A Love of Pets and Unexpectedly Creating a Picture Book Series, Interview with Michael S. Lingo

The Real Bunny and Fawn, Michael S. Lingo's beloved dogs

Michael S. Lingo is the author of two picture books for children, The Adventures of Bunny and Fawn, and Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery.

1. Congrats on your second children’s book! Did you always know you wanted Bunny and Fawn to be a series rather than a standalone?

Thank you! I always envisioned Bunny and Fawn as part of a series. When I was writing the first book, I wasn’t sure what the future would bring or if I’d even finish. Now, more than a year after that first release, I can confidently say there are many more Bunny and Fawn adventures on the way.

2. You mention often that the inspiration for your main characters, Bunny and Fawn, are your two rescue dogs. What was the process like when developing the characters, and what traits did you borrow from your pups?

The process came naturally because my dogs provide so much inspiration. With help from my wife, I listed their unique traits and thought about how they might fit into a story. Lulu, who inspired Bunny, is incredibly alert and full of energy. She gets excited, vocal, and loves chasing birds and squirrels. She’s curious and loves to explore. Pixie, who inspired Fawn, is more relaxed, though she’ll quickly join in when Lulu sounds the alarm about something outside. Together, their personalities gave me endless ideas for developing the characters.

3. In this book, we see additional characters join the clan. Did you have any real-life inspirations for the new characters?

Yes! Pixie loves burrowing into blankets and making little grunting noises, and that inspired the new character in Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery. I can’t wait to reveal more about him soon.

4. The story details a group of friends of all different species, which teaches young minds that diversity is beautiful. Was this an intentional choice during your writing process?

At first, it wasn’t intentional. I was simply writing about my dogs, who happened to inspire different types of characters. But as the series developed, I realized diversity and cooperation among the animals was an important theme that I wanted to continue exploring. It reflects real life, and I want my stories to celebrate that.

5. Bunny and Fawn: The Midnight Creature Mystery echoes the first book in themes of found family and friendship, and also highlights the importance of second chances and keeping an open mind. Why do you think these are important messages for young children?

Children are constantly learning about relationships and family. I think back to summer camps I attended as a kid, where I met new people and reconnected with old friends each year. I learned early on that forgiveness matters, because none of us are perfect. Those lessons about kindness, acceptance, and second chances are ones I hope to pass along through my stories.

Michael S. Lingo

6. I appreciated the positive dialogue that you used between characters, as I think it promotes patience, kindness, and the importance of expressing our emotions. Was this intentional, and what was the process of crafting the dialogue like?

It became intentional thanks to my wife’s feedback. In early drafts, I had written the characters’ first encounter with the “creature” with more judgment than I intended. She pointed that out, and I quickly revised it so that Bunny approached the moment with curiosity instead. I believe curiosity leads to better understanding, so I worked to keep the dialogue rooted in openness and kindness.

7. The illustrations are warm and inviting, mirroring the sweet storyline. What was the process like of working with an illustrator, and did you have a lot of input in how the illustrations came out?

I’ve worked with Damien on both books, and the process has been wonderful. I shared my manuscript along with a short description of what I pictured for each illustration, but I encouraged him to bring his own creativity to the art. The process usually went from sketches to final renderings, with my feedback at each stage. Many times, he suggested changes that ended up making the illustrations even better than I imagined. Collaborating with him was smooth and inspiring.

8. What was the difference between the process of writing the first book and the second?

The biggest difference was simply knowing what I was doing. With my first book, I had no experience, and my editor had a lot of work to do. For the second book, I started from a stronger place, and the editing process was much smoother and shorter.

9. Did you feel more confident in the process the second time around?

Absolutely. I gained confidence from my first book and leaned less on others for guidance. I already had experience with marketing and promotion, so I could approach those tasks with more preparation. Each book teaches me something new, and I know the lessons I’ve learned will make future projects even stronger.

10. Is there something you learned or were surprised about throughout the process of writing the second book?

I was surprised by how easy the writing came compared to the first book. I wrote the first draft in less than two hours, while the first book took months. Once the idea was in place, I became fully focused and poured out about forty-five pages, which I later refined to thirty-six. Having a foundation from the first book, along with inspiration from my dogs and ideas for future stories, made the process feel smooth and natural.

11. What advice would you give to aspiring authors writing their first children’s book?

Don’t give up. It sounds cliché, but finishing is always better than quitting, even if only a handful of people read your book. I’ve given up on projects in the past, and I knew I’d regret walking away from this one. Sticking with it changed everything, and now I’m working on my third book with clear plans for more.

12. Would you like to continue the story of Bunny and Fawn after this chapter, and do you have ideas or plans for what kind of journeys they will embark on?

Yes, I have no plans to stop. The third book is already in editing, with illustrations starting in January 2026. That story has a touch of magic, a little different from the first two, and introduces a new character who may or may not return in future books. Book four will finish the seasonal cycle I began with the first story, moving into winter (book three will be set in the fall). Looking ahead, I plan to write and publish one book each year, and I’m excited to keep sharing Bunny and Fawn’s adventures with readers.