Interview with celebrity children’s book author, Stacy McAnulty

This is a very very special post and Mommy Me is slowly growing and moving forward to the next level with the support of my readers. I am so happy and proud to publish this post and I feel this is quite an achievement. Stacy McAnulty is my daughter’s favorite author and her books, from the Universe series, namely Moon, Earth and Sun are her most favorite ones.

We have read those books a thousand times already and she still wants me to read them and listens to it in awe. She even knew few lines by heart, from the books and when I read, she says those lines along with me. These books are very very close to our hearts and that’s why I am so elated about this interview.

Stacy McAnulty, Children’s book author

Mommy Me :  When did you first realize you wanted to become a children’s book author? 

Stacy McAnulty : When my first daughter was born in 2001. I started reading to her and fell in love with kids’ books.

 Mommy Me : My daughter is two right now and her current favorite ones are the books in Our Universe series. Can you share us how the series  started and one beautiful memory during the writing process. 

Stacy : EARTH! is the first book in the series and it came about by “accident”. I hadn’t intended to write nonfiction. I’d written a story about a pet rock, and when I shared it with my critique group, they did not love it. I thought about that “failed” story for a few weeks and realized I didn’t want to write about just any rock. I wanted to write about the best rock—Earth!

Mommy Me : What’s the best thing about writing for kids?

Stacy : I love to make kids laugh and wonder. My brother has read the Our Universe books to his young daughters multiple times. And when they finish, he says the girls always have so many questions. Sometimes, he has to Google the answers. I LOVE that. Let’s learn more!

Mommy Me : What’s the best thing you have heard from someone about your books?

Stacy : Hard question! With my novels, young readers send me emails and letters. I love to hear when they connect with a book or a character. With the picture books, I was blown away last fall when a family dressed up for Halloween as Moon, Sun, and Earth. That was epic!

Mommy Me :What’s your most favorite and least favorite part in the publishing journey?

Stacy : I have many favorite parts—research, writing a first draft, meeting readers, getting positive reviews. My least favorite part is the business side, such as worrying about sales numbers and promotions.   

Mommy Me : Where do you draw inspiration from?

Stacy : I’m inspired by science, my kids, and good books.

Mommy Me :  How long does it take for you to complete a book ?

Stacy : For a picture book, I can finish a solid draft in about a month. Then the revisions (the real work!) can take anywhere from three to six months). For a novel, I need about eighteen months to have a finished product.

Mommy Me : If you would tell your younger self something, what would it be?

Stacy : Spend more time creating and less time consuming.    

Mommy Me : What are your other interests apart from writing?

Stacy : I like photography and baking, and I’m a bit obsessed with space recently.

 Mommy Me : My daughter, Ishaana is just 2 and is already a big fan of your books. What message would you like to give to young book- worms?   

Stacy : First, thank you! And second, Ishaana, keep reading! Books will open the world for you.

I really thank Stacy for taking time to talk to Mommy Me among her super busy schedule. Mommy Me is extremely proud to host her and I can’t wait for my daughter to grow and read her wonderful interview here. I think it is so nice of her to add a personal message for Ishaana too!

I hope you all enjoyed reading Stacy’s answers! Let me know what you think in comments.

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