A few random things about me…
Um, let’s see… when I was eight, I had a pet turkey. I used to take it with me on my very short lived paper route. Needless to say, I was terrible at delivering the paper. No one wanted a “Dollar Saver” with turkey poop splattered across the front page. Apparently that’s where the best coupons are.
Books… well, “Treasure Island” is a fantastic pirate tale. I love just about anything by Roald Dahl. I would also like to thank C.S Lewis for sending me on an unrelenting childhood quest for portals to amazing worlds (even in the most unpleasant locations, e.g… the older brother’s closet, etc…)
I write fantasy stories for children. Yep – I am a HUGE fantasy geek. I can’t help myself! It’s too darn awesome to escape to another realm with sorcerers and wizards. The underlying theme in my stories is empowerment, self love, and living purposefully.
When football is on I turn into a different person. I may even use a curse word or two… or three. I enjoy running; which is a good thing because I need to do it in order to fit into my jeans.
I love to cook and really, really love to eat. I have a theory that avocados actually contain super powers and have the amazing ability to make any snack epic. I also love garlic… which, according to my loved ones, also has an unfortunate super power … the pungent breath-inator… or something of that nature.
Few things make me smile more than chocolate, cheese… AND, if the Chargers would make it to the Super Bowl again – just once:)
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❀Tell us about your book! What is it about and what inspired you to write it?
Bandits of Basswood is the prequal to Alexander Drake’s adventure. I had already written
about Alexander (Alexander Drake’s Extraordinary Pursuit), Jonn
William’s son. Bandits of Basswood builds out the back story for the
guardians, Imperius and how the
adventure really unfolded hundreds of years before; which is what drove me to
write the story.
I needed to write the story in its entirety. A lot felt untold when I was writing Alexander’s story. Bandits of Basswood jumps in with a wild splash into the mystery of the Drake family and their important connection to Azra’s Pith. Of course, there is also magic and adventure... so much adventure!
❀Tell us about your publishing process. What was it like? Did you go indie or the traditional way?
Both! Azra’s Pith has been on a wild ride. I started with a
traditional midsized publisher; which folded. I decided to have another go with
a publisher... who also folded. Now I am going it alone. I liked having the
support of a publisher; being an indie author does give me more freedom. Both
have their bright spots.
❀How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?
I knew before starting. I also had a cover visualized. The
name John William belongs to someone very dear.
Basswood is also the name of a very special street with the cleverest of
bandits in residence. So the title was a no brainer for me.
❀Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like?
I had a visual already in mind. My cover artist got to work
on it before I finished the first draft. It helps me to have the cover done and
sitting in front of me as I write.
❀Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?
Nicole Cardiff is the cover artist! She has done cover art
for other authors which is how I found her. She also did the covers for The
Butterfly Curse, The Return of General Drake, and Alexander
Drake’s Extraordinary Pursuit. I hope I have the opportunity to work with
her again.
❀How was your experience working with the designer?
She was amazing! I definitely recommend. It was really
exciting to watch my vision come to fruition. She exceeded my expectations.
❀What has been the readers’ response to your cover?
Readers seem to love the covers! Bandits of Basswood is
vibrant with intricate details. It has one of the bandits in full garb and a
scamper foul giving a noble pose.
❀What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?
Look at other books in your genre. There are some beautiful covers out there! Find one that that has the style you connect with. Many illustrators and cover artists will do freelance work and are willing to work with publishers as well as indie-authors.❀Anything else you’d like to say about your book?
Bandits of Basswood, and all of the Azra’s Pith books, is the inspiration of a
childhood of wandering through the woods around my grandmother’s house and
bicycling to the creek to catch frogs. After reading The Lion, The Witch,
and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, I was forever in search of portals to magical
worlds.
Other than my crazy mind and wandering
imagination, my kiddos are an infinite source of inspiration. They have
inherited my fantasy gene and never run out of characters and other tid-bits
that should be in Azra’s Pith.
John William’s adventure begins with the mysterious
disappearance of his father in Azra’s Pith. John William was determined to find
him. He had no idea what dark forces he was up against... a wild adventure was
about to begin and his life would forever change. I hope you will join John William and the rest on this journey! Thank
you!
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