Interview With Debra Gano – Part 2

We’ve been talking with Debra Gano, author of Beauty’s Secret, A Girl’s Discovery of Inner Beauty. Debra’s book is really an amazing resource for young women today, and I wanted her to tell us more about it. This is the second and final part of her interview. Please read Part 1 to get the whole story!

Please give us more information on Beauty’s Secret. Who is the book aimed at and what kinds of things can readers learn from it?

I targeted the book to pre-teen girls ages 7-14, although it’s been a delight to see mothers start their 4-year old with the story and older teens and adult women buying it for themselves or a friend. The message is universal, and the contemporary fairytale story appeals to all ages. But it’s the pre-teens I feel most compelled to reach, as they are being bombarded by so many unhealthy messages from our media and today’s role models, and don’t yet have the emotional capacity to discern truth from fantasy. It’s a fact, our girls are “growing up” faster than they have in any time in history, or at least they think they are (I also say this from personal experience, I have a 6-year-old daughter!). They are still young girls internally, yet want to look and act like big girls because that is what our society is teaching them as acceptable. Girls used to make the “big girl” transition going from middle school to high school, now it’s from elementary school to middle school. I want to reach them during these years so they don’t “lose” themselves in the transition.

One of the key things readers will see when reading my book is what happens when we forget that “It’s what’s inside that counts.” My main character, Beauty, becomes too focused on her external beauty and begins to treat herself and others harshly, and one day looks in the mirror and an ugly face is staring back at her. I have a wonderful artist (Dawn Pitre) and she captured this look perfectly. Through the message of a mystical angel, Beauty (and readers) learn the importance of connecting to her Heartlight, her true self and essence of who she is where her inner beauty lies. It’s very powerful, and I’m thrilled to say the world is embracing the message fully. Beauty’s Secret just became a Gold Recipient in the 2009 Mom’s Choice Awards. It’s also won several other national awards: First Place in Children’s Fiction in the USA Book News National Best Books Awards, a Moonbeam Silver Medal, and the COVR Visionary Award for Best Children’s Book of the Year.

Where can readers find out more about your book? Where is it available?

I invite readers to watch my video:

On it I discuss my personal story in developing Heartlight Girls. Please also visit my website at  and my blog .  On my website, readers may join (free) the Heartlight Girls Club to receive my monthly newsletter, as well as request an autographed copy of my book. Beauty’s Secret is also available at bookstores nationwide, including online booksellers like Amazon.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am so excited to be living my purpose and passion! I have six books planned for the Heartlight Girls series, and am currently working on book two titled Star’s Attraction, A Girl’s Discovery of Inner Power. I also travel around the county speaking to parents and girls of all ages about this important message, my goal is to bring this awareness to as many as possible. I invite your readers to help me spread this message! Inquiries regarding speaking engagements can be directed to my booking agent Nancy Hansen at nhzgreentri@hotmail.com. If we all work together, we can make this a world where our girls feel safe, secure, empowered, and confident in being who they truly are!

Image: Debra Gano