UA-135136427-1 NEWS | The Rights Factory
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Illustrator, writer and tree warrior Charles Bongers' DO TREES HAVE MOMMIES? has sold to D&M Kids. In this whimsical picture book, Bongers translates scientific knowledge about the kinship structures of the forest for children ages 3 to 6 years.


“My first picture book in time for Earth Day! I loved Charles’ approach here, and the idea of encouraging kids to embrace and love nature,” said Sam Hiyate, TRF agent and CEO.


Screenwriter and TV producer Emily Weedon’s debut novel AUTOKRATOR has sold to Cormorant Books for publication in 2023.


Set in a world where gender stereotypes have run amok; in AUTOKRATOR women are a sub-class without rights or economic strength which society relies upon to function.


"It’s a compelling novel of ideas,” says The Rights Factory agent and CEO Sam Hiyate. “I was entranced by how Emily depicts the cost gender can pose to freedom through the desperate struggles of the two female protagonists."

Updated: Apr 17, 2021


Dana L. Church is having a banner year. Her first book, the non-fiction middle grade THE BEEKEEPERS, was published last month by Scholastic Focus and another book, THINKING ANIMALS, recently sold to Orca Books. In celebration, we decided to have her answer the famous Proust Questionnaire.


What is your greatest fear?

Have you seen the movie Open Water where a couple is stranded at sea surrounded by sharks? Biggest fear of my life.


Which living person do you most admire?

It’s a tie between David Suzuki and Jane Goodall.


What is your greatest extravagance?

Books. I buy lots of books. And expensive loose-leaf tea.


On what occasion do you lie?

When my kids ask me a question and I want to protect their innocence.


What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My hair. It’s curly and frizzy and has a mind of its own and I’ve always been jealous of thick, straight hair. But if you ask my kids, I have the ugliest feet in the world.


Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Apparently, I use exclamation marks a lot. But I can’t help it! I get excited when I write!


Which talent would you most like to have?

This will sound utterly ridiculous coming from a writer, but I never learned how to type properly. It’s embarrassing. Oh well. Maybe I’ll learn someday.


If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would like to be a better friend to myself. It’s a work in progress.


What do you consider your greatest achievement?

To have written a book that is now out in the world.


Who are your favourite writers?

Gosh, I have so many. Robert Munsch (The Paper Bag Princess is one of my top favourite books), Alan Bradley, Barbara Kingsolver, Margaret Atwood, Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman, Kate DiCamillo, Malcolm Gladwell, A. A. Milne...just to name a few.


Who is your favourite hero of fiction?

I absolutely adore Flavia de Luce from Alan Bradley’s Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. I love her voice, her passion for chemistry, her sharp wit, her cleverness, her bravery and determination, and how much she is disgusted with her older sisters.



Follow Dana on Twitter and Instagram or visit her website danachurchwriter.com


Order your copy of THE BEEKEEPERS

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