When You Believe in Magic: How Lorraine Hawley Wrote, Pitched & Published CURIOUS WORLD OF DANDY-LION
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For my latest author Q&A, I interviewed Lorraine Hawley. Back in 2018, I worked with Lorraine on a full manuscript critique, and this past fall, her middle grade novel CURIOUS WORLD OF DANDY-LION was released by Lawley Publishing. Read about Lorraine’s inspiration for this novel, how she landed an agent for her next two books, her Little Free Library, and what’s given her hope and kept her dreaming through her remarkable—perhaps magical—journey.
Sangeeta Mehta: First, congratulations on the publication of your middle grade novel CURIOUS WORLD OF DANDY-LION! Can you tell us a little about this book and your inspiration for it?
Lorraine Hawley: Absolutely! CURIOUS WORLD OF DANDY-LION is the story of a remarkable sensitive girl who struggles to make friends in an impossible fifth-grade world filled with fantastical creatures only she can see.
The inspiration is based loosely on events from my early life. I was a painfully shy child and perhaps a bit broken. Like many kids, I didn’t know where I fit in, and much like my main character Meredith, I struggled with sensitivity, primarily to noises and bright light. There were times I felt so overwhelmed, dealing with my shyness, insecurities, and overstimulation issues, that I struggled to concentrate.
I fell in love with escapism in books at that same early age. Specifically, stories that suggested there might be another world out there (preferably with a touch of magic) just out of reach, with characters who made me believe I was not alone in my oddities. I could hide in a book, and no one questioned my lack of response.
Betty Brock wrote a book that’s perhaps been most impactful on my writing, a novel called NO FLYING IN THE HOUSE. Its escapism gave me hope and kept me dreaming. Though I swear I could fly after reading that book.
I wish one of my books to touch another struggling reader in the same manner.
Before we worked together, in fall 2018, you were already attending writers’ conferences, entering writing competitions, and participating in online pitch events. You have also been actively involved in organizations including WriteMentor and SCBWI. How have these different activities affected your journey to becoming a published author?
When I started my writing journey, I quickly learned that there was always more to learn. I thought it was all beautiful words and grammar until reality kicked my backside. Now I know the 10,000-hour rule to master anything is absolute.
I spent my time learning the rules and fundamentals and wrote many drafts. After receiving full requests that ended in some praise and the polite “not for me,” I needed to figure out what I didn’t know.
On one particular day of head-throbbing, I read an article about Sangeeta Mehta (It was a Jane Friedman article. She gives such brilliant advice.) and decided Sangeeta’s feedback would be my next “learn.” I contacted her (you) for a manuscript critique, then patiently waited (not really) to view my missing pieces. The hard truth is that often we can’t see our writing flaws. The world and characters we write are whole and colorful, 3D in our minds. We see it as complete, even if our words fall flat or the plot wavers. So having quality “tools” in our author box, like Sangeeta, writing groups, SCBWI conferences, taking part in writing contests like WriteMentor, round out our written world. The best gifts we can receive are skills and tricks to see our holes and then hope we don’t repeat them.
You signed with Lawley Publishing on your own, without an agent. How did you hear about Lawley, and can you share some of the highlights of working with a publishing company as opposed to self-publishing, if you considered this option? Have you encountered any surprises?
After my manuscript went to showcase with WriteMentor, I started the query process. Then the pandemic roared in, and while there were a few requests, it was mostly crickets. Fair enough. The idea of publishing was not on most people’s minds at that moment. Then, in late 2020, a friend of mine invited me to attend an ANWA (American Night Writers) writing conference where Lawley Publishing was a sponsor and taking pitches. After listening to their goals, their approach and support were exactly what I was looking for!
As for surprises, I never expected to build such lovely friendships with the publishers and my book’s rockstar illustrator, Jocie Salveson. Both are gifts.
I briefly considered self-publishing but worried I did not know what I did not know. And that intimidated me. I think there is good and bad with any route you take, and the most important thing is to make sure you are comfortable with your route. Do your homework. If a small press wishes to charge you or does not support you and your book, they are the wrong choice.
You are now represented by the Knight Agency. Did you find your agent by sending out query letters or in some other way? What made you decide to continue seeking representation after you signed with Lawley?
My query to the Knight Agency was a cold query—a good old-fashioned email on Query Manager.
I sought representation because of the style of the book I was writing. I wrote a middle-grade high fantasy and an adult urban crossover fantasy. So, after turning in my manuscript to Lawley (who has a three-month approval period), I sent out queries. I enjoy working with Lawley and am not opposed to the small press route or Indie. I am sure Lawley would have done great with my high fantasy middle grade. My decision to query traditional was based solely on my dream for these next two manuscripts, and the Knight Agency saw that dream.
You describe yourself as “someone in the third chapter generation” since you are now a grandmother (congratulations on this, too!). Do you feel that your age has, made it more challenging to compete in the children’s book publishing space? Or has your life experience given you an edge?
Great question! A bit of both. Age certainly gives us an advantage in life skills, and I have had both painful and incredible experiences that I bring into my writing. But if I were being honest, I mostly feel unable to compete with the “cool kids.” Social media is something the younger generation grew up using. Being older makes me uncomfortable in front of the camera to do those fun and quirky videos. Insecurity rears its ugly head.
Recently, I read the first chapter of my book on YouTube for school reading. Yes, that video is still online. And I cringe, seeing every single wrinkle. I love reading to kids, even if I am more awkward and, well, old(er). We need to put ourselves out there for who we are. To go filterless and embrace what makes us uncomfortable. It’s crucial not only for ourselves but also for the kids and other adults to see that we are human, age, and have flaws.
What’s next for you in terms of your writing and writing-related projects? Are you still maintaining your Little Free Library?
My next project, I hope, will be out on submission not too long after this interview releases. It is an adult urban crossover fantasy I am so excited to share. Think medical thriller with not-of-this-world zodiac characters, which you can get a glimpse at on my website.
And absolutely, I still maintain my Little Free Library. Right outside my window, two little guys have stopped at the library while out for a walk with their father, wide-eyed and picking out their next book. I live near a tiny pond, and some family regulars stop by to grab a book to read at the water’s edge, then return the book on their way home. It is delightful! Authors, consider sharing a few of your books in Little Free Libraries around you!
