A Book and a Chat with Tara Sullivan

Today’s show was one of the one hour specials as I chatted to another member of the Class of 2K13 debut midgrade and YA authors. My guest was Tara Sullivan whose debut book “Golden Boy” was released last month.

Where as with most guests on the show I check their bio before hand to get some information I can use during the show, Tara’s life is almost a book in its own right.

Born in Calcutta with her mother’s Irish red hair and pale skin, Tara traveled around South America and the Caribbean with her parents who were international aid workers.  She grow up chatting about international issues and aid requirements at the dinner table and as we learned during the show, was educated via continues collections of books and poetry.

After suffering damage to her eyes from the hole in the ozone over the Andes, her family settled in Virginia, slightly different from Bolivia.

Now a teacher of Spanish in Burlington High School, Massachusetts, Tara’s debut book stems from an article she read about the kidnapping, mutilation, and murder of African albinos for use as good luck talismans. As one who had to hide from the sun and could never blend into a crowd, she wanted to tell the story about what it must feel like to be a kid who has those problems in the extreme. So she wrote GOLDEN BOY.

About “Golden Boy”:  (Taken from authors web site)

Thirteen-year-old Habo has always been different— light eyes, yellow hair and white skin. Not the good brown skin his family has and not the white skin of tourists. Habo is strange and alone. His father, unable to accept Habo, abandons the family; his mother can scarcely look at him. His brothers are cruel and the other children never invite him to play. Only his sister Asu loves him well. But even Asu can’t take the sting away when the family is forced from their small Tanzanian village, and Habo knows he is to blame.

Seeking refuge in Mwanza, Habo and his family journey across the Serengeti. His aunt is glad to open her home until she sees Habo for the first time, and then she is only afraid. Suddenly, Habo has a new word for himself: Albino. But they hunt albinos in Mwanza because albino body parts are thought to bring good luck. And soon Habo is being hunted by a fearsome man with a machete. To keep his life, Habo must run, not knowing if he can ever stop.

As one reviewer wrote…

Tara Sullivan has unbelievable talents and skills. Her book was incredibly riveting, inspiring, and a MUST read for all. I could not put the book down as the wonderful twists and turns enabled the reader to venture into the lives of each of the characters portrayed in the novel. I learned so much about albinism and how it is viewed in other continents particularly those in the various geographical areas of Africa. It is also inspiring to know that her readers can contact the nonprofit organizations working in the field. I look forward to reading more books by Tara.

So listen now and share an interesting, and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today on A Book and a Chat with Tara Sullivan

Barry

Direct link to the show
A Book and a Chat with Tara Sullivan

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Tara Sullivan"

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Tara Sullivan - Golden Boy"

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

The 400th "A Book and a Chat" with Cheryl Malandrinos

Back in February 2009, after appearing on a few radio shows, and with experience of running a couple of local TV shows narrating stories from my romance book as well as filming local karaoke, I thought… why not try your own radio show. Loving a good old “chin wag” as we say in England I thought it might be good fun, little did I know just how much.

After a couple of practice runs the first “A Book and a Chat” was aired on March 7th, with my first guest being a fellow radio show starter and author Kim Smith.

Now a couple of years or so later here I am hosting my 400th radio show.

For this special 400th addition of “A Book and a Chat” I am very pleased to say I have Cheryl Malandrinos as my guest. Cheryl is freelance writer and editor, a founding member of Musing Our Children; she is also a Tour Coordinator for Pump Up Your Book. Her first children’s book, Little Shepherd, was released in August 2010 by Guardian Angel Publishing.

Cheryl has been working on blogs, reviews and virtual book tours for more years than the show has been running, and was one of the first people, along with Dorothy Thomson who I met when my own book “Across the Pond” was published.

During an entertaining and I hope informative show, we discussed how things have changed in the world of publishing and promotion since the show has been running.
Cheryl herself has had success with her book “Little Shepherd” which as we learned during the show will be followed by “A Christmas Kindness” next year. About “Little Shepherd”

Obed is in the hills outside Bethlehem when the angels appear to announce the Savior’s birth. Can he trust that the miracle of the first Christmas will keep his flock safe while he visits the newborn King?

With Christmas just around the corner, I can highly recommend her book for those young readers in your family.

Over the last 400 shows, I am very proud of the many, many comments I have received from guests, nearly all love the style and many have come back for a second third, fourth or even fifth time.

I have had some very famous guests on the show during these last two years from Emmy award winners such as Louise Shaffer, to authors such as Steve Berry who have 72 million copies in print throughout the world. I love to involve the YA Bloggers, as I call them the “Sham Wow” of YA literature as they soak everything up. I have made it a point to include bloggers as guests on the show as well as many debut authors. After all they might be debut authors today but they could be the stars of tomorrow. Class of 2K10, 2K11 YA debut authors were great and I already have several from Class of 2k12 signed up for the show.

There are a few drawbacks in having what sometimes has been five shows a week, the jokes and anecdotes tend to repeat themselves, but I always try and make the chat flow and love to laugh as anybody who has listened will tell you. Many guests are what can only be described as “scared” when they first call in and we chat before the show starts, but as I say to them, it’s honestly just a chat over a cup of tea (in my case English PG Tips), and so many have told me afterwards how much they enjoyed the easy going format and style, that they were completely at ease.

One good sign as to how the show is being enjoyed is the way the time seems to rush by for all over them, this I very soon realized and started running some 1hr specials, which again people have enjoyed.

I have in the last 400 shows I have covered subjects from abuse to life coaching, from Picture books to historical fiction. I have within three days covered a multi-million selling author such as Steve Berry, to William Link whose name might not be one you remember straight away until you realize he and his late writing partner wrote all the Colombo series, Murder She wrote and so much more. To be followed by a local author who had written some small books of stories about famous horses which were being sold on local “tack” shops
.

I love the various styles that can appear on the show, learning about people’s fights over illness and abuse, historical novels about periods in history, Leaning about floods, disasters, love and laughter, the eclectic mix of shows not only keeps me looking forward each week to the next show but I hope my listeners as well. I have made many friends along the way learned many things, about the art of writing as well as telling a good story.

Along the way I have come up with this parallel universe theory, which has become a pet theory of mine.

I think there is this parallel universe where all these stories are situated, all us writers are is the conduit that allows the stories to be share din our world. Ask almost any author and they will tell you that no matter how much you outline or plan the story, the characters come along that were not even thought of, and take over the story, you get led down different paths not even thought about as the story develops. When you have completed the novel, and look back on it, often you can’t even remember writing some of it, let alone using some of the language and words which you’d never use. Yes... the parallel universe writes story for you… well that’s my slightly tongue in cheek theory.

As you can imagine I’ve had some shows that have ended up more like a comedy show, while others have brought tears to many a listener.

One show that will always stand out for me was back in November of 2009. My guest was M.M Anderson and we were talking about her book “Werewolf Dreams”. There is an option and for people to dial into the show to chat to my guest themselves, and on this day a call came in to my switchboard, that as a show host you are able to control. I opened the phone connection and asked who wanted to talk to M.M. Anderson. All I got in response was some growling a cross between a dog and Chewbacca; yes a werewolf had dialed in to the show.

My guest thought it might be one of her children and threats were made, but on checking the number it was from a totally different state.

So from Werewolf’s to film stars, multi selling authors to ones with their first book, abuse to humor, peoples to pets, tears to laugher I’ve seen had them all on A Book and a Chat” 400 show downs, and hope to have many more to share with you.

I guess a few new one liners are required, and you never know, perhaps I’ll even have another call from a werewolf.

So listen now and share an interesting and entertaining show as I chat with my special guest today Chat with Cheryl Malandrinos

Barry

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

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

You can find out more about my guest and their books at:
"Cheryl Malandrinos - Little Shepherd"

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 Charles Barrett

One of the things that often come up during chats with authors especially newly published is how much work there is after their book has been published. I often say, in many ways that is when the work really starts. Charles Barrett, my guest on today’s “A Book and a Chat” is a person who can help with the media relationship and marketing that so many authors are looking for.

Charlie moved from a background in newspapers on the east coast to being a publicist amongst the stars in Hollywood. His company “The Barrett Company” was set up in Los Angeles in 1992 as a full service media relations and media marketing communications agency.

The company opened a book division some 12 years ago with author and Hollywood producer Marty Jurow (he produced "Breakfast at Tiffany's") and his book "Seein' Stars: A Show Biz Odyssey" from Southern Methodist University Press. Since then the firm has represented such companies as Simon & Schuster, Warner Brothers, Paramount, as well as Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Kevin Costner, author Carla Malden (daughter of Oscar winner actor Karl Malden), and other well known companies, personalities and authors.

Charlie shared with us, how he is proud of how the company emphasizes close and personal attention for each of our clients in books, TV and films and how they are available to hear from them almost 24 hours a day with e-mail, texting and phone. From TV shows such as "The Tonight Show," to bestselling books such as "Laughing Out Loud," The Barrett Company “has worked with many clients, in numerous areas. Be it a major publisher or a small self published author, Charlie Barrett and “The Barrett Company” has a media package for you.

So sit back and listen to today's thoroughly entertaining show as I host today's "A Book and a Chat with Charles Barrett".

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Charles Barrett".

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Charles Barrett"

You can find out more about my guest and his books at:
"Charles Barrett - The Barrett Company"

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 Lacey Boldyrev

Lacey Boldyrev is my guest on today’s "A Book and a Chat", the name might sound a little familiar to listeners of the program, as Lacey has been on the show a few times before, previously though as a listener asking questions of the shows guests. Today though, this YA reader, blogger and aspiring author, is herself a guest on the show.

Lacey has always been “into” YA literature, and though it was only in February 2009 she started writing seriously.

As she puts it…

“Within 30 days I had a rough (like #50 grit sandpaper, rough) first draft of a YA historical I call FATED. I’ve revised it for over a year and it’s still not ready.”

“Fated” might not be ready, but as we learned during the entertaining thirty minute show, Lacey, is already in print. Her short story “PARALLEL” is appears in an anthology called “REBEL MOON” published by Rebel Books.

This I’m sure is only a start as there is already a full length novel “GREYSKIN” going through the final cleanup, already out there seeking representation, with another story well on the way.

Lacey shared with us her news on her writing as well as discussing some of the wonderful authors of 2010, and how they have not only helped aspiring authors such as Lacey, also just the way they have been so approachable and how much success they have had over the last year, we also touched on the news that Shannon Delany for instance, with three books in the “13 to Life” series has just been asked to produce a further two books.

Not only did Lacey share with us about her blog http://sistersinscribe.blogspot.com/ and how her fellow bloggers from that site have helped her along the way, but also she shared with us about a brand new blog. Tangled Fiction blog spot (http://tangledfiction.blogspot.com/) is where four YA writers collaborate to complete one story a month. Launch date for that highly interesting site is September 7th.

From reading to writing, authors to publicity the show covered many areas. It was a pleasure to talk to lacey as a guest and I’m sure that next time I am lucky enough to have her on the program it will be interviewing a fully fledged author.

So sit back and enjoy today’s “A Book and a Chat with Lacey Boldyrev”

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Lacey Boldyrev"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Lacey Boldyrev"

You can find out more about my guest and their book at:
"Lacey Boldyrev - Rebel Moon"


Don't Forget November is MALE YA MONTH



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 Heidi R Kling

I am so pleased to finally meet up with my guest on tonight program after our missing out on our show last week. It is with a huge amount of pleasure that I was able to have a return visit from Heidi R Kling, author of the much waited for “Sea”.

I say much waited for but actually it was launched this last week, and I know from my own check with the staff of Borders where I was doing a book signing on Friday, the book has already been ordered bu many readers.

As one blogger wrote…

Sea by Heidi R. Kling is one of those books that sweeps you up and carries you away to another world when you’re not even paying attention. It’s not until much later — when you’ve practically finished the novel — that you realize how it has captured your attention.

It is a book that has been talked about and written about for months now as of last week it’s available for all.

During the show I was lucky enough to have several callers dial in to speak to Heidi, whom in her own inimitable fashion took each question in her stride, not only answering the person but adding extras to the listener’s question.

Being the second appearance by Heidi, I was able to look at some of the things we do not know about this author, including at a previous job she used to sometimes dress up in fishnets, to “Spelunking” in New Zealand.

As normal it was great to chat with Heidi, a show that all will listen and enjoy, as I spend a Sunday evening hosting “A Book and a Chat with Heidi R Kling”.


Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Heidi R Kling"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Heidi R Kling"

You can find out more about my guest and their book at:
"Heidi R Kling - Sea"

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 Michele Corriel

Tonight's show was visited by another of the wonderful Class of 2K10 debut authors, Michele Corriel.

Michele is an award-winning journalist, columnist and freelance writer. During her eleven years as a newspaper journalist, she garnered First Place awards from the Montana Newspaper Association and was recognized by the National Newspaper Association.

One of the other items that Michelle has introduced and that we chatted about during the show is the Paper Towel Poetry dispenser. Standing 5 feet tall on a leg of its own, a simple paper towel dispenser awaits to dab a taker with poetry after lured by the words, “Poetry Dispenser. Please Take One".

Michele explained during the show how this idea came about and the response she has received from sharing not only her own work but that of other poets.


Michele's book Fairview Felines: A Newspaper Mystery is due out in July, so right now I do not have a book cover to share with you. However Michele did chat with us, how the book came about, the trials of getting it published and how being part of the SCBWI aided the path to publication. We also chatted about other projects she is working on.

Fairview Felines: A Newspaper Mystery
(Blooming Tree/Tire Swing Press, July 2010) is the first in a series of middle grade mysteries based on the main character, Thomas Weston, who loves everything about newspapers, inky fingers and all. He dreams of having his own newspaper at school, so when all the cats in his town of Fairview start disappearing, he figures he can prove himself and solve the mystery. Oh, yeah, and he thinks in these really funny headlines.

I am sure that while Michele book is a Mid-grade novel it will be enjoyed by people of all ages, so look out for Fairview Felines: A Newspaper Mystery when it hits the shelves in July. And before then why not listen and enjoy tonight’s “A Book and a Chat with Michele Corriel”.

During the show I kept thinking that the hero of Michele's book sounded familiar, then suddenly remembered after the show that my guest on last Tuesday's was "Tom Weston" hows that for planning?

Barry

Direct link to the show
"A Book and a Chat with Michele Corriel"

or you can download the mp3 file of the show from
"Michele Corriel"

You can find out more about Michele and his book at:
"Michele Corriel"

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