Featured Author & Giveaway: Skye Allen

Skye Allen has had short fiction published in Toasted Cheese Literary Journal and Of Dragons and Magic: Tales of the Lost Worlds and poetry in Insomnia and Sinister Wisdom. She works as a singing teacher and occasionally performs Irish music around the San Francisco Bay Area, where she lives with her wife, two cats, and four chickens. Pretty Peg is her first novel.


Connect with Skye Allen on Twitter @eppiemorrie or visit her website: allenskye.com.

Q&A with Author Skye Allen:

1. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   The obvious answer is that the hero is a girl-loving girl! I love all the YA fantasy novels with strong teenage girls in the lead, but most of them are straight. I really wanted to see someone like Josy in the kind of book I love – a fast, emotional adventure where the magical world meets the familiar world.
   
   Beyond that, though, Pretty Peg goes into some heavy topics. The plot was inspired by a traditional Scottish song called “The Bonnie Banks o’ Fordie,” which is about incest. I’ve always been fascinated by the way the three sisters in the song handle the situation, and how the youngest sister seems fearless and heartbroken at the same time. One thing I love about YA is the freedom to go deep into the gnarliest places in the psyche and to confront some of the biggest horrors we live with -- whether they take the form of vampires or werewolves, or of other humans in a position to do harm.


2. Which of your characters is most like you?
   
   I’m definitely in everyone in the book. I’m just as snarky (and as secretly vulnerable) as Josy, I get just as distracted by a good music practice session as Laura, and I’m just as much of a rule-follower as Neil. But I share the most real-life history and articles of faith with Margaret. I spent a long time believing that working for social change would help me hush the demons in my head – it did, and still does. But I’ve also learned that you still have to take on your demons face-to-face and find a way to coexist, which Margaret never got the chance to do.


3. How do you research for your books?
   
   I have a whole shelf of books about the U.S. war with Afghanistan that I collected to help me navigate Margaret’s story. And even though I’ve lived in Oakland, I had to consult my wife (who was born in the East Bay) about some local geography I wanted to keep intact. I did change some parts of the map where the story needed it. I also relied on my brilliant, talented teenage voice students for authentic dialog and fashion!


4. Do you have a nervous habit when writing?  A guilty pleasure when writing?  
   
   Caffeine. Definitely caffeine. I wrote the first draft of Pretty Peg for NaNoWriMo, and it was All! Coffee! All! The! Time! I was working full-time in a stressful admin assistant job and I wrote early every morning and late every night for that one crazy month. Now I try to rely more on green tea for my writing binges. I also have a weird problem where I can’t listen to music with lyrics when I’m writing, not even in a language I don’t speak. I’m a singer, and I get too distracted by vocal music. I have a 3-hour playlist that’s mostly artists like Django Reinhardt, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Yo-Yo Ma – fantastic music that I could never play myself.


5. Are there any LGBT charities or resources that are near and dear to you that you would like to give a shout out to?
   
   I’m really moved by the work of Larkin Street Youth Services in San Francisco. They work with homeless teens, many of whom are LGBTQ+. They’ve offered respect and the beginnings of stability to a lot of kids who had no place else to turn over the years.


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   That you are gorgeous exactly the way you are! My main character, Josy, is plus-sized, and one of the lessons she learns is just how desirable she is. I heard Nomy Lamm say at a show once, “Fat and pretty go together like peanut butter and chocolate,” and that’s true!

Now Available from Skye Allen:

Pretty Peg High school senior Josy Grant already had plenty on her plate before she found the magic puppet theater her murdered sister left behind.  Despite Josy’s grief, the responsibility of taking care of her family falls to her, and being queer doesn’t make dealing with school any easier. Things only get worse when sexy new girl Nicky tells Josy her sister died at the hands of a mysterious figure from the Faerie Realm called the Woodcutter, and if they can’t stop him, Josy and her remaining sister will be next.

They have just days before the Woodcutter strikes again on the autumn equinox, so Josy follows Nicky into the Faerie Realm to hunt him. Along the way, she discovers Fey gifts of her own and answers to the questions that have driven the Grant family apart. Nothing comes for free when dealing with Fey, though, and those gifts and answers might come at a terrible price.

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Pretty Peg Giveaway!

Skye Allen has generously donated a free copy of Pretty Peg for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen on June 15th.

Featured Author & Giveaway: Amy Dunne

Amy Dunne was raised in Derbyshire, England. She attended Keele University and graduated in 2007 with a BSc in Philosophy and Psychology. After graduating she worked for a while with vulnerable young people. She is currently setting up her own speech writing business and concentrating on her writing. She is married to her beautiful wife, Lou. They have two gorgeous cats and a mischievous dog. 


Connect with Amy Dunne on Twitter @giftofthegaborg or visit her website: facebook.com/amy.dunne.165.

Q&A with Author Amy Dunne:

1. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   Secret Lies is unique in that it doesn’t shy away from the slightly darker issues that some young adults experience. I worked for a number of years with vulnerable young people and it really impacted on my life.
   
   Self-harm and abuse both play a pig part of in Jenny and Nicola’s lives. I wanted to raise awareness of these subjects but also give an insight that some people might not otherwise see. It was difficult getting the balance just right. In no way did I want to make either subject gratuitous, but I did also want to do them justice. I hope I’ve gotten the balance just right.
   
   The story also explores how Jenny and Nicola overcome these issues. That’s a really important part of the book. No matter how scary and dark things become, there’s always help and support available.
   
   I should probably point out that the story isn’t all doom and gloom. Far from it. The experience of first love is a wondrous thing. There’s laughter and drama all thrown in the mix.


2. If you could travel back in time and tell the teenage you one thing, what would it be?
   
   “Amy, you’re a lesbian. Surprise!”
   
   Well, maybe I’d not say it in quite that way. Knowing my teenage self as I do, I wouldn’t have listened anyway. In my head I was still thinking about becoming a Catholic nun. My reasoning at the time was as follows: I’d watched Sister Act too many times, I didn’t have to go near guys, and I’d be locked away with a bunch of repressed women. Thank goodness I finally saw sense.
   
   What I’d really say to my teenage self is, “Everything’s going to be just fine. You’ve got some amazing things to look forward to and a few difficult times ahead as well. Just keep on being you and follow your heart. It’s worth it in the end.”
   
   What would my teenage self say in return? I imagine it’d be, “Err, okay. Thanks. Do I really put on that much weight?”


3. Is there anything from your own teen years that has been placed into your books?
   
   Yes, there are a few things.
   
   Jenny confesses to watching Sister Act repeatedly as a child. I did that but took in one step further and genuinely considered becoming a nun.
   
   Jenny’s parents are Irish. Both sets of my grandparents are Irish and a lot of the mannerisms are the same. Such as: feeding large portions of home cooked food, the nosiness, the great sense of humor, and the closeness / importance of family.
   
   Home cooked food is important in Jenny’s family home. It was important in my family home too. Perhaps it’s the Irish in us, but we’ve always had lots of mash potato. I drive my wife crazy because it’s still one of my favorite foods and I insist we have it at least twice a week if not more.
   
   Nicola is an avid reader, (Like me) and for her coursework she’s reading, The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. This is one of the books I read and wrote an essay about when I was in college.
   
   Nicola isn’t a huge fan of drinking alcohol but in the end she quite likes cider. I drank cider occasionally as a teenager and I still drink it to this day.


4. Which of your characters is most like you?
   
   Would it be cheating if I said both? Well, I’m going to say it anyway.
   
   Jenny is fiery and has a bit of a temper. She feels like no one really knows her and she’s terrified of being seen as different. Accepting her attraction to Nicola is a huge deal. She’s also incredibly caring and protective beneath the surly exterior.
   
   My teenage self was pretty much the same with the exception that I totally ignored my feelings for women and buried them deep down inside. I didn’t come to terms with my sexuality until I was in my mid twenties. So, I have huge respect for characters like Jenny and all of the young people who are brave enough to accept who they are at such an early age.
   
   Nicola is great at listening and is sensitive to other people’s emotions and feelings. She loves reading and devours one book after another. When she starts to think she might be gay she buys lots of lesbian themed books and DVDs online.
   
   I did this too. I spent a small fortune one night and then had to hide them all around my room so no one would find them. They opened my eyes to what life as a lesbian was really like and went on to help me accept who I was. I’ve also always been sensitive to other people’s emotions and feelings. My sister and mum are the same. Even today we still have people telling us their deepest darkest secrets. Thankfully, like Nicola, we’re all great at keeping secrets.


5. Tell us about your cover design. Is there any symbolism from the story reflected in the cover?
   
   Bold Strokes Books has an incredibly talented graphic artist named Sheri. I was curious to see what she’d come up with. A number of varying designs were e-mailed to me and this one stood out among the others. It far exceeded my expectations. I love it as much today as I did when I first saw it. The girl on the front looks like how I described Jenny. The intense expression on her face, the tussled hair, and the interlinked fingers all show that she’s considering something serious. The jagged tear down the front suggests something dark and broken. The red text emphasizes the title and in conjunction with the image sets the mood perfectly for the story. It’s dark and gritty. Have I mentioned that I love it? Because I really do.


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   Firstly, I’d like young readers to enjoy reading my novel. I hope they feel represented in the characters, story, and the emotions that are explored.
   
   When I was a young adult I remember reading everything I could get my hands on just to see if I could relate to the story and characters. More often than not, this wasn’t the case.
   
   This was the driving force behind writing Secret Lies. I wanted to give an honest portrayal of what life can be like for queer youth today without shying away from some of the serious issues. As a result the story is a little gritty and deals with some dark themes such as abuse and self-harm. It also explores the positives that come with experiencing first love, sexuality, and self-acceptance.
   
   I hope readers take solace from Jenny and Nicola’s story. No matter how dark and difficult life can seem, this won’t always be the case. For young people who are experiencing self-harm or abuse don’t be afraid to seek help. There are resources and support available. Never give up on yourself or your dreams. Never apologize for who you are and who you love. There’s a wealth of support, love, and incredible opportunities in the world, just waiting for you.

Now Available from Amy Dunne:

Secret Lies Would you face your biggest fear, to save the one you love?

Nicola Jackson escapes from her abuser, only to realize that she has no one to turn to and nowhere to go. In a twist of fate, she accidentally bumps into Jenny O’Connor, the most popular girl at school. They strike up an unlikely friendship. As their trust in each other develops, they share their darkest secrets, and their relationship blossoms into a secret romance.

Jenny loves Nicola, but she is fearful that if their secret relationship is discovered, she might lose her family, friends, and seemingly perfect life.

Nicola confronts her abuser and blackmails him to leave for good, but things go terrifyingly wrong. Jenny is left with a life-changing dilemma: should she face her fear and accept who she is, or let Nicola take the blame and pretend their relationship never happened?

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Secret Lies Giveaway!

Amy Dunne has generously donated a free paperback copy of Secret Lies for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen on June 8th.

Featured Author & Giveaway: Andrew Demcak

Andrew Demcak is an award-winning poet and novelist whose work has been widely published and anthologized both in print and on-line, and whose books have been featured by The American Library Association, Verse Daily, The Lambda Literary Foundation, The Best American Poetry blog, The Nervous Breakdown, and Poets/Artists. His first Young Adult (YA) novel, GHOST SONGS, was published March 13, 2014 by Harmony Ink Press. His first literary novel, If There's A Heaven Above, was published January 5, 2013 by JMS Books. His fourth book of poetry, Night Chant, was published by Lethe Press, 2011. His other poetry books are: A Single Hurt Color, GOSS 183::Casa Menendez Press, 2010, Zero Summer, BlazeVOX [Books], NY, 2009 and his first poetry book, Catching Tigers in Red Weather, three candles press, 2007, that was selected by Joan Larkin to win the Three Candles Press Open Book Award. He was a 2010 Finalist for The Crazyhorse Poetry Award. His work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Lambda Award, Thom Gunn Poetry Award, both the California and Northern California Book Awards, Best of the Web, and others. He has an M. F. A. in English/Creative Writing from St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA. 


Connect with Andrew Demcak on Twitter @andrewdemcak or visit his website: www.andrewdemcak.com.

Q&A with Author Andrew Demcak:

1. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   Ghost Songs is genre bending in two ways: first, it's a GLBTQ YA novel that’s not a romance. The lead character, Todd, doesn’t spend all his time pining over some boy or worrying about his sexuality. It’s a ghost story and not someone’s diary entries. The second way is: Ghost Songs, as M/M fiction, has extremely strong female characters. Todd’s best friend Jennifer, and Todd’s mother, Eddie, are not just decorations in the background – their stories are as important as Todd’s.


2. What are your writing goals for the next five years?
   
   I’ve got two more unpublished novels finished: another GLBTQ YA novel, A Little Bit Langston, which is a speculative fiction coming out story (read: coming out = super powers) and my adult literary fiction, Limboville (it’s a farce about the most famous pulp fiction romance writer going through a divorce and cancer treatment – I know that doesn’t sound funny. But it is, as well as being very touching.) Plus I have two more completed poetry collections, Lazarus and The Excitable Gift, both ready to go. I am currently finishing my new poetry collection, Crytopedia, which is an encyclopedia of the weird and strange, all the prose poetry cut-up from Wikipedia articles.


3. Do you believe in ghosts?
   
   Yes. I grew up in a haunted house. The ghost used to jingle keys down the hallways and come and sit on the edge of beds during the night. Creepy, but totally harmless. It was like the loop of an old film that kept playing.


4. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?
   
   Ahhh, that’s the theme of my new GLBTQ YA novel, A Little Bit Langston. The lead character James always seems to give off a green spark of electricity when he touches his best friend Paul. I wonder what that could be all about?


5. What other interests do you have outside of writing?
   
   Knitting, collection 20th century American art pottery (Love Grueby, Rookwood, and Rose Cabat’s work), jogging, hiking, camping with my partner Roland (he’s an ex-Marine and is into all that stuff, too)


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   The takeaway is a real sense that they are Okay as they are, and they do not have to do this alone. We are a large supportive community. Also, I like to think my books impart a kind of hope, or at least, a positive outlook, in spite of their heavy-duty subject matter.

Now Available from Andrew Demcak:

Ghost Songs It’s not easy being Todd Williams, a fourteen-and-a-half-year-old gay musical prodigy. The bullies, Bob and Ari, at his fancy private school make his life a living hell. Todd’s drunken, irresponsible mother, Eddie, constantly embarrasses him and puts his artistic future in jeopardy. And now, his best friend, Jennifer, who plays clarinet with him in the orchestra, isn’t speaking to him. Maybe Leroy, Todd’s friendly poltergeist, knows what’s going on with her. To top it off, he can no longer rely on Jennifer's help in the race to solve a puzzle that could lead to a buried treasure. Todd must learn to stand alone. He’s finding out that growing up is far scarier than he ever imagined.

If There’s a Heaven Above (18+) (Nominated by The American Library Association for its 2014 Rainbow Books List) "If There's A Heaven Above" takes the reader on a tour of the Southern California demi-monde Goth scene of the mid-1980s, as seen through the eyes of 18 year-old club-kid, Matt. Andrew Demcak combines innocence with experience, sex and drugs, Love and Rockets, with just the right touch of poetry. It is a thrilling ride along the freeways and turntables of that era: when AIDS was new, Reagan was King, and hope was a wounded kitten, cared for by the creatures of the night.

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Ghost Songs and If There’s a Heaven Above Giveaway!

Andrew Demcak has generously donated a free copy of Ghost Songs and If There’s a Heaven Above for two lucky winners. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen on June 1st.

Featured Author & Giveaway: Krissy Bells

Krissy Bells was born and raised in the Detroit metro area. A former school secretary, she now spends her days as a stay-at-home mom. She is passionate about her family and friends, her Dachshund named Harry, and anything topped with cheese or chocolate.


Q&A with Author Krissy Bells:

1. If you could travel back in time and tell the teenage you one thing, what would it be?
   
   Not to worry so much about what other people think of me and to stand up for myself. I still have to remind myself of those things daily.


2. Do you have a nervous habit when writing?  A guilty pleasure when writing?  
   
   Snacks are absolutely involved in all of my writing sessions. I’m a procrastinator for sure and unfortunately chocolate is the perfect stress reliever for me. At least until I realize, I’ve say, emptied an entire bag of Dove chocolates or as I like to affectionately refer to them, Dovies.


3. Is there one genre of YA that you would love to write but haven’t?
   
   I totally hope I can write a fantasy novel one day. When books are able to take their reader to an entirely new world, I think it is truly amazing. Getting lost in a place filled with creatures and words and things that you have never even heard of before is a magical experience.


4. What season do you like to write your stories in most or do you love writing in all of them and why?
   
   Fall is the perfect time to write. It is my favorite time of the year and always brings me my greatest inspiration.


5. If there is one message you would like to get out from your book, what would it be?
   
   I hope that there are several that are present in the story of Aaron Garrett. More than anything I want readers to consider the ways in which their actions may unknowingly or even unintentionally affect others. I was inspired to write this story after the Phil Robertson, Duck Dynasty controversy occurred. I was shocked to see the outpouring of social media support for such ludicrous statements. It made me want to put myself in the shoes of someone struggling with their sexuality on the other side, maybe having to see their loved ones post support for the comments. Especially with social media, it has become much easier to hurt others without even having to look at the other person or be accountable. Whether it is memes with racially insensitive jokes or pictures of scantily clad girls being passed around and promoted. I just wanted to remind people that there are individuals that those things affect and hurt. There is a gay teen somewhere that saw that stupid meme you posted with homophobic content or a girl struggling with her body image that is constantly seeing people like and share pictures of women with unattainable physiques. I think social media insensitivity is unfortunately a problem that will continue to impact our future generations.


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   That acceptance and love are the most amazing of gifts.

Now Available from Krissy Bells:

Fag Aaron Garrett is many things in life: he is a son, a friend, a student, and caring boyfriend to his lovely girlfriend Leigh Ann. In these roles, he is kind, hardworking, smart, loving, dedicated, and considerate. At Jefferson High School, he is a leader, a football star, and well-respected by his peers. Aaron’s life is perfectly on track, he is pursuing a college scholarship and hopeful for the future, except for just one thing: Aaron Garrett is gay. When a former child star from Aaron’s small Southern town saturates the national media after making homophobic comments, Aaron’s life is turned upside down as supporters rally around the sentiments. Social media attention begins to swell nationally and locally until it begins to eat away at every part of Aaron’s existence.

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Fag Giveaway!

Krissy Bells has generously donated a free copy of Fag for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen on May 25th.

Featured Author & Giveaway: Alex Norris

Alex Norris is an author and undergraduate at the University of Cambridge.


Connect with Alex Norris on Twitter @AlexSNorris or visit his website: www.AlexNorrisBooks.com.

Q&A with Author Alex Norris:

1. What part of the story was the most fun to write? The most challenging?
   
   I always enjoy writing no matter which part of the book I’m focused on, but there were certainly parts of this story that were harder to write than others. Anyone who has read the novel will know that it contains some fairly gritty scenes and some rather unpleasant events and these were, at times, very hard for me to write about. On one hand, I was keen to portray the events in the book in as realistic a way as possible, but on the other, I was cautious not to stray into giving overly explicit descriptions. There were times when I was unsure of how much sexual detail would be appropriate for certain scenes, but ultimately I think I struck a fairly good balance.


2. What are your writing goals for the next five years?
   
   Ideally, I’d like to release a new book every year. At the moment I’m sticking to that goal and am planning to release my second novel this summer. As I’m currently in my final year at university though, the future is a little uncertain at the moment. I don’t know where I’ll be in a year’s time or what I’ll be doing, but whatever it is, I will certainly make sure I have plenty of time for writing.


3. Which of your characters is most like you?
   
   My main character, Lewis, is based very heavily on myself. At first I was cautious of creating a protagonist based on so many aspects of my own personality, mostly because I worried people would take the story as a memoir rather than a work of fiction. However in the end, I decided that the most important thing for me was to include a strong sense of realism. I decided that by drawing from my own emotions and experiences (some of Lewis’ memories are almost indistinguishable from my own), I would be able to create a character that was both convincing and relatable.


4. Is there anything from your own teen years that has been placed into your books?
   
   I put lots of myself into my writing purely because I want to write realistic fiction that is heavily based on real life. Throughout the entire novel you can find references to popular culture taken straight from real life as well as the odd episode that I have loosely adapted from my own experiences. I find it’s very easy to fall into clichés when writing about certain themes and so I try to depend on my own experiences as much as possible. At one point of the book, Lewis is dogged by memories of a boy he was infatuated with, but who let him down. The whole episode is taken more or less word-for-word from my own experience. It is quite cathartic to talk about such difficult experiences through the prism of fiction – it gives you some distance from the events and lets you assess them objectively. Ultimately though, the aspects of my own life that are in the book are not necessarily specific to me, but are experiences and emotions that most people will have gone through, or will go through, at some point. I hope that people will be able to relate to what I write, and understand that much of it doesn’t come from imagination, but from memory.


5. How do you research your books?
   
   Before I started writing this book I was wary of tackling such difficult issues as homelessness and prostitution. I was therefore very keen to do some good research so I could write about these themes convincingly. I volunteered with a local organisation that feeds people without homes or on low incomes, and it was my experiences there that inspired much of the story. I also talked to shelters about the problems facing homeless people and made sure I did abundant research online.

For the sexual aspect, my inspiration simply came from the slew of messages that I, as well as a lot of gay men with an online presence, receive from people soliciting for sex. I thought it would be interesting to ask what would happen if I was ever to accept such an offer. Although I never went as far as meeting any of these men, I was fortunate enough to talk to people who had met with men in exchange for money. Their experiences helped me get an idea of what it’s like to have sex for money, outside of the clichés we are often subjected to in films and on TV.


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   I would like to change the way all people, regardless of age, view homelessness. So often we encounter homeless people, especially in big cities, but think of them as little more than inconvenient distractions from our own comfortable lives. I would like to think that after reading the book, people will reassess the attitudes they have towards people who have fallen on difficult times. 

   
   In terms of sexuality, I would like young readers to appreciate the fact that in the case of the novel’s protagonist, his being gay is very much a non-issue. Unlike a lot of LGBT literature, this is not a coming out story. This is a story of a young, gay student whose sexuality does not define him or dictate his experiences of university. It does, however, provide him with a unique idea of how his status as a young, gay man might help him raise money for his new homeless friends.

Now Available from Alex Norris:

Angel Cambridge University isn't everything Lewis wanted it to be. Still hung up on a lost love affair from the past and surrounded by friends he loves and loathes in equal measure, Lewis' life takes a dramatic turn after a chance encounter with homeless Rosie. Desperately seeking meaning among the vacuous student lifestyle, Lewis embarks on a quest to help those without homes and without voices.

Through a string of secret and sordid affairs with strange men he meets online, Lewis tries to raise money for his new homeless friends. Along the way he'll encounter a transvestite with the lips of Brigitte Bardot, a gorgeous French traveler, and a slew of lonely men willing to pay for satisfaction.

But as Lewis delves further into the depraved, secret life of Cambridge's backstreets, his faith in humanity and hope for his own future decline rapidly. How low is he willing to sink to make some cash?

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Angel Giveaway!

Alex Norris has generously donated a free copy of Angel for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen on May 19th.

Featured Author & Giveaway: Sally Bosco

Sally Bosco has a fascination with gender: the perceptions we have, the attitudes people have toward those who don’t fit into the usual categories, and the feelings we have about our own genders. She is inexplicably drawn toward the Uncanny, the shades of gray between the light and dark, the area where your mind hovers as you’re falling off to sleep. She loves writing young adult fiction because she strongly relates to teenage angst, the search for self-identity and the feelings of being an outsider.



Her published novels include Death Divided (written with Lynn Hansen), The Werecat Chronicles, and her newest book (and thesis novel), Cevin’s Deadly Sin, the story of a hetero teen cross-dresser struggling to make it through his senior year in a small Florida town. She has also been published in Many Genres, One Craft, Small Bites, Hazard Yet Forward, and Cellar Door anthologies. She has an MFA degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University.

Connect with Sally Bosco on Twitter @SallyBosco or visit her website: http://sallybosco.com.

Q&A with Author Sally Bosco:

1. Tell us about your cover design. Is there any symbolism from the story reflected in the cover?
   
   The cover model exactly fits my image of Cevin, so I was very happy about that. The “V” in Cevin is made of a pair of red panties. These panties are the catalyst for all of the struggles Cevin experiences during the course of the story. They also symbolize different elements of the story: Cevin’s uniqueness, the struggles he faces with bullying, and finally they symbolize Tessa’s love for him.


2. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   Cevin’s Deadly Sin is unique because cross-dressing has seldom if ever been the subject of a book in young adult literature. Cevin isn’t a drag queen, and he isn’t transgender, he just has a need to dress in women’s clothing. Yet, he’s attracted to women. Heterosexuality is actually very common with cross-dressers. He is gender dysphoric to a certain extent. This means he identifies quite a bit with the female gender, yet in his daily life he doesn’t act particularly effeminate. His preferences are to a large part hidden. It’s unique to have such a person as a protagonist in a young adult book, particularly one that’s a romance.



3. If you could travel back in time and tell the teenage you one thing, what would it be?
   
   Don’t stress over relationships. Most of them aren’t going to work out, and you will meet “the one” when the time is right. That will come much later than you thought, but it’s all for the best, because you’ll develop proficiency and independence in your life that will make you much stronger and more self-assured. I swear, I’ve wasted so much time mooning around over relationships that didn’t work out. And for what? I wish I had spent all of that energy working on my writing.


4. Is there anything from your own life that has been placed into your books?
   
   Yes. Tessa’s bedroom is basically a dungeon. She’s painted everything black, covered her windows with black velvet drapes, has candles and gargoyles all over and has a large lion-head fountain that billows smoke. I had this exact same setup in a room that had been added onto my house as a sunroom (I know, ironic.) I loved using the room for writing. I'd sit in there and zone out from the world. Alas, the room broke down over the years—the walls actually started cracking—so I had to have it torn down and replaced it with a big, bright sun room. It’s still dark at night though!


5. Do you have a nervous habit when writing?  A guilty pleasure when writing?
   
   I love to write in cafés. The smell of the coffee, the activity of people bustling around, the general sounds of people talking and moving are an inspiration to me. It’s always been very difficult for me to write at home. I’m getting better at it. Still, I like knowing that when I'm at a café I’m there for one purpose, to write, and I find myself getting much less distracted than I would around my house.


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   When you’re in school, it feels like the most important thing in the world is fitting in. If you’re different you feel like an outcast—an outsider. Yet, as you get older, these differences can become an asset. Try celebrating your differences. Your true self is unique and beautiful. The world is bigger than you think it is. You don’t have to fit in. You just have to be you. On the edge.

Now Available from Sally Bosco:

Cevin’s Deadly Sin Cevin thinks that moving to a small town is the worst thing that ever happened to him…until he falls for Tessa. She may be the one person who can accept him for himself and his cross-dressing, but her brother Hunt’s goal is to make Cevin’s life a living hell. When Hunt’s bullying escalates, Cevin has to figure out how to keep Tessa and make peace with his cross-dressing in order to save his own life.

The Werecat Chronicles Confused by heightened senses and a heat that overwhelms her body and mind, shy, sheltered Kenley discovers that she’s a werecat. And not just any old werecat—she’s part of a royal lineage that goes back to Egyptian cat goddesses. She’s eager to embrace her new heritage. After all, who wouldn’t want the strength and agility of a cat and, well, a few other special abilities? But when she falls in love with Luis, the crown prince of an opposing faction of werecats, she’s tempted to do the unspeakable to be with the boy she loves.

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Cevin’s Deadly Sin Giveaway!

Sally Bosco has generously donated a free copy of Cevin’s Deadly Sin for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen on April 21st.

Jeff Erno Giveaway

Now Available from Ai Press:

Forever Fearless The Forever Vampire saga continues… In the aftermath of unspeakable slaughter, Robbie and Colt have escaped to the wilds of Alaska to face their immortal future. Things aren't so certain for their sworn enemies, Dylan and Issa, Matarian soldiers sworn to hunt them down and slaughter them. Dylan is poised to begin his first vampire hunt and wants Issa as his partner, but Issa is far more concerned with finding his brother and tracking down the blond boy who nearly died on the battlefield. The entire cast from book one reunites in this thrilling continuation of their story, joined by a host of new faces--friends and foes--whose lives somehow weave together as they cross paths in their efforts to battle evil and attain their own happiness. Humans, Shifters, Daywalkers, and Purebloods confront each other with the guidance of three enigmatic sisters--one a Maenad, one a necromancer, and the other a human witch. Plot twists and surprises mark the paths of these diverse characters, forever fearless in their quest to cling to all they hold dear.

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Forever Fearless Giveaway!

Jeff Erno has generously donated a free copy of Forever Fearless for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. Contest open until April 1, 2014.

Featured Author & Giveaway: Hayden Thorne

Hayden Thorne has lived most of her life in the San Francisco Bay Area though she wasn’t born there (or, indeed, the USA). She’s married with no kids and three cats, is a cycling nut, and her day job involves artwork, great coworkers who specialize in all kinds of media, and the occasional strange customer requests involving papier mache fish with sparkly scales.

She’s a writer of young adult fiction, specializing in contemporary fantasy, historical fantasy, and historical genres. Her books range from a superhero fantasy series to reworked folktales to Victorian ghost fiction. Her themes are coming-of-age with very little focus on romance (most of the time) and more on individual growth with some adventure thrown in.

Visit Hayden Thorne’s website: http://haydenthorne.com/.

Q&A with Author Hayden Thorne:

1. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   I’m a massive nerd when it comes to fiction – at least in terms of making use of what I know as an English Major in college. I’m extremely fond of symbolism, metaphor, and allegory. I find it exciting writing a story that’s a lot more than what’s obvious on the surface. It’s like working bread crumbs into the plot, and leaving readers to find connections. If they don’t, that’s fine, too. The stories just become colorful fantasies, and there’s nothing wrong with that. By and large, though, I never write a story without a specific metaphor in mind. For me, there’s more than one way to tell a story, even something like a coming-out novel.


2. What are your writing goals for the next five years?
   
   I’d like to continue writing what I write, but I’m also interested in dipping into the fantasy middle-grade fiction waters, LGBT and otherwise. I’m particularly interested in writing gothic fiction for kids, and if things work out in my favor, I’d like to find an agent for it. Fantasy LGBT YA fiction is still my mainstay, though, and even if I were to cut back on my output there, I’m not stopping completely.


3. Do you believe in ghosts? (or aliens or vampires or whatever the subject matter of the story is)
   
   I do, which is the reason why I’m excessively fond of ghost fiction, particularly Victorian ghost fiction. I’ve had experiences when I was younger involving hauntings, the most significant one being an incident that happened to both me and my younger sister at the same time. So she could corroborate my claims easily. We still talk about it once in a while, too. I think neither of us will ever forget that moment.


4. Which authors do you enjoy reading?
   
   Those would be authors whose works I adore and look up to as inspiration for my own stories. I’ve got several, but the ones who keep their top spots, no matter what, are M.R. James (Victorian ghost fiction), Chris Priestley (dark fantasy children’s literature), Susanna Clarke (historical fantasy / alternate universe), and a smattering of classic lit writers (Henry Fielding, Tobias Smollett, Mark Twain, Charles Dickens).
   
   I’m also very fond of anthologies – ghost fiction and gothic fiction from the beginnings of the genres to the early twentieth century.


5. Is there one genre of YA that you would love to write but haven’t? (example: paranormal, contemporary, fantasy)
   
   I grew up watching mecha anime, and I’d love, love, LOVE to write a sci-fi gay YA novel that involves giant robots battling aliens or monsters or whatnot. My favorite series is Neon Genesis Evangelion, which I devoured as an adult, and I’m still completely blown away by the series’ psychological complexity and fantastic art.


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   That they – the readers - are more than their sexual orientation. They’re complex, they’re contradictory, they’re exciting, and they’re very much heroes of any story that can be written. Whether it’s a fairy tale or a contemporary fantasy or a gothic romance, a young reader can easily find him/herself front and center, faltering and stumbling, making mistakes, learning something valuable and unique about him/herself, and ultimately emerging a lot wiser and stronger.

Now Available from Hayden Thorne:

Masks: Rise of Heroes (2nd edition) Strange things are happening in Vintage City, and high school goth boy Eric seems to be right in the middle of them. There's a new villain in town, one with super powers, and he's wreaking havoc on the town, and on Eric's life. The new super hero who springs up to defend Vintage City is almost as bad, making Eric all hot and bothered, enough so that he almost misses the love that's right between his nose. Peter is Eric's best friend, and even if he does seem to be hiding something most of the time, he finds a way to show Eric how he feels in between attacks on trains and banks and malls. The two boys decide to start dating, much to the chagrin of their other best buddy, Althea, who has a terrible crush on Peter, and a secret or two of her own to keep. As the fight between the villain, known as the Devil's Trill, and superhero Magnifiman picks up, Eric's relationship with Peter almost ends before it begins when Eric finds out about Peter's special talents, which might just rank Peter as a superhero in his own right. When the Trill takes an interest in Eric, too, Peter and Althea, along with Magnifiman and Eric's normal, middle-class family all have to work together to keep Eric, and their city, safe. Can they figure out the super villain's plan in time?

The Weeping Willow A woodland shadow and a mortal fall in love, and a tragic cycle begins, haunting the steps of their daughter, Aeldra. At a young age, Aeldra finds herself pregnant, abandoned, and standing at a precipice, her child’s future hanging on a balance. Already physically weakened for having shadow and mortal blood in her veins, she remains defiant when her shadow kin demand her child’s life. She presses her faithful servant, Halfrith, to stand by the boy and make sure he remains unnamed, as it’s through his name that the shadow world will find the means by which they can claim him.

Hope comes in the shape of Helena Butcher, a seventeen-year-old seamstress who brings shame to her family by getting pregnant out of wedlock. From beyond the grave, Aeldra looks to Helena and her unborn child to save her own son, who’s now cursed to remain caught between two worlds after a woodland shadow’s attempt at taking the boy away is thwarted by Halfrith.

Though tragedy marks the births of Crispian Butcher and Aeldra’s son, who’s been turned into a weeping willow by the woodland shadows, something much deeper and more enduring will shape the curious friendship between a ragged boy and a mournful tree. And something stronger and more resistant to hate and prejudice will ultimately break a curse, end a dark cycle, and bring two lonely boys together.

Benedict A young person’s sixteenth birthday is an important rite of passage that’s celebrated in the land of marionettes. A quarterly dance at the king’s palace for recent celebrants marks the highlight of a teenager’s year, where youngsters of all classes are invited to mingle and dance and enjoy themselves, forging new friendships and potential romances, all of which are expected to shape their lives for the better.

Benedict is a boy from a privileged household. Spoiled and taught his role as the future benefactor to those less fortunate, he’s grown up with specific strictures on how to behave toward others, and he’s learned to look to his elders for unequivocal guidance.

Just before the next dance at the king’s palace—a dance where Benedict, having just turned sixteen, is invited—a few strange things begin to happen. First, there’s the matter regarding Jeremy, Benedict’s friend, who lives in a poor cottage with his mother and grandmother in the woods. Jeremy’s not only been acting oddly, but also is missing some of his marionette strings. No amount of prodding from Benedict yields answers, and the more he tries to delve into things, the more Jeremy pushes away.

Secondly, there’s the matter regarding birds insisting that Benedict go to the palace to find the lost prince. With nothing but a key and obtuse instructions to go by, Benedict attempts to humor the birds but gradually realizes that the answer to the mystery of the lost prince could very well be a lot more personal than he’d first believed, especially when he sees Jeremy somehow being involved in it.

Helleville All fifteen-year-old Noah Hipwell wants is to go through high school in peace. Yet he finds himself suspended after a bully pushes him too far, and Noah’s forced to defend himself. His mother, fed up with the school’s indifference to his plight, pulls him out completely and leaves Noah uncertain of his future while they look for a good and safe school for him.

All Dorothy “Dot” Hipwell wants is to go through single motherhood in peace. Yet she and her son are harassed by weekly phone calls from her evangelical family hell-bent on guilt-tripping them both back into the fold. Then Noah’s grandparents ask strange questions about their old van after dropping cryptic references to a group called The Soul Warriors. Fed up, Dot takes Noah away for a much-needed getaway, only to find themselves suddenly transported to an alternate world, where a town called Helleville awaits them and all other condemned souls.

Along with warm-blooded, living human beings, the Hipwells rub shoulders with zombies, vampires, house ghosts, and occasional “green vomit piles” while picking up the pieces and sorting out what could very well be an eternity in a bizarre, fanciful, and humorous world of ghouls and banned books.

When residents suddenly disappear one by one with no trace and for no logical reason, however, doubts being “housed” in an alternate world for their sins are raised, and time suddenly becomes of the essence as Noah and the rest of Helleville’s condemned race to find answers to what’s quickly turning into a dangerous puzzle.

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Masks: Rise of Heroes Giveaway!

Hayden Thorne has generously donated a free copy of Masks: Rise of Heroes for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen on March 31st.

Featured Author & Giveaway: Elise Himes

Elise Himes graduated with a BA in Asian History and a TESOL certification. She had spent the last three years teaching in South Korea. In her spare time, she enjoys playing video games, talks to her pet finches as if they were people, and reading tons of books. She also happens to be a transwoman and her novel was inspired by her life.

Q&A with Author Elise Himes:

1. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   During my transition, I couldn’t find many books that I identified with. They were either about an older generation or from a non-trans character’s perspective. I want those who are transgender to have a character they can relate with and give cisgender readers an understanding of what being trans is like. Also it covers a fair bit of the transition process from the challenges to the triumphs.


2. What other interests do you have outside of writing?
   
   I’m a huge history dork. I also love playing video games and used to be really into anime. For past few years, I’ve been learning piano and can finally play the theme from Howl’s Moving Castle. Watching a friend play a terrible game is much funnier than any Hollywood comedy. Oh, I can’t go a day without listening to music, but I’d come off sounding like a hipster if I list the bands I like .


3. What part of the story was the most fun to write? The most challenging?
   
   Surprisingly, I loved writing the scenes with Sissy, the conniving gossiper. Growing up, my favorite parts of Disney movies were those starring the villains. They were so fun to hate. The most challenging scenes were those with Rachael’s family as they hit too close to home at times.


4. If you could travel back in time and tell the teenage you one thing, what would it be?
   
   Transition is possible. Thirteen, bathroom door locked, standing in front of the mirror in my sisters’ dress, I cherished those hours after midnight. The sound of my parents’ alarm would send me scrambling for my room. I feared that if I actually tried to transition, I’d end up becoming a joke like those on the Jerry Springer Show and hunted by villagers with pitchforks. I didn’t know that not only was it possible to be a cute girl, but I’d now be a cute nerdy chick with my very own dresses.


5. Tell us about your cover design. Is there any symbolism from the story reflected in the cover?
   
   The yellow bird by my name is from the one mentioned in Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’. That play plays a huge part in the book.


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   Growing up, I felt as if something was wrong with me. I didn’t fit in with other boys, school felt like a cruel joke… life too, and I secretly coveted my sisters’ dresses. I want readers to realize that you aren’t alone and that nothing is wrong with you. Being yourself seems impossible at times, society can suck like that, but the greatest joys are to be found when you stay true to yourself.

Now Available from Elise Himes:

The Trans-fer Student Rachael is just like any other girl… except she was born a boy.

When her family is forced to move due to bullying, she is accepted into a privileged girls’ school. Her fantasy quickly becomes a nightmare as rumors spread that one of the new students being transgender. Paranoia, deceit, and backstabbing rule the day as their “witch” will be found, no matter who suffers.

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The Trans-fer Student Giveaway!

Elise Himes has generously donated a free copy of The Trans-fer Student for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen on 3/17/14.

Featured Author & Giveaway: Andrew J. Peters

Andrew J. Peters likes retold stories with a subversive twist. He is the author of The Seventh Pleiade, based on the legend of Atlantis, and the Werecat series. A former Lambda Literary Foundation Fellow, Andrew has written short fiction for many publications. He lives in New York City with his husband and their cat Chloë.

Connect with Andrew J. Peters on Twitter @ayjayp or visit his website: http://andrewjpeterswrites.com.

Q&A with Author Andrew J. Peters:

1. Tell us about your cover design. Is there any symbolism from the story reflected in the cover?
   
   I’m really happy with the cover for The Seventh Pleiade. I think it represents really well the setting for the story, which is the last days of Atlantis.
   
   The artwork also hints at the title. The Pleiades are a star cluster that were important in Greek mythology. They were the seven daughters of the titan god Atlas, and an interesting phenomenon is that the seventh star was not always visible to the naked eye depending on the season and other conditions. That made it seem like a disappearing or reappearing star, which inspired legends and auguries.
   
   In my novel, the seventh star appears mysteriously while Atlantis is in crisis. Part of the adventure for the hero – a sixteen year old named Aerander – is solving a riddle about her (the star’s) re-appearance, which he believes is the key to saving his kingdom.


2. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   The Seventh Pleiade is a combination of fantasy adventure and gay fiction. There is a rich tradition of Greek mythology-inspired stories. David Gemmell is one of the best known authors in that genre, and Rick Riordan has a huge franchise in the Percy Jackson series. I think The Seventh Pleiade stands out in that field because it takes mythology from a gay point-of-view.
   
   As gay fiction, The Seventh Pleiade is unique in that I tried to stay authentic to an ancient world sensibility. There was no such thing as being “gay” back then, but there certainly were young men who had romantic relationships with other men. There wasn’t the concept of sin or abomination regarding those relationships, but the Greeks held traditional beliefs about the way men and women were supposed to behave. It was still a very sexist and patriarchal culture. Besides the adventure aspect of the story, I wanted to explore what it would be like growing up during that time for a young man who is attracted to other men.


3. Do you believe in Atlantis?
   
   Part of me would like to believe that the ancient legend was real, but in the end I’m too much of a science guy to really believe it. What interested me in the subject was it was such a popular legend across the ancient world, from the specific story of the ancient Greeks to the flood and creation legends of the Bible and Native cultures. There’s an intriguing coincidence that rapid climate change occurred around the time that Atlantis was rumored to have been destroyed; so it’s possible that a flood or earthquake or volcanic eruption wiped out a pre-historic civilization and that story was passed down through generations and the circumstances and their meaning were embellished.
   
   That’s actually what intrigues me about Atlantis the most: how and why the story came to be. I’m drawn to the idea that if Atlantis existed, it must have been inhabited by regular people whose stories were either exaggerated, making them out to be gods, or suppressed. I do have a bit of a conspiracy streak.


4. What did you like to read when you were a teenager?
   
   I grew up before young adult literature really took off so I was reading adult books. I loved mysteries and read everything by Agatha Christie. I read J.D. Salinger, F. Scott Fitzgerald and I also loved Russian novels by Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy.
   
   When I was taking my first steps coming out, I looked for stories with gay characters. In the 80s those tended to be gritty, subculture books by authors like William S. Burroughs and Paul T. Rogers.


5. What other interests do you have outside of writing?
   
   I like to cook, especially baking. I grew up playing the cello and the piano, though my talent there has faded considerably over time. Social justice is an on-going interest of mine. I work at a university, and one of the favorite parts of my job is teaching a course on oppression and human diversity.


6. Is there any LGBT charity or resource that is near and dear to you that you would like to give a shout out to?
   
   Absolutely! The Long Island Crisis Center is a not-for-profit in Bellmore, New York that is doing amazing work for LGBT teens through their Pride for Youth program. I had the great fortune of doing an internship there in the 90s, and it turned into an eighteen year career as a social worker for LGBT kids. Now, I’m a supporter of the organization. There’s a huge need for resources for LGBT teens in the suburbs.


7. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   For any readers of my books, my greatest hope is that they feel it was time well-spent, whether that means the book allowed them to escape for a little while, be entertained, or that they liked the story because it made them think about the world in a different way.
   
   I do have young readers in mind when I’m writing. I worked with LGBT teens for almost twenty years. For LGBTs, it often feels like everything around you is catered to people who are different from you. My hope for young readers in particular is that the places I write about seem like somewhere that they would fit in. I love turning a familiar story around from an LGBT point-of-view.

Now Available from Andrew J. Peters:

The Seventh Pleiade Atlantis is besieged by violent storms, tremors, and a barbarian army. For sixteen-year old Aerander, it’s a calamitous backdrop to his Panegyris, where boys are feted for their passage to manhood.

Amid a secret web of romances among the celebrants, Aerander’s cousin Dam goes missing with two boys. With the kingdom in crisis, no one suspects the High Priest Zazamoukh though Aerander uncovers a conspiracy to barter boys for dark spiritual power. Aerander’s proof — an underground vault that disappears in the morning — brings shame on his family and suspicions of lunacy. The only way to regain his honor is to prove what really happened to the missing boys.

Tracking Dam leads Aerander on a terrifying and fantastical journey. He spots a star that hasn’t been seen for centuries. He uncovers a legend about an ancient race of men who hid below the earth. And traveling to an underground world, he learns about matters even more urgent than the missing boys. The world aboveground is changing, and he will have to clear a path for the kingdom’s survival.

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The Seventh Pleiade Giveaway!

Andrew J. Peters has generously donated a free copy of The Seventh Pleiade for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen on DATE.

Featured Author & Giveaway: MB Mulhall

MB Mulhall has been reading and writing since childhood; her love of stories so great it pushed her to earn a BA in Comparative Literature and Languages from Hofstra University. Wanting to share that love and inspire young writers, she also has an Elementary Education background from Georgia Court University.   Currently, her full-time job is working with developmentally disabled adults, and she gets her writing time in before or after hours.

  She has dedicated much of her time not only to writing great stories but also to navigating social media and educating herself in the industry. She runs a successful blog sharing her writing challenges and advice with other authors.

  Born and raised a Jersey girl, MB is often inspired by the beauty of her state and the people who visit its shores, snapping pictures and making up stories in her head to writing down at a later date. When not writing, she’s plowing through her cascading to-be-read piles, crafting, doing her nails, or watching Doctor Who.

Connect with MB Mulhall on Twitter @MBMulhall or visit her website: http://keystrokesandwordcounts.wordpress.com .

Q&A with Author MB Mulhall:

1. Tell us about your cover design. Is there any symbolism from the story reflected in the cover?
   
   The beautiful cover represents the main character, Ian, at his heaviest, which puts him into the bottom of the heavyweight wrestling class, not a good place to be when his opponents weigh much more. The title though, not only refers to his sport, but to the heavy weight of the secrets that he carries around with him.


2. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   It deals with the stresses of a sport and what some athletes are willing to do to themselves, mentally and physically, in order to succeed. Ian struggles with an eating disorder, but it’s different than what most people would expect. Many think of those who are anorexic or bulimic as having body dysmorphic disorder, but that’s not really Ian’s issue. He’s more concerned with being the best he can be at his sport, and that means either starving himself or binging and purging in order to remain at the top of his weight class, regardless of the strain it puts on his heart and the rest of his body.


3. What did you like to read when you were a teenager?
   
   As a teen I pretty much devoured everything of Stephan King’s I could get my hands on. Horror was kind of my go to genre followed by adult romance/smut such as Jackie Collins. The Young Adult genre, sadly, didn’t really exist at the time.


4. Tell us something we’d be surprised to learn about you.
   
   Even with a comparative literature and languages degree, I pretty much hate most English lit. Pride and Prejudice? Not even the addition of zombies made me want to read that. Bronte sisters? Snooze-fest. Shakespeare? Well, most of his stuff gets a pass, especially A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Prankster Puck turns Nick Bottom’s head into a donkey’s head! How can you not enjoy that?


5. If you could travel back in time and tell the teenage you one thing, what would it be?
   
   Ooh there’s lots I’d probably tell myself, but I think the two main things would be to have more confidence in myself and plan to travel after high school before college. I think a lot of kids are going right into college without a clue of what they really want to do with their lives. It leads to dropping out, wasting money or being stuck in a profession you don’t really enjoy. In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with taking some time off to learn more about yourself and what you really love. Traveling is a learning experience and once you’re settled into school or a job, you find you don’t really have the time for it. Do it while you’re young. Acquiring student loans can wait!


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   I would love for them to walk away knowing: to change your goals does not equal failure, that everyone deserves love and acceptance, and that true friends will stand by your side, regardless of the circumstances.

Now Available from MB Mulhall:

Heavyweight Secrets. Their weight can be crushing, but their release can change everything—and not necessarily for the better. Ian is no stranger to secrets. Being a gay teen in a backwater southern town, Ian must keep his orientation under wraps, especially since he spends a lot of time with his hands all over members of the same sex, pinning their sweaty, hard bodies to the wrestling mat. 



When he’s trying not to stare at teammates in the locker room, he’s busy hiding another secret—that he starves himself so he doesn’t get bumped to the next weight class.



Enter Julian Yang, an Adonis with mesmerizing looks and punk rocker style. Befriending the flirtatious artist not only raises suspicion among his classmates, but leaves Ian terrified he’ll give in to the desires he’s fought to ignore.



As secrets come to light, Ian’s world crumbles. Disowned, de-friended, and deserted by nearly everyone, Ian’s one-way ticket out of town is revoked, leaving him trapped in a world he hates—and one that hates him back.

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Heavyweight Giveaway!

MB Mulhall has generously donated a free copy of Heavyweight for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen on 2/23/14.

Featured Author & Giveaway: Winter Sandberg

Winter Sandberg grew up in a place nicknamed The Magic City, and the view from her house on the hill had her convinced the name fit perfectly for years. Spending time backstage or in music practice rooms took up a lot of Winter’s time, but hanging out with friends was truly preferred. Days after her eighteenth birthday, she headed to college not knowing how to cook.

Nowadays Winter gets paid to help people solve their family problems and then comes home and writes. She happily leaves the cooking to her husband, who is also teaching their daughter that skill so she won’t have to survive on ramen noodles when she moves away from home like Winter did.

Winter writes about transformative moments, exploring how characters manage to work through difficult times. How they respond may not be easy to see and is often not pretty, but they are genuine reactions to having life tipped on its edge. Coming out on the other side is where the good stuff is seen, and Winter likes to write about those moments of true growth rather than simply fading to black.

Connect with Winter Sandberg on Twitter @wintersandberg or visit her website: http://wintersandberg.wordpress.com.

Q&A with Author Winter Sandberg:

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 would love to go and live as Kevin Magnus for a day so I could tell his father off properly. Ever since Kevin was a young boy, his father has neglected and emotionally abused him, programming him to become a product he can use in his own business dealings. Kevin is somewhat oblivious to the fact that this is abuse. He just thinks his dad is a prick. I’d love to put his dad in his place. The man deserves it, but Kevin knows not to ever rock the boat at home.


2. Tell us about your cover design. Is there any symbolism from the story reflected in the cover?
   
   Hugo Thorson and Kevin Magnus have very intense feelings for each other, but neither are willing to come out in their community. The story is also set in the mid 1990s when being out was still a fairly rare experience in the rural Midwest. Yet, they want to let each other know when they are thinking of each other even when in public, so they find a way to privately display that affection in public. They want to touch, but not touch, so I asked Anne Cain to portray that reserved desire. I think the image she found is simply perfect, especially considering how much Hugo and Kevin love to be outdoors by the water.


3. Tell us something about your characters that we won’t learn from reading the book.
   
   We know that Hugo is an actor in the book, but we have no idea that he grows up to perform as a drag queen as an adult.
   
   Kevin may seem weak because of his abuse, but he has a quiet strength hidden inside. Hugo sees it, and I think readers will too, but it’s not as obvious as Hugo’s. Kevin will eventually come into his own and have faith in himself, but it takes him longer.


4. How do you research for your books?
   
   I do a lot of online research, take Google street mode tours of areas, and talk to people who live where my story is set to get an idea of the culture. With this book, I was lucky enough to live within driving distance of Austin, MN, and I’d already spent time in the SPAM museum to learn the history of the town. When I got in to writing more detailed descriptions of Hormel Nature Center and the high school, I knew I needed to get closer. I was flabbergasted at how gigantic the high school was, and that was seeing it as an adult who had already gone to college on 3 different campuses, so that’s saying something. I wrote a little about that reaction, through Kevin’s eyes.


5. Do you have a nervous habit when writing? A guilty pleasure when writing?
   
   I have the horrible habit of twirling my hair while thinking, but only on my left side. The hair there is shorter now, but my stories get better when I twirl. I never had this problem when I had a pixie cut.
   
   My guilty pleasure has to be coffee, and I like it hot, so I have my mug sitting on a mug warmer. I drink far too much of it, though.


6. What made you decide to write for a Young Adult audience?
   
   This book came about after I’d written a trilogy about Hugo and Kevin. In the first book, I explored their high school relationship, which wasn’t an ideal way to start a dating life, but Hugo and Kevin loved each other almost from the start. After writing their adult stories, I realized their high school story might be valuable to younger readers, but they’d probably never run across it because of the nature of the adult stories. After talking with C. Kennedy and Jamie Mayfield and being encouraged by both of them as well as my publisher, I decided to try to adapt Hugo and Kevin’s story for a younger audience. It is my hope that these men will allow me to tell one more story about their adventures during their senior year, but I haven’t been given permission by them yet.


7. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   More than anything, I want people to know they are equal to their straight peers. For years, I felt something was wrong with me because of my bisexuality. It wasn’t until I climbed over that mountain of shame people had built around me and came out safe on the other side that I started to thrive. Too many people in our lives tell us we are “less than” when we are GLBTQA, but we aren’t. We deserve just as much respect as anyone else, even if we do have to remain closeted until it is safe to come out. Just don’t forget to find your own magic inside.

Now Available from Winter Sandberg:

Private Display of Affection Hugo Thorson knows he’s gay, but coming out during high school is not part of his plan. His parents are open-minded, but Hugo doesn’t want to add more stress for anybody, especially his dad, who is fighting terminal cancer.

At a summer job he meets and befriends Kevin Magnus, and before long, their friendship becomes something more. Kevin knows this will anger his overbearing father, so he decides to protect his secret by dating a girl at school.

Hugo plays along, but it’s still hard to watch the two of them together just to make Kevin’s homophobic father happy. And when Hugo’s father dies, he realizes he can’t go on living the lie. He comes clean to Kevin, who decides Hugo’s true feelings are more important than his father’s expectations. One fact remains: Kevin and Hugo’s relationship must always be hidden behind friendship, lies, girlfriends, or secret kisses. Will they find a sanctuary big enough to hold their feelings?

Adapted as a Young Adult edition of the novel Spark by Posy Roberts, published by Dreamspinner Press, 2013

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Private Display of Affection Giveaway!

Winter Sandberg has generously donated a free copy of Private Display of Affection for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address.

Featured Author & Giveaway: John Amory

John Amory is from New Jersey, yet is somehow not involved in the mob. He is part Italian, though. He has BA and MA degrees in English and can sometimes be found teaching composition to college students. If you don’t find him there, check Starbucks. A Christmas Caroler is his first YA publication, though he has several adult short stories available.

Connect with John Amory on Twitter @JohnAmory or visit his website: http://www.goodreads.com/JohnAmory.

Q&A with Author John Amory:

1. Tell us about your cover design for A Christmas Caroler. Is there any symbolism from the story reflected in the cover?
   
   I love this question, because I thought a lot about what I wanted the cover to convey. The focal image is a pair of silver bells, which obviously harkens back to the famous Christmas song of the same name. That song plays a huge part in A Christmas Caroler, so I knew they needed to be on the cover somewhere. There’s also a really cute image next to the title of two connected eight notes, where the note heads are bells. The bells in both images, for me, represent Jeremy and Zach, my main characters. In each case, the bells are connected or tied together, which was important to me to symbolize the connection between Jeremy and Zach. I also wanted to make sure the colors said “Christmas” but didn’t necessarily scream it, you know? I didn’t want a red background with green font or anything like that. The white and blues and grays still evoke winter, particularly the snow falling in the story’s final scene. I think Brandon Clay, Prizm’s cover artist, did a great job.


2. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   I like to think that I gave an authentic voice to my teenage characters. I’m not too far out of my teenage years, so I always get annoyed when I read a young adult book (or watch a TV show/movie geared toward a teen audience) written by an adult who thinks they know how teenagers talk: every sentence ends in “bro” or “dude” or “man” or “oh em gee,” and everyone’s obsessed with lip gloss or sports. Teenagers are more diverse and, honestly, usually more intelligent than that. Yes, there are those who do speak like that, but that doesn’t mean it’s all they’re capable of. When you write a story about high school seniors, there needs to be some consideration made for the fact that these are (or soon to be) legal adults who are making huge, life-altering decisions about college, work, or the future, in general. You can’t just “oh em gee” your way through that stuff.


3. Which of your characters is most like you?
   
   Definitely Jeremy. He’s equal parts me in high school and me now. His whole speech to Zach late in the story about not knowing who he is or where he’s heading got a little too real a few weeks after I wrote it when I found myself in much the same predicament in my professional life. His overall attitude, his drive, and even his jealousy, are all things we have in common. Also, we’re both perpetual runners-up when it comes to high school choir. It’s okay, Jeremy, I never got that solo either.


4. What other interests do you have outside of writing?
   
   I’m really into theatre. I minored in it in college, which gave me the opportunity to really learn the ins and outs of multiple positions on a production staff and in a cast, and I still love doing it as much as I can. In fact, I’m dancing in a production of White Christmas right now! I started out only ever performing, but over the years I’ve gotten my feet wet as a stage manager, director and choreographer. The latter two are my favorite things to do; I love the creative process, the expression. And I like being in charge, so there’s that. ☺ I’ve also recently tried my hand at playwriting, and I’ve already had productions mounted in New Jersey and New York City.


5. Is there one genre of YA that you would love to write but haven’t?
   
   I would love to write a sci-fi YA novel. I’ve had this idea for a while now about a dystopian future where the gay gene has been discovered and LGBT people are being eliminated because gene therapy can “fix” them. I just don’t have any idea how to go about writing that type of story, or the research that would be involved… so if anyone out there wants to collaborate, get in touch. ;-)


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   Honestly, I’m just hoping for a smile. Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I especially love all the beautiful, cheerful music. There’s a kind of happiness that permeates everything and everyone in the weeks leading up to the holidays, and I just hope that that happiness and goodwill is present in my story as well and can bring a smile to readers’ faces.

Now Available from John Amory:

A Christmas Caroler Jeremy Walsh is a high school senior who's got big plans for his future -- namely, to perform at Carnegie Hall. But before he can get there, he needs to secure the solo in his renowned high school choir's Christmas concert and get into college. Everything seems to be on track until a cute new student, Zach Brooks, shows up and ruins all of Jeremy's plans by snatching the solo out from under him. With his college auditions looming and the Christmas concert fast approaching, Jeremy has more on his plate than he can handle. Can the magic of the Christmas season bring Jeremy and Zach together?

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A Christmas Caroler Giveaway!

John Amory has generously donated a free copy of A Christmas Caroler for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be selected December 16th.

Featured Author & Giveaway: E. Summers

Elizabeth Summers lives in the Chicago area with her husband and writes in whatever time she can carve out from family, work, and other obligations. She loves to read and travel and watches a few too many TV shows and movies. Beneath Angel’s Wings is her first YA novel and she hopes to continue the series in the coming years.

Connect with Elizabeth on Twitter @esummersbooks or visit her website: http://www.esummersbooks.blogspot.com.

Q&A with Author E Summers:

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 love to swap places with Javier, because in addition to being very talented he also has a beautiful, generous spirit, and I adore all his friends and family. As far as what I’d like to do, I think I’d like to swap places with him on a day he’s performing. I have no acting skills at all and I suffer from horrible stage fright, so I’d love to, just for a day, be the talented performer who’s not at all afraid of the spotlight.


2. In what way is your story unique compared to other books in this genre?
   
   I think my story is unusual in that it does not necessarily follow a predictable path. But I’m somewhat dismayed to say that its true uniqueness may come from the diversity of racial/ethnic backgrounds of the characters. I recently read a blog post by Malinda Lo in which she pointed out the small number of YA books about LGBTQ characters who are of color. That article made me very sad. Although the main character in Beneath Angel’s Wings, Adam, is Caucasian, the book also features LGBTQ characters from the African American and Mexican American communities. But while the diversity of characters may make the book somewhat unique, my hope, of course, is that this is a very temporary status.


3. What did you like to read when you were a teenager?
   
   I’ve always been a voracious reader, and that was especially the case when I was a teenager. I read everything, from classics, to historical novels, thrillers, mysteries, science fiction and romances. Probably the only genre I was never too enamored with was horror, though I have since become a big fan of zombie books. As a teen, some my favorite non YA authors were Margaret Atwood, Sue Grafton, Isaac Asimov, Kurt Vonnegut and Robin Cook. I was a teen before many of the most popular teen series were written, but some of my favorite YA authors were L.M. Montgomery, S.E. Hinton, and Norma Fox Mazer.


4. If you could travel back in time and tell the teenage you one thing, what would it be?
   
   Don’t stop writing! I know that doesn’t sound very profound, but I was a pretty level headed teenager so I don’t feel like I need to give my younger self any other life-altering advice. I wish, though, that I had not given up creative writing for nearly twenty years after graduating high school. I can only imagine the number of stories I would have had ready for publication had I simply insisted on carving out a little time to write each day, instead of abandoning it altogether. Now that my muse has been unleashed again, I feel like all the stories are there in my head, but I’ll never have enough time or be able to write fast enough to get them all out. So my advice to my teen self and to all teens out there is don’t let adult distractions and responsibilities stifle your creativity. If you love to write, make it a point to keep writing, even if it’s just a few minutes each day.


5. Are there any LGBT charities or resources that are near and dear to you that you would like to give a shout out to?
   
   I made a personal commitment to contribute half of my proceeds from the sale of Beneath Angel’s Wings to LGBTQ causes, though the actual organizations may change from time to time. In the month of November, the beneficiary will be Lost –n-Found Youth, an Atlanta organization that helps homeless LGBTQ youth.


6. What would you like young readers to take away from your novels?
   
   First and foremost, I’d love for readers to feel hopeful and be inspired to reach out and help others around them who may be losing or may already have lost hope. I know it often takes a great deal of courage and sometimes sacrifice to do what’s right, even on a small scale, instead of simply looking away when faced with someone else’s pain, but the results of that outreach can be so very impactful and rewarding.
   
   Beyond that, I’d love for readers to walk away celebrating diversity in all forms, be it sexual orientation, gender identity, race or socio-economic background. Homogeneity, with its emphasis on conformity, can be stifling and soul-crushing, whereas diversity lets us all learn from one another and unleash our true potential, making the world a better, richer place.

Now Available from E Summers:

Beneath Angel's Wings Bullied and friendless, with little love or support from his parents, seventeen year-old Adam has reached his breaking point. Just as he’s about to take the irrevocable last step, he meets Angel, who helps him see another path.

Angel’s life has been a series of tragedies and barriers. He has no time to take on other people’s problems, but when he recognizes Adam’s desperation, he can’t turn away. On the spur of the moment, he becomes the younger boy’s protector and introduces him to a new group of friends who help Adam develop the strength and self-confidence to confront and overcome his fears.

The two boys from different backgrounds have little in common, yet their newfound friendship propels them both toward achieving their dreams. Angel embarks on a road to independence while Adam, for the first time, finds love. But just when things can’t get much better, Adam is faced with his worst nightmare and has to make a life-altering choice.

Warning: This book deals with serious themes that may be potentially disturbing for readers, such as attempted suicide, physical and verbal bullying, discussions of sexual practices (including safe sex,) and potentially offensive language. Some themes in this book may not be appropriate for readers under fifteen years of age.

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Beneath Angel's Wings Giveaway!

E Summers has generously donated a free copy of Beneath Angle's Wings for one lucky winner. To enter the drawing, please leave a comment below along with your email address. A winner will be chosen December 9th.