Happy
It’s been a whole two weeks my last Meet The Debut Author post, blooming flu-like cold has had me wrapped up in a duvet straight after work BUT I’m back and looking forward to introducing you all to debut novelist, Charleigh Fredrick and her book Demon Scout, which sounds SO FUN! Due to be published by Bow’s Bookshelf in e-book on 21st February 2023, Demon Scout is perfect for readers 9+ years of age. You can pre-order today, here!
Annie Mae, a twelve-year-old Girl Scout from Virginia, has also entered a bet of sorts, but the prize she’s trying to win is the chance to meet astronaut Michael Collins. To do that, she has to sell the most cookies in the country.
Upon meeting Annie Mae, Fawhikwuff hatches a plan that is as simple as it is ridiculous: If he helps Annie Mae sell the most cookies, he can meet Michael Collins-who is going to the moon-possess him, take his place, and claim the moon as his own. What could go wrong? What he doesn’t bargain for is the high drama and turmoil of the inner-life of twelve-year-old girls. Or unexpectedly coming to care about them.
Charleigh Frederick’s comedic and heartfelt tale combines found family, middle school squabbles, and demon antics into a wholesome, unforgettable story beloved by adults and children alike.
Thank you so much Charleigh for joining me at The Reading Closet to chat all things about your debut book and the journey to publishing! Could we kick off this Q&A by you briefly introducing both yourself and your debut novel, please?
Hi! My name is Charleigh Frederick (she/her) and I am a 21 year-old author from Minnesota, who is currently in Brooklyn NY getting my undergrad at Pratt Institute. My debut novel is Demon Scout and it will be coming out in February 2023 through Bow’s Bookshelf. Demon Scout is a MG novel set in 1969, during the global space race, about a demon named Fawhikwuff who makes a bet that he can conquer the moon in one human year. If he fails he’ll be sent to a place even demons don’t want to go to – Hell. Fawhikwuff meets Annie Mae, a 12 year-old from Virginia who is trying to sell the most scout cookies in the country so she can meet the astronaut Michael Collins, and hatches a plan. If he helps Annie Mae sell the most cookies, he can meet Michael Collins, possess him, take his place, and claim the moon as his own.
Firstly, I am so excited to be featuring you and your middle grade debut novel AND I also love the sound of Demon Scout, it sounds so fun! Could you share with us what is, or would be Demon Scout’s tagline?
Go door-to-door selling cookies to avoid an eternity in Hell? What could go wrong?
Love it! Why did you decide to write a middle grade novel?
I wrote this book at a time where I needed a funny, cute, uplifting story in my life, so I chose to write a MG novel that I could throw myself into with plot and characters that made me smile, even if they were struggling.
We all need funny, cute and uplifting, and this sounds perfect, If you could choose actors to play your main characters, who would they be?
If I could have anyone, I would love to have John Mulaney either play or voice the role of the demon Fawhikwuff. Annie Mae is a bit harder to cast. If I had to choose, I would love either Sophia Reid-Gantzert, Liyou Abere, or Sofia Rosinsky.
Do you have a favourite quote from your novel? What is it?
About halfway through the book there is a poem that is a parody of A Visit From St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore and that chapter is my favorite in the novel. A line from it that I’m really drawn to is, “The moon where Fawhikwuff so wanted to go, gave a luster of midday to objects below/ And what to the demon’s and the child’s eyes did appear? Well, it wasn’t a sleigh and there were no reindeer/ Down on the lawn, melting the snow, was a fiery portal to a world unknown.”
If anything, what would you like readers to take away from your novel?
I want readers to take away a sense of joy from reading my novel. I hope they find it fun, and humorous, and I hope it helps them as much as it helped me.
What has been the highlight of being a debut author for you so far?
The highlight so far has been hearing other people talk about my book because that makes it feel a lot more real. The editor at the publishing house Demon Scout is coming out from has been absolutely amazing at supporting, understanding, and geeking out about my book. Having someone who isn’t related to me being excited has been delightful.
What are you most looking forward to on your debut journey?
I am really looking forward to having a physical copy of my book in hand, something I can show off like a trophy.
What one piece of advice would you give writer you one year ago?
It’s worth waiting for the right publisher.
What authors, if any, inspire you?
There are a lot of authors I find inspiring. If I have to pick just a couple, I would say Ally Carter, Kiera Cass, and Holly Black.
What a brilliant pick of inspiring novelists! Lastly, we’d love you to answer our *FLASH FIVE* questions, just a little bit of fun to end such a great chat!
Tea or coffee? Tea
Sweet or savoury? Sweet
Morning worm or night owl? Night owl!
Standalone or book series? My debut is a standalone, though I love reading and writing both standalones, as well as series.
Are you a plotter or a panster? 70% plotter, 30% panster
Fabulous! Thank you again, so much Charleigh for being involved in my little blog series, I wish you all the luck in your debut journey and I can’t wait to see Demon Scout hitting ALL the kindles!
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