Top Honors Author, Kena Sosa, on her Award-Winning Book, The Unhuggables

WHO INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER?
I don't think I can name one particular person who inspired me to become a writer. I am soft-spoken in general, but apparently my inner voice is quite boisterous. It has to come out and speak its mind, so it does in my writing.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUIRKY OR FUN WRITING HABITS?
I keep a raggedy spiral notebook where I jot down the ideas that come to me unexpectedly. It is a complete mess of scribbles, notes, drawings, many of which are not related and with no page numbers. It's like prehistoric cloud storage for my thoughts. When they piece together in my head, I reference the notebook to use the ideas I've been saving.

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD-WINNING BOOK?
One day I was getting my son, Lucca, out of the bath when he randomly asked me what would happen if you hugged a porcupine. I laughed and then said, I guess it would hurt." We both laughed for a minute and then thought for a while on other animals you probably shouldn't hug. We talked about rhinos and bees and scorpions. At first, this was the idea for a story, Five Animals You Don't Want to Hug. After a while, I thought about how sometimes people don't want to be hugged either and how we feel when we're unhuggable. That's where the boy in the story came in. His name was Matthias at first, but eventually he became Oliver. So, really, this story is all the fault of my curious, very huggable son!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD-WINNING BOOK AND WHY?
"It was hard work saying no to hugs." I feel this line is truly profound. Rejection can be hard to take but it is even harder to feel down. Pushing those who love you away is just as difficult as being pushed away, it is painful. However, with patience and understanding we can get through those tough times. Love cures all.

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD-WINNING BOOK?
That during our most unhuggable or difficult moments, there are people who love us enough to endure them. Cherish those people.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST TIP FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS?
Edit, edit, edit! Make sure you have not only edited a draft before submission, but that you have edited enough to make it the best story it can be. This will greatly increase your chances at publishing and success.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
Get out there in person and meet your readers! The best way to sell is to put a face to the name and tell the story behind the story. If you can't meet them in person, do interviews through Skype or the radio or any means necessary, but reaching out to readers is key.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I would say getting 3 books published is a great accomplishment, however, that is outshined by the more recent awards I've received: Children's Literary Classics Award 2018 for historical fiction in middle grade books for Kindertransport-a child's journey and now the Enchanted Page Book Award in 2019 for The Unhuggables!

WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS?
I would like to write full-time eventually. As a single parent being able to cut ties with a regular paycheck is intimidating. Making my living through my craft would be a dream.

WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED? 

Kindertransport-a child's journey
(middle grade chapter book)
4RV Publishing

Just before the outbreak of World War II, the Nazis pushed Jewish families to do something they never imagined they would. They sent their children away on a train to faraway places to live with strangers so that they would be safe until the danger passed. As she gets onboard the Kindertransport, a train to hope, ten-year-old Helen will never be the same.

Rey Antonio and Rey Feo
(bilingual picture book)
4RV Publishing

Turning seven years old will give Rey something he's been waiting for all his life, to attend Fiesta in San Antonio like his big brother. When he gets there, he finds colorful food, music, and fun, until Antonio names himself King Antonio, the leader of the river parade, and calls his little brother, Rey Feo, or the ugly King of Fiesta. Their rivalry can only be squelched by the royal wave of Miss Antonio as she floats down the river. Which brother will be King Antonio, royal leader of the city? The story is written in both English and in Spanish.

4RV Publishing Catalog



LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Author Vivian Zabel on her Award Winning Book

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?

My cat Panther and I played a game where he would hind behind the shower curtain and I would sing “Where, oh, where did Panther go?” to the tune of a song from my childhood, “Where, oh, where did my little dog go?” He would jump from behind the curtain, and I would clap my hands and say, “There’s my Panther.” Panther slipped out of the house late one evening and never came home. By noon the next day, I was worried. I stood in my backyard and sang the Panther song at the top of my lungs. Far away I heard him answer. I sang some more, and he would answer. Finally, he rounded the house to me. He had gotten lost. I used one of my great-granddaughter’s name as Panther’s owner, and a book was born.

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK AND WHY?

Panther hid behind a curtain. “Where is Panther?” Katie called before singing, “Where, oh, where did my Panther go? Where could Panther be? With his ears so short and his tail so long, where could Panther be?”

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With a “Meow,” Panther jumped from behind the curtain.

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Katie petted him and laughed. “There’s my Panther.”

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That selection is my favorite because Katie's game sets the stage for the rest of the story.

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WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE IS MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY?

Katie in the story is most like me since I based her on my real great-granddaughter. She and I have many similar characteristics.

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WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?

The message I hope readers take from the book is people and animals can be close friends, just as the real Panther is my closest companion.

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WHO INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER?

I’ve always been a storyteller, according to my mother, since I could talk. I loved hearing stories and reading. My mother was an avid reader and taught me to enjoy stories. The next step was to write the stories my imagination created.

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WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR WRITING STYLE? - PLEASE ELABORATE:

This question is difficult to answer because so many writers influenced me, from the authors of the Nancy Drew series, to Dr. Suess, to William Bernhardt, to Carolyn Hart, to J.A. Jance … so many over the years. I write for children, tweens and teens, young adults, and adults. I write poetry, articles, short stories, and novels. I have a wide range of interests and sample most types of writing.

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TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:

Once in the middle of a novel, one of the murder victims refused to be a victim. No matter how I tried to write the scene, it would not work. Finally, I gave up and made her one of the main characters. One of these days, I will even complete the novel.

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TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WRITING PROCESS:

The idea for a story becomes a “movie” in my brain, the whole story. I begin writing the story as it is in my mind. Oh, a few small details may change, but the main plot and characters stay the same.

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WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE AS A WRITER?

My greatest challenge is finding time. I also run a small publishing company, have poor health, and edit for other authors.

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IF YOU COULD BE COMPARED TO A WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR WHO WOULD YOU MOST WANT THIS TO BE AND WHY?

I would love to be positively compared to J.A. Jance. She “showed” the people who ridiculed her desire to become an author, and boy, oh, boy, did she ever prove them wrong.

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HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED?

I submitted to 4RV Publishing like all submitters do. I may be the head of the company, but I don’t receive any special attention or benefits. My submission went to an acquisition editor anonymously (and, in the past, I was rejected – twice). The acquisition editor recommended I be offered a contract. Nearly three years later, Where Did Panther Go? became a book.

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CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?

Of course, social media is a way to build a platform. Volunteer to read your book at local libraries and schools. Attend craft fairs and book festivals, pay for a booth (maybe go together with other authors) and sell books. Join local writing and book groups. All help authors promote their books.

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WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?

Many of my books have earned honors, but the Literary Classics honors have been the top of the list so far.

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WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS?

I hope to have a book nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

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TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY MIGHT FIND INTERESTING:

I’m an Air Force brat. I traveled all over the place with my father, an enlisted man in the USAF. I changed school twenty-two times from kindergarten on Randolph AFB until graduation from high school in Limestone, Maine, from part of second and part of third grades on Guam to part of eighth and ninth grades in Morroco.

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IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?

I can’t stress enough the importance of reading. Writers become better writers by reading good and bad material. Yes, we learn from badly written books, too: We learn what not to do.

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WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?

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Children’s books:

I Like Pink (earned a silver CLC seal)

Wave Excitement: A Louie the Duck Story

A Baby Doll from Santy Clause (children’s picture books)

The Base Stealers Club and Case of the Missing Coach (for young teens)

Prairie Dog Cowboy (young adult)

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Novels:

Stolen

Midnight Hours

Burnt Offering

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All books can be purchased from

http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/vivian-zabel.php

and from other online bookstores such as Amazon.com.

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DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?

Panther’s Snowy Christmas

The real Panther had a unique reaction to his first snow: He reached a paw through the cat door and reached to his right. Pat, pat, pat with his paw. He reached straight out. Pat, pat, pat with his paw. He reached as far as possible to his left. Pat, pat, pat with his paw. That will be part of Panther’s Snowy Christmas, out in September. It will be available on the 4RV online bookstore, Amazon, and other online stores.

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Another possible release next year will be a sequel to Midnight Hours titled Darkest Before Dawn.

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LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Author Spotlight, Dr. Bon Blossman on her Award-Winning Boook

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?

I saw a viral video of a hospital in South America where a balloon was floating around the children's ward - with purpose. The medical staff appeared to be frightened of this balloon. It might have been a hoax video, but it's where I drew inspiration for some of the creepy aspects of the story. 

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK AND WHY?

This might seem odd or peculiar, but here it goes: I dropped to my knees next to my pit bull; blood seeped from a gaping wound in his abdomen as he labored for his next breath.

This is the opening line of the book. My daughter (28 at the time) didn't answer my text messages for a period of three days. I had already planned to have my protagonist find her murdered dog as the opening scene of my new book. After my daughter avoided me for that period of time, I chose the breed and name of the dog - which was maybe not coincidentally the same as her beloved Hugo. We laugh about it now. My word of warning to those with an author in the family - stay on their good side at all times. 

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WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE IS MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY?

I would say the mother of the protagonist. In the story, the family is taken from their lives of wealth, prosperity, and familiarity to a gloomy town, living in a haunted house. I had to move during my 9th grade year to an unforgiving location because my father was in the military. For the inspiration, I coupled my experience as a mother of a teenager with what I had endured as a teen having to uproot my life into a less fortunate situation.  

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WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD- WINNING BOOK?

No matter what challenges you will face in life, you can overcome anything. Never give up, conquer all. 

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WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER?

My father was a surgeon. As a hobby, he wrote poetry and dabbled in novel writing, as well. In my early days of writing ('90s), he gave me strong inspiration and guidance. Now, I am currently working on my eleventh novel. I am a physiologist as a first career and used to engage in scientific research while teaching biochemistry and other science courses at The University of North Texas. However, my hobby took over my life, and I am blessed. 

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WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR WRITING STYLE? - PLEASE ELABORATE:

I am a huge fan of Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling. I not only read all of the Harry Potter series, but when I wrote my first books, I can remember studying how she wrote, her style, and format. 

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TELL US SOMETHING FUN ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:

I am also a murder mystery game writer. If you cross me in any way - you'll be a suspect in one of my games. A writer must write what they know, right? I need to get out there and make some new enemies, though. I'm running out of material!  

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TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WRITING PROCESS:

I start with a spiral where I have a page for each chapter. I carry the book around, and as I think of things, I add them to my growing plot lines. When I'm ready, I switch to note cards for each chapter, since I can easily add a card in if I decide to split a chapter. Then, I move to the electronic outline with bullet points. This process can take up to six months, but it works for me.  

Using the Word document, I start to write the chapters based on the bullet points, ensuring I get all points made. This part only takes me 30 days from start to finish - as I work many hours a day, seven days per week. Once I start this, I have to work on it every day to keep the flow going. When I hate the story (meaning I'm done), I leave it for at least a week. Vacation time! Then, it's back to the grind where the real writing begins. I painstakingly re-write, edit, and slash extra verbiage for about three months. I'm wordy, as you can see. I try to ensure every sentence moves the plot forward. After at least five revisions from start to finish - it's off to the editor. Two months later, I get their notes. I edit from start to finish at least twice. At this point, if I have a willing beta reader, I'll ask them to read. Then, it goes for a line-by-line, and then a proofread. *Sigh* 

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WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE AS A WRITER?

Finding the time to write. My murder mystery game company (MyMysteryParty.com) is doing great, which means there is less time for me to write novels. My mentor as a PhD student once told me that life is about many plates spinning on poles. The plates are family, career, hobbies, and so forth. You must not let any of the plates stop spinning, so it is a balance to jump from pole to pole and spin those plates. 

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IF YOU COULD BE COMPARED TO A WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR WHO WOULD YOU MOST WANT THIS TO BE AND WHY?

I don't deserve this in the least, but I aspire to be the YA version of Stephen King. We all need goals. 

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CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?

Social media is your best bet. Grow an audience, engage with them, and do free giveaways and promotions on occasion to keep them on their toes. 

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WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?

Being recognized by organizations such as Literary Classics for my work is my greatest literary accomplishment. I feel honored and proud each time I win an award, as it gives me the confidence to press on with my next book.

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WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS?

I aspire to have my books on shelves at the airport and grocery store lines. It's nearly impossible to get to that level, but you must have goals. 

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TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY MIGHT FIND INTERESTING:

I was once on four seasons of a reality television show (2011-2013), but I don't like to talk about it ;-) 

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WHAT (IF ANY) OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED? 

Dregs Island, which I wrote with my son, Zakk Myer (a student at UT) Dregs Island

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Dregs Island

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The Fiona Frost series: 

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Blood Dolls (Volume 5)

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Shillingstone Witch (Volume 4)

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Fatal Souvenirs (Volume 3)

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Order of the Black Moon (Volume 2)

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Foster Manor (Volume 1)

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DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?

I have a new YA series in the works. It was inspired by my mystery party game, Murder Behind the Mirror. I am beyond excited about this, as it is a bit out of the box for me with other worlds and magical powers - all explained by science, of course. I am targeting summer of 2019 as the release date of volume 1. 

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LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Author Luke T. Harrington on his Award-Winning Book

Luke T. Harrington

Ophelia, Alive (A Ghost Story)

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER?
My failed American Idol audition. I was like, “Welp, I can’t sing. Let’s try writing.”


WAS THERE A TEACHER OR OTHER MENTOR WHO INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING - PLEASE ELABORATE:
That honor probably goes to the instructor I had for Fiction Writing 101 in college. He made it clear that, above all, writing is hard work, and not everything that comes ~from within~ is necessarily good. I forgot his name, though, so I guess I’m a jerk. Oops.


HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
I think I owe Pfizer a dollar, or something. They had the audacity to release Chantix, a stop-smoking pill that apparently causes schizophrenia-like symptoms as a side effect. When I first read about it, I was like, “Hmm, that would make a great premise for a horror novel, if I threw in some ghosts, Shakespeare, and poop jokes.” So I did.


WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK AND WHY?
“It’s one of those giant SuperBalls, the kind that when you first see them you think are going to be even better than the small ones, because, well, they’re bigger. But then when you throw one you find out it actually bounces less high and less fast than they do.”

If that doesn’t perfectly capture the wisdom and disillusionment that comes with age, I don’t know what does.


WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE ARE MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY?
I actually feel like my three main characters form sort of a Freudian triad. Ophelia, my protagonist, is my ego; Sara, my villain, is my id; Kate, my mentor-type, is my superego. Because who doesn’t love Freud?

I mean…who doesn’t like Freud. As a friend.


WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
“There are more things in heaven and earth,” etc.

Also, “Don’t murder people.” That’s a good lesson.


TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:
Don’t ever try to sell your book as “literary horror.” It turns out no one wants to read “literary horror.”


IF YOU COULD BE COMPARED TO A WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR WHO WOULD YOU MOST WANT THIS TO BE AND WHY?
C.S. Lewis. He was intellectual but still accessible, logical but still spiritual, imaginative but still grounded. Also, he wrote about centaurs. Who doesn’t want to write about centaurs?


WHAT HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?
I think the objective answer here is “the day I was born.” It’s hard to think of something that had a greater impact on my life than that.


HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED?
The most obnoxious way possible: I just carpet-bombed the world with copies of my book until I found someone interested. I think I sent out something like 200 queries before I found a handful of small presses that were willing to give Ophelia a shot.


IF A CLOSE FRIEND OR LOVED ONE WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?
Just sit down and write every day. There’s no trick to it.


CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?
Man, I wish—I’ve had zero luck in actually selling this thing. The best advice I can give is to take advice from someone smarter than me.


WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Convincing people that I’ve actually read Moby Dick.


WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS?
I hope to one day actually read Moby Dick.


TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY MIGHT FIND INTERESTING:
I once sailed a schooner through the Mediterranean.

Not, like, by myself. I was a crew member, and it was part of an academic program.

Also, I was probably kind of dead weight as a crew member. But I was technically there!


IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
You all should buy a Nintendo Switch.


DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
I do! One novel and two nonfiction projects. My interests and efforts are kind of all over the place these days. That’s a surefire way to launch a successful career, right?

…right?





LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Author Spotlight - Susan Count on her award-winning book

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER? Grief. Grief inspired me to write. In my dark days, an adventure story filled my head and the writing process gave me great joy and re-established my equilibrium.

WAS THERE A TEACHER OR OTHER MENTOR WHO INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING - PLEASE ELABORATE: The first thing I remember writing was an essay on utopia, in middle grade. It came back to me covered in red-marks. Thoroughly discouraged, I decided then I was bad at writing and didn’t write my first novel until I was over 60. It turns out the ability to create a story is not the same as knowing where to put a comma. I use a brilliant editor for that.

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? Horses are a legacy in many families. My series reflects the love for horses passed from one generation to the next. I shared that love with my daughter and now my granddaughter – Selah.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SCENE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK AND WHY? This little snippet of dialog always makes me chuckle.

“If I had a dream like that, I’d move out of my head.” Mary echoed a shiver.

“Want me to pray for you? Mrs. Tate prays for me all the time, so I know how to do it.”

“I guess, but I don’t see how it can help.”

“Let’s try it.” Mary brought her hands together, closed her eyes, and bowed her head.

Laura dropped her chin and rested her shoulder against Mary as she prayed.

“God? Please protect Laura from her bad dream. Amen.”

“That’s it?”

“He’s busy.”

WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE ARE MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY? None are like me. The librarian in Mary’s Song is modeled after my very own librarian grandmother. She was dignified, elegant and beautiful in every way. She encouraged me to read my favorite genre – horse books, starting with The Black Stallion. I write at her desk.

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? First, I hope young readers will absorb that their families are to be treasured. Their parents are silver and their grandparents are gold. Also, to keep their eyes on their dream and pursue it with passion.

IF YOU COULD BE COMPARED TO A WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR WHO WOULD YOU MOST WANT THIS TO BE AND WHY? I’m in no way comparable to her, but the author whose work I most admire is Anna Sewell who wrote Black Beauty. She wrote the book from the horses’ point of view which is extremely difficult to do expertly. Plus, she bettered the life of working horses with the book by bringing attention to their plight.

WHAT INCIDENT HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE? Writing the Dream Horse Adventure series has energized my life. It gives me great joy and purpose every day.

HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED? For about a week, I thought I had an agent. She swooned over the book, but left me at the altar. Her gushing gave me confidence in the book and the determination to publish it myself. At some point, I realized if I sold Selah’s Sweet Dream to a traditional publishing house they would own the book. They would make all the decisions about its development. How could I have ever thought I could sell a book I’d written for Selah?

IF A CLOSE FRIEND OR LOVED ONE WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM? Write the whole book. Get that your first draft is dribble. Find a critique group and change everything. Get it professionally edited. Decide the publishing route best for you. Don’t look up the long staircase, but take one prayerful step at a time to get it done.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK? Lots, but that is a book in itself. I concentrate on writing the best book possible. Then I stack it against others in award contests. If your book floats to the top – you can assure it’s worth your readers' time.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT? Something I never expected! While my books have won multiple first-place awards, I’ve been most honored by a scene in Selah’s Sweet Dream being selected for inclusion in reading comprehension testing for fifth graders - worldwide.

WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS? That the work of my hands would be pleasing to the Lord.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY MIGHT FIND INTERESTING: If I’m taking notes while you're telling me something fun your child did, you can be sure it will find a way into my books.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS? After you’ve read one of my books, come find me. SusanCountAuthor@yahoo.com I want to know what you think.

WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?

Selah’s Sweet Dream is the story of a girl who aspires to be an equestrian superstar and a horse with ATTITUDE. Selah is the granddaughter of Mary 

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS? Of course! Editing Selah’s Painted Dream - the third book in Dream Horse Adventures. And considering the publication options for a book for boys – The Firefly Warriors. 

Selah’s Painted Dream is the story of a girl determined to chase her horse dreams even when life tries to buck her off. Sign up on my website to be notified of updates susancount.com.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org

Author Julie Whitley on her Award-Winning Book

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER? I have loved books since I could first hold one in my hands. Around the age of nine, I began to think that I could write stories as well and started my first book. Through high school, my favourite English teacher encouraged me to keep on writing. With his words in the back of my mind, I continued to take creative writing classes throughout my adult life. The culmination of my efforts resulted in the completion of my first novel after I retired. 

WAS THERE A TEACHER OR OTHER MENTOR WHO INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING? My high school English teacher was my first mentor. I have had several since and with each step, I have been encouraged to continue.

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? An in-class writing exercise resulted in the short story that became the background story for my book. The original character, David, didn’t want to end his journey and nagged me to keep writing until I had brought all of his family along on the ride. 

WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE ARE MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY? I would like to think that I have the determination and grit of Sarah, although I’m not sure I’m quite as brave.

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? That families can work through their rough patches if they communicate.  Despite outward appearances, we still have our faults and our strengths, and working together can bring peace and success

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IF YOU COULD BE COMPARED TO A WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR WHO WOULD YOU MOST WANT THIS TO BE? In a couple of reviews my writing has been compared to The Narnia Chronicles and my favourite - The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. I love his writing and was thrilled to be compared.

IF A CLOSE FRIEND OR LOVED ONE WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM? I would tell them to write as often as they could, take classes, find a writing group to support and encourage. My groups have been invaluable to my process.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK? Start before the book launch and drum up anticipation.

WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS? To complete the Secrets of the Home Wood series and start on other stories gathering momentum in the background.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY MIGHT FIND INTERESTING: As a late-bloomer, I really started living and experiencing life when I was in my 40’s: I learned to water ski, I got married in my 50’s and we adopted our teenage daughter, and in my 60’s I became a grandmother, learned to scuba dive and published my debut novel! It is never to late to do what interests you.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS? I have the Secrets of the Home Wood sequel in the works. It is called The Stalker.  My next book carries on a couple of months after the story of the first book. It will be on Amazon and Kindle.

LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org