Showing posts with label author spotlight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label author spotlight. Show all posts

Author Interview: Julia Day (The Possibility of Somewhere)

Julia Day


 "An engaging read...full of drama." 
School Library Journal 
Eden will lure readers with her willful refusal to allow poverty and hardship to define or limit her.” 

Publishers Weekly 

 In her contemporary YA debut, THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEWHERE (St. Martin’s Griffin; September 6, 2016), Julia Day uses Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to frame a sweet story about two overachieving high school students who want more than their small hometown has to offer. Ash and Eden are fighting their parents’ expectations, their school social status, and each other for the valedictorian spot, but when they are forced to work on a class project together – something seems to change. 
Ash Gupta has a life full of possibility. His senior year is going exactly as he’s always wanted– he's admired by his peers, enjoying his classes and getting the kind of grades that his wealthy, immigrant parents expect. There's only one obstacle in Ash's path: Eden Moore—the senior most likely to become class valedictorian. How could this unpopular, sharp-tongued girl from the wrong side of the tracks stand in his way? 
All Eden's ever wanted was a way out. Her perfect GPA should be enough to guarantee her a free ride to college– and an exit from her trailer-park existence for good. The last thing she needs is a bitter rivalry with Ash, who wants a prized scholarship for his own selfish reasons. Or so she thinks… When Eden ends up working with Ash on a class project, she discovers that the two have more in common than either of them could have imagined. They’re both in pursuit of a dream – one that feels within reach thanks to their new connection. But what does the future hold for two passionate souls from totally different worlds? 
With a cast of characters that feel very real, from an autistic four-year-old boy Eden babysits to the new girl in school who shakes things up, THE POSSIBLITY OF SOMEWHERE is a look back into the awkward period in high school when the future is in transit. A touching back to school read about first relationships, Day’s contemporary YA debut will have you falling in love. 

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery




JULIA DAY lives in North Carolina, halfway between the beaches and the mountains. She has two twenty-something daughters and one geeky old husband. When she's not writing software or stories, Julia enjoys traveling with her family, watching dance reality shows on TV, and dreaming about which restaurant ought to get her business that night. 


AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: If You Were Me and Lived In... series by Carole P. Roman


Carole P. Roman
***this post is brought to you in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Carole P. Roman to feature this interview and giveaway***



IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … AN INTRODUCTION TO CIVILIZATIONS THROUGHOUT TIME


What a fascinating way to introduce young children to the world as it was, so that they may begin to learn about their roots and how the world and the people in it have evolved. Yes, Carole P. Roman, thanks to you, it is time for readers to hop aboard their time travel machines. Where will they go first?
Readers will learn about things like housing, land, cooking, diet, clothing, and the jobs and hobbies people had in different times. Questions are often asked to inspire deeper thinking and encourage young learners to look for changes between the historical period and our current times. The end pages usually include more specific information about the importance of the time period itself, a list and brief biography of famous people, and a glossary of foreign words.




Discover Ancient Greece, Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan England, Colonial America, Ancient China, American West, and the Middle Ages.


Coming soon: Viking Europe and Mayan Empire


The complete series is available on Amazon.




IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … AN INTRODUCTION TO CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD


In IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … AN INTRODUCTION TO CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD, readers learn what it is like to live in other countries, see famous architecture, celebrate a favorite holiday, discover popular names for both boys and girls, and they will be fascinated with diverse and rich history and colorful traditions. On the way, they might also learn a foreign word or two!
Explore Mexico, France, South Korea, Turkey, Norway, Kenya, Australia, India, Greece, Peru, Russia, Portugal, Hungary, Scotland, China, Italy, Egypt, and Brazil.



Coming soon: Poland and Israel


This complete series is available on Amazon.


 
 
 
  



Carole P. Roman is the award winning author of the nonfiction series of children’s books, If You Were Me and Lived in … . The first title in the collection, If You Were Me and Lived in…Mexico, won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Nonfiction in 2012. If You Were Me and Lived in…Russia and If You Were Me and Lived in…France were finalists in the Indie Fab Foreword Review Book of the Year. Norway and South Korea have also been named as Book of the Year with Rebecca’s Reads and Children’s Reader’s View Book of the Year. Roman has also found success with her Captain No Beard children’s books. Her debut, Captain No Beard: An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life, was named a Kirkus Best of 2012, received a Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award in 2012. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and very near her children.





How did you do your research?
I have a huge library in my home, a collection of books I began in college. In fact, my children never had to use a public library (this was the days before the web). I enjoy reading textbooks, so I knew a lot of the information already. This year alone, I must have read twenty or so books on assorted time periods I enjoy (Medieval, The Renaissance, Tudor England). I just finished a biography about Mary Tudor, sister to Henry VIII. I am reading at the same time a book about Jane Seymour (wife number three).
Working on these books reminded me somewhat of writing a paper for school. I listed the areas I wanted to research, and then checked some of my books and rechecked information I found on the web.

Do you use your real life as inspiration for your work?
Captain No Beard is based on my grandchildren and some of the issues we've dealt with like bullying, new siblings, tolerance, and getting along. I write those books the same way I handle those problems.  My grandsons and I are total star gazing geeks. I wrote Rocket-Bye as an ode to our nighttime activity of searching the cosmos. I wrote Can a Princess be a Firefighter? to remind my granddaughters not to let anyone limit their dreams. They both adore all things princess, and I love this stage of their life. I remember my love of all those things, and will admit that despite having several successful careers, I have a very beautiful and sparkling tiara on my bedside table to remind me that I can do my job and still be what my heart tells me as well.

What is your next project? 
Just released If You Were Me and Lived in...the Middle Ages. I’m working on Poland and Israel for the older series.  I have a few ideas percolating, but I want to concentrate on publicity on the new historical series.

Out of all your books, which one was your favorite to work on? 
Aw, that's like choosing children. I love them all, equally. I really do. I have such a feeling of pride when I look at them.

Are there any specific scenes in any of your books that really stand out to you?
I always love Kelsea Weirenga's two page spreads in my culture books. They are so vibrant and colorful and really capture the essence of the series. She makes sure she is accurate, as well as respectful. I always get a laugh when I see what Bonnie' Lamaire has done with the captain and the crew. She has never seen my kids and we created the whole group through email. My entire house is filled with prints of her gorgeous artwork from the No Beard series. I am delighted with Mateya Arkove, my new illustrator from Bulgaria. Her whimsical and dreamy illustrations inspired me to write rhyming books I never thought I'd ever do. I explained how I wanted the children to look and she understood my intent. I asked her to have the parent ambiguous by just showing legs, and she totally created a charming story that I think helps parents enjoy the book as much as the kids listening to it. I liked her work so much, I asked her to do three or four books in the new series. Paula Tabor has added a very detailed and accurate addition to the new series, that brings humor and sweetness to the history books.





Giveaways terms and conditions:
No purchase necessary.
You must be at least 13 years of age or older to enter.
Fandom Monthly Magazine is not responsible if the promotion sponsor does not fulfill their giveaway prize.
Winner(s) will be contacted shortly after the giveaway ends. The winner(s) will then have 2 days most to respond and claim their prize.

One (1) winner receives the grand prize:
A set of all 6 books in the IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … AN INTRODUCTION TO CIVILIZATIONS THROUGHOUT TIME series
A set of all 18 books in the IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN … AN INTRODUCTION TO CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD series
A $50 Amazon gift card
Value: $359.75

Four (4) winners receive:
A choice of one book from either series.
Value: $10.99 +



Giveaway begins July 20, 2016, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends August 20, 2016, at 11:59 P.M. PST.

Giveaway open to US and Canadian addresses only.
Prizes and samples provided by Carole P. Roman. 

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INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Lurlene Mcdaniel - author of Losing Gabriel

Lurlene McDaniel



This emotionally-charged novel about three high school seniors who in the midst of planning their futures after high school are instead faced with present circumstances that force them to grasp what it means to make choices, take responsibility, and truly become an adult. Lani Kennedy has dreamed of becoming a nurse since her cousin Arie died of leukemia. Nothing will stop her from getting into the local nursing program. Dawson Burke hasn’t dealt with his mom’s death, and he’s angry at his dad for moving them to Windemere right before senior year. He grudgingly accepts that he must wait till graduation before he leaves. Sloan Quentin can belt out a song and knows that her band is her ticket to fame and fortune. When she discovers that her boyfriend—the band’s lead guitarist—is cheating on her, she finds comfort—and revenge—in someone else’s arms. When the lives of Lani, Dawson, and Sloan become entangled in unexpected ways, reality hits harder than anyone could have imagined.





Who I Am: Lurlene Nora (Gallagher) McDaniel
My Birthday: April 5, 1944… It only comes once a year, so I turn it into a festival and celebrate it for the entire month!
I was born in Philadelphia PA, grew up (mostly) in Hialeah FL, graduated from the University of South Florida, Tampa FL (go Bulls!) and currently live in Chattanooga TN—I’m an American citizen by birth, and Southern by the grace of God.
I have a brother, three years younger, married, and mathematically gifted. I am totally without math skills.
The books I write, the topics and subject matter, grew out of my firstborn son’s diagnosis of diabetes at age 3. Infinite reward that comes to me from my work…. when a grown reader lets me know that reading my books inspired her to seek a profession that helps others. I have wonderful letters saying, “Today I graduated from nursing/medical school.” Now that’s a gift of joy!






Did you like to read and write as a child?
You bet! I knew there was magic coming from those alphabet letters because when someone read to me, stories appeared!  I couldn’t wait to read for myself. I started writing in first grade, had a letter to the editor published in Miami Herald newspaper at age 11. I was hooked! And wanted to write even more. 

Is a moment in your writing career that stands out to you as "life changing"?
 When SIX MONTHS TO LIVE became a bestseller. I knew then I could make a career/living from novel writing.

What's your favorite part about the writing process? Inspiration, drafting, editing, publishing, etc.
 Editing what I’ve already written, polishing paragraphs and words so they shine…or at least glow in the dark!

Do you like your friends/family reading your work?
 You bet! My best reader and cheerleader is my son Erik, who’s always a gentle critic. He reads every book I write. What a guy!
Who would you thank most for where you are today?
 To God goes the glory.  Years ago when I was divorced, scared, a kid in college and another in high school, and wondering if I could turn writing into a full time job. He led me along a path that granted me an amazing editor and a wonderful agent---been with both now for 27 years. I thank Him every day.

Fun question: When you eat a taco, do you tilt your head, or do you tilt the taco?? :D
 Face first into those yummy crunchy tacos, lifted only slightly toward my teeth! And I stuff them full of every add-on too!





Giveaways terms and conditions:
No purchase necessary.
You must be at least 13 years of age or older to enter.
Fandom Monthly Magazine is not responsible if the promotion sponsor does not fulfill their giveaway prize.
Winner(s) will be contacted shortly after the giveaway ends. The winner(s) will then have 4 days most to respond and claim their prize.
Any questions? Feel free to email us.



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Summer of Supernovas: Happy book birthday!

Happy (early) Book Birthday to Darcy Woods! Her novel Summer of Supernovas is out today, be sure to check it out!



Fans of Jennifer E. Smith and Jenny Han will fall in love with this heartfelt and humor-laced debut following one girl’s race to find the guy of her cosmic dreams. When zodiac-obsessed teen Wilamena Carlisle discovers a planetary alignment that won’t repeat for a decade, she’s forced to tackle her greatest astrological fear: The Fifth House—relationships and love. But when Wil falls for a sensitive guitar player hailing from the wrong side of the astrology chart, she must decide whether a cosmically doomed love is worth rejecting her dead mother’s legacy and the very system she’s faithfully followed through a lifetime of unfailing belief.









Young adult author Darcy Woods had three big loves in grade school: Reading, writing, and pizza day. Some things never change. She lives in Michigan with her madly supportive husband, two tuxedo cats (who overdress for everything) and a closet full of neatly organized shoes. Once upon a time, she served in a US Army aviation unit and threw live grenades. Now she throws words.
Darcy’s Golden Heart®-winning debut YA romance, SUMMER OF SUPERNOVAS, comes out from Random House/Crown May 10, 2016.

Five Random Factoids About Darcy

  • She has an irrational fear of seaweed (but fearless when it comes to eating it).
  • Vintage dresses, fun shoes, and brilliant red lipstick make her heart go pitter patter.
  • She once qualified Expert level with an M-16 and has some wicked bayonet skills.
  • Music is her muse. Every story she writes has a ridiculously long and diverse playlist.
  • If the moon were really made of cheese, she would lasso it and spread it on crackers.