Let's welcome today our next debut author--and congratulate her on being published! Oh, and let's welcome her to the Twitter world as well! :D
1. What do you feel about the number '13'?
Really trying to dig up some powerful emotions in response to the number '13,' but I've got nothing. Maybe I need a nap.
2. What's the best thing that happened after your book was published?
My family and friends realized that, during all those hours when I was hovering over the computer and obsessing, I was actually writing a novel. I think they were pretty skeptical, on the whole, until they saw the book on Amazon.
3. How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?
I wanted to go out and buy a case of kombuchas with my first royalties check, but the check wasn't big enough! Ha! Honestly, looking back, I didn't celebrate much at all. I should go right now and purchase something gorgeous and meaningful.
(Sidenote: Like your book. :)
4. Do you read reviews of your book?
I do, but I shouldn't. I don't recommend it.
5. What is your best or most unforgettable moment with a fan?
I was at a conference for writers, musicians, and other creative folk, and I was listening to some wonderful insights from authors I admire. When the session ended, the lady next to me said, "I loved your book." I blinked at her, turned around to see if one of the authors who'd just been speaking was standing behind me. No one was there. I turned back to the lady and said, "Me? You read my book?" She hesitated. "What's the name of your book?" she asked. "Shiloh," I said. "Yes, I read it and I loved it!" she said. It took me another full minute to digest this fact. I thought my book was a beautifully-kept secret, but, apparently, word is leaking out.
(Sidenote: Eeep! That must be amazing!)
6. Was there any book/s from other debut author of 2013 that you loved?
I should have an answer to this question, one that sings the praises of debut authors everywhere, but I don't. I have a 4-yr-old and a 1-yr-old, a reading list a mile long, a house that could use a good scouring, and a manuscript for my next book that needs some serious attention. I so want to support other debut authors! I do, I do! I'm just a little behind.
7. Are you interested in writing in a different genre or for a different audience?
Oh, yes. I'd love to write for children (smaller ones), and I'd really like to play around with some literary fiction, or maybe a funny memoir...
8. Share with us one embarrassing moment you've had.
Wow. There are just so many. I'll say this...my publisher made me get a Twitter account, to promote Shiloh and so on. I had not the smallest clue how to get followers or what to tweet, or what an RT was, or what a hashtag was or how it was used. My publisher had to give me step-by-step instructions and explanations about everything. I was really, really late to the Twitter party. :)
(Sidenote: Better late than never. Welcome to the Twitter world! :)
(Sidenote: Better late than never. Welcome to the Twitter world! :)
9. Favorite color? I like rich blues and greens...
Favorite movie? LOTR (I know that's three, and I just don't care.)
Favorite ice cream flavor? I'm not a great ice cream lover, but if I have to choose, I'll take something chocolatey, with peanut butter.
(Sidenote: Someone's salivating here..)
(Sidenote: Someone's salivating here..)
Favorite song? I've been listening to a song called "Dynamite" by Sandra McCracken while I work on my next book. I've listened to that one song the entire time.
Ultimate celebrity crush (dead or alive)? Let me see...right now I'm looking at a picture of Gerard Butler (he's the inspiration for a character in the prequel to Shiloh). It's a pretty amazing picture, so I'll go with him.
10. What's next for you?
A prequel! Seeker will go back and tell the story of Evander and the Lost Clan. Oh, I'm so in love with this story. I can't wait for you to meet Evander, and Mina, and Valour, and Maeve, and Grey, and Knox........
***
More about Helena!
It started with those Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books. My mother would take us to the library when I was in elementary school, and I would check out several at a time. I would read every possible option, making every possible choice, sometimes jumping from the train, sometimes going with the mysterious stranger, sometimes returning to camp, until the book made absolutely no sense.
It is only in recent years that I’ve discovered how deep is my love for epic fantasy. In preparation for writing Shiloh, and as part of my independent education in literature, I have read scores of books: books for children and young adults and adults, National Book Award Winners, and Newberry Honor Books. But I always come back to the fantasy novels. I love the idea that anything is possible in the world of fantasy. There is no limit to the imagination, and I can choose to embark on any kind of adventure.
In Shiloh, I have chosen to journey through a world of darkness, a world of fire and stone and wood and earth, of arrows and horses and clans and legends. And I have other adventures planned before I leave that world…
Check out Helena's debut album!
Shiloh
by Helena Sorensen
Published April 22nd 2013 by Alpha Wolf Publishing
Blurb (Goodreads):
In a world of perpetual darkness, a boy is born who wields remarkable power over fire. Amos is no more than seven when he kills a Shadow Wolf and becomes a legend in Shiloh. He would be destined for great things were it not for the stories his father tells about a world beyond the Shadow and a time before the Shadow. Only madmen hold to such tales, and in Shiloh, they have always come to bad ends.
Amos is fearless. He walks with easy confidence, certain that the Shadow cannot touch him. Even his family is in awe of him. His father marvels at his skill with the bow, his mother thanks the gods that he has all the courage she lacks, and his sister, Phebe, worships him for saving her from an attack of the Shadow Cats.
On a trip to the village of Emmerich, Amos rescues the Magistrate’s son, Simeon, from the village bullies. Simeon, fair-skinned and pale-eyed like other Dreamers in Shiloh’s history, becomes Amos’s constant companion and dearest friend. Simeon becomes a part of Amos’s family, listening to fireside stories told in a way he’s never heard them before and learning to wield a bow and arrow.
The year the boys turn twelve, they are itching to prove themselves. An impetuous plan to steal a beautiful lantern goes miserably awry, and the lantern’s owner prophecies that Amos will be devoured by the Shadow. For the first time, a seed of fear is planted in Amos’s mind, and when his father is killed by a Shadow Wolf on the last day of the Great Hunt, the fear takes hold. If so great and brave a man as his father could fall to the Shadow, what hope has he?
Buy your copy of Shiloh today to find out more ... or wait on our give away and maybe you can win it!
Check out author Mary Gray on Oops! I Read A Book Again!
Yesterday: Annika James (Wanted) and S.K Anthony (Kinetic)
Calling YA/NA/MG debut authors of 2014! Want to join us on this fun event? Fill out this form! Don't forget to spread the word with your debuting friends!
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