Inspired by this analysis, Larson revamped his work over a six-year period to target a slightly older audience with scarier elements and with less humor. As he began developing the book, he had read The Uses of Enchantment by Bruno Bettelheim, which analyzed works like Grimm's Fairy Tales using Freudian psychology and concluded that the darker elements of these stories enable children to help develop their emotions. He originally called it Princess Boot Camp, where the princess characters would undergo rigorous training in a parody of a military-like boot camp approach.

Brainstorming from this, he considered a children's work where many different princesses would be together in one place, dealing with having to live together. Larson was influenced by what he called 'princess fatigue' in the popular culture during his time writing for Cartoon Network shows. Larson wrote Pennyroyal Academy which was published in November 2014 by Putnam. In November 2014, Larson's first novel, Pennyroyal Academy, was published under his M.A.

He also wrote lyrics of a few songs on both Friendship is Magic and Littlest Pet Shop, and acted as story editor during the fifth season of Friendship is Magic. Larson became a popular figure within the latter show's adult and teenage fanbase of 'bronies' and has become a frequent guest at various conventions. Larson had become interested in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic from previously working with Lauren Faust, the series' original showrunner, on Foster's Home he was surprised by her characterization of the main characters and started writing for the show. Larson (in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and DC Super Hero Girls), and Mitchell Larson (rarely). Depending on which series he is working on, he is credited as either Mitch Larson, M.A. Larson has written for several animated series, including Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, My Gym Partner's a Monkey, Growing Up Creepie, Gravity Falls, Littlest Pet Shop, and most notably My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. Mitchell Aaron Larson (born August 3, in Burnsville, Minnesota) is an American screenwriter and author. Author, screenwriter, lyricist, story editor

The pennyroyal academy series