The Next Big Thing Blog Chain

I was recently invited to participate in the Next Big Thing blog series, By Lori Hines, another Phoenix local author. Lori and I originally met at a Read Local Event in Glendale, Arizona. Lori’s novels “The Ancient Ones,” and “Caves of the Watchers,” published by Aberdeen Bay, include information about ancient Arizona as well as a balance of mystery and the paranormal. Check out Lori and her books at http://lhauthor.wordpress.com/

 

The idea of The Next Big Thing is each writer answers the following questions then tags five more up and coming authors.

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:
What is your working title of your book?

I am currently most excited about the much anticipated release of Trolls, but I am working on the second book in the DREAD series, Max’s Despair. I am also working on several other pieces including a noir fantasy tentatively titled Vril.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Most of my books start as ideas stemming from the research that I do merely out of curiosity. I will dive into study on various topics and some will strike my fancy enough to write a story instead of a research paper.

What genre does your book fall under?

All of my current books fall under fiction and adventure, the fantasy or historical aspect is secondary. I am such a fan of classic adventure.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I do not currently have any actors in mind primarily because I am not a fan of new actors but the ones I do like are getting a bit too on in years to play the parts anymore.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Trolls – A young girl’s adventure in a fantastic world of magic and monsters, appropriate for all ages.

Vril – All crimes have an element of the bizarre, some have elementals equally bizarre.

Max’s Despair – The king of the DREAD Fleet tells all, in this history of how Maxmillion de Xavier became captain of Despair.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I am currently and hope into the future, represented by Arizona Publishing Services based here in Phoenix, Arizona.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I am a long time NaNo-warrior and I write all of my rough drafts since 2003 during NaNoWriMo. The editing obviously takes much longer.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Trolls definitely has been compared to Alice in Wonderland or Peter Pan, while I hope readers feel the Captain Blood or Treasure Island ambiance in Max’s Despair.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Trolls is of course inspired by my son and the children that I come in contact with. Kids are great inspiration for adventure stories.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?

I hope that readers really enjoy that all of my main characters never go it alone. There is always a need for allies. I really want readers to love the secondary characters as much as the heroes.

The Next Big Five:

Ashley Barnard

Ann Chamberlain

Patti Hulstrandt

Chet Shupe

Todd VanHooser

The Book Rack

I want to thank everyone who visited my table at The Book Rack in Mesa on Saturday, July 21^st. And super thank you to Patti for setting up another fun signing, and to Shaun for being my resident pirate! It was great to have familiar faces and some surprise guests too! Welcome Jodi to the crew! I hope you enjoy the story!

The owner of The Book Rack also creates short trailers for books and films as well as Public Service Announcements. His prices are very reasonable and I am actually really interested in giving this a shot. Pun completely intended. How many out there actually pay any mind to book trailers though, is my concern. Is it really something that draws an audience to read a book? Let me know what you think. I so do not want to create something that will serve little purpose.

This was the second trip out to the other end of the world for me in as many weekends. I do not enjoy the drive in the heat, but at least it is an adventure. The Book Rack is a super cute little shop too. And, as much as I have a deep love for the semi-musty, mysterious ambiance of some most book stores, The Book Rack was a nice balance between Barnes & Noble commercial quaintness and homespun local consignment shop. It is bright and clean and peaceful. To some, the absence of ‘old book smell’ and appearance of more consumer knick-knacks might not set the mood of the classic bookstore but it works well for them. 

There is a shocking amount of media packed into the small space too and it does an amazing job of not seeming to be cluttered or overstuffed. The eye is drawn too, to the walls of crafty art pieces which helps make the single room look larger than it is. 

I loved the layout and that they work to showcase local authors with two full racks at the entrance. This is also where I was placed, directly in the line of traffic. So much better than being in the back corner somewhere. There are still a few more weeks of their Author Appearances remaining, I will not be offended if you make it out to see other great local writers even if you missed my visit. 

I completely recommend checking out this adorable little book store if you are in Mesa. They do store credit on those completed summer reads, it might be a good way to get some early holiday shopping done without spending a dime. 

The Book Rack

1752 South Signal Butte Road #108

Mesa, AZ 85209

(480) 380-0044

www.bookrackonline.com/