Interview with author Anthony Farina

                         Interview with author Anthony Farina

A little bit about (Angels In Sadar City)

When the 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson was deployed to Iraq in 2007, the men found themselves in a city known as a safe haven for criminals and terrorists. No other allied forces had dared enter Sadr City to suppress the insurgents. The area of Sadr City is an untamed city inhabited by nearly two and a half million people, some of whom found safety and comfort in the protection offered by the United States Army. Their task was to build a wall to contain the enemy inside the city. How could they wall off an entire city while being shot at by the enemy at the same time?

Discover what the media did not report in its coverage of the War on Terror. This is the true story of the last battle for Baghdad through the eyes of an infantry soldier as he leads his men to accomplish an important strategic initiative against insurmountable odds. Join the soldiers of the "Beaver Platoon" in the battles they fight in the streets of Baghdad and within their own souls. These are the miracles that saved the men of Charlie Company and transformed the life of one of its leaders forever.

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Sadr-City-Battle-Baghdad/dp/1440187770 

                                                     The Interview

1.)What was your favorite part that you wrote in the book?

1.- My favorite part of the book was the Prologue. This is the place where I bear my soul for the reader to see how traumatizing the war can be and what I was able to do to overcome some very destructive life habits.

2.) I know you're working on another book. How is that going, as far as storyline and the editing process? 

2.-The third book I am working on is called The 11th Muse. It is a romantic comedy about a writer, who gets a visit from the Mythological Muse. The muse ends up falling in love with the writer and giving him unique inspiration. Later in the story however, the writer falls in love with a mortal woman and the Muse pulls his ability to write. He has to figure out how to get rid of the Muse for good while being able to write naturally. 

Currently the book is in the 3rd act, or final stage. It will go to editing in March and then production a few months later. The reviews for this book so far have been amazing, with tons of positive feedback.

3.) What is your favorite literary element, and how did you incorporate it into your story? 

3.- For Angels in Sadr City, it was point of view. I wrote the book as a first-hand account of the battle of Sadr City in 2008. The famous Navy Seal Sniper had a number of confirmed kills during this battle. For the Muse, I would say conflict. The book is based off a failing writer, who becomes famous only to have his ability stripped. He is either fighting off a crazed fan, trying to make the girl of his dreams fall in love, or get rid of a muse. The ending is going to be everything short of epic.

4.) What are you doing to inspire future authors?

4.-I either speak publicly at Libraries and schools about writing, or if an aspiring author comes to me with questions, I make sure I take the time to write them in detail, even going as far as making sure they start the writing and outline process correctly. One technique I am very familiar with and use is called Word Painting. This technique relates the artist Claude Monet and his effective use of painting things as they are happening, to how one should write. So the more effective the description, the more you can draw the reader into the story. That is the basis of all my teachings. 

5.) How do you define yourself? 

5.- I define myself as an artist, plain and simple. I play the piano, write, and study other artists any chance I get. 

6.) What advice would you give to young aspiring authors?

6.- My advice to aspiring authors is to not give up. Read...read as much as you can on anything you can. You will develop a unique style by doing this. Reading is just as important as setting a disciplined schedule of writing every day. Finally, if you are having trouble continuing writing a current piece, do ten minute increments. Sit down at the computer, and type out every thought that comes to your mind for ten minutes. If the story is not flowing by then...walk away for the day. But do this every day until your rough draft is finished. 

Sites to purchases Anthony's book...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/angels-in-sadr-city-anthony-s-farina/1019363212

Anthony Farina I wanted to thank you for taking your time, doing this interview with me! I was so excited when you said that you would. I'm excitedly waiting for your next book, and good luck with the rest of the process!

Smile,

Austin Caine-Cook

Looking At Lit

Interview With Kirstin Cronn-Mills

                                       Interview With Kirstin Cronn-Mills

       Author of (Beautiful Music for ugly children)

A Little About Kirstin: 

According to geographers, the American West begins at the 100th longitudinal meridian. Thanks to the fact that this meridian is the main street of her hometown in Nebraska, Kirstin Cronn-Mills grew up six blocks east of the West. According to her mother, she learned to read when she was three–and she hasn’t stopped since.

Kirstin is a self-proclaimed word nerd. Her grandmother and her father passed on their love of language to her, and that love became a love affair when she started writing poems in sixth grade. She still writes poems, but now she focuses on young adult novels.

In 1992 Kirstin moved from Nebraska to southern Minnesota, where she lives now. She writes a lot, reads as much as she can, teaches at a two-year college (she won the Minnesota State College Student Association 2009 Instructor of the Year award), and goofs around with her son, Shae, and her husband, Dan. Her first young adult novel, The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don’t Mind (Flux, 2009), was a 2010 finalist for the Minnesota Book Award for Young People’s Literature.  Her second novel, Beautiful Music For Ugly Children (Flux/Llewellyn, 2012), won ALA’s Stonewall Award in 2014 as well as an IPPY silver medal for Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Trans Fiction.  BMUC was also placed on ALA’s 2013 Rainbow List (as a Top Ten Pick) as well as their 2013 Best Fiction for Young Adults list.

She has also published nonfiction books for middle and high school libraries: Collapse! The Science of Structural Engineering Failures (Compass Point Books, 2009) and Transgender Lives: Complex Stories, Complex Voices (Twenty-First Century Books/Lerner, 2014).

Source: http://kirstincronn-mills.com/?page_id=5

A Little About (Beautiful Music For Ugly Children):

Gabe Williams is a guy with big summer plans.  He’s got a job as a radio DJ, following in the footsteps of his mentor, and he wants to move far away after graduation.  He’s also hoping his best friend Paige will fall in love with him—she’s smart, she’s hot, and she tolerates his music habit.  He couldn’t ask for more. His only problem?   The rest of the world has known him as Elizabeth for the last eighteen years.

BEAUTIFUL MUSIC FOR UGLY CHILDREN is the story of how Gabe learns to be a guy so he can leave Elizabeth behind.  Some good things happen in the course of his summer—Gabe graduates, gets asked out, and gets loved by the fans of his show.  But he also gets outed and threatened, and he must defend himself against violence that’s rooted in fear.  In essence, Gabe’s journey to find himself is the same one we all take.  His is just electrified, amplified, and broadcast into the night.

Source: http://kirstincronn-mills.com/?page_id=176

Kirstin's Website: http://kirstincronn-mills.com/

                                                  The Interview

1.) Where did you find the name Gabe? And how did you know it would fit the character?

KCM-This will sound very strange, but I was visited once by the Archangel Gabriel (through a channeler friend of mine).  That experience was very holy and precious to me, and I wanted to remember it by using Gabriel as a character name.  The Archangel Gabriel is also a messenger, and I wanted my Gabe to be a messenger of sorts--helping people see a trans* person in new ways, maybe.  Plus, it's a cool name! Fun fact: nobody ever notices the connection between Gabe's name and his birth name, which is Elizabeth--Gabriel was the angel who appeared to Elizabeth (in the Bible) to tell her she was having a baby in her old age (that baby was John the Baptist).  Gabe's parents are Mary and Joseph, too.  Fun with Bible names. : )

2.) What was the discion for writing about such a topic, and how did you think people would take it?

KCM-I wrote BEAUTIFUL MUSIC because I wanted to write about a guy who hid behind his radio show, and that guy wasn't originally transgender.  But I was planning a diversity literature class for the college where I teach, and I ran across some first-person stories from transgender men.  My story and those stories collided, and boom, Gabe was a trans man.  I had a feeling some folks would reject the story (it was definitely rejected, by an agent and some editors), but finally it found a wonderful home with Flux.  I had a feeling teenagers wouldn't reject him, and so far they haven't.  Amazingly, the book hasn't been banned anywhere (or even challenged!), so I feel lucky about that.  When it shared the Stonewall Award from the American Library Association in 2014, it was a great feeling, because I felt like Gabe was accepted by a very important community: librarians!  Usually the reception to the book is positive, and I'm grateful for that.  Not always!  But usually. And I always appreciate learning from the folks who have criticisms of the book.  I grow from that, as a person and as a writer (provided it's honest, and not mean-spirited).

3.)What is something you hope readers learn from Gabe?

KMC-I wrote the book because I wanted to find out what Gabe's story was, but also to grow allies for folks who are trans*.  I worked for a long, long time to get Gabe's character into the realm of possibility (and did a lot of research and listening to folks who are trans*), but I always knew how to write John:  he was the ultimate ally for Gabe, never ever giving up on him and defending him at every turn.  I wish every trans* person could have a person like John in their life--it might cut down on suicides, and it might help trans* folks feel less despair. : (  I hope readers learn that individuals who are transgender are just like all the rest of us--their gender identity is only one part of them, and we can celebrate our differences while appreciating our common human-ness.  I do my utmost to support trans* people in real life, and be their ally in whatever way they'd like me to be (or if they want me *not* to be their ally, I respect that, too), so after readers have finished BEAUTIFUL MUSIC, I hope they'll join me in that work.

4.) Who are some of your favorite musical artist?

KCM-Oh gosh--I have too many to name!  And they're all from different parts of the musical spectrum.  At this very moment, I'm listening to my Phil Collins Pandora channel (don't judge!  It's how I get back into teenager mind).  I just saw Stevie Wonder in concert in March, and was supposed to see Lyle Lovett in October, but didn't get to go.  A relatively recent song I like is the Chemical Brothers' "Go," with Nicki Minaj.  My son just turned me on to Chris Webby. I still love the songs "Happy" and "Get Lucky" (and I *really* disliked "Blurred Lines"), even though I'm not a huge Pharrell fan. I'm pretty open when it comes to music.  I have a lot of "comfort music," too--the Beatles top that list, as does Steely Dan, plus basic 70s radio music.

5.) How do you define yourself?

KCM-Hmm.  I guess I define myself by my roles and identities--I love being a mom more than anything else in my life.  My teenage son would probably hate for me to say that, but it's true.  It's an honor and a privilege to be his mom.  But I'm also a teacher, a writer, a sister, a friend, a spouse, a dog owner, a music geek, a non-neurotypical person, a reader, a traveler, a life enjoyer, a cisgender person, and generally a straight person. I encompass many different definitions--this list is just scratching the surface!

6.) What message do you want to leave your readers?

KCM-First, I want to say thanks for reading.  I'm always honored beyond belief when someone chooses to read my book, given how many choices there are out there (so many!).  Second, I want them to know I love hearing from readers, and I welcome their comments (positive or negative) about the book.

I want to take the time to thank Kirstin for doing this review. I know you were super busy, but still took your time to answer my questions. Thank you for being such a wonderful author, and writing to inspire people to see others in the world as people. Writing is a big job and you do it well! Also, thank you to one of my great friends for introducing me to (Beautiful Music for Ugly Children). It was a blast reading!

To but (Beautiful Music for Ugly Children) see these sites: 

http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Music-Children-Kirstin-Cronn-Mills/dp/0738732516

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beautiful-music-for-ugly-children-kirstin-cronn-mills/1108937000

Thanks again Kirstin!

Looking At Lit,

Austin Caine-Cook

Interview with author Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep

                                                    

author of The Cold Burn Of Magic

JENNIFER’S BIO – SHORT VERSION:

Jennifer Estep is a New York Times bestselling author, prowling the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer writes the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy series for Kensington. Dark Heart of Magic, the second book in the series, will be released on Oct. 27. For more information, visit Jennifer’s website at www.jenniferestep.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

  When I first found Jennifer's book, the summary grabbed my attention. In the Cold Burn Of Magic you will not be disappointed! The day I checked the book out from my library, it took me only three days to finish it. I Love the story behind the characters, and the setting in which Cloudburst Falls takes place.

  In the book there is a real meaning about families,true friendship, but with a taste of lost. I often wonder how authors get their motivation to write such page turning stories. I look for authors that reflect their characters in every part of their book. I LOVE authors, as we all know, and I'm so excited to get to know Jennifer. I would like to say thank you for the quick response, and I hope you keep writing  stories that inspire and engage young adults! Jennifer I can't wait for the next book in the series!

                           Interview With Jennifer Estep

1. Are you working on anything new, and can you tell us a little bit about it.

JE: Right now, I’m working on Bright Blaze of Magic, the third book in my Black Blade young adult urban fantasy series that will be out on April 26.

The series focuses on Lila Merriweather, a 17-year-old thief who lives in Cloudburst Falls, West Virginia, a town dubbed “the most magical place in America.” Tourists come from around the world to tour all the magic-themed shops and attractions, as well as see monsters like tree trolls, copper crushers, and more in their natural habitats.

Lila has a Talent for sight, along with transference magic — in other words, magic makes her stronger. To survive, she does odd jobs for her pawnbroker friend. Lila also does her best to stay off the grid and avoid the Families — or mobs — who control much of the town. But when she saves a member of the Sinclair Family during an attack, Lila finds herself caught in the middle of a brewing war between the Sinclairs and the Draconis, the two most powerful Families in town.

2. In Cold Burn Of Magic Lila Merriweather is a main character. Where did you find the inspiration to make her come to life?

JE: I’ve always liked reading stories about thief characters, especially the kinds of stories where they use their wits to outsmart everyone else. When I was thinking about writing a new young adult series, I thought it would be fun to write my own thief character with my own magic and world building. So that’s sort of how I came up with Lila Merriweather.

3. In the book, the library is a home for Lila. What does the library mean to you, and why did you use it as such a important place for her?

JE: My mom used to take me to the local library every week when I was a kid, which is how I fell in love with books and reading in the first place. So libraries have always been some of my favorite places.

Lila used to visit the library with her mom when they would stay in Cloudburst Falls during their summer vacation, and she has a lot of happy memories there. So that’s why the library is such an important place to Lila.  

4.What thoughts or events inspired this wonderful book?

JE: I always enjoy going on vacation and seeing new things. One day, I thought what if there was tourist town where people went to see actual monsters that was controlled by these magical mobs? So that was sort of the beginning of my fictional town of Cloudburst Falls and all the monsters and mobsters in it.

5. If you lived in Cloudburst Falls, which monster would you be scared of? Also, which family would you be apart of?

JE: I would definitely be scared of the copper crushers, which are very large, venomous snakes.

I would be a Sinclair.

6. How do you define yourself?

JE: I love to read and write books.

7. What message would you like to send to your readers?

JE: For more information, about my books, folks can visit my website at http://www.jenniferestep.com/ or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

I hope everyone has as much fun reading my books as I do writing them. Happy reading, everyone!

Here is a little information about Jennifer Estep...

JENNIFER’S SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Website: http://www.jenniferestep.com/

Blog: http://www.jenniferestep.com/blog/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferEstepAuthor?fref=ts

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Jennifer_Estep  (@Jennifer_Estep)

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/580315.Jennifer_Estep

Sites that you can buy Jennifer's books...

http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Burn-Magic-Black-Blade/dp/1617738247

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cold-burn-of-magic-jennifer-estep/1119949585?ean=9781617738241

A Note To Jennifer,

Jennifer I wanted to say thank you for taking your time to kindly answer my questions! I really loved your book, and truly can't wait for the next the one to come out. I hope the questions were interesting for you to answer. And keep writing, because people like me love it!!!

Looking at Lit,

Austin Caine-Cook