Interview With Nadia Ali and a Giveaway

Hi Nadia. Welcome to The Storyteller's Scroll.

Can you tell us your latest news?

My latest news is that my new book will be released in Spring 2023. ‘Humphrey the Egg-splorer’ is written by me and illustrated Valenti Gubianas. I signed a book deal a year ago with Yeehoo Press via my superstar agent Joyce Sweeney. Today, we are in the preorder stage of the book and looking forward to the upcoming book launch. 

 If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

At this very moment in time, I would choose Dan Santat. His picture book ‘After the Fall’ inspired me to write ‘Humphrey the Egg-splorer.’ I loved his story and sat down and began thinking about ‘Humpty Dumpty.’ What if he had a grandson to continue in his footsteps as an egg-splorer and that’s how ‘Humphrey’ came to life.  

 

 What was your first published title and what was it about?

My first published title was ‘Pirates in the Library.’ It was published in 2016 by Star Bright Books based in Massachusetts. The story is essentially about Captain Jake who went in search of treasure in the library, only to find out it’s in the wealth of knowledge provided by books. It was an un-agented book deal.

 

What inspired you to write your first book?

That’s easy – the movie ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’ Having loved the movie, I just wanted to write a picture book story about pirates and treasure. Arggh matey!

 

How long did your journey take to publication and what were some significant events along the way?

I wrote ‘Pirates in the Library’ and in 2012 Star Bright Books were interested and we signed a book deal. The story changed a fair bit from the original. The significant event was that it took four years for the book to be released!  

What was the best thing about getting your first book published?

Initially, it was seeing my name on the cover of a book! Until, I saw the book online at Amazon! And then, I saw it available worldwide! But the best overall thing was the day a package arrived from the publisher, and I held the physical published book in my hands. Simply the best!

 

What is your most recently released book about? 

My upcoming release is ‘Humphrey the Egg-splorer.’ Humphrey is an egg who is determined to become a great egg-splorer like his grandad Humpty, but he doesn’t want to suffer the same fate and discovers how to become stronger. It is due out in Spring 2023 and is published by Yeehoo Press with a simultaneous release in the US and China.

How have you changed from your first published book to now?

Since the release of my first book back in 2016, I would definitely say I grew older and wiser. I have networked, joined online writing groups and now have a superstar agent, Joyce Sweeney who seals the deals for me.  

 

What are your current projects?

I am about to get my launch team ready in preparation for release day of ‘Humphrey. I always have a work-in-progress and my agent is about to go on sub with a picture book story.  

 

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I am really looking forward to introducing ‘Humphrey the Egg-splorer’ to the world. May Humphrey inspire young readers to swish Samurai spoons, box with the Forked Crusader, and strive to become a stronger egg.   

 

Bit of wisdom to share: 

My editor at Yeehoo Press asked me to think of a general quote of a life lesson that ties in with Humphrey. So, my bit of wisdom is... Be strong. Be positive. Let your adventure begin. 

 

And for fun, something that not a lot of people know about you. 

At school, I always loved art and English. I always believed that if I continued learning art I would someday work for Disney as an illustrator. And, if I continued learning English, I would someday be a famous writer of children’s books. Hopefully, one of these things will come true! 

 

 

Links to social media and website:

 

Twitter: @NadiaAwriter

Webpage: https://nadia-ali.weebly.com

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2XQNVz3

IG: https://www.instagram.com/nadiaawriter/

 

Book Sale Links:

PRE-ORDER LINKS

Yeehoo Media: https://yeehoomedia.com/product/humphrey-the-egg-splorer/

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1953458572

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/39wjuydr

Book Shop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/humphrey-the-egg-splorer-nadia-ali/18729681?ean=9781953458575

Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Humphrey-the-Egg-Splorer-Nadia-Ali-Valenti-Gubianas/9781953458575

 

GoodReads: Add it to Want To Read at GoodReads: https://tinyurl.com/ycxtdrju

Nadia is giving away a critique for a picture book. Just follow this blog and leave a comment below. Winner will be announced next week.

 

 

The Second Annual Kid's Choice Kidlit Writing Contest

 So, today marks the Second Kid's Choice Kidlit Writing Contest. 

Last year, I won first place in the Middle Grade category with 200 words from a new MG Fantasy The Secret of Scaremere Forest. Here are the 200 words that won!

Title: The Secret of Scaremere Forest

Genre – MG Fantasy

 

Unearthly screams echo through Scaremere Forest.

 

“Grab my hand, Rollo.” Amara whisks her younger brother under the snow-covered brush along the frozen banks of Raven Lake. “The Shadowmen are close. I smell their stench.”

 

Moonbeams light the frosted forest as Rollo waits for his body to tingle. He peeks at the moon. “Come on, strike the witching hour, he whispers. I must save Amara.” No sooner does he call upon the moon, familiar pain shoots through his limbs. His body twists, growing larger than his lanky frame. Rippling muscles transform his thin shoulders. His skin itches, and white fur erupts from every pore. His fingers become claws and his night vision is precise.

 

One minute after midnight, as his transition is complete, Amara jumps on her brother’s back. She wraps her arms around his neck, and Rollo charges through the forest.

 

Brittle branches snag Amara’s black hair and ice-covered roots magically curl in front of Rollo’s paws, so she’ll fall, making it easier for the Shadowmen to seize her. 

 

If they capture Amara, she’ll bring them gold, not with her magical powers, but for the bounty the Dark Fairy Queen has placed on her head for stealing the obsidian opal. 

Today, I entered in the YA category with a YA suspense titled 

Dead Boys Tell No Secrets. 

Here are this year's 200 words.

Title: DEAD BOYS TELL NO SECRETS

Word Count: 196

 

Twilight cloaks the winding road with a mile to go in the last training run before the NY State Mountain Bike race. Head down and feet pounding the pedals, I rounded the bend—a quick downhill shot to town.

Glancing up, I wrench back at a dark shadow in the road ahead. Too late! A muffled thud flips the bike and me high into the air. Asphalt and pine trees blur as I spin and slam into the ground. “What the hell was that?” I peel myself off the stony grit and burning pain rips across my shoulder. "Shit!"

I yank off my cracked helmet and rake scraped fingers through my hair, so wet and dark it doesn't look blonde anymore. My eyes flash to my bike twenty feet away and my laidback attitude explodes like the bombs in Dad’s war stories. 

Great, Jules. Now, how are you going to race tomorrow? 

I shuffle forward, ignoring the gash on my arm and yank my mangled bike off the jumbled mess. “Oh… my… God!” I freeze. A limp hand falls, palm up, on the rural highway, deserted except for me and the dead guy at my feet.

Wish me luck! The judges are the kids/teens in the age categories. I'll keep you posted as the finalists are announced.

Interview and Giveaway with Andrea Denish, Author of THE WAY WE SAY HELLO!

 Hello Gail! Thank you for inviting me to contribute to your blog. 

It's great to have you at The Storyteller's Scroll., Andrea. My readers are anxious to learn about you and your new book release.

1. Can you tell us your latest news?


 

Yes, my new picture book - THE WAY WE SAY HELLO illustrated by BlueBean and published by Starry Forest Books, is hitting shelves on 

February 7th. 

The cover features a soon-to-be big-sister next to her expectant mother. When you see the facial expressions of the mother and daughter on the cover, it takes you right back to that moment in your own life, and all the preparations that take place before a new baby arrives. Those kinds of emotions parallel my feelings as I await the book’s arrival. You could say I’m in my nesting stage now. 

This looks adorable. What a clever concept? Something everyone can relate to, no matter what language they speak.

 

2. What is your most recently released book about?

 THE WAY WE SAY HELLO follows a young child around the globe in search of the best greeting to welcome a new special someone. The rhyming text introduces greeting gestures, languages and a little bit of history. I’m really proud of how the book turned out. It makes a great gift for a baby shower or for someone about to meet a new sibling. 

3. What was your first published title and what was it about?

 My first published book was EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE!* illustrated by Guilherme Franco and published by Astra Books for Young Readers. That book came out in March 2020. Readers learn about some of America’s largest parades like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, etc… It’s a fun read aloud that highlights all of the great things about parades - and who doesn’t love a parade? Well, read the book to find out. 

It's true. I can't think of any child I know, who has never seen a parade. Another easily relatable topic.

4. Who/what were your sources of inspiration along the way? 

I find inspiration in unexpected places. Sometimes it’s a snippet of conversation that I overhear or a television commercial. EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE!* was inspired by the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Championship Parade in 2018. THE WAY WE SAY HELLO came about during the COVID pandemic when people were encouraged to avoid handshakes and hugs. There were alternative greeting suggestions like elbow bumps and bowing. This whole idea took me on a deep-dive into the ways people greet each other and how those greetings became popular. 

Wow! At least something good came out of COVID.

 

5. What was the best thing about getting your first book published?

Getting the first book published was definitely a feeling of validation. I’ve been writing since elementary school - I’ve always loved it. But when you set a goal of getting published and you meet rejection after rejection - holding the physical book in your hands is a huge boost.  I remember when the editor of my first book called to let me know the acquisitions team met and wanted to make me an offer - I cried! 

Tears of joy. Well-deserved.

 

6. What was the hardest thing?

 The hardest thing for me about publishing a picture book is relinquishing control. As a writer, you take a little spark of an idea that pops into your head and groom it into a polished manuscript. You spend months, even years - writing, revising, querying, and hoping. You envision what the story could be and what the illustrations will look like. In traditional publishing, your work is open to interpretation by the editorial and illustration process. Traditional publishing requires that the author trust the professionals assigned to work on your book. It becomes a team effort by the publishing house to make the best decisions for the end product. 

I agree. You sit on pins and needles waiting to see the first glimpse of the illustrator's interpretation of your words.

 

7. What are your current projects?


I don’t have anything to announce today, but I have some picture book manuscripts in the works that I am really excited about. I hope one day they will also make it past the finish line. 

8. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

It’s really heartwarming to hear from people who tell me they’ve read one of my books to their children or a teacher who has read to the class. I hope people who feel inclined to do so, will leave a review to help others find books they might enjoy.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Dear readers if you are so inclined, please leave a review for Andrea. There is nothing greater you can do for an author than to leave a positive review.

 

9. Bit of wisdom to share: 

The road to publication is paved with rejections. Write or illustrate because you love it. If you love it you will want to create something every day, take courses with professionals and learn the craft. If you do this patiently, rejections will not crush your soul - they will make you more determined to keep going.

 

10. And for fun, something that not a lot of people know about you. 

Hmm, I’m pretty much an open book - LOL!  I’ll just tell you about some memories of my first attempts at writing back when I was a child. Once I wrote a song parody of You Light Up My Life called You Bite Off My Knife (no worries, Weird Al Yankovic - you’re still the master at song parodies.) In elementary school, I wrote a puppet show mystery about disappearing writing implements called, The Pencil Case. Then there was that advertisement I had to make for a communications class in high school. I invented a character called Count Grapecola. He had a purple cape and loved to drink purple soda. 

Alright, I’ll see myself out now. 

Ha! Maybe you should write a humorous picture book featuring Count Grapecola!

Links:

Website: www.andreadenish.com

The Way We Say Hello is available for pre-order at

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop.org

 

Andrea is offering a critique of a 500-word or less picture book. To be eligible follow these steps.

1. Follow The Storyteller's Scroll Blog (see right side of blog under followers.

2. Post a comment about Andrea's new book.

3. Winner will be selected at random and announced on this blog in ten days.

Good luck, creatives!