Books develop and nourish kids’ imaginations, expanding their worlds. Picture books introduce young children to the world of art and literature. Novels and nonfiction books stimulate kids’ sensory awareness, helping kids to see, hear, taste, feel, and smell on an imagined level. Books inform our imaginations, inspiring creativity.
This Children's Book Author Spotlight Series will showcase independent children's book authors and their works. We strive to bring you the best there is to offer and an insight into the world of children's books!
This week we are featuring author Regan W. H. Macaulay.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to write your first book.
I am a co-creator of "Libby the Lobivia Jajoiana", along with my co-author and husband Kevin Risk, and our illustrator Gordon Bagshaw. Mirror World Publishing is our publisher. Kevin and I spent a number of years perfecting the book with beta readers and editors, and Gord meticulously brought our words to life with his brilliant computer-based artwork. I have now written eight multi-award-winning picture books, and a middle-grade novel (the first of a series of four), which also contains illustrations and cover art by Gordon Bagshaw. My books have been published by Mirror World Publishing, Pandamonium Publishing House, and Iguana Books.
What inspired the idea for your book?
A lighthearted conversation with my husband and co-writer...what if a little cactus had self-esteem issues?
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
The dialogue for the overly confident (and somewhat vain) character, Violet.
How long did it take you to write this book?
Only a couple of months (on and off and back and forth between my husband and I) to get the first draft down on paper, but then a couple of years (again, on and off, and back and forth between beta readers and editors and ourselves) to revise, revise, revise!
Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself?
Going back to the first book I had published in 2015, yes, I would say it has. And I am just that much more chuffed with every new book of mine that gets published!
Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?
My mom and my husband for sure! But I also have many big supporters in my family and circle of friends, too.
What books did you grow up reading?
Beatrix Potter's works, Winnie the Pooh, Charlotte's Web, The Secret Garden, books by Roald Dahl, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, plus many more fantasy and genre classics. Any book with animal characters was a big winner in my opinion (still is).
Would you share something about yourself that your readers don’t know (yet)?
A few of my readers know this, but most don't - I am also a Certified Canine and Feline Massage Therapist! I love animals in stories and I love to work with them in real life as well. They're a huge part of my life.
Where can our readers find you? (Website, Social Media, etc)
Website: www.reganwhmacaulay.com
You can also find and follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/regan.macaulay/ and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reganw.h.macaulay/ and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj7V0ndozKJlL4wBr4oHWlQ and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reganmacaulay and for those of you curious about my Canine and Feline Massage Therapy business, Kuri K9 Massage, visit: kurik9massage.com
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