Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Author Interviews, Promos, & Some Help

As an author, interviewing is an important way for potential readers to get to know you and your books. I've interviewed 129 authors on Carpinello's Writing Pages since starting in October 2012. This year, however, brings changes to the number of author interviews I'll be presenting each month.

As in the past, I still co-host with the Kid Lit Blog Hop, but that Hop has experienced growing pains and has changed this year. Instead of happening twice a month, the Kid Lit Blog Hop will be monthly on the 3rd Wednesday. In light of that change, I am doing author interviews only once a month—for now—cutting down the number of authors I introduce my readers to from four to two.

However, I am still going to use the 1st Wednesday of each month for authors. If you are touring, have a book blast, a new release, or just need some help promoting yourself and your book(s), contact me to schedule (ccarpinello[at]mac[dot]com). Please don't wait until the last minute because my blog schedules are always booked 3-4 months out. And remember, appearances on my blog are FREE, as always. I only ask for help in promoting. I will not be reviewing books as my time is too limited.

And now,

I have a few events—tours & interviews—happening. I would be grateful if you would spread the word about these on your social networks.

My First Ever You Tube interview debuted this week on the Book Nerd Paradise channel. I read from Sons of the Sphinx and offer a riddle for you to solve. No fair looking at the comments for the answer!! A Giveaway is also open through Sunday, March 28.

My interview with The Author's Show about Sons of the Sphinx is now on my web site Beyond Today Educator

Tutankhamen Speaks is tour with two excellent companies in March. Book blasts, interviews, reviews, excerpts are requested. You may sign up here with Double Decker Books (Mar. 7-21) or here with My Family's Heart (Mar. 14-25). 

As a gentle reminder, I give you this 3-D printer copy of Tut's mummy:



In April, Young Knights of the Round Table: The King's Ransom is also touring with the same companies. Once again, book blasts, interviews, reviews, excerpts are requested. You may sign up here with My Family's Heart (April 4-22). The Double Decker Books tour is late April/early May (Apr. 18-May 2). That sign up is coming. I will update this with the link when it is available.

Thank you for all your support.


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Meet YA/New Adult Author Tricia Copeland

Carpinello's Writing Pages presents YA author Tricia Copeland. Tricia is a fellow Coloradoan.

First, a bit about Tricia:

Tricia Copeland grew up and attended college in Georgia. Following earning a master’s degree in microbiology, she moved to Pennsylvania with her husband where she worked as a research scientist. After nine years, they moved their family—one daughter, twin boys, and dog Jake—to Colorado.

Why did you pick to write books for YA?

My young adult years were challenging. I liked the idea of giving others ways of coping with issues they may face. Writing about situations that may arise in a young adult’s life helps me to communicate that there are solutions.

What types of books do you like to read?

My favorite books to read are paranormal books about vampires, werewolves, and witches.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

When I’m not writing, I enjoy hiking and biking with my friends and family. I like movies and games, ice skating, and curling up with a good book.

Tell us about Is This Me? and how the story came to be.

Is This Me? and If I Could Fly are upper YA/clean new adult contemporary fiction books. They are the first two books in the Being Me series. Told through Amanda’s perspective the series tells her story.

I began writing the series in 2008. A 150,000 word document was the result of several years of typing away at my computer after my kids went to bed. At first, it was just entertainment for me, but an author friend offered to read the pages. After finishing the story, she agreed to edit the work and the manuscript became Books 1 and 2 of the Being Me series. Book 3, as yet untitled, will be published in May, 2016.


Here's a peek at Is This Me?

Amanda has no trouble choosing a college or picking a major. What she does have a problem with is what she would have least expected, a guy. Smart and sexy, Doug is focused on school responsibilities and post-graduation plans. Their paths intersect ,and Amanda must accept his help or risk losing her scholarship. Determined to maintain appearances, Amanda begins to lie to family and friends. The ease at which she repeatedly deceives those closest becomes disturbing and leaves her questioning: “Is this me?”




Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

I am working on Book 3 of the Being Me series. It continues Amanda’s story as she begins her sophomore year in college. Right now it is top secret as I don’t want to divulge any spoilers to my readers. It will be available in early May, 2016.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

One of my goals for 2016 is to publish in a new genre. I want to push myself as a writer and expand my reader group. I am looking to partner with other authors to write in an anthology or possibly a Kindle world series.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Being an indie author is so much more than just writing the manuscript. You need a great editor, formatter, and cover design person. Also, you need to know how to market a book in a constantly evolving media world. Surrounding yourself with people who have these tools is key.

Anything else you want readers to know?

I love connecting with readers on social media! Message me.  I will respond! One of my favorite things is to hear predictions about upcoming stories. A couple I have incorporated into the plots lines!

Where can readers find you and your books?

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
Google

Is This Me?
Amazon
You Tube trailer

If I Could Fly
Amazon
You Tube trailer

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Writing Tips and the 72nd Kid Lit Blog Hop

Carpinello's Writing Pages is back this Hop with more tips from the Children's, Middle Grade, and Young Adult writers I've interviewed. These are from April and May, 2015. Feel free to leave your own tip in the comments.

Learn your craft. Read in your genre...Shannon L. Brown, author of MG mystery The Feather Chase.

Listen to the feedback from others on how to improve your writing but don’t let anyone discourage you from following your dream to publish! Write what you love and never give up! This is a tough business and most of us are in it because we simply must write. Get involved in supportive writing communities; they are invaluable!...Dr. Tara Fairfield, YA author of When My Lion Calls, Book 1 of The River of Truth series.

I don’t feel qualified to advise anyone right now (see above!) except to say, “Make sure your current book is the very best you can do, with excellent plotting, characters, writing, editing, cover art, and blurbs. Then send it out with confidence and get on with the next one”...Gloria Repp, children's author of Pippin the Small, part of the Tales of Friendship Bog series.

There’s nothing wrong with “traditional” or “self” publishing paths. They’re just different. Do the research and find which one works best for you and your needs. Write because you love to do it. Publish because you want to share stories. Support others where and when you can...Julie Gilbert, YA author of Ashlynn's Dreams, one of the Devya's Children books.

At this point I’m mostly trying to get advice and don’t feel all that qualified to give it, but I guess I would say, just enjoy the writing process! Write because you love it and want to share it with others! That way you will be excited about each new project. If even one person out there reads your books and appreciates what you’ve done, it is worth it. Share your gift...Sharon Skretting, MG author of The Jewel of Peru from The Ultimate Treasure Quest.


And Now,

Welcome to the 72nd Kid Lit Blog Hop. This exciting Hop, now monthly, is where we develop an engaged group of people who love everything that has to do with children's literature.

 

On this Hop, Carpinello's Writing Pages interviews
MG fantasy author
Matthew David Brough

and

YA/New Adult author
Tricia Copeland


Remember, you are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors!


Simply make a post and add it to the linky. (Please make sure to add your direct post only) 
Once you are done, then hop around to visit others. Please visit at least the two people above your link. Please leave a comment when you do visit, we all like those.

Also, it would be appreciated if you grab the Kid Lit Blog Hop Badge and display it on your blog and/or your post.

Our next Hop will be March 16, 2016.

Happy Hopping!
Co-Hosts:

Reading Authors, Hostess

Julie Grasso, Author

Cheryl Carpinello, Author

BeachBoundBooks

Pragmatic Mom

The Logonauts

A Book Long Enough

Hits and Misses

 

 



Meet MG Author Matthew David Brough

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes Canadian MG Fantasy author Matthew David Brough.

First, a bit about Matthew:

On a road trip across western Canada, a boy and his two older sisters listened as their mother read them The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Although he knew he loved the story, and as a teenager went on to fall even more in love with The Lord of the Rings, it wasn’t until the year he was turning 40 that Matthew David Brough felt the full force of these books. He sat down to write a story and out came Del Ryder and the Crystal Seed, the first book in a fast-paced fantasy adventure series for ages eight and up.

Matthew is a pastor who doesn’t like preachy books, but loves stories of hope. He lives in Winnipeg, Canada with his wife, Cheryl and daughter, Juliet.

Why did you pick to write books for MG?

Prior to finishing my first novel, I thought for many years about writing a book. As a pastor, I mainly thought I would write non-fiction—something about God, theology, or spirituality. I had also tried writing some fiction, but never finished anything. Finally, I decided that I would love for my daughter to be able to read a book that I had written. She was five years old, so I figured if I started right away that maybe I could finish it by the time she was ten. That’s how I chose to write for Middle Grade. I surprised myself when the first draft was finished in just a few months. Now, I’m hooked, and my daughter will turn six soon. She’ll have a whole series to read when she’s ready.

What types of books do you like to read?

Lately, I am really enjoying reading books to my daughter, including a great book called The Green Ember and the first Harry Potter book. I enjoy fantasy for younger readers, books with fast-paced adventure—yes, I enjoy Dan Brown—and I love biographies. I also read a lot of non-fiction.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I’m not a full time writer, so this is a bit of a strange question for me, as most of my life is “not writing.” I love my job as a pastor, so preaching is certainly something I love. Outside of work, I love sports, mainly as a spectator (especially soccer, hockey, basketball), although I still play Ultimate Frisbee. I also like movies, going to the theatre and travelling, but most of all I just like spending time with my family.

Tell us about Del Ryder and the Crystal Seed and how the story came to be.

The original idea for the story was about a young boy who travels back and forth between earth and a fantasy world, bringing creatures back with him. It was loosely inspired by the movie Jumanji, where chaos ensues because the elements from a board game start coming to life around the two kids playing the game. There’s a funny thing about writing, though: the story doesn’t always do what you want it to do. As much as I liked the original idea, the girl in the story quickly became the main character. And once they were in Azdia, they ended up staying there far longer than originally planned. The book ended up being much more like The Wizard of Oz, in that a young girl and her three male friends end up stuck in another world, and they have to figure out how to get home.

Here's a peek at Del Ryder and the Crystal Seed:

Del Ryder, an ordinary eleven year old girl with something to prove and looking for a place to belong, leads her three best friends, Phil, Guy, and Sam, through a magic portal into the mystical land of Azdia. There they meet Crimson, one of the shape-shifting lumens, the caretakers of their world which is full of wonderful creatures and infused with an inner light. He is full of hope, believing that Del and her friends are the awaited ones who will rescue his world from a growing darkness. Unwilling to accept their destiny, the friends still manage to enlist Crimson’s help in what becomes a fight for their own survival. Held hostage by living trees, battered by storms, and caught in a stampede of giant feldroes, the darkness of Azdia blocks them at every stage of their adventure. But Del and her friends persevere, following the clues of a cryptic riddle, in the hope that it leads them home.

Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

This is my debut novel. I have written a short story which is part one in a serial called The Adventures of Crimson and Hollow. The serial is accessible for younger children, and is a prequel to the Del Ryder series.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

The second book in the Del Ryder series will be available in May 19,  2016. There will be at least one more book in that series, and I hope to have more episodes in the Adventures serial.

What advice do you have for other authors?

The main advice I have is don’t give up. From what I’ve read, it seems like every author has a different process, but all seem to agree that you need to keep writing, every day if possible. I’ve found it incredibly helpful to set small writing goals and to track my first draft word count. When I first started my goal was to write only 300 words a day. This was so small that it seemed ridiculously easy. Most days I wrote over 700 words. That doesn’t sound like much, but it added up very quickly.

Anything else you want readers to know?

Yes! The title of the second book in the Del Ryder series is Del Ryder and the Rescue of Eleanor. It will be ready for Pre-Order on Kindle and Kobo February 19th.

Where can readers find you and your books?

Website
Twitter
Goodreads

Amazon