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Congratulations to Meg Dendler on the release of Ivar's Mackinac Weekend

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I already have two dog companion books for my middle grade Cats in the Mirror alien rescue cat series—“Max’s Wild Night” and “Dottie’s Daring Day”—based on two family dogs. Ivar is such a fantastic service dog for my older daughter, so I knew I wanted to write about him and the work he does. But nothing was coming together for a story over those next few years. Once my husband and I were in the process of returning to Michigan, I started toying with how Ivar’s story could fit into something related to the state. That whole series is based on our real animals and actual events, but with a fictional twist to them that usually involved local locations and activities. The thought of how a service dog like Ivar would view Mackinac Island started sparking. I suspected I’d have to get really creative because he and my daughter live in Arkansas, but they came to visit not long after we moved to Midland. We all took a day trip up to the island and had a wonderful time being tourists, watching his reactions, and imagining a whole weekend of adventures there for him. I was off and typing after that.

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?

It is really a love letter to both Mackinac Island and the role that service dogs play in helping their handlers live full, more normal lives. The story is very open about my grown daughter, named Mindy in the books, and the anxiety disorders that would keep her very limited in life without Ivar’s well-trained support. Maybe a reader is experiencing anxiety like that but is too young to know how to voice it. Maybe they don’t understand how service dogs work. With my early readers and critique group friends, I realized how little even those well-read people understood about how a service dog can smell and hear bodily reactions, even before the person they are helping notices the problem. I definitely hope it offers some education about what these working dogs do. But, ultimately, I hope readers just enjoy the story and learn a bit about the island and all it has to offer.

What was the most difficult part of writing this book?

The first thing I had to come to terms with was Ivar insisting on telling the story. The other eight books in the series are third person omniscient. The narrator walks readers through it all. With Ivar’s book, I kept finding myself slipping into first person. A couple of chapters in, I surrendered and adjusted. It’s Ivar’s voice, and he gets to tell the story.

There were certainly many decisions about what to include on the island and what to leave out. It was supposed to be a weekend, so the family wasn’t going to hit every location or activity. I tried to at least mention a few that weren’t included, but that was an issue along the way. Also, including interesting facts and history without it bogging down the story. Lots of editing and revision went into trying to get all that right.

I also had to balance some of the negative things about visiting a small island on the weekend when 3,000 other tourists might also be there. The day we went was HOT, so that’s part of the atmosphere. There’s a focus on the crowds because that’s a trigger for Mindy that she and Ivar needed to work through. But I didn’t want things to slant too negative or critical and make it sound like a place to avoid. A lot of lines were cut in editing with the aim of keeping it happy and enjoyable but also realistic. The island does get crowded and busy!

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?

Marketing plans will heavily involve interviews (like this!) and bloggers/reviewers I’ve worked with in the past. Based on the grade level and nature of this book, there will be a huge focus on bookstores, libraries, and schools in Michigan. I may do NetGalley again, but I haven’t decided yet. I enter a few contests with some of my books, and I have my eye on a couple for this one that could help with promotion if I win something. Kirkus will do a review. Those professional reviews can go miles if they are good, but you never know what you’re going to get.

And you will be able to find it everywhere online, for sure. I don’t believe being exclusive with KDP or any source is helpful for children’s books. If Draft to Digital offers it for ebook distribution, I’m there. My yearly marketing plans for all my books include dozens of craft fairs and events along those lines, so “Ivar’s Mackinac Weekend” will be front and center this year. I also try to pay attention to opportunities that unfold as readers discover the book. Many lists and notes along the way. There are organizations in the state who train and provide service dogs for reasons besides anxiety or mental health support, so I’m sure I’ll reach out to them at some point. I really aim to be open and ready to jump when an opportunity presents itself.

What's next for you?

I have two projects in line for the rest of 2026, but I’m not sure which one will jump to the front and demand more attention. One is a women’s fiction novel. I write for adults as well. That one has already been started, but I know I want to make some adjustments. And the other is the third book in my middle grade Princess Bianca series. For a few months, I’ll write on each of them, and one will scream louder than the other. I like having more than one project in process because I can take a break from one but still be writing and putting words on the page. They will both end up done at some point. I’m just not sure which one will win the battle for “next.” All of that will need to balance with making new author friends and establishing myself a bit in the Michigan writing community. I’ve already met so many lovely people, that’s something I’m really looking forward to.

More about the book . . .

Service dog Ivar and his Mama Mindy are heading on a special adventure: a family visit to Mackinac Island in Michigan. But exploring new places can lead to anxiety spikes for Mindy. That’s where Ivar’s job comes in, to support Mindy and help her manage her anxiety. But being a working service dog in a completely new environment brings its own worries for him. Strange sights, smells, and sounds, bustling crowds, and unexpected challenges test his confidence. Can Ivar help Mama Mindy enjoy their adventures while overcoming his own nervousness as they navigate ferry rides, horse-drawn carriages on historic streets, and island adventures? Discover the fascinating history and sights of Mackinac Island, Michigan, with Ivar as only a working service dog can experience it.

Ivar’s Mackinac Weekend is the third companion book to the award-winning, best-selling Cats in the Mirror series—a heartfelt, empowering story for young readers that celebrates service dogs, mental health awareness, and the power of partnership.

Published by: Serenity Mountain Publishing (self-published)

More about the author . . .

Meg Dendler has considered herself a writer since she was honored in a picture book contest in 5th grade. Beginning serious work as a freelancer in the '90s while teaching elementary and middle school, Meg has over one hundred articles in print, including interviews with Kirk Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. She has won contests with her short stories and poetry, along with multiple awards for her best-selling Cats in the Mirror alien rescue cat children's book series, including a Bronze Moonbeam Children’s Book Award and Silver Mom’s Choice Awards. “Bianca: The Brave Frail and Delicate Princess” was honored as Best Juvenile Book of 2018 by the Oklahoma Writers' Federation, and “Snickerdoodle’s Shenanigans” won the same honor in 2024. Meg holds a BA in Journalism/Public Relations, an MA in Early Childhood Education (both from Eastern Michigan University), and has been a certified teacher in three states. She is also an editor and proofreader for indie publishers, as well as indie and self-publishing authors, with over 100 books completed since 2015.

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