A Speech Therapist with a Mission

Interview with Megan Craft

Megan showing her first book, Margo & You.

Every author that Bigfoot Books partners with are special to us and we want you to get to

know them too! Megan is a speech language pathologist and can't stop writing educational books with disability representation! And we are here for it :) Let's get to know Megan!

Kayla: Hi! Thank you so much for doing this interview for Bigfoot Books. We are so happy to be partnering with you. Before we get to all the fun questions, can you give a quick introduction of who you are?

Megan: I am a Speech-Language Pathologist, a wife, a mother and a self-published author. 

Kayla: What inspired the specific topics you wrote about in your book?

Megan: In my profession, I work alongside so many families with children. A topic that came up frequently when discussing things to do at home, such as reading books and/or interacting with books with your kids. Their parents expressed that they were unable to find books with characters that represented their children. I did some research after I heard the same thing over and over. It was true!! The children I was providing therapy to were not represented in children's books. I wanted to try to make a difference for them. My book series Mission: Inclusion was created based on the clients I have worked with as an SLP. 

Kayla: That is so awesome. I love that you heard the concern, labeled the problem, and found a solution. But then you actually wrote a book and didn't stop at just one. What has been the most challenging part about writing your own book? 

Megan: The most challenging part of writing my own book series is making sure the characters and books I publish represent what I want and are perceived in a positive light. Another challenging aspect is the budget. I did not realize the cost of each step that is needed just to go from idea to print. There are a million in one steps in between and multiple changes that have to be made before you can actually hold the finished product in your hand. 

Kayla: As a self-published author myself, I was shocked. I never even realized every book has a specific barcode and isbn number! Haha! What has been the most rewarding part about writing your own book? 

Megan: The most rewarding parts are seeing a child light up and smile when they hold one of my books; when a parent reaches out and says my book is the first book their child has been represented in; when a kid comes to me after an author visit and connects my character to a friend/family member; and watching my personal children being involved in this process with me to spread disability representation and love others for who they are. 

Kayla: So many positives! Isn't that we all want? Just to be seen and valued and belong? I feel like authors get to reflect on these feelings when reading books, as I am sure most of us grew up loving books. What is a book you read at any time in your life that made you pivot?

Megan: I am not sure if this answers the question, but my daughter found a book about a character that resembles her. Every time we read it, the feeling of acceptance and love she sees with an illustration showed me firsthand what it feels like for the clients based on my characters. Everyone deserves to see themselves represented, and that moment demonstrated how powerful it can be to see yourself in literature. You feel included! I want to continue that with my series. 

Kayla: So true! If you could give your younger self one page from your book, which page would it be and why?

Megan: In all of my books, they have the same last page. It is about loving and accepting others for their differences. I would give myself that page to continue to remind myself and others that including everyone is a gift you can continue to give someone. 

Kayla: You need to frame the last page of each of your books now. What a motivational wall that would create! What stereotype about disability did you most want to break in your book?

Megan: I wanted the purpose of my series to show everyone that we all do the same thing throughout the day but possibly differently. In the end, we are all trying to accomplish the same goal. I want my books to show that we all have value and purpose. We all want to be accepted and loved for who we are. We learn so much from others! Start sharing disability representation at a young age to aid in developing inclusion as your children develop!!

Kayla: Preach it!! This might be a tricky question, but what's your favorite review?

Megan: When I started this, I was super scared of not receiving any reviews. All of my

reviews are my favorites. They help me continue my journey and the purpose of why I am publishing disability representation. 

Kayla: Ok, that makes sense. I take screenshots of every review or message I get for my books. It fills my heart! Next question, what is something you have wanted to be candid about since writing your books? 

Megan: If you have a dream, please pursue it! You never know who it will inspire! I am thankful I started this series for the families that have reached out, thanking me for creating a character their child can see themselves in. That means the world!!! 

Kayla: What's next? :)!!

Megan: To continue spreading disability representation! With that, participating in more author visits and creating items possibly within other areas to increase disability representation. 

Thank you Megan for being so amazing and the guinea pig for our first author interview!! If you want to check out Megan and her book series, check it out here.

Learning Starts Now