KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
February 27, 2025
By Natalie Cook Clark
The Katy community is full of talent and many have made contributions to literature that lights up young faces during classroom visits. Local authors also serve as inspiration to other writers in their craft and community involvement.
Peter McElwain with children at McElwain Elementary.
Local authors often visit Katy classrooms and children love it. This city is full of talent and these three Katy resident authors always spread happiness, a love of reading, and inspiration wherever they go. Do you have their books on your bookshelf?
A Katy Namesake and Frequent School Visitor
Peter McElwain is much more than a children’s book author; he is also a Katy ISD school namesake (Peter McElwain Elementary) and a former district architect who designed many of our Katy schools. When he retired his goal was to continue to support students through learning and enjoyment and this translated into writing and illustrating children’s books.
“I feel blessed through my architectural and fine arts background to have the ability to illustrate,” says Peter McElwain. “My life goal is to get my books into as many children’s hands as possible to support their enjoyment and learning.”
McElwain now has three children’s books out and he and his wife Darlene are frequent readers at McElwain Elementary as well as many other Katy ISD schools.
His first book was released November 2019 and is a Christmas fantasy, “The Candy Cane App.” In 2020 he released a children’s mystery, “The Mystery at Golf Hole Three.”
“My daughter and her dreams and experiences as a child greatly inspired me in the writing of my first two books,” says McElwain.
His latest book released last August and is truly special for the students at McElwain Elementary since it features their mascot! “Ollie the Owl and the Hunt for a Hoo” is a Katy classroom favorite and takes readers on a journey through the wonders of nature.
McElwain always begins the process of his books by developing a vision that he wants to present to the reader.
“Before I start the actual rhyming verse script, I begin to develop a storyboard set of pencil and paper sketches each representing a page of the book,” explains McElwain. “I then develop a rhyming verse to match the illustrations. After the script is finalized, I commence the final illustrations which I complete on an iPad Pro with an apple pencil and utilizing the Procreate artist app.”
Buy books and learn more about author and Katy ISD namesake Peter McElwain at his website.
“Without a doubt there is no better reward than seeing the joy on a child’s face when they read my books,” says McElwain. “It warms my heart and brings me tremendous satisfaction, knowing that for years to come children everywhere will be able to enjoy my stories.”
Teacher Turned Online Star
Having great local authors is wonderful for Katy, but it’s even more special when they incorporate the great city in their books! That’s what Katy author Melissa Coyle has done in her “The Traveling Tuxedo” children’s book series.
Author Melissa Coyle and her dog and inspiration Tripp.
Coyle gets inspiration from her beloved dog, Tripp who is a Boston Terrier AKA “Tuxedo dogs.” Across five books (more are planned) Tripp visits Texas cities including Katy.
In the Katy book, Tripp can be seen attending a Katy High School cheer clinic and visiting other iconic Katy landmarks. In other books, readers can see Tripp’s adventures in Galveston, Austin, Hondo, and Fredericksburg.
“Writing a children's book has always been a dream that I never shared with anyone else, just an idea I never thought would happen,” says Melissa Coyle. “I said it to my husband one night and he told me I would be great. The main part is he didn't make me think I was crazy for thinking I could be an author. He was very encouraging and told me to go for it.”
Coyle was an elementary school teacher for 14 years and loved read-alouds and growing her classroom library for her students. Now as a full-time author she loves bringing education to her readers. Her Dad inspired her to add five facts about each location at the end of the books.
“My biggest challenge with the first book was learning to slow down,” says Coyle. “I was so excited to get it uploaded that I didn't realize that there was a mistake in an image. I am not able to stop the book from being available for purchase, so a few copies were sent out with the mistake. This was stressful for me because it was my first book. But luckily at that point, it was mostly friends and family and hopefully they understood. I had to learn to be patient because it takes up to 72 hours for the new file to be reviewed and uploaded.”
Coyle plans on more school visits but loves reading all around Katy. She has read at a Villasport Cinco Ranch parent’s night out and loves to take pictures of her book around Katy. When she does read at schools, she gives 10% of any sales back to them.
Coyle has created a social media presence that allows kids to hear her read her book anything. Follow her on Youtube for more videos. She is also popular on Tiktok where she posts videos and pictures around the cities her books take readers to.
Learn more about Melissa Coyle and her books at her website.
“I stepped away from a career that I loved to pursue this dream,” says Coyle. “I didn't exactly know it at the time. But there was a pull telling me that it was time to step back. The journey has been so rewarding so far and I am excited to see where it takes me.”
A Katy Mom and Author
Chancie B. Davis has always been passionate about storytelling and reading. This was evident during her time as a teacher at Katy ISD’s Rylander Elementary. Davis currently has one book, “High Feathers for Lulu Duck,” with plans for more on the way.
“Finding inspiring books and reading aloud to my class each day brought me so much joy,” says Chancie B. Davis. “Writing a children’s book allowed me to combine my love for reading children’s books with the opportunity to inspire and educate young minds.”
In Davis’ book, her sweet character Lulu works on learning how to sing her ABC’s. The character was inspired by a free nature class that Davis started with her daughter, Finley who was a toddler at the time. For the class, Davis used a puppet Lulu to engage with the children.
“I wanted to create a story that would make children laugh and giggle while also teaching them the important lesson of never giving up and always trying their best,” says Davis.
Davis says the process wasn’t easy in getting published with dozens and dozens of drafts and navigating the process to ensure the book ultimately reached its targeted audience. She says that marketing is always ongoing trying to reach new readers and expand the books reach.
“Engaging with students during school visits has been a highlight,” says Davis. “I get very into the author role when I visit schools from wearing feather shoes, boas, and of course Lulu my puppet makes a grand appearance by giving high feathers to each kid in the audience!”
Learn more about Chancie B. Davis and her book online.
Inspiration for Local Writers
Again, Katy is full of talent and many writers are looking to get published.
“Believe in your story and remain persistent,” advises Davis. “Seek constructive feedback, embrace revisions, and be prepared to dedicate a year or more to perfecting your work. Joining local writing groups or engaging with writing communities on social media can provide invaluable support, encouragement, and insights throughout the process.”
“Believe in your story and remain persistent,” says McElwain. “Seek constructive feedback, embrace revisions, and be prepared to dedicate a year or more to perfecting your work. Joining local writing groups or engaging with writing communities on social media can provide invaluable support, encouragement, and insights throughout the process.”
Did we miss your favorite Katy author? Let us know!
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