Episode 5 - Bethany Hegedus

How did a 9/11 survival story and a bold email to Mahatma Gandhi's grandson lead to a first published picture book after two novels had been published?

Find out in this episode of My First Book Story, where Meredith Davis talks with bestselling author, educator, and founder of The Writing Barn Bethany Hegedus about the long chain of books that began with Between Us Baxters, her debut middle-grade novel. Bethany shares how shifting from acting to writing, butt-in-chair time at her "writing receptionist" job, craft studies at Vermont College, agent changes, and channeling post-9/11 healing into co-authoring Grandfather Gandhi (which sold after major revisions and market challenges) sparked her path. From surviving near-misses during the 2008 financial crisis to sticking to her vision amid feedback, Bethany generously shares her story with honesty, insight, and inspiration for turning pain into action.

Books mentioned

• Between Us Baxters (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Between-Us-Baxters-Bethany-Hegedus/dp/1934813028)

• Grandfather Gandhi (co-authored with Arun Gandhi) (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Grandfather-Gandhi-Arun/dp/144242365X)

• Truth with a Capital T: https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Capital-T-Bethany-Hegedus/dp/0385738374

• A Thousand Never Evers by Shana Burg (referenced in conversation; https://www.amazon.com/Thousand-Never-Evers-Shana-Burg/dp/0440422094

Links

• Bethany Hegedus[](https://www.bethanyhegedus.com)

• Meredith Davis[](https://meredithldavis.com)

• Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators[](https://www.scbwi.org)

• Episode Webpage (https://open.substack.com/pub/meredithdavis/p/bethany-hegeduss-first-book-story)

Theme music by Nate Davis

Produced by Clay Davis