Nature’s Muse: An Interview with Yvona Fast, author of Loon Summer

My writing comes from varied experiences as an immigrant, a person with a hidden disability trying to fit into a neurotypical world, the child of Holocaust survivors, and someone with a deep spiritual life who loves the natural world of lakes and mountains, trees and forests, sun, rain, and snow.

I’m an active member of SCBWI and the Adirondack Center for Writing, as well as several critique groups. I’ve taken courses from the Children’s Book Academy, Lyrical Language Lab with Renee LaTulippe, Picture Book Magic (Susanna Hill), and Writing in Rhyme (Angie Karcher).

You can buy the book here.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The title came naturally since it is about when the loons come to our region in late April until they leave in early November. They breed and raise their chicks in the summer here, so—Loon Summer. I should have checked it out though because, alas, there are other books with the same title…

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

Wonderful. This is not my first book (my first came out in 2004) but there is always excitement.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’m driven to write. I can’t not write. Last night I woke in the middle of the night to write.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’ve always loved the written word and books, and I worked previously as a librarian. I love being retired and having time to write, though now I’m caregiver for my elderly mother, which makes finding time difficult.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope that readers comprehend the beauty of our planet/environment and the need to protect it and keep it pristine.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I have several picture book manuscripts, from historical fiction and biography, to other poetic ones. I am also working on some poetry collections.

You can buy the book here.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.