FEATURED AUTHOR: Stephanie Mara Dawson

Stephanie Mara Dawson has had a passion for reading since childhood. She celebrates the power and joy of reading in a spectacular way for all readers. Having taught second grade in the Houston area for several years, Ms. Dawson expertly creates a reflective view of life as a child. The strength of her work is fueled by the desire to write stories that encourage readers to share her belief that despite life’s obstacles, happiness will ultimately prevail. Another major goal of her work is to inspire a love for reading and to promote literacy. Stephanie Mara Dawson fulfills this goal through writing, storytelling, and public speaking.

In The Best Recess Ever, author Stephanie Mara Dawson has captured a young child’s desire to achieve a balance between individuality and acceptance. The main character, Stephanie, has been so preoccupied with reading that she hasn’t had time for any recess games. Unfortunately, Stephanie’s love for reading does not replace her strong desire to have friends. Join Stephanie in this colorful, page-turning journey as she discovers how to combine the joys of reading, recess activities, and friendship.


Victory, chronicles the struggles faced by the title character as she transitions from middle school obscurity to high school freshman. Victory Young is faced with balancing friendships, family, academics and athletics as she enters high school. Readers will also discover how Prince, Victory’s older brother, handles his little sister’s “crush” on his best friend, Eric. Join them as their intriguing escapades cleverly unfold in this award-winning caliber novel. Victory is a great story for pre-teen and teenage girls and boys.

What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

In both of my works, I most want readers to appreciate their traits and attributes. I aspire for readers to observe how my characters overcome adversity and to discover a way in which they can do the same in their lives.

What did you learn while writing this book?

I learned that the kid in me is still alive.

What inspired this book?

My love for young people aspired me to write my books. Young people have so many pressures and obstacles to face. I wanted my works to provide a feeling of warmth, encouragement and hope.

What is the hardest part about the writing business?

The hardest part about the writing business is finding the time to write. Writing involves a full time commitment.

What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

I wish that non-writers would understand that writing is a craft that we writers constantly nurture and develop. People often tell me about their “great idea” not realizing that it takes time and talent to develop an idea into a great piece of literature.

What marketing have you found that particularly works well for you?

The marketing strategy that works for me is book singing appearances. I meet so many people that introduce me to many other people in the book business. You have to be visible in order to promote your work.

What are three things you wish you'd known before you reached where you are now?

I wish I would have known that just because someone has a steep price tag for their marketing package does not make them an expert, that you can have a great product but sometimes people are more interested in bling-bling than buying a book, and that we still have a long way to go to promote literacy.

Do you have any advice for the aspiring writer?

My advice to aspiring writers is to know why you want to write. Is it for the love of money or for the love of the craft? The latter will ensure you the former; however, if money is your motivator you will be in constant pursuit of it rather than the craft of writing or anything else. As an aspiring author, if you wish to get advice from other authors, the best way is to show interest in them as well as their work. Most aspiring authors bombard established authors with questions and wanting to consume their time without even showing a remote interest in the author’s work. The author community is a share and share alike community.

How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

The best way to contact me is by email: stephiemara@aol.com, book orders, (832) 721-7655, and general info http://www.stephaniedawson.com/.