Meet Children's/YA Author John Clewarth

Welcome to Carpinello's Writing Pages where I introduce you to new authors, famous authors, and old friends. John doesn't tell us, but he resides in the UK. John and I both publish with Silver Quill Publishing. John is also a teacher. I hope you stop by his website and read his 'About Me'. It's humorous and a little scary! And now,

Here's a bit about John Clewarth:

John Clewarth is a writer for Children and Young Adult readers. His first novel, Firestorm Rising, is a chilling tale, inspired by a visit to a gothic graveyard one dark, rainy day. His second novel, Demons in the Dark, is a horror story, broadly aimed written for the young adult market. John believes that horror should be scary but fun, and loves to lace his stories with humour.

John and his wife are both teachers. He is also a football (UK style, not American) fan.

Why did you pick to write books for Children/YA?

Two main reasons. When I was around the age-range I generally target, it was really difficult to get my hands on anything scary or spooky, unless I went into the ‘grown-up’ section of the library. It was either The Famous Five or Tin Tin, or the like (nothing wrong with those books, by the way!).  They just didn’t float my boat. So, from a young age, I ended up getting into the likes of the legendary Pan Books of Horror Stories, and James Herbert, Stephen King etc. I remember well-thumbed copies being shared around my friends at school! So, I try to write some of the things that I would have liked to read when I was ‘middle grade’.

The second reason is that I’ve been a teacher for more than thirty years – and have loved pretty much every minute. The majority of that time has been spent with 7 to 11 year-olds. Boy, do they provide inspiration – for characters, storylines, crazy ideas and notions that, along with a good dose of imagination and a fair infusion of poetic licence, can be woven into story ideas. I’d like to think that I have a bit of a head start on many authors when trying to get the narrative voice right, too. I spend countless hours talking to these guys, so their way of speaking kind of sticks! And if they like you, they stick with you.

What types of books do you like to read, and what do you do when you are not writing?

I’m becoming more eclectic with my reading but always like my reading material to have a dark, spooky edge. I read more MG and YA than adult material these days; the market is in great shape and has such a lot of quality to choose from – which makes it even more difficult to make your mark as a writer for this market! I also enjoy classic ghost and horror stories and am currently reading a collection of short stories by E. F. Benson, selected by Mark Gatiss. Having a great time with those.

When I’m not writing (or reading) I enjoy getting out there in the open – not so easy at this time of ‘lockdown’. I find running and walking in nature to be a wonderful way of relaxing and mulling over storylines. And, of course, you feel great and get fit. Win win! I enjoy good TV and cinema drama and also enjoy going to the theatre, as a treat!

Tell us about Firestorm Rising and how the story came to be.

I’m really proud of this book as it reached the finals of the People’s Book Prize when it first came out – and the sequel is almost ready for publication; just a couple of months will see its release! 

Firestorm Rising was my first book baby – up until then I had written a lot of short stories, mainly for the adult market, with a good degree of success. But this book was my first serious, get that bum down in the seat, attempt at seeing a novel the whole way through. It’s the story of three young friends who unwittingly stumble upon something other-worldy and dangerous, one Halloween night. 

The opening scene takes place in a graveyard, and it was in a graveyard that the story first suggested itself in my mind. We were on a family holiday to bonny Scotland, with our two young boys, and on this particular day we decided to visit the highest village in Scotland, a place by the name of Wanlockhead. It held particular appeal because it was steeped in history; old lead mine; street of quaint, olde-worlde shops like blacksmith, etc – and, of course, a graveyard. The heavens opened and as the rain pelted down, we dashed for cover under the spreading limbs of a tree, in the old graveyard. The gravestones were so weathered that the words had long since been obliterated, and the tombs were pock-marked and mottled. A ‘what-if?’ thought popped into my head. What if those gravestones could speak? What tales could they tell? What secrets do they keep? This was rapidly followed by another: What if someone, or something, had buried something there, that they wanted no one to find? And what if a bunch of schoolfriends found it, and the something wanted it back? From there, it gathered momentum quickly. It was super-fun to write and it’s great revisiting the characters now for the forthcoming sequel.

Here's a Peek at Firestorm Rising:

Raingate Cemetery is the spooky playground of Tom Allerton, Daniel 'Doc' Studd and Jasmine 'Jazz' Baxter, and provides a great opportunity for them to play a practical Halloween joke on their schoolmates. Events take an unexpected turn when a freak storm occurs and lightning strikes an ancient and crumbling tomb. The children flee in terror, all except for Jazz who decides to investigate.

Peering into the smoking rubble of the sepulchre, she is strangely drawn towards a weird pendant which unleashes a chain of terrifying and supernatural events. As the unearthly owner of the pendant endeavours to get it back, the friendship of the central characters is put to the toughest test, and they discover the true meanings of friendship, loyalty, truthfulness and fear. The children learn that there are far more things in the universe than they ever learned at school, as a terrifying monster is awakened from a long hot sleep... 




How do you go about researching for your stories?

Each story is different but I always try to thread through each story sprinklings of myself:  conversations I’ve had, people I’ve met, dreams I’ve had, experiences I’ve enjoyed or have moved me in some way, snippets of news reports etc. Once I have the idea for a book, I like to visit, or revisit, the locations to soak up the atmosphere first hand, use obscure archive material and, of course, good old Google is a gold mine of research information. I find it’s the weaving together of many or all of these things that lends a richer texture to the narrative.

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

I have another novel, called Demons in the Dark. This one is aimed at the 10+ market (and has even, I’m told, scared grown-ups!) The material is a little more gritty and the story centres around the adventures of a boy whose visit to the Wookey Hole Showcaves, in Somerset UK, turns into something far more scary than planned! I had a blast dreaming up the monsters and sub-plots in that one. I have a collection of stories, called Nightmares from the Graveyard, which is in e-book form on Amazon (for a small charge) but which is also on Smashwords for free. There’s a narrative that links each tale, focusing on a boy who lost a bet to spend a night in (yes, you’ve guessed it!) a graveyard.  Here, he meets a mysterious stranger who passes the night telling him spooky stories. What could possibly go wrong?!


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

As I mentioned earlier, I’m almost finished on the sequel to Firestorm Rising (as yet untitled). This picks up the story of the central characters one year on from the events of Firestorm Rising. The friends have moved up into high school and all appears to be going well until, one night, a mysterious circus rolls into town – the leader of which seems to have a charming, Pied Piper, effect on the local children. Lurking not too far away, is the threat of a return from a terrifying foe that the children thought had long-since been defeated. Exciting stuff!

I’ve outlined the plot and drafted the opening chapters for another new book, this time aimed at the 7 – 11 market, which brings in elements of Ancient Greek myths and infuses them into the lives of a group of modern-day children. But who are the heroes and who are the villains? I’m really motivated by the ideas that are coming together for that.

Also, I’m in the early stages of a collection of (scary, of course, but!) fun tales, aimed at the 7 – 9 age range. No linking theme as such (not yet, anyway), but I’m aiming to use some of these as story-performance pieces, on some of my future school visits. Other ideas are brewing – I could do with a 25-hour day!


What advice do you have for other authors?
 
Write for yourself, first and foremost – and enjoy it! Write about something you know about, and then ask yourself a ‘What if?’ question. For example, most of us, at some point, have been sat in that incredibly boring meeting, listening to the seconds clunk by. What if someone next to you in that fourth-floor room stood up, opened the window, and jumped out? And what if other people started to follow? What could cause that?

Try to write at least a little every day. Sometimes the words will flow like wine, others they’ll stick like mud. Don’t worry – just write. You’re getting something banked. It’s like keeping a car engine turning over. Get it warmed up enough and it will roar. Ooh, and don’t expect a multi-million book deal to fall into your lap. It’s a hugely competitive market out there. Make writer friends, connect on social media, and don’t give up after one bad review or a thousand rejections. Remember, the next one could be the deal that turns things big for you and changes your life. Just don’t quit. Keep writing. It’s what we do. Writers write – wannabe writers just wanna write. 


Anything else you want readers to know?
 
For full information on all my books and upcoming projects, please check out my website or my Facebook page, and do swing by to my Twitter and say hello.

It’s a great way to interact, ask questions, get to know me and others, and to have fun.


Where can readers find you and your books?
 
Alternatively, you can contact me via my website, and I’ll gladly sign and personalize copies for readers, at no extra charge, and post them out to you.
My books can be found – or ordered from – all good book stores, or from Amazon. Also, please check out Silver Quill Publishing for information on my work and a host of other great authors and their books.

Meet YA Author Barbara Roman

Before I introduce our author, I want to share thoughts on my newest creation Guinevere: The Legend, the final book in my Guinevere trilogy. It has been a 12-year journey. I'm humbled by the recognition these stories have received and believe these last two books have positioned Guinevere and Cedwyn for the roles given them in legend.

Finishing my middle grade trilogy of this amazing young lady and her loyal friend was a highlight of my writing career. Back in 2007, when I first conceived the idea of introducing young readers to this girl/queen, I never imagined that she and Cedwyn would soar to such heights. Throughout the trilogy, readers have experienced the two's highs and lows. While their decisions weren't always the best, each made those decisions with the best of intentions. And didn't (and don't) we all do that growing up? I won't tell you how their stories end, but I will tell you that you will be on the edge of your seat wringing your hands and wiping your tears.

And now,

Welcome to Carpinello's Writing Pages where I introduce you to new authors, famous authors, and old friends. Today's author is an old friend. I excited to bring back Barbara Roman to my readers. Barbara will be introducing us to her newest trilogy. And now,

Here's a bit about Barbara Roman:

Barbara Roman (aka B. Roman) is the author of the inspirational YA Moon Singer series (a trilogy and a prequel), and the suspense fiction, “Whatever Became of Sin?”  She is also the author of two children’s fantasy books:  “Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13” and “Hubert in Heaven - a hi-tech angel gets his wings.” Because of her music background as a professional singer, most of her books have their roots in music theories and metaphors, entwined with the magic and mystery of metaphysical concepts, and matters of ethics, faith, compassion, love, and heroism.

Why did you pick to write books for YA?

It was not really a conscious decision.  In my early career I wrote non-fiction articles and a book on the physical, emotional and spiritual power of music. After that, my children’s stories were purely divine creations, given to me by that mysterious force beyond our human comprehension.  They just flowed easily and quickly. After I wrote kids stories in succession, I imagined The Crystal Clipper as a children’s book.  But then it took on its own identity and blossomed into a novel.  The hero of the story (David Nickerson) is a deaf teen, so I worked in some relevant plot points - family dynamics, tragic circumstances, and paranormal time travel adventures -  that I hoped would appeal to and help to enlighten this age group. I knew from the start that there had to be a trilogy - The Moon Singer Series - with each story becoming more sophisticated and adventuresome as David Nickerson matures into his spiritual destiny.

What types of books do you like to read, and what do you do when you are not writing?

I read a wide array of books - political, metaphysical, suspense, children’s stories. When I’m not writing I usually go to a movie - oh, how I miss the movies now that the theatres are closed temporarily.

Tell us about The Crystal Clipper and how the story came to be.

The Crystal Clipper was inspired by a special crystal that I found during my spiritual (metaphysical) exploration period - first as a children’s book, then evolving into a novel. I used my own knowledge of music, and much research about crystal power, reincarnation, etc., to develop the plot, and there are additional facets to the stories that are informed by my own feelings about social issues, war, ethics, and personal integrity. Teenager David Nickerson’s deafness and how he uses it to understand his karmic destiny are symbolic of listening to that inner voice of guidance that we all have access to, if we learn to be still and hear the messages.



Here's a peek at The Crystal Clipper:

A fairy tale adventure of how we all begin to deal with life - by daydreaming fantastic ways to deal with life’s problems. For David, the princess imprisoned in the tower, the monsters, the deceptions and Temptations in the Prism Palace represent the conflicts and fears of everyday life.

David Nickerson begins his fantastic journeys as a boy trying to cope with a series of family crises: his Father’s unemployment, his sister’s paralysis, the death of his mother, and his deafness after a serious illness.

When David acquires a sacred Singer crystal, he conjures up the supernaturally-powered clipper ship Moon Singer, which takes him on spectacular sojourns to past and future lifetimes. The people he encounters all have a soul connection to one another and their lives are destined to intertwine many times over.

With the help of a young princess who has the power of healing in her song, David is ultimately transformed into a young man who can “hear” what others cannot and who can “see” what others deny. But his mission is always the same - to save a life that means more to him than his own.


How do you go about researching for your stories?

In years gone by - pre-internet - I spent enormous amounts of time in the library, reading books about the subjects and elements in my plots. Thankfully, years later, there is Google and just about any topic you need information on can be found there. I do tons of research for all my books, except for the children’s stories; they are little gifts to me from my Muse.

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

The Crystal Clipper is Book One of The Moon Singer Series, which also includes The War Chamber and The Wind Rose. The prequel, Before the Boy, tells the story of David Nickerson’s mother, and follows her from her life as a gifted pianist in college through her romance with Isaac Nickerson, and her untimely death - which was a karmic mistake. Before she died, she imbued David with his own music talents, allowing them to be bonded throughout eternity.

Whatever Became of Sin? - a suspense thriller - grew from just a little newspaper clipping about a “passenger in 7F” that started my wheels turning about a murder mystery:  what if passengers switched seats and one is murdered, but by mistake! The “why” burgeoned into this complex thriller about a baby-switching scheme, political corruption, and racial bigotry.

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

I’m working on another suspense fiction with the wine industry as a backdrop to murder, scandal and shocking family intrigue. While I love writing metaphysical fantasies, I like having a suspense story in the works to create a balance, to ground me into the conflicts and travesties of real life - and of course, weave a morality tale as well. One genre seems to nurture the other for some reason that I can’t truly explain. This book is many months away as I have to squeeze writing time around my day job and personal life.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Be yourself. Write what you want to write. Make it your own. No one can tell your story better than you can. But learn your craft along the way; you must never stop learning.

Anything else you want readers to know?

The Crystal Clipper is available in English, Spanish and Italian editions. Whatever Became of Sin? is translated into Portuguese. Most of my books are also available as audiobooks. Just go to my books’ pages on Amazon and see the Audible versions.

Adults are also attracted to my children’s & YA books, which doesn’t surprise me as they are somewhat sophisticated in their vocabulary and underlying messages, but just about all the reviews recommend the books as important to children.

Where can readers find you and your books?

All my books are available on Amazon around the world.

You can find me here:

BookBub,
AskDavid
Independent Author Network. 
Amazon Author Page 
Twitter (@BMoonSinger1)
Facebook

Meet MG Author Matt Harry

Welcome to Carpinello's Writing Pages where I introduce you to new authors, famous authors, and old friends! Today we have middle grade author Matt Harry, no stranger to writing and entertainment, with his second book in the Codex Arcanum series which was just released Nov. 5th. I've just started book one Sorcery for Beginners and am excited to get into it
 
Here's a bit about Matt:

I've been writing since I was a middle grader. I learned to make movies at the University of Southern California, which was the closest I could get to attending Hogwarts in the real world. Since then I worked as an editor, screenwriter, director, producer, and college professor. I live in Los Angeles with my wife and two sons, all of whom (thankfully) like to read.

Why did you pick to write books for MG?

First off, I find that middle grade stories are the ones I like reading best. MG protagonists are at such a crucial stage in life: trying to figure out what kind of people they want to be, but not quite yet burdened with all the social issues teenagers face (and which I find trying to write about). Secondly, I love engaging with middle grade readers. They’re so excited about books and magic and adventure — all things I like to write about.

What types of books do you like to read?

I love reading MG but I also have a preference for grounded sci-fi and fantasy. Anything too alien or macho is hard for me to relate to, but give me a wise-cracking, ordinary schmo who discovers some bit of magic/futuristic tech, and I’m on board. Some recent favorites include the Brilliance trilogy, The Library at Mount Char, and All the Birds in the Sky.

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

I love food, whether it’s going out to eat or cooking something interesting at home. One of the best parts of living in Los Angeles is that there’s so much amazing cuisine to try, from taco trucks to Michelin-starred sushi restaurants. I’ve lived here for 20 years, and I still haven’t tried them all! What we’re having for the next meal is a frequent discussion in our house, often times while we’re enjoying the current meal. But since I can’t eat all the time, I also like playing video games, watching movies, and hiking.

Tell us about Cryptozoology for Beginners and how the story came to be.

Cryptozoology is the sequel to Sorcery for Beginners, in which a group of middle schoolers find a help guide for magic, then have to keep it from being stolen by bad guys. In this book, I wanted to explore another magical element from the beginner’s perspective. I considered Magical Places, Magical Artifacts, and Time Travel before settling on Cryptozoology, the study of undiscovered (and in my books, magical) creatures.

I knew I didn’t want the main character from Sorcery to be the protagonist again, so this time the story centers on Trish Kim, a tough 13 year-old who’s trying to figure out how to tell her friends and family that she’s gay. It was fun to write within the same group of characters, but from a different perspective. It’s something I plan to continue in future books.

I also wanted to focus on issues surrounding animal conservation and whether or not people can be trusted to do the right thing. And like Sorcery, there are boxes that offer up lots of side information on magic, history, and magical creatures. So there’s a lot going on in this book!

Here's a peek at Cryptozoology for Beginners:

Only six weeks after a handful of teenage sorcerers defeated a team of anti-magic mercenaries called the Euclideans, Trish, Owen, and Perry are called back into action when they discover that the world’s cryptids (aka magical creatures) are disappearing. They’re partnered with brusque team leader Jacinda Greyeyes and their former nemesis Bryan Ferretti in a mission to travel all over North America, collecting famous cryptids like the jackalope, the chupacabra, and the altamaha-ha.

But when another team of teenage sorcerers suddenly vanishes, the spell casters set out for Germany, Egypt, and the Seychelles to uncover why the Euclideans have been abducting and experimenting on magical creatures like the unicorn and the sphinx. The secrets they uncover threaten to divide them, and reveal a truth that will permanently upend the way the world sees sorcery.


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

Sorcery for Beginners was my first published novel. Booklist called it a “clever, often hilarious adventure” and Publishers Weekly said “it’s a charming package and a drily funny adventure.” It’s also being developed as a TV show. But my favorite part of publishing the first book was seeing kids react to it. We even had a few kids dress as characters from the books!

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

I just finished a draft of an adult novel about a cynical spiritual investigator who can see people’s souls. After that, if things go well with Cryptozoology, I hope to start on the third book in the Codex Arcanum series.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Keep writing. It’s so easy to get discouraged, but I’ve found that writing is like exercise — it’s hard to do when you’re out of practice. So I make it a habit to write at least five days a week, to write even when I’m not feeling it, and to always be working on something.

Also, get comfortable with social media. I’m amazed how many people all the world have discovered my books through Facebook and Instagram.

Anything else you want readers to know?

I will be appearing at book events around the country over the next few months, but I really like doing school visits. If you have a school that you’d like me to come visit, reach out to me on Facebook and hopefully we can work something out!

Where can readers find you and your books?

Indiebound is a great way to find copies at your local bookstore.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

If you order through my publisher Inkshares, I’ll send you a FREE 60 page short story that connects Books I and II!

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