We are thrilled to introduce you to one of our recently published authors, A.L. Newby! A.L. recently published her book, Runaway, after working with an Inklings mentor to revise her work. At Society of Young Inklings, we offer a number of mentorship programs for youth authors to support them as they draft, revise, and publish their work. We interviewed A.L. about her experience revising her book with a mentor, and then publishing it and sharing it with the world.
Tell us about your book!
I have one book published so far. It’s called Runaway and it follows the story of a young headstrong mouse who is determined to save her father from an evil king that rules her world. It shifts between the mom and the brother’s POV as well, and they all have to figure out what they believe and who they love while facing challenges, many internal. I’m currently working on the second and third in the series.
What inspired you to tell this story?
A few things. First, when I was four or five, I read Stuart Little for the very first time and was OBSESSED. I loved that the main character was a tiny mouse in a big world looking for his best friend and I also, for some reason, really liked that the chapters had roman numerals. So over the years, I wrote a bunch of short stories, some about mice, but most about kids my age, or princesses or fairies. Then, when I was nine, I met my best friend and she, like me, had a deep love for animals, miniatures and books. So sometime when I was nine I decided that I wanted to make a long story. Not like all the short stories I had made before, but a book. I wanted the main character to be a mouse, and I wanted there to be magic and talking animals and mystery…. and it kind of evolved from there over the span of three or four years.
Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
My very favorite character in Runaway is probably Mrs. Evergreen, because she is such a complex and interesting character and never gets enough credit for how she manages to hold things together even as they’re slipping away from her. She’s so scared of losing everything she loves, so she goes to extreme lengths to protect her family.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?
Through Runaway, I hope readers find the inspiration to cling firmly to hope and truth, even when surrounded by darkness. Just like Tilda and Lichen, we often face situations where it feels easier to hide from reality or let fear control us. I want readers to walk away understanding that shielding ourselves from pain can prevent us from finding real hope, and that true courage means stepping out into the unknown to protect and fight for the people we love.
What would you tell someone who wrote a novel and is not sure they want to do revisions?
It can only get better. For me, this was a huge help and I’m really glad I went through this process – I personally think my book has done nothing but improve over the last year. It can sometimes be hard to tear apart and redo parts or even all of something you’ve put so much time and effort into but I think the struggle is worth it in the end when you are left with a piece of literature that you are genuinely proud of and excited about.
“Tilda felt herself wobbling on the rocky ledge. She twisted around, grasping for the rope even as it was slipping out of her paws. She felt herself fall and her right ankle twisted as she plummeted towards the jagged rocks below. The wind rushed past her ears and her heart seemed to fly out of her chest. Her arms and legs flailed helplessly in every direction.
The little mouse knew she wouldn’t be able to save herself this time.”
Starthling was once a united island of creatures under the rule of the Good King. Now, it is nothing more than a broken land of Darkness and fear. Only the bravest dare to fight back against the evil wolf king and only the strongest have a chance of surviving. The Evergreen family suddenly find themselves smack in the middle of the danger, whether they want it or not. They will face their fair share of trials, but little do they know that many of them will come from within.
Tilda Evergreen is going to save her Father and bring him home. It doesn’t really matter that she might be heading straight into an evil wolf king’s lair or that said wolf king might just maybe have magical powers and hundreds of scary creatures at his beck and call. She’ll be fine. Tilda Evergreen is perfectly capable of rescuing her Father by herself, thank you very much. Accepting someone’s charity? That’s what an amateur would do. And Tilda Evergreen is DEFINITELY not an amateur.
A.L. Newby is a young writer who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her family and seven chickens who rule in a castle of their own. When she’s not writing she enjoys biking, playing tennis, and reading. She has always loved fictional stories and spends an unusual amount of time with her nose in a book, daydreaming about stepping into wardrobes, losing glass slippers, and flying on the back of a dragon. She also wastes her time rubbing potential genie lamps when no one is looking. She loves writing in coffee shops while sipping chai lattes. This is her first book.
Are you ready to publish your novel?
It’s time to take your novel, and your writerly skillset, to the next level! In the Fresh Ink Program, professional writers mentor youth through a chapter-by-chapter revision process which results in a printed or published book available through independent bookstores and other retailers. Through Fresh Ink, you will: complete a full novel revision, take your writing skills to the next level, and learn what it takes to publish a book