Member Interview: Author Mari Mancusi

Incidentally, Mari presented to Austin SCBWI members at our Monthly Meeting last fall, regarding work-for-hire; enjoy reading the meeting recap here.

Did you always want to be an author, or did that come later?

I always loved to write. Even from an early age when I couldn’t actually write down the words, I would draw pictures and dictate stories for my mother to write down. That said, I wanted to be a lot of different things growing up—pet store owner, actress, lawyer, filmmaker—you name it! Before I became an author, I was a TV news producer.

If someone were to follow you around for 24 hours, what would they see?

I like to joke that being a “dance mom” is my full-time job and writing is just a side hustle. So, if I’m not writing, I’m probably carting my thirteen-year-old daughter to dance or attending a dance convention or competition. I’m probably also planning my next vacation, as I’m a big travel lover. My goal is to visit a new place every year!

How does your everyday life feed your work?

Because my daughter is in middle school, I get to experience all the trials and tribulations of that age group first hand, which really helps in creating characters and situations that feel realistic, and in knowing what kids actually care about and are going through now, rather than just looking backward to my own experience at that age.

Tell us about some accomplishments that make you proud.

This past year, I was chosen for both the 2024/2025 Texas Bluebonnet Award List and the Florida Sunshine State reading list (which I won!) for NEW DRAGON CITY (Hatchett Book Group.) It was a huge honor to be selected by librarians, out of thousands of possible titles. I also recently became a New York Times and USA Today Bestseller with my Disney book, SALLY’S LAMENT (Penguin Random House/Disney), which is a Nightmare Before Christmas Twisted Tale. So, this has been a great year! 

What surprises you about the creative life?

How much of it is non-creative! These days authors are expected to do so much more than simply write the books. We have to be partners with the publishers, get the books out into the world, and help readers discover them. That means social media, events, school visits—all things that take away from the time we have for actual writing! Luckily, I enjoy the marketing/publicity aspect of things. But I know not all authors do.

When a reader discovers your work, what do you hope they find?

I want them to find, first of all, a great story that keeps them engaged. I firmly believe reading should be something to be enjoyed, above all else. If they learn something coming out of the book, so much the better. But my number one goal is to have them lose themselves in a good story.

Quick-Fire Questions:

Favorite experience as a Disney Princess?

Having Evan Rachel Wood, one of my favorite actresses, narrate my Dangerous Secrets Frozen book.

Best tip to create a backstory to a character?

The backstory should always tie in, in some way, with the main plot: something they survived or failed or feel guilty about doing (or not doing) that they can now use to grow as a character when going through conflict in present day. 

Work-for-hire caveat?

If you’re going to do work-for-hire projects, you have to let go of your ego. Remember, you’re not writing for yourself in these cases, you’re being paid to write someone else’s story. So unlike with your regular work, you don’t have full creative control. That’s not to say you can’t be creative! There are plenty of opportunities to let yourself and your voice shine in these projects. But, at the end of the day, if they want something changed, you have to change it and let it go. (To quote my favorite Disney queen!)  

Would you rather live in certain suspense or serene certainty?

Serene certainty!!!