I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree . . . ~ Joyce Kilmer
 Jacquie Sewell, author and librarian
A Little Bit About Me:
I'm so glad you stopped by my website today! I've been a reader for as long as I can remember, and an author even before I could write. My mother graciously took "dictation" as I made up poems and stories at the breakfast table. I was fortunate to be able to combine my love of books and children into a career as a children's librarian. What could be better than sharing our amazing world with kids through the magic and power of story? My latest book, Whale Fall Café, was published by Tilbury House Publishers in April 2021. Whale Fall Café describes the unique ecosystem that develops on a whale's carcass on the ocean floor and introduces readers to some of the engrossing creatures, like hagfish and zombie worms, found at a whale fall. My book Mighty Mac, The Bridge That Michigan Built was published in January of 2018 marking the culmination of a long journey. I was inspired to write Mighty Mac when a student asked me for a book about the Mackinac Bridge and there were none available for children. It was a joy to be able to meet some of the people involved in building our miracle bridge and to learn more about the feats of engineering that made the miracle possible. My second book, Whale Fall Café, was published by Tilbury House Publishers in April 2021. Whale Fall Café describes the unique ecosystem that develops on a whale's carcass on the ocean floor and introduces readers to some of the engrossing creatures, like hagfish and zombie worms, found at a whale fall. As a child and teenager I wrote mostly fiction but later my curiosity, and love of history and science led me to the genre of nonfiction. For many years I was a freelance writer - for Lansing City Limits Magazine, several hospital publications, Cobblestone Magazine and others. Those articles helped hone my research and writing skills and proved to me that truth really is more interesting than fiction. The world is filled with fascinating people and amazing creatures. Sharing them with others, whether through reading another author's work, or through my own writing, gives me great joy. I hope you'll join me as we explore worlds of wonder through the magic of words! |
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Presentations
Information about my presentations on the Mackinac Bridge and Whale Falls can by found under the Contact Information tab. Recent Interviews
Shay Fan interviewed me for her blog From First Draft to Final Book. Read about the journey of Whale Fall Café here. |
Picture books are the best! Read more about how to celebrate them in November and all year long by clicking on the Owl.
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Article in the Holland Sentinel:
Local Author: Jacquie Sewell shares the story of the Mighty Mac
Jacquie Sewell is pictured with her book “Mighty Mac: The Bridge that Michigan Built.” [CONTRIBUTED]
By Lori. Timmer @hollandsentinel.com,(616) 546-4262
April 28, 2018. Holland Sentinel
Holland resident Jacquie Sewell has launched her debut picture book geared “for kids of ALL ages” about the Mackinac Bridge. “Mighty Mac the Bridge That Michigan Built” was published by Peninsulam Publishing this past January. “Using cumulative verse and prose, the construction of our ‘miracle’ bridge is described in terms every fan of the bridge can understand,” said Sewell.
Herman Ellis’s historic photos serve as the illustrations.
About her book:
Author’s name: Jacquie Sewell
City of residence: Holland, MI
Book genre: Children’s books
Name of book: “Mighty Mac, The Bridge That Michigan Built”
How long have you been writing? “I’ve been creating stories even before I could write. I took some writing courses in college, but mostly I’ve learned by reading lots of books and writing. I worked for several years as a freelance writer for the Lansing City Limits Magazine and the Ingham Medical Center. That experience helped me hone my writing skills and allowed me to meet a variety of interesting people in the Lansing area. I am also a librarian, which allows me to immerse myself in children’s literature and dig into research.”
What is most gratifying about writing? “I love sharing information with people. My book, ‘Mighty Mac, The Bridge That Michigan Built,’ was inspired by one of my fourth-grade library students requesting information about how the bridge was built. My passion as a children’s author is to get kids excited about the amazing world around them and the joy of reading.
What author do you most admire? “I have so many favorite authors. The author I’ve loved and read and re-read the longest would be Margaret Sutton, author of the Judy Bolton mystery series.”
Where can your book be purchased? “My debut picture book, ‘Mighty Mac, The Bridge That Michigan Built,’ can be purchased at Reader’s World or online through Amazon.”
Are you a member of any author-related organizations? Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and 12x12 (an online writer’s community)
If readers want more information about you or your work, where can you be contacted? I have a website at jacquiesewell.com. I can be reached by email at jacquiesewell44@gmail.com.
Local Author: Jacquie Sewell shares the story of the Mighty Mac
Jacquie Sewell is pictured with her book “Mighty Mac: The Bridge that Michigan Built.” [CONTRIBUTED]
By Lori. Timmer @hollandsentinel.com,(616) 546-4262
April 28, 2018. Holland Sentinel
Holland resident Jacquie Sewell has launched her debut picture book geared “for kids of ALL ages” about the Mackinac Bridge. “Mighty Mac the Bridge That Michigan Built” was published by Peninsulam Publishing this past January. “Using cumulative verse and prose, the construction of our ‘miracle’ bridge is described in terms every fan of the bridge can understand,” said Sewell.
Herman Ellis’s historic photos serve as the illustrations.
About her book:
Author’s name: Jacquie Sewell
City of residence: Holland, MI
Book genre: Children’s books
Name of book: “Mighty Mac, The Bridge That Michigan Built”
How long have you been writing? “I’ve been creating stories even before I could write. I took some writing courses in college, but mostly I’ve learned by reading lots of books and writing. I worked for several years as a freelance writer for the Lansing City Limits Magazine and the Ingham Medical Center. That experience helped me hone my writing skills and allowed me to meet a variety of interesting people in the Lansing area. I am also a librarian, which allows me to immerse myself in children’s literature and dig into research.”
What is most gratifying about writing? “I love sharing information with people. My book, ‘Mighty Mac, The Bridge That Michigan Built,’ was inspired by one of my fourth-grade library students requesting information about how the bridge was built. My passion as a children’s author is to get kids excited about the amazing world around them and the joy of reading.
What author do you most admire? “I have so many favorite authors. The author I’ve loved and read and re-read the longest would be Margaret Sutton, author of the Judy Bolton mystery series.”
Where can your book be purchased? “My debut picture book, ‘Mighty Mac, The Bridge That Michigan Built,’ can be purchased at Reader’s World or online through Amazon.”
Are you a member of any author-related organizations? Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and 12x12 (an online writer’s community)
If readers want more information about you or your work, where can you be contacted? I have a website at jacquiesewell.com. I can be reached by email at jacquiesewell44@gmail.com.
Julie Lacombe interviewed me for her blog on January 10, 2018. You can read it by clicking here.