Tell us a little about yourself.
I write a children’s book series based on my real-life adventures and friends titled Queen Vernita’s Visitors Educational adventures. It is Pre-k -6th grade, and I have just sent my thirteenth book to print. I am super excited about that.
The book’s format follows the calendar skills, days of the week, months, and seasons. In each month, the Queen meets a new friend and a new subject. She learns seven additional facts about each topic. She has traveled throughout her Kingdom to hold baby alligators, swim with sharks, seals, manta rays, and had a baby sea horse wrap its tail around her finger.
I also have a new book titled Dragon’s Breath. “Join King Teddy Bear as he seeks the answer to his Kingdom’s mysterious black smoke. It is his job to protect his villagers and help them thrive. The once beautiful gardens and crops are now withering, and his precious villagers are saddened and fearful. How can the mighty King solve this for those he loves?”
Dr. Dawn Menge has won forty-one international awards as the published author of the Queen Vernita’s Educational Series including the Special Recognition Champion Award from Conquering Disabilities with the film festival.
Her newest release is a real-life fairy tale titled, Dragon’s Breath. Her published works also include THE SIX FEDERAL INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN GOALS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IN PREPARING FOR TRANSITION.
Why do you write?
My books began as an assignment in a math class I was taking to receive my credential and Master’s degree in Special Education. I have been teaching students with severe cognitive delays for over twenty years.
I published Queen Vernita’s Visitors and began receiving awards and interviews. The Queen now travels around her Kingdom exploring different regions of the area. She has been to the glaciers, bayou, coastline, has met HeathyBean The Astronomer, camped along the sandy shores, rode a train with Santa, visits the Islands of Enchantment and the Volcanic Islands. She will soon be visiting the land of little rain.
What genre do you write, and why did you pick this genre?
I write children’s literature. I am a teacher and therefore gravitate towards Children’s educational needs, including reading fluency. I am also a member of the United States Board on Books for Young Children and sit on their committee to choose the best books for/about disabilities. I also have a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction specializing in Special Education.
Tell us about your book.
My newest Queen Vernita book that I have just sent to the printer is based on our yearly camping trips to Jalama Beach on the coast of California. It is PreK-6th grade, and the Queen learns to Paraglide, make S’mores, fly kites, fish, raccoons, Ostrich and Emu, and body surf. It is a fun adventure that teaches about the outdoors, exploring, trying new things, and friendships.
How much time do you dedicate to your author career?
My author career is developing from one book a year to publishing and researching five new books this year. I have dedicated a lot of my time during the pandemic to building my network, increasing visibility, and entering the film festival networks. It’s been very exciting.
I also write children’s reviews for Story Monster Magazine, judge their literary contests, and judge for the RONE awards for INDI Tale magazine. It is fun to read the Indi romance books during my summer break.
How long, on average, does it take you to write your books?
After I have researched a book, it only takes a few weeks to write the rough draft. All the Queen Vernita’s adventures follow the same format as repetition is an excellent way to learn new materials.
My illustrator takes actual pictures from my adventures and friends and creates a montage for the illustration. These illustrations could take up to one year to complete.
What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?
The best money I have spent as an author is researching my books, traveling with my family and friends, learning about different areas and cultures. I also invest a lot of time traveling around the country to reach out to children.
My books are being read in classrooms in Africa, the Philippines, the UK, and, of course, all around the US. I recently interviewed with a man from St. Louis. He told me that his friend had been checking my books out at the library, and she had taken a second job so that she could take her son traveling.
It was so wonderful to hear that my books and family were positively impacting this child’s life. Authors rarely hear how their books affect others.
What is the most challenging part of being an author?
The most challenging part about being an author is being in the spotlight. When I first began, I was at a book event at the local library. The local tv station was interviewing the authors, and I tried to hide in the other room.
The two writers next to me encouraged me to stay and be interviewed. I am glad that I did. We are our own worst critics and sometimes limit ourselves in our progress.
I did not start writing my books to actually become an author. It has just developed into a bigger and bigger part of my life. One opportunity leads to another.
I saw a wonderful speech by Kwame Alexander called “YESS” It gave me hope and motivation to pursue new avenues in the publishing world.
What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?
To remember that the primary goal is not to become rich but to enhance positively other’s lives. Everyone has a message they would like to bring to the world.
Most of us do not realize that what we have been through may connect with someone else’s experiences. Be brave and put yourself out there in the world. Do not let one or two negative people change how you feel about your dreams.
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