Meet Troupe 21’s James McGowan
Meet Troupe member James McGowan! James has been surrounded by books for as long as he can remember, including regular deliveries of story sequels through his Scholastic flier. Taking in all of those tales eventually led him from reading to writing his picture book debut, GOOD NIGHT, OPPY (Boyds Mills & Kane), illustrated by Graham Carter, which publishes in Fall 2021.
James’s love of books led him to a career at BookEnds Literary Agency, where he is currently Associate Agent and Social Media Manager, building his own list of talented clients. Only recently did James realize he could be a reader AND a writer. Want to learn more about James and his journey to publication? Check out the Q&A below!
Get to know James!
What is your earliest picture book memory?
I have so many picture book memories, but perhaps my earliest is I specifically remember going to a big fancy party in a catering hall (don’t ask me what party, because the memory is old enough that I don’t remember), and bringing with me an old tattered copy of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. I remember I was sick, and my parents brought the book, probably so I’d sit in the corner and keep to myself, and so many people came over to ask what I was reading.
For years, I forgot what the book was, but this memory stuck out to me. It wasn’t until I got back into picture books through my job at BookEnds, did I pick up this book from the library and realize this was it! Now I just need to remember what party we were at.
Name three picture books that you adore.
This is tough, but I will do it.
The Little Shop of Monsters by RL Stine and Marc Brown
Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal
Grumpy Monkey by Max and Suzanne Lang
There are so many other books I really wanted to mention, but I will blame my fellow group members for limiting me to 3.
What are your favorite writing snacks?
Anyone who follows me on literally any platform knows the answer… it’s goldfish or cheez-its. Or another baked cheddar snack, not including Cheese Nips because those are an affront to cheddar snacks everywhere.
What’s been the best part of your debut experience so far?
It’s not cheesy to say working with PB Debut Troupe 21, right? It’s been really cool to connect with so many picture book writers, from fiction to non-fiction, humor to lyrical, authors and artists. I’m glad we’re all entering our debut year together.
James’ picture book debut GOOD NIGHT, OPPY is a fictionalized account of the Mars Opportunity Rover’s time on the red planet. Here’s the announcement in Publishers Weekly!
Want to be the first to see the cover of GOOD NIGHT, OPPY, and its pre-order details?
Follow James on Twitter at @jmcgowanbks
Come back to PB Debut Troupe 21 soon for James’s cover spotlight!
Until then, happy reading!
