Maria Morgan and I met through blogging a number of years ago, so I was excited to hear that her book Louie's BIG day! was released last month. I'm looking forward to sharing the story with my grandson. :)
What was your inspiration for writing a children’s book? Why did you choose to self publish?
A couple years ago when General Mills sponsored their Spoonfuls of Stories contest, I wrote Louie’s BIG day! and sent in my submission. My story wasn’t chosen, so I set it aside. A year later, I shared it with my writer’s critique group. They loved it. So while I was waiting for a different manuscript to be reviewed, I went back and added a few things to Louie’s story and decided to pursue publication. I’m glad the Lord slowed me down so I would pay attention to His leading.
Slowing down can be a good thing. :) Can you give us an overview of Louie’s BIG day!?
Louie is a bright red lawnmower who used to live at the hardware store with his friends: Ruthie Rake, Eddie Edger, Bobbie Blower, Terri Trowel, and Henri Hose. Recently he was purchased by a man and his wife and now he’s on his own.
Louie misses his friends, but it’s time to find out if he can do the job he was made to do. Join Louie for his BIG adventure and discover the surprise that awaits him at the end of the day!
I had the privilege of reading Louie's story. It's cute! Will we be seeing more of Louie in the future?
Yes, you will. Louie’s adventures are just getting started and will be chronicled in the Louie the Lawnmower series. He and his pals have a second book, Louie & the Leaf Pile, coming out early next year.
That sounds like another fun story. I'm sure that before long, Louie will have his own fan club! What do you hope to accomplish with the series?
It’s SO important to take advantage of every opportunity to teach our children biblical truths. I’ve designed the Louie the Lawnmower series to do just that: teach concepts from the Bible in a kid-friendly way, and conclude each book with questions to foster parent/child discussion.
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It’s available in both print and Kindle versions. You can order a print version here and order the Kindle version here.
Thank you Maria, for stopping by. Wishing you all the best with your book!
Thanks for hosting me!
Maria's Bio
Maria I. Morgan was born with an active imagination. Originally an inspirational author and speaker for adults, Maria has widened her circle to include kids. She lives in the muggy South with her husband, two retrievers, and two Maine coon kitties – the perfect mix to fuel her creativity for years to come!
Connect with Maria
Website.
Connect with Louie
Do you have any questions for Maria? What book was your favorite when you were a child?
Happy writing,
Karen
Good morning Karen and Maria!! Wonderful interview :) I hope you both have an amazing Monday :)
ReplyDeleteGood morning! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview and wish you a happy Monday as well!
DeleteCongrats to Maria. Sounds like self publishing was a good decision for her. And good luck with the book.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie! For the most part, I enjoyed the process and all that was involved in self-publishing. It really stretched me and gave me an appreciation for those who do design and layout for a living. Thanks for your well-wishes! :)
DeleteKeith,
ReplyDeleteGood morning to you too! Thanks for coming by. Have a great week! :)
Natalie,
The book is cute. I think she'll so well! Always good to see you. :)
Happy writing,
Karen
Congrats indeed, neat idea.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat - thanks for your kind words of encouragement!
DeleteHi Karen! Hi Maria! Wonderful interview, ladies. Congratulations on your book, Maria! It sounds delightful. I'm going to be a grandma next March, and I am collecting a small starter library of children's books to give as part of the shower present. Your book will definitely be on my list! I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to catch up with you Loree! Congratulations on soon becoming a grandma!! How exciting! Feel free to download the free audioversion of "Louie's BIG day!" over at Louie's website: www.mariaimorgan.wix.com/louie-the-lawnmower. God bless you my friend!
DeleteFrom a discarded story to a series - awesome! It does help when we slow down enough to grasp what God is telling us.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, Alex! Thanks for the encouraging words!
DeletePat,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for coming by. I enjoyed the post you did about Alex - rhyming style! :)
Loree,
How have you been? Good to see you! :) Congrats on the grandchild. That's exciting news. You will be a wonderful Grandma! :)
Alex,
Who knows what one can do with the things we write, right? :) An ear tuned to Him is a good thing.
Happy writing,
Karen
What a cute series of books!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, L. Diane! I've had fun coming up with "Louie" adventures!
DeleteHuge congratulations, Maria. Thanks for sharing her story, Karen. It's inspiring to know one more awesome children's book is out there making a difference. It's on my list for my grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Joylene! Love your name, by the way. You're welcome to download the free audio version of the book at Louie's website: www.mariaimorgan.wix.com/louie-the-lawnmower
DeleteLouie sounds like quite a clever and cute character.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I had fun coming up with Louie and his pals! So far, kids have really seemed to like him and his friends! :)
DeleteHello Karen and Maria: This sounds like a very cute book. Maria, I love the names you gave to his friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I tried to come up with catchy, easy-to-remember, names for all these hardware tools come to life. God bless~
DeleteDiane,
ReplyDeleteI had the privilege of reading the book. Very cute! :)
Joylene,
You are welcome. Maria made it easy for me! :) I think you and your grandchildren will like this one. :)
Lee,
He is! It's a sweet story that will appeal to many young ones. :)
Cecelia,
The names are clever, aren't they? It's a cute little tale. :)
Happy writing,
Karen
Great interview, Karen! I'm pals with several authors who have written picture books (I'm kind of assuming that Louie falls into that category) and it's a tough market to break into, but this story sounds engaging, and if the illustration on the cover is any indication, this book is a winner. Best of luck, Maria!
ReplyDeleteHi Maria and Karen! What a fun series this will be to read, and I bet it was fun to write too. I love that you didn't get discouraged after being rejected, but held on to the manuscript. Now it's going to be a series! Your story to be being published is just a testament to patience and perseverance. Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ceil
Great interview! What a fun book. Congratulations, Maria! I'll have to go check this out!
ReplyDeleteI didn't think a lawn mower could be cute and this sounds like a wonderful premise, both deep and fun.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, good to have Maria on your blog. I saw the book come by on FB, sounds like a fun series for children and (grand)parents to read !
ReplyDeleteHi Maria, nice to meet you. I LOVE this lawnmower story. Louie sounds super cute. I love to meet other children's writers.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteIt is a tough market, and I admire Maria for pursuing it this far. Glad you made it over to see us! :)
Ceil,
Her story is inspirational, isn't it? Never give up! :) Hope you get a chance to read it soon.
Susie,
It's a sweet little book that's sure to engage young ones and their families. :) Glad you came by!
Medeia,
Who knew, right? It's a sweet little story that offers a lot. :)
Marja,
Maria's a gem, isn't she? I think it will be a fun series! :)
Rachna,
I'm glad you got to meet Maria! It is a cute book. Hope you get a chance to read it soon.
Happy writing,
Karen
It's time for me to get back into kids books, with a new little one on the way, but with my kids as grown up as they are, I'm constantly scowering for awesome MG and YA titles. I think my favorite kids book is The Giving Tree.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun book! You DO have a great imagination, Maria! I'm so happy for you, that the Lord helped your dream come true.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have a couple of Maine Coon kittens. They are gorgeous!
Crystal,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new little one on the way! :) I understand your challenge; I was always hunting for good books for my kids. Now I am scouting them out for my grandson! :)
Jen,
It is a fun book! I agree; she does have a good imagination. :) Maria is a good example of being faithful to her convictions.
Happy writing,
Karen
This does sound like a cute book! I can see a lot of little kids getting into this story. Best of luck to Maria. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
Jess,
DeleteIt is a cute book! So glad you had a chance to meet Maria!:)
Happy writing,
Karen