Interview with Indie-Debut 2010 Author CARLA MOONEY

Everyone, say hi to Carla Mooney.  Carla is an Indie-Debut 2010 member and a new friend of mine.  She's also the author of 10 kid's non-fiction books as well as the recently released chapter book, Owen & the Dragon.


First, I'm having chocolate training doughnuts and Mt. Dew.  What snacks would you like?

Jellybeans, M&Ms, and diet orange soda are my staples!

You’ve written nine non-fiction books but Owen and the Dragon is your first fiction book. How did writing a middle-grade fantasy differ? Which do you prefer to write?

I actually wrote Owen and the Dragon before any of my other books, it just took longer to get published! The main difference is that most of my non-fiction work are assignments where publishers assign me a topic to write about. In contrast, Owen and the Dragon was completely my own idea. It actually started as a class assignment for an online writing class I took a few years ago.


I can’t say that I prefer either type of writing over the other. It’s like asking me if I like M&Ms or jellybeans better – I love both! I love the creative freedom of fiction work, but also enjoy learning and researching my nonfiction topics.

Do you have kids of your own? What do they like to read?

I have 3 kids that keep me hopping at home – ages 10, almost 8, and 5. My oldest loves mysteries and nonfiction dog books – she’s trying to talk me into getting a dog! My middle son and I are reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid together and he’s loving that. My youngest loves Breakfast with Bear and is also obsessed with anything Spongebob – so we read a lot of Bikini Bottom adventures.

You have a lot of projects in the works. Can you tell us about them?

I have several nonfiction books coming out later this year. Great George Washington Projects You Can Build Yourself from Nomad Press is scheduled for November, and I’m currently researching another for them about Explorers of the New World which should be released in 2011.


I’m most excited, however, about a picture book I have coming out with Earth Day Publishing in the fall. It’s tentatively titled Samson’s Story and tells the story of a kid with leukemia from the perspective of someone who loves him, his dog. A portion of the proceeds of the book’s sales will go to cancer-related charities. I have a personal connection to this one, my youngest was diagnosed with leukemia at 19 months old. Thankfully, he just finished 3 plus years of chemotherapy and is doing well.

Writers usually have several books floating around in their head. What do you have planned for your next work in progress?

I’m in the middle of another chapter book that features Izzy, one of the characters from Owen and the Dragon. I fell in love with her during Owen’s story and decided she needed one of her own!

What have you learned that you wish you knew early in your career?

I still kind of feel early in my career and am learning something new every day. I would say that one of the most important things is networking. I’ve gotten leads on book assignments and tips on which publishers to submit to from critique group members, newsletters, online message boards, etc.

Thanks for visiting with me, Carla!  I'm really looking forward to getting your book for The Boy in my house.