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Jed Doherty talks with British author-illustrator Briony May Smith about The Secret Dragon, set in medieval Wales. Prince Griff secretly raises a dragon hatched from an egg given to him by his aunt Morgana, hiding it from his mother, Queen Rhiannon, who is allergic to magical beasts. As the dragon grows, the castle servants know about it, and the queen discovers the secret by following turkey feathers. The dragon is hypoallergenic, so she has not been sneezing.
Smith says the characters came first, while Welsh castles, folklore, and legends such as the Mabinogion shaped the setting. She wanted the castle to feel domestic rather than imposing. Her traditional illustration style draws on Impressionist use of light and shade. Smith also describes how personal experiences influence her stories: she became an aunt while writing the mischievous Aunt Morgana. She enjoys illustrating her own books as well as interpreting other authors' stories, appreciating the fresh perspective each offers. The Secret Dragon is out in the United States, with editions planned for Germany, France, and the UK; publishers may adapt character names for local readers.
Brad Johnson discusses Stella Found a Feather, inspired by his granddaughter. The feather-finding story introduces ten common birds through descriptions and field-guide details. Johnson calls this approach "hiding the broccoli"—weaving lessons into an entertaining story rather than preaching. A former television writer whose credits include Coach, Arrested Development, and Family Guy, he self-published the book and enjoyed learning its production tools. He uses ChatGPT to critique completed drafts rather than rewrite them, and sees AI as a useful tool that needs sensible safeguards.
