The Fabulous Edweena is Introduced to the World in Spectacular Fashion in Edwin Dumont's New Picture Book

Many emerging writers out there hold on closely to the dream of being a published author, and it is always inspiring when an artist with a distinct voice and a story to tell achieves that dream. For Edwin Dumont, this has taken shape in the form of his new picture book. 

In The Fabulous Edweena (Second Story Press), we follow Edwin, a young boy who loves to dress in his sister's clothes, and finds that he is at his most fabulous when he's fully decked out in them. But, is this just something for him to do in private, for himself, or an act of expression that should be shared with everyone? When the time comes for the figure skating competition at school, Edwin decides that he'll compete as Edweena, and try to give the best performance anyone has ever seen to introduce her to the world. 

This lively and inspiring book has been released in both an English language edition, with incredible illustrations by Melissa Cho, and there is an English and Anishinaabemowin edition, with translations by Angela Mesic and Margaret Noodin. 

Check out our Kid's Club BFYP interview with the author of this wonderful new picture book, right here on Open Book!

Open Book:

Tell us about your new book and how it came to be.

Edwin Dumont:

The story came to me after brunch one morning. I had lived it, and I thought it was time to tell the story. I just began writing. There was a voice that I was listening to, and sometimes it was anxious to get it all out. 

OB:

Is there a message you hope kids might take away from reading your book?

ED:

I would like the message to be: have courage in who you are. Live your true self.

OB:

Did the book look the same in the end as your originally envisioned it when you started working, or did it change through the writing process?

ED:

The plot turned out even better than I thought it was going to in my mind. The illustrator created such magic. Melissa Cho brought it all to an even bigger life than I could’ve imagined. I just fell in love with the cover and all the illustrations all the way through. It’s like she knew me and captured my spirit in my writings.

OB:

Is there a character in your book that you relate to? If so, in what ways are you similar to your character and in what ways are you different?

ED:

The character in the book is me, I’m just expressing myself as I did as a child in this story. Back then, I felt like I was not hurting anybody in doing what I was doing. It just caused shock. That’s what I loved the most. That’s how I got through it all. Shocked them, and kept them talking.  

OB:

What do you need in order to write – in terms of space, food, rituals, writing instruments?

ED:

I’m learning how to set myself up. I have a beautiful room that I use for many things, and writing is one of them. I need to be fed; it feeds the spirit to communicate what needs to come forth. I love coffee and have it with me till four. And then it’s a Diet Coke. I have a huge caffeine intake. 

OB:

How do you cope with setbacks or tough points during the writing process? Do you have any strategies that are your go-to responses to difficult points in the process?

ED:

The toughest part of the book for me was revision. I did not use a computer and only did things on my phone. I had written the story by hand and tried to keep up with revision by hand. It was funny but scary in hindsight. I’ve invested in an iPad now, so my writing process is all talking into notes.

OB:

How, if at all, does social media feature in your writing process?

ED:

Social media was not involved in my writing. This book is something I’ve lived. And I feel those are the things that I will write about.

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Edwin Dumont was born in Parry Sound to a family with Ojibway heritage. His mother is a member of Henvey Inlet First Nation. He has always been called Edweena. Cinderella said, “A dream is a wish your heart makes,” and Edwin's dream of being a writer came true. He owns a hair salon and lives with his husband in Toronto.