A seven-year-old person writing and illustrating a book? It seems unlikely until you meet Haley Fell.
Haley has just self-published Friendship of a Martian, an imaginative seven-page adventure of a young Martian girl who flies to Earth searching for friendship.
The Grade 2 J.J. Nearing student just loves stories, not just reading them, but more importantly — writing and illustrating them.
“She went through a period where she was writing three or four stories a day,” says her mom Leanne Fell. “She could be playing and all of sudden drop everything and start writing.”
Bright, articulate, self-assured and decidedly proud of her accomplishments, Haley is delighted to share her literary passion.
“I love to write, read and draw. I’ll read most anything,” she says.
Haley was inspired to publish a book after The Karakul, the mysterious writer of Wrush: The Secret Worlds of Tabetha Bright paid her class a visit.
“The Karakul said anybody could write and publish a book,” she says.
That day she came home determined to write a book. Having already written about animals, fairies, babies, families and flowers, she was now determined to tackle Martians, her first alien adventure.
But instead of copping out with green monsters and shoot-em-up laser guns, Haley put thought into her story and wrote with a nurturing message in mind.
“I want everybody to find friends, no matter who you are. People need friendship so they can have kindness,” says a gal who has a circle of about a dozen friends.
In the plot, three sisters — Knot-a-lot, Jo-Jo bop and Ammiebop — wake up one morning and decide to visit Earth. While Knot-a-lot and Jo-Jo bop argue over the colour of the spaceship, Ammiebop quietly slips in, powers the ship and blasts off.
But when she reaches Earth, all the adults and children run away from what they believe is a scary monster — except one little girl. And she encourages other children to come and play with Ammiebop.
“I really like it. The characters make me feel really comforting,” Haley says.
She also illustrated the pages by creating bold, jewel-toned Martians as well as more subdued earthlings – children, adults and a cat.
Once her story was completed, Haley asked her mother if it could be published.
“I was a little dumbfounded,” says Fell. “I phoned publishers to get information to explain why she couldn’t publish a book now, but it was a goal she could work toward.”
Instead she discovered Trafford Publishing, a self-publisher located in Indiana that charges $300 for 120 copies.
While some parents wouldn’t consider paying a fee to publish a book, Fell put it in perspective.
“We spend all this money in soccer and music. This is something she is truly passionate about. Why wouldn’t we do it?”
Haley has already presented her teacher with a personal copy of Friendship of a Martian and it’s almost a given she’ll be a strong voice on the literary scene in years to come.
As Fell puts it: “We’re thrilled. She’s very creative and has so many good ideas. I hope it continues to be a hobby for the rest of her life.”
Copies of the book are available at www.trafford.com.
