Of course Steve Loe has been able to put out two books in the past two years since all he does is write every day from dawn until dusk. Well, that and raise four kids. Oh, and he's also the principal of Shawnee Mission West High School. So where he finds the time we don't know, but he does. After years of perseverance, Loe published his first title last year and the second just followed.
In The Glimpsing Book, a group of young teens that has been strangely drawn together attempts to figure out the powerful mystery of the magical book that seems to have the answers to all their questions, a quest that involves saving their school library, tracking down a famous author, creating beautiful graffiti in the school bathroom, and forming a meaningful new friendship.
The Hot Hurry of Mercurial Fleeting is about a girl pulled along by a mother on the run, never stable and always new. Coping with it all has Mercurial frequently in trouble. Her anger issues are monumental and her lies have a habit of catching up with her. But to the surprise of everyone she finds ways to stability and friendships among a wonderful array of characters who need her help.
Here's what Loe has to say about his experience authoring these titles.
What do you want those unfamiliar with you and your work to know first and foremost?
Have faith in yourself and others. I am a believer in Walt Disney’s quote: “If you can dream it you can do it.” Hard work, dedication, and perseverance are keys. And no one does it alone. Have a strong team right there with you. Don’t get stuck on “when?” We all have the same 24 hours in a day—use each minute wisely and it will happen—usually when you are least expecting it.
What do you want those familiar with you and your work to also know?
A HUGE THANK YOU for all the love, support, and encouragement.
Tell us about your path to becoming a writer: When did you decide to pursue that career, what steps did you take to get there, what detours and obstacles did you face, when did you begin to feel like you’d “become” a writer, and the like?
Words and stories, I believe, have always been in my blood. I still remember a handful of poems I committed to memory back in second grade. I can still recall the short story contest I was in during my fifth grade year. However, I remember struggling with reading and writing in high school. My strengths at that time were math and science. But the love of great stories pulled me back, and I graduated from college with a degree in secondary English education. During my first year teaching, I began handwriting my first novel. Over twenty years later and after a few attempts at unsuccessful novels, The Glimpsing Book was published in March of 2015. Steps to get there—practice, practice, and more practice with the help of books on writing, an online course, professional writers’ feedback, and more practice. I feel I became a writer once I sat down to write that first novel, even though it was never published (nor were the other four).
Reviews of The Glimpsing Book have described it with words like “optimism,” “celebration,” and “magical,” and your publisher’s description of The Hot Hurry of Mercurial Fleeting includes: “Loe says that one of his aims in writing the novel was: to show no matter how ugly life can get keep hoping—if you persist things will get better.” Does that speak to larger aims you have in choosing to be a writer and goals behind everything you hope to write?
Writing should inspire. Great stories entertain but they also move the reader, emotionally and intellectually. Of course I want my stories to entertain and engage readers, but I also want my stories to inspire others.
What do you like most about being a writer?
The truly magical process of creating.
What do you like least about being a writer?
Getting stuck on the wrong idea. In your gut, you know the scene you are writing isn’t working, but other ideas are just not within your grasp yet. Key word is yet. This relates to the question above, because you keep writing and thinking and thinking and writing and poof! The right idea appears. But working through the wrong idea is tough.
If you could give advice to your inner young writer, what would it be? Is writing what you imagined it to be when you first decided you wanted to be a writer?
Advice? Trust in the magic of the creative process. Have faith in persistence and perseverance. Is writing what I imagined? Yes! And so much more!
How would you describe your author-publisher-seller-library-reader community? Where does your support come from, how have you grown your community, how essential is your network to your success, and what do you do to nurture and continue its growth?
As of right now—I would describe it as small but growing. Royal Fireworks Press, the publisher of both my novels, has been great to work with and very supportive. I am very fortunate to have support from my family, friends, and many colleagues at work—all brought closer together by social media (Facebook, Twitter, my website). I have the privilege of serving as principal at Shawnee Mission West High School. Go Vikings! Not only has the building staff been supportive of my first novel, the district staff has too. In fact, our SMSD Communications Department produced a locally televised book talk last spring at Comanche Elementary School—right down the street from the JoCo Central Library. It was a great time! The Comanche staff was wonderful and the students were incredible—very insightful! Since then I have spoken with students at Corinth and Crestview elementaries in SMSD. These events have been great opportunities to reach out and grow my reading community. The JoCo library was very generous to purchase several copies of my first novel, and now you are offering this opportunity. I am thankful for all the support.
For our aspiring authors, can you speak to the publishing experience?
Perseverance is the key. I had been writing nearly 20 years before my first middle grade novel was published in March of 2015. I had a few nibbles from agents/publishers prior to that, but nothing else. Make sure your manuscript is ready before you send it. You really have to be honest with yourself and ask, “Is this the best, most polished work I can send?” Even if your heart and mind and every inch of your body screams, “Yes, it’s my best!” you still need to be ready for NO THANK YOU. This is a subjective business. Do your homework and make sure you are sending your manuscript to agents/publishers that publish the type of book you’ve written. Be patient and start the next writing project as you send your current manuscript to agents/publishers and await responses.
Similarly, what has been your experience working with editors? Have you had disagreements (and how have you resolved them)?
Since I am really a relatively new published writer, I’ve only worked with one publishing company and a couple editors. For the most part, I have agreed to the changes they have made in my manuscripts. For The Glimpsing Book, they made few minor changes. For The Hot Hurry of Mercurial Fleeting, once again they made a few minor changes to the story. However, they did change the original title of The Hot Hurry of Mercurial Fleeting, and at first, I didn’t like it and offered them other suggestions. They stuck with their idea, though, and gave me good reasons why they changed the original. I deferred to their expertise.
What role have libraries played in your life (as both reader and a writer)?
Sebastian, one of the main characters in my first novel The Glimpsing Book, says this about the special librarian at his middle school, “Like all great librarians, she gave me way more than a book.” I had great librarians and teachers who made the library a place of exploration and adventure. As both a reader and writer libraries have been and still are a treasure of resources to expand my knowledge and understanding and creativity in a billion ways.
What's your all-time favorite book?
This is too hard! Too many great stories! Too many genres! Favorite children’s book: Where the Wild Things Are. Favorite middle grade novel: Holes. Favorite young adult novel: The Book Thief. Favorite adult novel: The Life of Pi. But there are so many others in a close second!
What's your least favorite word?
"Can’t"
If you joined the circus, what act would you most want to perform?
The clown act. I love when people laugh.
If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?
Happy Days. This show brings back some very fond family memories during my childhood. Happy Days has sneaked its way into my next novel.