Darkwalker Cover Possibility

So I'm thinking of this for the cover to Darkwalker, the final book in the Sunwalker Trilogy.
Let me know your thoughts.
Happy Reading!!

Interview with Tammi J. Truax author of For to See the Elephant

Let's welcome Tammi Truax today. Tammi why don't you begin by telling us a little about yourself?

      I am teacher, historian, writer, and graduate student.

What got you into writing?

      I had / have stories in me that needed to be told.

Tammi if you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

       Right now Portugal tops my list, but my list is long. I love to travel.

I just had a niece come back from living in Portugal for about 18 months. She said it was beautiful. Currently, what are you working on?

        The second book in a two volume historical novel for adults.

 How did you decide on what to title each book?

        The title of For to See the Elephant were spoken by President George Washington, important both to the story and the time period / setting.

That's interesting. I love learning about history when I read. How do you promote your books? Any tips you can share?

      I’m learning as I go!

Is this a stand-alone novel or part of a series?

      This is a stand alone story.

Tammi, do you have people read your drafts before you publish?  How do you select beta readers?

       Yes, I do. I think it is very important. I don’t so much select them as seek them out.

I agree, I think it is a crucial tool for any writer to use. Who designed the artwork for your cover?  Or did you design it yourself?

      Tom Holbrook, publisher at Piscataqua Press designed it with my input.

What brought about the idea for your book?

     That is a long story in itself. Years ago a woman I was interviewing for my newspaper column mentioned  that long ago an elephant had stopped at her family farm for a drink. I determined to some day get to the bottom of that. Years later, after I’d done some research, I took it on as my NaNoWriMo project.

It's always amazing to me how the simplest things can spark the idea for an entire novel.

SYNOPSIS:

       In the autumn of 1795 on board a ship from Massachusetts an enslaved boy named William finds himself tasked with caring for the first elephant to be brought to America. Upon arrival in the city of New York, he and the elephant are sold together. They walk back and forth across the growing country for years so that everyone may see the elephant. A second elephant and owner replace the first and again William is with the elephant every hour of every day, until she too dies. Now a grown man, William has a fleeting moment to decide if he will remain a bondman, or walk off on his own.

     Told in verse, and incorporating songs, news clippings and diary entries from the period, this novel is a stark, soulful, and surprising portrait of early America and the origins of the American circus.

“Tammi Truax doesn’t flinch from the harsh realities of a boy growing up in a time of slavery or in the lives of elephants forced to live away from their kind on another continent.  But she also shows the beauty found by those who look close into the eye of an elephant, the love an animal and caretaker forge, the occasional kindness of strangers who can see beyond spectacle, and the brief freedom of leaving dusty roads to frolic in ponds.”

Jeannine Atkins, author of Borrowed Names: Poems about Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madam C.J. Walker, and Marie Curie and Their Daughters and Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science

Thanks for Sharing with us.  Happy Reading!!

Find out More about Tammi at the links below.

Twitter

Blog

Amazon

Interview with Ursula Williams author of Do you believe in a world of magic?

Today I'd like to welcome author Ursula Williams. Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born in Berlin Germany, and I am a mother of three beautiful children and the grandmother two precious granddaughters. I left my home country in  1984 after a successful but very hectic career in advertising and marketing. For the next 28 years, I lived and worked in the Caribbean, travelled the USA, Canada, UK and Scotland. And it was in Scotland that I lost my heart, and I

rediscovered and developed my passion for writing. The beauty of Scotland, its rich history and fascinating mythology inspired me to write this novel, and undoubtedly many more will follow.  I now reside in Berlin but use every chance I can get to visit my
family in Scotland. Stroll through the beautiful old town of Edinburgh, or hike through the Highlands, Glens, forests and along its beautiful lochs.

Share a short excerpt from your novel.

The forest looked different tonight and appeared to be alive. Small lumps of snow dropped from the treetops and the frozen leaves on the forest floor shattered like crystals under their feet. Moments after the friends had left the shore a gust of wind swept the powdery snow from the lake's icy surface towards the edge of the forest like a wall of icy mist. With the snow gone the lake now appeared like a mirror that reflected the night sky with a myriad of glittering stars and the bright full moon, giving the group of friends the feeling of being suspended and transported into another world.

Which do you prefer: print books or ebooks?

Print, I need to feel the book in my hands. I guess I am old fashion.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

Scotland,
always Scotland, that’s where I feel home.I love to be alone and enjoy the
peace and quiet when I  walk through the forests, glens.

Currently, what are you working on?

My next novel, which is a reality-based adventure and plays out in places around the world.

Tell us a little bit about your main characters.

Well, my characters are base on flesh and blood real people, as for instance family members former students and friends.

 How did you decide on what to title each book?

I thought long and hard to find an all-encompassing title for the adventure and could not think of anything better than to ask my readers, if they believe in a world of magic.

Is this a stand-alone novel or part of a series?

No, it is a part of a series, but I can’t yet tell how many will follow.

Ursula, who designed the artwork for your cover?  Or did you design it yourself?

I found the image on shutterstock.com and was so amazed how much it resembles the main character ( my daughter)  and her part in the story.

Did you have any writer’s block? If so how did you work through it?

Yes, whenever I was ripped from my thoughts by well-meaning friends who thought that it is not healthy to sit and write for days.

I worked through it by closing my blinds, turned off my phone and put on my headphones. In other words, I left the world behind.

Since you wrote in this genre, do you think you will ever write in other genres?

Well, I am at the moment. My new story is reality-based, action loaded and meant as an eyeopener.

Any last words?

I love to take my readers on a journey. Entrap them in the story so much so that they can see and feel the scenery and make them feel as if they know my characters personally. Thanks so much for sharing. Be sure to check out more about Ursula in the links below. Happy Reading!!

https://www.facebook.com/createss2018

https://uwilli.blogspot.com/
 

https://www.instagram.com/createss2018/

Interview with Mark Gunning author of I Told you So! The Adventures of William and Thomas

Today let's welcome Mark Gunning. Mark, tell us about yourself.

I'm a teacher by day and author when I have the time. I released my first book (I Told You So! The Adventures of William and Thomas) in June of 2017 for middle-grade students.

Congrats! That so exciting. What got you into writing?  

I met a fellow author at my school one day and got chatting. After that chat, I was inspired to write a book. I love telling stories and thought getting them down on paper would be a great way to share them. (I still keep in touch with that author who I met back in 2010.)

One thing I have learned on this journey is how friendly and helpful other authors are. Mark, when you pick up a book, which do you prefer: print or ebooks?

I love print copies. I enjoy having the book in my hand and find that adding them to a collection is enjoyable.

I am right there with you. Although when I travel ebooks are more convenient.  Mark, if you could travel anywhere, where you go?

I'd love to travel to Cuba. In fact, I just got back from Cayo Santa Maria and would love to go back. The country is beautiful and the people are very nice and friendly.

Are you working on anything at the moment?

I am currently working on my third book in my series. The new title is I Told You So! Strike Three, You're Out!

I love series and I am always on the lookout for new books for my kids to read. Can you tell us a little about your main characters?

My two main characters are William and Thomas. William is a middle-grade aged kid who is the mastermind behind the plans. Thomas is his best friend and voice of reason. Unfortunately, William never seems to listen to Thomas. It likey a good thing, because then all the shenanigans wouldn't happen.

Will you share something with us that not a lot of people know?

I wanted to be a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer.

Could your books be read as a stand-alone?

My books are part of a series but could be considered stand-alone. Each book contains a number of short stories that are somewhat tied together.

Who designed the cover for your book?

One of my friends drew the picture for my first cover and then I had a local college student design my cover so it could be a series.

When you need a break from writing what are some hobbies that you enjoy?

I like to golf when I have the time. I also help coach one of the local baseball teams in the summer. Fishing is also an activity that I enjoy. I also forget to mention working out.

Sounds like you are a very active guy. I need to start working out, but its so hard to find the time. Who is your favourite character?

My favourite character is definitely William. I love the fact that he never backs down and always tries to follow his plans or stunts to the end.

Mark, do you think you will write in any other genres?

I would like to write a drama novel about a boy with selective mutism. It will involve a teacher and the boy's mother.

Any last words?

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer these questions. If you would like more details, please contact me for further info.

Thanks so much for sharing with us today. Don't forget to check out Mark's series. Happy Reading!!

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