Author David Wright recently published his first book, “Marty McSwirl,” through Dorrance Publishing.
Wright grew up in Sudbury, Mass., graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2000 and have been serving since. He has flown the F-15, F-22 and A-10 and is currently the deputy commander of the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard.
He and his family live in North Beach.
The 30-page book retails for $39 — the eBook is $34 — and is available at https://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/.
How long have you been writing, and how did you get started?
It was [Sudbury, Mass.- based Josiah Haynes Elementary School teacher Lee] Jones, my fourth grade and to this day, favorite teacher, who inspired me to be a writer. Despite my rambunctious nature which was not ideally suited to being a student, he managed to tease out a bit of creativity. I must have a penchant for alliterative titles because my favorite project that year was story about a Viking named Pudgy Pinkinson. Yet I think my path was set when Mr. Jones assigned us to create an auto-biography, the last chapter being a prediction of what we would be in the future. In that last chapter I said I would go to the Air Force Academy, become a fighter pilot, and finally become an author. Thus far the first two have come true and I suppose that “Marty McSwirl” is the first step towards making the latter come to fruition.
What inspires you to write?
My children John, Anna and Andrew and a lone, tired-looking squirrel inspired me to write “Marty McSwirl.” Years ago, I had just finished raking leaves and the kiddos immediately began rollicking in the pile, exactly the way kids should. Despite the chaos, a squirrel joined the fray, apparently looking for acorns. I thought to myself, “He must be a tired dad squirrel gathering food for a big family,” and thus was born “Marty McSwirl”.
Do you consider writing to be a career?
Not yet, but like my fourth grade autobiography predicted, I hope it will be one day.
What kind of writing process do you use?
I sit down at my grandmother’s old roll-top desk, slide a piece of paper into my nearly 100-year old Royal typewriter, and tap away. I started using a typewriter years ago after reading an opinion in the newspaper lamenting the lost art of letter-writing. Sharing an admiration for things that have stood the test of time, I determined to resurrect that lost art, yet my handwriting is terrible. So I bought an old typewriter and now, when I sit down in front of the Royal, I drift away to wherever my imagination leads me.
How did you publish your book?
After writing “Marty McSwirl,” it lay dormant for years, gathering dust among the pile of unpublished works in a desk drawer. Eventually, I applied for a copyright through the Library of Congress and once granted, a number of publishing companies contacted me asking if I would like to publish. I ended up choosing Dorrance Publishing, who walked me through the project.
Who are some of your favorite authors and why?
Julia Donaldson is the first author who comes to mind. I’ve been reading to the kids every night since birth and they always responded best to books that told a good story in the form of a poem. When I began writing “Marty McSwirl” it was with my kids in mind, hoping to create a book that I could one day read to them before bed.
What are you working on now?
I have a few unpublished works ready for an eager illustrator and book agent.
Please include a brief description of your book
Marty McSwirl is the tale of a squirrel who invents an acorn harvester with the help of some friends. Their efforts meet with success and Marty decides to share the fruits of his labor with family, friends and neighbors. In essence, the story is a woodland creature Thanksgiving origin story.
Please include an excerpt from the book
“When Marty came back with his acorn sack at the end of each long day,
Mrs. McSwirl was there with a hug,
His children snuggled upon the rug,
But despite all his care, the cupboard lay bare, he must find an easier way.”
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