Author Showcase
Interview sponsored by Pamela Stadnyk
The Children’s Book Review | August 28, 2016
The Children’s Book Review: The Magic Mask is an illustrated children’s book about a young girl who overcomes her fear of water. Please tell us more about the book and what you feel makes it unique.
Pamela Stadnyk: Jade, the main character, shows children that anything is possible when they believe in themselves. Overcoming a fear or any other challenge can lead to a sense of confidence and unexpected strengths. This book is unique in that although it is based on fantasy, it educational and teaches the importance of how each individual is unique and can make a difference in the world.
If you were to define the ultimate reader for The Magic Mask, who would it be?
The ultimate reader for The Magic Mask would be a young girl who learns that girls can be strong leaders and can have a positive influence in the world.
With themes such as trust, friendship, fantasy, fun and caring for the planet, what was the original inspiration for this book?
This is a hard question. I wanted to write a book about a girl who gains confidence while focusing on the needs of the planet and all the animals on it. Feeling at my best when around water, this became an easy choice for a setting.
There are 26 pages in the book—8 of the pages are illustrated and add some magic of their own—can you talk a little bit about the process of collaborating with the illustrator?
Collaborating with the illustrator was a much easier process than I had anticipated. She was able to extract the illustrations from the descriptions in the book, with a few minor adjustments. Probably the most challenging, was the illustrator being patient with me as I decided which descriptions I wanted to become the illustrations.
What has been the best response you have received from a reader of The Magic Mask, so far?
“This is a book I want my children to read.”
How long did it take you to write the story and can you describe your writing process?
The story was written in about 6 – 8 months, including all editing. The process of writing seemed to have its own life. While on my morning runs, ideas and thoughts would come to me. I imagined what it would be like to be a small child underwater and how the sea creatures might be and the interaction of the two. My fingers seemed to know what to type.
You hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a Master’s Degree in Education. We read that during your years of study, you found writing to be onerous and one of your least favorite aspects about education. You were sure you would never write again. At what point did you realize that you had stories to tell and that it was time to write a book for children?
As I was nearing retirement, I would think about what retirement would look like and what I wanted to do with my time. I have always felt connected to children. Their potential is immeasurable and the important role they have in the world needs to be recognized. Combining these with my imagination led to writing for children.
How would you say your vocation experiences and hobbies shaped you for the writing and publishing world?
My vocation experiences of practicing patience and, nurturing and promoting strengths gave way to confidence and leadership in students. These same practices, when applied to myself, provided the platform of believing in myself to bring this book to life.
You have begun writing a second book that features Jade from The Magic Mask. What can we expect from this next book?
The second book, shows a confident and caring Jade who demonstrates all children are special, unique and strong regardless of their abilities. This is within the theme of the need to care for planet and the universe.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us about The Magic Mask?
It is my goal that all children who read about Jade, will become inspired to believe anything is possible, to become confident and to learn their own self worth.
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The Magic Mask
Written by Pamela Stadnyk
Publisher’s Synopsis: When Jade overcomes her fear of water, she finds herself in an underwater world of wonder. She meets amazing new friends and is told a story about the earth she is sure to not forget.
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Pamela Stadnyk | 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1987985917
Add this book to your collection: The Magic Mask
Book Awards
About Pamela Stadnyk
Pamela grew up in Saskatchewan and moved to B.C as a young adult where she studied nursing and eventually received a MEd in education. She recently retired from the Faculty of Health at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. She currently lives in White Rock B.C. Writing her first book, “The Magic Mask” was on her post retirement “bucket list”. She is unsure how writing a children’s landed on the list, Pamela has(d) a strong dislike for writing, but her creativity flowed unrestrained from her fingers to her laptop. Pamela is planning her second book.
The Author Showcase is a place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works. This interview with Pamela Stadnyk about “The Magic Mask” was sponsored by Pamela Stadnyk. Discover more great writing and illustrating artists in our Showcase. You can also learn more about marketing books and finding an Author Showcase book marketing plan that is right for you here …
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