I’m happy to celebrate the fall season with Maria Antonia, the author of Barnaby the Runaway Sheep. This heartwarming story with themes of trust and faith is the perfect story to share with little ones! Welcome Maria and thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your writing journey.

Me: Do you have a favorite season? 

Maria: I like all the seasons of the year, and I look forward to all the changes. But I will say that I do love springtime! It’s the season of new beginnings. I do a bit of gardening, so I love when all the trees are coming to life. And the flowering fruit trees are the best! Not to mention, lilacs and lily-of-the-valley are some of my favorite flowers.  

I love how Sayani Mukherjee (the illustrator for my picture book, Barnaby the Runaway Sheep) was able to incorporate so many of the seasons in the book. The flowering trees to show the spring and the wonderful, vibrant greens to depict summer. One of my favorite illustrations is one that shows Barnaby and the other sheep from overhead with the golden browns of autumn.  

Me: How long have you been writing?

Maria: I’ve been writing and telling stories since I was a kid. However, I started to seriously pursue being a published author in 2018. I had been writing short birthday stories for my nieces and nephews and wanted to know if they were “good enough” for publication. I started to put my work out there within the online critique community. I had two short stories picked up by two magazines in the fall of 2020. I’ve had lots of magazine stories published since. And then in 2024 and 2025, my two picture books were released into the world! The Christmas Elephant and Barnaby the Runaway Sheep.

Me: What or who inspired you to write Barnaby the Runaway Sheep?

Maria: Barnaby was inspired by a real-life sheep named Shrek who ran away and lived out in a cave for a number of years. By the time his shepherds tracked him down, he couldn’t move due to his wool being so heavy and matted with dirt. He only survived because they found him! 

I initially wrote about Shrek but ultimately decided to fictionalize the story. I had more creative license that way and didn’t have to stick to all the facts of Shrek’s story. The sheep’s name changed to Barnaby, which just felt like the perfect name for my little runaway sheep! 

Me: Tell me a little bit about this book’s journey to publication. Were there any bumps and bruises along the way, obstacles you had to overcome, aha-moments? 

Maria: This book is my second picture book in a 2-book deal with my publisher, Paraclete Press. Even though it was published second, it’s the book that got me the deal! We submitted my Christmas Elephant book after that, and they decided to lead with that story in time for Christmas. Barnaby came out for Easter!

I originally titled the book The Runaway Sheep, but there was another book by that name. Just before my book went to print, my editor contacted me and told me they wanted to change my title so it wouldn’t be confused with this other book. We came up with Barnaby the Runaway Sheep. I love the new title and now I can’t imagine it as anything else!

Me: What is one piece of advice you can give to writers who are just starting out, or who are still in the query trenches?

Maria: You have to be persistent. This business is full of rejection, and if you can’t handle that, this is probably not the job for you. Also, keep working on your writing craft. You can always learn to do better. Keep writing new stories. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different writing styles to find your voice. Write what excites you!

Me: What are your plans for the future? Writing or otherwise, traveling, hobbies, etc.

Maria: I am working on all sorts of different stories at the moment. I have a few manuscripts on submission with my agent. I’m gearing up for school visits this fall/winter, both in-person and virtual visits. I love interacting with young readers. As a former teacher, it’s fun to be back in the classroom.  

Me: I’d love for you to share a recipe with me, I have a collection of recipes from friends and family that goes back many years. I would love to include yours, as well as share it with my readers.

My Recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge!

Ingredients 

2 ¼ cups chunky peanut butter 

3/4 cup butter

2 cups powdered sugar

½ cut powdered milk

2 tsp vanilla 

Directions: 

1. Combine peanut butter and butter on low heat.
2. Remove from heat and add powdered sugar, powdered milk, and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Spread mixture in a buttered 9×9 pan (or line with wax paper or parchment paper). 
4. Refrigerate overnight.
5. Cut into small, bite-sized squares. Keep refrigerated until ready to eat!  

Me: Thanks for taking the time to chat with me; it was fun getting to know you more, and I have a feeling I’ll be asking you back again. I haven’t had peanut butter fudge in a long time, and it’s nice to have a recipe for it now.

Maria Antonia learned to write her name at five years old and tried typing with an old manual typewriter at age eight. However, it was when she met the computer that she never turned back. Many years later, she still clickety-taps out her stories onto the screen, stories that have turned into picture books like The Christmas Elephant and Barnaby the Runaway Sheep. In addition to writing, Maria also enjoys sipping a nice cup of hot tea and capturing the world with her camera. She has lived in Sunny Spain, Busy New York City, and currently resides in the Great White North of Canada. 

Sayani Mukherjee is an Indian illustrator based in Dublin, Ireland. Sayani embarked on her artistic journey with a passion to observe and recreate children’s expressions and activities in a whimsical art form. Her love for children’s literature combined with her artistic prowess led her to specialize in illustrating books for young readers. With a growing portfolio of acclaimed projects and awards, Sayani’s work continues to brighten bookshelves and inspire young readers worldwide.

You can connect with Maria here:

https://mariaantoniawrites.com

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