Welcome to STEM Tuesday: Author Interview & Book Giveaway, a repeating feature for the fourth Tuesday of every month. Go Science-Tech-Engineering-Math!
Today we’re interviewing Lisa Amstutz, author of Invasive Species. The book is part of the “engaging and informative” Ecological Disasters series, according to School Library Journal.
Mary Kay Carson: How did you come to write Invasive Species?
Lisa Amstutz: This book was an assignment from an educational publisher as part of their Ecological Disasters series. Because of my background in ecology, this one felt like a great fit, and I was excited to dig in! For those who aren’t familiar with this market, some educational publishers hire writers to produce series for them instead of reviewing projects submitted by authors/agents, as most trade publishers do. These series are designed in-house and are highly targeted to the school curriculum. Authors are given a set of guidelines that includes things like word count, reading level, a general outline, number of sidebars, etc.
MKC: The book is so well researched! Did you discover anything especially surprising?
Lisa: The thing that surprised me most was how many invasive species were imported on purpose. For example, the nutria was brought to the United States between 1899 and 1930 by fur farmers. When the market collapsed, farmers released the animals into the wild. Kudzu, aka ‘the vine that ate the South’, was imported in 1876 as an ornamental plant and even promoted by the Soil Conservation Service to prevent soil erosion from the 1930s to 1950s. Today, both are damaging ecosystems. Hopefully we’ve learned our lesson when it comes to moving species out of their natural habitats.
MKC: Do you have a least-liked invasive species?
Lisa: The brown marmorated stinkbug (at left) is my current nemesis, as it has an annoying habit of moving into my house in the winter!
MKC: For whom is the book written? How does the writing style reflect that?
Lisa Amstutz is the author of ~150 books for children. She has also written for a variety of magazines and newspapers. In 2021, she joined Storm Literary Agency as an associate literary agent. Lisa’s background includes a B.A. in Biology and an M.S. in Environmental Science/Ecology. She specializes in topics related to nature, sustainability, and agriculture. Lisa lives on a small farm with her family. Find her online at www.LisaAmstutz.com
Lisa: Because it is targeted to schools and libraries, this book provides a broad and straightforward overview for kids exploring this topic on their own or for a research project. Photos and sidebars add interest. As always, I tried to use engaging language, concepts kids can relate to, and fun facts to hook the reader and draw them into the topic.
MKC: Do you choose to write about STEM books? Is STEM your background?
Lisa: I have a B.A. in Biology and an M.S. in Environmental Science/Ecology. After working in my field for a few years, I realized I liked writing about science even better, and as a bonus I could work from home. I love exploring new topics and sharing that excitement with kids. I’m also passionate about helping readers connect with the natural world and learn to care for it.
MKC: Could you give us a peek into your process by sharing where you are right now on a current project and how you’re tackling it?
Lisa: I’m at the very beginning stages of a new project at the moment. After choosing a topic from my long and very random list of ideas, I’m currently gathering information and resources online and through my local library. For a longer project like this one, I use Scrivener or OneNote to easily record and categorize information. I always footnote as I go, so it’s easy to go back and double check facts. For me, this part is the most fun—I love learning new things!
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Win a FREE critique by author and agent Lisa Amstutz!
The lucky winner receives one critique (query letter, picture book manuscript, or first 10 pages of a longer manuscript or project). Enter by leaving a comment below. The randomly-chosen winner will be contacted via email.
Good luck!
Your host is Mary Kay Carson, author of Wildlife Ranger Action Guide, The Tornado Scientist, Alexander Graham Bell for Kids, Mission to Pluto, and other nonfiction books for kids. @marykaycarson
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Thanks for the post! It was very fascinating to read. I think my daughter would love this book. And I would love a critique for a STEM book I have written.
Awesome interview! Thanks for sharing and for offering the critique opportunity!
My boys love bug books! Thanks for sharing this fun interview!
Thanks for the great interview. My students love bug books. I especially like the connection between insects and plants these books address. I am interested in a critique of a Picture Book manuscript.
This is great! We hate the stink bug too! This is exactly the sort of book I’d buy for for my kids.
Wow! That’s fascinating (and disturbing) that so many invasive species were brought over purposefully! Thank you for sharing about your process and congratulations on this newest release!
My kids will LOVE this series! Thanks for the post!
Zebra mussels are one the big invasive species of concern here in the West. It’s an uphill battle to try and keep them out of the pristine waters of the great parks. Thanks for a glimpse into your process Lisa!
Yes! It’s fascinating that invasive species from the insect world are used to control invasive species in the plants world! Thank you for sharing your insights for the educational market and a glimpse into your research process! I would love to throw my name in for STEM manuscript! Thank you!
Congratulations on your book! I was reading this blog post for my daughter’s reading. And this critique is a pleasant surprise! I’d love the opportunity, but in case, I only write fiction. Thanks so much for sharing! Rosanna Montanaro
Thanks for your insights into educational publishing!
I feel the same way about stink bugs as they hide in curtains and corners for the colder weather months. Invasive species is a fascinating topic.
The topic of invasive species is an interesting one. I enjoy seeing and hearing an invasive every day–the starlings that are everywhere. I’m glad they were brought over from Europe. I’d love to be chosen for Lisa’s critique!!
The research stage is the best! I wrote a few books for ed publishers and now know way too much about historic race cars–I love it!
I don’t like the stinkbug either! Though fortunately they’re not invading my house–yet! I’d love to be entered to win the critique from Lisa!