Kitty Keswick

This week, we’re celebrating Kitty’s debut! Kitty Keswick has been an Anglophile since age four when she saw Robin Hood and fell head over heels in love. As she grew up on her grandfather’s California vineyard, Kitty’s imagination was her best friend. At a very tender age, she started writing her stories and reading them to the grapes.

Kitty spends her days with werewolves, Valkyries, vamps, and other creatures that go bump in the night. Check out her website www.kittykeswick.com.

Here’s a little bit about FREAKSVILLE (Leap Books).

A group of teenagers, trapped in a haunted theater on the night of a full moon, discover that ghosts are the least of their worries…

Every woman in the Maxwell family has the gift of sight. A talent sixteen-year-old Kasey would gladly give up. All she wants is a normal life. Shopping and talking about boys with her best friend and long-time sidekick, Gillie Godshall, consume her days until Kasey has a vision about Josh Johnstone, the foreign exchange student from England. The vision leads her into new realms, a lead in a play, a haunted theater … and into the arms of Josh. Yet, both Kasey and Josh have secrets lurking in dark corners. Can Kasey’s new romance survive FREAKSVILLE?

FREAKSVILLE by Kitty Keswick

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

PG13. The book deals with a first boyfriend. There is French kissing, but the romance does not go beyond the kissing stage.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

In a humorous way, the book deals with acceptance. Kasey, the heroine, has the gift of sight, which she feels makes her a freak. The underlying theme is “to thine own self be true.” A modern Romeo-and-Juliet story plays out in a haunted theater with fashion, mystery, and the occasional werewolf.

The book supports strong friendships and family. Gillie, Kasey’s best friend is supportive and not a “frenemy.” Kasey’s parents are married and deal with conflicts in a loving and supportive manner. Kasey and Gillie are also strong female role models who support Girl Power.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

A 13-year-old girl who’s feeling a little awkward. A 15-year-old girl who loves fashion. Anyone who’s had to deal with feeling like they are a little freakish. Because of the crushes on boys and fashion, it would appeal to any girl who enjoys a light paranormal mystery laced with humor.

How can your book be used in the classroom?

The Romeo and Juliet theme can be explored by comparing the original version to modern adaptations. Freaksville not only incorporates quotes from Shakespeare but also ties in an ancient feud (based in actual history) that occurred on the border of Scotland and England for centuries.

Discussions on how the traits that make us unique and different can really be an asset rather than a negative. Self-acceptance and discovering hidden talents play a major part in the story, and the heroine also has to deal with bullying, an important issue in the lives of many teens.

Parts of the book are based in Norse mythology, so exploring those ancient themes and the ways the modern story parallels these tales, along with discussing various cultures’ myths and beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife (the heroine learns about her connection to Valkyries and their role of ferrying the souls of the dead).

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

Huge crisis. —I’m in Freaksville!
Monday, January 15th

I so needed a filter between my brain and my body, one with big flashy lights and blaring sirens that ruptured my eardrums if I was about to do anything stupid.

The last six months had been a regular freak show, as if being me wasn’t already strange enough. On my sixteenth birthday, I got the gift. Not a gift, but The Gift, as in the gift of sight. Now that was something I totally wished I had a receipt for, so I could return to sender. Unfortunately for me, it was in the family genes. Every female of the Maxwell clan had the gift. My great, great, great, a million-times-back grandmother in the sixteenth century—Gran­nie Maxwell—was the first to have the gift of sight, premonition, the sixth sense. Whatever way you spun it, it still ranked big time, as in stunk.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• Fur and Fangs, Writing YA Paranormals, Beyond the Vampire
• Strange Worlds, Understanding Setting and World Building
• Scene and Sequels, the Action and the Glue
• Young Writers Workshop, (basic novel writing, geared toward teens.)

This concludes our interview with our latest author, Kitty Keswick. We wish her much success with her debut novel FREAKSVILLE. To see what Kitty is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.kittykeswick.com or her blog at http://wolfychicks.blogspot.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Kitty Keswick is giving away a signed copy of FREAKSVILLE to a winner. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by March 8th, 2011 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Vicky Whipple

This week, we’re celebrating Vicky’s debut! Vicky Whipple is an avid student of life’s great lessons. She grew up as Vicky Le Grand—an energetic “navy brat” who loved the outdoors. By the time she graduated from high school she’d gone to 11 schools. Along the way, she struggled with school’s demands, especially reading, due to a learning disability. Aided by wonderful teachers and a patient mother, she wrote her first story in the second grade; it was published in the school paper. Later in life, she helped children who struggled like she did, while working for the school district’s special education department as a teacher’s assistant.

Having married a navy man, Vicky and her family moved from the West coast to Virginia Beach 15 years ago. She works at a friend’s boutique, soaking in the daily delights of working with people. She finds humor in much of life, especially movies (comedies). Vicky has two children, three grandchildren, one older brother and one younger sister—all of whom are her heart’s treasures.

Here’s a little bit about THE LITTLE WEED FLOWER (Raven Tree Press).

Have you ever felt that you are a little different from the rest around you, and that you just do not fit in?

This story is about a little weed flower that has hope and dares to dream of leaving the weed patch in which she lives. She discovers help from a Hawk to accomplish her dreams of going to live in a beautiful garden. She sees that a wonderful, kind gardener cares for and tends the other flowers, so they can grow happy and strong. Once she gets to her dream place, she discovers that the beautiful flowers are not so willing to accept her, because she came from the weed patch.

She discovers that she has brought with her some wonderful survival skills from the weed patch. She and her friend share positive lessons by encouraging others, thereby growing love and hope. The gardener teaches that no matter where we come from, everything has its own beauty and a special purpose in the big garden of life. She becomes the most beloved flower in the garden. Not all flowers bloom at the same time, but when they bloom they can change the world with kindness and encouragement.

THE LITTLE WEED FLOWER by Vicky Whipple

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

G – for good, old-fashioned wisdom and kindness, and of course, for garden.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

It is a book of hope and encouragement, about making friends and nurturing people along the way and about fulfilling one’s dreams. I worked on this book for 3 years. My ideas came from my life experience moving around a lot and struggling in school. Moving in and out of the classroom from regular classroom into special educational classes and back into regular classrooms was not easy. Everyone knew I was different.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

1. This book is for anyone who feels like they don’t fit in – children and seniors alike!
2. Children who have recently moved or relocated.
3. Children who are bilingual-Spanish and English.

List a statistically improbable phrase or sentence one might find in your book.

She told the flowers not to give up hope and to dig their roots deep inside the soil to find water.

How can your book be used in the classroom?

It can be used for a science experiment about growing plants in different environments. It’s written in both Spanish and English so it’s great for working with kids to teach English as a second language to Spanish speaking students. It can also be used in preschool and elementary school and Junior High/High School as a tool in Spanish language class. Also, I would like to see the book used by psychologists in children’s mental, medical and emotional therapy, school counselors, and military family support services as a tool to help children who have moving issues (migration).

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

Kids who like The Little Weed Flower might also enjoy Ruby Lee Bumble Bee by Dawn Matheson; Rockin’ Roly Poly by J.A. Mackay; A Walk With Grandpa by Pamela Barcita; The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein; Aesop’s Fables; and books by Hans Christian Andersen.

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

Rooted in the corner of the weed patch lived a tiny little weed flower. She would gaze at the beautiful garden nearby and listen to the flowers. She could hear the snapdragon bragging about her gorgeous bright red buds, the daisy boasting about her glistening white petals, and the rose proudly discussing her luscious red blooms. The little weed flower longed to be in the garden with them.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• “Life in the Weed Patch Versus Life in the Garden” – Vicky shows samples of weeds and samples of flowers, describing them from the perspective of gardening, the difference. She then reads The Little Weed Flower and conducts an art workshop in which the students draw pictures of what their imaginary garden would look like.
• “Help Along the Way” – Vicky reads The Little Weed Flower then explores the concept of accepting and giving help with the students. The students share real life examples of how they have both accepted and given help.

This concludes our interview with our latest author, Vicky Whipple. We wish her much success with her debut novel THE LITTLE WEED FLOWER. To see what Vicky Whipple is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.deltapublishing.com/mediakit.cfm?OPID=5212 or her blog at http://VickyWhipple.wordpress.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Vicky Whipple is giving away a signed copy of THE LITTLE WEED FLOWER to a winner and a $20 gift card to Barnes & Noble to another winner. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by December 7th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

M. G. King

This week, we’re celebrating M. G. King’s debut! M. G. King grew up in southern Indiana on the Ohio River. She always wanted to be like the town’s librarian, who drove a rusty bookmobile through snow and chased off neighborhood bullies so children could check out her books. Although King hasn’t found anyone willing to let her drive their bookmobile yet, she’s held lots of other jobs, including camp counselor, ESL teacher in Japan, and registered nurse in ICU, transplant, and surgical recovery.

King lives in a suburb of Houston with her husband, two sons, and a Labrador who sheds a lot. She often visits her family’s farm in central Texas, and admires Lockhart’s beautiful hundred-year-old library with her feet planted firmly on the ground.

Here’s a little bit about LIBRARIAN ON THE ROOF! A TRUE STORY (Albert Whitman & Company).

Braving heights and bad weather, librarian RoseAleta Laurell ascended the fifty-foot roof of the oldest library in Texas. She refused to come down until she received $20,000 in donations to improve its children’s section and bring computers and Internet access into her rural library. During the week-long campout, her community came together to raise nearly twice that amount.

LIBRARIAN ON THE ROOF! A TRUE STORY by M. G. King, illustrated by Stephen Gilpin

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

Rated G picture book, for ages 4 and up.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

Lockhart, TX is a town I visit often. When I first heard about this event that took place in October of 2000, I knew it had all the elements of a beautiful picture book – an historic building, a daring librarian who wouldn’t give up, and most importantly, the fact that a very diverse community came together to achieve something wonderful.

Libraries have always struggled with funding issues. Eighty percent of library funds come from the tax revenue of their local communities. They compete with other basic services like water and fire stations. A great irony in the library world is that the demand for library resources goes up during economic downturns, when librarians are forced to cut their budgets.

We’ve all heard stories in the news recently about librarian layoffs, shortened hours of service, and even library closings. But we can also find stories about communities coming up with creative ideas about how to shore up this important resource. I hope RoseAleta’s story will serve as an inspiration to library supporters across the nation.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

• Young library patrons
• Anyone who has ever wanted to camp on a roof
• Librarians who do extreme sports
• Library supporters who face funding difficulties in the present economy

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

“What I want to know,” exclaimed one little boy, “is how she’s going to go to the bathroom!”

“We are a respectable town. We simply cannot have librarians falling off the roof.”

“Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money, but it’s not enough. I never do anything halfway.”

How can your book be used in the classroom?

This story inspires discussions about community, cooperation, and achieving goals.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

• That Book Woman, by Heather Hensen, illus. by David Small (Atheneum)
• The Storyteller’s Candle, by Lucia Gonzales, illus. by Lulu Delacre (Children’s Book Press)

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

The sky turned green and the winds shifted. The news stations warned of tornados. The whole town of Lockhart feared for their beloved librarian.

All night long, great gusts blasted across the roof. RoseAleta held onto the slippery rail with all her might.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes. I prefer children’s groups.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• Story Gears: The four essential parts of storytelling, grades 3-5
• The Stories Around Us: grades K-2
• Working Together: Cooperation games and activities for grades 3-5
• Writing Expeditions: The writing and revision process, grades 3-5
• Please visit my website http://mgking.us for more details.

This concludes our interview with our latest author, M. G. KING. We wish her much success with her debut novel LIBRARIAN ON THE ROOF! A TRUE STORY. To see what M. G. King is up to these days, visit her website at http://mgking.us.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* M. G. King is giving away a signed copy of LIBRARIAN ON THE ROOF! A TRUE STORY. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by November 23rd, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Nancy Gow

This week, we’re celebrating Nancy’s debut! Nancy has always tried to do the things she enjoys most. She was a rock singer in her late teens and twenties, with the lead role in a hit rock musical and life on the road with a wonderful band called Software. Then she did a complete “about-turn” and became a yoga teacher, immersing herself in yoga postures, breathing techniques and meditation. This was followed by the perfect combination of the ridiculous and the sublime when she discovered the joy of writing for children. Ten Big Toes and a Prince’s Nose is her first rhyming picture book.

Here’s a little bit about TEN BIG TOES AND A PRINCE’S NOSE (Sterling).

A beautiful princess with very big feet and a fun-loving prince with an enormous nose have a hard time attracting a suitable partner. But when the self-conscious pair meet on a ski lift in the Alps (their peculiarities are well hidden beneath winter clothing), they quickly discover the beauty that lies beneath appearances.

TEN BIG TOES AND A PRINCE'S NOSE by Nancy Gow, Illustrations by Stephen Costanza

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

G—This picture book is for kids ages 4-7. (It’s also for adults who want a good laugh!)

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

The book addresses a topic that almost everybody struggles with – self-esteem. I was inspired to write it after attending a wonderful meditation retreat in California. At the end of the retreat I ordered a bunch of CDs, so that I could relive the experience at home. When they arrived in the mail, I was really excited. But for some reason, the CDs sounded flat and uninspiring when I listened to them on my own … except for one extra CD they’d thrown in as a kind of bonus.

The extra CD was about accepting ourselves exactly as we are. The teacher said that if we could stop tinkering with our personalities for a while and just relax and be still, we could look deeper into who we really are.

Well, if that wasn’t the most beautiful, restful thing I’d ever heard… And it became the refrain for a children’s story that I hoped I could complete one day: I am what I am and that’s all right with me./ I don’t have to be different, I just have to be. / I don’t want to be somebody else. No sir-ree!/ I am what I am and that’s all right with me.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

• Any child between 4 and 8 who’s self-conscious about their appearance.
• Anyone who needs an example of courage.
• A kid or grown-up who loves snappy rhyme and “tongue-in-cheek” humor.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

“One day, while the princess was skiing in France,/ His Wonderful Highness just happened to glance/ at the beautiful girl who glided with ease/ down the slopes of the Alps (she was not wearing skis).”

How can your book be used in the classroom?

Because the prince and princess have flaws that are so humorous and exaggerated, kids can feel more relaxed and open about discussing their own perceived imperfections. The humour in the book makes it possible to look at one’s own struggles with self-acceptance as being less dramatic.

The repetition of the chorus: I am what I am and that’s all right with me, etc. is catchy and easily remembered. It’s a short rhyme that can stay with a child long after the book has been put away.

The climax of the story, when the prince and princess reveal their “imperfections” provides an opportunity to discuss the dangers and delights of honest communication.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

• I’m Gonna Like Me by Jamie Lee Curtis
• Finklehopper Frog by Irene Livingston
• I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track by Joshua Prince (great rhyme and humor)

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

There once was a princess so lovely and fair

with ruby red lips and a mane of brown hair.

Her voice was like honey, her smile soft and sweet.

But the beautiful princess had gigantic feet!

This concludes our interview with our latest author, NANCY GOW. We wish her much success with her debut novel TEN BIG TOES AND A PRINCE’S NOSE. To see what Nancy is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.nancygow.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Nancy is giving away a signed copy of TEN BIG TOES AND A PRINCE’S NOSE to two winners. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by November 16th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Margie Gelbwasser

This week, we’re celebrating Margie’s debut! Margie Gelbwasser was born in the former Soviet Union but spent most of her life in New Jersey. She has written for a variety of magazines, including Ladies’ Home Journal, SELF, Girls’ Life, and New Jersey Monthly. Her essays about growing up Russian and Jewish have appeared in the anthology Waking Up American: Coming of Age Biculturally, as well as in Lilith Magazine, and SMITH Magazine. Her debut YA novel, INCONVENIENT, tackles Russian-Jewish themes too. When not writing or teaching writing workshops, Margie loves being a mom to her three year old boy, hiking, cooking, and watching bad television. She, her husband, son, and two tabby cats—Henry and Amelia—live in the awesome suburbs of New Jersey.

Here’s a little bit about INCONVENIENT (Flux).

In fifteen-year-old Alyssa Bondar’s Russian-Jewish culture, having a few drinks is as traditional as blinchiki and piroshki. So when her mom’s midday cocktails turn into an all-day happy hour, it seems like Alyssa’s the only one who notices—or cares. Her dad is steeped in the nightly news—and denial—and her best friend Lana is too busy trashing their shared Russian heritage so she can be popular.

Alyssa would rather focus on cross-country meets and her first kiss with her running partner, Keith, but someone has to clean up her mom’s mess. But who will be there to catch Alyssa when her mom’s next fall off the wagon threatens to drag her down, too?

INCONVENIENT by Margie Gelbwasser

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

I would give it a PG-13 rating because of the mature material (innuendos and a few make-out scenes as well as alcoholism).

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

In addition to issues teens regularly face—first boyfriend, end of a friendship, fitting in, mother-daughter conflicts—INCONVENIENT also addresses the impact a parent’s alcoholism has on a teen and her family. What further adds layers, is that it also examines how much the Russian culture played into the alcoholism.

When I was growing up, much like the MC’s best friend Lana, I didn’t want people to focus on the Russian part of my heritage. I wanted to be like everyone else. As I grew older, I saw it as something unique and a part of me and am very proud to be both Russian and Jewish now. However, being different—especially when it’s something obvious like one’s culture—is something many teens struggle with so I had the idea to write about it. As for the alcoholism, in the Russian culture, drinking is very big. It accompanies all major events. When I was growing up, it was not odd for my parents or my friends’ parents to drive home drunk from a party. And when Alyssa and the story came to me, I thought about how one would recognize an alcoholic in a culture where drinking is so normal. How would you know if someone had a problem? In the Jewish culture as well, there is this myth that there are no Jewish alcoholics. Most AA meetings take place in churches so it’s easy to keep the myth going. Obviously, it’s not true and I have friends who have alcoholism in their family. But the myth continues and it makes it harder for Jews to seek help. I would like people to know there are organizations for alcoholics of all religions. And there is no reason to hide.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

• Girls ages 13+ who are struggling with fitting in, changing friendships, and/or first love
• Teens who have been affected by a relative’s alcoholism
• Jewish teen girls and any teen who has grown up thinking about her cultural identity

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

“We have a Christmas tree. In Russia, it’s a New Year’s tree, but to American Jews it’s all the same.”

“That’s the beauty of Russian restaurants—free flowing alcohol (vodka, cognac, beer, wine)–on all the tables. Every teenager’s—or drunk’s—dream.”

“I move my feet quickly, matching the cadence. It’s a Russian-Jewish Lord of the Dance.

“’I'm thinking,’ he says, moving really close to me so his mouth is almost on mine again. My heart beats quick, quick, quick. ‘I’m thinking,’ he says again, lips so close that I breathe out my air but inhale his, ‘that I really like vanilla ice cream.’”

How can your book be used in the classroom?

• In regards to literacy, students can find passages in the novel that illustrate how the title Inconvenient applies. Why is this an appropriate title? How does it demonstrate irony?
• Students can also examine how the cover depicts the symbols in the novel. What does the butterfly represent? What is the significance of its colors? Students can provide passages from the novel that further focus on the butterfly’s theme as they see it represented. Additionally, students can examine how Alyssa’s and Lana’s Russian-Jewish heritage plays into the novel. Is it responsible for the events taking place? Is so, to what extent? How do the cultures of the students in a classroom compare with the culture of the book characters? Have they felt discriminated for their culture?
• Students can also focus on vocabulary in the novel, proving their comprehension of figurative language. For the Writing Component, students can write a persuasive essay on the novel’s ending. Do they agree or disagree with it? They should provide passages from the novel that support their points. As an alternative, they can write their own ending in Alyssa’s voice or in the voice of a character of their choice.
• Furthermore, this book can work across the curriculum. Students studying immigration and assimilation in their history classes can see how Inconvenient illustrates these concepts. Do the experience of Alyssa’s and Lana’s families fit into the immigrant mold? Why or why not? How do their experiences differ from what you learned? How are they the same? If you came from another country, how does your experience compare with Alyssa’s? Did the culture contribute to Alyssa’s mother’s alcoholism? Why or why not?
• I can provide additional activities as well. For example, students can demonstrate tactile learning and artistic intelligence by designing their own cover for Inconvenient, including their own thematic symbols.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

Teens who like INCONVENIENT, would also enjoy books by Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, Laurie Halse Anderson, and Beth Kephart.

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

“The cement beside the town pool is hot, the kind of hot where you can see steam rising off of it. The air is sticky, and the beads of sweat dripping off my arms and legs are forming a small puddle on my recliner.

‘This is disgusting,’ says my best friend Lana, who is lying beside me on her own recliner. ‘How can I look good under these conditions?’”

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes, all of the above.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• Publishing: It’s Not Just for Adults—This talk will provide teens with tips on how to get published. I will cover magazines (both mainstream and niche) that accept and encourage teen contributions (anything from articles to poems to fiction) and focus on the publishing world as well (from query and beyond) for those who want to get a book published.
• The Writing Game—I will present a variety of activities (from collages, to grab bags, to guessing what’s in your character’s locker) that will assist in spring-boarding a story and writing realistic dialogue in fiction. This workshop is intended for both the enthusiastic and reluctant writer.
• In addition to the above, I am open to workshop ideas. I have presented numerous creative writing workshops as well as Q&A sessions about writing and publishing. I also enjoy working with adults and can tailor the above presentations to just faculty.

This concludes our interview with our latest author, MARGIE GELBWASSER. We wish her much success with her debut novel INCONVENIENT. To see what Margie is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.margiewrites.com or her blog at http://www.margiewrites.com/blog.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Margie is giving away a signed copy of INCONVENIENT. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by November 8th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Barbara A. Binns

This week, we’re celebrating Barbara’s debut! B. A. Binns is the pseudonym of Barbara Binns, a retired Information Technology expert who finds writing an exercise in self discipline, and the perfect follow-up to her life as an adoptive parent and cancer survivor. She is a member of the American Library Association (ALA), Romance Writers of America (RWA), the Chicago Writers Association, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). She writes to attract and inspire both male and female readers with stories of “real boys growing into real men…and the people who love them.”

In addition to writing and all that goes with that, Barbara spends her time engaged in volunteer work. She coaches local Seniors in computer classes and works with her church youth group. Her favorite quote, “If at first you don’t succeed…” and applies those words to both her writing and her life.

Here’s a little bit about PULL (WestSide Books).

High school senior David Albacore is dealing with a major upheaval after his father murders his mother. In the terrible aftermath, David and his younger sisters move to a tough inner-city Chicago school after their aunt takes them in. With their mother gone and their father in prison, David works to take care of his sisters as they grieve and adjust to a different kind of life. He struggles to balance school, work, and his growing feelings for Yolanda Dare—the school player and bully’s girlfriend. Meanwhile, David ponders trying for a basketball scholarship or keeping the construction job he loves. But when his aunt has a stroke, David is confronted with a difficult choice: he can keep his family together by working full time, or follow his mother’s dream of college, which would separate his sisters. Teen readers will hold their breath as David weighs his options about the kind of life he wants to lead.

PULL by B. A. Binns

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

PULL is PG-13. There are obscenities, including the f-word, because that’s the way many high school aged boys talk. There is also an instance of violence, a fistfight between the hero and another student, along with innuendo regarding past sexual abuse of both the hero and heroine.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

The basic theme is that people have a right to chose their own destiny, no matter what others have planned for them. With the best wishes possible, parents, friends and teachers try to guide young people. I know I tried with my daughter. But kids always prove that they have the right to make their own decisions, even ones that seem like mistakes to us at the time, and live their own lives. David Albacore and Yolanda Dare are not their history, they are their future. And, although the kids in PULL are from different cultures, classes and races, in the end none of those things matter. It’s all about the bonds of friendship and shared experiences.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

Anyone who has experienced the aftermath of domestic violence or sexual abuse. Those who prefer the craft or shop tract and would rather work with their hands than pursue college. Anyone who likes basketball.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

• Most guys would give a kidney for an invite from The Dare.
• The pros or marriage? Ask a ship the pros of an anchor. Or a building the pros of a solid foundation.
• Names matter. I ask him, “Which would you rather see on the menu, blue cheese or sour milk laced with gross-out mold?”
• “I say the words critical path and some of the jokers who’ve been around five or six years roll their eyes. But you actually get it, David.”

How can your book be used in the classroom?

Any classroom unit that deals with how we make choices. It can also be used to deal with the topic of self-esteem, as they look at how both Yolanda and David’s sister handle the idea that they need a boyfriend to achieve importance. And if there’s a marriage and family type class out there like the one David enrolls in, they can raise many of the issues raised in their classroom, including the main issue in David’s class: what does it mean to be an adult?

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

• Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
• Acceleration by Graham McNamee
• Forged By Fire by Sharon Draper
• Something Terrible Happened on Kenmore by Marci Stillerman

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

It’s fourth period, and so far not one teacher has questioned who I am. Like everyone else, the gym teacher accepted the transfer papers for David Albacore and waved me over to join the rest of the rejects in this class. We’re supposed to be practicing basketball passing drills. Not one of these guys, especially the nit wearing a dirty Chicago Bulls jersey, could even beat my sister. They’re laughing and joking, and they barely know what to do with a basketball. I never wanted to go back to any school, but at least Farrington’s a place where I can be invisible.

Then it happens–again.

The pain that’s made its home inside me for so long that I’ve learned to ignore it suddenly roars to life, flexes its claws and tears at me from the inside. The voices around me fade, and sweaty bodies vanish as memory catches me in a strangle-hold and I’m back. Back in that house, caught up in that horrible night.

Only this time things are different. This time I see him raise the gun. Hear the shot. See the bullet racing toward her chest.

This time I will save her.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• Unlocking your Writer’s Voice
• Working around writers block to find your natural creativity
• Yes you can write
• Editing puts it all together

This concludes our interview with our latest author, Barbara Binns. We wish her much success with her debut novel PULL. To see what Barbara is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.babinns.com or her blog at http://www.harperwriterstogether.blogspot.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Barbara is giving away a signed copy of PULL to a winner and a $25 gift card to Ace Hardware (In honor of David’s love of construction) to another winner. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by November 3rd, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Cindy Callaghan

This week, we’re celebrating Cindy’s debut! JUST ADD MAGIC is Cindy Callaghan’s first novel. It was inspired in part by her own three children. In her day job she does marketing and PR in the pharmaceutical industry. She has two other MG projects in progress.

Here’s a little bit about JUST ADD MAGIC (Simon & Schuster’s Aladdin M!x).

When Kelly Quinn and her two BFFs discover a dusty old cookbook while cleaning out her attic, the girls decide to try a few of the mysterious recipes inside. But the ancient book bears an eerie warning, and it doesn’t take long for the girls to realize that their dishes are linked to strange occurances. The Keep ‘Em Quiet Cobbler actually silences Kelly’s pesky little brother and the Hexberry Tarta brings an annoying curse to mean girl Charlotte Barney. And there is the Love Bug Juice, which seems to have quite the effect on those cute Rusamano boys…

Could these receipes really be magical? Who wrote them and where did they come from. And most importantly, what kind of trouble are the girls stirring up for themselves? Things are about to get just a little too hot in Kelly Quinn’s kitchen.

JUST ADD MAGIC By Cindy Callaghan

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

G. This book is good, clean, yummy fun. It has been carefully edited to exclude anything potentially risque.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

Be careful what you wish for, it might come true and it might be a disaster.

What is friendship really about?

So much of a tween’s life is totally out of their control. What if they could be in the driver seat sometimes? I think this is an important theme, because it was something that really bugged me when I was a tween.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

• Any girl between 8 and 14 who likes to cook.
• Any girl who wishes she could make a potion.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

“Okay, Shoobedowhop, let’s cook.”

I scooped for every dog on Coyote Street that poops in Mrs. Silvers’ yard.

The words made me shiver, and it wasn’t from the ice cream.

How can your book be used in the classroom?

This is a perfect book club book. While the cover is pink, there are boy characters and it will be enjoyed by boys too. My website has a discussion guide to help teachers or Club leaders.

This would be ideal for a Girl Scout troop book club.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

Books in the Aladdin M!x line have a similar pledge… you’re too old for kid’s books, but not interested in scandal. Never lame, totally cool fun for tweens!

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

Question:

What do you get when you mix two girls hungry for cash, with a cleaning project?

Answer:

Kelly Quinn and Darbie O’Brien in a dark, dusty, spider-webby attic on their last day of summer vacation.

Correction: Kelly Quinn was cleaning. Darbie rollerbladed in the clutter-free areas, careful not to bang her head on the rafters.

THUD!

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• JUST ADD MAGIC’s publication journey
• Balancing day job and writing
• To Blog or not to Blog?

This concludes our interview with our latest author, CINDY CALLAGHAN. We wish her much success with her debut novel JUST ADD MAGIC. To see what Cindy is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.cindycallaghan.com or her blog at http://cindycallaghans.blogspot.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Cindy is giving away a signed copy of JUST ADD MAGIC to three winners and a $10 gift card to Borders to two winners. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by October 26th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Jennifer A. Nielsen

This week, we’re celebrating Jennifer’s debut! Jennifer lives at the base of a very tall mountain in Northern Utah with her husband, three children, and a naughty puppy. She loves the smell of rainy days, hot chocolate, and old books, preferably all at once. She is a former speech teacher, theater director, and enjoyed a brief but disastrous career as a door-to-door pollster. In her spare time, Jennifer tends to panic, wondering what she has forgotten to do that has allowed her any spare time. Although she has never actually met any Underworld creatures, she did see someone once who might have been a troll.

Here’s a little bit about ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR (Jabberwocky).

For most kids, accidentally starting an interspecies war on Halloween would be the biggest event of their lives. But for Elliot Penster, it was only the beginning. Three years later, the Brownies, who are hopelessly losing that war against the Goblins, make 11-year-old Elliot their king.

Elliot dodges the Goblins’ attempts to do away with him, until they finally go too far and blow up his house. Now it’s time for the king to fight back and end the war once and for all.

ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR by Jennifer A. Nielsen

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

PG. For action sequences and some scary scenes.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

Elliot is a character so accustomed to being bullied by his neighbor, Tubs Lawless, that it’s just a way of life. When he becomes King of the Brownies, he realizes they’re in much the same situation with the Goblins. At some point, it’s time to stand up and with a little clever planning, to fight back.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

This is for any kid between the ages of 7 and 12 who loves humor, fantasy, and adventure.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

• “All underworld creatures speak a common language called Flibberish. It is very much like English, except that all the letters to all the words are entirely different.”
• “The first thing Elliot heard was giggling. He didn’t expect to hear giggling because surely he had been scared to death by the Goblins, and whoever thought that being scared to death was funny was just plain rude.”
• “That’s right,” Fudd agreed. “If it’s never been done before, then it’s never failed yet. And something that has never failed is certain to succeed! We’ll do something final. Something really, really awful.”

How can your book be used in the classroom?

A teacher’s guide to ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR is available for free download from www.jennielsen.com. It includes pre-reading activities, vocabulary words, and discussion questions based on Bloom’s Taxonomy. This is a book with wide appeal for boys and girls at a variety of grades and reading levels.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR is for fans of THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH by Norton Juster. It has the adventure of THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black and the humor of A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS by Lemony Snicket.

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

“When he was 8 years old, Elliot Penster started an interspecies war. Don’t blame him. As anyone who has ever started an interspecies war will tell you, it’s not that difficult to do.”

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

As a former speech teacher and theater director, Jennifer has extensive experience in front of audiences. She has worked with young people in some capacity throughout her life, and is comfortable speaking to all sizes of audiences. She is available for hands-on workshops, speeches, or classes at schools, libraries, conferences, or other interested organizations.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• “How to Fail Like a Winner”: Many of the greatest success stories pushed past their failures. How anyone, even writers, can do that too (adapted for children or adults).
• “Pushing Your Character to the Edge”: A workshop on gaining better insight into your characters and how to push them to their limits (adult).
• “The Character I Created”: A fun, hands-on workshop on characterization and how different characters affect plot (children).
• “Surprising Your Reader”: Twist endings, humor in dark places, and unexpected choices (adult).

This concludes our interview with our latest author, JENNIFER A. NIELSEN. We wish her much success with her debut novel ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR. To see what Jennifer is up to these days, visit her website at http://jennielsen.com or her blog at http://www.jenniferanielsen.blogspot.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Jennifer is giving away a signed copy of ELLIOT AND THE GOBLIN WAR to three winners. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by October 19th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Heather Ayris Burnell

This week, we’re celebrating Heather’s debut! Heather Ayris Burnell lives and writes on a secluded mountaintop in Washington State. She’s a full-time mom of three and a part-time librarian at North Central Regional Library where she spends most of her hours shelving books in the children’s section and dreaming up new picture book displays. BEDTIME MONSTER is Heather’s first picture book. She’s already dreamed up a great monster/bedtime book display and can’t wait to add her book to it!

Here’s a little bit about BEDTIME MONSTER (Raven Tree Press).

When Paul’s mom tells him it’s time for bed, he doesn’t want to go. He whines. He cries. Paul has a monstrous tantrum. It’s so monstrous that he sprouts a tail, shaggy hair, and sharp claws. Paul turns into a bedtime monster! But, his parents know what to do. They calmly cuddle, rock, and sing to him. Here is a monster you might actually want to snuggle with as bedtime draws near.

BEDTIME MONSTER is the story of a common nighttime occurrence—the bedtime tantrum. Children will perhaps see a tiny bit of themselves in Paul. Parents will empathize with the nighttime struggle to get kids to bed. And everyone will enjoy the humor of Dad’s ‘secret’ reason for understanding his son, the bedtime monster.

BEDTIME MONSTER by Heather Ayris Burnell

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

BEDTIME MONSTER is definitely Rated G. Yes, it’s a story about monsters and anger, but it’s friendly reading for everyone. BEDTIME MONSTER’s illustrator, Bonnie Adamson, did a fabulous job creating Paul. He’s kid-friendly, even when he’s a monster.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

I wrote BEDTIME MONSTER to show kids that it’s okay to get angry, everyone does at one time or another. The important thing is to keep your temper under control and not let things get out of hand.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

• Children who struggle with bedtime.
• Teachers doing a unit on feelings.
• Kids who like monster stories.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

• Paul twitched and quivered and grunted.
• A tail sprouted.
• Sharp claws jabbed from his fingertips.

How can your book be used in the classroom?

A reading of BEDTIME MONSTER can open a discussion about feelings. There are downloadable activities at the Raven Tree Press website that can be used to supplement the reading and discussion. They include discussion questions, a game of “hang monster”, a happy/sad mask craft that includes an optional singing activity, a monster snack, and a coloring sheet. You can find them at: http://www.deltapublishing.com/worksheets.cfm?OPID=4702

The English/Spanish version, BEDTIME MONSTER/¡A DORMIR PEQUEÑO MONSTRUO! could be a used in ESL classes. There is a keyword vocabulary page at the back of the book to jumpstart learning in either language.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

• WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE by Maurice Sendak
• LEONARDO THE TERRIBLE MONSTER by Mo Willems
• I NEED MY MONSTER by Amanda Noll

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

“It’s time for bed,” said Mom.

Paul toppled skyscrapers and crashed cars on his bedroom floor.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• Monster Storytime – Reading and monstrous activities for the pre K – 8-year-old crowd.
• Create a Character – A hands on workshop for grades 3 – 6.
• I’ve Written a Book, Now What? – A workshop for beginning writers.

This concludes our interview with our latest author, HEATHER AYRIS BURNELL. We wish her much success with her debut novel BEDTIME MONSTER. To see what Heather is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.heatherayrisburnell.com or her blog at http://frolickingthroughcyberspace.blogspot.com.

Judith Graves

This week, we’re celebrating Judith’s debut! Residing in a northern Alberta community, similar to the fictional town of Redgrave, where UNDER MY SKIN is set – Judith unhappily endures snow in the winter, and runs away from bees in the summer. A firm believer that Canadian teen fiction can be sexy, action packed and snarky – Judith writes paranormal stories with attitude.

Here’s a little bit about UNDER MY SKIN (Leap Books).

All her parents wanted was for Eryn to live a normal life…

Redgrave, Alberta had its share of monsters before Eryn moved to town. Mauled pets, missing children. The Delacroix family is taking the blame, but Eryn knows the truth. Something stalks the night. Wade, the police chief’s son and Redgrave High’s resident hottie, warns her the Delacroix are dangerous. But then so is Eryn–in fact, she’s lethal. But she can’t help falling for one of the Delacroix boys, dark, brooding–human Alec. And then her world falls apart.

A normal life? Now that’s the real fairytale.

UNDER MY SKIN by Judith Graves

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

PG-13

UNDER MY SKIN has its share of gore, love triangle hotness, and humour. It’s meant for a teen audience.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

Independence, temptation, betrayal. Eryn, the main character in UMS, is learning to accept herself and come to terms with her darker instincts. That doesn’t mean she isn’t tempted to give her power free rein. She has to decide, is she a girl, or is she a monster? I think we all struggle with inner demons and decisions we make today, change us tomorrow.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

• Anyone who has felt like they don’t belong.
• Anyone who enjoys Buffyesque dialogue and action.
• Anyone with a secret.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

• “An instant mental montage of all things sexual gyrated through my brain complete with bow-chicka-wah-wah mood music.”
• “If I wanted something dead around my neck, I’d get a fur coat.”
• “I so had a thing for tall, dark, and dead wrong for me. And it might get us all killed.”

How can your book be used in the classroom?

UNDER MY SKIN could be used in the classroom in a discussion about multi-culture characters, folklore of different regions and pop culture being worked into fiction. It could also spark debate on what makes a character evil, noble, or somewhere in between. Could also generate discussion of family relationships and how teens struggle to define themselves.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

Fans of Buffy, Supernatural and young adult fiction with a paranormal / sarcastic bite will be right at home with UNDER MY SKIN.

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

“I ran like my life depended on it.

Maybe it did.

Running kept me sane. The faster my feet hit the ground, the clearer my father’s voice and the more detailed my mother’s face became. My parents lived again in those brief moments when my instincts kicked in and the past hitched a ride on my cross trainers. But when I stopped, the memories faded and left and odd emptiness. Like now.”

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• YA Fiction to DIE for. I explore what makes fiction to DIE for, how to develop characters that ROCK, and how to REVAMP your work (revision with BITE!).
• Author visit. A quirky look at the road to publication from singer/songwriter to author of paranormal YA fiction and co-president of the Class of 2k10, a group of 23 debut YA and MG authors from Across North America.
• Skype author visits with related writing or paranormal fiction topics.

This concludes our interview with our latest author, JUDITH GRAVES. We wish her much success with her debut novel UNDER MY SKIN. To see what Judith is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.judithgraves.com or her blog at http://wolfychicks.blogspot.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Judith is giving away a signed copy of UNDER MY SKIN. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by September 28th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Lisa Desrochers

This week, we’re celebrating Lisa’s debut! Lisa Desrochers lives in central California with her husband and two very busy daughters. There is never a time that she can be found without a book in her hand, and she adores stories that take her to new places, and then take her by surprise. Growing up all over the United States has inspired wanderlust and she loves travel, which works out well, as she lectures internationally on a variety of health care topics. She has a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and maintains a full time practice. PERSONAL DEMONS is her first novel.

Visit her at www.LisaDWrites.com for more information on upcoming books in the PERSONAL DEMONS series.

Here’s a little bit about PERSONAL DEMONS (Tor Teen).

PERSONAL DEMONS is the story of Frannie Cavanaugh, a good Catholic girl with a wicked streak and a unique skill set that has the king of Hell tingling with anticipation. She finds herself in the middle of a battle for her soul between Lucifer Cain, who works in Acquisitions for Hell, and Gabriel, the angel sent to protect her; and it isn’t long before Luc and Gabe find themselves fighting for more than just her soul.

PERSONAL DEMONS by Lisa Desrochers

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

A book blogger recently reviewed PERSONAL DEMONS and wrote “There is romance, tension and intrigue all with a PG rating.” I might bump that up to PG-13. There’s some alcohol use and what Melissa Marr called a “very steamy romance,” but it never tips into R territory.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

My main character, Frannie, has taken some hard knocks, including the death of her twin brother, and has been hardened against life in general. She doesn’t believe in anything she can’t touch, including love and God. She’s carefully chosen friends that she can keep at a distance. PERSONAL DEMONS is really the story of her deciding who to trust and who to love. Along the way, she explores her overall belief systems and finds that sometimes there’s more to people (including herself) than meets the eye.

PERSONAL DEMONS is a classic good versus evil story, with the overall themes of love, grief and learning to believe. I think learning to believe in oneself is hard for many of us, and that struggle is something that teens can connect with.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

• Any teenager who has lost someone close to them.
• Anyone struggling with tough choices.
• Anyone who enjoys paranormal romance.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

These are all from my demon, Luc’s, POV:

• Having actually been there makes every history class I’ve ever taken—all hundred or so—really amusing.
• She turns to me and smiles, and I’m suddenly struck with how unbelievably alive she is. Not that all mortals aren’t alive, by definition, but there are degrees of aliveness.
• “So, how hot would you like it? I’m capable of all levels of hotness, from Luc-warm to—and I’m being literal here—hotter than hell.”

How can your book be used in the classroom?

PERSONAL DEMONS is a great example of a teen learning to believe in herself. It’s also a study in decision-making and accountability. Frannie’s decisions are not always the wisest, but she learns from them and matures in the process.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

• The WICKED LOVELY series by Melissa Marr
• HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick
• FALLEN by Lauren Kate
• THE DEMONS LEXICON by Sara Rees Brennan
• TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

Luc

If there’s a Hell on Earth, it’s high school. And if there’s anyone distinctly qualified to make that statement, it would be me. I draw a deep breath—mostly out of habit since demons don’t have to breathe—then look up at the threatening sky, hoping it’s a good omen, and pull open the heavy security door. The dingy halls are quiet since the first bell rang almost five minutes ago. It’s just me, the metal detector, and a hunched wisp of a security guard in a rumpled blue uniform. He hauls himself out of his cracked plastic chair, looks me over, and scowls.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Absolutely. I love to speak with kids about the writing process and the road to publication. I’m always surprised by how many high school students tell me they’ve already written a book. I think it’s wonderful!

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• Writing steamy PG love scenes 101
• Teen speak. AKA: Easy does it.
• The road to publication, potholes included.

This concludes our interview with our latest author, LISA DESROCHERS. We wish her much success with her debut novel PERSONAL DEMONS. To see what Lisa is up to these days, visit her website at www.LisaDWrites.com or her blog at http://lisadesrochers.blogspot.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Lisa is giving away a signed copy of PERSONAL DEMONS. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by September 21st, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Denise Jaden

This week, we’re celebrating Denise’s debut! Denise Jaden is, or has been, everything from a professional Polynesian dancer and fitness competitor to a mushroom farmer and church secretary. Most of her time now is spent homeschooling or playing with her six year old son or in front of her computer writing.

Denise’s writing has appeared in Mississippi Crow Magazine (Spring, 2008), The Greensilk Journal (Fall 2007), and The Tidepool Fiction Ezine (Spring, 2009). Her first novel for teens, LOSING FAITH, is forthcoming from Simon Pulse in September 2010.

She lives just outside Vancouver, Canada with her husband and son.

Here’s a little bit about LOSING FAITH (Simon Pulse / Simon & Schuster).

A terrible secret. A terrible fate.

When Brie’s sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie’s world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don’t know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.

As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don’t line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith’s final night…a secret that puts her own life in danger.

LOSING FAITH by Denise Jaden

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

I’d give it a PG rating. There’s not a lot of objectionable content in the book, but there are some mature themes, such as mentioning of sex and cult activity.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

My book centers around one girl’s search to know who she is and what she believes in. I personally went through a struggle of understanding these things when I was a teen, and I think those things are still universal today. While it is not a religious book, it also doesn’t cower away from issues surrounding faith. It presents a lot of different characters with different viewpoints and answers for themselves.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

I think any teen who likes a book with lots of unanswered questions will like LOSING FAITH, as it has a large mystery component. I think fans of Sarah Dessen and Laurie Halse Anderson would also enjoy it. It is a bit of a darker book, but still has some humor at the same time, so I think it will appeal to a wide variety of reading tastes.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

• Great. Caught in the act of abducting a religious icon.
• The thing about guys in Sharon, Oregon is the majority of them wear this tougher-than-granite act, cracking bottles open with their teeth, their jean buckles, their forearms. I figure it’s to make up for living in a town with a girl’s name.
• He looks at me like I’ve just suggested we play hopscotch on the mounds of manure.

How can your book be used in the classroom?

I think LOSING FAITH will be a great resource in the classroom, as it will be engaging and has lots of twists and turns in plot that can be examined. I have a complete Discussion Guide on my website at http://www.denisejaden.com/readerguide.html.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

• CATALYST by Laurie Halse Anderson
• ONCE WAS LOST by Sara Zarr
• LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

The statue has got to go.

That’s my first thought as I prep the living room for Dustin’s visit later tonight. I know I’m the only one who would notice the discriminating eyes of Mom’s four-inch Jesus staring down from the mantle. Dustin probably wouldn’t look away from my breasts if the room were two feet deep in holy water. Still, I reach for it.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes, I love schools and libraries, and would be happy to arrange visits almost anywhere. I’m also happy to visit with classrooms or book clubs via Skype online.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Absolutely!

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• The Publication Process – Outlining the process from outlining a novel, all the way through to seeing it on the shelf.
• Character Development – Digging in deep to really get to know your characters.

This concludes our interview with our latest author, DENISE JADEN. We wish her much success with her debut novel LOSING FAITH. To see what Denise is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.denisejaden.com or her blog at http://www.denisejaden.com/Blog.html.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Denise is giving away a signed copy of LOSING FAITH. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by September 14th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Jacqueline Houtman

This week, we’re celebrating Jacqueline’s debut! Jacqueline spent way too many years learning to be a scientist (27, if you count kindergarten). The best part of all that school is that some people, especially her parents, now call her Dr. Houtman. In the rare moments she did not spend in the lab, she did theater to feed the rest of her brain. Then she came to her senses and started over as a freelance science writer and editor. She has written for physicians, scientists, and the guy down the street. She is equally comfortable writing for students in Medical School and Middle School, because the writing isn’t really that different. Med students just use bigger words. The writing she enjoys most is “sciency fiction” for kids, where science is integral to the theme and plot but, unlike science fiction, it’s all real. Jacqueline lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her engineer husband and two sciency kids.

Here’s a little bit about THE REINVENTION OF EDISON THOMAS (Front Street).

Eddy Thomas can read a college physics book, but he can’t read the emotions on the faces of his classmates at Drayton Middle School. He can spend hours tinkering with an invention, but he can’t stand more than a few minutes in a noisy crowd. With his prodigious science knowledge, Eddy invents a traffic-calming device to solve a safety problem, but he can’t invent a solution to his bully problem. Or can he? By trusting his new friends and accepting their help, Eddy learns that even the mechanics of friendship can be learned.

THE REINVENTION OF EDISON THOMAS by Jacqueline Houtman

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

I would give it a G. There are no swear words (unless you count “snap”). There is some mild violence in the form of bullying, but it’s tamer than most Saturday morning fare. No blood is spilled, only ketchup.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

Science
I’m a scientist by training and I’ve been a freelance science writer for about ten years. I wanted to write a book that truly incorporates science into its plot and themes. I wanted my main character to think like a scientist, because science is a process, not just a collection of facts (although there are plenty of science facts in the book).

Asperger’s syndrome
Although I never state it in the book, Eddy has Asperger’s syndrome, which is part of the autism spectrum. I didn’t label Eddy because I wanted readers to get to know him as a character first, not a diagnosis. His autism is only part of who he is. There are a lot of great books coming out lately with autistic/Aspergian characters, which I applaud, because people on the autism spectrum need to be fully represented in literature as a diverse population, not as stereotypes.

Bullies and Friends
Bullying is a huge problem in our schools, and there are all kinds of bullies. Kids on the autism spectrum are frequent targets of bullies. They can also be great friends.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

• A 12-year-old boy who likes nonfiction, but doesn’t usually care for fiction.
• An 11-year-old girl who loves science.
• A teacher who wants a better idea of what life is like for her students on the autism spectrum.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

• woolly mammoths in the biography section
• the nutritive value of paper
• a tiny little walrus
• aunt Aquinas Thomas is no saint
• Terry’s hair reminded Eddy of lapis lazuli

How can your book be used in the classroom?

Students can discuss the subjects of bullying and friendship, and why it might be a good idea to befriend someone who’s a little different. There are also ample opportunities for cross-curricular tie-ins, especially with science. I have written a reader guide, which is available on my website and includes ideas for tie-ins with science, art, math, social studies, language arts, and music. (http://www.jhoutman.com/pages/ReaderGuide)

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

• Science fans will like THE GREEN GLASS SEA by Ellen Klages and THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly.
• Those interested in seeing life through Aspergian eyes will like MOCKINGBIRD by Kathryn Erskine.

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

Eddy sat on the steps outside Drayton Middle School, where the noise from the science fair in the gym still roared in his head. Tiffany always told him to picture a calm place when he felt stressed. He thought of the rocky beach. He tried to remember the rhythmic lapping sound of the waves and the feel of the rocks pushing up against the soles of his feet.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

I can talk about science, autism awareness, the writing and publishing process, or a combination of these subjects. Titles include:

• How to Write (Revise, Revise, Revise) and Publish a Book
• The Spectrum: More than Roy G. Biv
• Not in So Many Words: How to Make your Manuscript Lean and Mean
• Elements of Good Science Children’s Writing

This concludes our interview with our latest author, JACQUELINE HOUTMAN. We wish her much success with her debut novel THE REINVENTION OF EDISON THOMAS. To see what Jacqueline is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.jhoutman.com or her blog at http://jjhoutman.livejournal.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Jacqueline is giving away a signed copy of THE REINVENTION OF EDISON THOMAS. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by September 7th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Inara Scott

This week, we’re celebrating Inara’s debut! Inara Scott grew up in the winter wonderland of Buffalo, NY. Consequently, she spent much of her childhood complaining about being cold. To spare the world her whining, she fled the cold climate and eventually wound up in the Pacific NW, where the old Doug Fir trees and thick ferns make you think you’ve wandered into a fairy tale. Inara loves to hike, canoe, and play outside. She is addicted to yoga. Despite being a writer, Inara fears deep, intellectual books, loves romance and fantasies, and listens to cheesy, happy music.

Here’s a little bit about DELCROIX ACADEMY: THE CANDIDATES (Disney – Hyperion Books for Children).

Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that’s not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia’s mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just … happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to people, believing this way she can suppress her powers and keep them hidden.

When recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy offer her a full scholarship, Dancia fears her days of living under the radar may be over. But Delcroix is a school for diplomats’ kids and child geniuses — why are they treating Dancia like she’s special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make her feel welcome. And then there’s her mysterious new friend Jack, who can’t stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at the academy, and he wants Dancia to help him figure out what…But neither Jack or Dancia could have imagined what’s really going on behind the gates of Delcroix Academy.

DELCROIX ACADEMY: THE CANDIDATES by Inara Scott

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

PG; small amount of profanity, some violent themes.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

This is a book about the gray areas of life; the times when you can’t tell the good from the bad and have to choose anyway. As an avid reader of fantasy, I was struck by the fact that most fantasy novels present choices in black and white. I wanted to write about something more like real life, where things are never that easy. I was certainly influenced by international events and the hard choices our nation had to make recently with regard to preemptive action, violence against individuals, and war. I also wanted to depict a strong, resilient heroine I could be proud of — one that I would want my own daughter to emulate. And finally, because I’m an incurable romantic, I had to have some really cute boys involved!

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

Any teen who enjoys paranormal or urban fantasy. Any girl who’s had to choose between two boys. Anyone who want to see a girl take charge and kick butt.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.

At that moment, all I could think of was those cartoons where Goofy gets stuck in front of a snowball rolling down a hill, and the snowball hits him and he’s smushed into the side of it and you can see him, spread-eagled on the snowball as it keeps rolling down the hill. Because that’s exactly what I felt like.

Keep the bad guys out, or us in?

How can your book be used in the classroom?

There are a number of themes and issues in the book that a class might want to explore:

• In the beginning of the book, Dancia has made the decision to do everything she can to avoid using her paranormal gift because of the potential it has to hurt people. A class might draw parallels between Dancia’s gift and scientific discoveries that have the potential to both help and harm. What are the ethical dilemmas scientists face? How does Dancia’s decision evolve through the course of the book?
• Dancia’s ethic’s class considers the question of whether you can tell if an act is right or wrong based on the number of people affected. They complete an activity that puts this question into human terms: is killing one person justified if hundreds of other people might live as a result? When has this question been posed historically, and how have countries or individuals answered?
• The end of the book raises a question about preemptive action. Can action against an individual or a group be justified based on the threat they pose? The class might discuss the Bush Doctrine and the invasion of Iraq to consider this question.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

• Students who enjoy tough, independent heroines like Dancia might like THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins, or GRACELING by Kristin Cashore.
• Students who enjoy urban fantasy or paranormal stories might like RAMPANT by Diana Peterfreund or BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
• Students who enjoy a little romance with their fantasy might like SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater or WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

He had greasy, shoulder-length hair and a stained white t-shirt stretched tightly across his full, round belly. As he approached the nurses’ station near one end of the crowded waiting area, the odor of rotting fruit preceded him. Something about the wildness in his eyes and the trembling of his chin made me nervous. I looked over at Grandma, but she was engrossed in conversation with a man almost as old and blind as she was.

“You killed her. You all killed her.” The man’s voice started low, nervous, and then grew in strength. He opened a grimy backpack and pulled out a gun.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Yes.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• Character and Plot (K-8)
• Where to Start: Building Your Story from the Ground Up (grades 6-12)

This concludes our interview with our latest author, INARA SCOTT. We wish her much success with her debut novel DELCROIX ACADEMY: THE CANDIDATES. To see what Inara is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.inarascott.net.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Inara is giving away a signed copy of DELCROIX ACADEMY: THE CANDIDATES to two winners. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by August 31st, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.

Here’s a little bit about READY, SET…WAIT! (Sylvan Dell Publishing).

When hurricanes threaten, humans prepare, but what about wild animals. How do they prepare? Ready, Set… WAIT! answers that question. Children of all ages will learn how herons and pelicans glide toward the mangrove islands and huddle among the twisted roots. How sharks explode through the shallows of a nearby bay; and how crocodiles crawl into caves in the canals that crisscross the land. They know and they wait.

Ready, Set...WAIT! by Patti Zelch

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

G –Learning about animals and hurricanes appeal to children of all ages as well as adults.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

Ready,Set…WAIT! deals with hurricanes but, rather than tell how humans prepare, it explains how some animals seem to sense an upcoming storm and get ready. My oldest grandson asked me what wild animals did during hurricanes. I didn’t know but set out to find the answer. Ready, Set…WAIT! is the result.

Name a few examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

• An elementary age student studying weather.
• A boy or girl that lives in an area where there are hurricanes.
• And certainly, any child that loves animals and is curious about their behavior.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else

Dolphin pods squeeze closer – whistling and buzzing to one another.

Their silver bodies streak through the waves heading for the safety of the open sea. They know!

How can your book be used in the classroom?

Teachers can use Ready, Set…WAIT! as an introduction to a weather unit. It can also be used when students are studying animal behavior.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

As far as I know, there are no other creative nonfiction books for children that deal with animal behavior in regards to hurricanes.

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

Far out over the warm ocean waters, clusters of storms join together; lightning lashes – thunder thumps.

The wind grows stronger and begins to spin the clouds into a tight curl.

A hurricane is brewing!

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Yes, I am.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

Certainly.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

• What is a Hurricane?
• Do Animals have a sixth sense?
• Making Writing fun with Alliterations and Rhythm

This concludes our interview with our latest author, PATTI ZELCH. We wish her much success with her debut novel Ready, Set…WAIT!. To see what Patti is up to these days, visit her Facebook page .

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Patti is giving away a signed copy of READY, SET…WAIT! to five winners. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by August 17th, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.