Welcome to Tuesday Debut, Everyone!
For the second week in a row, we have a previous debut-ess re-visiting us with their debut of another kind of book!
Last week, Andi Chitty debuted her picture book after previously sharing her board book debut. This week, Cathy Mealey, who was here in April of 2019 with her fiction picture book debut, When A Tree Grows, rejoins us for her nonfiction picture book debut, Fly Rod Was First: Cornelia Crosby’s Adventures In Angling! It’s wonderful to see so many versatile and multi-talented writers!
Before we hear about Cathy’s journey to nonfiction publication, we have a giveaway winner to announce from last week. Andi Chitty kindly offered Winner’s Choice of:
a copy of “The Waga-Laga Bugs” OR,
a picture book manuscript critique (<800 words) from Andi Chitty, OR,
a 30 minute Zoom Ask Me Anything
and the winner is. . .
ayalakassandra
Congratulations! What a choice! Please email me at your earliest convenience so I can get your prize to you!
In addition, we have a new giveaway this week! Sleeping Bear Press is happy to ship a giveaway FLY ROD book to one lucky winner (US mailing addresses only, please.) To put yourself in the running to be the randomly selected winner, all you have to do is leave a comment on today’s post by Monday April 28th at 3 PM Eastern!
Now, please join me in welcoming Cathy back to the spotlight so we can hear all about her splash into nonfiction!
Title: Fly Rod Was First: Cornelia Crosby’s Adventures In Angling
Author: Cathy Ballou Mealey
Illustrator: Billie Michael @billiemichael
Publishing House: Sleeping Bear Press @sleepingbearpress
Date of Publication: April 15, 2026
ISBN#: 978-1534113602
Fiction of Nonfiction: Nonfiction
Age Range of Your Book: 6-8
Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby was the most famous fisherwoman of her day, celebrated for her skill, expertise and love of the sport, but she didn’t stop there! Adventure stories by “Fly Rod Crosby” were published by major newspapers across the country, leading Cornelia to embark on a career as an influential ambassador for Maine’s outdoor treasures and wildlife.
SUSANNA: Welcome, Cathy! We are so delighted to have you back on Tuesday Debut to share your debut Nonfiction Picture Book! Where did the idea for this book come from?
CATHY: Maine has always been my family’s vacation destination, before I could spell my name or ride a bike. When we weren’t in Maine, we were reading books and magazines about new things to see and do in the Pine Tree State. An article featuring Cornelia Crosby’s work as a journalist, sportswoman and tourism trailblazer inspired me. She was someone I wanted to know more about!
SUSANNA: Nonfiction topics can be huge. How did you narrow your topic and find a kid-friendly angle?
CATHY: I sifted through the key events in Cornelia’s story to find significant highlights that would come to life when illustrated. I knew her passion for the woods, waters and wilderness would make a perfect backdrop for colorful scenes to engage readers.
SUSANNA: What was your research process like?
CATHY: I owe a huge debt of gratitude to many librarians who helped me find out-of-print books, fly fishing magazines and scholarly research articles, as well as images from her actual newspaper columns from the 1880’s onward. Sadly, Fly Rod’s personal papers and correspondence have never been discovered, but I would have loved to read them!
SUSANNA: How long did it take you to write this book?
CATHY: I wrote the first draft in 2015, a time when picture book biographies were growing in popularity. I took a number of NF PB writing courses and webinars which helped me learn how to track down and organize my sources. As my Google alert for “Fly Rod Crosby” continued to ping my email, I located additional information and continued to revise and update.
SUSANNA: Did you go through many revisions?
CATHY: Not many text revisions, but there was far more fact-checking and information verification compared to my fiction picture books. Fish tales, by nature, are often exaggerated and embellished so some accounts about Fly Rod had conflicting details. For example, Cornelia often said she was six feet tall. Could I prove that? No! It’s not in the book but is a ‘fact’ that came across many times.
SUSANNA: Did you include charts, back matter, glossary, or other elements?
CATHY: I really loved writing the backmatter for this book, which prompts readers to create their own “fish stories.” The nightly entertainment at the Maine sporting camps was swapping stories, boasting about a great catch or bemoaning “the one that got away.” Readers can join the fun through a series of prompts to pick a silly pen name, choose an unusual bait, and describe the fish they reel in and release!
SUSANNA: That sounds fun! When did you know your manuscript was ready for submission?
CATHY: When the manuscript finally felt complete, the market for NF PB bios had truly become saturated. After several near-misses from editors who liked the story but had no room on their list, I reluctantly put Fly Rod into my ‘someday’ file for future submission. But I kept updating and revising when Google alerts gave me updates. Cornelia was still making news as a Maine folk heroine!
SUSANNA: When and how did you submit?
CATHY: When Tilbury House, a Maine-based publisher, joined Sleeping Bear Press as part of Cherry Lake Publishing, I asked my editor from MAKE MORE S’MORES if she had any interest in a spunky, fashion-forward fisherwoman and journalist from Maine. FLY ROD is a Sleeping Bear book, but the publisher’s connection to Tilbury inspired me to reach out about the Maine themed manuscript in my ‘someday’ file.
SUSANNA: How long after you found out about your book going to acquisitions (if you did) or after you submitted were you told it was a “yes”?
CATHY: About 3 months from sending the manuscript to finding out that it passed the acquisitions process. Huzzah!
SUSANNA: When did you get “the call”, which these days is more likely to be “the email”? (Best moment ever! 😊) and how did you celebrate (if you care to share 😊)
CATHY: Such a jolt of happiness and excitement! I immediately shared the good news with my family, critique partners, and all the librarians who had helped me track down sources!
SUSANNA: How long was it between getting your offer and getting your contract to sign?
CATHY: Just a few months, probably made faster and easier because although it is my first nonfiction book, it is my second title with this publisher.
SUSANNA: Was the contract what you expected in terms of advance, royalty percentage, publication timeline, author copies etc.?
CATHY: Yes, the contract was virtually identical to the terms for MAKE MORE S’MORES with an advance, royalties and a generous number of author copies.
SUSANNA: Can you tell us a little about the editorial process?
CATHY: A preliminary editorial letter including notes on the manuscript itself was followed by revisions and tweaks to shape the story and honor the editor’s vision. We were able to discuss and explore options for the kinds of backmatter that could be included, including a photograph of Fly Rod.
SUSANNA: What was your experience of the illustration process like?
CATHY: I’m so excited to be partnered with Billie Michael and have her color-saturated artwork bring Fly Rod’s story to life on the page. I can virtually smell the pine and balsam trees and hear the splish-splash of the lakes and streams.
text copyright Cathy Ballou Mealey 2026, illustration copyright Billie Michael 2026, Sleeping Bear Press
The manuscript had zero art notes! That was a significant difference for me, as I do sprinkle them into my fiction manuscripts more liberally.
text copyright Cathy Ballou Mealey 2026, illustration copyright Billie Michael 2026, Sleeping Bear Press
SUSANNA: Did you get to see advance reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, etc? What was that like?
CATHY: Still waiting, and hopeful!
SUSANNA: How long did it take from offer to having the first copy in your hand?
CATHY: About two years from contract to book copy.
SUSANNA: What kind of marketing and promotion have you and your publisher done for this book?
CATHY: The publisher has submitted the book for professional reviews, and featured it on their social media accounts in various creative ways. I have also reached out to organizations that promote fly fishing. Having a specific ‘hook’ [no pun intended] for a nonfiction book seems to streamline promotion, but I am hoping to learn much more from this experience.
SUSANNA: What is the most important/helpful thing you learned on your way to publication? (Or what is your most helpful piece of advice for up and coming writers?)
CATHY: Don’t give up on manuscripts you have filed away in a drawer. The right moment may indeed be just around the corner. Perhaps the market changes, perhaps your skills as a writer have grown, perhaps the universe is about to align! Keep going!
SUSANNA: That is great advice! Thank you so much for joining us today, Cathy! We so appreciate the opportunity to learn from you! Wishing you continued success with this and future titles!
Readers, if you have questions for Cathy, please post them in the comments below and if she has time I’m sure she’ll respond! And remember, your comment below by Monday April 28th at 3PM Eastern puts you in the running to be the randomly selected winner of a copy of FLY ROD FIRST from Sleeping Bear Press (US addresses only, please!)
Author Cathy Ballou Mealey
Bio: Cathy Ballou Mealey is a scone lover and author of Make More S’mores, the Sloth & Squirrel books, and When a Tree Grows. She has caught fish, toasted marshmallows, and pickled cucumbers but spends most of her time writing picture books north of Boston where she lives with her family.
To find out more, or get in touch with Cathy:
Website: https://cathyballoumealey.wixsite.com/author
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/catballoumealey.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catballoumealey/
You may purchase Cathy’s book at:
(all links below are book-specific)
Indiebound/Bookshop.org
Amazon
Barnes&Noble
We can help our debut authors successfully launch their careers by:
– purchasing their books
– recommending their books to friends and family
– recommending their books to our children’s teachers and librarians
– recommending their books to our local libraries and bookstores
– suggesting them as visiting authors at our children’s schools and our local libraries
– sharing their books on social media
– reviewing their books on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and other sites where people go to learn about books.
Thank you all for stopping by to read today! Have a lovely, inspiration-filled Tuesday! Maybe today is the day you’ll write your debut picture book 😊
Missed any previous Tuesday Debuts? Check them out HERE!
Susanna Leonard Hill 
I wasn’t familiar with Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby until I read about this book, but I think reading this book and sharing it with young people would be fun. Thanks for writing it! 🙂
Thanks Art! Glad you ‘met’ Cornelia through this post!
It’s amazing all the things we can learn from children’s books, Art! I’ve read all kinds of fascinating things. The authors who write nonfiction for children have to be able to do it in a very palatable and accessible way, and it makes it a joy to read!
As there were no art notes, did you have any surprises with the artwork, where you were picturing something different?
PS. Susanna, don’t enter me in the draw as I’m not US.
I was surprised to see that Billie had also illustrated the backmatter page! There are delightful snippets and vignettes that break up the text and enliven the “Fish Stories” writing tips!
Thanks for the question Jodie!
Great question, Jodie! And I enjoyed getting to see Cathy’s answer! Thanks for letting me know you’re not US – I didn’t before!
Fantastic fishing story and pb biography!
Thank you Annette! Cornelia was a fascinating person to research!
So glad you like it, Annette!
Your book is a great catch! It is an amazing story. I can’t imagine fishing in a full length dress. Anything is possible when you are determined. How did you initially find this story? I know you said you came across an article. I love your prompts. What name would you choose for yourself? Thanks for the fun.♥️
Love the puns! I agree – waders aren’t super comfortable out of water but they have to be better than a long skirt! My pen name would be “Caddis Stonefly” according to my random pen name generator.
Thanks for the questions!
Great questions, Robin! And thanks for the answers, Cathy!
I just requested this at my library, and I can’t wait to read the full story. The cover has me so intrigued. We did a lot of fly fishing when we lived in Montana for a year, and I absolutely fell in love with it. It’s one of those mind body activities where you have to be fully engaged. Everything else drifts away.
I would love to know what non-fiction writing resources you recommend. I have an idea that I’ve been sitting on for a few months. ☺️
Kate – thank you so much for requesting the book at your library! Did you love fly fishing in Montana? After seeing “A River Runs Through It” I can only imagine how gorgeous it must be.
My NF handbook was “Anatomy of Nonfiction” by Margery Facklam and Peggy Thomas, but there are more current resources from talented writers such as Kirsten Larson [https://kirstenwlarson.com/], Beth Anderson [https://bethandersonwriter.com/blog/] and Melissa Stewart [https://melissa-stewart.com/] that I consult regularly as well! Hope that helps with your idea!
My fishing experience (yes – just the one) is best left unrecounted! lol I’m glad you asked that question, Kate. I think Cathy’s answer will help lots of other readers as well!
Congratulations on your debut nonfiction book! What a fascinating person to write about. I know you said you chose key scenes from your research to create the story; what other advice/tips would you give so it doesn’t come across as birth to death encyclopedia-ish?
Thanks Kim! You are so right – I was cautious about penning a cradle-to-grave type of biography. I tried to choose highlights or ‘firsts’ that would be relatable to contemporary readers, like catching one’s first fish, writing a story, or getting a ‘first place’ award. Those key scenes were important to show how Cornelia gradually built her reputation and influence into a legacy that continues to be celebrated!
Great question, Kim, and great answer, Cathy! I love how many people have asked thoughtful questions on this post, and I appreciate both the questions and the answers!
Congratulations! I love that this shows that women can engage in activities often attributed only to men. Thanks for also sharing your research journey, especially, how it continued throughout the process.
Thank you Kathryn! I enjoy discovering women’s history heroines as well. Cornelia certainly was a trailblazer in her field for women of the 1800’s. There are so many women who fly fish today!
I agree, Kathryn! You have to wonder just how many women did amazing things that never garnered the attention they should have!
Congratulations, Cathy! Sounds and looks like a fun book!
Thank you Kim! I hope you will have a chance to browse through it at a bookstore or library!
Thanks for stopping by to cheer Cathy one, Kim! 🙂
a fishing book of fish tales – I love it!
I am hoping to reel them in Robin! Thank you!
Such an original topic, isn’t it, Robin? Not one I would have been likely to flounder upon myself!
Such a wonderful interview! I’m looking forward to reading. Congratulations, Cathy!
Thank you Cindy! Your support is *fintastic*!
I hope you enjoy the book when you get to read it, Cindy!
This is encouraging! A “no” submission can mean wait and try again.
Publishing is always full of surprises isn’t it Pam? Thanks for reading!
It’s very true, Pam. Sometimes it takes a while, and sometimes it just doesn’t happen, but many, many times, a good story will find a home if you just keep trying!
Hi Susanna, I won the giveaway from Andy Chitty. Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Kassandra Ayala
Congratulations Kassandra!
You’re welcome, Kassandra!
I am so excited to learn more about this spunky woman! Congratulations, Cathy!!!
Thank you Julie! She was indeed a spunky character I think!
I know, Jules. Don’t you just love spunky women? They’re the movers and shakers that get things done! 🙂
Congratulations, Cathy! We love Make More S’Mores! Looking forward to reading your newest book!
That’s so nice to hear Laura – thank you! I hope you like Fly Rod as well.
Sloth and Squirrel In A Pickle has been a favorite at our house, Laura 🙂 But we have yet to read the new one!
Aw! TY Susanna!
What an interesting subject, Cathy. It speaks Main. Also, the protagonist oozes joy, confidence, and skill. The illustrations are amazing. Congratulations, Cathy.
She is quite the legend in Maine, that’s true! I agree – Billie’s illustrations are spectacular. What gorgeous fish!
So glad you like it, Raluca!
Congratulations on your NF book! This is the first time I’ve heard of Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby! Can’t wait to read this PB! 🎣
Thanks Susan! I hope reading Fly Rod will transport you to a lovely outdoor wilderness!
Thanks! My Husband and grandson are the fisherman in our family🎣
Me, too, Susan! I’m glad I’m glad I’m not the only one who didn’t know about Cornelia before! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your journey! What system did you find most helpful for organizing sources?
Thanks for reading the post! The most helpful system was maintaining a detailed spreadsheet of facts that I wanted to include, noting where I had found and verified sources. Keeping an extensive bibiliography through EasyBib was also really useful and simple to update.
Another great question! Thanks so much for asking so we can all learn from Cathy’s answer!
Thank you, Cathy. Very helpful!
Congratulations, Cathy! Glad to see you venturing into non-fiction. And excited to read your book about a woman I’m always hearing about here in Maine!
Hi Melanie! She certainly is an icon in Maine and the fly fishing world. The power of journalism!
That’s great that you’re familiar with Cornelia, Melanie! Hope you enjoy the book!
Thank you for sharing about your research process for your book. I was surprised about the amount of materials your subject had. Fly fishing holds such wonderful memories of my dad–he’s the one that taught me to fly fish in Alaska. He was a really good teacher (he was an elementary school teacher and his patience and love of passing along knowledge showed) and we fished for hours. I’m excited to read your book. Congratulations!
That’s really fabulous Danielle! I can only imagine how gorgeous Alaska fly fishing must be. Glad that you and your dad shared that amazing experience and wonderful memories!
It sounds like you have wonderful and very special memories of fly fishing with your dad, Danielle. It must have been beautiful in Alaska!
What an interesting subject! The art and the cover are so vibrant – those fish practically pop off the page. Congratulations! I look forward to reading it.
Thank you – I agree! What beautiful fish! Billie is a talented artist and I can’t wait to see what she creates next.
So true, Sue! I love that fish on the cover. It really makes you want to open the book!
Hi Cathy, I am late in “catching” up with you and this fish tale. Love how you kept the Google alert alive and kept waiting until the the stars aligned. Gonna look for this at my library the next time I go, which is Saturday!
Congrats. I love Cornelia’s nickname!
Yes, that was smart, wasn’t it, Kathy? I hope your library has the book!
Thank you Kathy! I am *reel-y* hoping you will find Cornelia at your library! Happy reading!
It’s so nice to hear about a manuscript making it out of the someday pile and finding success! A good reminder that “not now” doesn’t mean “not ever.” Thanks for sharing!
(And FYI, please don’t enter me in the draw as I’m in Canada!)
I agree, Danielle! So encouraging! (and thanks for the heads up about Canada!)
Thanks Danielle! Here’s hoping there is a story in everyone’s ‘someday’ pile that shifts in to *now* pile. Fingers crossed!
Congratulations Cathy. Wishing you continued success.
So kind of you, Jeanine! Thanks for stopping by to read and support Cathy!
I have never read a picture book biography about fishing! This looks like such a fun picture book.
I don’t think I have either! Clearly it is needed!