We were lucky to catch up with M.J. Evans recently and have shared our conversation below.

M.J. , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I grew up in a family of artists: dancers, painters, woodworkers, quilters. While I am a distant relative of C.S. Lewis, I am the only writer in my immediate family. The best thing my parents did was encourage me and my siblings to pursue our dreams. My mom had me write my dreams on an index card and place it where I could read what I had written every day. The first dream I remember writing was to own a horse. When I was thirteen, I bought my own horse and supported him with the money I earned doing odd jobs. I learned that dreams become goals and goals become reality if I work hard enough. This has transferred to my desire to write. Writing takes a lot of work and self-discipline, not just talent and education.

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

Charlotte Bronte said it best when she wrote: “I’m just going to write because I cannot help it.” The desire to write is something I can not suppress. I put this desire aside while I raised my five children but it was always there, gnawing away at my insides. Because I am a bit of a perfectionist, I waited until my youngest child was in school to undertake my two passions: Horses and Writing. I knew how much time and energy both of those would demand…and I was right! Because I enjoyed teaching in high school and junior high for five years and I loved having teenagers around the house, I chose to focus my writing primarily on that age group. The subject of most of my books is horses or horse-fantasy creatures. Writing about a subject you are passionate about makes writing much more fun. If I’m not on a horse, I’m writing about them.
My first book was actually non-fiction. I moved to Colorado from Oregon and wanted to find out where the riding trails were around Denver. I began researching and “test-riding” the trails I found. Every Friday I packed an extra lunch, put my child on the school bus, loaded my horse in the trailer, and went with friends to explore a new trail. The result was “Riding Colorado” followed by “Riding Colorado II,” “Riding Colorado III,” and “Riding Colorado and Beyond.” I have learned that non-fiction books that fulfill a need are the easiest books to sell!
My true desire was to write fiction. I especially love fantasy and historical fiction. Most of my titles fit in one of those two genres. Regarding historical fiction, it is fun to find a little-known horse story and bring it to life. “PINTO! Based Upon the True Story of the Longest Horseback Ride in History” is one of those books. Set from 1912 to 1915, this book tells the story of a 20,300-mile journey over three years around the entire U.S. After careful research, I decided to tell the story from the point of view of Pinto – the only horse to make it the entire way! My new release, “The Sand Pounder,” is another historical fiction about horses. Very few people have ever heard of the Sand Pounders. During WW2, the U.S. Coast Guard had a mounted beach patrol that rode up and down the beaches to protect our shores from invasion. Since they were only taking men, I decided to write this story about a young woman in Tillamook, Oregon who disguises herself as a man so she can become a Sand Pounder.
I have been fortunate that the critics have loved my books, and they have all received numerous literary awards. However, my happiest moment was the day I received a letter from a mom. She wrote that my books got her daughter to love reading. I can’t think of a greater honor!

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

The first book I wrote was my non-fiction equestrian trail guide titled “Riding Colorado.” I published it myself after spending two years riding trails within two hours of Denver. I knew my audience was horse owners who also own a trailer and lived between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs on this side of the mountains. I also knew where those people went: Tack and Feed Stores, of course! So I ordered some plexiglass counter stands that would hold five of the books and began visiting stores. The first store I went to was the store I frequented for my own horse feed: Parker Feed. I walked in holding my stand with five books and placed it on the counter by the cash register. “Herman,” I said, addressing the owner, “I have written this trail guide book for equestrians and I hope you will carry it.” Herman shook his head and said, “I’ve tried carrying books in the past and they just collect dust.”
“I’ll tell you what,” I said. “If you buy these five books today, I’ll buy them back if they haven’t sold in a month.”
Just then, his son, Tom, walked in with a customer to ring up the purchases they had just loaded in the man’s truck. Tom said to the customer, “Is that all you need?”
The man reached over and took one of my books and said, “And I’ll take one of these.”
Tom looked at me then at his dad and said, “Is that her sale or ours?”
Herman picked up the case and, pulling it to his chest said, “That’s our sale. These are our books.”
Those books sold out in one hour! Needless to say, they ordered many more.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being an author has been both a rewarding journey and one which has forced me to keep learning in a business that is rapidly changing. The most exciting part about being an author is using my imagination to create fun stories. After teaching pre-teens and teens and raising my own children, my goal is to write stories that will help kids love to read. It is wonderful when I get emails from readers who tell me they love my stories. One ten-year-old boy wrote that he was my number one fan! Other kids and teens have found me at book signings and told me how much they love my books. That is what makes all the lonely hours on the computer worth it! Being selected as a winner in literary award competitions also confirms that what I am doing is worthwhile.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.dancinghorsepress.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjevansbooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margi.evans.98/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjevansauthor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=margi+evans
• Other: Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/M.-J.-Evans/e/B004GMS014