Blog Archives
Mystical Encounter
A Stargazer centers around a sick little girl who is convinced she has been healed by a star boy and his magical stardust. Where did the idea of Vesper, the “star boy,” come from?
Already early on, I borrowed all the space-themed nonfiction books from the small library in my home village and tried to observe the starry sky on dark winter nights. However, without a telescope, you couldn’t see much detail, although you could spot some constellations. For my story, A Stargazer, I drew inspiration and details primarily from this childhood fascination with the starry sky.
There is also a particular incident that closely resembles the meeting between my story’s little girl and the starboy. As a child, I built a snow lantern in windy weather so enthusiastically and for so long that I ended up with a very high fever. I had to stay in bed for days, and the illness wouldn’t let up. Finally, in my feverish delirium, I saw a translucent figure descend onto my blanket and smile kindly at me. When I told my mother about this angelic visitor, she quickly arranged for me to see a doctor.
I’ve slightly modified this mystical encounter with my clear angel figure to the beginning of my book. As a teenager, I fell in love with David Bowie’s song “Starman.” There was – and still is – something very captivating about its lyrics and melody. What do we really know? What if this isn’t all there is? What else could there be in the universe?
Do you believe wonder is a starting point for learning, especially in children?
Absolutely. Curiosity and a desire for knowledge are powerful forces. It’s good to satisfy them by reading, asking questions, and listening to those who are more experienced and knowledgeable than you.
I have personally gained a lot of knowledge from libraries. Of course, schools and later studies have continually added to those lessons. I hope that learning never stops, not even now that I am in my senior years. At least, I remain just as curious about everything around me—only the things that need explanation have changed.
I believe that curiosity and wonder keep people engaged and active at any age. Mental fitness influences us throughout life and can support overall well- being. It’s unfortunate when adults discourage a child’s enthusiasm for exploring the world. I always try to encourage young minds to make their own observations and think independently. I see my children’s books as a tool for this as well!
Life is such an interesting and valuable gift, regardless of your age, that it’s worth embracing it as the ultimate journey of discovery. We never know where the winds and currents will carry us. There’s plenty to wonder about along the way, and the destination itself invites reflection.
The artwork in your book is wonderful. Can you tell us about your collaboration with illustrator Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren?
I have had the pleasure of working with Mongolian illustrator Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren on several children’s books. Our collaboration started years ago through our mutual connection, Mongolian publisher Nepko Kids.
Initially, Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren illustrated my Axel and Ava Series. His interpretation added warmth, color, and humor to the everyday adventures of young children. When I started working on the Lyrics of Life Series for slightly older children, two stories immediately came to mind that would be perfect for Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren to illustrate. He was excited about the topics, so A Stargazer and The Hermit’s Hut were recently created and recently published in English and Finnish.
Lkhaasuren’s art is vibrant and detailed. In our two latest collaborations, his style creates enchanting and magical worlds with richer colors and more mystical details. He utilizes modern digital technology to its fullest, and the spreads he creates are a constant inspiration to me. He is exactly the kind of illustrator whose visual interpretations of my stories inspire me to write more and more.
I hope we can soon continue our collaboration on new books. I have already drafted some stories for this purpose. But first, I’m going to pitch A Stargazer and The Hermit’s Hut to the publishers I’ll meet at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair later this spring.
What do you hope children feel when they recognize themselves in Aylin?
Aylin, the main character, is both vulnerable and strong. I hope children find inspiration and encouragement in this story when they need to dig deep to build self-confidence and pursue their dreams.
Life is about standing your ground, even when others oppose you. Sometimes, obstacles are tough and require a lot of courage to overcome. Other times, they’re more subtle and involve just some headwinds. Aylin faces both types. It’s never easy to be the only one who believes in something, and enduring the laughter, teasing, and belittling from others makes it even harder.
Aylin’s behavior in the book also demonstrates a vital lesson: the value of seeking help and forming alliances with trustworthy, like-minded people. The young girl receives support from three different adults, each aiding her in a unique way. Her father shares her fascination with space and assists with the telescope, while the librarian respects her curiosity by guiding her toward the right books. Additionally, she finds a surprising kindred spirit in the old janitor of the observatory, who also has stardust in his eyes.
By featuring such a diverse cast of supporters, the story aims to encourage making friends across different ages and backgrounds and finding common ground with them. The best companions for life’s various journeys aren’t always found among peers—while those connections may feel more effortless, they don’t always challenge and refine our thoughts in the same way.
Growing up around people of all ages and generations simply taught me about humanity and the value of collaboration. These experiences gave me the courage to face life’s challenges together with others. I often say that age is a fluid concept. Some are born old, while others remain eternal children. These different starting points lead to fascinating encounters, where you might even find yourself talking about stardust, if the mood strikes you!
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But when Aylin’s class visits the city observatory, things don’t go the way she expects. Her most important questions are met with impatience-and laughter. Just when she’s about to give up, an unexpected friend appears: the observatory’s elderly janitor, who seems to understand stardust and the beauty of the universe better than anyone.
A luminous picture book about curiosity, resilience, and keeping your sense of wonder-even when others don’t understand.
Pigs Really Can Fly!
Horace in Space follows a little pig with big dreams who wants nothing more than to venture into the great beyond. Where did the idea for this book come from?
I’ve written children’s books for about a decade now. I always wanted to write a book for kids and the ISS. Then it hit me – Pigs really can fly! And that started the entire idea.
Is there anything from your own childhood included in your characters’ traits and dialogue?
Not so much. We had a telescope when I was little, and we looked at the moon and stars. But the ISS fascinates me. I’ve timed and researched when the ISS will fly over my area on a particular night. I get away from city lights and, clear as day, one can watch it orbit from one point in the sky until out of view. I’ve taken pictures and videos. One can easily find out when it will next be over their locale. It is visible in the daytime as well.
Why was it important for you to include facts woven throughout Horace’s narrative?
Facts are facts. My children wanted to know facts from the books I read to them, and that means I want to give out some facts for children to think about, ask more questions, expand their minds to move forward.
Can young readers look forward to more adventures from Horace? What are you currently working on?
Horace may have more adventures, or I will choose another baby animal. Horace In Space is book number sixty-one for me, so I’m also slowing down a bit. Next up is a children’s book or adult sci-fi.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Horace in Space
Mary L. Schmidt’s latest children’s book follows young Horace, who is no ordinary pig. He’s a dreamer with his snout pointed firmly toward the stars. His greatest ambition? To venture into space. Yet, despite his lofty hopes, he quietly doubts that his dream will ever lift off. Until, unexpectedly, it does. A formal invitation arrives, and Horace is headed to the International Space Station.
Horace in Space is a delightful children’s book that effortlessly blends whimsical storytelling with factual space education. Tailored for children aged 1 to 8, this charming tale is brief in length, fitting for young attention spans, but rich in imagination and heart. The book’s vibrant illustrations serve as both emotional cues and narrative anchors, helping children see what Horace feels, thinks, and experiences.
Schmidt captures Horace’s sense of awe with genuine warmth. His naive excitement, so relatable for young readers, evolves into a more grounded understanding as his fantasy meets the real-world challenges of space. In doing so, Schmidt crafts a gentle lesson: reality might differ from dreams, but that doesn’t make it any less extraordinary.
The book strikes a thoughtful balance between imaginative adventure and educational value. Without ever sacrificing the fun, it introduces children to life in orbit, from the thrill of liftoff to the peculiarities of floating in microgravity. Facts are woven naturally into the narrative, ensuring that learning feels organic rather than instructional.
While Schmidt’s prose may not echo the playful cadences of Dr. Seuss or the clever wordplay of Shel Silverstein, Horace in Space still stands as a delightful addition to any young reader’s collection. Horace himself is an endearing protagonist, one whose journey feels ripe for expansion. It’s easy to envision this story as the launchpad for a larger series.
Horace in Space delivers more than just a tale about a pig in orbit; it offers young readers a chance to explore, imagine, and discover alongside a character who is every bit as curious and wide-eyed as they are.
Pages: 26 | ASIN : B0F9VX3XZ7
Understanding Extraterrestrials
Xenopsychology: Deciphering the Minds of the Cosmos blends speculative and theoretical concepts to look into the possible psychology of extraterrestrial beings. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write this book?
I have had numerous direct experiences seeing UFO’s. As a clinical and counseling psychologist the consideration of alien thought and behavior seemed like a natural consideration, and possible avenue to better understand life broadly but also our place in the cosmos.
What was your research process like for this book, and how long did it take to put it all together?
I wrote and published Xenopsychology and REAL Psychology within a span of six months. There was no research process during the writing. I have spent my adult life seeking direct experience of exceptional phenomena and both of these books are the result of challenging myself to think about the hard questions and answering those questions from internally validated processes.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
What is surprising to me is the lack of public curiosity about life both on this planet and in a speculative fashion on others. We exist in a universe teeming with life of varied types. The time has come to mature in our approach and learn the skills of coexistence with beings both less and more capable than ourselves.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Xenopsychology?
Deeply question the nature of the human experience and consider that our goal as living beings is to understand the expression and manifestation of existence.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Concepts such as alien intelligence and consciousness are explored with an openness to non-anthropocentric perspectives, considering beings that may not possess centralized brains, might inhabit vastly different sensory worlds, or could have fundamentally different forms of awareness and sentience. The field also probes the potential emotional landscapes of extraterrestrials, exploring hypothetical emotional experiences, expressions and their underlying biological and neurological bases, if such bases even exist.
Communication is another pivotal concept, with xenopsychology speculating on the myriad modes and mediums through which aliens might convey information, including possibilities beyond human comprehension, such as multidimensional or quantum communication. Furthermore, the exploration of alien social and cultural structures provides insights into how extraterrestrial civilizations might organize themselves, create meaning and develop moral and ethical frameworks.
Finally, the field grapples with the profound ethical and methodological challenges inherent in studying and interacting with potentially sentient beings whose minds, values and existences could be fundamentally incomprehensible to us, necessitating a paradigm of respect, humility and continual learning in our quest to understand the diverse intelligences of the cosmos.
XENOPSYCHOLOGY: Deciphering the Minds of the Cosmos
In Xenopsychology: Deciphering the Minds of the Cosmos, Dr. Scott Flagg takes readers on a groundbreaking journey into the psychologies of extraterrestrial beings. The book explores the vast possibilities of alien minds, delving into how these entities might perceive, think, feel, and interact in ways that are fundamentally different from humans. Utilizing a blend of astrophysics, biology, and psychology, the author pushes the boundaries of conventional thought to explore non-anthropocentric forms of intelligence and consciousness. His exploration is not only about understanding alien life but also a reflective examination of human cognition and the broader existential inquiries it incites.
Dr. Flagg’s writing style is both engaging and accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable for readers without a background in the hard sciences. His speculative approach enriches the inherently theoretical nature of xenopsychology, making it an exciting read for those who appreciate expansive thinking beyond the confines of concrete data and empirical studies. The vivid descriptions of potential alien senses, emotions, and societal structures are intellectually provocative and creatively rich, inviting readers to expand their understanding of what life can entail across the cosmos.
The book’s real strength lies in its ability to merge scientific rigor with philosophical inquiry. Dr. Flagg challenges readers to consider not only the possible but also the ethical implications of encountering and interacting with alien life. His discussion on the potential emotional and psychological landscapes of extraterrestrials is particularly fascinating, raising questions about universality versus diversity in emotional expression and experience across different life forms.
Xenopsychology: Deciphering the Minds of the Cosmos is a must-read for those fascinated by the potential of life beyond Earth and the vast complexities of the universe. I highly recommend it to students of astrophysics, psychology, and philosophy, as well as anyone interested in the future of space exploration and the possible encounters with other sentient beings. Dr. Flagg provides a compelling blueprint for a new field of scientific inquiry.
Pages: 290 | ASIN : B0CW1BLTNT
Trust and Friendship
Bringer of Light follows the crew of a spaceship on a mission to find new substances who accidentally come in contact with alien genetic materials leading to unexpected results. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As I wrote some months ago on my author website (see below), this novel was originally a joint project with an old college friend of mine. We have both been avid science fiction fans since our teenage years, but he studied science while I went on to study literature and language. At one point in late 2014 or early 2015, he wrote to me about an idea he had based on asteroid mining. The concept of mining asteroids for rare minerals had always been only in the realm of fantasy, but at the time (and indeed, now the pace and planning have picked up) companies around the world actually thought they had developed the technology to do so. Other writers (e.g., the “James S.A. Corey” duo) had just published about it, but we thought it would be more interesting to keep it both much closer to the present day and also add a metaphysical element. I.e., what would happen not just physically but emotionally and even philosophically to people who encountered the unknown in space? how would they view life, and their part to play in their society? how would others who didn’t have that experience react to this change in people they thought they knew?
The world you created in this novel is brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you wrote?
As a long-time fan of the Dune series (well, the original four books, anyways), I had always thought to set the main thread of the narrative on Mars. This is because Frank Herbert had originally planned to set Dune on Mars, then changed his mind to avoid all the political complications. I wanted to tackle those complications head on, and in the process, make them even more complicated (lol). So when my friend dropped out of the project for personal reasons and handed the entire story over to me, I quickly replotted the narrative, changed our original outline, and added several more characters in vying factions. By the time I got to a workable first draft, however, NASA (among others) had announced more discoveries about the presence of water on Mars. So I had to go back and rewrite several spots to make sure the science (and the fiction) were more plausible. Up to a point! (It is science fiction and not science, after all).
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some of the more important themes are power and acceptance, control and chaos, forgiveness and revenge, and above all else trust and friendship, neither of which can be demanded or bought but only given or earned. There may be other themes not evident to me that readers find on their own.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
This is the first book of a trilogy entitled Children of Pella. The second book, Defenders of Aeropagus, will skip ahead to see the burgeoning new cities of Mars, which has undergone partial terraforming but now faces two new threats. In recent years, a band of former asteroid hunters has turned to raiding the Mars cities for captives, believing that by ingesting Martian flesh they can gain the same telekinetic abilities. A Martian girl kidnapped as a child returns to reclaim her heritage, triggering plans for an all-out assault on the dying cities of Earth in a desperate attempt to retake what they believe ought to be theirs, while unknown to all a secret weapon is under construction by a hidden separatist group determined to take it all. The story concludes in book three, Return to Omphales, currently outlined but not yet written, as the Martian hierarchy begins to fracture and the separatists’ weapon increasingly puts them all in peril.
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To the disappointment of the Artemis crew, the rock is ultimately judged as comprising mostly ice and inert materials, with only some trace substances and no valuable minerals. They turn a chunk of it into drinking water for their own use and send the rest to the burgeoning Mars colony for further processing. Unknown to the crewmembers, the ice contains undetectable alien genetic material from outside the solar system. Before long, the crewmembers begin to hear voices, to experience other dimensionalities, and to learn more about the nature of the universe than they were prepared to. Their internal conflicts and new understanding of reality lead them to establish a new community on Mars, where the conflict sunders the Awakened from the Terrans who refuse to participate. Mars is reborn, and humanity will never be the same…
Unintended Consequences
GENEFIRE follows a PhD student studying the DNA of a young girl who discovers a warning from the future about Earth’s destruction. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Having been through a PhD myself, I know how hard it can be. It really can feel like the world will end if you don’t finish your PhD. As an academic over the last 15 years, I have also supervised many successful PhD students, and have also seen the whole range of experiences. Many of my former students were the inspiration for Milton, trying to capture that PhD experience in fiction. The journey that Milton goes through is a bit of a metaphor for that experience when you feel like nothing is going right in your PhD, then suddenly you find something amazing, but then your supervisor pours cold water on the idea. You try like crazy to replicate the results (“it’s not a real result unless you validate it”) and end up heading to your PhD viva filled with imposter syndrome and feeling as though you’re on trial.
The other inspiration for this story is the idea of writing in DNA. I have always been fascinated by the idea that we could write messages in DNA, and I wondered how far could we take it?
The science inserted in the fiction was well-balanced. How did you manage to keep it grounded while still providing the fantastic edge science fiction stories usually provide?
As a scientist, it was important to me that the science presented in GENEFIRE was either possible with today’s technology, or easily plausible and likely to come true. Genetic engineering in humans is on the cusp at the moment. Only a few days ago, there was an announcement of regulatory approval in the UK for curing sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia with CRISPR gene editing technologies. It starts with noble disease-curing goals, but where does it end? That is what this novel sets out to explore. We are already far behind the technology in our understanding of the ethics and potential consequences of editing genes. The main theme of the novel is the idea of unintended consequences and the ethics of tinkering with the human genome. There are some harder sci-fi elements but balanced out with fast-paced action and suspense as the characters make their choices and follow their destinies. I hope that most readers will be willing to come along for the ride.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
There is a scene on the international space station where all hell breaks loose. The dangerous chemical that Gessica discovered has arrived with the refugees from Earth and has contaminated the ISS. Everyone is in danger, except Tammy, who is immune to the danger due to his genetic makeup. He has to watch all of his friends die a horrible death. That is the culmination of everything going wrong from one terrible mistake.
“Sweet mercy! What a mistake.” – Gessica Kelly.
Will this novel be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
Yes, I am hoping this is part one of a trilogy. Being the serious “planner” that I am, I have the next two books plotted out (no spoilers), ready to be written, if only I could find… Now where did I put that time? I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Sometimes it feels as though the world will end if you don’t finish your PhD. For Larry Milton, it’s true.
Larry has discovered a dire warning from the future about Earth’s destruction — written in the DNA of a young girl.
With the destruction of the planet at stake, and no one believing him, he goes to extraordinary lengths to help the messenger from the future save the world… and try to finish his PhD at the same time.
T-Rex and Tuck Explore Outer Space
Join T-Rex and Tuck on a journey through the cosmos. While Tuck’s heart is captivated by the twinkling stars, T-Rex’s curiosity propels them toward a thrilling voyage into the great expanse of outer space. In the delightful tale of T-Rex and Tuck Explore Outer Space, our dynamic duo embarks on an extraordinary adventure, venturing to Mars, the moon, and the wondrous planets of our solar system, all before drifting off into a dreamy slumber.
Author Katie Marie has crafted a truly enchanting and enlightening children’s picture book destined to capture the hearts and minds of young readers. This literary gem serves as the perfect tool to introduce budding astronomers to the marvels of our solar system. Its vibrant illustrations transport readers into the amazing world of T-Rex and Tuck, igniting their imaginations for a mesmerizing expedition through the cosmos.
T-Rex, with his endearing charm, inspires Tuck to embark on a quest for knowledge about our celestial neighbors. Remarkably, within the pages of this short yet compelling read, Katie Marie weaves a tapestry of fascinating facts about outer space, making learning an exhilarating adventure. This adorable children’s story is destined to set young readers’ imaginations soaring into uncharted realms, leaving them with a lasting sense of wonder and awe.
I highly recommend T-Rex and Tuck Explore Outer Space, by Katie Marie, as it contains a delightful blend of entertainment and education, featuring charming characters and stunning visuals. This is the perfect children’s story for parents and educators who wish to instill a passion for learning about space and inspire young minds to reach for the stars.
Pages: 36 | ASIN : B0C5GLZ2GX
