Authors Answer: Mary Morton Cowan
Authors Answer Q&A #511
Author interviews almost always focus on questions regarding an author’s latest publication (and that’s great because it’s how readers discover new books!) but sometimes it’s fun to ask authors to talk about their lives beyond the book they’ve just written. Authors Answer (started as a blog in 2020, moved onto Substack in 2025), is an attempt to give authors space to wax eloquent about the other influences on their writing. The questions posed here move beyond the formulaic classics like, “What books are on your nightstand?” or “What book inspired you to be a writer?” and even “You’re having a dinner party….which three authors (dead or alive) do you invite?” There are 20 standing questions. Authors pick FIVE that they want to answer.
Are you an author? Visit the Questions page to learn more about participating.
Today’s post features Mary Morton Cowan.
Mary Morton Cowan has been writing for young readers for more than 30 years. Her published work includes two award-winning biographies, an award-winning logging history book, two historical novels, two plays, and more than 100 magazine articles, stories and activities, several of which have been reprinted in textbooks and anthologies. Cowan has long been involved in child development and education. She has taught piano and organ lessons, worked with children and teens in youth organizations, and written curriculum for youth leaders. She presents programs for schools and community groups. Cowan graduated from Westbrook (ME) High School and Bates College. She lives in Cumberland, Maine. Timberrr…A History of Logging in New England (updated edition), is to be published in November 2025.
Facebook: @mary.mortoncowan
Favorite non-reading activity?
My favorite non-reading activity is playing the piano. Sometimes it is to relieve tension, other times simply for fun. I like the challenge of learning new music, or trying to memorize a piece. I have even written some piano music, but never tried to publish any of it.
Not all books are for all readers… when you start a book and you just don’t like it, how long do you read until you bail?
Advice from the best editor I ever had was to hook readers on page 1. Arouse their curiosity immediately, make them want to know what happens next. I try to do that in my writing, but when reading, I will give a book a try until I am positive it is really not for me. I like to give the author credit. After all, every author had a reason for writing his/her book.
Vacation druthers… City or Rural destination? Why?
Sitting on a city park bench is great for people-watching to get ideas for characters in a story or book, but vacation? I’ll always pick rural. I love nature—camping, hiking, skiing, and more. Some of my favorite vacations have been camping in national or state parks. There is peace in the out of doors. I enjoy the beauty of nature. The sound of birds singing, A quiet, restful time for recreation and re-creation. My dad shared his love of nature with me when I was very young. A lot of my writing has been about nature: 2 books about the woods, another being released in November 2025, and more than a dozen of my articles are about nature.
Is there another profession you would like to try?
I have always been fascinated by architecture. As a child, I spent hundreds of hours drawing house plans, laying out those plans on a table with my blocks and arranging my doll house furniture in my new setting. I was the first female in my high school to take a drafting class. I loved it, but shifted my focus when I got to college. I wouldn’t want to change careers, but I’m still intrigued by architecture, and I designed 2 homes for my family.
Do you have another artistic outlet in addition to your writing? Do you sew? Paint? Draw? Knit? Dance?
I sew and knit and do needlepoint, often making up my own unique patterns. I am currently knitting scarves for a local organization that serves unhoused people. I don’t paint pictures, but I take a lot of scenic photographs, many when I’m vacationing in rural settings!