Andrew wrote the poems NO HIGHTOPS for CYCLOPS, and THE SIRENS’ SONG
Gnome & UnGnome Facts About Andrew:
Andrew Hacket is a teacher by day, parent by night, and writer in the nooks and crannies of life.
When it comes to his books Andrew aims to create stories that tickle the funny bone and hug the heart of readers both young and old.
He is represented by Dan Cramer of Page Turner Literary.
Andrew is the author of the early reader, CURLILOCKS AND THE THREE HARES (The Little Press, 2024) and the picture book, OLLIE, THE ACORN, AND THE MIGHTY IDEA (Page Street Kids, 2024). Additionally, his short story, THE TUNNEL, has been chosen for inclusion in the SCBWI anthology, The Haunted States of America.
His forthcoming books will magically appear on the BOOKS page of his website.
Absol’s Q&A with Andrew:
Good day, Andrew! Thanks for being our LEGEND of the WEEK!
I see you dodged the question about which legendary creature you’d choose to be? Interesting, I’ll go ahead and assume you’d pick gnome. I mean, we’re adorable.
Can you tell us a little about how you came to be a part of this legendary anthology?
I first heard of the Writers’ Loft and their anthology, Friends & Anenomes when contributors, Amanda Davis and Matt Forrest Esenwine were guests on my blog, The Backstory. Then when word of Gnomes & UnGnomes passed through my inbox I couldn’t resist the urge to submit some poems.
Your Cyclops poem made me chuckle. Bonus that it had no cats. What inspired your poems?
I am lucky enough to have two poems included in the anthology. My first poem is a haiku about Sirens. When brainstorming ideas my mind kept drifting to epic adventures and the lure of the Sirens as a topic was too much for me to resist.
For my second poem I knew I wanted to tackle what I hoped would be a humorous limerick. My first thoughts landed me on a monocle-wearing Cyclops, but when the rhymes weren’t working in my favor it soon became about our one-eyed friend searching for the perfect footwear.
My gnome-sense tells me you’re a teacher. How long have you been dropping the knowledge to the youths?
I’ve been a second-grade teacher for over 17 years!
I hear, like us gnomes, you have named your children some, shall we say, inspiring names?
Oh yes! My kids may or may not be named, Nature Boy, Curlilocks and Tommy Tutu, Tommy Two Hands, or Shooshoo Butt.
That last one is fun to say. I may name my 765th child that.
You’re a busy guy, naming kids, teaching, and writing books and you have a blog, right?
Yes, The Backstory where I interview authors and illustrators about their forthcoming picture books.
What’s great in your life right now that you want to share, personal or professional? Some wins?
In addition to being included in this anthology with such amazing creators, I am also lucky enough to have several other projects in the works. My early reader, Curlilocks and the Three Hares (The Little Press) will be published in 2024 with illustrations by Jane Dolby and my picture book, Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea (Page Street Kids) will be published in Spring of 24’ with illustrations by Kaz Windness. If that weren’t enough good news I have a third unannounced book on its way for Summer 24’ and my haunted middle-grade story will be included in the SCBWI anthology, Haunted States of America.
All so exciting! Thanks for your time!
writersloftpress.com 