On May 1, 2018, the third book in the Book Scavenger series, The Alcatraz Escape, will be available in bookstores and libraries near you in the United States. To celebrate, I’m partnering with the talented folks at Curious City DPW to create a super cool Book Scavenger map that will highlight some of my favorite locations featured in Book Scavenger, The Unbreakable Code, and The Alcatraz Escape. If you pre-order a copy of The Alcatraz Escape and email your proof of purchase and mailing address to fromthemixedupfiles@gmail.com by April 30, I will send you a signed map as a thank you!… Read the rest
Joining us for Creative Spaces is debut author Ben Guterson. His middle-grade mystery, Winterhouse, is wonderful. I highly recommend it to fans of Book Scavenger, especially if you’re also a fan of books like The Golden Compass or the Harry Potter series. I’m not the only one who adored this book either–independent booksellers selected it for their Indie Next list for Winter 2017-2018!Here’s a little more about it:
An enchanting urban fantasy middle-grade debut―the first book in a trilogy―set in a magical hotel full of secrets.
Orphan Elizabeth Somers’s malevolent aunt and uncle ship her off to the ominous Winterhouse Hotel, owned by the peculiar Norbridge Falls.… Read the rest
Kim Ventrella is a children’s librarian, and a lover of weird, whimsical stories of all kinds. She lives in Oklahoma City. Skeleton Tree is her debut novel.
Describe your workspace.
I wrote Skeleton Tree sitting cross-legged in a dog bed, while my dog, Hera, sat on the couch looking over my shoulder. It’s true! And it was really effective. After I sold Skeleton Tree, I graduated to an official, squishy office chair, and I have since evolved to mostly writing outside. There’s something about the fresh air and openness that really helps along the creative process.
Describe a typical workday.
I also work full-time as the Children’s Department Manager at a public library, so depending on my schedule, I get up early and walk my dog.… Read the rest
I originally interviewed Jeannie Mobley for Creative Spaces when her debut middle grade Katerina’s Wish was published. Katerina’s Wish received starred reviews, was named to many state and national reading lists, and received the Colorado Book Award. Let’s catch up with Jeannie and hear what all has kept her busy since her last visit . . .
What fun to be back on the Creative Spaces blog! Thanks for having me, Jenn! I went back into your archives to see what I said when I was first featured. Turns out I am writing this almost five years to the day from when my original post appeared.… Read the rest
I originally interviewed Tara Dairman for Creative Spaces when the third and final (sob!) in the All Four Stars trilogy was published. Wait–I just realized that was only a little over a year ago. Boy, a lot can happen in a year because things have changed quite a bit for her! I’m thrilled to check back in with her today.
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What have you been working on since Stars So Sweet?
My new middle grade novel, The Great Hibernation, comes out from Wendy Lamb Books/Random House on September 12. It’s my first standalone novel and a complete departure from the All Four Stars foodie series!… Read the rest
