Double Feature: Trick or Treat with Mark Snoad!

Hi, readers, writers, and light-seekers, too! If you’re looking for an exciting, action-packed, fantastical adventure featuring an unlikely yet relatable hero… you’ve come to the right place today!

We’re thrilled to host a Double Feature with Mark Snoad, another talented author from Monarch Educational Services. Mark is here with us and is sharing his new MG book, Maggie and the Mountain of Light! Maggie is an ordinary twelve-year-old girl, struggling with anxiety and allergies, who suddenly finds herself invited to join the top-secret branch of the Wayfinder Girls—a group whose mission is to protect the world from interdimensional threats. Soon, Maggie is swept into a race to recover the mystical Mountain of Light… before the world is overrun.

Want to know more about Mark and his MG book that's perfect for fall reading PLUS want to know if he's passing out a Trick or a Treat? Read on if you dare...🍫

Q: Hi, Mark! Thanks for joining #SeasonsOfKidLit for our Annual Trick-or-Treat Event! We’re thrilled to have you and hear all about your book, Maggie and the Mountain of Light with Monarch Educational Services! Can you share a little bit about yourself and your background in writing? How did you become a children’s novel writer?

A: Kia ora and hello! It’s an absolute joy to be here. Thank you!! I live in Aotearoa New Zealand where I work as a high school teacher. I’m a husband to one wife, a father to two daughters, a brother to three sisters, and a servant to one dog!

The first story I ever wrote was about a magic sword. It was for a school writing competition when I was ten. But it was many years later that I turned my hand to writing a novel. My first, a YA fantasy called Redemption’s Fool, remains unpublished. I got a bit stuck trying to capture the interest of literary agents. During that period of writing and rewriting, another story started to clamour for my attention. And that story became Maggie and the Mountain of Light.

When I first pitched to my publisher, Monarch Educational Services LLC, I sent my YA novel, Redemption’s Fool, for consideration. It wasn’t quite the right fit and I was asked if I had anything else. That’s when I shared Maggie and the Mountain of Light. A couple of weeks later I signed with Monarch and a year later my book was published.

Q: Maggie and the Mountain of Light has a lot of spooky season tie-ins. It focuses on Maggie, an ordinary girl, who winds up at an apocalypse training camp. What a cool premise! Can you share more about Maggie and your book with our readers? What inspired you to write the story, and what twists and turns can our readers expect to see? 

A: There are many wonderful children’s books about characters discovering their hidden powers. These powers are often magical in nature or related to the character having something in their DNA which needs to be unlocked. But what if a character has no magical ability and is not related to any gods? Can an ordinary character achieve something extraordinary? What if that ordinary character has real-life challenges, like anxiety, asthma, and food allergies? What then? 

These are some of the questions which frame Maggie’s story. My inspiration is my eldest daughter, Mikayla, who has lived with these real-life challenges. Her struggles and successes inspired me to create the character of Maggie.

As for what readers can expect, Maggie’s story is a fun, magical adventure where Maggie must overcome her fears and do something she thinks is impossible. Maggie uncovers secrets and finds the strength to do what needs to be done, even if it involves saving the world from an otherworldly threat.

Q: What makes your book a perfect read for the month (or anytime of the year)? Can you tell us about Maggie’s food allergies and anything you hope kids keep in mind as they head out trick-or-treating?

A. Halloween is so much fun. Dressing up, going on a mini-adventure with your friends and family, the mystery and excitement about what you will experience. In many ways that’s like Maggie and the Mountain of Light - mystery, excitement, and fun. Maybe too much fun for Maggie herself, but her friends are with her along the way.

It’s a good reminder for trick-or-treating that not everyone can enjoy all of the treats, so it's great to have some safe treats available. Treats that are non-dairy for example. Or don’t have any nuts. Being prepared means that no-one feels left out. And a tip for any adults, make sure you carry some safe treats with you, just in case you encounter someone who needs a top-up because they can’t eat what others are eating.

Q: What's your favorite spread and why?

A: My favourite spread is a classic one in Aotearoa New Zealand - Marmite. It’s so good on toast, with cheese. Yum! Although people tasting it for the first time may not like it 😂

OK - I must say - this is the COOLEST answer we've gotten yet. Thanks for sharing!!

Q: What’s the most challenging part about being a #kidlit creator? How about the most rewarding part?

A: The most challenging part about being a #kidlit creator is getting my book in the hands of readers. There are so many wonderful kidlit books and it's challenging to be found by people who might want to read my book.

The most rewarding part is finding out that someone loved reading my book. That they connected with something in Maggie’s story and it sparked joy. That makes it all worth it!

BONUS: What’s both your favorite and least favorite candy? I.e. what would you be thrilled to receive in your candy bag, and what would you desperately try to trade?

A. Licorice all-sorts, yes please!! But Turkish delights, wanna swop?

Would you like to leave a Trick or a Treat for our readers?

A TREAT! I'd like to offer a book giveaway - a free copy of Maggie and the Mountain of Light .

Thanks for SUCH an amazing Treat, Mark! And thanks again for stopping by. It was such a pleasure having you.

Giveaway Details: Readers, to enter Mark's giveaway, 1) leave a comment below to thank him for stopping by and 2) share his post on social media.

Please Note: Books/giveaways will be shipped in the U.S. only.

*Special Reminder: Those who like, leave a comment on, and share all posts will be entered into a drawing and be eligible to win:

• One (1) of five (5) Rate Your Story Speed Passes perfect for quick MS feedback, provided by Editor Lynne Marie & Author Heather Macht and/or

• A Query Critique from Agent  Lynnette Novak with The Seymour Agency 

Winners will be drawn and announced on or about 10/22. 

About Mark Snoad:

Kia ora and hello from Aotearoa New Zealand. My name is Mark Snoad and I am a husband, father, teacher and author of Maggie and the Mountain of Light - a middle grade urban fantasy. I'm a big fan of fantasy and I was intrigued by the idea of a young protagonist who didn't have any magical powers, nor was she related to any gods, but all she had was her anxiety and severe food allergies. Could she go on a magical adventure and save the world? My inspiration for the story was my eldest daughter who has battled both anxiety and food allergies her entire life. I hope I have conveyed her bravery and courage through Maggie's story, and I hope you will find joy and delight in reading about Maggie's adventure. Oh, a final note about the Mountain of Light. It's real. I didn't make up that part. You can search the name online and find out all about it. Enjoy!!

For more about Mark, check out the below links:

Website: https://wayfindergirls.org/ (my website)

Publisher site: https://monarcheducationalservices.com/ (my publisher)

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mark.snoad.writer/

X: https://x.com/SnoadMark

Amazon (for book reviews and purchases): Amazon.com: Mark Snoad: books, biography, latest update

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