Two years after releasing her first children’s picture book, Charlotte’s Lost Water Bottle, Chattanooga author Ann Cater came to Argyle Fox Publishing with a new book project. We were thrilled and captivated with the new story. Cater’s latest release, The Mysterious Light in the Fairy Forest, takes place far away from Cater’s home of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
What drove her to create a world-spanning new book, and does she have another story up her sleeve? Read below to find out.
The Mysterious Light in the Fairy Forest features the characters from your first book, Charlotte’s Lost Water Bottle, in a very different setting. Tell us what The Mysterious Light in the Fairy Forest is about and the reason you decided to write it.
These stories are a legacy gift to my grandchildren, Charlotte and James. Being a naturally curious person, I find inspiration from observations of my surroundings and people’s response to their environment. I am especially drawn to the innate, creative nature of children and their sense of wonder.
Both of my books were inspired by my experiences of being with Charlotte and James, both at the Chattanooga Zoo and on a trip to Ireland, where we had a picnic around stones at an entrance to a forest.
The new story has a wonderful lesson. How did that come about?
In my writing process, I already have the story framed in my mind before I begin, and I am cognizant of exploring with the reader the how and why of the story. I write the ending first, so I have a succinct, clear understanding of what I want to say and what I want the reader to be left with, allowing them to explore their own creative path. Therefore, the story structure of setting, characters, and plot flows naturally to the ending.
A unifying theme in both stories is that all great myths, legends, and fairy tales have the power to guide you to the full realization of yourself, if you understand their secrets. One of my favorite authors is Edgar Allen Poe. His theory of literary creation is noted for two central points. First, a work must create a unity of effect on the reader to be considered successful, and secondly, the production of this single effect should be revelatory of some truth.
In my latest book, Mysterious Light in the Fairy Forest, the underlying lesson is to understand that in an uncertain world filled with mysteries and unknowns, one can find a path to acceptance and serenity through embracing Hope. In Charlotte’s Lost Water Bottle published in July 2022, the anthropomorphized animals at the zoo teach about loss and grief, with the final truth delivered by Mr. Wise, the owl.
What did you learn publishing The Mysterious Light in the Fairy Forest that made this publishing process different?
Both of my books have Spanish translations. Publishing Mysterious Light was more difficult because of my decision to write a nursery rhyme that I set to music on the final page with a QR code that links to the recorded score on my website, anncater.com. Translating into Spanish changes the rhythm of some of the notes, so I had to find a Spanish translator who could read and write music. Getting the schedules of the musicians worked out to record the song and get my website updated made the process more time-consuming and complex.
What goals do you have for The Mysterious Light in the Fairy Forest, and how do these goals compare to the goals you had for your first book?
My primary goal is to enjoy the challenge and fun of connecting with people and to create book that have lasting value. I value the artistic process of working with creative people who have a passion for their work. Cover to cover, a good children’s book melds words and art. My talented illustrator, Joy Taylor, has done an excellent job of doing this!
Presenting life lessons through a captivating plot, intriguing setting, and relatable characters is a great way for children to learn—adults, too! C.S. Lewis says, “Our innocence of childhood is added on by the experience of adulthood. . . . A tree grows because it has rings.”
The book publishing business is tough and competitive. The reality of selling a lot of books is ambitious. Through IngramSpark’s distribution channels, my first book sold 25 copies globally in France, Poland, and the UK. Although these sales are delightful and unexpected, I have no control over them. My best success has come from my local networking efforts, reaching decision-makers in the school system who have bought 200 copies for kids in the Chattanooga’s Head Start Program. Prior to the release date of Mysterious Light in the Fairy Forest on December 10, 2024, eight sold in the UK and seven in the U.S.
How are you marketing this book? Are your marketing efforts different this time around?
With my first book, I followed many of the recommended ways to get sales. I created a “street team” of family, friends, and business associates, many of whom purchased it before it was released. Therefore, it was a top-seller on Amazon the first weeks after its release. Their reviews gave it added interest with a 5.0 rating with seventeen reviews.I have used this statistic to help build brand awareness, although it did not retain a top100-seller ranking on Amazon.
Since my best sales came from local connections, my main focus with Mysterious Light is to build off relationships I have in the community and to combine both books and build a brand name, “The Adventures of Charlotte and James, stories of curiosity and discovery.” This double punch gives my presentations more credibility by building off a successful track record and by having testimonials from credible people in the literary community.
What feedback have you received so far on your new book?
Creating a brand name has resulted in preorders of 200 books in both English and Spanish from a local foundation for distribution to nonprofits who work with the underserved. This foundation is well aware of my activities over the years and said: “You are such an inspiration with your love of the arts and Chattanooga community.” Once you have buy-in from a funder, attracting more sponsors becomes easier.
With two books under your belt, you probably have a third in mind. Do you plan to write a third book? If so, can you give us a sneak preview?
Producing a third book will depend upon what experiences I have with Charlotte and James, as I take my ideas by listening and observing them in their surroundings. They live in the low country of South Carolina in a nature environment filled with seagulls, pelicans, ducks, alligators, and about nineteen different species of sea turtles. The loggerhead turtle is under conservation efforts with protected nesting beaches not too far from where they live. I can imagine a story emerging from this rich environment. Who knows?!
Is there anything else about you, your writing, or your second publishing journey you would like to share?
The joy of connecting with like-minded artists who meet you where you are and exceed your expectations is exhilarating!
After I composed my musical score for piano and voice, I asked the choir director if he would record it on the organ with a vocal accompaniment. He really like the Irish tune and offered to arrange and record it for harp and violin, recruiting musicians from the choir. The resulting rendition that the readers can hear by using a QR code gives an immersive experience through sight and sound.
Thanks again, and I can’t wait for readers to find out what happens with James and Charlotte in Ireland!