A Book and a Chat with Daniel Nayeri

Daniel Nayeri, my guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” was due to be one of the guests during my Male YA Author Month, unfortunately at the time he fell foul of his own prescient for sampling any type of food. I am very pleased to say, that illness free he was able to join me on today’s show.

Daniel has always been into writing and books, though his other jobs along the way as he described through a very entertaining show, are something else. From working as a builder, where at least he was able to create book shelves, to a fairly unsuccessful bicycle currier, which at least aided him in becoming a stuntman… after all somebody has to cover the cyclist going over the top of the car during a police chase. Daniel has done plenty, including at one time being fairly high class pastry chef.

Then his sister Dina came up with the idea of a book roughly based on “Foust” an idea that soon became the thread for a trilogy. The first book, “Another Foust”, being written jointly by Dina and Daniel, and not without some rough waters along the way, was then joined by “Another Pan” and now as we heard on the show, the trilogy soon to be joined by “Another Jackal”.

Another Foust:

One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish - only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange andelegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city’s most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor’s extraordinary “gifts.”

But as the students claw their way up - reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty - the side-effects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins.

At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption.

Another Pan:

Sixteen-year-old Wendy Darling and her insecure freshman brother, John, are hitting the books at the Marlowe School. But one tome consumes their attention: THE BOOK OF GATES, a coveted Egyptian artifact that their professor father believes has magical powers. Soon Wendy and John discover that the legend is real—when they recite from its pages and descend into a snaking realm beneath the Manhattan school. As the hallways darken, and dead moths cake the floor, a charismatic new R.A. named Peter reveals that their actions have unleashed a terrible consequence: the underworld and all its evil is now seeping into Marlowe.

Of course Daniel is a writer in his own write, and he shared with us about his long titled book (marketing is going to love you Daniel) “Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow”. A book consisting of four novellas, each one written in a different genre.

So sit back and listen to today's interesting and entertaining as I host today's "A Book and a Chat with Daniel Nayeri"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Daniel Nayeri".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Daniel Nayeri"

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
"Daniel Nayeri - Another Foust, Another Pan"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Joel M. Andre

My guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” is poet and writer Joel M Andre.

Joel always knew he wanted to write, and thanks to the support of his family, and a creative writing instructor named Terrance Pratt who nagged Joel telling him he had a gift, he has gone from writing poetry and now several novels in print.

Early on Joel wrote many poems, eventually he produced a book of many of these items called “Pray the Rain Never Ends” included in the book is a poem he wrote for his nephew Christopher Andre, which shows a different side to the normally darker range of Joel’s writings.

After this first book, Joel went on to write perhaps his own favorite novel “A Death at the North Pole” which shares with the reader a dark journey through a winter wonderland. Unfortunately like my own first delve into creative writing, the book when produced was not as the author wanted it, and I’m glad to say there will soon be a new and very much improved version of this very popular novel available.

Joel’s next creation, as we heard on the program is a technological ghost story called “Kill 4 Me”.

The book is thriller set in rural America, follows Casey Dwyer, a small town girl who becomes caught in a spirit’s unrelenting quest for vengeance after she receives a cryptic and seemingly harmless text message. It is a supernatural thriller that explores how technology can be used to torture others through the lens of a horror novel. Some have said “it shows horror writer Joel M. Andre at his best.”

Fresh off the press we heard about the first book in a possible trilogy called “The Black Chronicles: Cry of the Fallen”...

“On a warm summer afternoon, in Northern Arizona, a double homicide stains the ground with blood. Detectives are called out to handle the investigation, each plagued with their own internal demons, and aren't prepared for what they are about to find.

Detective Lauren Bruni, faces a world of darkness and evil, as a demonic force begins to leash an attack on a small town. As the stakes begin to rise, so does the stunning truth, that not even Lauren can imagine.
In a world where her life had started to fall apart, she must pick up the pieces and push forward in an effort to save those that she loves the most.”

With several more books already written and further books in the The Black Chronicles series underway, Joel continues take the Horror genre and push the boundaries. His is a name I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more of.

So listen to an interesting and entertaining show as I spend thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with Joel M. Andre"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Joel M. Andre".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Joel M. Andre"

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
"Joel M. Andre - A Death at the North Pole"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with C.S.Lakin

When I read that my guest on today’s show had written that she” prefers to write than even eating chocolate,” I thought this is a lady I’d love to have on the show. C.S. Lakin (Susanne) did not let me down, in an hour full on entertainment and interesting facts she shared with us much of her path to literary success as well as what she has to share with us in the future.

She wrote her first novel over twenty three years ago, and got picked up almost straight away by a top literary agent. But it was not an overnight success, writing subjects from suspense and mystery to sci-fi it never really happened. That is until the last couple of years, when two of her books were published within months of each other.

Her contemporary fiction novel “Someone to Blame” won the Zondervan First Novel contest in 2009. The book is full of tension, written with scenes and characters that make you wanting to keep turning the page, keeping the reader guessing as to what happens next.

At the same time she produced “The Wolf of Tebron” her first book in her fantasy series “The Gates of Heaven”. With book four of the series already written, and at least three more yet to come, this fantasy series is going to prove hugely popular.

C.S. Lakin has not just taken over the mantel from C.S. Lewis for adult fairytale/fantasy writing, but with her other writing has set her literary level of success to something that others will be looking up to.

So listen to an interesting and entertaining show as I spend sixty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with C.S.Lakin"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with C.S.Lakin".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"C.S.Lakin"

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
"C.S.Lakin - The Gates of Heaven Series"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Nicholas Oliva

My guest today Nicholas Oliva has been a musician, poet, photographer, an audio engineer, an Entertainment and Technical Director for over twenty-five years, and more recently an author.

His first book "Only Moments" was published in 2007, was written about the lifetime journey of the professional musical career of a husband and wife team to the year 2020. However as we discovered during an interesting show, in writing this book, and some of the actions that happened, it opened up a door to a locked memory of his own life, facing up to the fact that had had been abused himself when young.

Nicholas’s second book, “Finding God: To Believe or Not To Believe” is based on his own near death experience in 2004. He waited a long time to begin writing this book. Firstly and most influential was the reasoning that by taking a stand on what he had experienced and believed, would have many detractors and people who would attack him in order to perpetuate and bolster their own beliefs or perhaps lack of beliefs, using Nicholas as an example.

The book explores the world of science, religion, and atheism and integrates them into the aspects of Twentieth and Twenty-first Century physics, as well as Nicholas’s thoughts on his own near death experience.

As he shared with us, the results have not been without some very negative feedback, as well as the loss of some…so called friends; the result however is a book of contemporary issues are combined with the latest scientific and philosophic theories in the search for real truth of subjects that have brought down entire empires in bloodlust, and have each of us pondering the eternal “Why?”

At the end of the day, as the Beatles once said… “All you need is love”

So listen to an interesting and entertaining show as I spent thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with Nicholas Oliva"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Nicholas Oliva".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Nicholas Oliva"

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:

"Nicholas Oliva - Finding God: To Believe or Not to Believe"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with M.M.Bennetts

M.M.Bennetts, historical author, accomplished pianist and cross country horse rider, is my guest on a fascinating “A Book and a Chat” today.

Not many people in the US realize that where as quite a few presidents have met an untimely end in America, only one British Prime Minister has been assassinated, and that was Prime Minister Perceval who was killed in 1812. A turbulent time in world history, with Napoleon sweeping across Europe, and all that was going on at the time in England.

After over 50 rejections “M” finally got her book “May 1812” published, closely followed by a second book “Of Honest Fame”. These are the first two of a quartet investigating and sharing knowledge which, some of which as we heard during the program has only recently been discovered or in some cases disclosed.

While “May 1812” takes you into the realms of politics and how England must have been with the shock of the Perceval’s assassination, it also shares much of what life was like during that time period, which is the theme throughout the second book and the two yet to be published.

The whole quartet looks at the world at that time from four different sides, and if “May1812” was the political scene, then “Of Honest Fame” is like a 19th century James Bond story. While we think that spying is a modern event, we learn from “M” writing how nearly every section of the government had its own set of spies from the navy and army to even the Bow Street Runners (early police force).

Just the snippets we learn on this dark cloak and dagger stuff would keep a reader turning the pages of this great pair of books. Add to that the knowledge one learns, the exiting plots, and view of a world that is still shrouded in mystery and you can see why not only are the first two books by M.M Bennett’s already proving hugely popular, but also why many are already asking for the view of that world in the next books.

As we learned from a truly interesting chat, we will be visiting and learning about the historical issues in Italy and Vienna in these next two eagerly awaited novels.

The name M.M. Bennetts might have taken a few rejections before it hit the book shelves, but I’m sure it will be a name that will soon spread around the historical fiction readers throughout the world.

So listen to an interesting and entertaining show as I spent thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with M.M.Bennetts"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with M.M.Bennetts".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"M.M.Bennetts"

You can find out more about my guests and their books at:

"M.M.Bennetts - Of Honest Fame"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Cheryl C. Malandrinos

The name Cheryl C. Malandrinos my guest on the show today, may not be one that drops from readers lists, however it is one known by many authors who have been on virtual tours. Cheryl, is one of the tour guides for the wonderful virtual tour group “Pump Up Your Book”.

I was also lucky enough to join Cheryl as a member of a panel talking about the use of the internet for authors at “Write Angles 25”.

Now Cheryl is herself touring with her wonderful children’s book “Little Sheppard”.

As well as writing and being a Tour Coordinator for Pump Up Your Book, Cheryl is a freelance writer and editor, a regular contributor for Writer2Writer, her articles focus on increasing productivity through time management and organization.

About “The Little Sheppard”

“The Little Sheppard” is a lovely story that tells the birth of Jesus through the eyes of a 5 year old shepherd boy named Obed.

Obed's story gives a fresh and heartwarming view of what it must have been like for a child to have witnessed such a great event. While the book is marked as one for ages 4-8, though with its bright illustrations and sweet story, it will certainly be a hit with all ages!

This book would be a wonderful addition to any Christian family library and perfect to read for a bedtime story.

Through a really interesting an entertaining show we heard how the story went from being originally aimed at the adult market to a story being seen through the eyes of a young child.

Cheryl also shared with us about her recent winning of a picture book month where she had to come up with a different idea throughout the whole of November for a picture book.

With other books already in the production line, and as proved last month many ideas for future book, I’m sure we will hear more of Cheryl C. Malandrinos as an author.

So listen to an interesting and entertaining show as I spent thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with Cheryl C. Malandrinos"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Cheryl C. Malandrinos".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Cheryl C. Malandrinos"

You can find out more about my guests and their books at:

"Cheryl C. Malandrinos - Little Shepard"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat with Melinda Marchiano

Melinda Marchiano was a happy thirteen year old, academically at the top of her class, enjoying dancing six days a week and enjoying life, when suddenly her world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with “Hodgkin Lymphoma”.

As Melinda shared with us during the show, in some ways to finally have a diagnosis it was a relief.

Over the next “forty-eight doses of chemo, a trip to the ER, two doses of morphine, three drug reactions, forty-one shots, over one hundred-fifty needle pokes, fourteen days of radiation, an eating disorder, a mass the size of a softball, a PICC line, a port, two biopsies, a bone marrow aspiration, total hair loss, nine months of intense therapy and so many doctor appointments…” A first in her journal and then in her now international award winning novel Melinda shared a written record of her diagnosis, treatment for and recovery from Hodgkins.

Throughout the bad times, as we learned, Melinda’s faith, her love of dance, therapy dogs, and warm blankets kept not only Melinda aiming for the future, to beat the illness, help others and lead to an enhancement in her own faith and believe.

Her book “Grace: A Childs Intimate Journey Through Cancer And Recovery” is filled with countless upbeat, smiling photos of Melinda - posing with friends and family members, snuggling with the therapy dogs that kept her company during chemo, mugging for the camera in the hospital with a water bottle balanced on top of her bald head. But every chapter or so, her tone changes, becoming more serious, somber even, as she tries to make sense of her health crisis.

It is an uplifting story of thirteen-year-old Melinda Marchiano’s battle with cancer—told in her own unflinchingly honest words.

Melinda has taken on the mantel of advocate on behalf of many different organizations, her way of expressing gratitude for her life. Her story is a gift that will aid others both those fighting such an illness or those who have friends and love ones going through such times.

The first edition of Grace won 2010 International Book Awards: Award Winner in the : Health/Cancer Category and Finalist in the : Spirituality/Inspirational

I will leave the final words to Lance Armstrong…

“In her book, Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery, Melinda Marchiano offers an honest and inspiring portrayal of her cancer experience through the eyes of a teenager and proves there is medicinal value in love and laughter. Melinda and I share a common bond. We are survivors. And we believe in the importance of empowering fellow survivors to live life on their own terms. By sharing her story, Melinda is giving a voice to this global epidemic that needs immediate attention. I am grateful to Melinda for having the courage to speak up and for her generosity in helping others fighting cancer.”
-Lance Armstrong

So listen to an interesting and entertaining show as I spent thirty minutes sharing "A Book and a Chat with Melinda Marchiano"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Melinda Marchiano".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Melinda Marchiano"

You can find out more about my guests and their books at:

"Melinda Marchiano - Grace"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

A Book and a Chat Author Warning

After my Male YA Month we are back with general books and issues for all ages and people. As you all know and have heard from numerous authors and guests who have appeared on the show, us small, and in some cases not so small authors about supporting the small independent book stores.

There are though sometimes some issues, and my two guests on the show today, both of whom have appeared as show guests in their own right Melissa Crandall and MJ (Mo) Allaire talked of their own experiences and issues at one of our CT local stores. Providing some very useful information and guide lines, for other authors who might be planning book signings on a small local shop.


Both these ladies explained about issues with “Burgundy Books” Norwich Road, East Haddam CT. Both of the authors have in the past done book signing events in this store, and neither has received any money for the books sold, and as we heard through the show, even though they have taken the store to the small claims court, and won, and have a marshal trying to recover their money, nothing so far has come to fruit. It almost seems if you turn round and play the ostrich burying your head in the sand then you can get away with things.

Several interesting aspects and tips for authors were discussed during the show including perhaps just having a simple contract you and the store both sign to protect both of you.


As well as this warning I was able to bring up something myself and yesterdays guest Alan Gratz were able to discuss about some small book stores, and I’m “not” talking second hand stores, but some stores he has seen selling “arc” copies of books. There again I’m sure the author and the publisher might be interested if seen, as an “arc” is just an advance copy donated to people for reviews etc, not sold.

To end the interesting show we heard what the two ladies are up to in their own literary lives, with fresh books on the way.

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat Author Warning".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Author Warning"

You can find out more about my guests and their books at:
"MJ Allaire"
"Melissa Crandall"

Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

MYM A Book and a Chat with Alan Gratz

When Alan Gratz realized that “the force” was not with him, that he did not have the mental power to make model airplane spin in a certain direction, his dreams of becoming a Jedi master faded. Instead Alan started writing. At first a one page news sheet for people in his street called “Blue Spring Lane News”, shortly followed by a book he produced in his fifth grade called “Real Men Don’t Eat Spinach” (a play on “Real men Don’t Eat Quiche”), a copy of which still exists.

From this early start Alan went on to study creative writing, writing over 6000 radio adverts, plays, articles and two as yet unsold books. Then along came “Samurai Shortstop”.

The idea for “Samurai Shortstop” came when Alan was looking through a travel guide and came across a picture of a man in a kimono throwing out the first pitch at a baseball tournament in Japan in… 1915! Around thirty books studied later Alan had a story about a boy blending bushido with baseball, and Alan had his start on the road to publication from which he’s never looked back.


This first book was followed by the so far first two Horatio Wilkes mysteries, loosely based on Shakspear plays with as we heard during a really entertaining show links to modern day issues.

Something Rotten:

Loosely based on the Champion Paper controversy, laced around Hamlet, Something Rotten tells about a stinking-rich family. A reeking paper plant. A murder most foul. Something is definitely rotten in Denmark, Tennessee, and only 17-year-old detective Horatio Wilkes can sniff out the killer.

Something Wicked:

A Scottish Highland Fair turns foul when its beloved founder is found dead in his tent. Horatio Wilkes is on the case, but he'll need all his snark and all his smarts--and a little "Amazing Grace"--to bring the killer to justice.

After this a jotted down idea of generations united through baseball, had Alan signed up for a fresh book before head even started writing. From this start perhaps his best novel so far “The Brooklyn Nine” came to life.

The Brooklyn Nine:

The story of nine "innings," or nine generations, of Schneider children from 1845 to the present. Their lives and their enduring connections to Brooklyn, baseball, and American history.

Alan shared with us not only about his past books and what he is working on now, but also his next publication due out early next year… “Fantasy Baseball”.

Fantasy Baseball:

Aflying monkey in the outfield. A toad at short. Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz on the mound. Alex Metcalf thinks he’s dreaming, but the Oz Cyclones exist here in Ever After, where storybook characters live on as long as kids in the real world believe in them.

But Alex isn't a storybook. To get home, he and the Cyclones will have to win the Ever After Baseball Tournament and earn wishes from the Wizard of Oz. Trouble is, the Big Bad Wolf wants a wish too.

To win the tournament, Alex and the Cyclones will have to defeat the wolf, play the best baseball of their lives, and find the courage to believe in themselves. But what good is believing in yourself if the real world stops believing in you?

So sit back and listen to an hugely entertaining sixty minutes as today I present "MYM A Book and a Chat with Alan Gratz"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Alan Gratz".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Alan Gratz"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Alan Gratz - "Something Rotten", "The Brooklyn Nine"



Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

MYM A Book and a Chat with Estevan Vega

As we come to the last two days of my Male YA Author Month, it’s great not just to have a fellow Connecticut author as the guest on today’s show, but also a person whose appeared on the show before.

As a young boy, Estevan Vega never really felt interested in the written word. He found far more fascinating things, like comic book superheroes, listening to music, watching movies and sketching fantastical beings that caught his eye.

Then in the fifth grade, writing short essays for a rather standoffish teacher ignited the literary fire that is still burning. Using his imaginative father as a springboard for ideas, Vega set out to write a full manuscript. His dream to become a published author came forth when he was just 15 years old, releasing his first literary creation, “Servant of the Realm”, to the world, a story about a teenager who sees the future deaths of those he loves and tries to change it.

“The Sacred Sin”, his second book, was published when he was 18, and shows a darker edge and deeper intensity than his first effort. The captivating novel bleeds with honesty and emotion, telling the story of Jude Foster, a cynical self-loathing detective, assigned to bring down a serial killer capable of stealing victim's souls without ever touching them.

These first two books sent the ripples out into the world of YA novels, making the small waves that would become much larger ones when his next book “Arson” was launched.

About Arson:

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can’t shut it off.

Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl-who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin-moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears the most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

From signing books in movie theaters to running a band festival to promote his book, Estevan has moved into the world of YA literature like a breath of fresh air, his following growing all the time. As he shared with us, the follow up for Arson is almost completed and I’m sure with that book those ripples will spread even more across the YA literary pond.

So sit back and listen to an hugely entertaining sixty minutes as today I present "MYM A Book and a Chat with Estevan Vega"

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Estevan Vega".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Estevan Vega"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Estevan Vega - Arson"

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


Nov 29th Estevan Vega - Author of "The Sacred Sin" and "Arson" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz - Author of "Something Wicked", "Something Rotten", "The Brooklyn Nine" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST



Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

MYM A Book and a Chat with Allan Frewin Jones

My guest today on another Male YA Book and a Chat special is author Allan Frewin Jones. His love for literature started when a teacher read the first few chapters of Alan Garner’s The Weirdstone of Brisingamen to his class. And as Allan says… “The heavens opened and voice said, "WRITE!".


His love of writing mixed with his love of music and art has inspired him to writer numerous books from the late 1980’s. Something that as we heard during a really interesting and entertaining program was aided by a mysteries chance meeting with an elderly gentleman on a train, which lead to his purchase of a collection of fantasy books, enhancing his already love for Fantasy.


Though Allan’s early works were produced at a time when fantasy was not the popular genre that it is today.

Popularity of series including “Stacy and Friends/Little Sister” and “Hunter and Moon” allowed Allan to write full time, developing him into a much loved author.

Other sets of books including “Dark Paths” and “Special Agents” kept his name on the literary shelves until with the increase of Fantasy books following the huge success of the Harry Potter books, Allan has brought his talents back to his first love.


Hugely popular series of books such as “Talisman”, “The Warrior Princess” and “The Faerie Path” have since flowed from the worlds of Allan Frewin Jones. Making him a much loved and appreciated author, that was suggested by many to appear on this month’s “Male YA Author” shows.

In a packed show that could have gone on for hours Alan shared with us much about his wiring as well as some of the works that are in the production pipeline including his new six part fantasy series “Sundered Lands” or as we heard during the show, being launched in the US under the titles “The Six Crowns”

So sit back and listen to an hugely entertaining sixty minutes as today I present "MYM A Book and a Chat with Allan Frewin Jones"
Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Allan Frewin Jones"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Allan Frewin Jones"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Alex - Warrior Princess, Faerie Path"

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones - Author of "The Faerie Path" and "The Warrior Princess" series - Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 29th Estevan Vega - Author of "The Sacred Sin" and "Arson" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz - Author of "Something Wicked", "Something Rotten", "The Brooklyn Nine" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST



Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

MYM A Book and a Chat with Steve Brezenoff

It was either the love of “Whose Mouse Are YOU? When very young, or when in the seventh grade when he read The Catcher in the Rye and thought that he could write like that which lead today’s guest Steve Brezenoff down the path which has eventually lead to his debut YA novel “The Absolute Value of -1”.


In between there were several other books baring Steve’s name as he was pulled in to help with various other short novels as well as his popular “Field Trip Mysteries”.

During his senior year of college, Steve took a class on creative writing where he wrote a short story called "Looking Down on Havoc" about a boy obsessed with death and very close with his big sister. Over the next 14 years, he expanded the novel, writing more scenes until he’d produced Metro magazine’s “Young Adult Book of the Year”… “The Absolute Value of -1”.

About: “The Absolute Value of -1”

Noah, Lily, and Simon have been a trio forever. But as they enter high school, their relationships shift and their world starts to fall apart. Privately, each is dealing with a family crisis—divorce, abuse, and a parent’s illness. Yet as they try to escape the pain and reach out for the connections they once counted on, they slip—like soap in a shower. Noah’s got it bad for Lily, but he knows too well Lily sees only Simon. Simon is indifferent, suddenly inscrutable to his friends. All stand alone in their heartache and grief.

The book explores the changing value of relationships as the characters realize that the distances between them are far greater than they knew.

During the show, Steve shared with us much about what lead to his debut YA novel, as well as news of his second book now called “Brooklyn, Burning", will be out in fall of 2011.

So sit back and listen to an entertaining sixty minutes as today I present "MYM A Book and a Chat with Steve Brezenoff".
Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Steve Brezenoff"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Steve Brezenoff"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Steve Brezenoff - The Absolute Value of -1"

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


Nov 23rd Steve Brezenoff - Author of "The Absolute Value of -1", "Alley of Shadows" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 24th Alex - Author of "Alex reads books" blog - Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 25th Estevan Vega - Author of "The Sacred Sin" and "Arson" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones - Author of "The Faerie Path" and "The Warrior Princess" series - Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz - Author of "Something Wicked", "Something Rotten", "The Brooklyn Nine" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST



Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

MYM A Book and a Chat with Shaun David Hutchinson

My guest today, Shaun David Hutchinson wanted to be a superhero when he was young, but as he could not be one of those he began to tell stories instead. One day when his mother had been taken to hospital with some heart problems, he was thinking about how he was so far away from her and what would he do if anything happened (something I know about too well this year). How he would not be able to say goodbye, when the thought came to him, that there should be some form of system, so that people could prepare for their death. From this acorn of an idea, that was nurtured by the voice of his character Ollie, came the mighty oak of his debut novel “THE DEATHDAY LETTER”

During a hugely entertaining show, as well as discussing how being a member of the ”tenners” debut author group had helped him, we chatted about not only the theme of the book, but the wonderful characters that bring the pages to life.

THE DEATHDAY LETTER:

The clock is ticking... Ollie can't be bothered to care about anything but girls until he gets his Deathday Letter and learns he's going to die in twenty-four hours. Bummer. Ollie does what he does best: nothing. Then his best friend convinces him to live a little, and go after Ronnie, the girl who recently trampled his about-to-expire heart. Ollie turns to carloads of pudding and over-the-top declarations, but even playing the death card doesn't work. All he wants is to set things right with the girl of his dreams. It's now or never.

What would you do if you found you only had 24hrs to live, something that happens to believable; loveable and so true to life Ollie in the book, the off and on relationship with Ronnie and his mate Shane, make sure that his last 24hrs are ones that are enjoyed. While the book could be deep about the meaning of life etc, it is not though obviously there are undertones. It’s a a book full of humor, rollercoaster relationships, dynamic characters and a great plot.

Of course being 15 year old boys, Ollie and Shane thoughts revolve around sex, food, sex, girls, antimony and sex. It will bring back memories of high school, educate some girls into the inner working of a teenage boys mind and relate to teenage boys in so many ways.

This debut book has pretty much got the teenage boy persona down perfectly. Hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time, no wonder THE DEATHDAY LETTER has become one of the YA hits of 2010.

So sit back and listen to an entertaining thrity minutes as today I present "MYM A Book and a Chat with Shaun David Hutchinson".
Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Shaun David Hutchinson"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Shaun David Hutchinson"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Shaun David Hutchinson - The Deathday Letter"

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


Nov 18th Shaun David Hutchinson - Author of "The Death Day Letter" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 20th Daniel Nayeri - Author "Another Faust", "Another Pan"- Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 23rd Steve Brezenoff - Author of " The Absolute Value of -1", "Alley of Shadows" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 24th Alex - Author of "Alex reads books" blog - Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 25th Estevan Vega - Author of "The Sacred Sin" and "Arson" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones - Author of "The Faerie Path" and "The Warrior Princess" series - Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz - Author of "Something Wicked", "Something Rotten", "The Brooklyn Nine" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST



Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

MYM A Book and a Chat James - Book Chic Club Blog

As the Male YA Author Month (MYM) continues I could not do without the “sham-wow” what I call the YA bloggers, so of course to fit with the theme of the whole month I asked about male YA bloggers when setting up my guests. One that was suggested as a guest, is today’s guest, author of “Book Chic Club” blog… James.

Participating in Drama Club, Stage Crew, Choir, and Anime Club at high school, in his junior year, he wrote a one-act play that got performed in my school's annual One-Act Festival. James started blogging on “myspace” in June 2007, before moving to his current Blogspot site in July 2009.

James shared with us what lead to him starting the blog, some of his interviews as well as people he has met in the literary world.

Always willing to do reviews or guest posts, “Book Chic Club” is a blog you should try and follow, or else for authors perhaps asks James for help with your next book. He mainly reviews YA books, but will also do the occasional MG or adult title, as well as interview authors etc.

The show included many little snippets about James, his love of YA literature, his guests and his blogs.

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with James Blogger)"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"James (Blogger)"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"James - Book Chic Club Blog"

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


Nov 17th James - Author of "Book Chic Club" blog - Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 18th Shaun David Hutchinson - Author of "The Death Day Letter" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 20th Daniel Nayeri - Author "Another Faust", "Another Pan"- Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 23rd Steve Brezenoff - Author of " The Absolute Value of -1", "Alley of Shadows" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 24th Alex - Author of "Alex reads books" blog - Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 25th Estevan Vega - Author of "The Sacred Sin" and "Arson" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones - Author of "The Faerie Path" and "The Warrior Princess" series - Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz - Author of "Something Wicked", "Something Rotten", "The Brooklyn Nine" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST



Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

MYM A Book and a Chat with Barry Lyga

When my guest today told his grandmother he wanted to be a writer, in typical Jewish grandmother terms she replied, “Oh, so you want to starve?” Barry Lyga, despite that start has not only become an author, but a hugely popular YA author.

Anybody who can write terrific novel that go from revealing his on comic book geekdom, to the sexual abuse of a teen boy by a female teacher, to tackling censorship before going onto start another book with the lament about the female’s character menstrual cycle is somebody worth chatting to. And so it proved on a hugely interesting and entertaining MYM (male YA Author month) Book and a Chat with Barry Lyga.

Barry grow up with a deep love of comic books, his favorite Sandman receiving several mentions in his first book, “The Astonishing Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl”.

Fan Boy and Goth Girl, is often said to be too autobiographical for his own good, the hero being a young comic book geek who meets the girl of his nightmares. Barry shared with us how the characters and events were woven from his own experiences, friends, even girls he admire, sometimes from afar. The bulling part he told us also came from an episode in his own life.

Booklist said about the book… sharply authentic….Fanboy’s whip-smart, often hilariously sarcastic voice skillfully captures a teenager’s growing self-awareness, and adds fresh, urgent perspective to age-old questions about how young people cope with bullying and their own feelings of helplessness, rage, and being misunderstood as they try to discover themselves

Many people wanted a follow up; instead Barry went a different direction… at the time… with his second book Boy Toy. A book about a teen boy being lead on, then sexually abused, by his attractive female teacher. A hard book for Barry to write he told us, more about Josh the hero facing up to the fact he was abused, and getting over his own guilt.

After that came “Hero-Type” a book Barry openly admits he wrote in anger, it is set in Brookdale once again, covering censorship, flag burning and patriotic believes.

Finally the sequel of “The Astonishing Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl” did arrive with his next book “Goth Girl Rising" which had Kyra returning home from Maryland Mental Health Unit.


With further books following close behind including his first and by no means his last foray into younger readers material “Archvillian” which as we heard will be followed by several more based on the same character. Also a new YA book coming out in 2012 ”I Hunt killers” a slightly more heavy book, which already has a follow up in the pipeline.

Barry Lyga, far from “wanting to starve” has become a hugely popular writer with a string of books going to hit the stores over the next few years.

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Barry Lyga"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Barry Lyga"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Barry Lyga - Fan Boy and Goth Girl"

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


Nov 16th Barry Lyga - Author of "Fan Boy and Goth Girl", "Boy Toy", "Hero Type" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 17th James - Author of "Book Chic" blog - Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 18th Shaun David Hutchinson - Author of "The Death Day Letter" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 20th Daniel Nayeri - Author "Another Faust", "Another Pan"- Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 23rd Steve Brezenoff - Author of " The Absolute Value of -1", "Alley of Shadows" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 24th Alex - Author of "Alex reads books" blog - Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 25th Estevan Vega - Author of "The Sacred Sin" and "Arson" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones - Author of "The Faerie Path" and "The Warrior Princess" series - Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz - Author of "Something Wicked", "Something Rotten", "The Brooklyn Nine" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST



Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry

MYM A Book and a Chat with Jon Skovron

It’s not everybody’s dream to act a Shakespeare play in a warehouse with temperatures in the nineties, wearing a woolen sailor suit, nor was it Jon Skovron’s, my guest on today’s Male YA Author “A Book and a Chat”. In fact that was the start of him giving up the acting and following his writing career, which eventually has lead to the hugely popular debut YA novel “Struts & Frets”.

Jon is an insatiable music geek who can play eight instruments, but none of them well… (According to him). He started writing in junior high, which developed into short stories at high school. He also, wrote songs and still has is old song books, from which some of the songs within “Struts & Frets” have been taken.

As we heard during the entertaining program, Jon shared with us, how one of the main influences in his writing is Vanity Fair by William Thackeray. John shared how he definitely feels a very intense connection to Thackeray's work unlike any other author he’s ever read. What's weird is that, stylistically speaking, is that they are nothing alike as writers.

As with Sammy the hero of “Struts & Frets” music runs in Jon’s family, with characters such as Sammy’s grandfather not far away from his own relation.

About STRUTS & FRETS:

Music is in Sammy’s blood. His grandfather was a jazz musician, and Sammy’s indie rock band could be huge one day—if they don’t self-destruct first. Winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands would justify all the band’s compromises and reassure Sammy that his life’s dream could become a reality. But practices are hard to schedule when Sammy’s grandfather is sick and getting worse, his mother is too busy to help either of them, and his best friend may want to be his girlfriend.
When everything in Sammy’s life seems to be headed for major catastrophe, will his music be enough to keep him together.

The book has been called “honest, urgent, inspirational, hilarious and moving”.

The story is told in a voice that will resonate not just with teenage musicians but with anyone who ever sat up all night listening to music and wondering if they’d ever find their place in this world.

We also heard about Jon’s new book “Misfit” a sarcastic yet lovable half demon girl in a Catholic School, a bigger and darker book, which is due to come out in the Fall of 2011. With a second a follow up to “Misfit” already underway, and a third story in the planning stage, Jon Skovron, is a name week hear a lot more of in the future.

So sit back and enjoy today's Male YA Author "A Book and a Chat with Jon Skovron".

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Jon Skovron"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Jon Skovron"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Jon Skovron - Struts & Frets"

MALE YA AUTHOR MONTH GUESTS

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


Nov 15th Jon Skovron - Author of "Struts & Frets" and "Misfit (2011)" - Mon 6:30pm EST

Nov 16th Barry Lyga - Author of "Fan Boy and Goth Girl", "Boy Toy", "Hero Type" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 17th James - Author of "Book Chic" blog - Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 18th Daniel Nayeri - Author "Another Faust", "Another Pan" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 20th Scott Westerfeld - Author of "Uglies", "Pretties", "Special", and "Extras" - Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 23rd Steve Brezenoff - Author of " The Absolute Value of -1", "Alley of Shadows" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST

Nov 24th Alex - Author of "Alex reads books" blog - Wed 6:30pm EST

Nov 25th Estevan Vega - Author of "The Sacred Sin" and "Arson" - Thur 6:30pm EST

Nov 27th Allan Frewin Jones - Author of "The Faerie Path" and "The Warrior Princess" series - Sat 11:00am EST

Nov 30th Alan Gratz - Author of "Something Wicked", "Something Rotten", "The Brooklyn Nine" etc… - Tues 6:30pm EST



Barry Eva (Storyheart)

My Blogs:

Book Information and Things UK - Across the Pond

Book and a Chat Radio Show Guests - A Book and a Chat

Funny, Weird Or Just Interesting News From Around the World - Laugh I Thought My Trousers Would Never dry