Becky Walker Books

Author’s name: Sarah Gowayed

Illustrator’s name: Amanda Letcher

Other book titles:  The Sneaky Snacker…coming late 2024

What is your upcoming book title? Samah the Seed

Date of release: March 2024

Preorder or Order link:    https://mybook.to/o82aOy 

Publisher: Sound Heart Kids

Agent: unagented

Hometown:   Houston, TX

1. What are 5 things you want people to know about your book?

1. Samah the Seed is a heartwarming tale of patience and determination.
2. It blends science and faith.
3. Samah realizes that growing up is not as easy as it sounds.
4. It unifies all people of faith.
5. It inspires young and old to get in the garden and try growing their own food.

2. What are 5 helpful hints or tips you wish you would’ve known before starting on this publishing journey?

1. No fear. Have confidence in your ability to learn new things. You CAN do this!!!
2. God takes you on a winding path that you’re inevitably supposed to be on, so trust in Him every step of the way.
3. Friends and fellow writers are a great source of support on this journey.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
5. Let go of your ego in the editing and critiquing process.

3. Tell us 5 interesting details about your book. (For example: How did you get your title, illustrations/illustrator, editor, getting the book deal, etc.)

1. Initially the main character was named Suhaila, which means star. I changed it to Samah, which means bounty, because it fit the topic of the book. My daughter found it in a book of names and she strongly advocated for the name switch!
2. I found my amazing illustrator Amanda Letcher through Reedsy. She is also illustrating my next book, The Sneaky Snacker, coming out later in 2024.
3. I realized that starting a small indie press was the direction I wanted to go after taking Darcy Pattison’s class through Storyteller Academy. That was the beginning of Sound Heart Kids. I hope to be able to publish other author’s works one day.
4. Samah the Seed unifies people of many faiths. It’s the only picture book that has back matter quoting the Torah, Bible, and Quran showing kids what unifies us rather than what divides. We have more in common than we think.
5. Samah the Seed has a fun gardening activity at the end which encourages parents and educators to get children in the garden and connecting with nature.

4. What are 5 fun/quirky facts about yourself as an adult or child?

1. I’m a scoutmaster of a local BSA troop

2. I love performing picture books with different voices. I used to perform children’s picture books competitively on my high school forensics team.

3. I love to garden. Surprise, surprise!

4. I can wiggle my ears.

5. I’m a homeschool mom of three and recently started a nonprofit organization, Muslim Homeschool Association.

5. What are 5 book recommendations (any genre)?

1. Jane Eyre (my all time favorite book)
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. The Good Egg (because it hits close to home)
4. The Compound Effect
5. The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big Big Dark

******YOU CAN WIN THIS SWAG IF YOU SHARE AND FOLLOW SARAH ON SOCIAL MEDIA! ****BONUS POINTS IF YOU COMMENT BELOW!!