FIONA MCDONALD

Fiona McDonald is a lecturer in Education at the University of New England, an artist, and a published author with a strong interest in storytelling across forms and genres. She is also co-founder and co-director of Christmas Press, an acclaimed Australian publishing house specialising in illustrated children's books, and its imprint Eagle Books, which focuses on adventure stories for older readers.

Fiona brings her background in art, writing and education to all her work, with a passion for history, folklore, and imaginative fiction that speaks to young minds and curious hearts.

Fiona is particularly interested in hearing pitches for the Eagle Press imprint for older children and young adults.

What is Fiona looking for?

What is the minimum word-count your agency or publishing house accepts? 
This will be for our imprint Eagle Books which publishes Adventure stories for older children and young adults. We would accept a 30,000- word minimum.

Which historical sub-genres or genres are you not looking for?
We are looking for any historical genres suitable for the age group that involves adventure. It can have elements of other genres, but the focus must be adventure.

Is there a historical sub-genre you're particularly keen to see?
Open to all subgenres but the focus must be adventure.

Which historical sub-genre is your personal favourite?
Adventure! Sophie Masson and I started the Eagle Book imprint, and named it that, because of our mutual love for Rosemary Sutcliffe's Eagle of the Ninth.

What is your major turn-off in a book?
Poor writing and no research.

What is likely to really impress you besides an engaging voice and well-written book?
Something that is following the latest trend. Something that turns around and runs in the opposite direction.

Any advice to your potential pitchers?
Please be prepared and also make sure you are pitching the right book to the right publisher. Eagle Books want adventure stories in a historical setting (or could be time-slip) that are suitable for older children and young adults.

Get to know Fiona...

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

Dante Alighieri, no question. I fell in love with his work at university and I want to ask him lots of questions about the writing of poetry as a theme in his work and whether the 'feltro e feltro' puzzle referred to paper. Then I'd ask him if I could paint his portrait.

Book a pitch with Fiona



 


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