Author Interviews

It’s the End of the World and I’m in my Bathing Suit: Interview with the Justin A. Reynolds

By on April 7, 2022   /   Author Interviews  

It’s the End of the World and I’m in my Bathing Suit. Doesn’t that title say it all? From the start, we know we are embarking on a sci fi story—and a funny one at that. I am so glad to have gotten to read the newest book by Justin A. Reynolds as I find science fiction such an intriguing genre.

About the Book

Hi Justin! Thank you for sharing It’s the End of the World and I’m in my Bathing Suit with us. Can you give us a short summary about the book?

Eddie’s spent half a summer waiting for this one day: Beach Bash, his town’s annual awesome beach party. Except on the morning of, Eddie’s told he can’t go…unless he does his least favorite chore of all-time, LAUNDRY. Yuck. But when the power goes out mid-washing cycle, Eddie, along with a few friends from the neighborhood, soon discover that not only are they probably not gonna make it to Beach Bash, their families and friends (and entire town) may never come back.

When did it come out?

April 5th, 2022!

About the Author

Did you always want to be an author? Tell us a little about your writing journey.

Absolutely. In kindergarten I wrote on green construction paper, I want to be a writer when I grow up. It was a long, windy road to get to this point, and there were a lot of times I didn’t know how it was ever gonna happen, but it was well worth the journey.

You have a great cast of characters. Who do you relate to the most?

This is gonna seem like a cop-out, but the truthful answer is, all of them. They’re all composites of people I know, of myself, of random experiences, of chaotic creative energy—and I love all five of them. But I’ll pick one for the sake of the question and I’ll say Eddie, because his brain is much like mine, kind of all over the place, and rather than accept it as a weakness, for Eddie it’s his superpower.

I have to ask: Did you have to wash your own clothes growing up (and did you try Eddie’s brilliant plan to save it all to do at once)?

My mom did most of my laundry until I was probably 15 or 16 and then I voluntarily took it over from there. And unfortunately, when I was growing up, I did not try Eddie’s brilliant plan. Not because I don’t believe in it, I do, but because I wasn’t smart enough to come up with it back then. Man, how kid justin would’ve loved that idea though, haha!

Research/Writing

Would you say you’re more of a plotter or pantser?

Plantser. 100% a plantser.

Can you tell us whether a sequel is coming out (and when!)?

I can neither confirm nor deny there’s a sequel in the works. That said, there is definitely a sequel in the works. Or is there??

I see your books Opposite of Always and Early Departures are also science fiction. Is that your jam? Did you grow up enjoying science fiction?

I love science fiction, yes. It’s for sure my jam. I love how it wrestles with life’s big questions. I love the breadth and scope of its imaginative powers. And I love the hope it so often provides.

Your chapter titles crack me up (I was hoping someone would catch me reading and be impressed I was on chapter 3600!). Any tips for writing humor?

I actually don’t set out to write jokes in my stories. I imagine if I did they’d be awful because in real life, whenever I try to be funny, my jokes land with a thud, ha. But I find when I’m letting the story come to me, when I’m not trying to steer it any one direction, even in the most serious of moments, there’s always a natural levity there, waiting for a laugh.

Information for Teachers

Are you doing school visits related to this book? Tell us more!

Yes, this story is classified MG by the good folks that classify things, and so far I’ve done school visits from 4th grade and up. It’s been a lot of fun.

How can we learn more about you?

Website: justinareynolds.com

Twitter: andthisjustin

IG:  justinwritesya

TikTok: andthisjustin

My mom

Thank you for your time, Justin!

Thank you for having me! 😀

 

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World Building with Bestselling #Kidlit Author Lisa McMann

By on March 28, 2022   /   Articles, Author Interviews, For Writers, New Releases, Writing  

Author Lisa McMann stopped by The Mixed-Up Files Of Middle Grade Authors to talk about hew new middle-grade fantasy, THE FORGOTTEN FIVE: MAP OF FLAMES; world building; and what goes in to writing a series. Here, she shares her process on beginning a new series and what to do about readers who don’t start from the beginning. 

Mixed-Up Files: Tell us about your new book.

The Forgotten Five: Map of Flames by Lisa McMann

Lisa McMann: THE FORGOTTEN FIVE: MAP OF FLAMES is the first book in a middle grade fantasy series. It’s about five supernatural kids, raised in isolation, who enter a hostile-to-supers civilization for the first time to search for their missing criminal parents…and the stash they left behind.

MUF: Let’s talk about world building. How does the shape of a series come about? Do you come up with a single story first, or a world you want to flesh out?

LM: I usually come up with the immediate setting first—where are we when the story begins? In MAP OF FLAMES, it’s a criminals’ hideout on a beach with no electricity, no technology, just a handful of cabins in a lush setting that’s isolated from the modern world. Next I came up with the destination—where are these kids going and what does that look like. I wanted a big contrast between the two things here, so I went with a NYC or Chicago-type of city. When I imagined how the kids would get from one place to the other, the map of southern Europe factored in—I pictured the hideout at the boot heel of Italy, and the big city of Estero at the bottom of Spain (though I brought them closer together so it wouldn’t take so long to get there). So that map was in my head, as well as the contrasting locations. In one of my other series, THE UNWANTEDS, the hidden magical world of Artimé is designed to look like a place where my mother grew up, along the shore of Lake Michigan. I took that real life location and added magic to it.

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMannFor me the shape of the series comes from two things: developing flawed characters and their relationships, and introducing a plot in which the antagonists push the protagonists too far, forcing these main characters to take action. Both things drive the series, with all kinds of setbacks as the heroes attempt to overcome evil and build strengthening relationships at the same time. The bigger the world and its problems, and the more troubled the characters and their need to fix themselves, the longer the series can run.

MUF: What are the biggest challenges in writing a series, and how does that compare when you write a stand-alone novel?

LM: Now you’ve got me looking back at my career and realizing I’ve only ever written three stand-alones out of 28 books. So maybe my biggest challenge is being able to write a book and actually tie up all the loose ends!

With a series, you are writing a story arc within each individual book, but also a story arc for the whole series. That can be tricky to get the hang of—parts of the plot need to resolve while other parts need to become more conflicted. It’s definitely something that my editors have helped me see and understand in past series’. It really takes a conscious effort to recognize the two different arcs.

Author Lisa McMann

Lisa McMann, author. Photo by Ryan Nicholson

MUF: Do you expect that readers will always read in order, or do you find that many people jump in in the middle of a series? If that’s the case, how do you provide back story for new readers without turning off anyone who’s started with book #1?

LM: I absolute wish I could force everyone to read the books in order—I’m a bit controlling this way, haha. But I know this doesn’t always happen. In the early pages of every sequel, I try to weave in key elements of things that happened in the past, kind of the same way TV shows give you the recap of important scenes from the previous episodes. I don’t want this to ever feel heavy-handed or annoying for those faithful readers who read the books in order, though. So it’s a delicate balance to inform or remind but not overdo.

MUF: How much collaboration is involved with your editor on a book series?

LM: I think this depends more on the editor than the writer. Some editors want an outline ahead of time that they can contribute to or approve of. Others are fine with letting an author do their thing and being surprised with the way a book turns out. Both ways work. I prefer not having to write an outline, because I feel like doing that takes something away from the creative process of writing the story—it feels limiting. But if that’s what the editor needs, I’m happy to provide it.

MUF: How do you keep track of your characters and their environment so you don’t forget details?

LM: I keep it all in my head. I might jot down a few notes on my phone app—notes about a key sentence that will carry through to the next book. But it’s also not too difficult to search for the information I need in previous books if I can’t remember something. I know many writers keep copious notes and use other means to track everything—they are likely cringing right now. I just work a different way. I can see a picture of things in my mind. I think my book details take up most of the space in my brain because I can’t remember what I had for breakfast.

MUF: If you would like to share any recent/new-ish middle grade books you’ve enjoyed, we’d love to hear your recommendations! 

All Thirteen

LM: I love Kelly Yang’s Front Desk Books. And Christina Soontornvat’s non-fiction All Thirteen. On my nightstand I have A Comb of Wishes by Lisa Stringfellow and The School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix—excited to dive in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can find Lisa at @lisa_mcmann on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram and /McMannFan on Facebook

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When the World Runs Dry: Author Interview + Giveaway

By on March 21, 2022   /   Author Interviews  

When I saw the topic for this book, I was excited to read it. I recently began seeking out books on sustainability as it is a personal interest of mine. I expected that When the World Runs Dry would be solely about drought. I didn’t realize how little I knew about the many ways our water can become unusable.

When the World Runs Dry touches on so many different water-related issues that have occurred throughout the United States and the world. It also shares personal stories of those affected and their efforts to help their community get back their clean water source. I got a chance to learn more with author Nancy F. Castaldo just in time for World Water Day, March 22.

 

About the Book

Hi Nancy! Thank you for sharing When the World Runs Dry with me. Can you give us a short summary about this nonfiction book?

Hello! Happy to be here to discuss WHEN THE WORLD RUNS DRY.  Like me, and my readers, you’ve probably seen stories in the news about water quality and quantity. They seem to be everywhere. My latest book addresses those stories and provides readers with ways to help preserve and protect this precious natural resource. After all, WATER IS LIFE!

 

When did the come out?

The book hit bookstore shelves in January!

 

What is your personal connection to this topic?

Well, I need water to live, just like every other organism on our planet. I also was fortunate to have a mom who taught me that my voice mattered as she worked to keep our water supply healthy when I was a kid. We all should be concerned about keeping our water available and clean. Global water issues impact everyone.

 

About the Author

Tell us about you. Did you read a lot of nonfiction as a child?

I read everything – Nancy Drew mysteries, fables and folktales, and nonfiction. I can still picture my elementary school library’s nonfiction shelves. I loved poring over biographies about women. Marie Curie was a favorite. But even before I could read, I loved hearing my parents read nonfiction books and poetry to me.

It’s always so fun to see authors as kids!

Who are some of your favorite authors?

On the adult side, I am greatly inspired by Rachel Carson. When I talk about kidlit, I love so many of the books by my nonfiction author friends, including Patricia Newman, Deborah Heiligman, and so many others. I also love reading the poetry of Jeannine Atkins, Margarita Engle, and Joyce Sidman.

You mentioned tagging along with your mom when she petitioned in the neighborhood. At the time, did you understand the significance?

My mom was also my Girl Scout leader. She was a huge force in my life and for the girls in our troop. Yes, I was old enough to understand. My mom also brought me with her when she served as a US census taker. These experiences opened my eyes to the world around me.

 

Research/Writing

Did you travel to the locations mentioned in your book for research?

I was fortunate to be able to visit most of them. You’ll see my photos throughout the book from Flint, Tucson, California, Venice, Colorado, Hoosick, and New Hampshire. Speaking firsthand with people in these communities was essential for me.

 

Did you write a proposal on this topic for submission? If not, how did it come to be?

Yes, all my nonfiction books begin with a proposal that includes fragments of my research.

 

Have you made any changes in your own life as a result of your research?

While I was already aware of how I could conserve water in my own home, researching this book did change my shopping behaviors. I strive to use less energy and less plastic. I shop less for clothes and pay attention to the bathing and cleaning products I flush down the drain. In addition, my interest and activism in environmental justice issues increased.

 

You are the author of many nature/nonfiction books for all ages. What is your favorite age to write for?

I can honestly say I don’t have a favorite age to write for. Each story dictates the genre and age. For me, story comes first.

 

Information On Water

I loved your analogy comparing straws in a milkshake to too many people trying to access clean water. Can you explain?

If you’ve watched the movie There Will Be Blood, you might remember hearing Daniel Day-Lewis using the straws-in-the-milkshake analogy to describe underground reserves of oil. Like oil, water reserves also run underground under communities and homes. I borrowed that analogy to describe the pipes leading from these groundwater supplies to our homes, business, and schools.

 

What are the easiest changes people can make in their life?

In the book, I’ve included many ways that we can help preserve and protect our water resources. A great first step is to find out about your own water supply. Where does your water originate? Is it treated in any way? What might impact it? Knowing more about your own water will help determine the best way to protect it.

I hope that teachers and readers will find lots of ways to help in the last chapter of WHEN THE WORLD RUNS DRY. In addition, the Resources section will then point them to books to read, hashtags to follow, and videos to watch to provide jumping off points to more learning. I hope teachers will take a look.

 

Information for Teachers

I hadn’t heard about the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Can you tell us a bit more about this and how teachers can involve their students?

It’s a fantastic opportunity for curious, budding scientists and inventors. I was so impressed with the winning water-based inventions and was happy to include a couple in WHEN THE WORLD RUNS DRY. Teachers can find out more about it at https://www.youngscientistlab.com/challenge

 

Are you doing school visits related to this book? Tell us more!

Yes, I have been doing virtual visits throughout the United States for middle school and high school grades. I’ve loved hearing so many insightful questions from my readers.

 

Do you have a curriculum guide or discussion questions posted online?

Teachers can explore my recent LitLinks post on Patricia Newman’s blog to find an activity about drinking water for their students. https://www.patriciamnewman.com/litlinks-will-our-world-run-dry-easy-ways-to-help-students-raise-their-voices-about-water/.

 

How can we learn more about you?

Readers and educators can learn about me and my books from my website  https://nancycastaldo.com,  Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/naturespeak/ or follow me on  Twitter @NCastaldoAuthor.

 

Thank you for your time. This is such an important topic, and you did a great job breaking it down for your readers.

Thank you! One of my favorite quotes came from an Audubon magazine review: WHEN THE WORLD RUNS DRY is the book to read “if you want to go from depressed to fired-up and ready for action.” I’m hoping my readers feel the same way.

Nancy F. Castaldo will be giving a copy of When the World Runs Dry to a lucky reader. Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a copy. (U.S. addresses only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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