Meet Mona

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Hi friend! Mona from Arizona here. I live in the land of roadrunners, the Grand Canyon, quail, chips and salsa and, yes, rattlesnakes. I’m an adult with childlike tendencies—curiosity and wonder. I think that’s why I geek out over historical fiction—reading it and writing it. New places, historical events, diverse cultures, quirky characters, and foreign foods fascinate me. And I find fun in seeing how real-life characters from US history as well as from my own history influence my choice of story characters. In my upcoming novel, there’s a mix of both including one with four spotted legs and a habit of licking.
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Thanks for stepping into my adventure!

I'm glad you're here!

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The Family

Mona with her two daughters, Sara and AmyMona and her family - author mona hodgsonMona and hubby Bob with their four grands
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Fast Facts

Born at a Naval Base in Port Hueneme, California.

Grew up in Southern California—Indio, Beaumont, Riverside.

Family: Married to Bob since 1972. Two daughters, one son-in-law, four grandchildren, three sisters, and a fun bunch of nieces and nephews.

Favorite foods include tacos, kung pao chicken, butternut squash soup, chicken tikka masala, guacamole, samosas, chicken and dumplings, yellow Thai curry, lasagna, garlic sauce pizza, and M&M Blizzards.

Favorite animals: Roadrunners, giraffes, zebras, dolphins, dalmatians, and manta rays.

Favorite places visited: The Grand Canyon. Leavenworth, Washington. Saint Charles, Missouri. Waterbury, Vermont. Portland, Maine. Sea Ranch, California. Victoria, British Columbia. London. Tanzania. Thailand. and Kenya.

Places on Mona’s wish-to-visit list: Yellowstone National Park. Zion National Park. New York. Ireland. and Tuscany, Italy.

Favorite Middle Grade Books: Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson, Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk, Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Parks, Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall, and The Octave of Angels by Margaret McAllister.

Favorite TV Shows: The Voice, American Idol, Beat Bobby Flay, Triple Threat, Kids Baking Show, Chopped Junior, and Alex VS America.

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Media
Books and such literary management - Author Mona Hodgson
Mona is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Books and Such Literary Management
Author Photos
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Biography
Mona Hodgson is best known for her popular picture book, Bedtime in the Southwest, Real Girls of the Bible~a 31-Day Devotional, and her four Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek historical romance novels. Mona writes novels and children's books from her home in Arizona. In a coffee shop. In a mountain cabin. From the porch of a creek-side guesthouse. In a window seat on a 737. You get the idea--she will write anywhere she can. Why? Because Mona knows the power of story and desires to create connection with readers of all ages. Her 44 books range from picture books to early readers to historical romance for adults, including I Can Talk to God and Yo Puedo Hablar con Dios, six southwest desert and princess twins I Can Read books with Zonderkidz, The Quilted Heart, and Prairie Song. As a seminar and conference speaker, Mona offers encouragement and inspiration to women, writers, educators, and librarians. And time with students (an in person or virtual visit) makes for a fun day.
Publishers
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Tommy Nelson / Harper Collins Christian Publishing
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WaterBrook Multnomah / Penguin Random House
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Zonderkidz / Harper Collins Christian Publishing
Rowman and Littlefield
Cooper Square Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield
Guideposts Books logo - Author Mona Hodgson
Guideposts Books
Globe Pequot Log0 - Author Mona Hodgson
Muddy Boots Press / Globe Pequot
Affiliations
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American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW)
Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) logo
Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA)
Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA)
Christian Author Network (CAN)
Christian Author Network (CAN)
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What readers are saying
“From start to finish, Prairie Song captured my attention. Mona Hodgson has written a beautiful novel full of deep characters. This is the first book in the Hearts Seeking Home series. I definitely plan to read every book in this series.”
Brittany, Goodreads
"[Bedtime in the Southwest] is one of my favorite kids books, and my daughter's favorite book to read before she goes to sleep. It has great illustrations, the story is not only easy for kids to follow, but easy to remember as well, and mine always love to chime in as is normal with great board books."
John, Goodreads
"[Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series] These books are so good! From the beginning of the first through each book, after each page i wanted more and more and hated to see each book come to an end. You will not be sorry you checked these out!!"
Vera, Goodreads