We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Edie Pagliasotti. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Edie below.

Edie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is to write middle grade books for kids ages 9-12 to help them navigate the often-difficult circumstances that surround them. I believe the “coming of age” story is one of the most important an author of children’s literature can write. My passion is Ancient Egypt – it’s pharaohs, gods, myths, life-style/customs, history, artifacts, etc. I’m not an archaeologist or an Egyptologist, but I would have loved to have chosen one of those careers. My stories are filled with “real stuff” about Ancient Egypt so that kids can walk away with some knowledge of this extraordinary culture. My career has always been as an Executive Assistant to upper management. I have always been writing but never knew that writing stories was what I really wanted to do. In London, I helped my flatmate write ad copy for J. Walter Thompson, in New York at Clairol, Inc. I wrote magazine articles about our products, in California at MGM, I was offered to write stories about a character (8 year old girl) created by an executive. He had the character, but did not want to write the stories. I studied Judy Blume but didn’t have the nerve (or experience) to take it on. At Paramount Studios, I became a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I became a Co-Regional Advisor for the Los Angeles Region. After 10 years, I became a Regional Advisor Emeritus. I retired in 2013. In 2024, I wrote my first Middle Grade Novel, <i>Miles Ellis and the Forbidden Scrolls</i>. It was released on 9/3/24 on Amazon to a five-star review and best debut novel.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My writing life began when I became a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators in 1999. This was a volunteer position that led me and my Co-Regional Advisor Claudia Harrington to plan and present writing and illustrating programs and workshops to help SCBWI members grow in their craft. It was like taking a master class. I had the privilege of meeting so many authors, illustrators, agents and editors during our tenure of 10 years. They were all very generous with their knowledge and experience. No other education could have provided a better instruction. In my first book, I thanked Co-Founders Lin Oliver and Stephen Mooser who set me on this path. Writing is time-consuming and hard. It takes daily discipline whether you’re marketing your first book or writing the next book. With the executive assistant jobs I’ve held, I knew I would never have the time to write quality fiction until I retired. I am most proud of my first book, <i>Miles Ellis and the Forbidden Scrolls</i>. I am now building a brand based on this trilogy. I want kids to love Ancient Egypt mythology as much as they love Greek mythology. I want them to understand the world of archeology and Egyptology. I love adventure/mystery stories and in my book(s) an adult always gets bumped off. It’s up to Miles and Lily, with the help — or not — of an Egyptian god to find out who that murderous culprit is. On the way, Miles learns much about himself.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal/mission in writing Middle Grade novels is to help children navigate the changes that surround them during this pivotal time. Children’s emotions are often misunderstood or ignored. They have deep feelings. They face difficulties and fear. Growing up can be a mine field. Family and school (friends) are the most important elements to this age group. Eight-to-thirteen-year-olds are still very connected to parents and siblings. Middle school is a defining point for them in discovering who they are. I want to show in my books how courage, fear, sacrifice, death, knowledge, mistakes, can develop a stronger personality. Lessons learned, yes, but through an action/adventure/mystery story seen through the eyes of the young archaeologist, Miles Ellis.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My childhood was not always easy. I grew up in a small town where young women were expected to get married and have babies. I wanted to see the world. And I did. I took myself off to London. At Brook Street Bureau, I worked as a temp around London, until Head Office hired me as an Executive Assistant for the Managing Director. I lived there for five years. I matured in London. I never thought of myself as a writer. However, my flatmate in London, who worked for J. Walter Thompson Advertising, didn’t like writing ad copy, so I wrote it for her. My goal was always to live in New York City. When I moved there, it was all about career. I worked for Clairol, Inc. At Clairol, in the Salon Division, I wrote ads for our products. After five years I returned home to California. At MGM Studios, an executive approached me to write a children’s series about a plucky eight-year-old girl. He had developed the character, but didn’t want to write the stories. I studied <i>The Boxcar Children</i>, but I didn’t have the courage to take the series on. At Paramount Studios, I worked for the President of Motion Picture Distribution. He hated writing anything! Speeches, business letters, memo’s etc. So, I wrote them. It was during this time that I became a member of SCBWI. A year later, I was a co-regional advisor for the Los Angeles Region. I wrote for our newsletter and wrote all the promotional copy for our events and retreats. When I retired as an Executive Assistant, I was prepared and ready to write my own stories.

Contact Info:

• Website: ediepagliasottibooks.com
• Instagram: Edie.Pagliasotti.Books
• Facebook: Edie.Pagliasotti.Books
• Other: Goodreads. Edie Pagliasotti, Author

Image Credits
Brie Hopkins, Photographer, J.R. Caines, Book Cover Designer.