What genre do
you write and why?
I write Middle Grade adventure because I find there’s a
wonderful kind of magicality about this age group and the themes writers can
approach. My book series was inspired by a family visit with my mom and my two
nephews, aged 10 and 12 at the time. We visited Egypt (where the plot of Book
One in the series takes place) and I saw everything through their eyes, and it
was fantastic to see them approach each place and situation with a rare kind of
wonder and excitement. I wanted to capture that in all my MG books.
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Tell us about your
latest book.
I’m promoting Book Two in my MG Chronicles of
the Stone series. The Search for the
Stone of Excalibur continues the adventure that began in Book One (The Secret of the Sacred Scarab) and
takes our two young heroes, cousins Justin and Adam, to Great Britain in search
of an ancient stone that might be embedded in Excalibur’s hilt, giving King
Arthur’s sword its legendary powers.
What marketing methods
are you using to promote your book?
I do just about everything: blog tours, author interviews, Tweet posts,
blog posts, and a reader email newsletter, among any good ideas that might
present a promotional opportunity.
What formats is the
book available in?
The Search for the
Stone of Excalibur
is available in print and e-book format.
What advice do you
have for other writers?
Even when you feel like giving up, never give
up. Make sure your book meets the industry’s highest standards. Do something
every day to let people know about your book/s.
Where can people find
out more about you and your writing?
I’d love for people to find out more about my books and read a first
chapter, as well as download a free Young Explorer’s Companion Guide to each
book by visiting www.chroniclesofthestone.com.
Why do you think
readers are going to enjoy your book?
Young
and young at heart readers, readers who are either in the MG age group or
remember being there, will enjoy my books because there is such a wonderful sense
of adventure. My heroes go to amazing places and encounter danger, are inspired
to do great deeds, have to think on their feet to get out of sticky situations,
and they learn about themselves, life, and other cultures as they go along. It
is an amazing quest that I find everyone just loves to read.
How do you research your
books?
All my MG
books are set in countries that the average young reader might not visit, (such
as Egypt, Mexico, Turkey and India) as well as incorporating history,
geography, myths and legends, and cultural elements. I do a mountain of
research to not only get the facts right as the story progresses, but also to
select just the right information to inform and intrigue a young reader without
overwhelming them.
What is your work in
progress? Tell us about it.
Book 3 in the series, The Temple
of the Crystal Timekeeper, is with my editor right now. It’s very exciting
as my young heroes and their friend crash land in the Mexican jungle on their
quest. They are rescued by an uncontacted tribe and much danger and mayhem
ensue.
What are your thoughts on
self-publishing verses traditional publishing?
Many writers
self-publish by default because they aren’t picked up by either an agent or a
publisher. They have to work harder to make sure their product is perfect, as
well as then market their product. However, I think traditional publishing gives
writers the stamp of legitimacy they crave. The best option is hybrid
publishing where a writer can self publish some books and have others with a
traditional publisher. The stigma attached to self-publishing is long gone
because so many established authors are happily calling themselves hybrid
authors.
