An Interview with Alana Dowley
Alana Dowley balanced a legal career with raising three amazing children. She told them stories as they were growing up and now writes for clever, curious kids.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title was an obvious choice for me. It came to me about halfway through the planning phase. My book was going to feature a birthday party scavenger hunt early in the story. The characters would then be drawn into the search for a lost dog, and then a lost boy! So …
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
I was nervous about the cover. What if the designers couldn’t deliver a realistic and captivating image for my young readers? Kids do judge a book by its cover, so it was really important. It was a pleasant surprise, and huge relief, to be presented with excellent options. I enjoyed sharing the images with my family and asking for their vote on the one they would want to read!
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I wanted to write because my kids enjoyed the stories I made up for them when they were growing up. No matter how many kids read my stories now, I will always remember the made-up ones I shared with my kids under their bedcovers on cold winter nights.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I was a lawyer for decades, but I also had many side-hustles, including running a basketball club, doing property developments, volunteering on school and community committees. Always busy.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
When people read my book, they were very quick to compliment me on how much they enjoyed the story—that was the whole point of publishing it, right?
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
Hopefully, kids who read my book enjoy being respected for their intelligence and are drawn in by the puzzles and problem-solving, but also by the characters and the complexity of their relationships.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
Book 2: Truth or Dare—coming soon! Book one occurs during the summer holidays between primary school and high school for my main characters. Book two is a whirlwind of a first term at high school. I hope my readers like it as much as the first book.
How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?
Time differences across the globe can be challenging, but Atmosphere Press has been generous in meeting me in the middle—so to speak.
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