Isle author sets novel in boggy Florida, 1949

The Florida Everglades are a long way from the rugged sea cliffs and scenic beaches of Kauai’s North Shore, yet both hold sway over Mika Ashley-Hollinger, whose debut novel, “Precious Bones” (Delacorte, $16.99), is earning solid reviews for children’s literature.

Set in the summer of 1949, the book recalls the author’s rural upbringing on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. The story is told in the folksy voice of its 10-year-old narrator, a girl named Bones who lives with her parents, a pet pig and other animals on the edge of a Florida swamp. When a land speculator and a neighbor are murdered, Bones’ father, who is part Miccosukee Indian, becomes the prime suspect.

Publishers Weekly said Ashley-Hollinger’s debut novel “is saturated with rich, authentic images” and described the book, meant for readers ages 9-12, as “a bighearted, gracefully written, and atmospheric mystery.”

Ashley-Hollinger moved to Maui from the mainland in 1974 and has been living on the Garden Isle since 1984. She owns a landscape contracting company with her husband and likes to garden in her spare time.

The author said she has no formal writing background “other than my love of reading and writing.”

The Star-Advertiser interviewed Ashley-Hollinger via email:

Question: What inspired you to write a children’s book about a 10-year-old girl in the Florida swamps?

Answer: I was born in a small town on the southeastern coast of Florida, where I spent my childhood. My family lived on the edge of a beautiful swamp. In the 1950s Florida was still unpopulated and home to a vast assortment of animals, birds and reptiles. After being away for many, many years, I returned in 1988 and went in search of my old family home. I was devastated to find the entire area had been filled in and replaced with a trailer park! I knew at that moment I wanted to write from the perspective of a child about a time that no longer existed. I wanted to revive those memories so they would live forever. The story line also features a cast of wild animals and touches on the importance of protecting our environment.

Q: How long did it take you to write the book?

A: I started compiling memories and facts after returning from my 1988 visit to Florida. Over time a story line began to emerge, and in 2005, with the encouragement of my husband, I took an online novel writer’s class. That’s when I met my wonderful teacher, Barbara Rogan. She recognized my writing and that the story line had potential. She encouraged me and gave me the confidence to write a complete novel and start searching for an agent.

Q: What is your writing routine?

A: I try to write at least a couple hours a day. I don’t necessarily write a straight story line, sometimes I skip around, it depends if a certain character or scene is calling out to me.

Q: How did you hook up with your publisher?

A: The roadway from the first printed word to actually being published is a long twisted one with lots of speed bumps. I have a folder filled with rejection slips. When I finally found my dream agent, Catherine Drayton (of InkWell Management), in June 2010, she had my story sold to (Random House’s Delacorte Press) within a year. I actually had two other agents before Catherine, but neither knew where or how to sell the story.

Q: Are you working on a new book?

A: Yes, I am working on another young-adult historical fiction. I love writing something that not only our youth can learn from but that keeps all those incredible memories alive as well.

Q: What lessons did you learn in writing this book and getting it published?

A: Believe in yourself and your writing. Persevere. Do your research and find agents that represent your genre of writing. They will know how to sell your story.