Another Interview with Picture Book Author, Karen Kaufman Orloff

Today, I'd like to welcome another writer friend, Karen Kaufman Orloff and her main character, Alex. Alex's new story, I Wanna Go Home, will be released on September 25th.

Karen is an author of eight books for children, including the "I Wanna" series, from G.P. Putnam ("I Wanna Iguana," "I Wanna New Room," I Wanna Go Home.")  

Her other books include, "Talk,Oscar, Please," "If Mom Had Three Arms,"(both from Sterling) and three interactive "Nightlight Detective" mysteries from Peter Pauper Press.

Gayle: Hi Karen. Glad you could stop by with Alex.

Karen: Thanks for having us, Gail!

Hi, folks.  My name is Karen Kaufman Orloff and this is Alex, the letter writer
extraordinaire from “I Wanna Iguana,” “I Wanna New Room,” and the newest
book, “I Wanna Go Home.”

ALEX: Hi, everyone!

Karen:  Alex, you seem to be very prolific with your letter writing.

ALEX: What does that mean?

Karen: Well, just that for a boy your age, you write an awful lot of letters! Why
do you like to write letters…
ALEX: And emails. Don’t forget the emails from “I Wanna Go Home.”

Karen: Yes, sorry. And emails. Why do you like to write so many letters and emails?
ALEX: Glad you asked! People may think it’s because I’m kind of shy and
don’t like to talk, but it’s actually because when I write stuff down, I
can say exactly what I want to say. That sure comes in handy when I’m
trying to get my parents to do something!

Karen: Hmm. Yes, I noticed that you do a lot of that – asking your parents for
things.

ALEX: Yup! Like, in “I Wanna Iguana,” I asked them for an iguana, and
guess what?

Karen: What?

ALEX: I got one!

Karen: Well, good for you. I guess you always get what you want, is that right?
ALEX: Nah. Not always.  But sometimes, if I’m really persuasive, my
parents make a compromise. Like in “I Wanna New Room,” I couldn’t get my
old room back but my dad built me this neat treehouse!
Karen: How about in the new book, “I Wanna Go Home?”

ALEX: Oh, yeah, well, that was sort of a different thing. See, in the
beginning, I really did wanna go home! I mean, my grandparents, no offense
or anything, are weird! My grandpa doesn’t have real teeth! Yikes!  And
Grandma is always pushing her broccoli lasagna. But after a while, I
actually started having fun at their house. We did square dancing, and
face painting, and I won money playing BINGO, and…

Karen:  Yes, I get the idea.  So, in that book, the thing you wanted – to go home
– wasn’t really what you wanted at all?

ALEX: That’s right. You hit the nail on the head.  I was having so much
fun with the old folks, that I asked to stay for another whole week! Go
figure.

Karen: So, are you saying you actually learned something about yourself, Alex?

ALEX:  Yeah, okay, I guess so.

Karen: Can you tell us where to find all of your books, Alex?

ALEX:  All the books can be bought online through amazon.com, or
barnesandnoble.com, and for those who live in Dutchess County, NY, please
visit Merritt Books in Millbrook. They will have plenty of copies.

Karen: Great. And to conclude -- Are you planning on writing more letters and
emails in the near future, Alex?

ALEX:  Gee, I hope so! I kind of like being the main character in a series
of books. Wouldn’t you?

Karen: I’m not sure about that! But thanks, Alex, and thanks to Gail Krause, too,
for having us on her blog.
ALEX: Thanks, Gail!

Gayle: Thank you, Alex. And Karen, good luck with your book launch on September 25th.

You can find lesson plans for the "I Wanna Books" at www.iwannabooks.com

Today, I’d like to welcome my friend and author, Katie Carroll and her main character, Katora Kase, from her YA novel, ELIXIR BOUND. Let’s give a big round of applause for our guests. Katie, I’m happy you were able to visit The Storyteller’s Scroll. We are all anxious to meet Katora.

Katie:  Katora, why don’t you start by talking about exactly what you are up against in your latest adventure?

Katora: “As it turns out, I’ve been lied to my whole life, and by none other than my father. I thought essence was all we produced on the family farm, but I recently found out that Pop, my father, is the guardian of a secret healing Elixir. He called it the greatest healing Elixir ever available to humans, and then he told me I was next in line to become guardian. Now I must travel into the wilds of Faway Forest to fetch the nectar that gives the Elixir its potency…and decide whether or not I’ll become guardian and bind myself to its magic. No easy task!”

Katie: Wow! That must have really thrown you for a loop. What are you feeling now? And please feel free to be candid.

Katora: “Despite the surprise of finding out about the Elixir and the anger at being lied to, I’m excited to be going on such an important quest, though I guess I really can’t go into too many details here…who knows how many people might be seeing this, not a place to be talking about secret missions. Also proud that I have been chosen to lead this quest. And maybe a tiny bit nervous…Faway Forest is dangerous and I have a big decision to make…and there is a certain long-lashed young man going who may prove to be a distraction. I can’t afford to have distractions right now.”

Katie: Oooh…tell us more about this long-lashed young man.

Katora:  “Great Mother! You do know how to bring up the tough topics. Well, his name is Hirsten, but like I said, now is not the time to be dealing with such distractions. I have a mission to focus on.”

Katie: Okay, fair enough. One more question before we run out of time. If you could change any one thing about the world, what would it be?

Katora: “The world is full of strange creatures and powerful higher beings who don’t always act in the best interest of humans. I would make it so none of these entities could ever hurt my family. I wouldn’t want my family to live in a bubble or anything like that. What fun would that be? More like I’d want us all to be able to enjoy everything the world has to offer without the threat of being badly hurt or killed.”

Gayle: “Thanks so much, Katie for bringing Katora to this fascinating interview. I’m sure my readers are as pleased as I am to meet your main character.

Katie: Thanks for having us, Gayle.

Gayle: “And you are a great sport, Katora. Best of luck on your quest.”

Katora: Thank you, Gayle. Happy to be here.”

Gayle: “And good luck to you, Katie on the launch of ELIXIR BOUND!”

ELIXIR BOUND

YA fantasy

by Katie L. Carroll

Katora Kase is next in line to take over as guardian to a secret and powerful healing Elixir. Now she must journey into the wilds of Faway Forest to find the ingredient that gives the Elixir its potency. Even though she has her sister and brother, an old family friend, and the handsome son of a mapmaker as companions, she feels alone.

It is her decision alone whether or not to bind herself to the Elixir to serve and protect it until it chooses a new guardian. The forest hosts many dangers, including wicked beings that will stop at nothing to gain power, but the biggest danger Katora may face is whether or not to open up her heart to love.

Ebook on sale for $.99 until September 27:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Elixir-Bound-Katie-L-Carroll-ebook/dp/B0093CL4OM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1385863834

MuseItUp bookstore: http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/now-available-in-ebook/elixir-bound-432-detail

Signed paperback giveaway on Goodreads until September 28: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15821579-elixir-bound

About the Author:

Katie L. Carroll began writing at a very sad time in her life after her 16-year-old sister, Kylene, unexpectedly passed away. Since then, writing has taken her to many wonderful places, real and imagined. She wrote ELIXIR BOUND and the forthcoming ELIXIR SAVED so Kylene could live on in the pages of a book. Katie is also the author of the picture app THE BEDTIME KNIGHT and an editor for MuseItUp Publishing. She lives not too far from the beach in a small Connecticut city with her husband and son. For more about Katie, visit her website at www.katielcarroll.com and follow her on Twitter (@KatieLCarroll) or Tumblr.

Back to School - Harvest Moon - Snuggle Up with Books

With the last days of summer waning, and school back in session, the crisp breezes of fall sneak into our days.  It's time to snuggle up with a good book and for me to get back to my blog.

Starting this month, I will be hosting author's of children's literature to help them promote their newly released books.

Coming next week, Katie L. Carroll, author of Elixir Bound, a YA fantasy from Muse-it-Up Publishing.