Meet MG Author Andy Mulberry

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes California MG Author Andy Mulberry. Andy, like me, writes for those reluctant readers out there.

First, a bit about Andy:

Andy Mulberry loves to write children's books filled with strange adventures, odd characters and mysterious circumstances. She lives in Southern California with her scowling teenager, a chubby blue cat-beast, an imaginary dog and one leaky roof!

Why did you pick to write books for MG?

I think the best answer is that I’m a kid at heart and constantly have a funny/weird story or two in my head. Growing up, books gave me so much joy (they still do). If I can pass on the joy of books to impressionable young minds, all for the better *cue evil laugh*!


What types of books do you like to read?

I got the heavier side of reading out of the way in my younger years. Most classics, the Top 100 books you ought to have read, I probably have read them—not that I actually understood most of them :) And while I do admire beautifully written prose and character driven stories (read: literary fiction), I now seek perhaps the lighter side of reading—I want to be entertained by fantastical storylines, strange circumstances and unique characters that will stay with me and make me think and laugh and simply happy. I read to be entertained in an upbeat, positive way, whatever the genre might be.

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

Photography. And by that I mean snapping pictures of beautiful Southern California with my super-smart phone while attempting to hike 5 miles only to turn into a café for coffee and carrot cake.

Tell us about Skycastle, the Demon and Me and how the story came to be.

Skycastle, the Demon and Me is a middle grade fantasy adventure aimed at reluctant readers. I can’t really say how the story came to be; it pretty much showed up in my head fully formed…it is one of those ‘what if’ story lines, I’d say. I like ‘what if’ stories. I dare you to give the book to a reluctant reader and not see him turn the page, trying to find out if Jack really does order a demon straight from Hell. (He does.) The book is the first in a series, available as paperback and audiobook, and for free as an ebook pretty much everywhere.

Here's a peek at Skycastle, the Demon and Me:

“If you owe Hell gold but you can't pay, you're about to have a bad day!
You can’t catch a demon. But you can order one.
You can order one straight from Hell. It will get you into trouble.
In any case, it certainly gets Jack into a lot of trouble...

WARNING...this book contains a scowling demon, bad decisions, a skeleton key, not foul but hellish language, an ordinary boy and an extraordinary castle.

You’ve been warned.”




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

Skycastle and the Demonic Incident in Chinatown, Book 2 in my Skycastle series was been released last year. This book contains a scowling demon, a headless horseman, an angry dragon, an ordinary boy and an extraordinary castle. There’s cheesecake. And something straight out of HELL.


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

Currently busy finishing up Skycastle and the Demonic Kraden Debacle in Hollywood, Book 3 in the Skycastle series, to be released next month. 

What advice do you have for other authors?

Advice? Not really, as I think that we are all unique snowflakes, us writers. What works for one will not work for another author. But the old adage of ‘You Can’t Fix a Blank Page’ rings most true, so my advice is to write more and then some more.


Anything else you want readers to know?

Thank you for having me here today! And I’d like to leave you with my favorite quote from Dr. Seuss: 'If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good.' :)

Where can readers find you and your books?

My books are available as eBook, paperback, and audiobook anywhere you can buy books online. Ask me for a review copy or visit my blog. Every Sunday, I feature children’s book authors on my blog