Featured Author & Giveaway: Sam Kadence

Sam Kadence has always dreamed about being someone else, somewhere else. With very little musical talent, Sam decided the only way to make those dreams come true was to try everything from cosplay at the local anime conventions to writing novels about pretending to run away to become a musician.

Sam has a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, sells textbooks for a living, enjoys taking photographs of Asian Ball Joint Dolls to tell more stories, and has eclectic taste in music from J-pop to rock and country. All of which finds its way into the books eventually.

Connect with Sam Kadence on Facebook or visit Sam's website: www.samkadence.com.

Q&A with Author Sam Kadence:

1. If you could swap places with one of your fictional characters for 24 hours, who would you choose to be? Why? And what would you do that day?
   
   I’d swap with Kerstrande and just to mess everyone up I’d be super extra nice to people all day. I’d go where it was really public like a mall or something, call attention to the fact that I’m an ex-superstar (well maybe not so ex), kiss young girls and allow photographs to be taken of me. By the end of the day everyone would think I was possessed. I’d have a private little laugh with Gene who knows just how nice KC can really be.


2. Please tell us a little bit about Evolution.
   
   Gene isn’t ordinary in any way. He’s Asian-American, Buddhist, sees dead people, and auras, among other less pleasant things, and sings for a rock band. He was abandoned by his best friend, dropped out of high school, got his GED and is still determined to make something useful of life. He fears he’s going to be alone forever, but meets his match in cranky vampire, Kerstrande “KC” Petterson. The story is one of self-discovery, love, and power for both of them.


3. The cover art for Evolution is striking. What is the symbolism of the design?
   
   When I asked for the cover I wanted something symbolic of my main character Genesis and the Evolution of the story. Without giving too much away, Gene discovers that not only can he see the dead he’s not exactly a normal seventeen year old. He has an inner fire that is un-extinguishable. I wanted the cover to reflect his progression and strong spirit without lots of backgrounds or pictures of people who were never quite what we as readers envisioned for the character.


4. What is unique about this story compared to other books in the genre?
   
   Evolution is an urban fantasy story about a boy who is different, but refuses to conform. He doesn’t play the part that people expect him to, and while he puts others first, he is willing to give up everything and everyone for that one true love we all wish to find. Unlike a lot of young adult fiction he doesn’t spend every moment contemplating how the world is against him, even though in a lot of ways it is. Gene finds something to move him forward each day, whether it’s the music, his grumpy boyfriend, or even something as trivial as a new hair color to try. He really does seek to find the positive in other people while he’s bombarded with visual negatives from the special abilities he was born with. One of the side characters, Rob, said something that is very true about Gene: “You’re this mega positive force and you need a negative opposite. That’s why Petterson fit for you.” The cover reflects how bright his light is in the universe.


5. What inspired you to tell this story?
   
   I started on this story more than seven years ago, wanting to write something about this kid who’s barely making, has these crazy powers, but finds the one person who can be the center of his universe. The story comes from my first few years living on my own, struggling to make the rent and still keep food in the cupboards. Those first few years of trying to be a grown-up were pretty hard, and while I hoped to find someone who would complete me like KC does for Gene, that didn’t happen, but existing is no longer a struggle. I’ve evolved, much like the characters have, into someone stronger, more focused. That is the story of Evolution.


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   That you can be awesome no matter what you do or who you are. Gene had a lot of things stacked against him. He dropped out of school, but got his GED. His best friend let him down more than once. His family cared about him, but not enough to shelter him from the harsh realities of the world. At seventeen he was on his own, making his own way, finding his own joy. Or at least he thought he was. Then he met KC and he realized what it really meant to get what he wanted. Sure his life still isn’t perfect by any means and love doesn’t conquer all, but he’s willing to keep moving forward, light the next candle, and give as good as he gets.

Now Available from Sam Kadence:

Evolution Gene Sage has only ever wanted to sing, but his band, Evolution, is pushing him toward the big time. He finds it hard to focus on making musical history when he’s dreaming of graveyards and seeing ghosts. And while all he can think of is hiding who he is from a world unforgiving of anyone different, he discovers he’s also the ultimate snack for vampires and demons. When Gene literally runs into—over—his idol, Kerstrande Petterson, rock god, vampire in hiding, and music cynic, his life falls over the edge into chaos.

Jaded by the world and nearly a decade in the music business, Kerstrande thinks Gene wants to use him to make Evolution immortal in more than one way, but he can’t seem to brush aside the young singer’s enthusiasm.

Getting involved with Kerstrande drags Gene into otherworldly power struggles. Between the ghosts stalking them, the media painting supernaturals as villains, and a vampire out of control in the city, the only way for Gene and Kerstrande to survive is for Gene to embrace his powers—and his destiny.

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Evolution Giveaway!

Sam Kadence has generously donated a free copy of Evolution for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address.