Meghan Downs writes fun, factual, and fantastical stories for children.

Meghan was the winner of the 2023 SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul “Most Promising Picture Book Manuscript”- Nonfiction Award for her manuscript THE COLORS OF THE HARP: HOW A LITTLE GIRL WITH PLUCK CHANGED THE WORLD.

Says Ann Whitford Paul, “Downs’ musical language with musical terms sprinkled throughout is perfectly matched to the story.”

Meghan was a finalist for the 2024 Austin SCBWI “Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award”.

Meghan is a member of SCBWI, the 12x12 Picture Book Challenge, and the Writing Barn’s Courage to Create. Meghan was selected as a 2022 and 2023 Mentee at the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature On-on-One Conference and received honorable mentions in the 2023 50 Precious Words and Mindy Weiss's 2022 Picture Book Party Contests. She has written numerous articles published in Harp Column Magazine.

Meghan has been lucky enough to have two different careers. One, helping children live longer, and the other, creating art that makes life worth living.

Meghan has worked as an ICU nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital in their #1 ranked Cardiac Intensive Care Unit where she cared for post-surgical children with heart conditions. She was a frontline healthcare worker through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Meghan also holds a Master’s Degree in Harp Performance. As a professional musician, she has performed with the Houston Symphony, Dallas Opera, and Baton Rouge Symphony, as well as at numerous private events, including for His Majesty King Charles III’s 60th Birthday celebration in London. 

Influenced by her prior careers, she has a passion for stories with STEAM topics, and wants to introduce children to the thrill and excitement of the arts and sciences.

When she is not writing, she can be found supporting classical musical organizations, searching for the best soup dumplings in the city, and reading mysteries after putting her toddler to bed.