Today, I’m talking with children’s book writer and environmentalist Megan Clendenan. We’ll be chatting about non-fiction in middle grade and how to get kids inspired to think about the world around them. We’ll also be sharing writing tips, free educator resources, and of course- giveaway prizes! So be sure to stick around to the end (or scroll to the bottom of the interview and drop a comment to enter the giveaway pool- extra entries for shares/retweets & tags!)
But before we jump into our interview, if this is your first time visiting the blog, here’s the scoop on Feature Interviews.
THE SCOOP: WHAT ARE FEATURE INTERVIEWS & WHO ARE THEY FOR?
Feature Interviews are a free resource for writers and illustrators at every stage of the publishing journey.
Every month, I collaborate with industry professionals—authors, illustrators, editors, and agents— many of whom were or currently are also educators and librarians, to discuss all things publishing.
What can these interviews offer YOU?
These interviews give readers an up-close and personal look at the world of publishing from an array of different perspectives on every side of the desk and offer insight into tips, resources, and advice on how to:
- stay current with market trends
- hook an agent or editor
- find writing community & other resources
- discover workshops, contests, and other events
- figure out which path of publication is right for you
- know if your agent is a good match
And more!
AND… if that’s not enough, every guest offers at least one giveaway prize—sometimes more. This means you have multiple opportunities to win prizes every month! *If you’re interested in entering the giveaway, scroll to the bottom of the interview for instructions.*
Not that we’ve shared a little about what’s in store… it’s time to jump into our interview!
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:
- BEGINNINGS & INSPIRATIONS: WHY, HOW, WHEN?
- ROUTES TO PUBLISHING: TO QUERY OR NOT TO QUERY?
- TIPS & RESOURCES
- TIMEFRAMES & EXPECTATIONS
- MOTIVATIONS AND HEART
- EMPATHY, AWARENESS, DIVERSITY
- BOOKS
- GIVEAWAY
- AUTHOR BIO & CONNECT
BEGINNINGS: HOW, WHEN, WHY?
“My kidlit journey began when my son was a newborn (he is now 14!) I wrote during his nap times, scribbling away on paper as fast as I could. Years later – those scribblings turned into my first published book, OFFBEAT…” @MeganClendenan
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Megan, it’s wonderful to have you on the blog with us today. And it’s wild to think we’re already this far into the year. Where does the time go? I’ve had a chance to peruse your website (which is adorable, by the way- I love your header and color palette). While I was perusing, I saw that your book, Cities: How Humans Live Together, was chosen as a Librarian Favorite for 2024. Very cool! Congratulations. But before I head down the road of your accolades, I’d love to hear how you wound up in the kidlit publishing arena. How’d you get here? And where/when did that journey start?
Thank you so much for having me on your blog! I enjoy reading your feature interviews, and I always learn something new.
-Aw, that makes me so glad to hear!
My kidlit journey began when my son was a newborn (he is now 14!). I’d always written short stories and poems, but as a new mom at home, I decided I would try writing a novel, something I’d always wanted to do. I wrote during his nap times, scribbling away on paper as fast as I could. Years later – about eight, I believe – those scribblings turned into my first published book, OFFBEAT, a middle-grade novel for reluctant readers. While that was fiction, most of my kidlit writing is non-fiction (more on that below!).
Prior to your author days, what line of work were you in (or are you currently in, outside of writing)?
For many years, I worked full-time as a communications and fund development writer for non-profit groups that focused on social and environmental issues. My job was to create written materials that would raise awareness and inspire people to donate money. For example, I worked for an environmental law organization that took governments and companies to task for pollution, and I worked for a social service organization that helped to advocate for women’s rights, access to healthy food in urban areas, and affordable housing. Later, I moved from full-time to part-time and then contract as I became more and more involved in writing for kidlit.
-How fascinating! I love hearing about your history with nonprofits.
Now for the why. I love asking this question separately because I feel like it’s the most important part of it all, and so it deserves a space of its own. What is your big WHY? Why do you write the stories you write; what do they mean to YOU? And why do you want to share them with others; what do you hope they will mean to THEM?
This is such a great question! I think my ‘big why’ can be summarized into one word – curiosity! Writing non-fiction means that I get to constantly learn about new topics. I choose subjects that I’m curious and intrigued by and that I think middle-grade readers will also find interesting but that they may not have been exposed to. Although I’ve written about topics that can feel large and challenging to consider, such as climate change, food security, or human rights, I always try to leave readers with the hopeful message that small actions can go a long way and that change is possible. I hope my books spark questions, discussion, and curiosity about the world and how we can work together to find sustainable and equitable solutions for the future. I enjoy writing for middle-grade readers because I love how full of wonder and curiosity they are, with great questions and an openness to learning about the world.
-I love this!
“…My big why can be summarized into one word – curiosity! Writing NF means I get to constantly learn about new topics. I choose subjects I’m curious & intrigued by & that I think middle-grade readers will also find interesting but may not have been exposed to.” @MeganClendenan
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“I hope my books spark questions, discussion, and curiosity about the world and how we can work together to find sustainable and equitable solutions for the future. I enjoy writing for middle-grade readers because I love how full of wonder and curiosity they are, with great questions and an openness to learning about the world.”
ROUTES TO PUBLISHING: FREELANCE WRITING, ROUTES TO PUBLISHING & WRITING NON-FICTION IN MIDDLE-GRADE & PICTURE BOOKS
I saw in your bio that you’re a freelance writer. Could you share a little about what freelance writing in publishing entails? And how might someone go about pursuing this as a career? How does freelance writing differ from traditional publishing? Explain. (Payments/contracts/timeframes, etc.) I’ve pursued a few different avenues of freelance writing, some in publishing, some not. When I first started taking writing contracts, which is essentially what freelance writing means, I had just left my part-time role as a communications writer for a non-profit. The administration at the non-profit was very supportive, and they not only offered me some of my first contracts but they also recommended me to their contacts – and that’s how I got my first set of clients. -Wow, that's so interesting! I did ghostwriting for executives, mostly women, as well as wrote grant applications, website copy, and other business materials, to name a few things. Topics ranged from children’s psychology to engineering technology! Other clients came from word of mouth. In terms of pay, I charge an hourly fee, and I invoice my clients upon completion of the work. But I still wanted to pursue my dream of working in kidlit. I was working on my novel, but I also put together a work-for-hire ‘package’, which was essentially my resume, my interests/area of knowledge, and a few writing samples that I created specifically for the K-12 market. After sending out A LOT of packages (I can’t remember how many, but lots!) and waiting more than six months, I was offered my first work-for-hire contract! Since then, I’ve worked for a few different publishers on a range of assignments, for example, reading comprehension passages, biographical stories, a non-fiction book for reluctant readers. Work-for-hire in the publishing world is not a high-paid endeavor, especially compared to the contracts I do for non-profits and businesses. In my experience, I was hired to write a specific idea determined by the publisher on a flat-rate basis, half when I signed the contract and the remainder upon completion of the work. And they often have very tight timelines. But I love writing kidlit, and if you work efficiently and find opportunities that you think are fair, it can be a great way to earn some money.
“Work-for-hire in the publishing world is not a high-paid endeavor… In my experience, I was hired to write a specific idea determined by the publisher on a flat-rate basis, half when I signed the contract and the remainder upon completion of the work… And they often have very tight timelines.”
Do you have any suggestions, tips, or resources you’d like to offer writers who may be interested in looking into freelance writing?
My advice to someone who would like to pursue freelance writing would be to consider their own networks and experience. Is there a niche area where they could offer expertise as a freelance writer? If so, is there a contact they could approach? What I found was that once I had some contracts completed, people began to refer me to others, especially when I let them know I was looking for additional work.
In terms of breaking into the kidlit work-for-hire space, I recommend putting the effort in to create a quality package of writing samples. They request ‘unedited’ samples, so it can’t be work that you’ve already had published, so it does take time to research and write the samples, even though they aren’t long (I did 2-3 pages for middle-grade and about 500 words aimed at a younger audience). Specific resources that I found useful include:
Evelyn Christensen has created an amazing list of potential work-for-hire markets on her website as well as a great list of tips:
http://www.evelynchristensen.com/markets.html
http://evelynchristensen.com/markettips.html
I also highly recommend Laura Purdie Salas’ book Writing for the Educational Market for guidance in creating a packet to send to work-for-hire publishers.
Do you write freelance writing across genres- if so, which genres do you write in? And what are some of the topics you write about?
I have written in a wide variety of genres! Some of the topics I’ve written about are sustainability/environmentalism, biography, and outdoor adventure.
“My advice to someone who would like to pursue freelance writing would be to consider their own networks and experience. Is there a niche area where they could offer expertise as a freelance writer? If so, is there a contact they could approach? I found that once I had some contracts completed, people began to refer me to others, especially when I let them know I was looking for additional work.”
In terms of breaking into the kidlit work-for-hire space, I recommend putting the effort in to create a quality package of writing samples. They request ‘unedited’ samples, so it can’t be work that you’ve already had published, so it does take time to research and write the samples, even though they aren’t long (I did 2-3 pages for middle-grade and about 500 words aimed at a younger audience). Specific resources that I found useful include:
Evelyn Christensen has created an amazing list of potential work-for-hire markets on her website as well as a great list of tips:
http://www.evelynchristensen.com/markets.html
http://evelynchristensen.com/markettips.html
I also highly recommend Laura Purdie Salas’ book Writing for the Educational Market for guidance in creating a packet to send to work-for-hire publishers.
- Thanks so much for sharing this information with us, Megan! These are terrific resources.
Do you write freelance writing across genres- if so, which genres do you write in? And what are some of the topics you write about?
I have written in a wide variety of genres! Some of the topics I’ve written about are sustainability/environmentalism, biography, and outdoor adventure.
So, you write non-fiction, which is so exciting because I love learning new things. Can you tell us a little bit about what it’s like writing non-fiction middle-grade novels as well as picture books and how that might differ from writing or pitching fiction?
I also love learning new things! When pitching fiction for the trade market, either with your agent or direct to publishers you need to have the full manuscript ready to go. Middle-grade non-fiction is different as it is usually sold on proposal rather than on the full manuscript. My process is to start with research and see if I can come up with a hook, structure, and a basic table of contents. If I decide I’d like to go ahead with the idea, I do more research, potentially interview an expert, and fully develop my outline. Then, I usually write at least one sample chapter. All those components will be part of the proposal that will go on submission to editors, alongside market information, curriculum tie-ins, etc. If an editor acquires the book, that’s when I would research and write the full manuscript. For picture book non-fiction, I write the full manuscript (and usually back matter as well), and that’s what goes on submission.
Now, you’ve worked on freelance projects, but you’ve also published multiple middle-grade non-fiction novels and just recently had the announcement of your debut picture book (congratulations!) that’s scheduled to come out in 2025. I’m curious: for your published middle-grade and picture book, did you have literary representation? If so, who were you represented by, and how did you end up with your agent?
Great question! For my first two middle-grade non-fiction books, I did not have an agent. Instead, I pitched my ideas directly to editors myself. In 2021, I signed with an agent. Since then, all my books have been sold through my agent.
I’m represented by Stacey Kondla at The Rights Factory. In 2021, I queried a number of agents, and right from the start, Stacey was excited about my work, and I ended up signing with her that summer.
-OH MY GOODNESS- CONGRATULATIONS!! This is HUGE news and definitely cause for celebration!
For those deciding which publishing route to take- agent, or no agent- traditional, or independent- could you talk a little bit about the differences between both and reasons why someone might choose one option over the other and vice versa?
Working with an agent is helpful for a number of reasons. They are familiar with the market, they build relationships with editors, and they can help you bring your work to the next level – important in such a competitive marketplace, and there are limited publishers that accept submissions directly from authors, so agents definitely open doors for authors in terms of access. That being said, there are publishers that accept submissions directly from authors, so some writers might want to go that route. I think it's a personal choice!
For some of our readers who may be new to the publishing scene, could you share a little bit about the steps involved with your publishing journey? (Querying & submission process, timeframes, rejections, champagne rejections, the close calls, the big call, and the final YES)
For sure! It’s definitely a long journey and can feel even longer because there is a lot of waiting involved. When I queried agents, I sent out about 15-20 queries in my first round. My agent was in that first round, and so for me, the querying process was relatively quick. After she got in touch and said she liked my work, we had ‘the call,’ and she offered representation. Yay! Then we got to work putting together a project for submission to editors. Querying editors also takes time and waiting for responses can take weeks to months to even longer! For my upcoming non-fiction picture book, I believe it took around six - seven months from the day we went on submission to an offer, and from what I’ve heard, that’s actually quite a fast timeline! However, not all manuscripts that go on submission sell, and that’s true for all the writers I know. Last year I had a project that I loved, and it did a number of rounds of submission to editors. While I received some nice feedback about the writing, ultimately, it did not sell to anyone, and I’ve had to put that one in the back of the drawer – at least for now!
“[Publishing] is definitely a long journey and can feel even longer because there’s a lot of waiting involved… Querying editors also takes time and waiting for responses can take weeks to months to even longer!” @MeganClendenan
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“Working with an agent is helpful for a number of reasons. They are familiar with the market, they build relationships with editors, and they can help you bring your work to the next level, which is important in such a competitive marketplace…”
CHALLENGES, SETBACKS, AND MOTIVATIONS
“So much of what happens in publishing can’t be controlled. You can’t control what editors want or what the market is doing, supply chains, book bans, or what types of books are selling. You can’t control how long it takes a book to be published or variables like printing costs, etc. I try to keep myself focused on what I can control– which is creating quality work!”
What are some of the hurdles that may present themselves on the road to publishing?
So much of what happens in publishing cannot be controlled. You can’t control what editors want or what the market is doing, supply chains, book bans, or what types of books are selling. You can’t control how long it takes a book to be published or variables like printing costs, etc. I try to keep myself focused on what I can control, which is creating quality work!
What are some challenges you’ve faced, and how’ve you been able to overcome them?
Balancing writing with the rest of life can be tricky. Work-for-hire contracts are often on tight deadlines, and so other projects, especially those without contracts and deadlines, often get pushed to the background. And life can throw curve balls! Earlier this year, I was in a serious car accident and could only minimally work for three months. I managed to fulfill my current contracts (with some extended deadlines from editors!), but I couldn’t move forward with any new work, so I’ll have to catch up. It was frustrating, but to get myself back on track, I try to find one hour a day – or at least 30 minutes – to work on a writing project that pushes me creatively. I find this helps me stay inspired and move forward more productively with all the tasks I need to accomplish.
When dealing with publishing setbacks/discouragements/etc. what has helped/inspired you the most to stay on the course and continue?
Rejection and setbacks are part of being a children’s author – that being said, it can still sting. Every author I know puts so much effort and heart into their writing, myself included. I rely on my writing friends to help me weather rejections. We support each other through setbacks and meanwhile, I continue to develop new ideas, which keeps me focused on the present. I’m also inspired to write by reading. I read a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction, and many of my ideas have been sparked by reading. It’s pretty awesome that reading is a part of my job description!
For those who may be dealing with discouragements or difficulties, what words of advice or wisdom would you like to share?
Find a community of other kidlit writers! Being connected to other people who understand the industry and can offer support has been invaluable to me.
TIPS, TRICKS & RESOURCES
Here on the blog, we love sharing writing resources. I know you’ve participated in a number of groups. I’d love to hear more about some of the writing organizations you’ve worked with. (Inked Voices, 12x12, SCBWI) Could you share with our readers a little about what each organization has to offer and how it’s personally benefited you?
Absolutely! I am so grateful to all the writers' organizations I belong to; they each offer a little something different, and they have enhanced my writing and connected me to other writers. I’ve been a member of Inked Voices for many years, and it is a fabulous resource for finding critique partners and there are many other resources, such as monthly craft webinars and genre-specific community networking groups. I’ve found many wonderful critique partners on Inked Voices! I have joined 12x12 for the last two years, and it’s also an incredible resource for picture book writers. They have amazing monthly webinars and book chats, and I always take the time to watch those. For time reasons, I haven’t spent as much time using the resources available on 12x12, but there’s so much to benefit writers, and everyone in the community is very welcoming. I’m also a member of SCBWI and I have benefited from the many online resources and webinars they offer.
Speaking of AMAZING resources, you also offer resources on your website (which I’d love to link here for readers to find on my Teacher Corner tab also). Could you tell us about the resources you offer? Who are they for, and how can they be utilized?
I have free downloadable resources on my website for each of my books. They are educator guides meant to be used alongside the books to help inspire critical thinking about the topic. They could be used by teachers or parents, or older readers could use them independently if they choose. I try to create a range of discussion questions, writing exercises, and some interactive activities that might be useful in a number of subjects, for example, Language Arts, Social Studies, or Science. I’d love for you to link them here for readers. Thank you! The guide for What Do We Eat? is currently in the works and will be posted soon!
-Wonderful!
In writing, there are really no shortcuts- it requires a lot of effort, time, and commitment. But if you had a trick up your sleeve to share- what would it be?
I wish I had a trick up my sleeve, but in all honesty, I think the trick is to stay persistent and keep writing and revising.
Any final tips?
I’m going to repeat myself and say 1) don’t give up, and 2) find some writer friends to share the journey with.
-Thanks so much, Megan.
“…The trick is to stay persistent and keep writing and revising.”
“I am so grateful to all the writers’ organizations I belong to; they each offer a little something different, and they have enhanced my writing and connected me to other writers.” @MeganClendenan
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BOOKS + EVENTS
We’ve finally made it to the land of books. I would love to hear all about your wonderful work! What was the inspiration behind it? How did the story begin (the story behind the story?) How long did it take to get from concept to manuscript to where you are now? Everything. Go!
What Do We Eat? How Humans Find, Share and Grow Food
Releasing September 17th, 2024, from Orca Books
Summary; Imagine carrying meals with you as you parachute into a war zone. Or trying to stay well-fed while building the pyramids. People have always found ways to work together to put a meal on the table. What Do We Eat? is a delicious celebration of human creativity and cooperation, wrapped up in bite-sized slices of history, with a look at what scientists and inventors are cooking for the future. We are gobbling up Earth’s resources, and food is not shared equally. But today, there's a magic tree transforming the dry African plains, food “ambulances” on the move and cities that have declared access to food a human right. Hungry to find out more? Let’s roll up our sleeves and find out what’s for dinner.
Inspiration behind What Do We Eat?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, there were times when I went to my local grocery store and found empty shelves. I began to wonder: how difficult would it be to survive without going to the grocery store? That led me to more questions. How did people in difficult situations in history eat? What about people exploring the world? Escaping from injustices? Stranded far from home? How do people facing climate change adapt? This book is the result of all these wonderings (and a LOT of research!). From concept to publication was more than four years!
Cities: How Humans Live Together (Orca Books, 2023)
Summary: If you could design a city that would be both a great place to live and good for the planet, what would it look like? Today, about four billion people—more than half the world’s population—live in cities. This number could rise to seven billion by 2050. Cities: How Humans Live Together travels through time to explore questions like When and why did cities form? How did people access food and water? Where did they go to the bathroom? Peek into the past to see how cities have changed through time and explore what could make cities more sustainable and welcoming for today and tomorrow.
Inspiration behind Cities: How Humans Live Together
At university, I studied environmental urban planning, but I ended up on a different professional path. But, I remained curious and interested in cities and urban planning, and I wanted to write a book about cities around the world, past, present, and future. I loved researching cities for this book! This book was also about four years from concept to publication.
Fresh Air, Clean Water: Defending Our Right to a Healthy Environment (Orca Books, 2022) explores the connections between our environment and our health and why the right to live in a healthy environment should be protected as a human right. The book features profiles of kids around the world who are taking action and important environmental rights court cases. Hear the powerful stories of those fighting for change.
Inspiration behind Fresh Air, Clean Water
I was inspired to write this book after working as a grant writer at an environmental legal non-profit, where I worked to obtain funding for many cases, including about the right to a healthy environment. The idea that the right to fresh air and clean water could be fought for as a human right, just like the right to free speech, was such an exciting idea to me. Years later, I was inspired by youth-led climate lawsuits, and I was able to interview many youth activists, which was my favorite aspect of writing this book!
What do you hope your readers will take away from each story?
With all my books, I want to leave readers with a sense of hope and the possibility that change is possible, even when considering topics like climate change. That the power of human innovation, resourcefulness, and cooperation goes a long way. I hope my books spark questions, discussion, and curiosity.
Have you been able to host any fun author events? And what has the response been to your stories?
I love visiting schools, libraries, and festivals (it’s always exciting to be able to be there in person!) to share my books. One favorite author event was a two-part writing workshop I did with a group of high school students around the theme of Earth Day. Even though my books are aimed at a younger audience, it was wonderful to connect with high school students and get their perspective. I learned a lot by speaking with them!
As well, I’ve been fortunate that readers of Fresh Air, Clean Water have shared their thoughts as well as ‘climate march’ signs in response to the book (creating a climate march sign is one of the activities on my free Educator Guide for the book – found on my website). With these students’ permission, I put together a video to showcase their art and thoughts. You can find this on my website under Resources & Fun Stuff.
I also love connecting with schools virtually because it allows me to reach so many more locations! This fall, I’ve got some events planned around the release of What Do We Eat? and I’m so excited to finally share this book with readers.
-Very cool, Megan!
“I want to leave readers with a sense of hope and the possibility that change is possible… I hope my books spark questions, discussion, and curiosity.”
GIVEAWAY
For the month of September, Megan is offering the following giveaway prize to one winner.
Prize #1: A signed copy of WHAT DO WE EAT? How Humans Find, Grow and Share Food (middle-grade non-fiction)
HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
- Leave a comment on this post!
- And if you haven’t already, like this post and subscribe to the blog and/or newsletter!
That’s it!
DEADLINE TO ENTER: September 30th, 11:59 PM CST
Want extra entries? Share this link and tag the host IG @chelseasworldofbooks X @chellysbooks to have another entry added to the prize pool.
FAQ:
What if I was already subscribed to the blog? Does that mean I won’t qualify for the Prize Giveaway? Not at all! If you subscribed before this month, all you’ll need to do is LIKE this Feature Interview and leave your COMMENT below this post within the deadline (the current month/year entry was posted).
Did you enjoy this interview?
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Book Links
Purchase Design Like Nature Biomimicry for a Healthy Planet
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Megan Clendenan is a freelance writer and award-winning children’s book author. She loves writing books that explore history, society, and the environment, and she hopes to inspire young readers to think critically about the world around them. Her books include DESIGN LIKE NATURE: BIOMIMICRY FOR A HEALTHY PLANET, which earned a starred review from School Library Journal (2021, Orca Books, co-authored with Kim Ryall Woolcock), FRESH AIR, CLEAN WATER: OUR RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, which won the 2023 Green Earth Book Award (2022, Orca Books), CITIES: HOW HUMANS LIVE TOGETHER (2023, Orca Books), WHAT DO WE EAT: HOW HUMANS FIND, GROW AND SHARE FOOD (Orca Books, Sep 2024) and JUST IN CASE,[1] a non-fiction picture book that will publish in September 2025 with Charlesbridge. To learn more and find free educator resources visit her at www.meganclendenan.com. Megan lives near Vancouver, British Columbia, with her family & two fuzzy orange cats.
Twitter: @MeganClendenan Instagram: @MeganClendenan
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