Blog Tour: GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE by Andrew Smith [Author Interview, Book Trailer + Giveaway] #unstoppable

Title: GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE

Author: Andrew Smith

Genre: Fiction | YA | LBGT

Release Date: 2/11/14

Sixteen-year-old Austin Szerba interweaves the story of his Polish legacy with the story of how he and his best friend , Robby, brought about the end of humanity and the rise of an army of unstoppable, six-foot tall praying mantises in small-town Iowa.

To make matters worse, Austin's hormones are totally oblivious; they don't care that the world is in utter chaos: Austin is in love with his girlfriend, Shann, but remains confused about his sexual orientation. He is stewing in a self-professed constant state of maximum horniness, directed at both Robby and Shann.

Ultimately, it is up to Austin to save the world and propagate the species in this sci-fright journey of survival, sex, and the complex realities of the human condition.

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This is the truth. This is history.
It’s the end of the world. And nobody knows anything about it.
You know what I mean.

Q: Grasshopper Jungle is such an honest look at what it means to grow up, what do you hope readers will leave Grasshopper Jungle with?

Smith: Well, I have a few hopes for my readers: First, I hope they have a good time with the book. I hope they come away with a sense of wonder about the connection between our past and our present. I hope they maybe start to question some of the things we humans have been doing that are probably not good ideas. I hope they pause and think about the lack of compassion for the poor and unfortunate that is at the dark core of our "American Spirit." And I hope my male readers worldwide will avoid that one disastrous small town blunder that only guys can make, and that I get a ton of emails from them with the following subject line: I HAVE COME UP WITH TWO PERFECT NAMES. Yeah. All that shit would be fine with me.

1. From the release of your debut novel Ghost Medicine-to your upcoming release of Grasshopper Jungle, you as a young adult an author have gone from strength to strength in your storytelling, particularly in the content and characters you respectively write about. What would you say have been the highlights and lowlights of your career thus far? Have they helped you hone your storytelling in any way?

Smith: My storytelling is deeply rooted in personal experience, and I think this is where the strength of my characters originates. As for highlights and lowlights, I can say this: I never intended to be a published author. I had always written only for myself. It was a fluke in which a dear friend (a published author) dared me into publishing something that got me into this. I always dreaded people reading what I'd written, so it was hard to get over when I realized the first thing I ever submitted--Ghost Medicine--was going to be published. There came a time when I felt very unhappy about a lot of things. I parted company with my agent and decided to quit writing professionally. That was when I wrote Grasshopper Jungle, which I never intended to show to anybody. Then I became friends with Michael Bourret, my current agent, and he talked me down off the ledge I was on and asked if he could see what I'd been writing. Oops. 

2 2013 was the year of Winger—it basically is, considering Winger has been popping up on a number of top books of 2013 lists. Did you ever expect your sixth novel to do as well as it has been doing? 

Smith: I don't know. I think I'm never happy with what I've done. I think I was raised to believe that nothing I did was ever good enough, and I find myself constantly dissatisfied with my work.

3. Where do the ideas for your stories initially manifest from? A character? A thought? A scene? A theme?

Smith: I've answered this question many times, and I always say this: I honestly do not know where stories come from. In the case of Grasshopper Jungle, I made up the title and I thought, hey, that would be a cool title for a novel. Then I sat down and wrote the opening lines. And it just kept going from there. I do not plan or outline. The stories just come.

4. Leading on from the previous question, how do you decide how a story should be told? (I ask this as many of your novels feature content that may not sit well with conservative parents, teachers and librarians, and possibly ambivalent teen readers themselves.)

Smith: Can I be a little harsh here? What are you afraid of? I just write what I would like to read. I am not afraid of any words or content that I dare to commit to the page because the intent behind them is honest and good. Words are empty vessels that are filled with intent; just like a crystal wine goblet can be filled with piss. I am not writing for ambivalent or conservative people. Ambivalent and conservative people should probably move to Iowa or into a cave or something. Whenever I write, I want to do something that nobody has ever tried and that people have maybe never thought about. That approach is the exact toxin that will destroy conservatism and ambivalence, so those types should probably avoid coming into contact with my words, unless they want their tight little brains to dissolve.

5. A reader walks into a bookstore and sees a fluro-green book sitting on a Young Adult shelf. "GRASSHOPPERS!" they scream, "I LOVE GRASSHOPPERS!" If you were the reader's conscience (oh my, Jiminy Cricket...), sitting on their shoulder as comfortable as one can be, how would you describe to them what Grasshopper Jungle is about, regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation?

Smith: Grasshopper Jungle is about connections. That's all it is. Everything is connected: our past to our present, urinal factories and Catholic saints, war and sexual confusion. If more people were considerate as far as the connections that crisscross at our feet, we would probably be a bit more cautious about pursuing some of the idiotic ideas that human beings seem to want to do over and over and over again.

6. Austin is a history buff. Are you as interested in history as Austin is, and what particular time or event in history are you most interested in? If that history was incomplete, how would you complete it?

Smith: Of course I am interested in history. And I'm afraid we've gotten most of it all wrong. That's what Austin finds out. If I could go back in time to any recorded event, though, I would want to be inside that cave in Altamira when the painters decorated the wall. I want to know why they did it.

7. How a story was written and the intentions of the author are often perceived differently – or even misperceived – by [various] readers. Were there elements of Grasshopper Jungle that your editor and publisher had questioned and/or asked you to change or delete? And how, as a writer, did you respond to those comments?

Smith: I loved working with Julie Strauss-Gabel (my editor). Good editing is all about questions, and never about imperatives. Julie helped me to see the things that needed to be added and the things that could be omitted in my work, but this was a voyage of mutual discovery, I think. It was perhaps the greatest editorial experience of my life working with her. Look, the book is a risk-taking work. People have called it a "game changer," perhaps both for the content as well as the structural/lyrical style. I poke fun at "concrete thinking" in Grasshopper Jungle. There's plenty of reasons for that. I expect my readers to be able to deal with that, and I definitely do recommend reading the book more than once because there's an awful lot going on in it, isn't there?

Andrew Smith is the award-winning author of several Young Adult novels, including the critically acclaimed Winger (Starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Booklist, and Shelf Awareness—an Amazon “Best of the Year”) and The Marbury Lens (A YALSA BFYA, and Starred reviews and Best of the Year in both Publishers Weekly and Booklist).

  

He is a native-born Californian who spent most of his formative years traveling the world. His university studies focused on Political Science, Journalism, and Literature. He has published numerous short stories and articles. Grasshopper Jungle, coming February 11, 2014, is his seventh novel. He lives in Southern California.

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*Bonus!

For those of you that purchase a copy of GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE any time during the month of February will receive a one of a kind #unstoppableprizepack filled with lots of goodies.

To qualify you must send proof of purchase dated before 3.1.14 to amydelrosso(at)gmail(dot)com. This can be the receipt, a screenshot of your online order or you can be creative and take a photo of the green pretty out in the world. There may happen to be a special prize for the most creative photo. Have fun.

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Re-Launch Blog Tour: ARTESANS OF ALBIA by Cas Peace [Author Interview + Giveaway]

 On a foolhardy foray into a foreign realm, Taran Elijah is attacked by a terrible weapon known as the Staff. Killing its wielder, he escapes into Albia, inadvertently carrying the Staff.

Concerned by the vicious raids that follow Taran's actions, Major Sullyan of the High King's forces crosses into Andaryon to seek diplomatic resolution to the crisis. She is captured and tortured by Lord Rykan, aspirant to the Andaryon throne.

Slowly dying, Sullyan escapes his clutches. She offers her skills to the Hierarch in defense of his throne, finally confronting Rykan on the field of battle.Her handsome Captain and lover, Robin Tamsen, embarks on a desperate quest to recover the Staff. But Rykan's greedy General, Sonten, is two steps ahead of him. If Robin cannot lay hold of the weapon before Sonten does, Sullyan's life and the lives of all Artesans are forfeit.

The race for the Staff has begun.

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Feel free to introduce yourself ...

Hi, my name is Cas Peace, and I'm the author of the triple-trilogy high fantasy series, Artesans of Albia. Many thanks for inviting me onto your blog!

Please can you tell us where you are from?

I'm from the UK. I live in North Hampshire, in southern UK, about an hour south-west of London.

How long have you been a writer?

I began writing my fantasy series in 2001, and carried on writing while I tried to get the first book, King's Envoy, accepted for publication. It wasn't until 2010 that I had success with a publisher.

Are you promoting a particular book?

Yes, I am - three, in fact! I have now published the entire first Artesans trilogy, but I have also recently had to become a self-published author. Therefore, I am promoting all three books that make up this first trilogy. They are King's Envoy, King's Champion, and King's Artesan.

What genre do you write in or do you write across the board?

My main focus is epic fantasy, but I also have a non-fiction book out there. Published in 2008, For the Love of Daisy is the life story of a beautiful, mischeivous Dalmatian I used to own. She developed spinal problems and became disabled, and the book documents the therapies and treatments we used to help her. It's a book of hope.

Can you give us the plot, characters and theme of your story or if this is a poetry book, can you give us the feel of it?

The overall plot is that a mysterious Albian Baron is determined to rid the realms of anyone who possesses the Artesan gift. One of my main male characters, Taran, accidentally uncovers the beginning of this plot, and pays the price. The books follow Taran as he deals with the consequences of his actions, and thus introduces those who will oppose the Baron - Major Sullyan and the other members of the Albian military forces.

Where did the idea come from?

It came from a kid's TV program that aired in the 1970s (I know, I'm showing my age!) The main character in the TV show was a magician who solved crimes, and the show was called Tarot, Ace of Wands. A tiny idea stuck in my mind, which was, if you were someone born with a certain power, but no knowledge of how to use it, what would you do? If there was no one else like you, who could you turn to? This germ of an idea stayed with me for 40 years until I finally got round to exploring it!

Did you have to do a lot of research for your latest work?

I have done some research into English medieval history, because that is the setting for my books. I also researched the details of sword-fighting. It was great fun!

Do you think your writing is improving the more you write?

Definitely. But the biggest influence on my writing style is my US editor. She constantly shows me how to tighten my writing, and where I tend to over-describe. I can fully recommend getting a professional editor if you can afford one!

Did you have any problems during the writing process of your latest work?

Not problems, exactly. There were a few scenes where I had to do some more research, and there were others I felt reluctant to write, mainly because I didn't feel I was informed enough to make them credible. But other than that, the story flowed very freely.

What is it about writing that you enjoy so much?

I love becoming so absorbed in what I'm doing that I forget what's going on around me. I often forget to eat, and my two dogs have to come and nudge me when it's time for their walk! I also love creating new worlds, and experiencing the thrill of having a complete stranger connects strongly to my work. It's a wonderful and humbling feeling.

How much planning goes into a book?  Do you spend a long time planning or do you just start writing and see where it leads you?

I'm not a planner, not with fiction, anyway. I begin with an idea, and as I think about it, I usually end up with a beginning, a middle, and an end. That's as far as I go before I start writing. I like my characters to take me over and dictate what has to happen. As their natures develop, and they have experiences, so my writing and plot develop too.

Do your fans encourage you to keep writing and do they give you ideas?

I certainly have fans who keep asking for the next book in the series! I find that really exciting. I can't say any have given me ideas, but that's probably because they know all nine novels have already been written.

What is your experience of the Publishing industry?

Pretty positive, for someone who recently lost their publisher! When I began submitting, I knew nothing about publishing. I learned as I went on, and I was fortunate to receive much personal and encouraging feedback from agents and publishers. When I finally got an offer from indie publisher Rhemalda Publishing, I knew a little more about what I was doing. I learned still more from Rhemalda, about the actual process of publishing and about marketing, so when they were recently sadly forced to close their doors, I felt able to take on the mantle of a self-published author.

Have you had some good reviews for your book?

I'm thrilled to say that all of my reviews so far have been positive. I have a range of 5, 4, and 3 stars, which I'm very pleased with. Some have been glowing - one reviewer even said my series was "better than A Game of Thrones"! I was elated by that one, I can tell you!

If you couldn’t be a writer what would you do instead?

I am actually a qualified horse-riding instructor, and I have a deep love of horses, so I could go back to that, I suppose. But if I'd known about it when I left school, I might well have trained as an archaeologist. I'm fascinated by ruins and ancient sites.

Your favourite Author is…

That's a tricky one. It's a toss-up between J R R Tolkien, Stephen Donaldson, and Anne McCaffrey. Don't make me pick one!

Have you got a book trailer?

What do you do to wind down?

I have two dogs, so walking and playing with them helps me unwind. I also love gardening, and I grow cacti, so looking after my plants is fun. My husband owns a 35' sailing yacht, and although I'm no great sailor, and sometimes get seasick, a sunny day on the waves is a pleasant way to spend a day. That, or visiting with family.

Do you belong to a friendly writers group and does it help?

I don't actually belong to a writers' group, although I have given talks to a local one. But I am still in touch with some of my fellow ex-Rhemalda authors, and we often help each other. I think writers' groups are very valuable.

What is your experience of editing and polishing your manuscripts?

Being a freelance editor myself, I do as much as I can to make my work polished and error free. Yet I believe that no writer can effectively edit their own work - we are all too close to it. I use the same editor I had at Rhemalda - she is thankfully available as a freelance. She keeps the editing of my books consistent, and frequently amazes me by what she finds in my thousand-times checked manuscript!

Any tips for all our budding authors out there wondering how to get started?

The best tip I can give is to write! You can plan, and research, and write notes, and make character profiles as much as you like, but you can't call yourself a writer until you actually write. And when you do write, write with passion, emotion. Write from the heart. Above all - enjoy it!

Link city – as many as you need to guide us round your internet trail…

Website: www.caspeace.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cas.peace

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CasPeace1

Original Songs: http://www.caspeace.com/downloads/songs

Cas Peace was born in Hampshire UK, in 1957, and has lived there most of her life. Her first career was as a horse-riding instructor, and horses remain very close to her heart. She then spent 13 years working for the British Civil Service before leaving the UK to live in Italy for three years, 1991-1994. She speaks passable but by no means perfect Italian, and loves to return to Italy whenever she can.

 Cas's other great loves are anything to do with animals, especially dogs and horses, (she supports many animal charities) and also singing. Cas loves folk songs and along with her husband, who plays guitar, has performed in many a Southern England folk club. Sometimes they even asked her back! She writes folk songs to accompany her fantasy novels, and offers them as free downloads from her website.

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 Original Music

 

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Author Interview: Kat Zhang + Giveaway

I am thrilled to have Kat Zhang on the blog today talking a little about her books, WHAT’S LEFT OF ME, which released September 18, 2012 and her upcoming novel, ONCE WE WERE that is to be released on September 17, 2013.

Kat also has an amazing surprise in store for you. 

To celebrate the release of the paperback edition of WHAT’S LEFT OF ME, she has a special giveaway. Much thanks to Kat!

1. Can you tell us what inspired you to become a writer?

I've been a voracious reader since I was little, and even before that, I loved to make things up. I got into scribbling poetry (really, really bad poetry) after my dad gave me a book of A. A. Milne's children's poetry when I was six or seven. And I used to write plays with my best friend for our stuffed animals. I didn't get the idea to write a novel and actually try to get it published until I was eleven or so, but I think it was a pretty natural progression of my need to tell stories :)

2. When you wrote WHAT’S LEFT OF ME and ONCE WE WERE, did you write strictly fiction or did some personal experiences/knowledge come into play?

A lot of it is definitely strictly fiction, haha. On the other hand, I think personal experiences/knowledge goes into any book a writer writes. I don't base characters on myself at all, and I don't base their stories on my life, but you can't help pulling on personal experiences to create imaginary ones. 

3. How long did it take you to write WHAT’S LEFT OF ME? During that time, did you come across any blocks/times that you could not write?

I wrote the first draft from about February my senior year of high school to about March my freshman year of college. And yes, I encountered frequent blocks! Luckily, during that time, I met the ladies of Let The Words Flow (many of who are now part of Pub(lishing) Crawl, who were such great motivators!

4. What inspired you to write WHAT’S LEFT OF ME?

It really all stemmed from the question: "What if your inner monologue was a whole other person trapped inside you?" More questions stemmed from that one: "What would it be like to be that person?" "How did they get that way?" "What would the world be like if everyone started out like this?" Eva, my main character, grew from these questions, and the world of The Hybrid Chronicles grew around her :)

 5. Who is your favorite character in the book, and why?

Ooh, hard to pick! This might sound strange, since they're more minor characters, but I'm actually very fond of Devon and Dr. Lyanne. They're the sort of characters who I know a lot more about than is in the book, and I think they're really interesting, ha-ha.

6. Please list five random likes; then do the same for dislikes, go way random.

Random Likes - Iced Coffee, slipper-socks, fine-tipped pens, baked Lays, rain.

Random Dislikes - Wet towels, uncomfortable shoes, mosquitoes, milk, too much jam in a PB&J.

7. ONCE WE WERE, your second published novel with HarperCollins will be releasing this fall (September 17, 2013) correct. Do you care to elaborate just a little bit?

Sure! ONCE WE WERE continues the story soon after WHAT'S LEFT OF ME left off, and I'm really excited to share it with the world. 

To explain a lot would be to spoil WHAT'S LEFT OF ME for those who haven't read it, but I can say that the second book is larger in scope, and address the world beyond the more limited settings of the first book. ;)

Thank you for stopping by and chatting with us about your epic books. Congratulations on the release of ONCE WE WERE.

 I look forward to having you back again for another visit.

Kat Zhang is an avid traveler, and after a childhood spent living in one book after another, she now builds stories for other people to visit. An English major at Vanderbilt University, she spends her free time performing Spoken Word poetry, raiding local bookstores, and plotting where to travel next. 

What’s Left of Me–about a girl with two souls–is her first novel and was released by HarperCollins on 9/18/2012. The sequel, Once We Were, comes out 9/17/2013. 

Kat is represented by Emmanuelle Morgen of Stonesong. You can read about her travels, literary and otherwise, on her website or check her out on Twitter.

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