Author Interviews

Interview with Best-Selling Author Tracy Wolff

By on February 2, 2026   /   Author Interviews   /   1 Comment

Flat lay of The Aftermyth on Greek ruins and alphabet fabric

Do your students love fantasy and mythology? Have they plowed through every Percy Jackson book and Rick Riordan Presents? Look no further than the newest Greek-myth-inspired The Aftermyth by best-selling author Tracy Wolff!

Penelope Wolff is pumped to follow her family tradition of attending Anaximander’s Academy. But when even arriving on time proves to be a challenge, she soon discovers that nothing is going to plan. And Penelope has always relied on having a plan. This fast-paced Greek-mythology-fueled romp has it all: fantasy adventures, magical group competitions, and an all-you-can-eat Candy Room!

Please join me in welcoming Tracy to From the Mixed-Up Files to discuss her book, inspiration, and transition from a YA superstar to rising middle grade phenom!

Interview with author Tracy Wolff

Katie: Tracy, thank you so much for swinging by From the Mixed-Up Files to chat about your *80th* book yet first middle grade novel. Wow! We are delighted to have you join the fun that is writing for middle grade readers.

First question, if you were at a school visit with a roomful of upper elementary kids, what would be your quick elevator pitch for why they should read Penelope’s story?

Tracy: Oh, that’s such a fun question! First of all, I have to say thank you so much for having me. I’m a big fan of the site and am thrilled to be here talking about The Aftermyth.

As for the elevator pitch, I think something like this might work: Penelope Weaver has spent her life dreaming of being old enough to go to the mystical, magical Anaximander’s Academy and join Athena Hall, just like her parents and grandparents before her. But from the second she sets foot on school grounds, nothing goes as it’s supposed to. She’s assigned to the “wrong” hall, the muse who is supposed to guide her is sleep deprived and even more confused than Penelope is, the labors she has to perform before graduation are truly bizarre, and the school grounds keep shifting beneath her feet at the worst possible moments. Plus there are snakes—so many snakes—and a vulture named Agatha who has a penchant for swooping down and picking up wayward students whenever she feels like it.

Katie: Penelope is such an interesting character, particularly in the contrast between who she thinks she is supposed to be and who she is in the process of discovering herself to be. Does Penelope have much in common with you as a kid? If not, where did you find inspiration for her personality?

Tracy: There are parts of me in Penelope, of course. I think most writers can’t help but put parts of themselves in their main characters, and I’m no exception. But the main inspiration for Penelope’s personality is my college roommate and best friend, while there is a ton of me in Penelope’s roommate and best friend, Fifi. In fact, one of the many reasons writing The Aftermyth was so much fun is I got to see myself, and the beginning of our friendship, through my bestie’s eyes. What’s even better is that, as soon as my best friend started reading, she recognized us, and our friendship dynamic, as well. 😊

Katie: Oh, I love that! Next up, what is your favorite Greek myth book? I’m a D’Aularies’ girl myself, but my newest favorite is She Speaks by Honor Cargill-Martin. Why were these the stories you chose to set the foundations for Anaximander’s Academy?

Tracy: Oh, wow! I’ve never heard of that book, but now that I’ve looked it up, I’m dying to read it. I, too, am a D’Aularies girl because they make the myths so interesting and engaging for all ages. But just this past weekend I found a book called Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes. I haven’t started reading it yet, but I have a feeling once I do, it’s going to become a favorite. Having just looked up your favorite, She Speaks, I find it telling that Cargill-Martin, Haynes, and I all focus on many of the same women in Greek Mythology. I can’t speak for either of them, but I know that these myths are incredibly compelling to me because they tell stories of women who are vilified by Greek writers (most of whom were men), and blamed for things that are far outside their control.

In The Aftermyth, I take on the Pandora’s box myth because it is a myth that has always infuriated me. Pandora was created by two male gods—Zeus and Hephaestus—to punish two male titans—Prometheus and Epimetheus. Zeus had all the gods give Pandora gifts to make her attractive to the titans, cursed her with unending curiosity, gave her a jar filled with all kinds of evil, then told her not to open it. Yet, somehow, she’s the one who gets blamed for releasing all the bad things into the world? It’s absurd and completely unfair. The Aftermyth is my attempt to right (and write) old wrongs, to tell herstory instead of history, and maybe change the way people think of these myths and the women they portray. And it’s not just Pandora—it’s Echo and Andromeda, Medea and Jocasta, Persephone and Meghara, Penelope and Helen… the list goes on and on. And don’t even get me started on poor Medusa …

Cover of The Aftermyth showing sprayed edges

Katie: Since this is your first middle grade novel, can you tell us a little about your writing journey? What was it about this story that made you want to write for a middle grade audience?

Tracy: I have wanted to write a middle grade novel forever, partly because I love reading middle grade novels—I’ve read hundreds of them with my boys as they were growing up—and partly because it is an age that always confounded me as an English teacher. When kids first go to school and learn to read, story time is one of their favorite times of the day. Yet by the time I got them in high school and college, many of those same students hated reading. I always wondered why that was—what happens during the middle grade years to turn so many kids against reading so completely? The Aftermyth is my small attempt to grab some of those readers before they learn to hate reading and show them just how fun story time can be, even when there are so many other things claiming their attention. I’m really lucky to be able to partner with Simon and Schuster in this quest, as they are just as passionate as I am about turning kids into lifelong readers.

The Aftermyth series starts when Penelope and her friends are thirteen, but it will follow them through their six years at Anaximander’s Academy, growing as they grow. For me, there’s something so exciting about being able to tell the story of Penelope, Fifi, Arjun, Paris, Sullivan, and Kyrian as they experience their first taste of independence in book one and then continue their journey until they come of age in the last book in the series. It’s both an honor and a responsibility to tackle all the issues that come with growing up, and I take it very seriously even as my goal is to make the journey as joyous and interesting and thought-provoking for my readers as I can.

Katie: What advice would you give to fledgling middle grade authors or those thinking of making the switch to middle grade?

Tracy: Oh, I don’t know if I’m the one you should be asking this question of, as my first middle grade book has just come out! I will say that middle grade is such an incredible age to write for. The stories are so much fun to tell and the characters are a joy. The only advice I have is don’t be afraid of trying something new. As long as they respect the middle grade space and its readers, they should jump in with both feet.

Katie: What are some of your favorite middle grade books or series?

Tracy: Oh, there are too many to name, honestly. Right now, I’m a massive fan of The Swifts by Beth Lincoln. It’s funny and charming and so whimsical it’s impossible not to fall in love with it. Other series I adore include Amy Kim’s The Rema Chronicles, The False Prince series by Jennifer A. Nielsen, the Percy Jackson books (obviously) by Rick Riordan, the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer, James Ponti’s City Spies, and Tom Angleberger’s Origami Yoda series. There are more, but we’ll be here all day if I list them all!

Katie: Great list! My fifth graders definitely agree with all those choices. Is there anything else that you would like readers to know about Penelope or about your upcoming projects? (My fifth graders noticed the “book one” on the cover…)

Tracy: Oh, yes, there are definitely more books to come in the series. I can’t give out the myth book two will deal with yet, but I can say it was definitely mentioned in my answer to your third question …

As for what I want people to know about Penelope, I guess I have to go with my favorite thing about her—Penelope’s a fighter. Even when things are going bad all around her, she keeps pushing, keeps going, keeps doing what she knows is right because she believes something better for her friends, her school, and herself is right around the corner. It’s an important lesson, and one I think we all could use reminding of from time to time.

Katie: No MUF interview is complete without a lightning round so …

Lightning Round!

Yellow graphic lightning boltKatie: Aphrodite, Athena, Hades, Poseidon, or Zeus Hall?

Tracy: For me? I’m Aphrodite all the way. For your readers? My publisher has actually put up a super fun quiz that will tell you which Hall you belong in. You can check it out here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/p/aftermyth-quiz . I totally want to know which hall you get!!!

Katie: The former archaeologist in me is not surprised to see I’m an Athena, ha. 

Best candy in the Candy Room?

Tracy: Anything sour

Katie: Dream job when you were a kid?

Tracy: Honestly? A writer. Or, sometimes, a make-up artist. But always a writer.

Katie: Superpower?

Tracy: Telekinesis or flight, preferably both.

Katie: Finally, where can readers find you if they want to reach out?

Tracy: They can email me on my website, tracywolffauthor.com. But they can also find me on IG at tracywolffbooks or at my Facebook group, the Wolff Pack.

Katie: Thanks so much, Tracy! The Aftermyth publishes tomorrow, Feb. 3rd, 2026. Order early for those gorgeous sprayed edges, and find out if you would have the courage to rewrite the stories of the past—or to rewrite your own story.

Tracy: Thanks so much for having me! It’s been so much fun!

Official bio for Tracy Wolff

Author Tracy Wolff photographed by Mayra G CalderonTracy Wolff is the #1 New York Times, #1 internationally, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA TODAY bestselling author of the Crave series as well as many other novels. A lover of mythology, vampires, and getting lost in a great book, she’s spent her whole life asking “what if” and “what happens next”—questions being a writer has helped her answer again and again. At six, she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow, a unicorn, and a shapeshifting prince—and at seven, she forayed into the wonderful world of middle grade literature with her first Judy Blume novel. A one-time English professor, she now devotes all her time to writing fun, action-packed, romantic stories with fantastical worlds and characters who leap off the page. She has written all her seventy-plus novels from her home in Austin, Texas, which she shares with her partner, her sons, and their three adorable dogs.

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Author Spotlight: John Claude Bemis + a GIVEAWAY

By on January 15, 2026   /   Articles, Author Interviews, Giveaways   /   2 Comments

In today’s Author Spotlight, Jo Hackl chats with award-winning author John Claude Bemis about his new graphic novel, Rodeo Hawkins & the Daughters of Mayhem.  John Claude Bemis is the author of seven middle-grade novels, and a picture book. A former elementary school teacher, John earned his Master’s of Education in Literacy from UNC Chapel Hill and taught fourth and fifth grades for thirteen years. He received the Excellence in Teaching Award from UNC-Chapel Hill for his work as an author-presenter in schools and served as North Carolina’s Piedmont Laureate for Children’s Literature, promoting literacy and the literary arts. A popular instructor and inspiring guide to writers of all ages—kids, teens, and adults— he teaches creative writing workshops and leads retreats around the world. Beyond the creative expression of writing, John is also a sculptural mask-maker, a songwriter, and musician. He lives with his wife and daughter in Hillsborough, North Carolina.

Plus, there’s a chance to win a copy of Rodeo Hawkins & the Daughters of Mayhem if you enter the giveaway. Scroll down for details.

All about the book!

Foster kid Sidney Poblocki is thrilled to learn his destiny is to save the multiverse—until he discovers it’s actually his destiny to destroy it—in this fantasy adventure graphic novel!

Get ready for Mayhem!

When Sidney Poblocki runs away from his troubled home life, he winds up in a whole new world of trouble. Why are interdimensional assassins after him along with every other kid named Sidney Poblocki throughout the multiverse? Will he ever see his best bud Walt again now that Walt’s memory of Sidney has been erased? And what the heck is the deal with Rodeo Hawkins and her ragtag gang of mischief-making girls the Daughters of Mayhem?!

They claim they’re trying to keep him safe, but Sidney isn’t so certain “safe” is even in their vocabulary. As Sidney is swept into a series of misadventures that will change the multiverse forever, one thing is for certain: with Rodeo Hawkins around, his life is about to be filled with a lot more mayhem.

Jo:  John, many thanks for answering my questions. Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem takes readers on a rip-roaring adventure across the multiverse. Your main character, Sidney Poblocki, is relatable, fun and witty.  Can you tell us about your process for creating him?

John: With all these weirdo characters, my goal was for Sidney to be the most relatable. He’s not talented or exceptional in any way. He’s just a rather sweet guy who wants to belong. He wants to find “his people,” which is hard when he doesn’t know who to trust or why these powerful people are all after him.

The Daughters of Mayhem are pretty mischievous, especially Rodeo! She can get so caught up in mischief-making that she doesn’t always consider how others feel. I needed that yin-yang, sweet-and-salty balance between Sidney and Rodeo.

 

Jo: Rodeo Hawkins is mysterious and brave and demonstrates girl-power at its best. Can you tell us about your process for creating her? 

John: I love a character with a mysterious backstory. Rodeo seems like a kid—and she is a kid, I suppose—but she’s also a powerful cosmic being. If you give an overconfident kid so many powers, they’re not only a danger to their enemies, but also to their friends. By making Rodeo an outrageously big personality, I knew I could get a lot of humor and thrills out of her.

 

Jo: Your plot is a fast-paced, complex and adventure-filled romp across the multiverse.  Can you tell us about your process of writing it? 

John: I began this project expecting it to become a traditional novel. But when the first ideas started filling my head so quickly, I had to capture them as fast as humanly possible. So, I decided to start with a barebones draft in script format. Just the dialogue and simple stage directions. But once I got into it, I quickly realized how this story wanted—needed!—to be a graphic novel instead.

 

Jo: This is your first graphic novel but you have written extensively for young readers.  Can you tell us about how your process was different for writing a graphic novel versus a traditional novel in prose? 

John: It’s a very different process. With a traditional novel, you’re telling the story entirely with words. With comics, you’re writing a script that the illustrator will turn into the vehicle for the story. There’s less room to explain or even provide direct access to a character’s thoughts. You really have to show, rather than tell.

Jo: Who was your favorite character to write? Why?

John: Rodeo, for sure. While she’s incredibly powerful and fearless, she has major flaws. She’s arrogant. She doesn’t always know how to be a good friend. In fact, even though she’s a good guy, she operates more like a villain. Often, we love villains because they don’t play by the rules and are so uninhibited. Rodeo is definitely that way. It made her hilarious to play with in my imagination and on the page.

 

Jo: Your story takes us across the multiverse and involves portals and magical items such as the “plunger of truth,” weaponized bubble gum, and the “counter punch powder.”  Can you tell us about your brainstorming process? 

John: It was simply unleashing all the weirdest, wackiest ideas from my imagination. I had this guiding approach of basing the magic around things that had strong kid appeal like candy or toilet plungers. I let the humor shape the world building.

 

Jo: What was your favorite scene to write? Why?

John: There’s a scene where Rodeo drags Sidney off to this interdimensional biker bar to get the plunger of truth. It was fun to write because of how rapid fire the jokes are. Poor Sidney is totally bewildered and out of his depth. And Rodeo is at her most absurd and terrifying. I think it’s where it registers for Sidney how legendary Rodeo is as a “cosmic menace.”

 

Jo: What would you most like for readers to take away from Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem?

John: Just fun. I write to make kids have fun reading books.

 

Jo: Already your book is a reader favorite.  What has been your favorite reader response?

John: I’ve had several kids say to me already, “I wish I was a Daughter of Mayhem.” I always tell them, “You already are.”

 

Jo: What can readers look for in the sequel, Rodeo Hawkins and the Sons of Disaster? 

John: The sequel continues the misadventures of Sidney, Rodeo, and the Daughters of Mayhem as a vengeful enemy sets a trap using Sidney’s best bud from his old life. It’s been so much fun dreaming up new dangers and new hilarity for this wacky cast of characters.

Lightning Round!

No MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so. . . .

Favorite cities (besides the one in which you live):

Venice

Favorite musical group or artist:

Johnny Cash

Would you rather be able to speak every language in the world or talk to animals?

Every language. I love to talk to locals when I travel.

Favorite ice cream flavor?

Any combo with chocolate and something weird.

Do you prefer mountains or beaches or somewhere in between?

Mountains.

Favorite childhood TV show?

There was a campy Dungeons & Dragons TV series from the 80’s that I loved.

What is the best writing advice you have ever received?

That classic gem: “Write the story only you could write.” It’s my guiding star with everything I do.

Jo: Thanks for chatting with us John! And now. . . .

For a chance to win a copy of Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem, comment on the blog—and, if you’re on Twitter/X, on the Mixed-Up Files Twitter/X account, for an extra chance to win!  (Giveaway ends January 22, 2026 MIDNIGHT EST.) U.S. only, please. 

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WNDMG Author Interview: Leslie Vedder on her Novel THE NOWHERE BEAST

By on January 14, 2026   /   Articles, Author Interviews, books, New Releases   /   Leave a comment

Author Interview – Leslie Vedder

I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to author Leslie Vedder today. Leslie is a YA author who has written a beautiful Middle grade fantasy duo, and today we will be discussing the second book, THE NOWHERE BEAST, coming out February 10th, 2026 from G. Putnam Sons/Penguin Kids.

I adore fantasy, and this one intrigues me because it seems to have horror elements too. I actually only very recently started reading MG horror, so I am so excited to talk with Leslie and hear all about her wonderful book.

Librarians and educators- you don’t want to miss this!

About THE NOWHERE BEAST:

In the sequel to darkly inventive The Labyrinth of Souls, a girl must face a mysterious monster made of nothing but darkness and shadows that no one else can see.

For fans of Tim Burton, V.E. Schwab, and stories with a dash of the strange and macabre.

Ix Tatterfall is no stranger to the odd and the eerie. Her unusual lineage provides unique abilities, such as a strong Darklight power and unencumbered travel into the deadly Labyrinth of Souls. But even Ix is unprepared for the Nowhere Beast, a creature that threatens to consume everything she holds dear.

When the ghosts of Candle Corps past begin to rise from the catacombs, Ix and her friends are called to partake in an ancient magical tradition called the Reckoning, meant to reinforce the seals of protection at their magical school that hold the most dangerous Nightmare creatures from the Labyrinth at bay.

But the Reckoning quickly transforms into more than a test of their courage and skill; it is a race against time to save their world from the monstrous shadow beast created from the hopeless depths of Nothing from a land called Nowhere.

With the help of a mischievous Sorrow, a shadowy Scavenger Prince, and her loyal friends, Ix must navigate the pits of loneliness and confront her deepest fears. But does she know that the darkness inside her heart can be just as treacherous as the monster lurking in the shadows?

Interview with Leslie:

I loved getting to talk to Leslie about her new book and I know you will enjoy meeting her and Ix as well.

SSS: What a wonderful premise. I am so intrigued! What inspired you to write Ix’s story?

LV: This book really began with the world of Spinar and the mysterious Labyrinth of Souls. It’s a place that exists outside of our world—a mysterious place that’s ruled by our emotions. There are the Seven Sorrows, like Wrath and Misery and Despair, which are personification of feelings. As well as Nightmare Creatures, like Fright Bats that cause a sudden thrill of fear when they fly overhead, or the adorable but troublesome Weighty Sloth that sits like the weight of the world hanging off your shoulders until you can get rid of it.

This is very much a book about how we deal with our big and often complicated feelings.

The main character, Ix Tatterfall, is a bit of an outcast and a weirdo. She often finds it easier to connect to Nightmare creatures than to her classmates. (She and Wednesday Addams would have some things to talk about.) But she’s the perfect person to explore the forbidden Labyrinth and learn to understand the creatures within!

SSS: Tell us about this Nowhere Beast (the actual creature, and not just the whole book!) What makes it terrifying to the MC?

LV: I love this question, because this was actually one of my favorite parts of this book to write! The Nowhere Beast is a shadowy creature that comes from the mysterious land of Nowhere. It’s the place where missing things go: pens and buttons and single socks. But it’s also the place where other things abandoned and forgotten by humans end up—like sad, hopeless wishes whispered alone in the dark, which become Whisperwinks.

The Nowhere Beast first appears as a shadow, stalking Ix through the darkness and even into her dreams. I think it’s inherently frightening to know something’s there, just outside of the circle of our lamp or nightlight, but not know what it is. The monster in the dark is as much about what we imagine it might be as what it really is.

No spoilers, but I also loved the chance to hopefully surprise the reader at the end of the book, when we find out the true origin of the beast!

SSS: Tell us about MG horror- I know a lot of kids (like my own) are really into getting scared with books! Why do you think horror is so intriguing for younger readers?

 LV: I think there’s something really fun about being scared—especially when you can do it from the safety of your bed. I will never forget the first book that really terrified me. It was Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz, with the absolutely horrifying art by Stephen Gammell. Those stories definitely kept me up! Wherever that book is, in my family’s old Halloween box, I’m pretty sure it’d scare me just as much now.

 Often when we read scary stories, we’re not just watching characters be scared; we’re watching them learn to be brave and to overcome their fears. I think reading horror makes us a little bit braver, too.

 

SSS: I absolutely adore reading fantasy novels and love discovering worlds that are magical and fun adventurous stories where it seems like ALL the stakes are high! What drew you to writing fantasy?

LV: Fantasy books were definitely my first love! When I was little, a wonderful librarian at my local library took me by the hand and led me to the Alanna books by Tamora Pierce. I was hooked. I’d never been swept away into an adventure like that before; I’d never realized reading could be that fun.  

Fantasy set my imagination on fire like no other genre. It utterly transports us out of our lives in the most magical way, so the obstacles and challenges we’re so familiar with become fighting dragons and riding giant cats and sneaking into the enchanted forest without the wizards finding out. And since fantasy can be so full of action and danger, it quite naturally lends itself to stories where the stakes are ratcheted up to eleven. I love the freedom fantasy gives me to let my imagination run wild.

 

 SSS: I know you are an author of YA as well! How was pivoting to MG? Was it more difficult or easier to nail down the MG voice? Was it more fun!

LV: I had a lot of fun pivoting to MG, but there were also I lot of challenges I wasn’t expecting. Like word count! I wanted to create a rich and full fantasy world, but I had to figure out how to do that in a much shorter amount of time. 

I also spent a lot of time working to capture the MG voice for the main character, Ix Tatterfall. I wanted her to be a little weird and a little lonely, but with a lot of heart. I had to remind myself over and over that I didn’t always need to take myself so seriously. That being said, I absolutely adored being able to put in so much silliness and humor. These books are chock-full of made-up Nightmare creatures of all shapes and sizes. (I totally went overboard and had to cut extra Nightmares from every draft.)

Link to order here.

Writing Process

SSS: When did you start writing the story and was the process a long one?

LV: For me, there’s a lot of brainstorming that takes place before I start writing—on walks, and at coffee shops, and even in the shower. I feel like I start by socking away ideas for projects like a squirrel saving up nuts for the winter. Then at some point, I’ll suddenly hit on something that brings the project to life. For Ix Tatterfall, it was 100% the Labyrinth, with all its fun and fearsome nightmares. Once I hit on that, I felt like I was ready to write a book, and not just a random collection of ideas swimming around in my brain.

From there, I always try to get my first draft down as quickly as possible—usually just a couple of months. But it is a very rough first draft, and there’s always a lot of editing to be done afterward!

 

SSS: Are you a pantser or a plotter? And what helps you with finishing stories when you first start writing your drafts?

LV: I am very much a plotter. I need to know how a book is going to end to understand how to get there. But I think of my outlines more like road maps for an epic road trip, rather than step-by-step instructions. I chart out the basic path I’d like to take, the destination, and a few can’t-miss stops along the way—but I also leave myself a lot of space to discover new ideas, subplots, and roadside attractions along the journey.

Outlines are also my secret weapon for staying on track and actually getting to the end of a book. I often make myself a calendar with several goals marked—a really ambitious one, a more moderate one, and one that has a lot of wiggle room for unexpected road blocks. I print out a sheet with chapters listed on it, so I can mark them off with colored pens as I finish each one. I find crossing things out on paper to be really satisfying.

 

SSS: Do you think writing a sequel is harder or easier than writing the first book in a series?

LV: Personally, I find sequels a little easier because the characters are already established and so much of the worldbuilding is done. Without as much background information to convey, you get to jump right into the exciting part of the story.

That being said, one of the things that is harder about sequel writing is expectations—both from yourself and from readers. You want the book be as good as the first one, but still new and exciting—and you definitely don’t want to let fans down. So sometimes the pressure of book two is a lot more intense!

 

SSS: Any advice for fellow middle-grade authors looking to write MG horror or fantasy?

 LV: Remember to have fun! Kids love to laugh, especially when they’ve just had a big scare, so don’t be afraid to embrace some humor. Trying to be funny on purpose can be daunting, but think about the things that made you laugh when you were a kid—slime fights, and bunny slippers, and talking animals in silly hats. Go back and reread your favorite middle grade books and watch your favorite kids’ movies. It took some practice to remember how to have that kind of fun. Finding the right spark of humor (which, for me, was very much wordplay and puns) brought the whole story to life.

Bonus!

SSS: Bonus question! Tell me about this gorgeous cover!

LV: Abigail Larson is the amazing artist for both covers—she also does the black and white illustrations throughout the books! She is so good at bringing out the spooky-creepy side of the Labyrinth, but also the fun, heartwarming moments between Ix and her found family.

The cover has Ix with the shadow of the mysterious horned Nowhere Beast behind her, along with some hissing Mistcats at her feet. The back shows Ix’s best friends, Morrigan and Ollie, with one of my very favorite characters in the whole book, Smiles the Grinning Cat! I feel like there can never be enough cats on the cover of a book—or inside it, for that matter—so this cover was a dream come true. Or, to make a Labyrinth pun, a Nightmare come true!

 

Thank you Leslie for joining us and I hope readers and librarians enjoy your book! I know I am so excited to dive in!!!

About Leslie Vedder:

Leslie Vedder is a YA author who loves girl heroes and adventurers. She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction, and the Lord of the Rings movies, and met her true love in high school choir. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in creative writing. She lives in Boulder with her wife and her spoiled house cat, Fox Mulder, who’s just as curious and adventurous as his namesake. 

Website: https://www.leslievedder.com/

INSTAGRAM: @leslie.vedder

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