The Reader's Place
Connecting Authors to Their Readers...
Q&A for Dwayne G. Anderson, Y/A Sci-Fi Author
Dwayne lives in a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada. He is a tenacious, committed and very imaginative writer of science fiction like Partially Human that would appeal to young adult readers. This is the third book he has written. Enjoy his answers to our questions and check out the review on our site http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/partially-human.
More information about Dwayne on: http://www.oncewritten.com/Title.php?TID=Partially-Human
Q: You say you write the kind of stories you do because you have a "brain disorder" called Asperger's Syndrome. When was that diagnosed, how does it affect your world view--and your writing?
A: I was diagnosed with this disorder when I was sixteen year old in May of 1999. People who have it see the world differently from others. These people have a harder time doing things that others can easily do themselves. However, people who have it have also shown superb skills ranking higher than others in some things too. Through my experiences, feelings, and innermost thoughts, I have found a way to communicate to others through written words.
Q: What genre is Partially Human and who are the intended age groups?
A: Partially Human is a general fiction/young adult story with elements of science fiction and was written for the teenage and young adult reader.
Q: Can you give a short overview of the book's theme and how you came to this unique storyline?
A: The theme of the story is that of friendship, love, compassion, and loyalty triumphing over human ignorance and prejudice. It's also a story being different from others. My experiences with Asperger's Syndrome and the mistreatment I suffered because of the ignorance of others. Over the years, there has been much prejudice against others. One of the worst forms was racism.
Q: Tell us a little bit about the main character, 19-year-old Joshua Plofhard and his mother. Did you build these characters from someone you knew or just out of your head?
A: No character is ever created the same as another. While Joshua represents the everyday child who wants to fit in, but can't understand why he is rejected, his mother is the typical single mother in a single parent family.
Q: Why write about prejudice--and prejudice against people who have no control over why they are different?
A: Prejudice has been in our world for as long as we have existed. This was a serious issue that I wanted to discuss and tackle in a written piece of work. I want to teach others that we can live in a world where people are accepted for who they are and not rejected for being different.
Q: Tell a little bit about "The Prejudice"--why did you decide to make "The Prejudice" a female? What is her role in the book, and related to Joshua? Was this decided before the book was written or while you were writing it?
A: The Prejudice, a.k.a. Veranda Oltzon, is the story's main villain, representing everything that society condemns. Basically, she's a metaphor for human prejudice and ignorance, so yes she was planned to be in the book all along. She has no relation to Joshua, and she only targets him because of her extreme prejudice against others who society turns its back upon. Her hatred for those types of people stemmed from childhood experiences of rejection. In books I have read involving a serial killer, almost all the time, it was a male. So I created a female serial killer to show that even women are capable of acts of prejudice--not just men.
Q: As a reader, knowing that you have this syndrome, I can see a parallel between your challenges and Joshua's. Was this planned--or did you do, as they say, "write about what you know?"
A: Joshua is mistreated because people judge him only by his "difference" and treat him differently than they used to. I suffered the same from others simply because of Asperger's Syndrome. My brother and his friends used to crack jokes about me, and he's even called me a "handicapped kid." Basically, Joshua was modeled after my experiences.
Q: This "falling love" stuff that Joshua was experienced. Was there someone in your life who was the model for Kimberly?
A: Kimberly accepts Joshua for who he is and deeply cares about him in his time of need. She is modeled after Tiffany, a friend of mine I met online a few months after being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Whenever I was having a hard time, I could always count on Tiffany to brighten my day. She even defended me from my brother's taunts and insults. She's a true friend to me, just like Kimberly to Joshua, so she fits the role of his love interest perfectly.
Q: For you as a 25-year-old to spend the time and energy to complete three books and go to the trouble of self publishing them, that says a lot about your tenacity. Do you intend to further your education--and also take some writing courses?
A: Breaking into the world of traditional publishing is very hard and based on luck and your reputation. You're more likely to get into that world if you're Steven King, R.L. Stein, or J.K Rowling. Therefore, an author like me is forced to publish through self-publishing, vanity, or subsidy publishers that are more than likely to accept their work for publication. My writing improves through each book as I am growing as an author.
Q: You seem to have a great imagination--a lot more stories in your head. When did you start writing or storytelling?
A: I started writing books in 2001, though I've written fiction for the Rugrats. My first creative writing experience was back in an early school grade when the teacher gave me a special assignment and to no one else. It was a story that allowed me to add my own details, such as how the character solves problems he encounters during the story.
Q: Will you go the traditional route or continue to self publish? If you self publish, are there things you learned you'd like to share with our readers. What would YOU do differently? What worked great? How long was the process from time you finished writing until Infinity Publishing finished the book?
A: This was my most ambitious work yet to date, yet it is only the beginning of how much I have improved my writing since I first started. However every publisher I sent it to rejected the work. One publisher did accept it for publication, but they went out of business before publication was completed. Infinity Publishing has proven to be reliable and their service is excellent. The publishing process takes between six to nine weeks, and even though I had to pay to get my work published, it was worth it. For the one-time setup fee, they've produced a book that will be distributed through many retailers, and they even offer book returns, which is great if I want bookstores to stock it. The rough draft of this book took me three months to finish, then I spent another three years editing and improving it to the final publishing product that became available in May of 2007.
To all authors, look for a publisher that offers excellent service, book returns to stores, assists you through the entire process, and sells your books for lower prices than other publishers. I recommend Infinity Publishing for their outstanding services! According to one site I read that reviews the top publishing sites, Infinity takes third place, though they are one of the few that offer book returns--which is a must if you want your book to be stocked in stores.
Q: What do you read for enjoyment--or does this brain disorder make reading harder for you? What genres, titles, authors, etc. Whom do you admire as a writer?
A: I don't have any favorite writers or genres, in fact, I find it very difficult to choose a favorite for most things such as books, movies, and games, though I do know my favorite foods.
Thank you for your time and insightful answers, Dwayne, and best of luck in your future publishing endeavors.
Q&A with John Bonk, Y/A Author
John J. Bonk, author of Dustin Grubbs: One Man Show has kindly offered to answer questions for readers about writing Young Adult and Middle Reader novels and the publishing world. Dustin Grubbs: One Man Show has recently been optioned for film. Join us as John J. Bonk answers our questions.
Q: Where did you get the idea for Dustin Grubbs: One Man Show?
A: Dustin Grubbs: One-Man Show is loosely based on my own quest to be an actor while attending an elementary school that never put on plays. "Write what you know" the pundits say, so I followed their advice.
Q: Tell us a bit about the book and whom it will appeal to.
A: The book has been described as "a laugh a minute testament to the show must go on." Sixth-grader, Dustin Grubbs dreams of being a professional actor and is determined to get through at least one successful performance of the school play without fire alarms going off or scenery collapsing. Enter Jeremy Jason Wilder, a real live Hollywood child actor who moves to Buttermilk Falls after his sitcom is cancelled, and transfers into Dustin's class. Dustin is elated at first, and chooses Jeremy over his best friend, Wally. But Jeremy reveals his true colors at the end and Dustin learns a thing or two about friendship and even celebrity. Add to the mix the wacky Grubbs Family, including a tormenting teenage brother, a tell-it-like-it-is grandmother, and a runaway standup-comedian dad, who may or may not make it back to town for Dustin's big opening night.
Dustin Grubbs: One-Man Show is targeted to 8-12 year old boys, however, some of the biggest fans of the book have been girls. Adults seem to find it hysterically funny as well.
Q: Approximately how long did it take you to write the book? Over what period of time?
A: I began writing One-Man Show in my online writing class-and there were so many revisions along the way that the total time it took to complete the final book is a big blur. I'm guessing anywhere from a 18 months to two years.
Q: Did you have an agent? Did you obtain an agent? If so, what was the process in getting an agent?
A: I do have a wonderful agent by the name of Steven Chudney of the Chudney Agency, who sold my book to Little, Brown. I was recommended to him by a woman in my writers group who he represents. First he had me submit a synopsis of the novel and a few sample chapters, to which he responded favorably; then he asked me to send him the entire manuscript. After a few nail-biting weeks, I got an email from him saying the book made him "laugh out loud" and he attached a sample contract to peruse. (Woo-hoo!) The real contract came via snail mail shortly after that, and a few signatures later I was officially his client. There were quite a number of changes he suggested I make to the manuscript before he sent it out to publishers. Apparently, some agents take an active part in the creative process-and some don't. I was more than happy to receive his professional critique.
Q: How easy/difficult was it to sell Dustin Grubbs: One Man Show?
A: I believe the book was rejected around five or six times before being accepted by Little, Brown. In retrospect, it doesn't sound like many, but every single one was like a kick in the shins-with tap shoes.
Q: Were you able to get another book contract after selling Dustin Grubbs: One Man Show?
A: Little, Brown offered me a two-book deal when they accepted Dustin Grubbs: One-Man Show. They wanted the second book to be very similar to the first-very funny with a quirky male protagonist-so I wrote a sequel.
Q: What is the title of your second book and tell us a bit about it.
A: Dustin Grubbs: Take Two! was published in October 2006. In this follow-up to One-Man Show, Dustin's school is putting on a musical and he's faced with a whole new set of challenges: namely, singing and dancing. His ego was through the roof after starring in last year's production, but he gradually discovers that he's no "triple threat." In fact, he's kind of a klutz who's only ever sung in the shower-badly. Making matters worse, a battle is brewing between the jocks and the drama geeks due to a controversy over school funds. Dustin is also dealing with a lot of personal changes-puberty, friends with new interests, his Aunt Olive getting married and moving away. A fieldtrip to Chicago becomes a turning point in Dustin's life, when he meets up with his discontent, divorced dad and accompanies him to a commercial audition where Dustin gets "discovered." He returns to Buttermilk Falls with high hopes for his parents' reconciliation and his own ultimate stardom. Of course, nothing goes as planned, but Dustin rises above the turmoil to save the play and save the day, and is awarded some juicy surprises at the end.
Q: What are you working on now? If it's sold, when will it be out?
I've written a zany, rhyming picture book called Lunch On the Queen (Or The Royal Gesundheit) that is being submitted to publishers now. No contract yet, but my fingers are crossed. I'm also working on a third novel tentatively called Boondoggle, which follows a brother and sister's misadventures during a visit to New York City, and centers around a mystery in Grand Central Station.
Q: Is writing your full time job? If not, what is your 'day job'?
A: Writing is not my full-time job. (I wish!) I also work from my home as a transcriptionist. (What's a trancriptionist, you might ask?) I basically transcribe sound files into hardcopy. Everything from celebrity interviews for magazines, to focus groups about baking soda, to courtroom proceedings. I get a lot of great ideas for my books from these transcripts.
Q: What advice can you give authors who write Middle Reader/Young Adult novels?
A: Revise, revise, revise. And when you think you're absolutely, positively finished, revise again. To quote Flaubert, "Words, like hair, shine with combing." Oh-and never give up. Rejections from agents and publishers can take the wind out of your sails, but remember it only takes a single YES! to change everything.
Q: If you could interview any author, living or dead, who would it be and why?
A: Hmm, that's a tough one. I'd love to hear what Barbara Park had to say. I'm a big fan of her Skinnybones books. Interviewing Lemony Snicket would be fun because he's created such a colorful persona for himself. I'd also like to interview Julie Andrews-just because she came from a musical theatre background and is now a full-fledged children's book author, so I can kind of relate. Besides, who doesn't love Julie Andrews?
Q: What drew you to the genre of Middle Reader/YA?
A: I originally set out to be a picture book writer-illustrator because I have somewhat of an art background. What I had little experience in was writing (except for school assignments and grocery lists). So I started taking writing classes and discovered I liked the writing part of it more than the illustrating part. I began reading many young adult novels basically as learning tools-and was so tickled, moved, and mesmerized along the way that I realized I had discovered my niche. I'd still like to write and illustrate a picture book someday.
More information at author's web site: http://www.JohnJBonk.com
Q&A with Michelle Moran, author of Nefertiti: A Novel
Californian Michelle Moran started reading Writers Digest and submitting stories at age 12. Majoring in English, she read Milton, Chaucer and Shakespeare. She was a volunteer archaeologist in Israel, the start of her traveling the world from Zimbawbe to India. After six years of teaching high school, Michelle now is a full-time writer. More author Q&A and details about the book and characters are available on Michelle's very informative web site: http://www.MichelleMoran.com
Read the entire article. (membership required)
The Hidden Treasures of Fiction Contest
Susan, at the West of Mars Meet and Greet http://westofmars.com has announced her second big reading contest of the year--and Armchair Interviews is helping her promote it. And we are donating some books as prizes.
The readers of Susan's blog come from around the world--as do our readers--so this is a great contest to tell publishers, writers, reviewers and the general public about new authors and books.
CONTEST THEME: This summer's theme is Hidden Treasures--so our own Andrea Sisco has recommended THREE BOOKS/AUTHORS who have never gotten near the Bestseller list (any of them) but who she thinks deserve to be.
Our hope is that this will help promote mid-list authors who are often overlooked in favor of the blockbuster novels--and hopefully boost their sales.
Susan will compile and post this list on her blog and website http://www.westofmars.com and participants will refer to it. Many participants will choose a book directly from this list; of course, they are free to find any Hidden Treasure of their own.
The rules are simple for the Hidden Treasures of Fiction contest:
Questions: http://westofmars.com
1. Find a book that's a "Hidden Treasure." That means a book that hasn't made it to a best-seller list anywhere that you can find. A suggested reading list is available at West of Mars. Feel free to find your own treasure, though.
2. The book MUST be from a royalty-paying publisher. Self-publications, vanity presses, or any other publishing forms where the author must pay to be printed are disqualified.
3. Read and review it.
4. Post a review somewhere on the Internet between July 15 and August 15 (some popular locations for the last contest were reviewers' websites or blogs, Gather.com http://www.Gather.com and/or BookCrossing.com http://www.BookCrossing.com. Sign the Mr. Linky at West of Mars. Include the permalink for your review.
6. Yes, you can use a Hidden Treasure book that fulfills another contest or reading challenge.
7. Yes, you can review more than one book.
8. If, for some reason, you don't want to win a prize, let Susan know.
9. If you have suggestions for the Hidden Treasures Suggested Reading List, or a prize to offer the winners, drop Susan an e-mail Susan@WestofMars.com
10. Prizes will be awarded August 20. Winners will be contacted and winning list will be posted no later than 22 August; be sure to have a way for us to contact you.
Every Armchair Interview reader may enter the contest by reviewing book on one of the sites suggested.
Q&A with Mystery Author David Housewright
Interviewed by Jeff Foster
David Housewright is the Edgar Award-winning author of the Holland Taylor and Rushmore McKenzie novels and other tales of murder and mayhem in the Midwest. His books include: Dead Boyfriends, Pretty Girl Gone, Tin City, Hard Ticket Home, Penance, Practice to Deceive and Dearly Departed.
Read the entire article. (membership required)
Q&A with Author Brian Freeman
We are pleased to have this Q&A with the very popular author, Brian Freeman.
Minnesota author Brian Freeman writes psychological suspense novels featuring detectives Jonathan Stride and Serena Dial. His books have been sold in 46 countries and 16 languages and have appeared as Main Selections in the Literary Guild and the Book of the Month Club. His debut thriller, IMMORAL, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and was a finalist for the Edgar(r), Dagger, Anthony, and Barry Awards. He just release STRIPPED, based in Las Vegas.
Read the entire article. (membership required)
Paperback Swap
By Kim Reis (Armchair Interviews reviewer)
Are your bookshelves overflowing? Do you need to make some room for all those new titles you want to buy? Paperback Swap might just be the solution.
Paperback Swap is a free service that allows members to exchange books. The only cost involved is media mail postage to mail your books to the requester. Once the book is received, you get a credit allowing you to request a book from someone else who pays the postage to send it to you.
Books must be in good condition with no writing or highlighting inside. ARC copies are not allowed. Some members have restrictions against books from smoking households or those with pets. This is noted in their request, and you can decline if your books don't meet their standards.
You can also post hardcover books but understand that you are not guaranteed a hardcover in return. The postage is also higher for a hardcover.
To get started, go to http://www.PaperbackSwap.com and set up an account. A valid email and USPS address are required. When you post your first nine books you will receive three free credits allowing you to start shopping. When someone wants one of your posted books, you will get an email notification. Go to the website, accept the request, and print the USPS mailer. Wrap the book in the mailer, affix postage and drop it in any mailbox. When the requestor marks the book received, you get another credit.
If there is a book you would like, simply request it and it will be mailed. You can also post a wish list for books that aren't in the system yet. When someone posts one of them, you will be notified so that you can request it. Wish list requests for the same book are filled in the order received.
I have found this website to be very reliable and fun. I have saved a lot of money since the postage paid is far less than the value of the books received, even at used bookstore prices.
There is also a sister site for music at http://www.SwapaCD.com.
Armchair's Own has a New BLOG
This ONE is Special to us!
A Novel Collaboration http://KathleenBaldwin.com/blog
A Novel Collaboration: Join Andrea Sisco of Armchair Interviews and Kathleen Baldwin, a multi-published novelist, as they discuss writing and marketing a book together while still remaining friends. Read about their thoughts, offer your own writing tidbits and ask questions.
Our Reviews Go Into Newspapers
For the past several months, Armchair Interview has had reviews published in an exciting section of the Southwest Newspaper called "Let's Go." www.letsgosouthwest
The newspaper goes to 86,000 homes in the southwestern part of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a readership of about 140,000 people. Our reviews and book covers fill have a page--and obviously the readers like them or the newspaper would not devote that much space.
The editor, Melissa Gilman, interviewed Andrea and Connie about our business, and wondered if we would like to submit some reviews.
Well, as they say, the rest is history.
Every month Andrea submits four book reviews for publication, in different genres--or sometimes even themes. Usually the reviews are by Andrea or Connie, but sometimes we pick one of our other reviewers and send one from a "guest reviewer." Erica Marston of Minneapolis did such a great review of Bitter is the New Black that we just had to use it in March.
Thanks, Melissa, for this opportunity to spread the good word about Armchair Interviews and tell people about some great authors!
Book Clubs and Reading Groups
Everywhere you look it seems people are talking about books and book clubs. Because of the growing phenomenon we thought it might be helpful to our readers to provide you with a web site that will help you start one.
Book-Clubs-Resource.com is a good guide to book clubs and reading groups. It has a collection of links and information for readers that includes information about how to start your own reading group, participate in online reading group or to just learn more about what a book club is.
Go to www.Book-Clubs-Resource.com for a wealth of information.
Quote Garden
So you love the written word. Maybe you're a writer, a speaker, a student, a scrapbook enthusiast or you just enjoy reading the things other people write.
If so, we suggest you visit www.quotegarden.com for inspirational, funny, thought-provoking, famous and literary sayings.
It will surprise you at the sheer number of entries. And the best part is that they re arranged by subject matter. Great way to pull the perfect quote for a friend's card who loves music or theatre, for someone who has had a success, etc. etc. The uses for quotes, the right quote, are endless.
Every writer or person who loves words should have this www.QuoteGarden.com bookmarked on your computer.
To end this note, this one is from "quotation" section (and there are many given).
A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a witty person, but a pebble in the hands of a fool.
-Author Unknown
Book Clubs and Reading Groups
Everywhere you look it seems people are talking about books and book clubs. Because of the growing phenomenon we thought it might be helpful to our readers to provide you with a web site that will help you start one.
Book-Clubs-Resource.com is a good guide to book clubs and reading groups. It has a collection of links and information for readers that includes information about how to start your own reading group, participate in online reading group or to just learn more about what a book club is.
Go to www.Book-Clubs-Resource.com for a wealth of information.
Science Fiction Fans
For those of you who enjoy Science Fiction we highly recommend The Ghosts of Albion: Accursed by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden (see our review under Great Reviews/Science Fiction).
The novel featuring the demon-fighting siblings Tamara and William Swift really began several years ago on the BBC cult website www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ghosts. The BBC website combines flash animation, sound effects and music, plus it has the vocal talents of Anthony Daniels (Star Wars), Emma Samms (Dynasty) and Roy Skelton (Doctor Who). The first animated audio adventure was followed by two short stories and then another animated adventure.
Read Guy Wegener's review of The Ghosts of Albion: Accursed. He says it is "one of the freshest, most original takes on a tried-and-true idea." Wegener suggests that author Benson's past association with the American television series "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" appears to influence her writing.
Now that you've read the review, you might want to read the book (we think you will), then hit the BBC website for their programs featuring Tamara and William Swift. They are so good we believe that you'll continue to follow the saga of the Swifts as they fight their battles in Victorian London.
Be a Elle Magazine Reader-Juror
You can apply to be an Elle Magazine reader-juror. Just go to
www.elle.com/article.asp?section_id=48&article_id=2721 and complete the form.
You MUST be willing to:
1.Read three books within one month.
2.Comment in writing on each of them.
3.Choose a winner from among the three books.
4.Read five additional books in your chosen category in the year you are chosen to be a reader-juror.
5.Comment on the annual "Elle's Letters" Readers' Prize Grand Prix winner.
Visit Elle's web site and see if this is something you'd like to do. We think it would be great fun, a way to get free books and sharpen your writing skills....
HarperCollins Announces Reader Opportunities
In the U.S. & Canada...
HarperCollins Publishers in Canada and the United States announces First Look, a great program for readers to preview books in literary fiction, young adult fiction, suspense, biography, cookbooks and other genres. HarperCollins believes that readers make a difference!
Each month, HarperCollins will offer Advanced Reading Editions (ARE's) of great books by fabulous authors that you will have the opportunity to review.
1. Reviewers are selected at random, but you must enter the program to be eligible.
2. In joining the program you may select your favorite genres and
HarperCollins will let you know when a book in your preferred category is offered. The sign-up will take approximately two minutes.
CANADA:
Join by going to harpercollins.ca/firstlook
U.S.:
Join by going to
harpercollins.com/firstlook/index.asp
Armchair Interviews would love to hear from people who have experienced this program. If you do a review, we'd love to post it on our site as well.
Science Fiction Fans
For those of you who enjoy Science Fiction we highly recommend The Ghosts of Albion: Accursed by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden (see our review under Great Reviews/Science Fiction).
The novel featuring the demon-fighting siblings Tamara and William Swift really began several years ago on the BBC cult website www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ghosts. The BBC website combines flash animation, sound effects and music, plus it has the vocal talents of Anthony Daniels (Star Wars), Emma Samms (Dynasty) and Roy Skelton (Doctor Who). The first animated audio adventure was followed by two short stories and then another animated adventure.
Read Guy Wegener's review of The Ghosts of Albion: Accursed. He says it is "one of the freshest, most original takes on a tried-and-true idea." Wegener suggests that author Benson's past association with the American television series "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" appears to influence her writing.
Now that you've read the review, you might want to read the book (we think you will), then hit the BBC website for their programs featuring Tamara and William Swift. They are so good we believe that you'll continue to follow the saga of the Swifts as they fight their battles in Victorian London.
For all of you Science Fiction fans out there, we have some listings of sites we think you might want to visit.
Outpost Gallifrey is a popular Doctor Who fan site and community. They have over 20,000 readers daily in the UK and abroad. This site has been voted Top Fan Created Website in BBC Drama and Site-of-the-Week by the Sci-Fi Channel.
So for your Doctor Who fix, visit and enjoy! And contact us at info@armchairinterviews.com and tell us what you think!
The official website for Doctor Who is www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/
This site will give you all of the must know, want to know and need to know information about the ever popular Doctor Who.
www.scifi.com/ is another popular web site for those who want to be in the know about all things concerning Science Fiction.
You'll find interesting information, DVDs, magazines, novels, stories, book clubs, posters, costumes and so much more.
Drop us a line at info@armchairinterviews.com and tell us what you think of the site and do you know of any other really good Science Fiction web sites?
Want to Know About Good Books in Advance?
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These are just a few of the reason's you will want to get the newsletters:
--Advance news on hot new titles including audio and eBooks
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--Sneak peaks at chapter excerpts
--Great give-aways
--Contests and Quizzes
--Special features on our web site
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--There is no cost for joining, and you can cancel your subscription at any time.