Author Interview with Donna Galanti!

 

The DMS was lucky enough to interview Donna Galanti. We reviewed her new book release Loon Cover Summer on Monday, and it was great to share our thoughts about it and hear yours! We're excited to learn a little more about her story. So, without further ado... take it away, Donna!

What inspired you to write Loon Cove Summer?

A childhood home full of sweet memories, shared grief between a father and daughter, an uncle who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, and many firsts … like my first fish caught, my first time snowmobiling, my first dog, my first time taking care of chickens and hogs. In the 1970s, my dad’s dream was to own and operate a campground—and so we did. We bought Bethel Woods Campground in Holderness, New Hampshire, by Squam Lake (where they filmed the movie On Golden Pond).

Growing up as an only-child, a campground by a lake was a magical place to live where I always had other kids to play with. Loon Cove Summer is a love letter to my childhood there—and rich with my love of loons, lakes, kayaking, raptors, and hiking! It’s been a nostalgic journey for me as my parents died before I could finish this book, but they are both honored in the book.

Also, my Great Uncle Elmer was my inspiration for adding in an Appalachian Trail scenario. In 1968 when he was in his 60s, Uncle Elmer solo thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from April to October—hiking 2,200+ miles from Georgia to Maine. On his thru-hike, an October snowstorm prevented Uncle Elmer from climbing Mount Katahdin in Maine and reaching the end of the trail at this mighty peak—just like Sarah’s mother in Loon Cove Summer. Unlike Sarah’s mother, he returned the next year to complete the final five miles.

 How long did it take you to write Loon Cove Summer?

I started Loon Cove Summer back in 2013. After years of stalling on it, changing it from a young adult to a middle grade, publishing other books, revising it with my former agent and many editors, and revising some more, I finished the story in 2024. It was on submission multiple times and I was lucky to work with some amazing editors to help polish it. It’s also changed significantly since I began writing it. I’ve added in more bird conservation, a conservationist, a raptor rehab center— and of course more loons!

What is your writing process like? Do you listen to music? Write in a special place? Edit as you go or write and then edit?

I’ve learned not to edit as I go as that hinders me from finishing a book. Most of my story ideas originate from walks in the woods. I’m a huge nature lover and it’s where visions come to life. Then I draft an outline, world build, develop the characters, and begin writing. I don’t listen to music but do listen to binaural beats to help my concentration. And I love to sequester myself on retreats in a cabin to immerse myself in the magic of story.

And writing Loon Cove Summer prompted me to go back in time to my old campground home in 2015 for a book research trip. I rented a cottage on the lake for a week and lost myself in memories—and mourned my childhood a bit.

When I drove up to the campground, I was zapped back to being nine-years-old again. A place where I swam all summer, romped through the woods, collected dead butterflies and shotgun shells, whizzed about on strap-on roller skates, played pinball machines, and spun 45 records on the jukebox.

The story sprinkles in lots of information about loons. What was your research process like? Was there anything specific that stood out to you or something interesting you’d like to share?

I did a lot of loon research online and from books, especially The Common Loon: Spirit of Northern Lakes by Judith W. McIntyre. Each year I’m lucky to stay at a friend’s lake house in northern New York, a rich loon habitat. Their haunting tremolos call to me as I glide in my kayak to visit with them. And since the Appalachian Trail, campground life, and a raptor rehabilitation center are also featured in Loon Cove Summer, I did quite a bit of research for all those as well.

In your letter to readers at the end of the book, you mention that when you were growing up, your family owned a campground and you lived there, like Sarah. That sounds so interesting! Did you live there year-round? What was the best part of that experience?

Yes, we lived at Bethel Woods Campground year-round (it’s since been renovated and still there under a different name). The property had about 75 campsites, a large main house that we lived in, a pool, a recreation hall, and a camp store. For an only child it was super fun to always have new kids to play with. I even used the original campground map to create the setting in the story.

But one of my favorite things to do was to collect the trash and take it to the dump, just like Sarah does in Loon Cove Summer! We had an old 1965 Ford truck that was open in the back with wood paneled sides. After my dad and I collected the trash from every campsite, I got to stand in the back of the truck and hang on for dear life as we cruised down Route 3 to the dump—which was on Ta Da Dump Road (and still is!) 😀

 If you could befriend any of the characters from your books, who would you befriend? Why?

Such a hard question as I love them all! I’m especially torn between Sarah’s Buddhist Uncle JuJu who spouts off words of wisdom and insight (I could use a wise guide in my life!) or Theo, the boy Sarah meets who also loves loons, plays the banjo, and photographs things that are disappearing. I’ll go with Theo. He is enthusiastic, heartfelt, and kind—a true friend for life.

Is there anything you’ve learned along your path to publication that you would like to share with new writers?

Oh, so much! It’s been a wild ride of learning the craft and industry, rejections and acceptances, and having collaborated with multiple literary agents, editors, and publishers. I would say the key thing to my success (and what helped me survive the rollercoaster parts!) has been surrounding myself with people who elevate me: peers, authors, teachers, editors. When I finished my first book, I didn’t know any writers at all, so I attended writer conferences and joined writing organizations—and volunteered with both. This opened doors to amazing opportunities!

I like to say that we can write alone but we can’t get published alone. Surround yourself with positive people on your level or higher who can inspire and advise you. Create your own writer’s group if you have none. I meet once a week with a small group of authors to write beside each other at a café. We are a brain collective of shared information—and being open to advice, criticism, and revisions will lead to success.

Where can we purchase your books?

You can order Loon Cove Summer here in hardcover, paperback, or eBook from your favorite bookstore: https://www.donnagalanti.com/loon-cove-summer/

Or visit one of these:
Bookshop

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Walmart

Books-A-Million

Apple

Author Interview with Jessica Vitalis

The DMS was lucky enough to interview Jessica Vitalis. We reviewed her book Unsinkable Cayenne, which will be released on October 29th. It was great to share our thoughts about it and hear yours! We're excited to learn a little more about her story. So, without further ado... take it away, Jessica!

What inspired you to write Unsinkable Cayenne?
Unsinkable Cayenne actually started out as a short story I wrote for an anthology about first kisses (I don’t remember my own first kiss, but I played with the idea of what might have happened if I’d had the courage to pursue a crush I had in middle school); although the anthology never came to fruition, my editor saw the short story and said she’d love to see it as a novel. Although the kiss was cut from the final draft, the story is still very much about first crushes and fitting in.


How long did it take you to write Unsinkable Cayenne?
It usually takes me about a month to write my first drafts…I think this one may have taken a bit longer because I was up to my eyeballs in Coyote Queen edits while I was drafting. In any case, I realized that first draft was too much like Coyote Queen, so I threw almost all of it out and started over. I believe the time it took me to write the second draft until I had to send it to my editor was about four months, and then we continued to edit for about a year before the book had to go to print.


What was your research process like for Unsinkable Cayenne? Was there any aspect of your research that was the most interesting?
Unsinkable Cayenne was the most research-intensive of any of my books. Because the book is inspired by a crush from my childhood, I really wanted to keep it set in 1985; in order to pull that off, I knew I’d need a solid historical anchor. Luckily, my first Google search revealed that the Titanic wreckage was discovered in 1985; even more importantly, the social strata on board the Titanic fit perfectly with the themes I wanted to explore in my book, namely how socioeconomics impact the middle school experience. One of the most interesting things I learned while researching the Titanic (besides the fact that the third class was not intentionally locked below deck as many of us believed) is that there were only two bathtubs on board the ship for the approximately 700 third-class passengers!

Since my main character, Cayenne, is a birder, I also had to do quite a bit of research on birds for this story; I ended up making a list of bird facts that I thought were interesting, and then whenever I felt like the book was falling a bit flat, I went back to my list to see if there were any bird facts I could incorporate. (Did you know there’s a bird that can fly for months without ever touching land?!)


What is your writing process like? Do you listen to music? Write in a special place? Edit as you go or write and then edit?
My writing practice can best be defined as sporadic. I’ll often spend months at a time glued to my desk writing for several hours a day, but then when I burn out I never hesitate to step away from my desk and tend to all the other areas of my life I’ve been neglecting. I’m not at all picky about my writing environment—as long as I have a laptop, I’m good to go! At home I usually write at my desk, on the couch, or on the porch. I don’t play music as I write, but I often listen to classical music while brainstorming on my morning walks.


What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?
My family was very transient, so my access to books was limited to what I could find in second-hand bookstores or, on occasion, libraries. I read anything and everything I could get my hands on, but I don’t recall having any favorites (though I do remember going through a choose your own adventure phase!)


If you could live during any time period in history, when would it be? Why?
On a purely practical basis, I don’t think I’d want to live in any era other than this one; although we’ve got plenty of problems, life now (particularly for women) is so much easier than it has been at any other point in human development. For the sake of a little fun, I will say that it would be incredibly interesting to live as a wealthy person in a heavily romanticized version of the renaissance; I’d love to listen in on some of the intellectual conversations that occurred during that period.


If you could befriend a character from your book, who would you befriend? Why?
As an adult I’d hands-down want to befriend Fud from Coyote Queen if for no other reason than so that I could give her a giant hug (I also really like her spunk)! Fleurine from The Rabbit’s Gift would also be interesting because as the daughter of the Grand Lumiere (the head of the country), she’s in a position to wield tremendous power and shape the future of her country (I’d like to think I could help guide her to make good choices for the sake of her people.)

Is there anything you’ve learned along your path to publication that you would like to share with new writers?
It took me six books written across thirteen years to land my first book deal; I’ve now published four books in four years and become an award-winning author. All this to say: never give up on your dreams! On a more practical level, I’d encourage writers to try to identify their weakness and focus on improving in that area (I know! It’s way more fun to focus on your strengths! But trust me, focusing on your weaknesses will pay off.)

Where can we purchase your book (s)? 

Thank you for asking; my books are available everywhere books are sold! If your readers order Unsinkable Cayenne before October 29th, they can fill out a form on my website to claim a preorder gift and enter in the grand prize drawing. (Links to order signed copies of Unsinkable Cayenne are also available on my website.)

Want to connect with Jessica? Check out her social media sites:

Website: http://jessicavitalis.com

Instagram: @jessicavauthor https://www.instagram.com/jessicavauthor/

Facebook: @jessicavauthor https://www.facebook.com/jessicavauthor/

Twitter: @jessicavitalis https://twitter.com/jessicavitalis

Bluesky: @jessicavitalis https://bsky.app/profile/jessicavitalis.bsky.social

Author Interview with Lisa Schmid

The DMS was lucky enough to interview Lisa Schmid . Lizzy reviewed her book Ollie Oxley and the Ghost, and it was great to share our thoughts about it and hear yours! We're excited to learn a little more about her story. So, without further ado... take it away, Lisa!

What inspired you to write Ollie Oxley and the Ghost: The Search for Lost Gold?

Growing up, I moved around a lot. As a result, I didn't have lasting friendships, so books became my constant companions. I wanted to write a story that might help someone else get through a difficult time. So many authors gave that gift to me. I wanted to pay it forward. 

How long did it take you to write Ollie Oxley and the Ghost: The Search for Lost Gold?

It took me six years. I'd never written anything before I began working on Ollie Oxley. One day, I decided to write a book, and I just sat down at my computer and started pounding away. I learned how to write as I went along. I joined the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, got critique partners, and started attending conferences and workshops. It was a long process, but I never gave up. I was committed to writing this book and getting it published.   

What is your writing process like? Do you listen to music? Write in a special place? Edit as you go or write and then edit? 

My process has not changed much over the years. I tend to work at home. No music, I like it quiet. When I started writing Ollie Oxley, I only knew how the story would begin and end. It took me a while to figure out everything in between. Moving forward, I plan to be more of a plotter than a  pantser. I have just started working on a new middle-grade book. It took a while to get Ollie Oxley out of my head, but I have finally found my new characters, and they are starting to come to life. And yes . . . I am one of those tedious writers who edit as I go. I hope to break that horrible habit while writing this next book. Wish me luck! 

What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?

I love, love, love The Chronicles of Narnia. To this day, I read the series at least once a year. I've also read all of the Oz books, starting with, of course, The Wizard of Oz. I am a massive fan of Roald Dahl. Danny, The Champion of The World, was my favorite. But I think the book that resonated with me the most was The Velvet Room by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. It was about the daughter of a migrant worker. I related to her hopes, fears, and dreams on so many levels. 

If you could live during any time period in history, when would it be? Why?

I am going to get really specific. I would love to live during the 1950s in a Cotswold village. I am obsessed with all things British. I love the show, Father Brown. If I am not reading or writing, I am probably watching something on BBC. 

If you could befriend a character from your book, who would you befriend? Why?

I love Teddy—the ghost. He's loyal, funny, kind, brave, and mischievous. All the qualities I look for in a friend. 

Is there anything you've learned along your path to publication that you would like to share with new writers?

I became a better writer when I involved others in my process. I joined SCBWI, met other writers, and found my critique group. I've learned so much about writing from the people who have critiqued my work. But I have also learned a great deal by critiquing theirs in return.  I am fortunate that some of my best friends are writers. They are my support system. Writing can be such a solitary experience, but it doesn't have to be. 

 

Where can we buy your book?

Amazon * Barnes and Noble

Author Interview with Diane Magras

The DMS was lucky enough to interview Diane Magras. Lizzy reviewed her book The Mad Wolf's Daughter, and it was great to share our thoughts about it and hear yours! We're excited to learn a little more about her story. So, without further ado... take it away, Diane!

What inspired you to write The Mad Wolf’s Daughter?

The Mad Wolf’s Daughter began with a very different novel in mind. I don’t remember what it was about, but Drest was a secondary character, and I found her distracting me from my original concept. As I began to think about her more, a scene arose in my mind: of a rough-looking girl sitting by a bonfire with her very rough-looking father, having a difficult conversation about his past. Once I decided to work with this story instead, I knew that I wanted it to star a girl who had grown up learning to fight like any man. As I revised the book, I realized the opportunity I had to depict typical medieval men supporting a woman in every way. And I wanted to tell a fast-paced action adventure from a perspective from which it’s rarely told: an utterly confident girl who has good reason to believe in herself, faced with impossible odds, and barely flinching in danger. (But flinching sometimes, because otherwise that wouldn't feel real.)

How long did it take you to write The Mad Wolf’s Daughter? When you wrote The Hunt for the Mad Wolf’s Daughter did you find a difference in how long it took you to write it?

The first book went through three or four major drafts, and took me about a year to write and start querying. (It takes me a month to write a first draft, but all that extra time to rewrite and revise—and wait for readers of those drafts to share feedback!) I’d begun writing the second book even before I had a publishing contract, but I ended up completely rewriting it once I’d signed with my editor. From that point, things went very quickly: I didn’t have the luxury of a full year. Fortunately, I’d spent a lot of time thinking about the story and I knew the characters well, so it was easier, in a way, though more rushed.

What was your research process like for The Mad Wolf’s Daughter? Was there any aspect of your research that was the most interesting?

My research process is a bit like throwing out a net, drawing it in, and sifting through what I’ve caught to find what I need. To research these books, I read quite a bit, starting with histories of the time (written by the people of the time as well as by historians today), then going into medieval daily life in a broad sense, then going into very specific details—horses, swords, armor, herbal remedies, plants, geology, and of course castles. I ended up using only a tiny fraction of what I’d researched, but all that research helped me clearly see the world I was writing. (And I find all of that fascinating, so it was fun!) But one of the best parts of my research was visiting castles in Scotland, where I tried out a battle scene near the end of the first book on a set of spiral stairs. The medieval period has a bad reputation as being, as Thomas Hobbes called it, “nasty, brutish, and short.” Yet I found what I read about it often incredibly beautiful, rich with ideas and inventions, with people trying very hard to live comfortably and treat others kindly. There was a lot of dirt, manure, and stink (especially in castles)—but there were castles. And I’ll always see the fortresses that I love best as tremendous feats of engineering and art.

What is your writing process like? Do you listen to music? Write in a special place? Edit as you go or write and then edit?

I have a full-time job, so I need to keep to my writing sessions (morning and night and on weekends) pretty rigidly. I usually don’t listen to music to get me in any mood; I need to get into the piece I’m working on quickly to make best use of that time. My writing nook is in the corner of my bedroom beside a window that looks out on a garden and the woods, and I usually sit there. But honestly, I can write anywhere; on business trips for my day job, I just bring my laptop and write in the evening as if I were at  home. I’m a plotting pantser, so I know what my story is going to be like when I start it, but I don’t always know how I’ll get to each plot point. And because there’s some uncertainty, some aspects where my story is leading me along, I write the whole thing before I edit. It saves time!

What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?

I have always loved to read and was a voracious reader as a kid. I enjoyed Judy Bloom’s books, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and everything I picked up from Scholastic Book Fairs (a longtime favorite was Betty Brock’s No Flying in the House). But the book that made me want to be a writer was Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising. I’d always told stories, but that book made me want to write a story, and it hooked me on ancient British lore.

If you could live during any time period in history, when would it be? Why?

This question is hard because as a woman in my own culture, I’d be at a major disadvantage in every time period! I love reading about history, but from the safety and distance of today (even when some things today remind me too much of the past).

If you could befriend a character from your book, who would you befriend? Why?

I would befriend Emerick. He’s had a tough early childhood, but has managed to come out of it with a keen moral sense and kindness at his core. He cares deeply about his friends, and will quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly) sacrifice a lot for them. He’s also someone who is quite taken with castle architecture, and I suspect we’d have some wonderful nerdy conversations.

Is there anything you’ve learned along your path to publication that you would like to share with new writers?

Enjoy every moment. It doesn’t get easier, so be sure to celebrate all the small and large triumphs you get. If you’re not published yet, keep trying. It truly only takes one. But no matter where you are in the process—finishing that first book, trying to find an agent, waiting to hear back from editors, celebrating a book deal, worrying about marketing—never lose sight of the pleasure you take in writing, which I hope is why you’re doing this in the first place. As long as you remember to relish the action of creating, you’ll be fine. And also, don’t rush yourself. Every writer has their own path and no one path is the “right” one.

Can you tell us what you are working on now?

I’m waiting to hear back from agent with her thoughts on my third book, so I’m working on my fourth (I’m always working on something!). I can’t say much because these things change, but I can say that I’m really enjoying writing some of this dialogue between a certain pair of characters!

Where can we purchase your books?

The best place to purchase my books is your local indie, if you have one.

You can also find my books on Barnes & Noble, Indigo in Canada, and Amazon.

I also want to mention that I have audiobooks of both The Mad Wolf’s Daughter and The Hunt for the Mad Wolf’s Daughter, performed by the incredible Scottish actor Joshua Manning. If you’ve heard me read aloud and think I do voices, wait until you hear his!

Hear Diane read the first chapter of The Mad Wolf's Daughter on Author First Chapter Read Alouds. 

GIVEAWAY: 

Diane has generously offered a hardcover copy of The Hunt for the Mad Wolf's Daughter to one lucky reader. To enter please comment on the interview below or on the review. If you are not a follower of the blog, please also leave your email address so we can contact you if you win. *US Residents Only*

Author Interview with Tonja Drecker

The DMS was lucky enough to interview Tonja Drecker. Lizzy recently reviewed Music Boxes and it was great to share our thoughts about it and hear yours. We are excited to learn a little bit more about the story behind her awesome stories. So, without further ado... take it away, Tonja!


Read our review of the book

What inspired you to write Music Boxes?

Honestly, I wish I knew. I was out in the garden pulling weeds…blackberries with nasty thorns…and the thought of a ballet teacher with rows of creepy music boxes danced through my mind and stuck with me. Since I drove the kids to three different schools at that time, I’d use the opportunity to tell them stories during the drive. That’s when the idea blossomed into an entire plot.

How long did it take you to write Music Boxes?

Once I sat down and typed it into my computer, the first draft was done in about four weeks. But I’d already worked the story out in my head by then thanks to those hours in the car. The first draft was by no means the story it is today. It went through dozens of edits and had a long, rocky road before it became the story it is now.  From idea to published book, it’s taken five to six years.

What is your writing process like? Do you listen to music? Write in a special place? Edit as you go or write and then edit?

My writing process is a bit like the rest of my life—go with the flow. When I wake up in the morning, I’m never sure what the day will bring. So, I snatch writing time where and how I can get it. I never listen to music—silence is golden and something I treasure. I do have a writing office but rarely see it and tend to write at the dining room table or…thanks to a Christmas gift…at a standing, portable desk in front of the fireplace during the winter. I tend to get chilly fast.

As to editing while writing, I have the world’s most vicious inner-editing monster. I do edit while writing the first draft and find it very hard to continue to a new scene. I also believe it’s better to fix problems immediately when I notice them and not wait until the story is done. It makes for a very long writing process, though.

What are some of your favorite books from childhood? Were there any specific authors who inspired you?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein was and is one of my favorites. I loved The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Clearly. In the fifth grade, I decided I was too old for children’s books (a silly, odd rebellion thing bookworm style). My father took us to the library every Saturday, and I insisted it was time I graduated to the adult section (I remember how amazing it felt to step into that part of the library!) The first book I grabbed was Dune by Frank Herbert, and I fell in love with that story.

If you could live during any time period in history, when would it be? Why?

I wouldn’t want to live during any other time period but visiting one would be nice. During a camping trip to Italy, we discovered the Etruscan pathways near Pitigliano (Via Cava)—hundreds of miles of twisting paths hand-carved into the rock. Some are 50 feet deep and miles long. Creating them was a monumental task, and it’s a mystery as to why they were made. Today, a parade of torches marches through a section of them once a year. It’s mystical as well as spellbinding. I’d love to have the chance to learn why so much effort was put into these paths. It’s simply something I’ve always wondered about.

If you could befriend a character from your book, who would you befriend? Why?

Bridget, Lindsey’s little sister. She’s a violin prodigy. Lindsey is jealous of her and everyone thinks Bridget’s entrance into Julliard is the best thing that could ever happen to her, but if the reader pays attention, they’ll notice that Bridget isn’t always as excited as they are about her situation. She’s a sweet, little girl with a big heart and is up against more than she might be ready to handle. She’s a little afraid of it. The parents don’t see this. Nor does Lindsey. Still, Bridget sucks it in and goes at it with the best attitude she can. It’d be a treat to be her friend.

Is there anything you’ve learned along your path to publication that you would like to share with new writers?

Editing is where the real magic happens, and don’t give up. Writing is not an easy path, and there isn’t a secret formula to make dreams come true. Personally, I’m still searching for that magical jar of pixie dust.

Where can we purchase your book?

Music Boxes is available as of March 5^th, 2019 on the usual internet sites: Amazon, B&N & more. Visit the author's blog to learn more.