Meet Author Silke Stein

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes German-born author Silke Stein. As you will find out, Silke is exploring a number of genres with her writing.

First, a bit about Silke:

I'm a graphic designer but like to write in my spare time. Trina Bell’s Humming Summer is my first novel. I love Victoria, British Columbia, where I currently live. It is a wondrous place that has inspired my story.

Why did you pick to write books for MG?

I'm still at the beginning of my writing adventure and haven't settled on a particular genre yet. Trina Bell's Humming Summer is a middle grade novel, but I have just finished a children's novella that can be enjoyed by all ages, and the book I'm currently writing is a romantic mystery for adults. Whatever audience I'm writing for, I want them to have a great emotional experience.

What types of books do you like to read?

I read a lot of contemporary literary fiction, and I love classic science fiction.

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

Just like my protagonist, Trina, I love to roam the shores and parks of Victoria. Hummingbird-watching, beach-combing and hunting for sea glass are my favorite outdoor activities. Inside, I mostly have my nose in a book when I'm not play-testing a new game my partner has created.

Tell us about Trina Bell's Humming Summer and how the story came to be.

Trina Bell's Humming Summer is the story of a twelve-year-old girl who lives with her elderly aunt but longs to spend time with her father – a famous wildlife photographer who travels the globe and mostly ignores her. When she finally convinces him to take her with him to the Canadian rainforest on a hunt for the elusive spirit bear, her triumph is short-lived.

I'm from Germany, and when I started spending time in Victoria because of my Canadian partner, I fell in love with the city: its beautiful scenery (the Pacific Ocean and the Olympic Mountains) and its amazing wildlife – particularly the hummingbirds (we don't have them in Europe). I got the idea to tell my niece and nephew back home about my 'adventures' through a story. My partner suggested to make the protagonist a young girl, and so Trina was born.

Here's a peek at Trina Bell's Humming Summer:

Shooting ghost bears? Twelve-year-old Trina Bell has finally had enough. Why should she spend another dull summer watching Great-Aunt Roswinda play lawn bowling, while her father has all the fun? This year, she won’t let him get away with the usual excuses. To her surprise, she succeeds. Her dad, the famous wildlife photographer, agrees to take her to the Canadian rainforest, on a quest for the elusive Kermode bear. Trina’s triumph is short-lived, however; soon she finds herself in a city on Vancouver Island, dumped in a strange apartment building that may not be what it seems. But when she befriends Moss, the three-legged dog living across the street, and becomes involved in a mysterious case of vanishing hummingbirds, events take an astonishing turn...



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

I started out writing lyrics and short stories for children. Recently I've completed a novella about a girl who, after finding a mysterious silver violin on her bedroom rug, is faced with the scary prospect of never sleeping again. It's called Sleep, Merel, Sleep and I hope to get it published soon.

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

I'm currently working on a novel inspired by Anderson's The Little Mermaid. There will be a lot of diving but no 'real' mermaids.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Don't waste any time. I came late to writing and wish I could have started in my teens.

Anything else you want readers to know?

I'm thankful for every review and love to hear from readers how they liked Trina and her story.

Where can readers find you and your books?

Trina Bell's Humming Summer is available as ebook and paperback on Amazon and Barnes&Noble. If you would rather support local business: the paperback can be ordered with title and ISBN (9781364932923) at your favorite brick and mortar bookstore around the corner.

Silke Stein Author
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