A Book and a Chat with K.A. Barson

We have another one hour special on today’s “A Book and a Chat” as K.A.Barson or Kelly, a member of the Class of 2K13 is my guest. When you read about her addiction to peppermint chapstick and the fact she changes the color of her hair every 5/6 weeks you know that Kelly would be a great guest for “A Book and a Chat”.

Always a avid reader and writer, Kelly never thought that she could actually do it for a living, after all, wasn’t work something that was meant to be hard and boring, not getting paid to do something you liked?

In 2001 Kelly wrote her first novel, ignorant of the writing craft, it was at least the first steps down her literary road. This ignited the creative spark and she went on to learn the craft through various classes and groups and now not only is a writer but also teaches about writing as well, along the way winning several awards.

Her debut book “45 Pounds (more or less)” took five years to write, but the result has been well worth waiting for.

About “45 Pounds (more or less)”: (Taken from Martha Baden, Prescott Public Library on Amazon)

Sixteen-year-old Ann has a big problem. She has just two months to get into a bridesmaid dress for her Aunt Jackie’s wedding. She needs to lose 45 pounds, which would be hard enough without the complications of a new job, a cute boy, a mean group of girls, and blended families that leave her caught in the middle-and left out. Her mother is obsessive about her own weight and as the summer wears on, Ann begins to see just how troubled her families are. 

Telling the story in Ann’s wry, realistic voice, this debut author effectively captures society’s preoccupation with size and the resulting alienation of an overweight teen. With a chain-smoking grandmother whose language is peppered with “fat-ass,” relatives and friends who are slyly disparaging about her weight, and a mother who constantly prods her about dieting, the message could be heavy-handed. But Barson lightens the tone with almost cinematic humor, ensuring that even the most painful scenes have a slapstick edge.
The ticking clock behind the wedding deadline gives the story real momentum, and while the ending is all nuptial jubilation, it is also a realistic summer’s end for Ann.

Already chosen as Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Teen Book of July, “45 Pounds (more or less) has been called “Deliciously relatable with a lot of laughter on the side.”  To me it is one of those “must reads” and I’m sure will be another large step down the literary road for K.A. Barson.

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with K. A. Barson

Barry

Direct link to the show

A Book and a Chat with K. A. Barson

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from

“K. A. Barson”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:

“K. A. Barson – 45 Pounds (more or less)”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Read Full Post »

A Book and a Chat with Brenda Stanley

Brenda Stanley is my guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” from being one of those quiet children she developed a career around communication. Be it as a news anchor and investigative reporter for NBC affiliate KPVI in Eastern Idaho to her latest novel “The Color of Snow”. Along the way she has won several rewards as well as bringing up five children including two sets of twins.
Her first dip into the published author pool was actually a cook books called “The Zucchini Houdini” originally written as a sort of “tongue in cheek recipe book after she overdid the Zucchini planting one year, but in the end became a well liked cook book for many readers. Brenda has another cook book coming out shortly.
This success was followed by a book she had written many years before but with the dust blown of it launched her as a novel writer of note, this book being “I Am Nuchu” a story of 17 year old half Ute Indian, it is  a coming-of-age story about a teen wrestling with his identity as he finds himself caught between two drastically different worlds.
Brenda’s latest book “The Color of Snow” has already received many great reviews.
About “The Color of Snow”
When a beautiful 16-year-old girl named Sophie is found sequestered in a cage-like room in a rundown house in the desolate hills of Arbon Valley, Idaho, the entire community is shocked to learn she is the legendary Callidora–a baby girl who was kidnapped from her crib almost seventeen years ago and canonized in missing posters with portraits of what the fabled girl might resemble. Authorities soon learn that the cage was there to protect people from Sophie, because her biological father believes she is cursed.
Sophie is discovered after the man she knows as Papa, shoots and injures Damien, a young man who is trying to rescue her. Now, unsocialized and thrust into the world, and into a family she has never met, Sophie must decide whether she should accept her Papa’s claims that she is cursed and he was only trying to protect others, or trust the new people in her life who have their own agendas. Guided by a wise cousin, Sophie realizes that her most heartbreaking challenge is to decide if her love for Damien will destroy him like her Papa claims, or free her from past demons that haunt her mind.
It is a book that covers many themes from Mental illness, and teen pregnancy to religious intolerance and racism. Though classed as YA it is a story that has been enjoyed by people of all ages, just check her many reviews…
As one reviewer put it…
I want more! The tension begins on the first page. From the very beginning the author has created a scene that leaves so many questions. I would read and think I had answers to some of them only to find out that I didn’t quite have it right. In the beginning I wanted to really dislike the man she had always known as her father. As I read I realized that even he was not black and white. As I was read his past I really disliked Sophie’s grandfather. The fact that he really thought that his family was better than Luke’s family because they raised sheep and worked for him made me dislike him. There are so many things going on here. There are family secrets, issues with social class, as well as a difference in religious beliefs. Was there really a curse on Sophia’s family as she believed?
As well as “The Color of Snow” Brenda also has another novel “Like Ravens in Winter” just out, this time it’s about a television network reporter (hmm who could that be based on….) who is assigned to Iraq at the beginning of the Gulf War. Looks to me like another hit for this great author.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Brenda Stanley
Barry
Direct link to the show A Book and a Chat with Brenda Stanley
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from “Brenda Stanley”
You can find out more about my guest at: “Brenda Stanley – The Color of Snow”
Barry Eva (Storyheart)
My Blogs:
Book Information and Things UK Including my Olympic Blog – Across the Pond
Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat
Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Read Full Post »

A Book and a Chat with Corrine Jackson

Corrine Jackson and that is sounded “Cor-een” is one of the Class of 2K12 debut YA authors for this year, however in her case it’s not one book coming out this year but two.
Corrine wrote her first short story in second or third grade. Which she still has.. Oddly enough, it was about a girl whose best friend was being physically abused by her dad. That theme somehow made it into her first novel “Touched”, so maybe everything comes full circle?
She continued writing through her school year moving around a lot, she actually attended eleven different colleges, has earned bachelors and master’s degrees in English, and an MFA in Creative Writing. She is its lead to believe a dab hand in creating pies, cup cakes and the odd bowl of Mac and Cheese.
Along with a normal job and her educational studies  Corinne now has produced two totally different books both of which are due to be launched in 2012. “Touched” is the first book in a trilogy, the second already going through the editing stage with the third shortly to get underway.
About “Touched -Sense Thieves” (Taken from Corrine’s Web page)
Remy O’Malley heals people with touch—but every injury she cures becomes her own. Living in a household with an abusive stepfather, she has healed untold numbers of broken bones, burns,and bruises. And then one night her stepfather goes too far.
Being sent to live with her estranged father offers a clean start and she is eager to take it. Enter Asher Blackwell. Once a Protector of Healers, Asher sacrificed his senses to become immortal. Only by killing a Healer can a Protector recover their human senses. Falling in love is against the rules between these two enemies.
Because Remy has the power to make Protectors human again, and when they find out, they’ll becoming for her—if Asher doesn’t kill her first.
As stated this is the first of what is a trilogy; however in the mean time her she has a debut novel coming out next month which is totally different to Touched. In a way “IF I LIE” has somewhat a similar theme to “Touched” where a girl keeps a secret at great cost to herself. It is however a deeper book that covers the gray space between truth and perception.
About “If I Lie” (taken from Amazon):
Cheater. Traitor. Slut.
Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Shunned by everyone she knows, Quinn loses her friends, her reputation, and her identity. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s a Marine who’s serving overseas, and beloved by everyone in their small, military town. But Quinn didn’t cheat. She could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. So she stays silent, and waits for Carey to come home.
Then Carey goes MIA, and Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.
As one reviewer put it… “If I Lie” is easily one of the better written contemporary debuts I’ve come across this year, if not the best. It is powerful, thought-provoking, and is beautifully written. While it touches upon a variety of subjects and something or the other is constantly happening throughout the novel, at its core, it is a character-driven story like no other. I guess if I had to, I’d describe If I Lie as a cross between The Scarlet Letter and Speechless, but really, it is a novel that manages to hold its head high and stand all on its own, for although it covers a similar subject matter, it also covers so much more. It is a novel not only about bearing burdens, facing a cold shoulder of shame, torn families, friendship, and the army; it is also a story about hope and perseverance and the ability to find strength and courage even in the darkest of times.
With two different styles yet the same creative talent, I can well see the name of Corrine Jackson being on many YA readers book shelves.
So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Corrine Jackson
Barry
Direct link to the show A Book and a Chat with Corrine Jackson
or you can download the mp3 file of the show from “Corrine Jackson”
You can find out more about my guest at: “Corrine Jackson – If I Lie”
Barry Eva (Storyheart)
My Blogs:
Book Information and Things UK Including my Olympic Blog – Across the Pond
Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat
Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Read Full Post »

A Book and a Chat with Shannon Delany

In a show last year I had a Werewolf dial in and speak or rather chat at the guest author that day, in today’s show with guest Shannon Delany I went even better. Having not one but two guest werewolf’s, in the shape of Pietr and Max, two of the stars of her “13 to Life” series.

In a show that all will enjoy, not only did we hear about book two of Shannon’s hugely popular series, “Secrets and Shadows”, but also about the third book in the series to be launched later this year.

Secrets and Shadows official launch date is February 15th, though as we heard some lucky people were able to get an advance sighed copy yesterday at the wonder “The Voracious Reader”.

For those who do not know the series, “13 to Life”

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…
When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide–secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.

About Secrets and Shadows:

The supernatural stakes are higher than ever now that more than just werewolves prowl the town of Junction–friendships will be formed, choices will be made and allies may become enemies…

Nothing’s simple when you run with werewolves. Jess Gillmansen thinks she’s seen it all but her eyes are about to be opened to even more danger and a reality far more paranormal than she’s suspected.

Secrets and Shadows follows where book one leaves off, answering a few questions left from the cliffhanger ending of book one, as well as leaving a many questions in its own right that already have people clamoring for book three. The relationship between Pietr and Jessie is starting to shows signs of the pressure, not being helped by Sarah. The book also involves Max a lot with both of the Rusakovas brother spending a lot of time as wolves. With Shannon’s normal plot twists and turns, secrets are divulged and new questions asked. It is a fast paced page-turner that will keep the many who have been waiting for this book two, on the edge of their seat and asking when the third book will be available.

Pietr and Max, shared with us much of their enjoyment about appearing not only in Shannon’s books, but as we learned soon to appear with her at book signings.

The show was great fun and one that many will enjoy as they already do with this wonderful YA Authors books.

So sit back and listen to today’s thoroughly entertaining show as I host today’s “A Book and a Chat with Shannon Delany“.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Shannon Delany”.

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Shannon Delany”

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
Shannon Delany – Secrets and Sadows

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Read Full Post »

A Book and a Chat with Julie Kagawa

 

Back in October 2010 I had Natasha Wilson, one of the main editors of Harlequin Teen on the show. Amongst the authors we chatted about was Julie Kagawa my guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat”.

Julie was one of the debut authors of 2010 whose books received rave reviews in the YA blogosphere, successful “Iron King”, was followed towards the end of 2010 by a second equally successful book “Iron Daughter” and her third book in the series “Iron Queen” will be launched next month.

In what proved to be a show full of interest, stories and news, as my guest shared with us much about her life and her writing.

we were told how her style has slightly changed from her early writings, which were gothic dark, complete with pictures, written more to shock her teachers rather than encourage her writing. Stories about Hawaii, being chased out of the water several times by sharks and the dangers of jelly fish, brought much laughter to a hugely enjoyable show.

We learned from Julie about some of early jobs, how a job working in a book store, did not last long as, she spent more time reading the books rather stacking them on the shelves. Her time spent teaching a dog to perform magic tricks and the wonderful story of her wrestle with a goat.

The story of her adventure into the realm of publishing started with an somewhat fortuitous meeting with her now agent Laurie McClean was told, and how that lead to her being one of the first authors signed up my Harlequin Teen.

From there her career has gone from success to success with the ”Iron Fey” series, which as we heard, is not now a trilogy abut a series as “Iron Knight” is already underway to follow her latest work “Iron Queen”.

We also gleaned snippets about a new series she has started work on involving vampires, and I wonder if there might yet be another in the Iron Fey down the line about Grimalkin, perhaps an “Iron Cat” book?

So sit back and listen to today’s thoroughly entertaining show as I host today’s “A Book and a Chat with Julie Kagawa“.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Julie Kagawa”.

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Julie Kagawa”

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
“Julie Kagawa – Iron Queen”

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Read Full Post »

MYM A Book and a Chat with Steve Brezenoff

 

It was either the love of “Whose Mouse Are YOU? When very young, or when in the seventh grade when he read The Catcher in the Rye and thought that he could write like that which lead today’s guest Steve Brezenoff down the path which has eventually lead to his debut YA novel “The Absolute Value of -1”.

In between there were several other books baring Steve’s name as he was pulled in to help with various other short novels as well as his popular “Field Trip Mysteries”.

During his senior year of college, Steve took a class on creative writing where he wrote a short story called “Looking Down on Havoc” about a boy obsessed with death and very close with his big sister. Over the next 14 years, he expanded the novel, writing more scenes until he’d produced Metro magazine’s “Young Adult Book of the Year”… “The Absolute Value of -1”.

About: “The Absolute Value of -1”

Noah, Lily, and Simon have been a trio forever. But as they enter high school, their relationships shift and their world starts to fall apart. Privately, each is dealing with a family crisis—divorce, abuse, and a parent’s illness. Yet as they try to escape the pain and reach out for the connections they once counted on, they slip—like soap in a shower. Noah’s got it bad for Lily, but he knows too well Lily sees only Simon. Simon is indifferent, suddenly inscrutable to his friends. All stand alone in their heartache and grief.

The book explores the changing value of relationships as the characters realize that the distances between them are far greater than they knew.

During the show, Steve shared with us much about what lead to his debut YA novel, as well as news of his second book now called “Brooklyn, Burning“, will be out in fall of 2011.

So sit back and listen to an entertaining sixty minutes as today I present “MYM A Book and a Chat with Steve Brezenoff”.
Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Steve Brezenoff”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Steve Brezenoff”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Steve Brezenoff – The Absolute Value of -1”

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

Nov 23rd Steve Brezenoff – Author of “The Absolute Value of -1”, “Alley of Shadows” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 24th Alex – Author of “Alex reads books” blog – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 25th Estevan Vega – Author of “The Sacred Sin” and “Arson” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones – Author of “The Faerie Path” and “The Warrior Princess” series – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz – Author of “Something Wicked”, “Something Rotten”, “The Brooklyn Nine” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Read Full Post »

MYM A Book and a Chat with Jon Skovron

 

It’s not everybody’s dream to act a Shakespeare play in a warehouse with temperatures in the nineties, wearing a woolen sailor suit, nor was it Jon Skovron’s, my guest on today’s Male YA Author “A Book and a Chat”. In fact that was the start of him giving up the acting and following his writing career, which eventually has lead to the hugely popular debut YA novel “Struts & Frets”.

Jon is an insatiable music geek who can play eight instruments, but none of them well… (According to him). He started writing in junior high, which developed into short stories at high school. He also, wrote songs and still has is old song books, from which some of the songs within “Struts & Frets” have been taken.

As we heard during the entertaining program, Jon shared with us, how one of the main influences in his writing is Vanity Fair by William Thackeray. John shared how he definitely feels a very intense connection to Thackeray’s work unlike any other author he’s ever read. What’s weird is that, stylistically speaking, is that they are nothing alike as writers.

As with Sammy the hero of “Struts & Frets” music runs in Jon’s family, with characters such as Sammy’s grandfather not far away from his own relation.

About STRUTS & FRETS:

Music is in Sammy’s blood. His grandfather was a jazz musician, and Sammy’s indie rock band could be huge one day—if they don’t self-destruct first. Winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands would justify all the band’s compromises and reassure Sammy that his life’s dream could become a reality. But practices are hard to schedule when Sammy’s grandfather is sick and getting worse, his mother is too busy to help either of them, and his best friend may want to be his girlfriend.
When everything in Sammy’s life seems to be headed for major catastrophe, will his music be enough to keep him together.

The book has been called “honest, urgent, inspirational, hilarious and moving”.

The story is told in a voice that will resonate not just with teenage musicians but with anyone who ever sat up all night listening to music and wondering if they’d ever find their place in this world.

We also heard about Jon’s new book “Misfit” a sarcastic yet lovable half demon girl in a Catholic School, a bigger and darker book, which is due to come out in the Fall of 2011. With a second a follow up to “Misfit” already underway, and a third story in the planning stage, Jon Skovron, is a name week hear a lot more of in the future.

So sit back and enjoy today’s Male YA Author “A Book and a Chat with Jon Skovron“.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Jon Skovron”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Jon Skovron”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Jon Skovron – Struts & Frets”

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

Nov 15th Jon Skovron – Author of “Struts & Frets” and “Misfit (2011)” – Mon 6:30pm EST

Nov 16th Barry Lyga – Author of “Fan Boy and Goth Girl”, “Boy Toy”, “Hero Type” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 17th James – Author of “Book Chic” blog – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 18th Daniel Nayeri – Author “Another Faust”, “Another Pan” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 20th Scott Westerfeld – Author of “Uglies”, “Pretties”, “Special”, and “Extras” – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 23rd Steve Brezenoff – Author of ” The Absolute Value of -1″, “Alley of Shadows” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 24th Alex – Author of “Alex reads books” blog – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 25th Estevan Vega – Author of “The Sacred Sin” and “Arson” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones – Author of “The Faerie Path” and “The Warrior Princess” series – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz – Author of “Something Wicked”, “Something Rotten”, “The Brooklyn Nine” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Read Full Post »

MYM A Book and a Chat with R.A. Nelson

 

R.A (Russ) Nelson, grow up like a modern day Huckleberry Finn, his life full of fun and adventure, building tree houses or horror house, waging warts with rotten water melons or constructing an “airplane” that was pushed out of his sweet gum tree, with his brother on board for a very show and downward flight.

Yet all the time Russ was reading and writing, from his first single act play “The Mummy’s Curse,” he still has boxes of those early and normally uncompleted efforts, approximately two million words stored away in boxes that will most likely never see the light of day, and that’s not counting the other million words or so stored on computer disks and flash drives, etc.

It was while he was struggling with a yet still unpublished novel “The House of Novembers”, that the character “Nine” appeared to him out of the blue. As Russ explained during a fascinating program, this was the start of what developed into his first published and award winning novel “Teach Me”.

TEACH ME:

“What happens when a high school student and her teacher cross that line? From the very first page, Nine speaks in a voice that is at once raw, honest, direct, and unusually eloquent. ‘There has been an earthquake in my life,’ she says, inviting you inside an experience that fascinates everyone-an affair between teacher and student-and giving a personal answer to the question: How does this happen? A novel about a love so intense that the person you’re with becomes your world, and when you lose that person, you lose your world.”

The book was the starting point for what has become a hugely popular set of books that cover many different angles and subjects, yet it is still this first book that caused the most interest and discussion. Russ explained that far from receiving criticism about the subject he received many comments from people who knew this type of affair was going on over decades.

His next book “Breathe My Name” tackled a totally different subject.

BREATHE MY NAME:

Frances is falling in love for the very first time. But she has a devastating secret. One day, 11 years ago, her mother Afton suffered a psychotic break with the real world and smothered her own children with a pillow. Frances alone survived. What will her new boyfriend think about her twisted past? Especially now that Afton has sent a chilling message: “I need to see you. We have to finish.” Frances and Nix embark on a forbidden journey to confront the monster in its lair so Frances can find peace. Or die trying

The next offering by this great author again moved to a different subject, with “Days of Little Texas”.

DAYS OF LITTLE TEXAS:

Ronald Earl Pettway, better known to his devoted followers as Little Texas, has been on the road six years preaching the gospel as a “child evangelist” and faith healer. Now 16, his hormones are running wild and he’s beginning to have doubts. What is the meaning of his unsettling dreams? Why is the beautiful girl he just healed showing up wherever he goes, always wearing the same blue dress? And what diabolical evil is she leading him to on Devil Hill?

During the show Russ shared with us about his new novel which is due out in January, again he has changed directions this time bringing in his own life and working in NASA as his hero finds she is a “Super Vampire” able to go out in the light, not requiring blood, and resistant to garlic and whatever else might come here way.

“THROAT”:

She’s superhuman. There’s just one catch. Seventeen-year-old Emma Cooper has always been a risk taker at heart, smart and adventurous. But ever since her first grand mal seizure at the age of 13, her epilepsy has felt like a curse, wrecking her social life, derailing her dreams, even driving her boyfriend away. Her doctors think they know best. Her mom worries her to distraction. Tired of being held back, Emma fantasizes about running away, but she can’t even legally drive. At least she can channel her frustrations into soccer, where she’s a star — the most aggressive player in the league — until a violent collision ends her playing days. Heartbroken, Emma steals a car and races into the night, no idea where she is going. Losing control on a steep mountain road, she crashes into a ditch beside a sinister forest. An old cabin beckons through the trees. Emma goes to look for help — and her life is changed forever.

The show covered so much that any listener I’m sure will find something of interest.

So sit back and enjoy today’s Male YA Author “A Book and a Chat with R.A. Nelson“.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with R.A. Nelson”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“R.A. Nelson”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“R.A. Nelson – Teach Me”

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

Nov 13th R.A.Nelson – Author of “Teach Me”, “Breath My Name” and “Days of Little Texas” – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 15th Jon Skovron – Author of “Struts & Frets” and “Misfit (2011)” – Mon 6:30pm EST

Nov 16th Barry Lyga – Author of “Fan Boy and Goth Girl”, “Boy Toy”, “Hero Type” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 17th James – Author of “Book Chic” blog – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 18th Daniel Nayeri – Author “Another Faust”, “Another Pan” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 20th Scott Westerfeld – Author of “Uglies”, “Pretties”, “Special”, and “Extras” – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 23rd Steve Brezenoff – Author of ” The Absolute Value of -1″, “Alley of Shadows” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 24th Alex – Author of “Alex reads books” blog – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 25th Estevan Vega – Author of “The Sacred Sin” and “Arson” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones – Author of “The Faerie Path” and “The Warrior Princess” series – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz – Author of “Something Wicked”, “Something Rotten”, “The Brooklyn Nine” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Read Full Post »

MYM A Book and a Chat with David Macinnis Gill

 

My guest on today’s MYM (Male YA Author Month) A Book and a Chat is David Macinnis Gill, started was reading almost before he started school. In middle school his love for reading and literature lead him to volunteer as a library aid so that he could have free access to the library before during and after school. He wrote several short stories during those early years as well as teaching at several schools before becoming an associate professor in the English education department.

Two of his short stories “Broken Circles (1993)” and “Peoples Song (1996)” received praise and encouragement that eventually lead to the production of his first novel “Soul Enchilada”.

Originally “Soul Enchilada”, started as a short story, it turned into the spark that would eventually produce his first debut novel in 2009. The book became a success winning several awards including 2010 Best Book for Young Adults, 2010 Stuff for the Teen Age (NYPL) and 2010 Bank Street College Best Books of the Year.

As David explained during the show, the book was not without issues, even though the voice of “Bug” the main character came to him almost immediately, basing her on many people he’d come into contact with teaching. As well the music in the book is part of both his and “bug’s” life.

The challenge was that the setting of the book was El Paso, a place David had never been to, he narrated to us the various help and education he received both from friends and critic groups as well as by searching the internet.

We discussed about the various steps he went through with editing, how some of the language changed becoming more real and the addition of exclamation marks, something frowned on I by some editors.

The success of Soul Enchilada has been followed by another YA hit, “Black Hole Sun”. His new book is a mad story about a disgraced teenage soldier hired to save a group of out of luck miners. A novel he described to his editor as “Seven Samurai on Mars”.

A really funny story, with Monty Phyon like humor, the book has become a great favorite among the YA readers. As well as sharing with us how he had to learn to curse in seven languages for the book, he also told us a little bit about the follow up novel he is currently working on “Invisible Sun”

So sit back and enjoy today’s Male YA Author “A Book and a Chat with David Macinnis Gill“.

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with David Macinnis Gill”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“David Macinnis Gill”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“David Macinnis Gill – Black Hole Sun”

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

Nov 10th David Macinnis Gill – Author of “Black Hole Sun” and ” Soul Enchilada” – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 11th William Kostakis – Author of “Loathing Lola” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 13th R.A.Nelson – Author of “Teach Me”, “Breath My Name” and “Days of Little Texas” – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 15th Jon Skovron – Author of “Struts & Frets” and “Misfit (2011)” – Mon 6:30pm EST

Nov 16th Barry Lyga – Author of “Fan Boy and Goth Girl”, “Boy Toy”, “Hero Type” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 17th James – Author of “Book Chic” blog – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 18th Shaun David Hutchinson – Author of “The Death Day Letter” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 20th Scott Westerfeld – Author of “Uglies”, “Pretties”, “Special”, and “Extras” – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 23rd Steve Brezenoff – Author of ” The Absolute Value of -1″, “Alley of Shadows” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 24th Alex – Author of “Alex reads books” blog – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 25th Estevan Vega – Author of “The Sacred Sin” and “Arson” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones – Author of “The Faerie Path” and “The Warrior Princess” series – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz – Author of “Something Wicked”, “Something Rotten”, “The Brooklyn Nine” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Read Full Post »

MYM A Book and a Chat with Daniel Waters

 

Week two of Male YA Author Month (MYM) kicks off with author of “Generation Dead” series “Daniel Waters”.

Born with a crayon in his hand, a young comic book creator, Daniel shared how he got the epiphany regarding writing when the weekly homework of putting the weekly spelling words into sentences, suddenly formed the puzzle of the story in his mind. so he wrote a story. The teacher and his class mates thought that was pretty cool, and it soon became almost a monthly serial, which even had the class bully asking what was going to happen next rather than his normal bully tactics.

From that early start Daniel commented how his work developed from comic strip entries to his first novel launched in 2008 “Generation Dead”. During the show we heard how the idea for Generation Dead, came to Daniel while channel surfing in a hotel. A news magazine program about violence in schools, where basically kids were engaging in random acts of violence just so they could be filmed and the clips put on YouTube.

After going through the thoughts of a almost series book about school life, Daniel hit on the wonderful Zombie inspired format of Generation Dead.

The first book of the series was soon followed by “Kiss of Life” and then this year “Passing Strange”. While there are more stories left in the “Generation Dead” locker, Daniel shared he’s going to have a break from his Zombie friends, who even have their own blog, which has more hits than his own.

About Generation Dead:

Generation Dead is a young adult supernatural romance novel. It follows a girl named Phoebe and her best friends, Margi and Adam. It follows a story in which the country is baffled by a strange phenomenon of dead teenagers not staying dead. Some of them die, and suddenly start walking around again a couple hours later. Phoebe finds herself attracted to Tommy Williams, one of the “living impaired” teens at Oakvale High School. Oakvale High has attracted several living impaired kids from throughout the country because of the larger ratio of living impaired kids to living kids…

As Daniel shared all the characters seem to have their own fans, he even heard from readers who were dressing up as some of the characters for Halloween.

So sit back and enjoy today’s Male YA Author “A Book and a Chat with Daniel Waters“, after all as Daniel says… “YA fiction is the new Rock and Roll”

Barry

Direct link to the show
“A Book and a Chat with Daniel Waters”

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
“Daniel Waters”

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
“Daniel Waters – Generation Dead”

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

Nov 9th Daniel Waters – Author of “Generation Dead” series – Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 10th David Macinnis Gill – Author of “Black Hole Sun” and ” Soul Enchilada” – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 11th William Kostakis – Author of “Loathing Lola” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 13th R.A.Nelson – Author of “Teach Me”, “Breath My Name” and “Days of Little Texas” – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 15th Jon Skovron – Author of “Struts & Frets” and “Misfit (2011)” – Mon 6:30pm EST

Nov 16th Barry Lyga – Author of “Fan Boy and Goth Girl”, “Boy Toy”, “Hero Type” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 17th James – Author of “Book Chic” blog – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 18th Shaun David Hutchinson – Author of “The Death Day Letter” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 20th Scott Westerfeld – Author of “Uglies”, “Pretties”, “Special”, and “Extras” – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 23rd Steve Brezenoff – Author of ” The Absolute Value of -1″, “Alley of Shadows” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 24th Alex – Author of “Alex reads books” blog – Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 25th Estevan Vega – Author of “The Sacred Sin” and “Arson” – Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones – Author of “The Faerie Path” and “The Warrior Princess” series – Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz – Author of “Something Wicked”, “Something Rotten”, “The Brooklyn Nine” etc… – Tues 6:30pm EST

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK – Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests – A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World – Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

Read Full Post »