MisFortune Annie Virtual Tour

Carpinello's Writing Pages is one of the stops for Colorado co-authors Janet Fogg & Dave Jackson on the MisFortune Annie Book Tour. 

Janet co-wrote Fogg in the Cockpit (Casemate)—with husband Richard—one of five books nominated in 2012 by the Air Force Historical Foundation for best World War II book reviewed in Air Power History. Keeping her historical knowledge sharp, Janet manages the 359th Fighter Group’s Facebook page, sharing WWII stories and photos about the Fighter Group.  She is also a member and 2015/16 Vice President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.

Dave released of Tattoo Rampage by Curiosity Quills Press in 2013. The novel follows Evangelina Marquez-James, a strong female heroine, who gets her first tattoo as a symbol of courage to carry on after her police officer husband dies in the line of duty. He performs stand-up and skits regularly, as Comedy remains one of his many passions and he writes and performs skits, as well as stand-up. Also a songwriter and guitarist, Dave has composed over 300 musical titles.

Misfortune Annie and the Locomotive Reaper

About the Book:

Paperback
 
978-0-692-74187-0
$11.99

Pages: 154

Hardcover
978-0-692-79747-1
$19.99

Pages: 154

Ebook
Amazon ASIN: B01MDRCFJD

$4.99
Pages: 129

Middle Grade, Young Adult
FA, LLC
October 22, 2016



Enjoy this peek at MisFortune Annie and the Locomotive Reaper:

When Annabelle Fortune, the fastest gunslinger in the wild west, inadvertently stops a stranger from attacking a train -- and he wears a suit that enables him to fly! -- the government believes she's the only one to have witnessed the Locomotive Reaper and survived to tell the tale.

Promising to find out what he can about her missing father, the Director of the Secret Service persuades Annie to swear in. Too soon, her detested nickname re-stakes its claim.

Partnered with Beau Slokam, whose penchant for gambling leads them straight to the Doom Gang, Misfortune Annie guides the smooth-talking Southerner in a chase through the Rockies, with her Cheyenne friend, Wontoa, rounding out their unlikely trio.

When Annie again meets the Locomotive Reaper, his gadgetry proves far more advanced -- and deadly -- than even top scientists could have imagined.

A sequel is already underway! Visit Annie at MisfortuneAnnie.com for updates on release, as well as announcements regarding future books in the series!
 

About the authors and their writing partnership:

Q: Your protagonist was inspired by spitfire Annie Oakley, but what’s the full story behind your exciting middle grade adventure Misfortune Annie and the Locomotive Reaper?

Dave: To properly tell Misfortune Annie’s origin, we must first go back to the spark from a great machine. I make no bones about my awe of George Lucas and the Indiana Jones series. It’s widely known by most Lucas fans that the rugged archaeologist first showed up in spirit in old matinee serials until George tweaked him a little for a new generation of movie lovers. Indy’s trusty whip came from Zorro cliffhangers. So, hoping to scare up just anything that could give Indy a run for his money, I poked around in the same cinema of yesteryear and dug the cowboy genre. Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger, Gene Autry—they were huge! So like Indy, my new star had to have a catchy name and signature duds. He was going to have a 10-gallon hat and Levi jacket.

I never got to name him though because fate threw in a wildcard that made me so grateful and stoked, I could never go back to the dude. On Christmas vacation one year, nearly sleeping behind the wheel through flat old Kansas, I passed a sign that boasted, “Annie Oakley Museum.” Jolted awake, I had my new hero. It would be a young lady known by a slick nickname.

Janet: We were chatting about his concept for Annie and what he wanted to accomplish with the book/series, and asked if I'd join him on that journey. Annie appealed to me for many reasons. First, because she was a young cowgirl struggling to excel in the man's world of the wild, Wild West. I really liked that. Second, because I thought we could weave subtle "lessons-learned" into the books, so that young readers, especially teen girls, would have a role model with strength, courage, determination, and strong morals.

What made you decide to co-write as a team on this series - and how is it collaborating on a book?

Dave: We didn’t collaborate. Like spoiled rich kids we fought, I tell ya. Nah, actually, the writer’s journey is very lonely, and I highly recommend brewing with another author, especially someone as tenacious, gracious, and creative as Janet.

Janet: Or as funny, talented, and kind as Dave. (Can you say mutual admiration society? It’s been a blast!)

Can you tell us more about the “Fun Facts” readers will find at the very back of the book?

Janet: We decided to incorporate some historic facts in each book, and the “Fun Facts” helps define certain facts versus fiction. One example is the waist overalls made by Levi Strauss that Annie wears. These were the original blue jeans, and in our Fun Facts a reader will learn that when they were first created by German-born businessman Levi Strauss and Latvian-born tailor Jacob Davis, blue jeans were actually called “waist overalls.” The duo received a patent for them on May 20, 1873, with a product that had one back pocket, a watch pocket, a cinch, and brace buttons. When a young reader reads this Fun Fact, we hope it inspires them to pause and consider the origins of other everyday items. Perhaps there are many young inventors out there, in need of inspiration and a nudge!

What is your favorite part of being an author/or the process of writing?

Dave: Hands down, it’s when I daydream of people reading our stories. After which, my imagination blossoms more to fans tossing me the keys to their Ferrari—and not to park it for them—then they offer to buy me, and Janet fried chicken dinners.

Janet: What Dave said. Plus, bending my imagination 90 degrees to somewhere. Inspiring a reader. Preserving history.

What does a typical work day of writing look like for you?

Dave: There is no typical. My days are maxed with tutoring my son in algebra, playing music gigs, performing stand up, an auditing occupation, planning a convention, exercise, my lovely girlfriend, and having a good time. I truly write due to my love for it because there’s no time otherwise. Because of odd predicaments, I’ve borrowed other folks’ computers and even typewriters to get something on the page. I’ve scrawled on napkins.

Janet: I've never been a good sleeper, so I sneak out of bed when the Great Horned Owls are still conversing. First, I check email. (Who doesn't?) While I used to work on manuscript drafts during those wee hours, now I work on my 359th FG posts or answer questions about the Fighter Group.  After breakfast I write new words. Then I'll edit—I can edit all day, but my brain begins to protest after writing three or four or pages of new words. That's another reason I love collaborating on stories!

Have you ever had a mentor, or someone who sparked your passion for writing?

Dave: Yoda, but Janet wound up being better.

Janet: After I stop blushing, I'm going to work on growing long pointy ears. Really though - reading, reading and more reading.

Annie is such a trailblazer and great role model for young readers. What do you hope fans of the book will take away from the story?

Janet: That girls rock!

Dave: Misfortune Annie and the Locomotive Reaper is the really good book you’ve been looking for. Also, I do want everyone to know that I learned to crack a whip just because of the Indiana Jones movies—which influenced Misfortune Annie’s creation).

What do you feel makes your book unique from other middle grade fiction out there?

Dave: The characters are peculiar, funny, and cool.

Janet: Especially Annie.

Dave: Yes, you won’t be able to wait for Book Two.

Ah! So speaking of book two, what’s next for Misfortune Annie?

Throughout the series, we will see more problems that Annie doesn’t get credit for because she’s a girl in a ‘tough guy’ world.

A long cast of colorful crooks (think James Bond’s bullies) is waiting to take on the fastest draw in the west. Book Two leads Annie to New Orleans and face-to-face with a wicked Voodoo priest. In another episode, the Dragon Warrior shall render her six shooters useless. A sinister magician will perform the ultimate trick on her and the Secret Service. Beware pirates! Look out for creatures in the woods, Annie! Not to mention cameos by historical figures like Wyatt Earp, Baby Doe Tabor, and Teddy Roosevelt—perfect walk-ons to spark curiosity about US History.


Where to find the authors:

Dave Jackson Website
Janet Fogg Website
Dave's FB Page
Janet's FB Page

Meet MG Historical Author Teresa R. Funke

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes fellow Colorado Teresa R. Funke, a writer of historical fiction for Middle Grade readers.

First, a bit about Teresa:

Teresa R. Funke is the award-winning author of six works of fiction for adults and children based on true stories from World War II, including her multi-cultural series for children, The Home-Front Heroes, and her adult books, Dancing in Combat Boots and Remember Wake. Her short stories, articles, and essays have appeared in numerous publications. Her blog, Bursts of Brilliance for a Creative Life, has led to radio appearances and speaking invitations. Teresa is also a sought-after speaker, presenter, and writer's coach, working with clients all over the country.

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

In a sense I didn’t choose middle grade, it chose me. As the author of two works of fiction about World War II, I started getting invited to schools to speak to the kids about writing and the war. These were mostly fifth-grade classrooms. Come to find out, these kids knew nothing about WWII. They’d never even heard of Adolph Hitler. But on two different occasions, the students opted to skip recess to hear me keep talking! At one visit, one girl said, “Mrs. Funke, this is so interesting. Why don’t you write some books for kids about the war?” That seemed like a great idea to me! So I immediately came up with the concept for The Home-Front Heroes books and knew I wanted to aim for middle grade.

What types of books do you like to read?

They always say we should write what we like to read, and I follow that advice. I read mostly historical fiction for both adults and teens and children. But I’m a pretty eclectic reader. I read all kinds of books, including fiction, nonfiction, short stories, and memoir. I used to LOVE to read books with my kids every night. My kids and I read books together until they were 14 years old. After that, we’d sometimes read the same book separately, so we could discuss.

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

I’m a nationwide writer’s coach and a professional speaker, so when I’m not writing, I’m working with my clients. It’s great fun to be involved with so many projects with my clients. I’m constantly thinking about their characters and plots, and I enjoy that as much as I enjoy my own writing! I also love to travel, watch movies, go for evening walks, and spend as much time as I can with my family.

Tell us about Wave Me Good-bye and how the story came to be.

Wave Me Good-bye is the newest installment in my Home-Front Heroes series. Like all of my books, it’s based on a real woman who I interviewed. She grew up as the only Jewish girl in her Bronx neighborhood and faced the anti-Semitism that was common in our country at that time. The book touches on the Holocaust because a German-Jewish refugee comes to live with the family, so it’s a perfect introduction to the Holocaust for young readers. But what the story is really about is friendship. Miriam, the main character, befriends an English orphan boy who was sent to America for safe-keeping. Their entire friendship develops through the fence that separates them. This is fast becoming a favorite book among my fans and the teachers who teach from my books because the kids love seeing how a friendship between a boy and a girl from two such different worlds evolves.

Here's a peek at Wave Me Good-bye:

Miriam Liebler has a lot on her mind. World War II is raging and her Jewish relatives in Europe have simply disappeared. No one understands her worries— until she meets Christopher Richards, an English boy whisked to America to escape the bombings of London. Miriam and Chris exchange comic books and secrets through the iron bars of the orphanage fence. But will their friendship survive when trouble brews?







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

My first book is a novel for adults called Remember Wake. It’s based on the true story of the civilian contract workers who survived the Battle of Wake Island at the outset of World War II and were taken to horrific prison camps in Japan and China. One librarian told me recently that I wrote Unbroken before Unbroken, which was nice to hear. Though it was written for adults, it’s now gaining a following with teen readers, which is a thrill for me.

My second book is Dancing in Combat Boots: and other stories of American women in World War II. It’s a short-story collection, and each story is based on real woman. There’s an epilogue in the back that tells you what happened to each lady. It’s a very inspiring book and is also my best seller.

There are also three other books in the Home-Front Heroes collection: Doing My Part, The No-No Boys, and V for Victory. Each is popular in its own way, and each explores a different aspect of life on the home-front during the war. It’s a multi-cultural series with engaging stories and some educational back matter, so the teachers are finding that the series fits the new standards extremely well.

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

Mostly I’ve been focused on my blog, Bursts of Brilliance for a Creative Life, which provides inspiration once a week to people seeking to live a more true and passionate life. I’m also working on the fifth book in the H-F series, which will take place at Pearl Harbor. There will be four other books in the series following that one, and then I’ll move onto something new. My fans love to suggest what those new books should be!


What advice do you have for other authors?

Succeeding in the field of writing comes down to three things: Practice, Patience, and Persistence. Without those, you’ll never make it. As writers, we never stop learning, and we never stop practicing our craft and trying to improve. We learn early on to be patient with ourselves and our stories and this crazy business of writing and publishing. We also learn to be persistent and to never give up on the projects we care about, even if that means multiple rewrites, multiple submissions, a radically different approach to publishing or marketing, etc. We are strong people, we writers, and we love what we do. We’re lucky. I have a video on the 3 Ps of Writing success. You can find it on my YouTube channel, Teresa Funke, or check out my website: www.teresafunke.com for other suggestions and lots of resources! You can also see the real people on whom my stories are based.


Where to find Teresa and her books:

Website
YouTube Channel: teresa funke  
Twitter
Facebook