Beth Bacon - August 2026 Featured Author

Beth Bacon writes books, graphic novels, and the podcast “A, Z and Everyone In Between.” She loves exploring Route 66 and beyond and has lived in six states and three countries. Beth holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts, an MA from NYU, and a BA from Harvard.

Meet the Book

Tell us about Route 66: Faces and Places Along America's Most Famous Road.

It’s the 100th anniversary of Route 66. Route 66 is famous for its diners, neon signs, and quirky roadside attractions, but what really makes Route 66 special are the dreamers, inventors, artists, entrepreneurs, and everyday people who helped shape America, and that’s what this book is about. In the book, I’ve organized the stories state by state. I like to say kids can travel Route 66 in a book. Around every bend they will discover someone new. They’ll meet:

• Cy Avery, whose dream helped create Route 66
• Bobby Troup, who wrote the classic song Get Your Kicks on Route 66
• Ted Drewes Jr., whose frozen custard became a Route 66 tradition
• Bob Waldmire, the beloved artist whose work captured the spirit of Route 66
• Everyday heroes who welcomed weary travelers with kindness and hospitality

I can’t talk about this book without mentioning the amazing, energetic, colorful illustrations. They’re made by St. Louis artist Jodi Woolsey. She is so talented and her style is perfect for this topic. 

Takeaway: Route 66 isn't just a road—it's a collection of unique, inspiring stories waiting to be discovered.

What discoveries about Route 66 surprised you the most?

One of the greatest joys of researching this book was discovering how many familiar American traditions and inventions have ties to Route 66. Here are just a few surprises:

• The first McDonald's: It opened along Route 66.
• The first gas station: Located in St. Louis, Missouri.
• The bumper sticker: Invented by the people at Meramec Caverns.
• Kansas on Route 66: Kansas wasn't originally included. State leaders successfully lobbied to add 13.2 miles of the famous highway.

One of my favorite discoveries was learning about Bob Waldmire, the famous Route 66 artist whose whimsical illustrations inspired the Volkswagen van character in Pixar's Cars. His family also owns the iconic Cozy Dog Drive In in Springfield, Illinois, where the famous corn dog was invented. I love finding stories where history, art, food, and family traditions all come together in one place.

Takeaway: The deeper you explore Route 66, the more surprising connections you discover.

Did you travel Route 66 yourself?

I've always loved road trips. When our children were 8 and 10, our family spent a year traveling to all 50 states in an RV (we flew to Alaska and Hawaii). My husband's Navy career also meant several cross-country moves, so highways—and especially Route 66—have always been part of our family's story. While I haven't driven Route 66 from beginning to end in one continuous trip, I've traveled nearly all of it over several different journeys. Add those trips together, and I've basically experienced the entire route. Today I live just a short distance from Route 66 in Missouri. One of my sons lives just off Route 66 in West Hollywood, California. I love the thought that we are connected by a single road, with many different landscapes and communities between us.

Takeaway: Route 66 and road trips have always been a big part of my life.

Writing and Research 

What does your writing routine look like?

I'm a writer without a strict daily routine. Every day brings different priorities. Some days I'm drafting new pages. Other days I'm revising, researching, or working on marketing. Most days include a little of everything.

When I have uninterrupted time at home, I happily lose myself in writing. Those long stretches are when I produce my best creative work. During the school year, I also teach in the English Department at Maryville University in St. Louis, so balancing teaching and writing requires flexibility more than routine.

Takeaway: Consistency doesn't always mean following the same schedule—it means continuing to make progress.

How did you become a children's author, and how has the writing community helped you?

I didn't begin by writing children's books. My earliest manuscripts were mysteries, but eventually I realized my voice naturally connected with younger readers. Once I made that shift, I never looked back. To improve my craft, I attended SCBWI conferences, workshops, and coaching sessions. As my goals grew, I went back to school to earn an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Both SCBWI and VCFA introduced me to talented writers who challenged, encouraged, and inspired me. People sometimes imagine writing as a solitary pursuit, but children's publishing is wonderfully collaborative. Every manuscript becomes stronger through critique partners, editors, illustrators, mentors, and fellow writers who generously share their experience. Today I continue meeting regularly with children's writers in the St. Louis area because I believe community is essential to growing as both a writer and a professional. If you're a KSMO member, I'd love to connect. We all benefit from encouraging one another.

Takeaway: No writer succeeds alone. Building relationships is just as important as building stories.

What are you currently working on? Anything else upcoming you'd like us to know about?

I’m currently working on a middle grade graphic novel which is very different from my Route 66 picture book. Although, one way they are similar is that they are both books based on true events that emphasize people and heart. 

This upcoming graphic novel is called Nightingale Rising, and it is coming out in March, 2027 from Penguin. The story takes place during the Arab Spring in Tunisia and is inspired by the true experiences of Isra Moussaoui. Isra came to the US from Tunisia as an exchange student and lived with my family for a year—I was her host mom. When I learned of her experiences during this revolutionary time, I asked Isra if she and I might share her story. We worked on this book together for about five years. In the book, Isra’s ordinary life is interrupted by the protests and police presence of the Arab Spring. While preparing for a poetry contest, she begins to understand the injustices that sparked the protests. It’s a story of heart, curiosity, and courage. Isra wonders what one kid can do and discovers that even small acts of courage can help change history. 

Takeaway: My next book is also a nonfiction history book like my Route 66 book, but in many ways it’s very different.