Interview with children's author Mark M. Even

Children’s author Mark M Even joins me today to chat about his new middle grade fantasy, The Wonders of the Peculiar Parasol.

During his virtual book tour, Mark will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Welcome, Mark. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I retired from almost 40 years working for IBM in Mar 2017. I’ve been married for 43 years to my wife, Joyce and have 3 children and 8 grand-children. I enjoy golfing, fishing, bird-watching and travel.

Shortly after retiring from IBM in 2017, I was at a small-town celebration in northern Wisconsin and noticed that a number of the little vendor booths were people selling children’s books that they created and self-published. I looked at these and told myself that I could write something like that. And I did, but these were the type of books that were targeted at small kids and needed vibrant pictures and artwork.

In the spring of 2018, I was visiting my niece and her family, and she told me of this wonderful idea for a story for a children’s book and after talking with her about it, we agreed to collaborate and I took on the task of writing the story. After many iterations, The Wonders of the Peculiar Parasol became a reality.

Please share a little bit about your current release.

When Mandy Mandez and her cousins, Mickey and Gina, discover a peculiar parasol in their Great-grandmother’s attic, their lives are changed forever. The parasol is enchanted and transports each of them to a magical world to experience a story for their enjoyment. They also discover that they are descendants of the powerful wizard who created the parasol.

When Mandy takes steps to use magic in the real world, she inadvertently releases an evil sorceress from a magical prison dimension who endangers Mandy’s world.

Mandy and her cousins must come up with a plan to battle the sorceress to save the parasol, their ancient wizard ancestor, and even their own families.

What inspired you to write this book?

I had been retired from IBM for a year and had attended a local festival in a small town in Wisconsin. Browsing through the various booths set up along the main street, I took note of many booths that were selling books, self-published by the author. Nearly all of them were picture books intended for toddlers. Being a grand-father of 8, I looked at them and while they were all somewhat interesting, I thought to myself that I could write a book like these for my grand-children. I tried various styles and attempts at a book, but never really got it going. But at a dinner with my niece and her husband, we were talking about my retirement “project” and she told me her idea for a children’s book. She and I talked for quite some time about her basic idea and she gave me permission to write the story. One idea followed another and then another and I couldn’t stop writing what has become my series: Dragonstone Story. Wonders of the Peculiar Parasol is the first book of the series, based on my niece’s idea of a magical parasol that takes whoever is holding it to a faraway land to live out a fantasy adventure.


Excerpt from The Wonders of the Peculiar Parasol:

Grandma asked the kids to help clean up and then said, “I called your great-grandmother and told her we’d come to visit today. Let’s get in the car and go now.”

The children loved their great-grandma, whom they called Gigi. Gina quickly shouted, “I get the window,” and ran to the car to get the best spot in the back seat. Mandy reluctantly let Mickey get the other window. That meant she got stuck in the middle, but at least she could sit by Gina. Grandma started her old Pontiac Bonneville and headed off to Gigi’s house in Grandma’s hometown of Remsen, twenty minutes away.

The girls chatted with Grandma during the drive, while Mickey ignored them and played a video game on his cell phone. When they arrived at Gigi’s, she was sitting on the front porch of the old three-story house. The children raced up the steps and took turns giving Gigi a big hug. She led them into the house, where she had fresh chocolate chip cookies and lemonade on the kitchen table.

After snacking and chatting, the kids went off to play, leaving Grandma and Gigi in the kitchen having “grown-up” talk.

“Let’s play Monopoly,” Mandy offered.

“Oh, Mandy, you always want to play that. That game takes forever!” Gina grumbled. “I know, let’s play hide-and-seek!”

Mandy rolled her eyes. Once again, Gina has to be in charge, she thought. They decided to do rock-paper-scissors to decide who was “it.” Mandy was happy she at least won that, and Mickey got stuck being it, so the girls ran off through the big old house to hide while he counted to fifty. Mandy ran into the dining room with the built-in cabinets that covered an entire wall. She knew there was a cupboard there that she could squeeze into, and she opened the door to hide in it. As she was shutting the door, she heard Gina’s footsteps running up the stairs to the second floor.

Mickey shouted, “Ready or not, here I come!” Rushing to the dining room, he opened the cupboard door. “Found you, Mandy. You hid in there the last time we played.”

Then he stopped and listened. Mandy heard a loud squeak coming from above and then chased after Mickey as he bolted up the stairs. Instead of staying on the next level, Mickey ran to a narrow set of steps that led to the attic. He turned and whispered to Mandy, “She’s up here. That creaky door to the attic made that noise.”

Mandy followed Mickey into the attic, and when the door squeaked loudly, there was a loud crash just ahead of them. Lying on the floor was a wooden coat rack with old winter coats, and Gina’s feet sticking out of the mess.

“Found you, Gina! Now one of you is it!” Mickey cried triumphantly.

Gina struggled to get out from under the mess, giggling. “I heard you come in and tried to make sure I was hidden, and then tripped on this old coat rack.”

Mandy looked down and saw something peculiar on the floor amongst the coats. It was like an umbrella, but different. The handle was wooden, carved to look like a dragon with its tail curved at the bottom. The umbrella’s fabric was a faded beige, decorated with branches or vines with different-colored flower buds coming off them. At the very top was a dull white knob. Was it glass, or was it a crystal? Mandy picked the umbrella up and wiped dust off the knob to see it better. It looked more like a crystal—a polished stone, she decided.

She said, “Hey, look at this dirty old thing. It sure doesn’t look like it would keep anyone dry. See how flimsy it is? Water would probably soak right through it.”

“Let me see!” said Gina as she grabbed it from Mandy. “Let’s go ask Gigi about it. I think it’s kind of pretty, but weird.” As she walked across the dimly lit attic, she passed through a beam of sunlight shining through the window. Suddenly, the room flashed with a bright red light.

“Wow—what was that?” said Mickey. “It looks like it came from the glass knob!”

Mandy stared thoughtfully at the crystal stone. She had seen it turn red, and now its color was quickly fading. She looked at her cousins, who stared back at her, unsure of what to say or do.

“Gigi!” Mandy yelled, and the kids all turned and sprinted across the dusty attic, through the doorway and, without closing the door, descended the narrow dark stairs as quickly as they could without falling.

They ran into the kitchen and stopped with a lurch in front of Gigi. Gigi looked at the umbrella in Mandy’s hands, put her own hands to her face, and said, “Oh my! The… the parasol!”

What exciting story are you working on next?
The 2^nd book of the Dragonstone Story series is called The Power of the Emerald Ring. It is currently going through the editing process and it will be available September 2020. The book continues the story of Mandy Mandez and her extended magical family as they struggle with learning magic and using it in the real world.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Only after going through multiple editing efforts with professionals did I even consider that I might be a writer. Still not sure – I’m still learning.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

No – My writing now is pretty much broken up into bursts of writing. I typically formulate an idea for a chapter in my head, working out dialogues and plots before I even start writing. Most of my days, now that I’m retired from a paying job, is spent golfing, fishing, birdwatching, travelling, and hanging out with my grandkids.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to hide little family “secrets” and private jokes within the text, just to test my kids and see if they catch the hidden meanings.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A professional baseball player! Then, even though I played on some state championship teams in Little League and high school and played in college, reality set in. Then my aspiration was to be a baseball coach and teach math. But I took a computer class in college and went in that direction instead.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy and are finding ways to stay connected with their families and friends. So much is happening so fast in today’s world. Be sure to slow down and take some time for yourselves. A good way to start is to buy my book and be entertained with the magical adventure of The Wonders of the Peculiar Parasol (sorry for the last ditch plug….)

Links:
Website | Cresting Wave Publishing | Amazon | Facebook | Goodreads

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

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Interview with middle grade author Jerry Harwood

Author Jerry Harwood is here to chat with me about his new middle grade (MG) book, Jam Sessions: Sometimes in Middle School, the Best You Can Do Is Survive.

Bio:

Jerry Harwood was born in Ooltewah, TN. His mother was an elementary school teacher and he spent his afternoons reading books in her classroom or the nearby library. He currently is a writer, which makes sense based on the fact you are reading this here. He has experimented with other occupations: camp director, program director at a counseling center, college professor and middle school teacher. Jerry has backpacked Europe, taught in a Ukrainian University, worked in Rwanda after the genocide, is a first responder, sort-of remodeled a VW Thing, and has a love for Cherry Coke Zero that is only surpassed by his love for his wife, six children, and grandson.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the book with Jerry at JerryHarwoodBooks@gmail.com or visit his website.

Welcome, Jerry. Please tell us about your current release.

Jam Sessions follows a middle school student whose mom moves him in the middle of the year. Middle school is always challenging, but especially when you are an outsider trying to find your place. Using humor, I attempt to also portray student anxiety, bullying, and the difficulty of finding your place.

I suppose no one says it better than the back cover…. So here is that:

Meet Phillip. His mom relocates him to a new school in the middle of the school year.

Things do not go well. Phillip lands himself a trip to the dean of student’s office when he tries to forge his mother’s signature. Maybe if he spelled her name correctly it would have gone better.

Phillip also finds himself having more and more anxiety. And the song some bullies are singing is certainly not helping:

Phillip Willip, Puddin and Pie.

Got a bad grade and made him cry.

There is one class Phillip has that is going well. It is with Mr. Filter, who starts each day with a writing prompt. These “jam sessions” allow students to be creative and enjoy writing. Phillip writes about being a basketball on a soccer field. Another day he writes about receiving two dragon eggs in the mail, one for himself and one for a particularly cute girl.

But will Phillip ever be able to make his real life go as well as his Jam Sessions?

What inspired you to write this book?

My previous career was as a clinic director / CADC II counselor. I semi-retired into teaching so I could start writing. This book blends those two worlds: counseling issues such as anxiety and bullying as well as middle school life.

Excerpt from Jam Sessions:

Here is Phillip’s first day:

Phillip walked into the room at 1:15. It was really late to start a school day and this looked nothing like his school.

“My skirt is ruined!” a girl exclaimed with a tear rolling down her cheek. Her eyes moved from the lump of blue icing on her bottom to the chair she was sitting in to a group of boys in the back. “It was those three!” she hissed, pointing. “Robert, Javante, and that Chuck.”

Chuck, Robert, and Javante all huddled together in a back corner. They seemed undisturbed that the girl just shouted their names. Phillip watched one of them give his best, “Who? Us?” look. The other two shrugged and smiled.

Phillip started taking very short breaths. He was standing in the door and needed to move.

Phillip’s eyes fell on a table with cupcakes. He locked on one with pink icing and walked to it without looking around. A parent cleared her throat and Phillip reluctantly looked up.

“Only take one cupcake, young man. Just one.”

“Yes ma’am,” Phillip said, though he thought his voice was barely audible. Not knowing where to go he stood awkwardly beside the table.

The mother moved away to the girl with the icing on her. “I’m sure no one did it on purpose, sweetie,” the mom said. She did not seem convinced of her own words and gave the three boys a second look. However, she did not pursue the boys or the case of the spilt icing any further.

Phillip watched as the mom turned away. He began eating his cupcake slowly. He needed to hold it more than he wanted to eat it. It gave his hands something to do. The boys in the back started pulling cupcakes out of a plastic carton.

A nearby girl looked at the three and said, “Chuck, you were just suppose to take one cupcake.”

“I only took ONE PACK. Not my fault it had six cupcakes in it!” came Chuck’s response.

Phillip moved his attention to the rest of the room. Everyone was collected in groups of three or four, talking. He had never felt so alone. The teacher was at her desk behind a computer screen and a name plate that said, “Mrs. Murray.” Phillip was pretty sure she never saw him come in.

Phillip moved to the back of the room against a wall. It wasn’t a seat, but at least he wasn’t front and center anymore.

“It was a sacrifice TOTALLY worth it,” the one Phillip thought was Chuck said, patting another boy who held an icing-less cupcake on the back.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I just finished a draft for a dystopian young adult. A trans male time travels to a future America where a major world event has enhanced women’s superpower but left men as near-children. Our main character is a gunslinger. A Texas Ranger, in fact. It is the first of a three part series.

My other work in progress is a Middle Grade book titled Freckles, The Dark Wizard. It is a comedic romp through middle school life. More Diary of a Wimpy Kid than Harry Potter.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

In 1992, a teacher I had in high school asked me why I was not enrolled in his creative writing course. I subsequently enrolled and fell in love with the art of writing. Like many, it became something I would “do later.” Now, in my late forties with my six kids teens or out of the house, I have decided to make time to follow the passion. Exactly when did I consider myself a writer? I think when that sixteen year old kid got a story published in his school writing publication and won the creative writing award for his graduating class at Baylor School.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I write full time in the summer. During the school year I teach 7am-3pm. One night a week I teach a college class on psychology. One night a week I attend drill / training as a volunteer fireman. Writing works in around family and those commitments. I do my best to write 1000 words per week during school and work on edits. In the summer, I aim for 2,000 to 2,500 words per day, six days per week.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to write out my manuscript by hand. I was classically trained, so some of my scribble is in Latin shorthand!

I prefer to write outside if at all possible when writing first drafts. I have a space heater on my porch!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I attended a summer camp as a middle schooler. I loved my counselors and the fun I had there. I wanted to work at the camp when I was older. I worked there all through college. When I finished my masters, I became the camp director. I ran the camp for six years before leaving to do counseling. It still to this day was the best job I ever had.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

A few interesting notes personal facts:

- My oldest two are adopted from Ukraine independently. They were 8 and 11 when adopted.

- I was a dues paying girl scout.

- I worked in Rwanda after the 1990 genocide. It was a life shaping venture.

- I am a volunteer fireman / emergency service worker.

- I believe the power of story is immense and one of the few things that can really shape us individually and corporately.

- I love miniature candy bars but my wife thinks they should be banned.

Links:

Website | Amazon - Book | Amazon Author | Blog | Facebook Author | EBook (non-Kindle) | IndieBound | Audible

Thanks for joining me today!

Interview with MG historical novelist Rob Currie

Today’s special author guest is Rob Currie. We’re chatting a bit about his new middle-grade historical, Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel.

During his virtual book tour, Rob will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

Life conspired to get Rob Currie to write Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel. His father is a World War II veteran and his wife is Dutch. An award-winning author, it was only a matter of time before he would focus his writing on World War II. Research for Hunger Winter included numerous books, interviews with Dutch WWII survivors, and three weeks in the Netherlands. His investigation revealed astonishing details about the Dutch experience of the war, which begged to be turned into a book.

Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, he graduated from Cornerstone University and went on to earn a master's degree and doctorate in psychology from St. Louis University. He has taught psychology at Judson University since 1987. His hobbies include playing basketball, cooking, and writing poetry.

Welcome, Rob. Please share a little bit about your current release. What inspired you to write this book?

Life hoodwinked me. When my seventh-grade son showed me a short story he’d written about World War Two, I suggested that he and I could take turns writing the rest of the story. He enthusiastically agreed so I took the first writing turn. My son soon lost interest, but as I did research, my fascination grew as I discovered the poignant hardship and heroism of the Dutch and realized their stories demanded to be shared. It was a fulfilling yet challenging experience because you do not simply write a novel so much as you wring it out of your soul.

Now that the book has been finished, I’m hearing from many kids and in some cases their parents, how much they are enjoying the book. For example, a fourth grader said, “Out of 10 stars I would give it 11.” A sixth grader said, “Tell him to write another book. I’ve recommended Hunger Winter to my friends.”

 Excerpt from Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel:

     As the soldiers let them through a gate, Els’s mind raced. She’d been delivered from death, but what lay ahead? Nothing the enemy had in mind could be good. Her legs trembled as rifle butts and curses herded her and the other prisoners into the back of a Gestapo van. Unseen hands slammed the back door and locked it with a metallic clank.

     The captives collapsed on the floor from physical and mental fatigue, but they soon found their voices. One man said that because his family had hidden Jews, soldiers gave them only twenty minutes to gather a few essentials before being taken into captivity. In addition, the Nazis gave their house away to new residents and ordered the man’s children to arrange bouquets of flowers for the newcomers. A murmur of sympathy rippled through the group.

     A woman said the Gestapo had arrested her for naming her pig Hitler. With voices hoarse due to their emaciated condition, the captives howled with glee, and happy tears flowed. When the merriment ended, someone said, “I bet your pig had better manners than Herr Hitler,” and the laughter exploded again.

     “And I bet the pig had a better mustache, too,” Els added. She laughed so hard her sides hurt.

     Minutes later the van stopped and the door swung open.

     “Where are we?” a woman asked as she peered at a large building.

     “Nowhere we want to be,” Els answered. She lowered her voice. “Stay strong. And don’t tell them anything.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am doing research for a sequel. Possibilities include how the Dutch Resistance fought against the Germans’ super weapon which was the V2 rocket. It weighed 14 tons and travelled at over three times the speed of sound so you couldn’t see it in time to shoot it down. Many of these super weapons were launched from the Netherlands, where my story takes place.  

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

God bless Miss Ballard, our high school English teacher, who taught us creative writing. After I completed a few of her creative writing assignments, I was hooked. She knew her stuff and was very encouraging.

If you don’t write full-time, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I teach psychology at the college level so most of my writing time comes in the summer when my life drastically changes. I don my “writing super hero” costume—ordinary shorts and a t-shirt, before biking 40 minutes to the office to get my heart rate up and pump oxygen to my brain. Then I immerse myself in the story, researching, writing, and rewriting. Someone once said the soul of writing is rewriting. That is the bare truth. It’s the hardest and most satisfying aspect of the work to struggle, strain, and finally know you nailed it.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

 I drink one hundred ounces of water per day because water significantly clarifies the thinking.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was the oddball kid in my class who never knew what career he wanted. All my friends in elementary school knew, or thought they knew, that they wanted to be police officers or teachers or whatever.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Hunger Winter is grabbing and holding readers’ interest. Thirteen-year-old Tom read Hunger Winter and a month later when he was assigned to pick another novel, he told his dad “I want another book like Rob Currie’s.” Eleven-year-old Paige read it and said, “I never thought I’d be interested in WWII but now I really am.” Fifty-nine-year old Bob read Hunger Winter and said it is the first book he has read all the way through since he graduated from college.

Links:

Website | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million

Thanks for joining me today, Rob.

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Interview with middle grade novelist Kai Strand

Today's special guest is novelist Kai Strand. She's sharing a bit about the first book in her new Concord Chronicles fantasy series, Day of Reckoning.

During her virtual book tour, Kai will be awarding a $15 Amazon gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

Kai Strand writes fiction for kids and teens. Her debut novel, The Weaver, was an EPIC eBook Awards finalist. Her young adult title, King of Bad, soared to the publisher's #1 spot in its second month and stayed on the Top 5 Bestsellers list for eight months, reaching #7 on Amazon’s best seller list. She’s been a wife for 28 years and is still madly in love. She’s the mother of four amazing young adults. The most common sound in her household is laughter. The second most common is, "Do your dishes!" She and her family hike, geocache, and canoe in beautiful Central Oregon, where they call home.

Welcome, Kai. Please tell us a little bit about your current release.

Not only does twelve-year-old Terra learn she’s a Nature’s Spirit destined to serve the peaceful underground city of Concord, but she also finds she is named in a prophecy as the only one who can thwart the leader of the death tribe.

The Trepidus are the death janitors of the Underworld. They’re responsible for the termination and cleanup of Concord’s beings. When their leader, Blanco, learns Terra is the one who can derail his day of reckoning, he does everything he can to get rid of her. Including, dispatch a “Bringer” to complete the ultimate of death janitor duties.

Not only does Terra want to stay alive, but she hopes to complete her training and discover her Spirit talents too. So, Frank, a Spirit of Security, is assigned to protect her. Together, they undertake a secret investigation of how to defeat Blanco. But with the future of Concord and Terra’s very own life at stake, will they find the answer in time?

What inspired you to write this book?

The inspiration for this book came years ago as I read through the Harry Potter series for the first time. I’d read the first four books in the series in just a matter of weeks, but the fifth book was months away from publication. I missed Hogwarts something fierce. That’s when I realized I had the ability to distract myself by making up my very own fantasy world. The first character that popped into my head was a transportation animal that resembled a mole. I thought to myself, who would need an underground transport animal and where would this person be going? Answering those questions gave me both Terra and the city of Concord - and a book idea was born.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m actually just finishing the first draft of the prequel for this series. It’s titled, The Making of Master, and it’s Frank’s story. I love Frank as much as I love Terra and readers deserve to know it.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Sadly, I did what most writers do, and I didn’t consider myself a writer until after my first paid publication. I’d had several shorts published online, many of them weren’t paid. Though they helped me build a resume, I somehow didn’t consider them valid since I hadn’t received money for them. So, my advice is, if you’re new to the writing gig, and you go through a submission process, and your work is chosen above other submissions for publication –consider yourself an author.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I did write full-time for many years but grew tired of my own company and got a part-time job. Then, my husband’s business fell apart and I had to get a second part-time job to help with finances. Then, I decided I was tired of always having an old car, so I got a full-time job. After each change, it took me awhile to figure out how to work writing in. The longest adjustment, of course, was after going to work full-time. I write mostly on the weekends now. Where I used to be able to pound out a first draft in a couple of months, it now takes me SOOOO much longer. But I love writing, so I plug away. The ultimate dream would be to sell enough books and have enough speaking gigs to write full-time again. I miss it. Ironic, right?

As for full-time work, I consider myself pretty lucky on that front. I’m the Office Administrator for a family owned company that makes goat milk soap, lotion and other all-natural skincare products. We work on the forty acre family farm with a view of the Cascade Mountains. Hey, if you’ve gotta work full-time, it’s an incredible setting. And I can’t say enough good things about the products. I buy the ingredients, so I know the quality firsthand. If you have any skin issues like eczema, psoriasis, or even just dry skin, check it out. Or, if you just like super soft, healthy skin and like to know you aren’t putting toxins into your body, check it out. Tell them Kai Strand sent you – lol. Here’s my affiliate link if you’re interested. BEND SOAP COMPANY

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’m really not a quirky person, so I can’t think of any writing quirks that I have. I’m really positive person. I smile a lot and think the best of people. I (mostly) always look forward in life because 1) I try to make informed decisions (no regrets) and 2) what’s done is done so why worry over what I’ve already completed? I apply that to my writing too. The biggest difference is I do go back and edit the work I’ve done, so there’s a little more looking backward there. Lol.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an archeologist in such a big, bad way. I envisioned myself digging in the Egyptian desert and finding artifacts that told more of Nefertiti’s story. Until, that is, I learned I was likely to come across large spiders and scorpions. Then I wanted to be a veterinarian but was horribly allergic to cats and dogs. My eyes would swell closed if I walked into a house with a cat and my arms would break out in welts if I pet a dog. Ironically, I stopped being allergic sometime in my adult years. I had avoided contact with both for so long that I honestly don’t know when it happened, but I’m making up for all of those years I couldn’t interact with them. Now I have three dogs and two cats.  

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

It’s been a pleasure visiting with you all today. I would love for you to hop onto any of my social media sites to say hi. My favorite part of being an author is visiting with readers and having passionate book discussions, so let me know what your (current) favorite read is or how you enjoyed my book, if you pick up a copy.

Links:
Website | Mailing List | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Thanks for being here today, Kai.
Thanks for having me!

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Interview with children's author Sunayna Prasad

Writer Sunayna Prasad joins me today to chat about her middle grade children’s fantasy, The Frights of Fiji.

During her virtual book tour, Sunayna will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

Sunayna Prasad enjoys writing fantasy books for children, as well as cooking, creating artwork, watching online videos, and blogging. She has also written The Frights of Fiji, formerly titled as From Frights to Flaws. She is passionate about modern life, fantasy, and world-building. Aside from her website, sunaynaprasadbooks.com, she also has a blog about different creative and entertaining topics, including fiction and writing, called “Sunayna Prasad’s Blog”. Sunayna graduated from college in May 2017. She lives in Long Island, NY.

Please share a little bit about your current release.

The Frights of Fiji was published a year ago. It’s about a girl who is living with her harsh uncle, but is kidnapped to Fiji by a warlock. She has to defeat him in order to leave the nation.

What inspired you to write this book?

The “Harry Potter” series gave me a ton of inspiration. In fact, many readers have compared the book to “Harry Potter”. One character was even compared to Harry’s Aunt Petunia, who actually had no inspiration or influence behind that other character.

Excerpt from The Frights of Fiji:

About a half hour had gone by, and footsteps thumped down the stairs. Alyssa figured out that Mathias had returned via his flying tube since Isabelle had said that he owned one too. Alyssa turned to the staircase and watched him carry a small cage with about six or seven mice. They had white fur with patches of green, purple, red, and blue. Mathias also carried a bag of silver, gold, copper, metallic green, red, and blue fronds.

He entered the living room and sat on one of the couch chairs. He placed the cage on the carpet. But Isabelle bent her eyebrows. “Mathias, don’t put them on the carpet. They’re going to—”

“Isabelle, it’s okay. They’re in a cage.”

“Still, they’re filthy wild animals, and they could get my clean carpet dirty.”

“Oh, Isabelle, stop being such a neat freak,” said Mathias.

“No.” Isabelle turned to Simon, who sat on the other couch chair and listened to his WiPod. “Simon, can you track the snake, please?”

Simon took out his earbuds. “What did you want me track? I didn’t get that.”

Isabelle repeated herself, and Simon made his tablet appear. Alyssa watched him press it; he probably programmed a way to track the snake.

“Simon, how far away is the snake?” asked Alyssa.

“Erm . . . about a hundred feet away,” he replied.

“Oh my god,” moaned Alyssa.

“Let’s go,” said Isabelle.

Alyssa’s stomach hardened as she walked up the stairs. She could even feel her heart throb through her throat. She hurried her breathing and followed everyone else out of the tent.

Alyssa stepped onto the sand and saw something move. She gasped, her muscles constricting to her bones. Her hands shook and cooled down despite the burning sun. Tingles spread through her toes and fingers and expanded to the rest of her body. She whined through her contracted throat. She wished that what she saw was just a mirage. But the smell of the ash hanging in the air revealed to her that she didn’t just see things—the snake drew nearer.

It opened its jaw, exhaling light gray ash. It stuck out its pointy black tongue and pushed its head toward Alyssa, and she coughed. But it sped up its slithering. Alyssa screamed and spun around. She dashed along the beach, and her feet sped up, thus kicking the backs of her legs.

“Alyssa, get back here!” yelled Mathias. “I can’t disappear holding the cage or mice! It’s impossible doing both!”

But Alyssa continued to sprint across the beach. Sand streamed into her sneakers. Sweat even trickled into the neckline of her shirt and her legs.

Something scaly slapped her legs. She flew into the air and screamed. Her body fought against the direction of the breeze, and she landed on her butt.

She moaned and quickened up breaths through her gritted teeth. The snake continued to slither and release ash. Shrieking, Alyssa bolted up and turned around. She headed into the rainforest.

Facing vines, twigs, trees, bushes, and fronds, Alyssa found her way around them. Her legs ached from all the different movements she made. She ran sideways from a tree, jumped over a couple of twigs and vines, and zigzagged around trees and bushes. A trail even lay in front of her.

Alyssa’s thin legs and body kept her energy going, but her legs felt like they’d been clogged with broken cobblestones. The snake kept chasing her, though.

What exciting story are you working on next?

The third installment, which will hopefully be done by next month. It took about 4 years to complete, which is a long time for me.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

In my teens, but my writing didn’t please a lot of people until I was 19. I’m 26 now and my feedback from readers is far better now.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Nope, I also work in an office, hang out with my friends, and cook. That being said, I also have a blog with different topics in the creative and entertainment categories.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I like to apply humor to it. As long as it’s believable, it’s acceptable.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Different things, ranging from pilot to zookeeper to baker.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I have recently launched a website about my books’ universe called magicalmissionsworld.com. It’s got details about the content and will gain more material soon.

Links:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Amazon

Thank you for being a guest on my blog!

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Interview with YA author L. B. O'Milla

My special author guest today is L. B. O’Milla and we’re chatting about her new middle-grade YA fantasy, Adventures of Little Yaga and Her Friends.

Bio:

L. B. O’Milla was born in Kiev, Ukraine (back then a part of Russia), and loved to read and write from an early age. Her dream was to become a writer, but due to religious and ethnic persecution she faced, she was unable to pursue that dream in her motherland. When she was 26 years old, she with her husband and daughter fled the country. They wound up first in Vienna, Austria, then in Rome, Italy, until finally entering America as refugees.

In the US, she graduated from NYU and worked as a physical therapist all while raising her family, but she never gave up her love of writing. Having grown up in a family that exposed her to literature, the arts, and music, O’Milla enjoyed Russian folklore and its characters.

She worked very hard to learn English, so she could write in English, the language of her new country.

One of L. B.’s great surprises was running into a former high school teacher here, in America, who had also emigrated from Russia. The teacher pulled out some notebooks of L. B.’s old writings that she had saved and brought with her to this country. Encouraged, L. B. kept writing.

In her spare time, L. B. enjoys reading, writing, laughing, playing Scrabble, spending time with friends and family, attending stage performances, traveling, and participating in outdoor activities. Widowed at an early age, her biggest supporters are her children and her sister.

Welcome, L. B. Please tell us about your current release.

Little Yaga is a teenager who lives with her old hag of a grandmother in a house on top of a chicken leg, deep within the Enchanted Forest. She is troubled by her own appearance. While all the other Forest creatures have magnificent fangs, thunderous roars, and bony legs, Little Yaga looks like a human. She even wears custom crafted dentures to give herself fangs! In her quest to fit in with the Foresters, Little Yaga listens to her great-aunt, an old enchantress, and travels to the human world where she meets a group of teenagers on the run from an evil sorcerer. Together with her new friends she returns to the Forest.

Scraggard the Immortal, the ruler of the Forest, uses the energy of humans to remain immortal. When he captures Ashley, a human girl, Little Yaga takes pity on her. She gathers a group of both old friends and new to help Ashley escape from Scraggard and save the Forest from his malevolent reign.

As Little Yaga discovers the secrets of her forest home and her own origins, she comes into contact with creatures and settings straight out of Russian fables and mythology.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired by the modern technological advances and wanted to show how they sometimes seem to work like magic. I thought it would be interesting to draw parallels between the modern technology and good old fairytale magic. In my novel I play with this idea. For instance, the characters from the enchanted forest think a remote control is a magic wand and a cell phone is a magic looking glass, while the human characters believe the magic talking stove is a programmed mechanism and a magic piece of coal is a voice activated device.

Excerpt from Adventures of Little Yaga and Her Friends

A few minutes later, they were standing on the bank of the rapidly flowing Milkshake River, which smelled like Ashley’s favorite mixture of strawberry, raspberry, and watermelon. A note posted on the trunk of the weeping willow growing on the riverbank said, “If you want to cross it, drink it.” Instead of leaves, there were small green cups dangling from its branches. Ashley’s eyes lit up, and she reached for a cup, but Little Yaga grabbed her hand and forced it down.

What exciting story are you working on next?

Right now, I am working on two projects. One is a spinoff of the Adventures of Little Yaga and Her Friends, and the other one is Diary of a Soviet Emigrant, which is a lighthearted and humorous recount of difficulties and challenges a newcomer from the Eastern European block must deal with to adapt to a new cultural environment.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I don’t remember a time when I did not consider myself a writer. As soon as I started reading literature on my own, around age nine or ten, I began writing. Unconsciously, my first pieces imitated the styles of the authors I was reading at the time, no less than Tolstoy, Chekov, O’Henry, Maugham (whose works were translated into Russian), etc.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

My life-long dream to write full-time has not yet come true. I still practice physical therapy from nine to five and write mostly late at night, on weekends, and sometimes on vacations.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I love to rhyme. When I first came to the US, I was surprised American poets had pulled away from such a form of expression. My characters are still prone to rhyming on occasion.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I never wanted to do anything else for living but to write.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I was twenty-six years of age when I came to the US and did not speak or understand a word of English. Nevertheless, my goal was to write in English as I wanted to become an American writer. It was a big challenge, but today I am proud of my accomplishment

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

I would also like to thank Lisa for this wonderful opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences.

It’s been my pleasure having you visit. Thanks so much, L. B.!