Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Meet Middle Grade Author Flavia Labre



Today we welcome Flavia Labre currently residing in Malaysia. Flavia is a first-time middle grade author. As you will read, she shares my love of Ancient Egypt.

First, a bit about Flavia:

Flavia Labre was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She's graduated in Languages and Literature and has a master's degree in Brazilian folk tales. Flavia left Rio de Janeiro many years ago and since then, has lived in many other countries around the globe with her Italian husband,  two incredible kids, two lazy cats and dozens of beautiful freshwater fish. “The Eighth Chamber” is her first middle grade book published in 2019.

Why did you pick to write books for MG readers?

There were many books that I read in my childhood that I never forgot and helped shape the person I'm today. Middle grade readers are a challenging group to write for, but they are also very honest and it's incredibly satisfying when they show how much they loved a book. It's a responsibility and a pleasure to be able to impact the way the kids see the world through the stories I write. 

What types of books do you like to read?I love to read, and I can read almost every genre, although my favorite are mysteries, thrillers, and middle grade adventure books.

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

I'm an avid reader, so when I'm not writing most of the time I'm reading. Another hobby that I recently fell in love with is gardening. Usually, when I'm stuck on a difficult chapter, I take a break to take care of my plants and I've found it has been really helpful to get new ideas and solutions for plot problems.

Tell us about The Eighth Chamber and how the story came to be.

The Eighth Chamber is my first middle grade book and inspiration came from different places. When I was a child I loved to read adventure books, like The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

My goal was to write a book that I'd love to read, full of adventure, a hint of mystery and brave characters. The idea to have elements of ancient Egypt history came from the years I lived as an expat in Egypt and how amazed I was when I visited all the ancient sites and fell in love with this incredible civilization.

The first character I've created was Oscar. I love cats and I had clearly in my mind this brave black cat very close to his beloved human. He follows Amy everywhere and, in a way, is the superhero of the story.

Here's a peek at The Eighth Chamber:

For Amy Spark, her family is what she treasures the most. On her father’s birthday, her mother, archeologist Catherine Spark, disappears without a trace. The mystery of her mother's disappearance deepens when Nick Jones, a boy she never met before, turns up claiming his brother and Amy's mother were working secretly on the search for an ancient temple and now they are both missing.

Time is running fast and even not believing in him, he’s the only hope she has. With her inseparable cat, Oscar, Amy joins Nick on a search deep into the forests of Mau Island, where the police have found a single evidence: her mother’s shoe.

Thrown together by chance, Amy and Nick will have to join forces to face the dangers and obstacles in their way on a thrilling journey with unexpected surprises.
What they discover will change everything. But they will soon find out they are not alone in this search.



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

I've written two children illustration books in Portuguese when I still lived in Brasil. Both books are about birds and focus on ecology and the preservation of species.

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

I'm on the final stages of the first draft of other adventure featuring the same trio of “The Eighth Chamber”, Amy, Nick, and the cat Oscar. I'm also plotting a mystery novel for YA readers and, as usual, brainstorming other ideas. There are still lots of stories waiting to be told. :)

What advice do you have for other authors?

Read a lot in your genre. Also, keep writing and finish your first draft. Even on the days that you will feel discouraged, just take a deep breath and don't give up.

Where can readers find you and your books?

Readers can find me on these social media sites to keep updated on next releases, giveaways and weekly news from the books world.

Facebook

Instagram

My debut book The Eighth Chamber is available on

Amazon

Online bookstores

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Meet MG Author Sarah Sanchez

Greetings from Carpinello's Writing Pages!

It's always amazing how life can get in the way of schedules! I love introducing new authors to my you and keeping you up to date on new books from establishing authors. These last couple of years have been a struggle to do that. So here at Carpinello's Writing Pages, we are starting a new page with a plan to post interviews with new and not-so-new authors for children, pre-teens, teens, and young adults.

Today I'm pleased to introduce Middle Grade author Sarah Sanchez. Read on to see what two countries she calls home!

Here's a bit about Sarah:

I was born in Dallas, Texas. I love Texas. The weather is crazy, but the people are friendly. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a BA in Spanish. Mexico is my second home. My husband is from Mexico, and I have family down there. I love the culture, the people, and of course the food. I have three wonderful children and I love hiking and spending time outdoors when I am not writing.
    Fantasy is my preferred genre to write in. There are no limits in fantasy beyond my own imagination.  Anything can happen. Sunwalker is my debut novel. It is a YA Vampire novel. The first in a trilogy. Nightwalker, book 2, was just released in May 2018.  My first MG Fantasy novel entitled the Portal Keeper, is going to be released Oct. 2nd. Darkwalker the third and final installment of The Sunwalker Trilogy is set to be released in December of 2019.



Why did you pick to write books for Middle Grade readers?


My first book series The Sunwalker Trilogy is actually YA but my younger kids thought the books were too scary. My son asked me to write a story with dragons. So that’s how The Portal Keeper came about. It is the first book in The Keeper Archives, which is looking like it will be 4 books in total.

What types of books do you like to read?

I love to read young adult and middle grade. I am typically drawn to fantasy and dystopian novels. I like pretty much anything, although I don’t read a lot of nonfiction.


When you are not writing, what do you like to do?
I enjoy hiking, although living in Texas I don’t have a lot of opportunities. I also love food, and enjoy trying out new restaurants and different types of food. I will try pretty much anything, but I don’t want to know what’s in it until after I have tried it.


Tell us about The Portal Keeper and how the story came to be.
I had been thinking about writing a story with a portal in it. One that takes you into a magical land. My son wanted a story with dragons and so I blended the two. It was actually the fastest book I have ever written. It just seemed to flow out of me.



Here's a peek at The Portal Keeper:

A mysterious portal, which opens at dawn and closes again at dusk, is located deep in the woods and kept secret from the vast majority of the people who inhabit the kingdom of Rastella. Only a few are aware of its existence and fewer understand the confusing prophecy that accompanies it.

Now, Ajax Maxwell, who is approaching his 14th birthday and has been in training for the past 2 years, is preparing to fulfill his family’s legacy by becoming the next keeper. But Ajax is afraid. He’s worried that he won’t live up to the expectations placed upon him and will let down his family, like his brother Axel did when he took over from their father and then promptly disappeared.

When the prince of Rastella comes to visit for the first time, accompanied by Ajax’s childhood friend Nivara, it doesn’t take long for things to go wrong. In an accident, the prince falls into the portal and Ajax knows that it’s up to him to go and get him back.

With the knowledge that nobody who has entered it has ever returned, Ajax and Nivara go through the portal to try to save the prince. But what Ajax finds inside, and what he discovers about the prophecy, will test him to his limits.


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

I have a YA vampire series called The Sunwalker Trilogy. It’s my take on the origin of vampires.


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

The last book in The Sunwalker Trilogy, Darkwalker, is getting edited, and I have just finished the first draft for the sequel to The Portal Keeper.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Keep persevering, write a little everyday and find people to read your books who will tell you the truth. It’s hard finding people who will point out the faults in your work.

Where can readers find you and your books?

Twitter
https://twitter.com/authorstsanchez

Blog
https://authorstsanchez.blogspot.com/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/authors.t.sanchez/

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16847543.S_T_Sanchez

Instagram
@thekeeperarchives

Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Portal-Keeper-Archives-Book-ebook/dp/B07XCRVCVL/

Anything else you want readers to know?

No matter if you read my book or another authors, reviews mean so much, not just to authors but to readers too.  So don’t forget to write a review. Don’t forget to check out the Portal Keeper on Amazon or other fine stores.