Author Interview & Giveaway: Christina Smith author of Fated Dreams

1. How did you come up with the concept for this book?
I read LJ Smith’s series about soul mates, and I fell in love with the concept. The idea that one person out there is meant for you and only you, really intrigued me.

2. How did you come up with the names for the characters?
For the main character Sarah and her friend Emma, I wanted names that lasted over a span of years. Names that were not trendy, and would still be popular years from now.

With the main male character Lucas, I wanted to find a set of names with the first letter the same. He is a twin, and I’ve noticed that a lot of parents do that with twins. His brother’s name in Logan.

3. How much are you and the characters alike?
I’m not sure if I’m like any of them. Sarah is who I wish I was in high school, but wasn’t. I love humor, and I think you need it to survive in a world that isn’t always easy. So I tried to bring some laughter into the story through some of the characters. I would have loved to have friends like this group when I was younger.

4. Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?
I don’t read as much as I used to, because I find that when I’m reading I can’t put the book down and it keeps me from writing. Since I'm taking a tiny break, right now, I'm reading Bully, by Penelope Doulas.

5. What made you decide to go Young adult?
Well, I wanted to write books that I read, and I read both young adult and adult romance, so I’ve dabbled in both. Although I have more ideas for young adult.

6. How did the cover come about?
Well, I wanted an original model, and I just happened to have a niece that had brown hair, and looked young enough for the character of Sarah, so I asked her to be in it. In the book she is given a dozen roses, so I wanted her to hold one. I took a few pics, and did another cover in the back yard of my sister’s house. When I published the cover, it didn’t look as professional as I wanted so I asked Stephanie Mooney, at Mooney designs to fix it, and this is what she came up with.

7. So what is your next project and when is it due out?
I just published the third and final book in my Moon’s glow series. But right now I’m working on a ghost story based on a true story of a park I used to play on. I’ve just started it so I don’t know when it will be out.

8. Do you have a daytime job or are you a full time writer?
I had a day time job, working at home for my husband but since we are in the process of closing the business, I guess I’m a full time writer now.

9. How did you get into writing novels and were you worried about people’s reactions to your books?
I was watching Oprah when she had Stephanie Myer on, and she said that she thought everyone made up stories in their head. When Oprah told her that no, normal people didn’t do that, I looked at my husband and said, “They don’t?”

I had been telling myself stories since I was a child, and when she said that I thought I’d try it. I thought of a few of the stories I had made up, and Fated Dreams was one of the ones I could remember.

I was terribly worried about people’s reactions. What I write is very personal, and if people didn’t like it, it would devastate me. I’ve since grown a thicker skin, and I know that everyone has different taste in books, so I try not to take it too personally.

10. One last thing do you collect anything personally?
Books, and Christmas snow globes. I love them.
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Author Interview & Giveaway: Angela McPherson author of Hopes Decree

Today with have with us a new indie author Angela Mcpherson. Her book is now available on Amazon for $2.99! Angela Weclome!

1. How did you come up with the concept for this book?

I wanted to write about something I hadn't read about. Like Trinity, I knew the generic story of Pandora's Box. I researched different sites and came up with my story line.

2.How did you come up with the names for the characters? I looked up Melia and Morpheus's name, wanting to keep some sort of Greek mythology intact. Melia is a nymph and the daughter of Oceanus, which is explained in the book. Morpheus was the God of dreams. Blain name came from one of my favorite movies, Pretty and Pink, but his last name, Heros, actually means hero. Trinity, her name was Alison in the beginning. I changed it to fit an explanation, but ended up taking that explanation out after editing. Crystal is the name of one of my best friends. Keri's name just popped into my head. I've always like the name Trevor, so I went with it. 

3.How much are you and the characters alike?

I think I'm similar to all my characters, even Melia...so watch out. LOL

4.Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?

I try to read all the time. I'm reading Warrior by Joanne Wadsworth right now.

5. What made you decide to go Young adult?

I love YA! Everything from a first kiss to a first love, all of it is exciting and new, and I wanted to create all those firsts, too.

6. How did the cover come about?

Jen Wylie suggested having the cover resemble one of Trinity's dreams, and she is brilliant because it's awesome. We looked (Sean and Jen more than me) through tons of pictures until we found the perfect fit. As soon as the picture of the girl was found, Sean Hayden worked his magic and created the beautiful cover. 

7. So what is your next project and when is it due out?

I'm just now working on the second book to Hope's Decree. My plan is to have everything completed by the end of this year. 

8. Do you have a daytime job or are you a full time writer?

I'd love to be a full-time writer, but I work. In the daytime, I work as a pediatric nurse, along with taking care of my three turkeys (kids). I'm only able to write when I get home...actually when they are getting ready for bed. 

9. How did you get into writing novels and were you worried about peoples reactions to your books?

Yes, I worry all the time I might disappoint a reader. 

10. One last thing do you collect anything personally?

No, I don't collect anything but laundry from my kids, which seems to be never ending. 

 

Places to find the Author:

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Places to find the book:

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Interview: Veronica Wolff author of The keep (Watchers #4)

 

 

We haver Varonica Wolff with us today. She is the author of the series The Watchers. If you havent read it you are missing out!

1. How did you come up with the storyline for this book?

Honestly, some of the inspiration came from you bloggers! Many reviewers have commented how much they wanted to know what was in that vampire castle, and I decided it was time to sneak inside.

 Also, I’ve been doing a lot of Jiu-Jitsu and often I’m the only woman in class. I live by the beach, which means many classes find me grappling with big, strapping surfers. (Rough, huh?) I think a lot about how to use leverage when fighting someone much bigger than myself, and it was a natural next step that Drew ended up exploring it on the page for me.

 2. How did you come up with the names for the characters?

Some of them just come to me (Drew), some are names I’ve liked for some time (Carden), and others are results of random web searches, trawling for interesting sounding names (Alcántara).

 3. How much are you and the characters alike?

Oh wow, I dare not think about that one too much! Seriously, though, seeing as I’m the one who’s conceived of all these people, they’re all in me somewhere. There’s not one character I can point to, rather, there are little bits of me in each person on that island. I believe it wouldn’t be a very good character if there weren’t some part of them that I personally found sympathetic.

 4. Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?

I read like a crazy person. I’m voracious. Mostly young adult, with a smattering of romance (I love Regencies), and I also snatch up the occasional non-fiction, horror, or classic. I recently even devoured a teen manga. I’m usually reading one book and listening to another on audio. At the moment I’m reading Green Darkness by Anya Seton, listening to Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, and also occasionally tucking into My Mistress’s Sparrow is Dead: Great Love Stories, from Chekhov to Munro, a collection of short stories curated by Jeffrey Eugenides (can you tell I’m a fan?!)

 5. What made you decide to go Vampires?

I like scary things. I enjoy the romance of today’s teen vampires and found myself wanting more of that, but with more horrific, terrifying twists.

 6. What will you do now that this series is finished?

Actually, the series isn’t over for me! I’m currently working on a novella written from Ronan’s point of view. I can’t seem to leave Drew behind…

 7. So what is your next project and when is it due out?

I’m working on my Ronan novella, as well as a top-secret YA contemporary—no vampires in that one, just a cute boy.

 8. Do you have a daytime job or are you a full time writer?

I’m lucky to be a full-time writer, but I’ve got two kids at home, so there’s a lot of carpooling and volunteering in there, too.

 9. How did you get into writing novels and were you worried about peoples reactions to your books?

I had a job that I hated, and writing was a way to have something to think about during the day that belonged only to me. Then, when my daughter was born, it was a way to keep my identity and sanity. And yes, I was very worried about people’s reactions, though my bulletproof vest gets thicker every year.

 10. One last thing do you collect anything personally?

With two kids and a few rescue pets at home, sometimes it feels as though mostly I collect Legos from where they’re hiding in the rug, furballs from beneath the bed, and bobby pins from under the bathroom sink, but no, other than that, I don’t really collect anything. (Though, now that I think about it, who doesn’t love a good tourist mug?)

Places to find Veronica
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Places to find Veronicas books
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Interview: Wendy Higgins author of Sweet Evil & Sweet Peril

                               Interview: Wendy Higgins Author of Sweet Evil & Sweet Peril

Today we have Wendy Higgins stopping by to discuss her new book Sweet peril. Out in stores now.

 

1. How did you come up with the concept for this book?

I didn't "come up with it" as much as it just sort of hit me in a rush of inspiration. Once I had the vision of Anna in my mind, half-angel and half-demon, and then the idea of Kaidan, the son of the demon of lust, the scenes just started bombarding me, out of order. I wrote them as they came to me, and then I had to work out the plot and piece everything together.

 2. How did you come up with the characters names?

Anna is named after my good friend Ann, who I swear is like an angel on earth. Jay is a family name, which I love, and it brings tender feelings when I think of it.  And all the rest of the names were found online via baby name websites, lol!

 

3.How much are you and the characters alike?

Anna looks similar to me (but I never ever had twiggy, skinny legs like her, haha). I was naive at her age, and I fell for the bad boy, but unlike Anna, I wasn't very strong.

4.Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?

I used to read a TON, back before I was writing full time. But now most of my readings are pieces written by my critique partners. We do beta reading for each other, so I get to read the first drafts of a lot of excellent books and help provide feedback. :)  I just finished Origin by Jen Armentrout, 4th book in her excellent Lux series.

5. What made you decide to go angels and demons?

They are the "supernatural" beings who interest me the most, so I was intrigued to research and imagine what might go on in their world. I had just finished reading an adult satire called Good Omens, which had an angel and demon narrator, so I definitely had celestial beings on the brain!

6. How did the cover come about?

I have no power, control, or say-so over the cover. When asked for my initial input, I begged not to have faces on the cover, but I ended up being pleased with what the cover designer came up with.  Of course it's not exactly how I imagine them, and there is no time in the book when Anna's wearing a red dress in a spooky forest, but it captures the tone of the story, and it's appealing to the eye, so I love it.

7. So what is your next project and when is it due out?

Sweet Reckoning, the 3rd and final book in the Sweet Trilogy, will be out spring 2014.  It's in the process of edits and revisions right now.

8. Do you have a daytime job or are you a full time writer?

I'm a "stay-at-home-mom," and homemaker, so I don't get paid, but I'm kept very busy by my family. 

9. How did you get into writing novels and were you worried about people's reactions to your books?

I always loved writing. I wrote lots of short stories in college, and throughout my life I've started countless books, but never finished one until the idea for Sweet Evil came to me.  I was very worried about what people would think of my little brain child.  I knew it was a little controversial.  I didn't think there would be any room for something Biblically based in the mainstream market, so I was shocked when it was picked-up for publication.  I hope people will be able to enjoy the lore and romance of the story without thinking I've got an ulterior motive. I think that's my biggest fear.  But I stay far away from reviews, and just focus on the fans.

10. One last thing do you collect anything personally?

I used to collect elephant stuff, but that has tapered off since I had kids. Now I collect signed books. :)

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Author Interview: Rysa Walker author of Time's twisted arrow

We have Rysa Walker with us today. Thank you Rysa for being here.

1. How did you come up with the concept for this book?
I read a lot of historical fiction as a teenager that didn't get the history right. I didn't realize that at the time, but when I headed off to college it became clear that most of the books were more fiction than history. In the rare case that they got the history right, the story was usually boring. And I have always loved science fiction and fantasy, especially time travel, so this story line was really a natural for me.

2. How did you come up with the names for the characters?
Kate was Prudence Katherine Pierce-Keller from the beginning. I'm not sure why, but the name just sort of popped into my head. Katherine's name, as well as Prudence's, stem from the same source, so they were easy. Other character names were a matter of trial and error until I got one that I liked. I knew someone named Trey a long time ago. He wasn't nearly as yummy as this Trey, but I liked the name. And I have a soft spot for Celtic names – all of my sons have names that are much more common in Ireland than in the U.S.

3. How much are you and the characters alike?
I guess there are a few traits that I have in common with Kate, as well as her mother and grandmother. Like Kate, I am a big fan of coffee. I love The Princess Bride and really good onion rings. I couldn't manage a karate kick to save my life, however. Like Kate's mother and grandmother, I teach history. And maybe there's a trace of me in Connor as well, because I occasionally have to pick pretzel crumbs out of my keyboard.

4. Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?
I read constantly. My Kindle goes everywhere I do. I've been known to sneak in a few pages in the drive-thru at Starbucks. I read while I exercise. I sometimes read in line at the grocery store. I am a certified book nerd.

Right now, I'm reading Requiem, the last book of Lauren Oliver's Delirium series.

5. What made you decide to go Young Adult?
I read a lot of YA books. It started with the Harry Potter series and then I moved on to a few others and it occurred to me that many of the books I have enjoyed most, throughout the years, have been ones with a teenage protagonist. Another reason I read YA is that I have two boys who are tweens and I'm the "pre-reader" who decides whether a book is a good fit for them. They're approaching the point where I probably don't need to do that, but I'm hooked on YA now and sharing books cuts down on the cost. That's important when you go through several of them a week!

6. How did the cover come about?
I wanted something that conveyed twisted time. I've done a good bit of graphics work in the past, so I decided to do it myself. I had a photo of antique clock and there's this cool effects filter on Photoshop that does the twisting. The photo on the back is a historical photo from the Exposition that I tweaked a bit. I've had mixed reactions to the cover, but overall, I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

7. So what is your next project and when is it due out?The CHRONOS Files series will have three books and at least two novellas. The first of the novellas, which will probably be entitled Time's Echo, should be out at the end of the summer. It looks at the events leading up to and during part of Time's Twisted Arrow, this time from Kiernan's perspective. The second full-length book, Pendulum Past, should be out at the beginning of 2014.
All of that could change, however, if my luck holds and I move on to the next stage of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. If that happens, the publisher will be calling the shots on release dates.

8. Do you have a daytime job or are you a full time writer?
I do have a day job – I am college professor who teaches history and government online. So my writing is squeezed in during the summer, when my schedule is a bit more relaxed, and in the wee hours of the morning. My problems with insomnia are something of a mixed blessing, I guess. :)9. How did you get into writing novels and were you worried about people's reactions to your books?I've always written fiction as a hobby, but only began to focus on it recently. Most of my writing has been professional writing, academic articles and other non-fiction. But every now and then I would pull out a story and work on it for awhile. A few years back, I started devoting more time to the fiction side of my writing and realized that I'm a much happier person when I have that creative outlet.

I did worry a bit about the day job and my writing crossing paths, so I write under a pen name. (My real last name is also wicked hard-to-spell!) But in many ways, the two are complimentary. One of my goals in writing fiction is to show readers that history can actually be interesting and I pull in a lot of historical sources in my writing. Since schools are now focusing on teaching students to write with primary sources, I recently put together a free video module, Time Travel 101: Writing with Primary Sources, for use in middle and high-school classrooms. The idea is to introduce students to the concept of primary sources and show how they are used, not just in research assignments, but also in creating more believable and interesting fiction.
10. One last thing do you collect anything personally?
Anyone looking at my house would say that I collect books, but reading is really the hobby and the books are just the physical result. And I have fewer of those around since I got my Kindle a few years back. I do have a small collection of small espresso cups that I've gotten over time. And there's a huge collection of Webkinz in my house, but those belonged to my kids. At their current age, they find them very embarrassing and would cheerfully throw them all away, but I can't bear to part with them because I remember how much fun they had playing with them when they were little, even if you'd never, ever get them to admit it today!

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Interview: Laurie Boyle Crompton author of: Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains)

 

Today we have Laurie Crompton stopping by to share more about herself and whats happing in her world with us. Thank you Laurie for being here...

I want thank you for having me on Read for your Future! I'm very excited that my debut, Blaze, releases this week and thank you so much for the great interview questions! I've pasted my answers below. 

1. How did you come up with the concept of this book?
I was a bit of a comic book geek in high school and I always wished I could draw comics. I figured the next best thing was creating this character with all the drawing talent that I lack.

2. How did you come up with the names for the characters?
Blaze’s name just sort of came to me and felt right. It wasn't until later that I realized it actually made perfect sense that her father would name her after a superhero like Ghost Rider’s Johnny Blaze. It was one of those nice coincidences that happens sometimes with writing. The rest of the characters were similarly named things that ‘felt right’ but Blaze is definitely my favorite name in the book. (Good thing, too, since it’s the title!).

3.How much are you and the characters alike?

I was definitely a fangirl in high school and also got stuck shuttling siblings about. The bond between Blaze and her little brother is one I share with my younger sister and brother. Also, I did spray paint my first car hot pink which is similar to the makeover Blaze gives her minivan. I also dated my share of semi-supervillains, but fortunately the similarities stop there.

4.Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?

 I read tons of fiction as well as non-fiction and right now I’m enjoying Jeannie Ryan’s 2012 debut NERVE.

5. What made you decide to go Young adult?

Growing up, I thought Judy Blume was a total rock star and I've always loved reading and writing YA.  

6. How did the cover come about?

Originally the book was titled FANGIRL and had a completely different cover with a girl wearing a superhero mask. It was seriously awesome and I was sad to see it go, but I feel like the new cover my publisher designed is an even better fit. There’s a post over at Emu’s Debut’s a couple weeks ago week (http://emusdebuts.wordpress.com/) where my editor talks about the decision to make the change. (Posting January 29^th in case you’d like to create a direct link.)

7. So what is your next project and when is it due out?

My next book with Sourcebooks is scheduled for Feb 2014 and is titled The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High. It’s a reality show farce that is lots of fun. I also have a book coming out with FSG/Macmillan in 2014 (tentative title; Adrenaline) that is about a risk taking girl who is injured while rock climbing and must learn to overcome her fears.

8. Do you have a daytime job or are you a full time writer?
I'm happy being a full time writer :)

9. How did you get into writing novels and were you worried about peoples reactions to your books?

I've always loved writing and wrote for several trade magazines, but once I tried my hand at fiction I was totally hooked. It’s natural to worry about people’s reactions to my work (we writers are notoriously insecure), but I can't live in that place of worry or I’ll be afraid of taking risks. Writing without risk would be boring.  

10. One last thing do you collect anything personally?

I go hiking a lot with my family and am always picking up unusual-looking rocks. At the end of very long hikes I absolutely wish I collected something lighter!

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing more about you with us. Thank you so much for having me!

 

Where you can find Laurie:

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Find Laurie's book (Blaze) here:
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Interview & Giveaway: Alex Scarrow author of TimeRiders

 

Today we have Alex Scarrow author of Timeriders and Ellie Quinn. Here is our interview with him.

1. How did you come up with the concept of this book?

    I've always liked time travel as a story telling device because it gives you an infinitely large canvas to work with. I was a big fan of the Terminator movies and the Back to the Future movies in the 80s, mainly because of the idea of alternate versions of the present day that could be the result of an altered past. Great stuff; at once familiar and at the same time so very different.

2. How did you come up with the names for the characters?

    There's no real technique or science to that...it's just a case of running names past you until a particular name 'feels' right.

3. How much are the characters in this book like you?

     I think the main three characters, Liam, Maddy and Sal represent different elements of my personality. Liam is the big-kid part of me that really ought to grow up, whereas Maddy is the reluctantly mature side of me. And Sal? Hmmm...she's the part of me that is quiet, reserved, always people-watching.

4. Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?

     I've ALWAYS read a lot. Reading is just about the most important things you can do with a pair of eyeballs and a brain. It exercises the mind like a gymnasium. However, unlike lifting weights in a gym, it's an exercise that's actually damned good fun. And I ask you...how often can you say that about something? That it's both fun and good for you at the same time?! So...what am I reading right now? I'm research-reading for the next TimeRiders book...which I've got to start writing this week in fact!

5. What made you go young adult?

     I've always wanted to write for teens simply because teenagers are much for open-minded about new ideas, new concepts, about merging genres or defying genre rules. When you write for adults, it can be quite stifling particularly if you write within a genre like crime, where things have to follow a set formula. With the YA marketplace...basically, as long as the idea's a good one, anything goes!
   

6. How did the cover come about?

    The cover designs were produced by my publisher in the UK, Puffin Books. I love these covers. They are so incredibly cool.

7. What is your next project and when is it due out?

     ELLIE QUIN is the big thing I'm working on right now (as well as the last two books for TimeRiders). Actually, if I may, I'd like to encourage TimeRiders fans to give my new series, ELLIE QUIN, a go. It's very similar to TimeRiders in terms of pace, big ideas, strong likeable characters. It's about a very ordinary girl who yearns to escape a boring rural existence on a remote agricultural planet. But soon becomes embroiled in a universe-spanning conspiracy. She finds herself on the run through this madcap, colorful, vibrant universe full of really fun ideas. For instance....pets you can grow from seeds, nail varnish that when it dries you can watch TV on your finger, genetically engineered laborers with four arms, weird fortune telling aliens, soda pops that change flavor all the time, plants with a cabby attitude!....lots of fun stuff in a big, big, universe. The series has just been launched on Amazon. You can download it as an ebook or order (soon) a printed version from Amazon. If you're interested in learning more about it go to www.elliequin.com

 8. Do you have a day job or are you a full time writer?

      I am a full time writer, which is real privilege and pleasure. I usually write about 1000-1500 words a day, and then there's the promotion side of things, visiting schools and such. So this writing-thing keeps me rather busy.

9. How did you get into writing and were you worried about the reaction to your book?

     I started writing short stories when I was about nine. But then when I turned twelve, I got into rock music and started the whole I-wanna-be-a-rock-star thing. I was about 27 when I realized it wasn't going to happen for me and then found myself a job in a computer games company. I was in that industry for just over ten years before I started getting bored of it and found myself writing again. So...basically I wrote an adult novel, sent it off...and got VERY VERY lucky. I won't lie...it's tough. Very tough to get published these days. I'd say the most important thing...the trump suit...is originality. Come up with a concept that's so different it will take an editor's breath away. If you want to write a book about vampires in high school, dystopian future teen based gladiator games or invasions of zombies...then you're gonna be one of the crowd.

10. One last thing. Do you collect anything personally?

      Nope. I'm not a possession type person. I've never been a collector of anything or 'completist'. I like to travel light and de-clutter often. As long as I have my wallet, my passport, my iphone and laptop...I've pretty much got everything I need! I love that - traveling light.. 'Stuff' just weighs you down.

If you would like to find out more about Alex or his books check out one of the links below:
Alex-Goodreads
Timeriders
Alex's Website

Check out this video:

           

Interview: Alan Tucker author of Knot in time and Giveaway

Today we have Alan Tucker visiting with us today. He has a new book out called Knot in Time. Check it out if you have the chance.

 

 

    Here is our interview:
1. How did you come up with the concept for this book?
    I've always loved the idea of time travel. Back to the Future is one of my all-time favorit movies. It  had a great mix of adventure and humor, which are elements that I wanted to incorporate into this book and series. I also wanted to blend in some very modern theories of physics, like aspects of string theory, in a way that made sense and give readers something a little different from what they traditionally think of in a time travel story. The science, though, definitely takes a back seat to the action and adventure.

2. How did you come up with the names for the characters?
   What's not to love about a hero named Dare? Everything kind of came at once with this project — the concept and the name really went hand in hand. I remember studying and being fascinated with the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle in high school and college and started thinking about stories and characters spun from that idea.

3. How much are you and the characters alike?
   I'm pretty sure, like all writers, that there are little pieces of me in all my characters. Dare and I are probably more alike than I'd care to admit!

4. Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?
   I do read a lot! I think it's very important as a writer to be a big reader as well. I just finished with the latest Dresden Files book, Cold Days, by Jim Butcher and enjoyed it very much. I have a large TBR pile that it's time to sift through and decide what's next!

5. How did the cover come about?
   I wanted something that was clearly "science fiction-y" so the shot of the Earth and the nebula fit well. I had a picture in my head for Dare, but it took looking through literally thousands of photos of hundreds of different models to find one with the right look and expression on his face. I was very relieved when I finally discovered this one! I think it fits the character very well.

6. So what is your next project and when is it due out?
   Next will be the follow up to this story, which I'm plotting and outlining now. I hope to have it finished in late summer or early fall of 2013. No title as of yet.
7. Do you have a daytime job or are you a full time writer?
   I work as a graphic designer and also as a tutor besides writing, so I keep pretty busy. I would love to be able to pursue writing full time, but it takes quite a bit of time to develop a following. The fan base for my first series, Mother-Earth, is growing and I hope to reach a new audience with these time travel stories.

8. How did you get into writing novels and were you worried about peoples reactions to your books?
   I've written on and off ever since I was little, but had never finished a novel project until a few years ago. A Measure of Disorder, the first book of the Mother-Earth series was my first, and to be honest, I didn't really expect to publish it. It was only after strong, positive reactions from the people I showed it to that I decided to polish it up and give it a go. It's always hard to present something creative or artistic to someone else. Deep down we're all afraid of rejection. But I try to always go into a project with the idea that I'm creating something that I'd enjoy reading myself, so if other people aren't interested in it, that's okay. Nothing in this world is universally liked — not even ice cream — so when someone says, "That's not really my thing," it doesn't bother me. I don't like everything either, so how can I expect everyone to like my work?

9. One last thing do you collect anything personally?
   When I was little I collected all sorts of things. Stamps, baseball cards, comic books, you name it, I probably collected it at one point. I still have a box of comics from the seventies and eighties, most of which are probably worthless, but most everything else has been sold or given away over the years. I do have a collection of books, of course, but since I got a Kindle this past year, I have only purchased one or two paper books. Reading on the Kindle was surprisingly easier on my eyes and I'm so glad I took the plunge and got one!
 
Thank you so much for having me here today!
Thank you so much Alan for joining us today.
If you would like to know more about Alan or his books you can find him here:
Goodreads
Alan's website
Facebook
Twitter

Find Alan's new book Paperbook and Kindle on Amazon HERE!
                                                      
                                                    Find the Giveaway HERE!


 

 

Interview & Giveaway: Frank Nappi author of The Legend of Mickey Tussler & Sophomore Campaign (the sequel to The Legend of Mickey Tussler)

Welcome Frank and thank you for stopping by our blog today

1. How did you come up with the concept for this book?

This story is an amalgamation of my love for baseball and my incredible experiences with Challenger Baseball and Best Buddies.


2.How did you come up with the names for the characters?
I just tried to create names that reflected the sort of names that one would expect to hear in the period of the 1940's.


3.How much are you and the characters alike?
I believe that every character that an author creates has some of him inside. It is very difficult to separate author sensibility from that of his characters.


4.Do you read a lot and what are you reading now?
I read whenever I can. I am presently reading the R.A. Dickey memoir.


5. What made you decide to go Young adult?
The age of Mickey Tussler makes him a natural hero for young readers. The coming of age theme also appeals to a younger audience.


6. How did the cover come about?
The cover was created by the art department at Skyhorse Publishing. I had absolutely no input at all, although I must say I love it.


7. So what is your next project and when is it due out?
I am presently working on a third Mickey Tussler novel to complete the trilogy. There is no release date yet.


8. Do you have a daytime job or are you a full time writer?
I teach high school English full time. Writing is just a very pleasant diversion at this juncture in time.


9. How did you get into writing novels and were you worried about peoples reactions to your books?
My first novel was inspired by a very special friendship I formed with two WWII veterans. Their stories were both haunting and captivating and inspired me to write the novel ECHOES FROM THE INFANTRY. Naturally, I was a little concerned about how it would be received, not so much out of vanity but because I did not want to do Eddie and Bill a disservice.


10. One last thing do you collect anything personally?
Yes...sports(mostly baseball) memorabilia. I am a baseball freak...
More about Frank:
franknappi.com
Goodreads
Twitter

Bio:

Frank Nappi has taught high school English and Creative Writing for over twenty years. His debut novel, Echoes From The Infantry, received national attention, including MWSA's silver medal for outstanding fiction for 2006. His follow-up novel, The Legend of Mickey Tussler, garnered rave reviews as well, including a screenplay adaptation of the touching story which aired nationwide in the fall of 2011 (A Mile in His Shoes starring Dean Cain and Luke Schroder). Frank continues to produce quality work, including The Legend of Mickey Tussler: Sophomore Campaign, the intriguing sequel to the much heralded original story, and is presently at work on a third installment of the unique series. Frank lives on Long Island with his wife Julia and their two sons, Nicholas and Anthony.


The Legend of Mickey Tussler:
AMAZON


Seventeen-year-old Mickey Tussler is recruited to play for a minor league affiliate of the Boston Braves. Arthur Murphy swears Mickey has the greatest arm he has ever seen, that anybody has ever seen. And it might be true. But Mickey's autism is prohibitive. It keeps him sealed off from a world he scarcely understands. Lost both in the memory of his former life with an abusive father and the challenges of a new world filled with heckling teammates, opponents and fans, there's no way Mickey can succeed. But his inimitable talent -- one of the most gifted arms in the history of baseball -- gives him a chance. Can he survive a real life dream? Or are the harsh realities of life too much for him? This is the powerful underdog story of how a young man with an extraordinary gift comes of age in a harsh and competitive world.


Sophomore Campaign (the sequel to The Legend of Mickey Tussler)
AMAZON
It's 1949 and eighteen-year-old pitching phenom Mickey Tussler is back with the rejuvenated minor league Brewers in the sequel to The Legend of Mickey Tussler (the basis for the television movie A Mile in His Shoes). Despite Mickey's proclamation that he will never play baseball again after last season's violent conclusion, his manager and now surrogate father Arthur Murphy cajoles the emotionally fragile, socially awkward boy with autism into giving it another shot. Mickey reluctantly returns to the field and must once again cope with the violence and hatred around him. When a young African American player joins the team, the entire team is subjected to racial threats and episodes of violence, one of which Mickey witnesses firsthand. Struggling to understand such ugliness and hatred, and fearful of reprisal should he tell anyone about what he hasseen, the boy's performance on the field suffers. Mickey now must deal with a side of human nature he scarcely comprehends.

                                                                                   Enter Giveaway Here!