This December we get to meet a children’s book author, Nancy McNeil. Nancy wrote the picture book Becki’s Farming Adventures: Becki and the Trailer Kids (Spring). It won a silver medal in the 2025 Global Book Awards competition for children’s farm life.
Joanna: Nancy, when did you get serious about writing?
Nancy: In high school. I took my writing seriously and entered short stories and artwork contests in each year’s Yearbook competition. As a result, my work was published. At graduation, I received a ‘Silver K (from Killarney High School) for academics and literature.
Joanna: I wrote and entered contests in high school, too. But I felt insecure about my writing. I wish I had found a writing community to join. Being a part of SCBWI, 12X12, Children’s Book Mastery, and Girls Write Now has really built up my confidence.
Why did you want to write Becki and the Trailer Kids?
Nancy: At first, I wanted to leave a legacy for my four grandkids. Now, it’s more than that. I want to share farming adventure stories with kids who may never leave the city. Or, have no clue about what a farm is, its function, etc. Lots of kids will grow up in townhouses, or tiny spaces, never experiencing nature. My logo’s tagline is, “Opening Doors to New Adventures.” As an author, a creative, I plan to open many doors to new adventures!
Joanna: Wow! I’m glad you found a focus for all your stories. I want to write stories for all my immigrant students who are in fourth or fifth grade, but struggle with reading at grade level. I also want them to see themselves in the books they read.
What did you do before writing children’s books?
Nancy: I’ve had many work experiences, from lifeguarding and teaching Red Cross swim lessons, to working at the YWCA as an Assistant Fitness Director, to exploring self-employment in the fitness industry, to working at Simon Fraser University as a manager of faculty research grants.
Joanna: That’s a lot of different jobs. They would all make interesting stories. All my jobs have been related to teaching. I thought that I’d be able to write during summer vacation, but I always ended up teaching, having a second job, or attending professional development to prepare for the next school year.
Which job was your favorite?
Nancy: Being a creative is my favorite. However, I don’t see it as a job. It’s just who I am.
Joanna: I used to feel the same way about writing. If I wasn’t published, then I wasn’t a writer. Which was why I never joined SCBWI. I didn’t join SCBWI until I became published. Now, I try to tell everyone I meet that I’m a children’s book author. If I don’t see myself as a writer first, then nobody else will see me as a writer.
Which was your least favorite job?
Nancy: I don’t think I have a least favorite. Certainly, there were moments in work experiences that were least favorable. However, all my previous work experiences were character-building! They’ve made me who I am today!
Joanna: Yes, I believe all horrible experiences are character-building and make great story ideas. It never feels that way at the time, but it’s nice to know that some time later you will have an interesting story to tell.
What was your favorite book as a kid?
Nancy: My two all time favorite books are ‘Charlotte’s Web’ by E.B. White, and the ‘Anne of Green Gables (series),’ by Maud Montgomery, a Canadian author from Prince Edward Island. Thus, I love books about adventure, animals, and people.
Joanna: My favorites are Hardy Boys and I love reading mysteries. But I also love adventure, animals, and fantasy.
Do you have a favorite picture book or children’s author now?
Nancy: My favorite children’s picture book author is Ryan T. Higgins and his ‘Mother Bruce’ series. These books are hilarious! Higgins is both a brilliant writer and illustrator.
Joanna: I love reading Mac Barnett. He is the author of The Brixton Brothers series which was inspired by the Hardy Boys. Now I am hooked on the City Spies series by James Ponti.
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
Nancy: I’m currently writing farming adventure stories. Thus, inspiration comes from my past farming experiences.
Joanna: Sounds like you have a lot of farming stories to tell.
When did you live or work on a farm?
Nancy: Jim and I began our small farm in 2013. First, we developed a dwarf Japanese Lace-leaf Maple Tree Nursery with 45 trees. Next year we added 10 goat kids, an Alpaca, and a Llama. Thus, our farm has two components, horticulture and agriculture.
Joanna: Makes me want to visit your farm to see all your animals.
What was your favorite memory from the farm?
Nancy: I loved my dairy goats! The best things about goats are their friendly nature and their constant curiosity, like, ‘I wonder if I can get under that fence.’ To a goat, the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the fence. And, a goat will go to great lengths to challenge/test a fence. My goat, Blackie, actually climbed a 5’ tall, squared-wire fence to get to the other side! I saw him do it and couldn’t believe my eyes!
Joanna: I bet you could write a bunch of stories just about your dairy goats.
What tip do you have for aspiring children’s book writers?
Nancy: Keep going! Keep writing! Keep following your passion! Enjoy your genre! Or, try writing in a different genre!
It took me a long time to take a 2,500 word draft and condense it to 500 words. Most children’s picture books are 500 words or less! It’s an art form that takes practice, perseverance, and courage.
Joanna: I love your tip of writing in different genres. I have gotten feedback that some of my picture books might work better as chapter books. I am in the process of turning one of my picture book drafts into a chapter book. It is so much easier not having to worry about keeping my word count closer to 500 words.
Where can readers go to follow your author journey or buy your books?
Nancy: Please visit my website at: https://nancymcneilauthor.com My website provides direct links to my book, through both Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.
Joanna: I’ll be sure to check it out.
What other stories are you currently working on?
Nancy: The Becki Farming Adventures series has 4 books. Book 1, “Trailer Kids” is published; book 2: “Becki and the Blue Ribbon (Summer) is currently with the illustrator; book 3: “Becki and the Flyers of Meyer’s Marsh (Fall)” will soon go to the editor, as will book 4:”Becki and the Christmas Hummingbirds (Winter).”
Joanna: Good luck with your new books.