Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your life.
I’m a teacher and children’s author with my first book in my series just released a couple months ago. I’m passionate about teaching, encouraging and inspiring children to follow those dreams placed in their heart. Because those dreams and desires are there for a purpose. And to be kind along their journey of achieving dreams and goals. I love spending time with my teenagers, being involved in my community, and of course writing.

What inspired you to become a children's author?
I always loved to write from a early age and started submitting my work in early adulthood.
It wasn’t until I had children that my writing transitioned into writing for children.
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What was your favourite book when you were a child?
I had this Noah’s Ark pop up book. I loved that book! So much so, that I got scolded by mom for writing my own story and ending inside the pages. I still have the book today.

If your life was a book, what would the title be?
Attitude can make you or break you.

What's your favourite silly word?
Vacuous

Do you think unicorns would make good pets?
I love horses, so yes!

If you had to describe your writing style using a food, what would it be?
Bread. Although only a few ingredients, it’s the technique and knowledge of the baking conditions that create either a good bread, or a great bread with a perfect crust.

How do you come up with the characters in your stories? Have your ever based them on real people of animals?
My characters are based on my three daughters and our amazing dog Elly.

Do you have a favourite character in your books? Or do you love them all equally?
Elly. She’s the best dog in the world!

Have you ever written a story based on a dream you've had?
Yes, “Let’s Embark, Leave Your Mark!”

If you could have any magical power, what would it be and why?
To bring hope to all people. Hope is powerful, it keeps you moving forward and helps squelch depression and feeling of worthlessness.

If you could live in any fictional world, which one would it be?
Candy land

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one children’s book with you, which one would you choose?
“Let’s Embark, Leave Your Mark!”

Have you ever written a story from an animal's point of view? What was it?
Not yet but that’s a great idea. I’m on it :)

Do you have any secret tips for making a story more exciting? Like adding a ninja or underwater city or something?
My only tip is to write in love and with intention.

How do you think parents and educators can encourage a love of reading in children?
Read to them from birth. By the time my children were toddlers, the love for books was sealed.

Do you have any tips or advice for kids who want to become writers?
If being a writer is a thought, desire or passion, explore it with all of your might. Don’t give up and keep believing in your work.

​Attention all bookworms and unicorn enthusiasts! Meet Sam Loveless, our newest interviewee, a mum of three and a finance graduate turned aspiring children's book author and illustrator. Get ready to uncover the secrets of her creative process and find out how she conjures up her quirky characters. Not only that, but she'll also let you in on her all-time favourite childhood book and the most hilarious word she knows. And hold your horses, or rather unicorns, because she'll even give us the inside scoop on whether unicorns make good pets or not.

Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your life.
I'm a mom of three, graduate of finance, aspiring author and illustrator, and consumer of too much candy.

What inspired you to become a children's author?
I have a passion for finance and art, so merging the two seemed like a no-brainer! I want my kids to have an entrepreneurial spirit, so a picture book seemed like a great place to start. They loved it, so I'm hoping other kids will as well!

What was your favourite book when you were a child?
My mom used to read "Are You My Mother?" with fantastic voices and startling "snorts."

If your life was a book, what would the title be?
Sam Tries to Learn Everything There is to Know
(Spoiler alert: she isn't there yet :) )

What's your favourite silly word?
Hullabaloo, of course.

Do you think unicorns would make good pets?
Only if they can fly. Otherwise, they'd hardly be worth the mess.

9. If you had to describe your writing style using a food, what would it be?
A hearty stew; fills you up without the bloat.

How do you come up with the characters in your stories? Have your ever based them on real people of animals?
I really lack imagination here. Most of my characters are based on real people, or a mixture. My current children's book protagonist, Luna, is based on myself when I tried to sell rocks as a kid!

Do you have a favourite character in your books? Or do you love them all equally?
While I've written fiction for grown ups, I'm new to the children's book scene, so I'd definitely have to pick Luna the rock hound as my current favorite character.

Have you ever written a story based on a dream you've had?
My dreams get a little too spooky to make a good children's story - but maybe something closer to the Goosebumps series!

If you could have any magical power, what would it be and why?
Oh, most definitely the power to fly. I hate driving in a car and flying in an airplane, so if I could just fly myself down to visit family real quick, or skip rush hour traffic, I'd do that in a heartbeat.

If you could live in any fictional world, which one would it be?
Hands down, Harry Potter's world. My son just finished reading the series for the first time, and it reminded me just how badly I wanted to go to Hogwarts as a kid.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one children’s book with you, which one would you choose?
I'd want a nice long one to keep me busy, so maybe a collection of Grimm's fairytales... If Harry Potter counts as a children's book, then definitely any of those books :)

Have you ever written a story from an animal's point of view? What was it?
Not yet, but I definitely want to write about a bengal kitty someday :)

Do you have any secret tips for making a story more exciting? Like adding a ninja or underwater city or something?
I'm still learning, but as an avid reader of kids' books to my own kids, I can say that they love a good potty joke.. really raises the stakes, I guess :)

How do you think parents and educators can encourage a love of reading in children?
By reading to them often! And finding books that appeal to them specifically!

Do you have any tips or advice for kids who want to become writers?
Write now and write often. Even if you're not happy with the results, keep at it!

Tell us about your book/books
I just wrote and illustrated my first children's book, "Rocks for Sale." It's about a girl named Luna, who wants ice cream so badly, she decides to start a business selling rocks. It's not as easy as she expected!

​Where can we find your books?
https://www.amazon.com/Rocks-Sale-Entrepreneur-Business-Perseverance/dp/B0BXZS6WY1/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Now, there might be some discrepancies about the legend, but some folks swear that if you take a deep breath at the foot of the steps and run to the top, down again, and back up without breathing, your wish will come true. Not too shabby, right?
 
In the time-traveling children's story, Mary zips back to 1899. Tom finds out that running up and down the steps twice while holding your breath can conjure some amazing things, like much-needed feastables and weavables! But let's be real, Tom and Maud were dumbfounded when Mary conjured up a radio and wondered how the man got inside it, them being from another era and all that! Tom even tried to wish for riches, but no chance, folks. Having said that, the Ferrari was a bit of a luxury that Tom and Maud had never seen the likes before. That's just Mary's wild sleep-o-ramas taking over!
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So, pack up your little ones and take them to the Wishing Steps in Chester, where they can make their own wishes and watch as they come true before their very eyes. Let them climb the steps and whisper their heart's desires to the universe, and then sit back and marvel as their dreams take flight, just like Mary's castle in the sky.
 
So why should you read Mary Draper Dreams of Castles in the Sky and visit the Wishing Steps in Chester? Because life is too short not to indulge in a little magic and wonder. Because sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we forget that anything is possible if we just dare to dream. And because, at the end of the day, what could be more important than passing on that sense of childlike wonder and imagination to the next generation?

In this fantastical interview, we meet Siân Lewin, a wordsmith residing in the enchanting Vale Belvoir. With a skip in her step and a twinkle in her eye, Siân revels in the art of storytelling, strolling through nature's wonders, and seizing every moment with a joyful heart. Though she once graced the stage as an actor, Siân now spreads magic through the world of homecare and the power of her captivating tales. Delivered through books and spellbinding recordings, her delightful stories spark imaginations and inspire young souls on their whimsical journeys! 

Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your life.
Hello I am Siân a childrens author. I live in the Vale Belvoir, with my husband and Buddy my Patterdale Terrier. I have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. 3 live in California and 2 in Australia. I originally trained to be an actress and still hope Steven Spielberg will discover me!! After working in new homes for 25 years, I now work in homecare. I love walking, writing,recording my stories and making the most out if life. I am in my 28th house in 63 years!

​What inspired you to become a children's author?
I have always wanted to write and when I was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukaemia in 2012 I had the chance. After my chemotherapy I had some time at home and write my first Alfie and Pepper story.

Fast forward to 2020 and a pandemic arrived! With my history I had to shield, so I started writing more stories and wrote a further 8 stories in the series. I also recorded the stories, giving Alfie and Pepper their voices and characters. With Pepper being a Welsh Border Collie she has a soft Welsh accent, plus she is very knowledgable and helps Alfie. Alfie is a Border/Cairn Terrier cross, a cheeky chap,who loves life and learns so much from Pepper. Each story has a little life lesson, like the trip to the seaside and the importance of learning to swim.

What was your favourite book when you were a child?
I loved Little Grey Rabbit by Alison Uttley with beautiful illustrations by Margaret Tempest.

If your life was a book, what would the title be?
According to my husband..."Have you seen my glasses!"
I would call it: "Life is for Living and I have lived!"
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What's your favourite silly word?
Shnuff

Do you think unicorns would make good pets?
Only if they could fly! I think you would need a very large garden.

If you had to describe your writing style using a food, what would it be?
Crumpets

How do you come up with the characters in your stories? Have your ever based them on real people of animals?
Yes they are based on my 2 real dogs, Alfie and Pepper.

Do you have a favourite character in your books? Or do you love them all equally?
I love them all especially Alfie and Pepper, it has kept their memory alive for me.

Have you ever written a story based on a dream you've had?
No not really, they are based on real events.

If you could have any magical power, what would it be and why?
I would love to fly, so I could see my children in Australia and USA when ever I wanted.

If you could live in any fictional world, which one would it be?
I would love to be in a Pride & Predjudice world. I played Elizabeth Bennett at drama school. Love the character and also Mr Darcy.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one children’s book with you, which one would you choose?
Any of the Mallory Towers stories by Enid Blyton. I went to Boarding School from 10 to 16 years old.

Have you ever written a story from an animal's point of view? What was it?
Not really. The dogs talk to each other.
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Do you have any secret tips for making a story more exciting? Like adding a ninja or underwater city or something?
I have kept my stories quite calm so they are ideal for bedtime stories. The dogs end in bed, to show children it's the best place to be at the end of the day.

How do you think parents and educators can encourage a love of reading in children?
By bringing authors into schools, talking about writing and reading. Having a good library at school. Having writing competitions. Parents reading to their children, until they are old enough to read back. Perhaps act out scenes from books.

Do you have any tips or advice for kids who want to become writers?
Write your ideas down. Pick something you like to write about. Have a begining, middle and end. Keep it simple to start. Have a main character possibly, or like me a couple of main characters.​