Interview with Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson, authors of THE SECRET FILES OF FAIRDAY MORROW
I've been looking forward to The Secret Files since I first heard of it over on Stephanie and Jessica's awesome blog, and this cover is just too perfect! Be sure to say hello to these wonderful authors!
(Oh, and Colors Like Memories is still free, if you want to go grab a copy!)
The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Can the members of the Detective Mystery Squad piece together the puzzle before it's too late? Or will whatever's causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first?
Jessica Haight
is a true New Englander, with a deep desire to be near the ocean and a love of the four seasons. She enjoys drawing while standing up and cultivating magic in her garden. She easily floats away in the pages of a good story and is still waiting for her owl from Hogwarts. Jessica lives in Connecticut with her charming fiancé, James; dog, Jack; cat, Bill; and a very entitled bunny named Alice.
Stephanie Robinson
lives with her husband in a quiet town, though not as quaint as Ashpot. After teaching fifth grade for almost fifteen years, she is now enjoying her role as a school media specialist. One of the many benefits of her job is that she learns something new every day. When Stephanie isn't working, she spends her time creating stories, getting lost in books, and traveling to new places.
The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow will hit bookstores everywhere in December of 2015!
If you'd like to learn more about the journey of this story to publication and how the authors were able to collaborate on this new middle grade mystery, click here to stop by the cover reveal post on Fairday's Blog .
“How did you write a book together?” A question often asked of authors who decide to collaborate on writing a story. The underlying truth of what they are really asking is, “How did you manage to not end up hating each other during the process?” The answer to this is simple, it’s not about the ego; it’s about the book. We decided this first... read more !
From left: Rachael Dugas (Agent, Talcott Notch Literary), Jessica Haight, Stephanie Robinson, Krista Vitola (Editor, Delacorte/ Random House)
Here's a little Q & A with Stephanie and Jess on books...
What do you love about writing stories?
Jess: The chance to explore my creativity and inner imagination. I love matching words with the thoughts in my head, then making a scene come to life.
Stephanie: It is so much fun getting to know characters and learning the story they have to tell! Once I know the characters and the basic story I love fleshing out story lines and weaving together all of the pieces, so that they come together like a puzzle.
What are some of the books that influenced you the most?
Jess: I love books by Edward Gorey , and I'm also a big fan of The Sandman graphic novels by Neil Gaiman. There are so many stories that I enjoy, but there's always that extra bit of magic sprinkled in when I'm reading either of these authors. :)
I would recommend Stardust by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Charles Vess .
Stephanie: I was obsessed with Nancy Drew growing up, so she definitely had a big influence on me. I still enjoy a good mystery and creating my own with Jess is a blast. I also read every Judy Blume book and even had a Judy Blume Diary with quotes from her books throughout it. I could easily connect with her characters, so without a doubt they have had a big impact on me as a reader and writer.
As an adult I fell in love with the Harry Potter series. The world J.K. Rowling created and the amazing characters continue to inspire me and fuel my imagination, and I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves a great story!
If you could meet any writer, living or dead, who would it be? What would you want ask them?
Jess: I would want to meet Edward Gorey and just hang out with him for a little while. I imagine he'd want to talk about the New York Ballet or possibly his many spoiled cats, and I'd like to listen!
Stephanie: I would love to meet J.K. Rowling. I am sure I would be tongue-tied, but I would want to ask her about how the Harry Potter books (especially the first one) changed throughout the editing process. I am curious about what her notes looked like from her editors!
"Remember, young lady, you have to think beyond what you know to be real. You have to see with your mind as well as your eyes." The old man pulled his glasses down to the end of his nose and looked at her. "Be careful, Miss Morrow. Please be very careful."(excerpt from The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow)
(Oh, and Colors Like Memories is still free, if you want to go grab a copy!)
The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Can the members of the Detective Mystery Squad piece together the puzzle before it's too late? Or will whatever's causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first?
Jessica Haight
is a true New Englander, with a deep desire to be near the ocean and a love of the four seasons. She enjoys drawing while standing up and cultivating magic in her garden. She easily floats away in the pages of a good story and is still waiting for her owl from Hogwarts. Jessica lives in Connecticut with her charming fiancé, James; dog, Jack; cat, Bill; and a very entitled bunny named Alice. 
Stephanie Robinson
lives with her husband in a quiet town, though not as quaint as Ashpot. After teaching fifth grade for almost fifteen years, she is now enjoying her role as a school media specialist. One of the many benefits of her job is that she learns something new every day. When Stephanie isn't working, she spends her time creating stories, getting lost in books, and traveling to new places.The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow will hit bookstores everywhere in December of 2015!
If you'd like to learn more about the journey of this story to publication and how the authors were able to collaborate on this new middle grade mystery, click here to stop by the cover reveal post on Fairday's Blog .
“How did you write a book together?” A question often asked of authors who decide to collaborate on writing a story. The underlying truth of what they are really asking is, “How did you manage to not end up hating each other during the process?” The answer to this is simple, it’s not about the ego; it’s about the book. We decided this first... read more !
From left: Rachael Dugas (Agent, Talcott Notch Literary), Jessica Haight, Stephanie Robinson, Krista Vitola (Editor, Delacorte/ Random House)Here's a little Q & A with Stephanie and Jess on books...
What do you love about writing stories?
Jess: The chance to explore my creativity and inner imagination. I love matching words with the thoughts in my head, then making a scene come to life.
Stephanie: It is so much fun getting to know characters and learning the story they have to tell! Once I know the characters and the basic story I love fleshing out story lines and weaving together all of the pieces, so that they come together like a puzzle.
What are some of the books that influenced you the most?
Jess: I love books by Edward Gorey , and I'm also a big fan of The Sandman graphic novels by Neil Gaiman. There are so many stories that I enjoy, but there's always that extra bit of magic sprinkled in when I'm reading either of these authors. :)
I would recommend Stardust by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Charles Vess .
Stephanie: I was obsessed with Nancy Drew growing up, so she definitely had a big influence on me. I still enjoy a good mystery and creating my own with Jess is a blast. I also read every Judy Blume book and even had a Judy Blume Diary with quotes from her books throughout it. I could easily connect with her characters, so without a doubt they have had a big impact on me as a reader and writer.
As an adult I fell in love with the Harry Potter series. The world J.K. Rowling created and the amazing characters continue to inspire me and fuel my imagination, and I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves a great story!
If you could meet any writer, living or dead, who would it be? What would you want ask them?
Jess: I would want to meet Edward Gorey and just hang out with him for a little while. I imagine he'd want to talk about the New York Ballet or possibly his many spoiled cats, and I'd like to listen!
Stephanie: I would love to meet J.K. Rowling. I am sure I would be tongue-tied, but I would want to ask her about how the Harry Potter books (especially the first one) changed throughout the editing process. I am curious about what her notes looked like from her editors!
"Remember, young lady, you have to think beyond what you know to be real. You have to see with your mind as well as your eyes." The old man pulled his glasses down to the end of his nose and looked at her. "Be careful, Miss Morrow. Please be very careful."(excerpt from The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow)
No comments have been added yet.
