Author, Marc Remus, on his Award-Winning Book

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER?

I am a painter and illustrator. In a painting you can only express a portion of a story while in a novel you can tell much more. This limitation led me to writing.

WAS THERE A TEACHER OR OTHER MENTOR WHO INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING?

In college I began taking picture book classes. I had a fantastic instructor, who believed that I was not only gifted enough to illustrate a book but that I could also write a book. After graduating with a BA in illustrations I took classes at the Institute of Children’s Literature for over ten years. There, I learned the foundations of children’s book writing. Along the way, I had some fantastic instructors who influenced me a lot.

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

One day I was working on an illustration when I wondered how it would be if the painting came alive. This was the start of a picture book story called “Painting Brian.” Soon, I realized that the story was too complex to be told in a short story. I created an entire world inside a painting. This is how the Magora series, with six books, came about.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?

I use little epigraphs about art at the beginning of each chapter of the Magora books. The very first one is the start of the series and also my favorite: “The line between reality and fantasy has many shapes. It can be thick or thin, colorful or dull, wavy or straight, blurry or sharp. It is always changing.”

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

The leading character, Holly, struggles with self-confidence. It takes a journey into the fantasy painting of Magora to make her believe in her artistic talent. Readers can learn from “The Gallery of Wonders” that they should trust in their talents. And if they work hard on them, like Holly does, they will come out on top.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:

When I created the different species in Magora in the 90s I was really proud that I came up with an interesting name for a fantasy species. The Ledesmas are humanoid beings who have butterflies in their heads instead of brains.

I was excited when I created the name “Ledesma” and thought it was very unique. A few years later I met a lady. After a few weeks I found out that her last name was “Ledesma” and that the name was a common last name. It was certainly not an amazing, unique fantasy name by an unpublished author. 

IF YOU COULD BE COMPARED TO A WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR WHO WOULD YOU MOST WANT THIS TO BE AND WHY? I have always been fascinated by the creativity of Roald Dahl. He created unbelievable stories for children that still fascinate people today. He always surprises the reader and comes up with completely unexpected twists and turns.

WHAT HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?

As much as I would love to say that a book had its greatest impact on my life, I have to say that it was cancer. Having had cancer ten years ago made me aware that it is important to seize the day and accomplish something wonderful each day without looking at the financial benefits. A day full of boredom is a day lost.

HOW DID YOU FIND AN AGENT / GET PUBLISHED?

After twenty years of writing the six books in the Magora series, I wanted complete control of the layout, design, illustrations, and covers. A publisher usually doesn’t give an author this kind of freedom. As a painter/illustrator I didn’t want someone else to illustrate my covers. So I decided to self-publish the books under “Misty Moon Books.” This way, the paperbacks now look exactly the way I wanted them to be.

IF A CLOSE FRIEND OR LOVED ONE WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?

Take a course in writing and have your book edited by a professional structural editor. Many people think, because they are English teachers or have some friends who are good in English, they don’t need editors. But editors make books shine. I worked with about ten editors on the Magora series. Without them, the series would have never reached such a high level of sophistication.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?

The completion of the Magora series. I have started writing the Magora series in the mid-90s and finished the series in 2016. Even though the first books seem to have a simple plot, the overall story is very complex. It reaches a metaphysical realm in the sixth book which no one can expect in the first three books. The planning of the series was very difficult, and it took me years. Having won over ten literary awards with this book has proven not only that it is my greatest literary accomplishment but that it is also appreciated by the world outside.

WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS?

As a full-time painter it is always a struggle to pay the bills. Therefore, writing is always something that suffers. It would be wonderful to have a year without financial worries so I could focus more on writing. I would love to get to the point that I could make a living, writing books.

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

When I was a kid I had a chameleon as pet, and I created a dwarf species called Peenoo. As a teenager I played hide and seek in some ruins left from WWII. Later I lived in Tokyo and studied Japanese and Zen painting. During my college years in LA I was in a huge earthquake that left my apartment in ruin so I had to move. After college I spent a year in Honduras and was almost killed there by a stingray. I lived for a while with an Indian tribe in the Mosquito Coast. After my return to Europe, I visited almost every single country in Europe, except for seven in Eastern Europe. My family lives in three different countries: Germany, France, U.S.A., and I commute between them all the time now.

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

I have worked on a soundtrack with a composer for the Magora series. And one of the fantasy characters, Tenshi, came to life with the help of a great animation team. The critter is waving at you and doing all kinds of things on my website www.Magora.net

WHAT OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED?

The Golden Maple Tree (Book 2, Magora Series) 

The Bridge in the Fog (Book 3, Magora Series) 

The Uprising (Book 4 , Magora Series) 

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?

Yes, I have a few books in the making. The next book in the Magora series is coming out in 2018.  I have also started a younger middle grade story with the working title “Henry’s Giant Chocolate Clouds.” It is about a fantasy candy land.

Another project is a young adult fantasy series called “Mystery Black” with trolls, dwarfs and all kinds of magical creatures.

I am also working on a German translation of “The Gallery of Wonders”, and hope to get that published soon.

The next book is a young adult book called “The Language Thieves.” It is about a mysterious tribe in Scotland that steals languages out of people’s minds.

The book is already completed and it has been edited a few times by various editors. I just need to find the time to illustrate the cover and do the layout.

Once it is done, you will find it on Amazon. But if you sign up to my newsletter you will always stay updated and find out the exact dates of publication. 

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

Authors, Molly and Gary Whitney, on their award-winning book Thistle Downe

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER? MOLLY This requires a somewhat unusual answer. A miniature house built of twigs inspired me to write for the first time. I started writing this book at age 74.

WAS THERE A TEACHER OR OTHER MENTOR WHO INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING? MOLLY Two teachers in particular. A high school English teacher, Miss Rhodes, who ignited my love for the English language, and Mrs. Falk, a Creative Writing teacher whom I encountered in college, who relentlessly refined my use of that language.

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? MOLLY My husband Gary had built a small twig house for his children years ago to accommodate a set of little troll figures presented to them as a gift. They grew up, circumstances of Gary’s life changed, and the house went to the care of a librarian friend of his who stored it in the rafters of her garage. It remained there for years, forgotten. Fast forward to 2012, when Gary and I married. His friend returned the magical little twig structure to him and I was instantly entranced. We began to make additions to it including lighting and exterior facades. Gary, an interior architect, and designer, let his imagination take flight with shapes and structure of the additions. Tiny handmade beds, sofas, and chairs furnished the rooms, and I began to see it as a fairy house. Friends, fascinated with the tabletop home, kept asking what the story was behind it, so we decided to write one. Gary gave me carte blanche on the writing, with the caveat that a troll have a place in it since trolls were the genesis of the house. Thus the story of Tyson, a troll, and Amelia, a fairy, was born.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LINE FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK? 

MOLLY It may be a spoiler, but my favorite line is the last one of the book. "He was ready to start his joyous new journey with Amelia, down the road to Happily Ever After." It’s my favorite because it defines Tyson from beginning to end. Always looking ahead with enthusiasm and an intrinsically happy heart, determined to overcome any obstacle.

GARY "His shoulders sagged momentarily, but then Amelia reached out and rested her slender fingers on his forearm as lightly as thistle down, and he rallied." It is my favorite because it explains the reason for the name of the book and of the house. It is very powerful, that light, reassuring touch.

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

MOLLY Probably Amelia. I grew up in the Deep South in the 1950’s. I was taught to be well-mannered, a good conversationalist, and to take pride in my family heritage. Emphasis was placed on my education and on exposure to the arts. Also, my great- great- grandmother emigrated from the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Her name was Amelia. Her portrait and mine always hung side by side in my childhood home. Gary says he identifies with Tyson because he is a troll who fell in love with a fairy. How’s that for making his wife feel very special?

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?  MOLLY & GARY Never give up on your dreams. Honest determination and tenacity are your best tools. If you fail it’s not the end. Just get up and try again and again. Keep your spark no matter what.

TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS AN AUTHOR:

MOLLY As I began to write the book some of the characters first appeared in my dreams before I transferred them to paper.

IF YOU COULD BE COMPARED TO A WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR WHO WOULD YOU MOST WANT THIS TO BE AND WHY?   MOLLY I would consider myself presumptuous to compare myself to any well-known author. I greatly admire Margaret Mitchell, whose first and only book captured the imagination of the world, and Harper Lee, whose first published book did the same. They were both from the South, as I am, and I would love to aspire to their quality of writing.

WHAT BOOK HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?  MOLLY The most constant book in my life has been the Bible. It is ancient history and relevant guidance at the same time. It’s a book for every time and all time.

HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED?  We knew of a local publisher in Houston. We were so green we didn’t even check their requirements for submitting a manuscript. We just delivered it to their office. Fortunately for us, they liked our book so we didn’t suffer through countless rejection slips we had heard stories about.

IF A CLOSE FRIEND OR LOVED ONE WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM?  MOLLY Write about something you know regarding plot, characters, and locations.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE FOR WRITERS ON HOW BEST TO PROMOTE THEIR BOOK?  Have a website built for your book or learn to do it yourself. Build a presence on social media promoting your book by means of a page on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at the very least. By all means, enter competitions for book awards. Speak at book clubs and, if your book is appropriate for it, in classrooms. Always be alert to any opportunity, no matter how unexpected, and be generous with your time and talents.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?  MOLLY

This Literary Classics Gold Medal, of course! To have such a personal effort as writing this book to be recognized by a national group of judges as having merit is an indescribable feeling.

WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS?  MOLLY I’d like to continue in the company of the trolls and fairies of Orkney, letting their lives take me into new books about their adventures. I have come to know them so well that sometimes they lead me to new places, and not the other way around. I don’t expect to write great literature in my lifetime, but I think sometimes small stories can touch someone’s heart. We have a real empathy with today’s young people and the obstacles they face, like prejudice, bullying, loss, illiteracy, lack of self-esteem. They are the same barriers Tyson has to face, and we hoped that he could inspire kids to persevere.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY MIGHT FIND INTERESTING:  MOLLY My parents thought my college education should be a practical one that would ensure my eventual employment, so I was 45 years old before I took my long desired first art lessons. I became an accomplished water-colorist with gallery representation in two cities.  Gary lived aboard a sailboat in the boat basin on the Hudson River in New York City for five years while he worked in Manhattan. We both illustrated Thistle Downe ourselves.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?   MOLLY If there is a book in you, it is never too late to write it.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?  MOLLY A sequel to Thistle Downe is underway. People kept asking what happens next. We didn’t know, so we decided we had better write a sequel to find out! Are children a part of Tyson and Amelia’s life together? Are there rough waters ahead for the couple? Do we introduce any new characters? Stay tuned…..

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

Shelby & Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes is our latest and greatest book recommendation. When twins, Shelby and Shauna, are approached by the vice consul of planet Miriax, he asks for their assistance in closing the holes which have appeared between Miriax, Earth and the planet Klodius.  These three planets all co-exist in parallel dimensions and are dependent upon each other for their energy.  The vice consul explains that, in particular, Shelby and Shauna have been singled out from everyone on planet earth because of their positive energy.

Because these two middle-schoolers have the most highly concentrated positive energy of anyone on earth, their energy can be channeled to help close the holes between their dimensions.  But, if the holes are not closed soon, the planets will be destroyed.

They, along with a team of others (mostly teenagers) are recruited to help with the mission.  The twins are soon immersed in adventure in a world where inanimate objects rarely exist.  People on Miriax interact with everything from library books, to modes of transportation, which all possess life-like qualities.  From Lendox, the loveable vice consul, to Loola, the Mirian travel vessel, all of Marchesi's characters are full of life and energy . . . some positive, and some not-so-positive.  And woven beneath this entertaining plot lies a foundation of positive messages about life, love, kindness, forgiveness and acceptance.

Author, P.H.C. Marchesi has created an engaging fantasy thriller which is sure to entice and enthrall young readers.  In this classic tale of good vs. evil,  Dimensional Holes is filled with whimsical moments and edge-of your seat thrills.  This book will keep you guessing up until the end.  With every twist and turn of the plot, you will become further engrossed in this tale which is wildly imaginative and extraordinarily crafted.

After reading this book, one can't help but want to spend a little time visiting the fanciful planet of Miriax.  Thankfully, there is a sequel already in the works; and we look forward to visiting Miriax again soon with Marchesi's next book in the Kitt Twins' fantasy series.

Shelby & Shauna Kitt and the Dimensional Holes  comes highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.




LITERARY CLASSICS Book Reviews & Awards http://literaryclassicsreviews.com