Literary Classics is an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in literature. Through our AWARDS, BOOK REVIEWS, and SEAL OF APPROVAL PROGRAM, we help you sort through the many books in circulation today. It is our goal to help you select the finest books available. Additionally, our programs offer opportunities for publishers, authors and illustrators to receive recognition for providing excellence in literature.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Ice Dream's Wish earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval
When three children build a snowman they each offer him one special gift which magically gives him a life all his own. Their snowman possesses, above all, the gift of compassion. One day he is granted a special wish by an angel. But Ice Dream, the snowman, selflessly uses his gift to shower others with kindness, even at great expense to himself and his very existence. Ice Dream's Wish, by Masrin Mottahedeh, is a lovely tale which teaches children that when you give of yourself the rewards can be immeasurable.
Ice Dream's Wish is highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Foulsham, by Edward Carey, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval
In a world where objects are really people, a boy runs away from the only home he's ever known. When the boy unwittingly parts with an object, not realizing its full value, he sets the wheels in motion for a wild adventure. Author and illustrator Edward Carey has crafted a wildly imaginative tale which occurs in a fanciful place where even garbage takes on a life of its own. Deeply suspenseful and refreshingly unique, Carey's second book in the Iremonger series reads well as a stand-alone, but the stage is well set for the continuation of this incredibly engaging read.
There are those occasional children's books which seem to pull you in so swiftly and splendidly you barely have a sense of the world around you. Foulsham is one such book and we found it to be quite mesmerizing and delightful in every way.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
The Golden Rule, by Sherrill S. Cannon, earns the CLC Seal of Approval
The Golden Rule, by Sherrill S. Cannon, is a fantastic book which teaches and inspires youngsters to be kind. Penned in rhyme, with a lyrical cadence, this book is well written and has a powerful message that will ring true with kids on many levels. The Golden Rule is fun to read and is sure to become a favorite with parents, teachers, caregivers and children.
The Golden Rule is recommended for home and school libraries and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Friday, April 29, 2016
The Veteran's Clubhouse, by Kristen Zajac, earns the CLC Seal of Approval
When Patrick and Hailey meet a homeless veteran, the two take it upon themselves to do something about his situation. This brother and sister team up to make a difference in a really big way. Consulting with their parents and the pastor at their church they come up with a plan which will help the homeless people in their community.
The Veterans' Clubhouse is a wonderful book which promotes compassion while teaching kids on many levels. Through teamwork, planning, self-sacrifice and compassion, a community comes together to help veterans find their way back to living, working and contributing to their own self sufficiency and well-being.
This book, which is not another 'pie-in-the-sky do-good' rendering, is thoughtfully written and helps kids understand that in order to make a difference it can often require the efforts of many people. But the overall message is that kids really can make a difference.
Wonderful illustrations by Jennifer Thomas Houdeshell help enhance this excellent book which is sure to promote and inspire altruism in youngsters. The Veteran's Clubhouse is highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Sweet Desire Wicked Fate, by Wray Ardan, Earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval
Jaden, a fifteen year old girl, moves to Louisiana to help her mother fix up a rundown mansion inherited by their family. The teenager, who is constantly picked-on by her older sister, runs off one day after a tiff and finds herself in the midst of real-life horror. When she accidentally discovers the Mal Rous, genetic mutant carnivorous creatures, she becomes altered.
Author Wray Arden’s Sweet Desire Wicked Fate is a hair-raising dark fantasy thriller interspersed with fantastic moments of humor which will hold great appeal for teenage girls. With well developed characters, and a unique plot, this book is hard to put down. Definitely not for the weak-stomached nor gentle souls, horror and fantasy lovers will devour and enjoy.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
What's for Dinner? by Penelope Anne Cole earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval
When Katy's friend Ameaka, who is from Nigeria, invites her to dinner she begins to wonder about what might be served. Katy is looking forward to the experience, but she's a little fearful she might not like it and she does not want to offend her hosts. As she and her other friends contemplate the many different types of foods served around the world they come to realize that all cultures eat foods which may seem odd to people from other regions, even their own.
Author Penelope Anne Cole's What's for Dinner? is a wonderful way to introduce young readers to various foods and cultures while promoting the idea of acceptance and trying new things. This book is highly recommended for home and school libraries and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Strike at Charles' Farm, by Dr. Nicole, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval
When all the animals at Charles' Farm decide they'd rather not do their jobs, he gathers them together to learn why. This book is written in French followed by the English translation. Each page is illustrated to show delightfully whimsical depictions of this irreverent group of farm animals as they shirk their farming duties. The outcome of this story brings about a positive resolution in which all the animals and Charles come to an agreement. Strike at Charles Farm is an educational story which will enhance language skills while teaching a valuable lesson. This book is recommended for home and school libraries and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Monday, April 25, 2016
Ayn Cates Sullivan on her Award Winning Book, A Story of Becoming
WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER AND WHY?When I was eight years old I wrote my first poem called “Progress.” Developers had bought the farm we lived on and I had walked the fields knowing that the hills, trees and ponds that I had known and loved would soon be under a bulldozer. I wanted the natural world to have some sort of voice about the violence that was being done to it, because what is going on in nature is also going on within us. I wished to bring more consciousness and awareness into the world so that we could live in a more attuned way. My sentiment really hasn’t changed much over the years. It was about that time that I announced to my parents that I was on earth to be a mystic poet. They did ask me how I would make money doing such a profession and I replied, “I have no idea yet, but I know I will.”
It seems that my young eight year old self was correct. I continue to use my voice to support the positive evolution of humanity and increase awareness of the beauty of the world around us.
AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU ASPIRE TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I always knew I wanted to be a writer. I wrote and illustrated my first two hundred page novel when I was eleven. Writing always kept me aligned with what I felt was good and true in myself and in the world around me. I was very lucky to be supported and encouraged by teachers in high school, college and various universities.
HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE?
My young son William was having a hard time when his father and I were divorcing. Young children can feel that their world is being torn apart, so I wrote the book to help him understand that although things change we can always come back stronger than before. At the same time I had also been told that I was developing breast cancer. Luckily it was in the very early stages, and I walked in nature and detoxed my way back to health. The book was also a way my own inner guidance had of letting me know that I could continue to live, even after divorce and illness, and I could go on and have a magnificent life. That tuned out to be true. I’m now happily married and in good health. I must thank my own Miracle Tree for helping me through my own Story of Becoming.
WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?
I have published six books to date with two more coming out in 2016.
Sparkle And The Gift
Sparkle And The Light
Three Days In The Light
The Windhorse: Poems of Illumination
Consider This
Tracking The Deer
Legends of the Grail (2016)
Sparkle & The Rainbow Dragon (2016)
Four are books for children of all ages. I have also written three books of poetry, a book on health and am excited to be getting ready to launch my new book on Celtic Mythology, Legends of the Grail. My published books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and on my website store: http://ayncatessullivan.com/store/
The books are distributed to stores through BCH, Ingram & Taylor, New Leaf in the USA, and Deep Books in the UK.
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:
It seems that my entire life as a writer has been interesting and funny, and really quite rewarding. I have felt constantly guided. Recently I went to give a book reading at the school I attended as a child, Community School in Roanoke, VA. The teachers in that very progressive school had always encouraged me to write, and it was really quite special to sit on the stage and see all the young faces who were so eager to hear A Story of Becoming. I was coming back from Europe, New York and California, and I thought about how all roads eventually lead us home again. I could imagine myself among the students hoping and praying that one day I might be a writer also. Several young people stood in line to speak to me afterwards. Some were so shy their cheeks turned pink and they couldn’t utter a word. So I asked them if they wanted to write and they just nodded yes. “Wonderful!” I exclaimed. “Do what your heart wants, for your heart will always lead you the right direction.”
WHICH AUTHOR HAS MOST GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?
I seem to have gone through seven year cycles with writers, falling in love with the writing of one to graduate on to another. When I was a child I fell in love with the poetry of Robert Frost and spent time walking in the woods as I imaged he had with pen and paper in hand. It seemed that if I sat with my back up against a tree I could sometimes feel something of its wisdom and would be inspired to write.
When I was a teenager I ran across Robert Bly’s poetry anthology, News of the Universe, and read it until the pages fell out. There was something in those pages that excited me and I eagerly started working with Richard Dillard at Hollins University to develop my style. He was a clever critic because he tended to focus on the lines he liked. I was also very influenced by my professor at Columbia University, Russian poet Joseph Brodsky. To him poetry was more important than life itself. While doing my doctorate at King’s College London I immersed myself in the work of Lady Gregory and W.B Yeats and fell in love with Irish mythology. Some of these tales will appear in my upcoming book, Legends of the Grail.
WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?
The book that has had the greatest impact on my life is actually the Collected Works of Shakespeare. As a child I read and imaged actors on the stage, and as time progressed I was able to see Shakespeare’s words come to life on the stage. When I was about 11 year of age I memorized the “To be, or not to be,” monologue from Hamlet and contemplated my own mortality. I concluded that life is a great gift and we must be grateful for the years we are given. Our personal evolution is our Story of Becoming.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I’m very happy with the gold award for Inspirational/Visionary Picture Book with Children’s Literary Classics. A Story of Becoming was also the division winner for the Paris and the Great Southeast book festivals. Sparkle & The Gift won a gold for Children’s Inspirational/Motivational with the Beverly Hills Book Awards. My children’s series has won Mom’s Choice awards and many others. I have also won a variety of contests with my poetry. I am truly blessed. A list of many awards can be seen on my website: http://ayncatessullivan.com/media/awards/
Yet my greatest literary accomplishment is not a book or contest as much as the ability to continue to write even when there is not an award or any potential for a publishing deal. The reason I write is because it is what I must do and when I write my soul is singing.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF BECOMING PUBLISHED AND ANY TIPS YOU MIGHT OFFER FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?
The publishing world is changing. When I was in my twenties I worked for Kingfisher Books in London as an editor Americanizing Children’s Encyclopedias, I taught classes and also edited literary magazines. My first two books (Tracking The Deer and Consider This) were published in the traditional way with British publishers: Envoi in Wales and Findhorn in Scotland. As a young and inexperienced author, I had no idea that I would need to market my books in order to develop an audience. I thought that it would be inappropriate to “toot my own horn.” In my innocence I thought the publishers would let the world know about my books. I was disappointed when I only sold a few hundred books and realized that if I didn’t believe in myself then no one else would either.
As my interest began to evolve in an inspirational/motivational direction I was criticized by several editors and writers, being told to focus on reality. Yet the subjects we write about are not always chosen, sometimes as we try to understand all the beauty and the challenges we encounter in life insight is given to us by our muses. I became, over time, more independent, running my own groups and workshops. It was at that time that I realized I could publish what I wanted for my own audience and began to self-publish books for my workshops. People began to share these books and ask for written copies of the multiple stories I told. So I started Infinite Light Publishing to meet the requests of my children, students and clients. I am enjoying being part of this rising tide of Independent Publishing. My goal is always to publish a very professional book that will rival anything the large publishers produce while keeping the rights to the books. I also want my messages to have a positive impact on the evolution of others. I have also begun to help emerging authors find their way into the publishing world.
CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
An author is responsible for promoting and selling their own books. A successful author is usually someone who enjoys promotion. In the beginning I resisted sharing my books with people and was terrified of being criticized. Eventually I realized that I would always be criticized, it was just the way of the world and I needed to have fun anyway. So perhaps the best way to promote your book is to have fun with it.
Because I believe in what I do, I know it is up to me to continue to develop an international audience. Many people love and support me, but it is my life and work. I am responsible for my own success. So I always keep books in my car and my backpack and show them to everyone I meet. I speak on the radio or on television whenever possible. I travel a lot so I always stop by local bookstores and schools. I enjoy seeing win/win solutions for authors, publishers and bookstores. We can thrive together. Most mom and pop bookstores are very friendly and are interested in new authors. I give readings at bookstores and run workshops. I also coach other writers. The internet has opened up all sort of new ways to grow an audience. I enjoy giving readings on the web and linking in with people all around the world.
My visionary books are loved by people now from Australia to Germany. I love hearing from readers who sleep with the books under their pillows or close by because they love them so much. I am also thrilled when I hear other people say that they have been inspired to write their own books, and I love reading them. I believe the more we can align with our creative self the more fulfilled and alive we become.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?Stories have been told since the beginning of time. I would like to ask readers to pay attention to the stories they tell themselves. We are the authors of our lives and the words we use are the sounds and vibrations that create the lives we live into. We are more powerful than we realize, so chose your words wisely.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
Yes, two new books will be coming out in 2016. One is the third book in our inspirational children’s Sparkle series, Sparkle & The Rainbow Dragon. It is the story of a girl who wishes to hold the light for the world and finds out that she must remake herself in order to step into her full power.
The second is Legends of the Grail, the retelling of thirteen powerful Goddesses, Heroines and Ladies of the Lake. In this book I share the myths as they have been told throughout centuries. Yet in each era the stories are meant to be voiced in a new way, and so in this book each woman frees herself of her own story and chooses to live in a new way.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Dr. Nicole's Are You Eating My Lunch? earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
When Xavier visits the zoo he is in for a big surprise when he realizes his lunch has gone missing. So he asks the snake, "Are you eating my lunch?" to which the snake replies "No, I am eating my eggs, go ask the goat." So Xavier asks the goat. Each time he asks one of the zoo animals about his lunch, he is sent away to inquire of another animal.
This book, with expressive and whimsical illustrations, is penned in English first, followed in French. This format provides children with excellent tools to learn another language through powerful visuals and repetition. Are You Eating My Lunch, is a wonderful educational picture book and is sure to be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Recommended for home and school libraries, Are You Eating My Lunch? has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Patricia Reding's Select earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval
Coming of age is a struggle for all. But, to do so as someone meant to fulfill a prophecy is challenging beyond comprehension. The 7th born daughter of a 7th born mother, along with her twin “the one who is, but isn’t,” face a great calling in this enchanting novel in which ancient prophecies are realized. The girls must triumph over evil while facing possible death to complete the destiny which has been foretold. They struggle with becoming young women while also fighting evil forces bent upon destroying their homeland and its inhabitants.
Author Patricia Reding thrills and delights readers with elements of excitement and adventure in a world where magic abounds. Readers are introduced to the most wretched villains as well as delightfully charming heroes and heroines. In a tale which flows effortlessly, this delightful story is a most enjoyable read which spurs the imagination and makes one's heart race with anticipation.
What an outstanding read! The first book was terrific, the second is marvelous; we wait with great anticipation for the next offering in this dynamic series.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Author Jeff Nathan on his award winning book Sherlock and Me
WHEN DID YOU FIRST KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WRITER AND WHY?
I started writing for my kids. They were involved in musical theater and had to act out poems for auditions and the same Shel Silverstein poems were getting repeated consistently. I thought that if I wrote them something new and different, that they would stand out and do well. That's exactly what happened, and soon other kids started asking me to write for them too. Before too long I had amassed a collection of humorous children's poems, but didn't think too much of it...until the musical theatre organization told me that I had to get them published.
Once they put the bug in my ear, I had to do it. Sure enough, after a brief wait of eleven years, my first book, There's a Hippo in My Locker, came out of the locker.
AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU ASPIRE TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I get asked this all the time at my school visits. I wish I had a good answer. I'm sure I wanted to be a truck driver or a fireman when I was in Kindergarten and then graduated to professional football player as I got a little older. In high school, I came to a decision point. I really wanted to write for Sesame Street, but there were so few writers there that I made the decision to go into bio-medical engineering, and came very close to heading down that path.
HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE?
I sure wish I could take credit for it. I have to give that credit to my brother-in-law for his great thinking.
WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?
There's a Hippo in My Locker (Chucklebooks Publishing)
There's a Bear in My Shoe (Chucklebooks Publishing)
Calling All Animals (Chucklebooks Publishing)
I also have work in the following anthologies:
Oh My Darling Porcupine (Meadowbrook Press)
I Hope I Don't Strike Out (Meadowbrook Press)
all these titles are available with free signing and free shipping (2 or more books) at www.IncredibleAssemblies.com
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:
I visit elementary schools so I can spend time with my readers --people at my level of intellect and maturity. I developed CurricuLaughs in Language Arts which applies music, performing arts, and tons of HUMOR to the most troubling aspects of language arts at each grade level. Writing has opened up this avenue to perform that I would not have otherwise been able to enjoy.
WHICH AUTHOR HAS MOST GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?
I get this question at my school visits, as well, and when I tell them it was Ogden Nash, I need to explain to the students (and often, the teachers) who that is. I describe him as the master of the poetry one-liner, with such famous lines as, "When called by a panther, don't anther" and " Children aren't happy with nothing to ignore, and that's what parents were created for."
WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?
That would have to be Paul Revere and I by Robert Lawson. I was just asked to write an article on this for Toronto's EYS Reading Association. When I was a GR4 reluctant reader who hated history because I couldn't remember my own name, let alone dates, sequences, and places, my school librarian introduced me to this book. Historical fiction was a way for me to read a fun story and actually learn some things at the same time. This introduction changed the game for me, boosting my self-esteem as I could finally understand what was going on in classroom revolutionary war discussions.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?:
My greatest literary accomplishment was transitioning from writing poetry to prose and getting two awards with my very first piece in this domain, including the Literary Classics Award for Interactive Books. I felt I had a great idea to get kids excited about reading by involving them in a story about themselves, but I was worried about making the transition. I got to play with words when I was writing children's poetry. I thought I was going to have to give that up as I trudged through the start of the book. Then, the light bulb went on and I realized that I could STILL play with words. I threw away everything I had done, started over, and loved the experience.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF BECOMING PUBLISHED AND ANY TIPS YOU MIGHT OFFER FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?
I started by self-publishing and did school visits. I was then discovered by a publisher at an IRA convention, where I got the opportunity to share some of my work. The advice is very Nike: Just do it. Get yourself out there. If you don't make it happen, it won't happen.
CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
I would love to offer advice on promoting your books so I could read it and use it to promote mine. I did get started visiting schools and that helped push word-of-mouth.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
Oh, I am so glad you asked about them. The sequel to this book has been put on hold because there has been demand for using the technology the publisher created for a pre-schooler's book. Both are huge jumps and I am anxious for them to come out. They will both be available at www.SherlockAndMe.com. The pre-school book is slated for June, 2016 and the elementary school mystery sequel is slated for release in the late fall of 2016.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Ghost Hand, by Ripley Patton, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval
Ghost Hand is a paranormal work of fiction about Olivia, a seventeen year old girl with PSS (an affliction causing one’s flesh to be replaced by an ethereal energy). She discovers her PSS hand has unusual powers. Under the guidance of other afflicted teenagers she learns to direct her hand’s energy. But she soon discovers there are those who wish to harness her hand’s energy and will do so at any cost.
This highly engrossing book, the first in a trilogy, is well written and immediately commands the attention of its readers. Elements of danger, excitement, and romance make this book an intriguing read that is not easily put down.
The character of Olivia is depicted as a strong and empowered young lady. Teens will find this book to be quite relatable. The author’s ability to depict vivid and extraordinarily tangible scenes helps awaken strong emotions in the reader. The foundation has been solidly built to continue this trilogy with the reader left deliriously wanting for more.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Friday, April 15, 2016
In the Heart of a Mustang, by M.J. Evans, earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approval
When fifteen year old Hunter learns the truth about his father he is hurt and angry. Feeling betrayed and disillusioned, he starts running around with a rough crowd, becomes reckless, and gets into serious trouble for his actions. Consequently, he is sent to Promise Ranch, a facility for at-risk boys. The ranch offers counseling, love, and support, in a home-like setting. But Hunter resents being sent away and wants nothing to do with Promise Ranch or their programs. Upon arrival at the ranch Hunter is paired with a rescued mare which was on the brink of starvation prior to its adoption. Under the guidance and direction of an old cowboy, and through the heart of a mustang, Hunter learns to care for the mare while letting go of the anger he has harbored since learning the truth about his father.
Author M.J. Evans has crafted a coming of age story which speaks to the hearts of readers on many levels. The bond between Hunter and his mare makes for a genuinely riveting tale that will not soon be forgotten. This story grabs the reader’s attention immediately, taking them through the struggles of a troubled teen who must come to terms with his angst. The author brings to life very real problems and situations. In the Heart of a Mustang is one of the finest books ever written for teens and preteens. This book is strongly recommended for young readers.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Author Spotlight - Amalie Jahn on her award winning title The Clay Lion
I always remember writing so I guess that means I’ve always been a writer. As a child I would keep journals about events going on in my life. Lists of things that happened to me and that I wanted to do. Important things like the boys I liked and why they never paid any attention to me. I would write short stories. I wrote an autobiography when I was nine. It was very short. Writing was always a way for me to gather my thoughts and focus. It was a form of catharsis during tough times. In many ways it still is.
In short, when I need to be heard… I write.
AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU ASPIRE TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I wanted to be a teacher. Mostly because my parents were teachers. And I spent all of my days surrounded by teachers in school myself. It was almost as if I didn’t realize I had any other choice but to go into education. Let’s just say if I knew then what I know now, I may have chosen differently, although I thoroughly enjoyed my seven years in the classroom helping to shape the lives of some incredible kids.
HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE?
The origin of the story is rooted in my observations of an actual pair of siblings confronting the same fate as the characters in the book. When Lauren, a close friend of my daughter, was diagnosed with leukemia at the tender age of six, doctors discovered the girl’s ten-year-old sister Hayley was a perfect bone marrow match. I watched as the sisters rallied around each other throughout the treatment, strengthening one another with their obvious love and friendship.
When Laruen went into remission I couldn’t help but think how painful it would have been for Hailey to have lost her sister. The seed for The Clay Lion was planted and I built the storyline around the enduring strength of sibling love.
Tragically, not long after The Clay Lion’s release, Lauren’s cancer returned, and like Branson, the fictional younger sibling in the story, she lost her battle with disease in October of 2013 – a tragic ending to a beautiful and very short life. Since that time, the novel has served as a source of comfort not only to Lauren’s family but to many others who have found solace within its pages.
It brings me joy to know Lauren and Hailey’s sibling bond can live on with readers through Brooke and Branson’s story, and that they will forever serve as a testament to the tremendous power of love.
WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?
There are two other books in The Clay Lion Series – Tin Men and A Straw Man. Among the Shrouded is the first book in the Sevens Prophecy Series.
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:
One Sunday afternoon, I was seated at the kitchen counter working feverously on a particularly difficult chapter of The Clay Lion. I was so absorbed by the story line that I was unaware of my husband’s presence in the room. Moved by the emotion of the passage and angered by what I’d just written, I began to cry, and my husband inquired about my outburst.
“What in the world are you crying about?” he asked.
The shock of his arrival combined with the chapter’s unexpected turn of events left me not fully in control of my emotions. Without thinking I blurted out, “Brooke just did something horrible. I had no idea she was going to do what she did.”
He looked up from his nachos and considered me, dumbfounded, from across the kitchen. “This might come as a surprise, but Brooke’s not a real person and you’re the one writing the book. How could you not know what she was going to do?”
It was in that moment that I realized I was no longer in control of my writing. The story and its characters had officially taken over and I was helpless to stop them. I had my ideas about where I wanted the story to go, but Brooke had her own ideas about the course of her life. She chose that afternoon to take the story in a new direction and I willingly let her do it. It seems silly to think of her as a real person with real thoughts and emotions, but in that moment, she was. I’ve never regretted my decision to let her take the helm, and although I continue to outline my stories, that afternoon in the kitchen convinced me I should never hesitate to allow my characters to have their own input.
WHICH AUTHOR HAS MOST GREATLY INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING STYLE?
I read a ridiculous amount of young adult fiction, mostly because I am captivated by how a good YA author can stir long-dormant emotions and remind you just how truly amazing it is to be alive. I believe that I’ve been influenced not so much by the specific style of their writing, but by their themes and ability to connect with young adults. With that being said, I don’t know if I can narrow my choice down to a single influence. Some of my recent guilty pleasures include Ransom Riggs (Miss Peregrin’s Home for Peculiar Children), John Green (An Abundance of Katherines), and Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (Beautiful Creatures). Some of my long-time favorites have always been Jerry Spinelli (Stargirl), Judy Blume (Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret), and Lois Lowry (Number the Stars).
WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?:
I would have to say Bridge To Terabithia by Katherine Paterson has been the most influential book in my life. I was a reluctant reader early on, and because I tended to read quite slowly, I had trouble keeping up with the other children in my elementary school classes. Over the years I began to resent having to read. There was no joy in it for me.
Then, in sixth grade, our class read Bridge To Terabithia and it was the first book to ever make me cry. I suddenly realized books had the ability to reach inside and stir up emotions I didn’t know I had. It shocked me, and so I began searching for other books which would have the same effect. I became a voracious reader at that point, reading library shelves clean. That was the beginning of my life as a reader.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?
My first inclination in answering this question was to mention something about awards or sales figures, but the truth is, I was lucky enough to achieve my greatest literary accomplishment long before garnering any critical acclaim or financial success.
Several months after The Clay Lion was released, I received an email from a woman I hadn’t spoken with in over twenty years. She wrote to let me know that she’d spent many years struggling to come to terms with the death of her own brother, but that after reading about Brooke’s journey in The Clay Lion, she’d found peace and slept soundly for the for the first time since he’d passed away. Knowing my words created such powerful emotion in someone was the most humbling experience, and I will carry the joy of that moment with me forever. As it turns out, connecting with other people is, without a doubt, my greatest literary accomplishment.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF BECOMING PUBLISHED AND ANY TIPS YOU MIGHT OFFER FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?
Over the years I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many wonderful authors, and based on what I’ve learned from them I feel confident in saying there is no one “right” way to become a published author. I know people who have published traditionally through agents with Big Five publishers. I know independent and self-published authors who sell thousands of books and are respected for the quality of their work. And I know authors who have dipped their toes in both publication pools with great success.
What I would say to an aspiring author is that there has never been a better time to attempt publication with so many wonderful options at your disposal. And the best way to choose which option is right for you is to follow your heart. Consider those things that are most important to you and follow the path that feels the most authentic. Do you value the esteem, full-service production, and marketing benefits that may accompany a large publishing house? Then perhaps querying agents for a traditional purchase is right for you. Do you like the idea of maintaining your own rights and setting your own schedule and pricing? Maybe you’re better suited for self-publishing. Perhaps, if you build a body of work that is large enough, you could try both. Of course, as with any decision making process, you should thoroughly research and weigh the pros and cons of each before heading down one path or the other. But regardless of which you choose, you are in for an exciting journey.
CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
I am by no means an expert in this arena. What I know I’ve learned by listening to other writers who were kind enough to share their own experiences and through my own trial and error over the past three years. I believe some of the most poignant advice is this – focus on building your brand, not selling books. Put your best foot forward in the marketplace so as to give potential readers a comprehensive view of who you are and what you have to offer. If they connect with you they will most likely connect to your work.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?:
Only that I feel beyond blessed to be able to spend my days creating stories for people to read. I can only hope that others enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?:
Yes! I’m currently working on the manuscript for the second book in the Sevens Prophecy Series, Gather the Sentient.
Gather the Sentient picks up where Among the Shrouded left off, tracing the interconnecting lives of the Mia and Thomas, as well as a few new characters on both the good and bad sides of the Sevens Prophecy. In book two of the series, readers will be introduced to several more of the “good” characters, including Jose, who has the power to heal. Meanwhile, Henry has been searching for others on the “bad” side of the prophecy in his attempt to usher in the age of the Seven Deadly Sins.LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
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