Mr. Darcy Vampyre by Amanda Grange

I was fortunate enough to get Amanda to agree to answer a few questions. This is what she had to say:


1. What is the latest book or movie that made you cry?

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Even though I knew what was coming it still made me cry.

2. What fictional character is most like you?

I would like to say Lizzy Bennet but I think I’m more like a cross between Hermione and Bridget Jones – sometimes very organised and capable but sometimes the complete opposite!

3. What is the greatest album ever?

Perfecto Fluoro - Paul Oakenfold. I love the way he puts very different pieces of music together, it’s inspired.

4. Ok, Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter?

Well, let’s see now. If I have to pick just one series overall it would be Lord of the Rings, but if I can pick individual films it would be Lord Of The Rings 2, Star Wars 4, Harry Potter 1, Star Trek 1.

5. What is your ideal brain food?

Fish and chips. It’s a traditional food in England and we have chippies everywhere. Very tasty as well as being good for you. Well, the fish is good for you anyway, not so sure about the batter and chips!

6. What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

Being able to knit, because it took me ages to learn.

7. You want to be remembered for....?

. . . ever.

8. Of those who've come before, the most inspirational are?

My inspirationals are all writers, Jane Austen, the Brontes and Shakespeare. I love the way they put words together as well as the things they make those words say.

9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?

Pride and Prejudice.

10. Your hidden talents are?

I can make the hand sign that goes with “Live long and prosper”.

No Teacher Left Behind by HBF Teacher

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

HBF Teacher has been a public school Middle grades teacher for three years. Before that, HBF substitute taught for two years. HBF has also worked as a live-in nanny and an accounts payable representative. Today when not nurturing young minds, HBF enjoys travel, photography, culinary arts, and the cinema. The Cohen Brothers and Tyler Perry are among her favorite artistic contributors.

You can find HBF Teacher online at http://www.noteachersleftbehind.info/.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Explored through a series of poems, emails, and brief conversations, No Teachers Left Behind is a fictional yet realistic look at the frustrations of middle school staff.

I was lucky enough to be able to ask this author some questions. Here is what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

No Teachers Left Behind is a novel about a group of middle school staff members. It is a story of teachers and students and those who should be supporting them; it is told through a series of emails (some humorous and some "I can’t really believe that happened"), conversational exchanges, and poems.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

Being a school teacher is a wonderful thing, but at the same time, it is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. My daily efforts (and the efforts of some of my fellow school teachers) to change lives inspired me to write No Teachers Left Behind.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My biggest supporter is my husband. He’s the one who listens when I’m so frustrated about my failure to reach my teaching goals, and he’s the one who sends me flowers at work, reminding me that I make a difference each day I show up.

Your biggest critic?

I have to be my biggest critic. I’m never satisfied, and I always want to go back and change something, believing that I can always make it better. I’m working on just letting things go. Nevertheless, I’m pretty satisfied with No Teachers Left Behind. I don’t think it can get any better, but there is more to tell. I’ll be sure and share it in the sequel.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

I am extremely passionate about teacher support, which is one of the reasons I wrote No Teachers Left Behind. I think teachers are undervalued, underpaid, and under supported. I would like to see this change. For so many years, we have worried about leaving students behind, but look at the number of great teachers who leave their jobs each year. Teachers are also being left behind.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

My family is always the most important thing in my life. At the end of a busy day, I’m always rushing home to see them. Because of my family, my husband and my two daughters, I don’t have bad days.

What are some of your long term goals?

Ever since I was a kid, I have always wanted to be on Oprah. I guess that’s a pretty big goal, but I would love to be sitting on the couch with the O discussing my book. Of course, I want a Pulitzer too, but then again, why not dream big?

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

When I was a little girl, my grandmother told me that I should never judge people based on the way they look, only by how they treat me. That is a lesson I have always carried with me. It is one that I have passed on to my own children. I think it is a life lesson that everyone should learn.

What is your favorite past-time?

My favorite past-time is taking pictures. When I’m not writing, you will most likely find me snapping away with my camera. A picture is a snapshot of life, whether that image is alive or dead – the odds are that someone influenced it somehow. I capture those snapshots, and they urge me to think beyond hat I can see.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Thanks for the interview. I hope your readers will find value in at least one of my responses, and that will encourage them to purchase my novel, No Teachers Left Behind. Call me biased, but it’s a really great read.

A Carousel Tale by Elisa Kleven

Ernst loves the carousel near his house, and his favorite animal to ride is the dog. When the dog's wooden tail comes loose just before winter, the carousel keeper gives Ernst the important job of watching over it until springtime. But the tail looks so sad sitting on Ernst's shelf without its dog that Ernst can't help but try to cheer it up. It isn't long before he has transformed the lonely tail into something wonderful!

As spring approaches, Ernst wonders if he will have to give up his special creation. And if he doesn't, what will the poor dog have to wag? The inventive blue crocodile from Ernst and The Puddle Pail shines in a story children will cherish.

I was lucky enough to get the author to agree to an interview. Here's what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

It tells the story of a young blue crocodile, Ernst, ( featured in three other books of mine), who uses his creativity to make something wonderful out of a loss. Ernst is sad when his favorite carousel is covered up for winter and vexed by finding the his beloved carousel dog's tail on the ground. When the carousel keeper tells Ernst he can take care of the tail over the winter, Ernst finds himself turning the tail into a friendly bird, which keeps him company all winter. Ernst, however, is also loyal to his old friend the dog, for whom he creates a nice new tail in spring.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

It's the story of my life! I have always cheered myself up by making things with my hands

Who is your biggest supporter?

The children who read my books.

Your biggest critic?

Myself and the occasional ,critical book reviewer!

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

Saving planet earth, because it's our one and only, and very beautiful, home.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I am always trying to learn to paint and draw better.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

I usually feel very tired, and take a replenishing walk along the beach. Or eating a crispy and comforting vegetarian meal.

What are you currently working on?

I'm doing finished pictures for a story about a young elephant named Stanley.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Read as much as you can. Try to write at least a few sentences a day, just for yourself, and try not to worry about how polished or "good" they sound.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

I think that Hans Christian Andersen gave me "permission" to delve into my imagination and animate the world around me, even after I was supposed to "grow up" and abandon these childlike activities.

What are some of your long term goals?

I hope to keep creating stories and pictures for children, and I hope to inspire children to make things with their hands and to appreciate their innate imaginative gifts.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

Getting published at all, since I am self taught and really didn't know what I was doing when I started creating children's books 20 years ago.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

I remember how it felt to be a child .

Biggest weakness?

I wish I drew and painted better.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

Every book is unique because every author and illustrators' way of seeing is unique.

You know the scenario you're stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

The collected works of Shakespeare.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

9/11 -- I wish I could have stopped the bad guys. Or I wish I could have prevented Hitler from being conceived!

What is your favorite past-time?

Walking on a grassy slope above the ocean.

For more information about the books or the author please visit http://www.elisakleven.com/

On My Own by Donna Lee Schillinger

Join Donna Lee Schillinger, author of the nonfiction Christian Living book, On My Own Now: Straight Talk from the Proverbs for Young Christian Women who Want to Remain Pure, Debt-free and Regret-free (Quilldriver, April 2009), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in April on her first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotion!

About the Author:

A born and bred Texan, Donna Lee Schillinger has a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and a master’s in cultural anthropology. She served in the Peace Corps in Quito, Ecuador, and continued to work in social services for 10 years, serving several years as executive director of a homeless shelter for single, young mothers.In 2000, Donna “retired” from social work to take care of her elderly grandparents and homeschool her daughter.

She soon began The Quilldriver, a custom publisher for nonprofit organizations and traditional publisher of inspirational nonfiction books.

Award-winning editor and publisher, Donna makes her writing debut with On My Own Now: Straight Talk from the Proverbs for Young Christian Women who Want to Remain Pure, Debt-free and Regret-free.

She launched a nonprofit organization of the same name, with the mission to provide encouragement for young adults to maintain their Christian faith when they get out on their own. Visit her Web site at www.OnMyOwnNow.com.

Donna lives in rural Arkansas with her husband John and children.

About the Book:

“Freedom! Finally, life on my own!”Excited about making your mark on the world, living life on your own terms and eating ice cream for dinner if you want? Being on your own is so great, but when the decisions get a little more difficult than “Do I wash a black-and-white striped shirt with whites or colors?”, this little book will be invaluable.

On My Own Now shows you how to apply biblical wisdom of the ages to choosing everything from friends to underwear; exercising and exorcising (ooh, creepy); juggling commitments and balancing bills; taking mom and dad for all they’re worth (er, uh, we mean like taking their advice and stuff); and waiting, dating and maybe someday mating.

On My Own Now is about strengthening young women’s faith and preventing the screw-ups that can brand us for life. Donna Lee Schillinger draws on her eclectic past as a rebellious youth, Peace Corps volunteer, social worker, single mother, court mediator and executive director of a home for single young mothers.

She uses gender-reversed Proverbs with real-life applications to wave the red flag of caution for young women, warning against the pitfalls of a post-modern, sexually casual, consumer-is-king society that is indelibly scarring youth with cynicism, sexually transmitted diseases and bad credit.This compact collection of quirky vignettes is great for daily devotions, affirmations, confessions, benedictions and many other religious “tions,” all with the goal of keeping you on the yellow brick road. After all, you’re not in Kansas anymore – you’re on your own now (unless you live in Kansas, then you would still be in Kansas…).

Here's is the interview that I conducted with Ms. Schillinger:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

On My Own Now is about strengthening young women’s faith and preventing the screw-ups that can brand us for life. I draw on my eclectic past and use gender-reversed Proverbs with real-life applications to wave the red flag of caution for young women, warning against the pitfalls of a post-modern, sexually casual, consumer-is-king society that is indelibly scarring youth with cynicism, sexually transmitted diseases and bad credit.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

I had a great professional mentor in Lorraine Short, a former editor I worked under. She really taught me how to improve writing.

I borrowed the format of my book from some of the works of Dr. Robert H. Schuller. And his writings have been very encouraging to me, in the most literal sense of the word "encouraging."
Overall, though, this writing thing is a terribly lonely business. When I get the occasional pat on the back or "chin up!" I save it in a file labeled "encouraging words." Then when I get the inevitable rejection that comes with the business, I turn to that file to help me shake it off.

What are you currently working on?

My next project is editing an anthology called Purity’s Big Payoff/Premarital Sex is a Big Ripoff. The format will be a two-faced book (my new Quilldriver imprint!): on one side, the cover will read Purity’s Big Payoff. When turned over and flipped upside down, the cover will read Premarital Sex is s Big Rip-off. Think in terms of an instruction manual written in both English and Spanish, where one side is English and then the book flips upside down and other side is written in Spanish. Thus the last page of the purity book is immediately followed by the last page of the premarital sex book, but upside down, and vice versa.

Each half of the book will begin with an introduction by me. The intro to the purity book will include discussion of scriptural references to abstaining from sex outside of marriage, as well as the practical benefits of overcoming the strong cultural norm of premarital sex. Then up to 10 selected essays will follow, telling personal stories about how the essayists were victorious in this spiritual battle and have reaped practical benefits in their lives as a result. In the introduction of the premarital sex half of the book, I will tell my motivation for this project, and how important I believe it is for people who have suffered the results of secret sin to share their heartaches with young adults so that they can understand who is harmed in sex outside of marriage and what the very real ramifications of disobedience to God’s will in this area are. There will also be some discussion of the concept of recapturing one’s purity despite past sexual experience. Then up to 10 selected essays will follow, telling personal stories about how the essayists have experienced negative consequences from sex before marriage, and hopefully how God has restored the writer and even given them beauty for ashes.

I still need about three more essays on purity. Let me hear from you if the white dress on your wedding day symbolized something!

Biggest weakness?

Without a doubt my biggest weakness is a lack of interest in self-promoting and a very awkward feeling when I have to do it! I think this is hard for a lot of writer’s to stomach. I recall the day I realized that was the reality of being a published writer. I just felt like throwing in the towel.
I read in these marketing books about people who can sell the gas station attendant a book when they stop for gas. I do not have that kind of personality.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

Do you have many people say the Bible? Without it, I would probably just slash my wrists with shells and then wade out in the water to become shark bait. That is, after I enjoyed the solitude for a few months! If I knew I was going to be rescued, I would probably take War and Peace. I listened to it on audio once – unabridged – 57 hours! It was awesome.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

Oh, yes. I can’t begin to tell you in a brief interview how I’ve changed. I went through a tragic loss, followed by depression, then revelation, then inspiration. That journey leaves some indelible marks on a person. To learn more, read the only book I hope never to make a penny on: Dear Hunter: Letters to My Stillborn Son, a free e-book at http://www.onmyownnow.com/downloads.html.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

I have a lot of regrets. And in the end, that’s mostly a good thing. I used to tell my friends in college that when I’m old, I want to regret the things I’ve done, not the things I didn’t do. The same is still true, but the difference is that I now have some serious regrets under my belt and I’m not so flippant about throwing that motto out there. In general, I still say, "Grab the gusto! Take chances. Do something against the odds." Now I would add the caveat to seek God’s will in the matter. And I believe God is the entity out there offering the most big risk/big reward opportunities. If God only ever wanted us to play it safe, there would have been no call for 365 variations on "Do not be afraid" in His word.

I’m glad to be able to say that I have very few regrets of things I didn’t do – most of my regrets are things I did do (fulfilling my own prophesy). I talk a lot about those regrets in On My Own Now.

It has actually taken me quite a bit of thought to come up with a regret of something I didn’t do – some "go for it!" I passed up, but here it is: I wish I had bought my wedding dress! I had one made to save money and I regretted it! Now, I’m already planning a 25th anniversary renewal of vows so I can order a wedding dress. Zensane? You be the judge.

Zensane...hmmm...I might be that every once in awhile:) Thanks so much for the great interview!

WIN PRIZES!!!

ON MY OWN NOW VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on April 1 and end on April 30. You can visit Donna's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in March to find out more about this great book and talented author!As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

Linda Joy Singleton Book Spotlight and Author Interview

Book Synopsis for Don't Die Dragonfly:

Book Description:After getting kicked out of school and sent to live with her grandmother, Sabine Rose is determined to become a "normal" teenage girl. She hides her psychic powers from everyone, even from her grandmother Nona, who also has "the gift." Having a job at the school newspaper and friends like Penny-Love, a popular cheerleader, have helped Sabine fit in at her new school. She has even managed to catch the eye of the adorable Josh DeMarco.

Yet, Sabine can't seem to get the bossy voice of Opal, her spirit guide, out of her head . . . or the disturbing images of a girl with a dragonfly tattoo. Suspected of a crime she didn't commit, Sabine must find the strength to defend herself and, later, save a friend from certain danger.

About the Author: With plots involving twins, cheerleaders, ghosts, psychics and clones, Linda Joy Singleton has published over 25 midgrade and YA books.When she's not writing, she enjoys life in the country with a barnyard of animals including horses, cats, dogs and pigs. She especially loves to hear from readers and speaking at schools and libraries. She collects vintage series books like Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and Judy Bolton.When Linda is asked why she'd rather write for kids than adults, she says, "I love seeing the world through the heart of a child, where magic is real and every day begins a new adventure. I hope to inspire them to reach for their dreams. Writing for kids is a gift, a responsibility, and an honor."

Q&A Time!

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

The author I wrote to when I was 14, Margaret Sutton, who wrote mysteries for girls about a character named Judy Bolton. Later when I was an adult, I co-wrote another Judy Bolton mystery with her which I self-published for fans.

Do you write every day?
I'm at my computer every day and write at least 5 days a week.

What has been your greatest achievement as a writer?
Every sale, every fan letter, ever good review is my "greatest achievement." A career isn't one success but a journey with many amazing moments.

Have you always wanted to be a writer, or did you aspire to be something else growing up?
I always wanted to write. I submitted work when I was in high school but never quite believed I could become published. I stopped writing from about age 17 to 27, gaining experiences of love, marriage, family. Then I reclaimed my writing dreams, joined a writing group, critique group, worked very hard, and sold my first book at age 30.

How would you describe your writing?
Fast-paced, humorous, cliffhangers, characters I love, suspense with twists and surprises.

Are you currently working on anything?
I'm writing the 3rd book in the DEAD GIRL series. The first book, DEAD GIRL WALKING, comes out in September from Flux, and it's about a 17 year old girl with such a bad sense of direction that when she has an out-of-body experience, she lands in the wrong body--of a popular, gorgeous girl who just committed suicide.A fan just made a YouTube for DGW at:http://www.%20youtube.%20com/watch?v=w8VUQmv2c2I

What authors do you enjoy reading?
So many! I have a long list on my MySpace page. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan. I love mysteries, fantasy and books that touch my heart. Some authors are Margaret Peterson Haddix, Kathryn Duey, Kathleen Reiss, Scott Westerfeld, Charles de Lint, Ingrid Law, Angie Sage, Eva Ibbotson...and more!

What is your favorite book?
Harry Potter series

What is a book that has been highly acclaimed but you haven't liked?
Great question--but hard to answer because if I don't like something and it doesn't past the 50-page test I won't keep reading. I could reverse the question and tell you two books which I loved and thought should have gotten more attention than it did -- MAGYK by Angie Sage and VOTE FOR LARRY by Janet Tashjian.Is there a word you feel is overused? I have to edit "that," "very," "smile" and "gasp" from my books as I tend to use them too much. I never notice with other authors and just enjoy whatever I'm reading.