer. Tracy also did a guest post with her agent, Natalie Lakosil, in 2022 to celebrate the release of her debut MG Freddy vs. The Family Curse and a guest post with co-author Alechia Dow earlier this year to celebrate their MG Their Just Desserts. I’m super excited to read Ghoul Summer from reading the blurb and Their Just Desserts. 

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

 

In this beachside ghost story that’s perfect for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Wednesday, twelve-year-old Barnaby is forced to spend his summer helping his grandpa move, only to be confronted by Maxwell—a moody ghost boy with some unfinished business. 

Barnaby had grand plans for his summer. He should’ve been spending his days watching movies and gaming with his friends. Instead, his parents drag him to the boring beach town of Sunnyside to help his grandpa move.

Just when he thinks this summer can’t get any worse, a ghost boy named Maxwell shows up in their vacation rental home to kick Barnaby and his family out.

Barnaby tries everything to get rid of Maxwell on his own. But when his attempts fail and Maxwell actually becomes stronger, Barnaby realizes that there’s only one solution to his ghost helping Maxwell figure out his unfinished business. If he doesn’t, the ghost might ditch the rental home for Barnaby’s body instead.

With the clock counting down to the end of the trip, Barnaby is forced to enter an uneasy truce with Maxwell to find the truth—or be haunted forever.  

Hi Tracy! Thanks so much for joining us. 

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer. 

Hello again! I write middle grade and young adult books, and I’m thrilled that my eighth book, Ghoul Summer, is finally out in the world! I’m also a lawyer, though I’m in the process of transitioning to full-time writing. Maybe this means I’ll finally start getting some sleep! 

2. Where did you get the idea for Ghoul Summer? 

I went on a mini writing retreat with some awesome author friends a few years ago, the week before Freddie vs. the Family Curse came out. While we were all hunched over our laptops, we started noticing something weird: every time someone flushed the toilet, one of us had a writing-related breakthrough, like figuring out a way through a tricky scene or unlocking a hard-to-understand character. Our over-caffeinated fiction-writer brains landed on a wacky explanation: our vacation rental was haunted…with a helpful ghost. That joke ended up sparking the idea for Ghoul Summer, though the ghost in my book isn’t nearly as supportive and encouraging. 

Your Writing Process 

3. What a cool way to come up with a story idea. How long did it take to write and revise your first draft before sending it to your agent and editor? What was the process like? 

I wrote the first three chapters of Ghoul Summer in May 2022, as part of the contract negotiation for a two-book deal (sorry, legal stuff!). I then set those chapters aside to work on Thea and the Mischief Makers, which also entered its final stages of polishing right around the time I needed to finish that draft of Ghoul (it’s not uncommon for authors to be working on a lot of different projects on the same time, but whew!). So I drafted the rest of Ghoul Summer on and off for six months beginning in November 2023, revising along the way as needed, with a full read-through revision before sending it to my editor in May 2024. 

4. Maxwell’s unfinished business sounds intriguing. How did you decide on the leads they’d have to follow to try to uncover why he’s haunting the rental house they’re staying at? And why did you decide to have him haunt the house since the 1980s? 

If I found myself alone as an eleven-year-old, I’d probably wonder where my parents were, so that was naturally the first part of Maxwell and my main character Barnaby’s quest. And if they’re not there with Maxwell, why not? I set the boys’ search for answers against the deadline of the vacation rental’s sale and demolition to make way for a cookie bakery, to raise some of the issues that had been simmering in the town since Maxwell’s time. 

When I was fleshing out this idea, I knew I wanted the ghost in Ghoul Summer to be modern enough to relate to Barnaby. One of our musings about our own writing retreat ghost a few years ago was whether it would’ve been a spooky Victorian-era one like we see in the movies or something more recent, and I always thought a contemporary ghost would be fun to write (though I’ve heard from young readers that the 1980s are ages ago). 

5. Ghoul Summer has been described as heartfelt and funny. How did you add humor to the story? What tips do you have for other writers on including humor in their writing? 

I try to think of what my younger audience would find amusing – which often isn’t hard, because my sense of humor is frozen in that era too. For those far more mature than I am, I’d suggest making an effort to read and watch kids’ media created within the last five years: jokes that were funny decades ago may fall flat or raise eyebrows today, and seeing how other creators set up and execute humorous situations is both educational and entertaining.   

Your Journey to Publication 

6. You’re lucky you have a natural sense of what’s funny. Your tips for the rest of us are great. How did Natalie Lakosil become your agent? 

After amicably parting ways with my first literary agent, I was on the lookout for new representation, and I thankfully had some wonderful writer friends who were willing to refer me to their agents. I reached out to Natalie, who saw promise in what became my debut novel Freddie vs. The Family Curse. 

 7. You’ve published two YA books and six middle grade books since 2022. Share about how your career as an author has grown since you were a debut author. How have you been able to publish so many books in such a short time? 

I feel like I’ve gotten a much better sense of story and character development with the help of some amazingly talented editors who challenge me to improve with each book. As for the number and the short time frame, I’ve always been a fast writer (one of the side effects of the lawyer job), and, more importantly, I have plenty of support at home with my husband, parents, and mother-in-law all happy to distract the kids or send over food when it’s crunch time. 

8. I wish my skills as a lawyer would have translated to being a fast writer too. You’re also an attorney by day and have a family. How do you find the time to also write and be as productive as you are? 

I’ve been scolded before for not sleeping and for the amount of caffeine I ingest, so please don’t look at that for advice on how to maximize your time! I’m starting to focus my energy on writing full-time though. Even then, I’ve been finding it challenging setting a reliable routine for writing, especially because I’m the kind of person who tends to fill their free time with more work like lawyer associations and home improvement.  

Marketing Your Book 

9. How are you planning to promote Ghoul Summer? How has your approach to marketing changed over the years? 

I’m doing more on-the-ground work with Ghoul Summer, so more school, library, and bookstore visits to meet readers where they are. My marketing in the past has typically been very social media based, but being online that much gets exhausting! I find in-person interactions more impactful and enriching, so I don’t mind the occasional drive to do face-to-face outreach; plus a lot of bookstores sell chocolate. 

10. What are you working on now? 

As I wait for word on some proposals we have out, I’ve been toying with some new ideas and really focusing on figuring out what I want my next writing career step to look like. I’d love to stay in middle grade but I’ve been considering dipping into writing for other age ranges as well. 

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Tracy. You can find Tracy at www.tracybadua.com or on Instagram at @tracybaduawrites. 

Giveaway Details

Tracy is generously offering a hardback of Ghoul Summer for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by October 11th. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address. 

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or follow Tracy on her social media sites, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S. 

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog. 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops 

Wednesday, October 1st I’m participating in the Scaredy Cat Giveaway Hop and have an interview with author Julie Berry with a giveaway of her YA If Looks Could Kill and my IWSG post 

Monday, October 6th I have an agent spotlight interview with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway 

Monday, October 13th I have an interview with author Lynne Kelly and a giveaway of her MG Three Blue Hearts 

Wednesday, October 15th I have an agent spotlight interview with Sophie Sheumaker and a query critique giveaway 

Thursday, October 16th I’m participating in the Silly Pumpkin Giveaway Hop 

Monday, October 20th I have a guest post by author Claudia Mills and a giveaway of her MG The Last Apple Tree 

Monday, October 27th I have an interview with author Dusti Bowling and a giveaway of her MG Holding on for Dear Life 

I hope to see you on Wednesday!

 

 

Author Interview: Anita Fitch Pazner and Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance Giveaway

 Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have Anita Fitch Pazner here. She’s a friend, former critique partner, and author of the MG historical Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance. I’d like to learn about The White Rose Resistance, and  I’m looking forward to reading her book. 

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

 

Words are powerful. Words spread truth. Words turn to action. Words matter in this lyrical account of the White Rose Resistance.

The White Rose Resistance was the German student movement that used the power of the written word to speak out against the Nazis during World War II. They worked in secret to distribute leaflets condemning the government’s actions at a time when doing so meant putting your life at risk.

The story follows siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, who were instrumental members of the resistance. Words Matter transports readers through the world the siblings inhabited, from their idyllic childhood to becoming leaders in the Hitler Youth groups; attending the Nuremberg Rally; witnessing the arrests and murders of innocent people; and finally emerging as leaders of the White Rose Resistance — while still believing in the goodness that lived in the hearts of the German people. The Scholl siblings were arrested and executed in 1943 but their legacy, and the words of the Resistance, live on.

Written in verse and strikingly illustrated for middle-grade readers, Words Matter brings to life an unforgettable true story of nonviolent resistance. Hans and Sophie’s story demonstrates the enduring power of words, especially in times of propaganda and fear. 

Hi Anita! Thanks so much for joining us. 

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer. 

I always loved discovering what motivated people to be who they are. Turning this question towards me feels a bit awkward so I’ll do my best to sum up who I am and what motivated me to pursue a career in publishing without giving away any deep dark secrets. 

Being a writer is something I’ve always been, even though commas and spelling sometimes vex me. I’ve always had a desire to put words on paper. I started out as a journalist and a photographer. I loved researching people, places and interesting things happening in the world. 

I took a break for what felt like a hundred years to raise four human beings and a couple of dogs along the way. I hung on to the writing life by meeting with critique groups like the one we both belonged to in Ann Arbor. I still feel connected to that group even though I haven’t attended a meeting in a long time. 

About a decade ago, I knew it was time to move forward. The clock was ticking. I decided it was time to discover as much about writing as I possibly could. I started doing on-line classes with agents like Wendy Rohm. That prepared me to apply to the Vermont College of Fine Arts program. From there, I read and annotated hundreds of books and wrote numerous essays on the craft of writing. I also met an entirely new community of supportive, committed professionals. 

2. We’d love to have you come back! Where did you learn about the White ose Resistance? What made you decide to write a story about it? 

My introduction to Hans and Sophie occurred while on a bike tour with my teenaged daughters on a trip to Munich, Germany in 2016 when political rallies raged all over the U.S. The tour guide took us to many of the places where fascism first took hold in the city. We saw museums dedicated to people who used their voices to protest what was happening. The images of political opponents, members of the LGBTQ community–both men and women– filled the walls. We learned the first concentration camp had been set up in 1933 to hold political opponents. The government at that time set the tone early on to be sure people became too afraid to speak out. When we passed the University where Hans and Sophie went to school, I was fascinated by their bravery and drive to do what was right. 

The Scholl’s story never left me. I spent the next four years researching and writing about them. I read their diaries, letters—basically anything I could get my hands on. I discovered what motivated them. How their parent’s desire to keep banned books and the bible available for their children influenced their ability to think rather than submit to propaganda and fear. I returned to Germany one more time with one of my sons and my daughters. We scoured Munich and Ulm, where Hans and Sophie lived, for any clues to who they were. As an American with German heritage, I needed to know there was goodness in the hearts of the German people. I needed to know how a progressive, democratic country could fall victim to the racism and horrors of that time in history. 

Your Writing Process 

3. What research did you do into the White Rose Resistance and the lives of Hans and Sophie Scholl? How did you find your sources? 

Even though the Scholl’s are not as well known in the U.S. as they are in Germany, I compiled a list of books written or translated in English, and I watched movies based on their lives with English subtitles.

3. You did a lot of research. And it’s cool that you visited where they lived. I know you started out writing this as a picture book. What made you decide to write it as a middle grade novel instead? And why did you choose to write the story in verse rather than prose? 

Funny story about that. I did originally write the story as a picture book, and I submitted it to several SCBWI-MI Critique Carousel agents and editors. I received fantastic critiques, and requests to submit. When I followed up and submitted the story, I received champagne rejections across the board. They just didn’t quite know where to place the story. 

You see, Hans and Sophie were beheaded for using their words against the government. Not the best visual for a picture book. Who knew? 

Certainly not me. I had done my homework. I found mentor texts (Yes, there are PB mentor texts where the main characters die.) One of my favorites was Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova by Laurel Snyder. It’s beautiful and lyrically written. Most importantly, it ended with the death of the ballerina. 

In my defense, I grew up on German fairytales–the real ones where characters cut off their toes to fit in shoes, not the watered down Disney versions. 

Ready to throw the manuscript in the proverbial drawer, I reached out to an editor at Groundwood Books for advice. She asked if I would consider having it published as a fully illustrated, middle-grade novel in verse. My first reaction was that I didn’t know how to write it in verse. Being up for the challenge, I asked how much would I have to rewrite? 

Her response was that I had already written it in that format. Self-awareness, even when it comes to writing, is not one of my strong suits. 

There’s one thing I want to add about writing in free verse. In my first semester at VCFA I had a wonderfully kind advisor named Mark Karlins who has since passed away. When I worked with him all I wanted to do was learn how to take my journalistic style and transform it into lyrical prose. I struggled and failed for several packets. He suggested we move on to some other aspect of craft. I begged him to give me all the books he could think of. I believe there were about 20 or 30 on the list for me to read and annotate within a three week period. It wasn’t until I dove into Ursula Le Guin’s Steering the Craft that something clicked. I’ve always appreciated his willingness to let me flounder until he found just the right books to move me forward to achieve my goals. I wish he were here to see this book come to life. 

4. There’s no happy ending to what happened to Hans and Sophie Scholl or life in Germany during WWII. How did you balance the uplifting message of Hans and Sophie’s work and the sad parts of their story for kids in middle grade? 

Great question. But I feel as though there is a happy ending. The Words of the Resistance survived and brought hope to those who needed it. When they were alive, the Scholls watched as so many of their contemporaries perished during the war. They felt that doing nothing and surviving was worse than the fate they ultimately suffered. What a tragic commentary on life under an authoritarian regime. I don’t want to shield young people from accurate historical content. I want them to ask questions. I want them to think for themselves rather than follow blindly. 

My underlying message in the book is that young people have the power to use their words to transcend their situations.  Knowing the truth and not some whitewashed version of historical events will hopefully give young people the power to protect our democracy and the decency we hold dear. Mostly, I want them to know their words have power. They can be beautiful or destructive, kind or divisive. Words have an energy all their own. There’s a reason authoritarian regimes seek to silence writers, poets, artists and educators. 

Your Road to Publication 

5. That’s a great way to end the story on a positive note. You’re also the author of a picture book, The Topsy-Turvey Bus. You got your publishing contracts for both your books without an agent. How did you find publishers that you could query without an agent? What advice do you have for other writers who want to query publishers directly? 

I didn’t set out to enter publishing without an agent. I spent a great deal of time trying to find one. Most agents I encountered were looking for novel manuscripts or illustrator/author picture books. I’m not an accomplished illustrator and my novels weren't polished enough to send out. When the pandemic forced us all into our homes, I had several novels in various stages of completion. And then my adult children came home. I didn’t have the bandwidth to work on my larger projects so I wrote picture book manuscripts. Not because they were easy, but because I felt that I could accomplish a finished piece of work in a shorter amount of time. I have some really bad picture book manuscripts stored in my computer, by the way. 

One day, when I was helping deliver food to area food banks, my friend Wren Beaulieu-Hack picked me up with the real Topsy Turvy Bus and I said, “This would make a fabulous picture book.” 

She pointedly said, “Sooooo, why don’t you write it?” 

So I did! I wrote the manuscript on Monday, edited on Wednesday and sent it out on Friday to a specifically targeted publisher. Much to my surprise, I received a request to add 350 words to the manuscript and resubmit. 

7. Share your tips for working with a small press publisher and resolving any issues when you don’t have an agent? 

Great question. After having worked with two different publishers, I have to say much of what goes on depends on the publisher. Working with Groundwood Books on Words Matter has been a dream scenario. I negotiated the contract on my own and they were gracious about my not having an agent and worked with me on my one and only request. Their publicity department and foreign rights teams are incredible. Words Matter has already received positive reviews due to their diligent work. Foreign rights have already been sold to Korean and French publishers. 

My advice to anyone signing a contract without an agent is to read it thoroughly (duh!). Also, check with other authors published by the company. Most will freely discuss their experience. I found author/agent/attorney Jacqueline D. Lipton’s book, Law and Authors: A Legal Handbook for Writers, worth reading before signing a contract. I’ve also heard of agents willing to read over contracts for unagented authors for a fee. If you find yourself with an offer, you can always reach out to your dream agent with a contract in hand. You might get lucky. 

Promoting Your Book 

8. It’s great your publisher already sold foreign rights for you. From watching you market The Topsy-Turvey Bus, I know you’re good at marketing a book. What are your plans to celebrate the release of Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance and promote it? 

This is actually the fun part. I received The Regional Advisor Marketing Grant from The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators to help launch the book on Sunday, September 14, from 5-7 at THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED BOOKSTORE in Farmington, Michigan. 

I’m planning a theatrical launch with some surprises. There will be free raffles for Words Matter swag and some signed books from other talented authors. Everyone who attends the launch will receive a free raffle ticket. I’ll be posting more of the free merch on my social media. Attendees can also expect some fun food and bevies.  I’ll be honoring educators and librarians who attend with special giveaways. Each book purchased will also receive some fun swag. I intend this book launch to be a celebration of Words. Not just mine, but of so many voices that matter. If you are an educator or librarian let me know you’re coming. You can contact me on my website and I’ll have your goodies waiting for you. 

9. Has your strategy toward marketing changed from your experiences promoting your picture book? If so, how? 

Definitely. I’m still working hard to promote this book, but the amount of support I”m getting from the publisher, SCBWI and the writing community is incredible. I’m still working hard to promote Words Matter, but the process feels different with this book. I’m using my voice to uplift other incredible writers. There are so many important books out there right now. 

10. What are you working on now? 

I still have a plethora of picture books that focus on sustainability and conservation ready to go. In fact, there is one about a tree that’s being considered by a local publisher. It’s about a snarky tree. I’m also diving back into my middle-grade and YA novels. Now that Words Matter is out in the world, I’ll have the mental time and space to complete those projects. I did finish a graphic novel manuscript set at an alternative school for at risk kids that I adore. I did the research a couple of years ago and I would love to see that out in the world. Then again, I’m not an illustrator so it will be an uphill battle to publication–my favorite kind of journey. 

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Anita. You can find Anita: 

Website: AnitaPazner.com

Instagram: AnitaPazner

FB: Anita Fitch Pazner

Bluesky: @anita-pazner.bsky.social 

Giveaway Details

Anita’s publisher is generously offering a hardback of Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by October 4th. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address. 

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or follow Anita on her social media sites, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S. 

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog. 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops 

Monday, September 29th I have an interview with author Tracy Badau and a giveaway of her MG Ghoul Summer 

Wednesday, October 1st I’m participating in the Scaredy Cat Giveaway Hop and have an interview with author Julie Berry with a giveaway of her YA If Looks Could Kill and my IWSG post 

Monday, October 6th I have an agent spotlight interview with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway 

Monday, October 13th I have an interview with author Lynne Kelly and a giveaway of her MG Three Blue Hearts 

Wednesday, October 15th I have an agent spotlight interview with Sophie Sheumaker and a query critique giveaway 

Thursday, October 16th I’m participating in the Silly Pumpkin Giveaway Hop 

Monday, October 20th I have a guest post by author Claudia Mills and a giveaway of her MG The Last Apple Tree 

Monday, October 27th I have an interview with author Dusti Bowling and a giveaway of her MG Holding on for Dear Life 

I hope to see you on Monday!

 

Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop

 

Happy Tuessday Everyone! Today I'm excited to participate in the Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop hosted by MamatheFox  and MomDoesReviews. I can't believe it's already the middle of September. It definitely feels more like fall. Our temperatures started cooling down into the 60's by September 1st. It's still really pleasant when the sun is out, so I don't mind.  

Book of Your Choice or Amazon Gift Card 

I am offering a book of your choice for $20 or less on Amazon. I’m looking forward to seeing what books everyone is looking forward to reading.  

If you don’t have a book you want, you can win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Giveaway Details

To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by September 30th telling me whether you want a book, and if so, which one, or the Amazon gift card and your email address. Be sure to include your email address. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address. 

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. The book giveaway is U.S. only and the Amazon gift card giveaway is International.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops 

Monday, September 22nd I have an interview with author Anita Fitch Pazner and a giveaway of her MG  Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance 

Monday, September 29th I have an interview with author Tracy Badau and a giveaway of her MG Ghoul Summer 

Wednesday, October 1st I’m participating in the Scaredy Cat Giveaway Hop and have an interview with author Julie Berry with a giveaway of her YA If Looks Could Kill and my IWSG post 

Monday, October 6th I have an agent spotlight interview with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway 

Monday, October 13th I have an interview with author Lynne Kelly and a giveaway of her MG Three Blue Hearts 

I hope to see you on Monday!

And here are all the blogs participating in this blog hop:

MamatheFox, Mom Does Reviews, and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

Author Interview: Christine Virnig and Phantom Academy Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have Christine Virnig here to share about her MG Phantom Academy, It sounds like a fun ghost story with a mystery to be solved. That’s my idea of a good story, and I’m looking forward to reading this one. 

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

 

Lindsay Currie’s Scritch Scratch meets The School for Invisible Boys in this fun romp of a middle grade novel about a newly dead boy who faces a spooky new school hiding an unearthly mystery.

After an unlucky collision between a coconut and the top of his head, twelve-year-old Finn joins the ranks of the recently deceased…and of the students at Phantom Academy. The academy is a spectral boarding school for underage ghosts finding their footing in the afterlife, and Finn is the new kid at school.

He doesn’t understand why ghosts have to take tests and do homework. Or why making friends doesn’t get any easier even when all the students have a very big thing in common. As the new class of middle schoolers get to know each other, it becomes clear something is happening behind the scenes of their new academy.

Can Finn and his classmates figure out their afterlife and crack the mystery? 

Hi Christine! Thanks so much for joining us. 

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer. 

First of all, thank you so much for interviewing me! I always love talking about books and writing :) 

I’m a children’s book author from Madison, Wisconsin, and I write picture books, middle grade novels, and middle grade nonfiction. My road to becoming a writer was actually somewhat circuitous. I first fell in love with reading children’s books when I was a stressed-out doctor looking for ways to escape the real world, and it was only after these kid’s books were thoroughly woven into my heart that I started seriously thinking about trying to write one myself. But as soon as I put finger to keyboard… I was hooked. 

2. Where did you get the idea for Phantom Academy? 

Most of my best book ideas seem to pop into my head as I’m trying to fall asleep at night, and Phantom Academy was no different. The whole first scene of the book—where Finn DIES and needs to choose between two paths—came to me this way. When I woke up the next morning, I couldn’t wait to write it down… and discover what happened next! 

Your Writing Process 

3. I get ideas at random times too. Share about how you developed the storyline and wrote the first draft of Phantom Academy. How long did it take to write and revise your manuscript before you were ready to submit it? 

When I first started writing Phantom Academy, I had no idea where the story would lead; I just wrote whatever came to me. But as soon as I realized there would be a large mystery component, I stopped writing and began loosely plotting out the rest of the novel to make sure all the clues were in place and that everything would fit together in the end. 

It’s always hard for me to estimate how long it took me to write and revise any given manuscript, as I jump around between projects a ton. But if I had to guess, I’d say maybe nine to twelve months??? 

4. From reading the blurb where Finn dies due to being hit by a coconut and reviews, I can tell that you mixed humor into your story. What made you decide to add this element to your story? Can you share some tips for those of us who’d like to include humor but don’t know how to write like this?

For better or worse, humor—or my version of humor, I should say—is one thing that shows up in almost everything I write. I think this is because my main goal when writing is to create the funnest book that I can, and to me, this includes a good dose of laughter. 

I try to add humor in multiple different ways. Puns and word play are big ones. I also love coming up with unexpected similes that are both humorous and illustrative. Using parentheses and em dashes to set off funny little asides is another favorite technique. And lastly, I find it much easier to add humor when I write in first person (though this might just be a me-thing). 

5. It’s cool all the different ways you add humor to your stories. Share about Finn, your main character. Is he in part based on anyone you know? Did his character development come easily to you, or was it a struggle? 

Finn is brave, and impulsive, and he loves his friends and family fiercely. He also has a ridiculous sense of humor (aka MY sense of humor). I’m absolutely positive that his personality is influenced by people I know—I’m just not totally cognizant of who or how or in which ways. 

Finn’s character development was much more difficult for me than most of my characters. Not only is he brave, while I’m a complete scaredy-cat, but he jumps headfirst into everything without bothering to think things through first. Given that my MO is to waste hours agonizing over even the tiniest of decisions (like do I want Peanut Butter M&Ms… or Peanut M&Ms?), it took real effort for me to keep Finn true to Finn. 

Your Journey to Publication 

6. You’ve had four books published—Dung for Dinner, Waist-Deep in Dung, A Bite Above the Rest, and Phantom Academy. How did you get your first publishing contract, and what has it been like getting your publishing contracts since then? 

I queried agents with a book proposal for Dung for Dinner in 2018 and was immensely lucky to end up signing with Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. From there, Jim did the hard work of selling my books while I got to have fun writing the next thing. 

Getting a publishing contract is never easy—and given the current state of middle grade publishing, who knows if I’ll ever be able to sell another book in that space—but it’s been absolutely wonderful to have a partner in the process. Each book contract Jim has landed for me has felt like a real gift, and I’m so grateful for every one of them. 

7. A Bite Above the Rest was published last year. How have you juggled writing Phantom Academy while working on releasing A Bite Above the Rest? 

I’ve actually never signed a book contract without having already written the entire manuscript, and this has really taken the pressure off. I’ve never had to draft on a deadline (apart from self-imposed ones meant to prevent endless tweaking), so my “juggling” has always been very manageable. I’m also exceptionally fortunate to be able to devote a lot of time to my writing, which gives me a lot of freedom. 

Marketing Your Book 

8. How did you celebrate the release of Phantom Academy? How do you plan to continue marketing it? 

I actually have no plans to celebrate on Phantom Academy’s release day, unless going to the optometrist for a long overdue checkup counts as a celebration? 

I honestly HATE having the spotlight on me, so I’ve never had a launch event for any of my books. I do have a bunch of book signings scheduled for the days and months after the release, though, and I’m super excited to be on a spooky books author panel at the NCTE convention in Denver later this fall to talk about the book! 

9. It’s great that you have a marketing plan that works for you. What are you working on now? 

So Many Things! I’m busy revising a spooky middle grade book about a haunted prison that I desperately hope will become published someday. I’m also having an absolute blast writing picture books. I have one picture book that will come out in 2027; some exciting, can’t-be-told-yet news regarding a second picture book; and I have a few PB manuscripts ready to go out on submission soon. So… fingers crossed with all these things!  

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Christine. You can find Christine on Instagram at @virnigchristine. Her website is christinevirnig.com. 

Giveaway Details

Christine’s publisher is generously offering a hardback of Phantom Academy for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by September 27th. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address. 

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or follow Christine on her social media sites, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S. 

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog. 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops 

Tuesday, September 16th I’m participating in the Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop 

Monday, September 22nd I have an interview with author Anita Fitch Pazner and a giveaway of her MG  Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance 

Monday, September 29th I have an interview with author Tracy Badau and a giveaway of her MG Ghoul Summer 

Wednesday, October 1st I’m participating in the Scaredy Cat Giveaway Hop and have an interview with author Julie Berry with a giveaway of her YA If Looks Could Kill and my IWSG post 

Monday, October 6th I have an agent spotlight interview with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway 

Monday, October 13th I have an interview with author Lynne Kelly and a giveaway of her MG Three Blue Hearts 

I hope to see you tomorrow!

 

 

Literary Agent Interview: Ashlee MacCallum and Query Critique Giveaway

 Today I’m thrilled to have agent Ashlee MacCallum here. She’s a junior agent at Howland Literary. 

Hi­ Ashlee! Thanks so much for joining us. 

About Ashlee: 

Ashlee MacCallum joined Howland Literary after interning at Triada US. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a master’s in Education. 

Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, Ashlee is passionate about championing marginalized creators and uplifting historically underrepresented voices. She gravitates toward high-concept, commercial fiction with bold storytelling, standout pacing, and a distinct voice that grabs you from the first page. A devoted kidlit reader, Ashlee has a soft spot for speculative stories, mysteries, and anything delightfully weird. When she begins building her own list, she’ll be looking for unforgettable picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult fiction.

 Ashlee lives in Nevada with her husband and two children. By day, she’s a high school English teacher who assigns cool books, reads powerful essays, and makes her students dramatically reenact Macbeth. Outside the classroom, Ashlee writes picture books, chapter books, and middle grade novels. She is represented by Amanda Carbonell at Belcastro Agency. 

When she’s not lost in a book or spinning one of her own, Ashlee is probably mapping out her next Disney adventure, binging a true crime podcast, or humming show tunes in the kitchen. She’s fueled by caffeine, charmed by ghost stories, and fluent in banned books. 

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent. 

I discovered the writing community in 2021 when I started writing picture books. After signing with an agent and learning more about what the role entailed, I decided I would eventually pursue that path. When I started drafting my own MSWL for fun, I knew I was ready to dive in.

Last year, I completed an internship with the wonderful Brent Taylor at Triada US and this spring, I was lucky enough to land a roll as a junior agent at Howland Literary.

So far, I have signed two clients, and both are currently on submission. I hope to grow my list slowly and steadily over the next year or two.

About the Agency: 

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors. 

Howland Literary is an exceptional agency, which I feel so fortunate to be a part of. At Howland, we represent award-winning writers of literary fiction, non-fiction, young adult fiction, and children’s books. I have the unique opportunity to help Howland grow its children’s division alongside my coworker and friend, Rebecca Angus. 

We are a career-focused agency which aims to represent authors for the entirety of their career versus just one project. Additionally, Howland is passionate about uplifting marginalized authors and representing books that champion underrepresented identities. 

What She’s Looking For: 

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent, and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres? 

I represent picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, and new adult. At this time, I am most eager to find a young adult or new adult novel, as I have room for this on my client list. My favorite genre tends to be horror, but I also love genre mashups and am keen to find a horrormance. 

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in? 

I’d absolutely love to find a mystery/thriller that features and uplifts indigenous voices, similar to Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell. 

What She Isn’t Looking For: 

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in? 

Right now, I’m not looking for historical fiction or much in the contemporary space. My taste leans heavily on the speculative and commercial side of the industry. 

Agent Philosophy: 

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent? 

I believe books have the ability to shift perspectives and foster change. I’m looking to champion stories that push boundaries and expand what we think is possible. I hope to find authors who are not just wickedly talented, but also those who are authentic and bold. As an agent, I see my role as a partner and fierce advocate for my clients. 

Editorial Agent: 

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors? 

Definitely. As a high school English teacher, being editorial just comes naturally. Before going out on submission, I would run through developmental, copy, and line edits as needed. That being said, I won’t give unnecessary feedback just for the sake of doing so. I want to preserve the author’s vision and voice as much as possible! 

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting) 

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter? 

I accept queries through QueryManager. I don’t have a system for being open/closed to queries at the moment, although I might in the future. Right now, I open and close as I best see fit, depending on my client’s needs and the number of full requests I have to consider. 

I hope to see query letters that are of reasonable length which include: a greeting (personalization is not required for me), hook/pitch with metadata (the title, genre, and word count), a short synopsis, a bio paragraph, and a closing. 

I really like to see authors with strong and recent comps because this tells me they read in their genre. Another thing I pay close attention to is the manuscript’s conflict and stakes. For me, these must be clear and engaging. 

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you? 

To be honest, I really don’t. I have been in the query trenches twice and it’s tough! I would probably be horrified to read the first query I ever sent. I understand people are learning as they go and doing the best they can. 

Response Time: 

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript? 

I respond quickly! As I said, I’ve queried before. There is nothing worse than feeling like your work has gone off into a black hole where no one will read it or respond. I would say I generally respond within a day or two to queries, and anywhere from a month to two months for a full. 

If I don’t respond to your query within a few days, it means you have made it to my maybe pile! 

Self-Published and Small Press Authors: 

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them? 

Absolutely! My advice would be to keep looking for your perfect match until you find them. 

Clients: 

12. Who are some of the authors you represent? 

I love this question! As of this interview, I have signed two exceptional clients whom I co-represent with Rebecca Angus. The first shared client we have is Brier Marilyn, who is a picture book author-illustrator, and the second client is middle grade author, Uriel Harper. 

I know I’m biased, but my clients are the most incredible human beings and so, so talented. I adore them and will fight like crazy to see their books on the shelf one day in the near future! 

Interviews and Guest Posts: 

13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you. 

Sure! Since we hit on queries earlier, I’ll share one of my favorite query-resources. Here is a helpful link to get your query in great shape: How to Write a Query Letter That Gets Manuscript Requests | Jane Friedman 

Links and Contact Info: 

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web. 

Here is my Linktree, which includes a link to my Query Manager page, my MSWL, agent website, and my social media: ashleemaccallum | Twitter, Instagram | Linktree 

Additional Advice: 

15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered? 

It’s been said so many times, but don’t give up! If you need a break, take one, but always come back to writing and querying if this is your dream and passion. Your perfect partner and agent might be right around the corner J 

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Ashlee.

 Giveaway Details

­Ashlee is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through September 20th. If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway. 

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com 

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change. 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops 

Monday, September 15th I have an interview with author Christine Virnig and a giveaway of her MG Phantom Academy 

Tuesday, September 16th I’m participating in the Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop 

Monday, September 22nd I have an interview with author Anita Fitch Pazner and a giveaway of her MG  Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance 

Monday, September 29th I have an interview with author Tracy Badau and a giveaway of her MG Ghoul Summer 

Wednesday, October 1st I’m participating in the Scaredy Cat Giveaway Hop and have an interview with author Julie Berry with a giveaway of her YA If Looks Could Kill and my IWSG post 

Monday, October 6th I have an agent spotlight interview with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway 

Monday, October 13th I have an interview with author Lynne Kelly and a giveaway of her MG Three Blue Hearts 

I hope to see you on Monday!