Welcome to The
Stone of Valhalla Blog Tour!
A middle-grade fantasy-adventure by Mikey Brooks.
Don’t
forget to check out the GIVEAWAY at the bottom this post
for a
chance to WIN a $25 Amazon
Gift card and other great prizes!
Interview with Mikey
Brooks
Mikey, first I want to start
off by thanking you for taking the time to come on over to my blog and do a
Q&A with me. It is a privilege to be able to pick you brain. Lol!
Let’s get started, shall we?
Can
you start by first telling us how you got started as an author? Was there
anything instrumental that happened in your life to instigate your writing
career?
When I was little I used to
play a lot in the thick woods that surrounded our farm house in Missouri. Our
nearest neighbor was about a mile away so it was just me, the trees, and my
imagination. Those woods allowed me to create many stories and dream of faraway
lands filled with magic and wonder. I believe it was then that I became a
crafter of stories. Later when I grew up I decided to get my degree in Creative
Writing. Ever since that’s what I do.
How
long have you been writing for?
I have been writing since I
was a young boy. I have been writing professionally for the past couple years.
How
does your family feel about you being an Author?
My wife understands me. Or
tries to understand me. I live half my life in my head. I am constantly
dreaming up stories to tell and the characters in them. She has to be very
patient. I do know she is proud to say her husband is an author. She is the
first one ever to read my books and I think she likes that privilege. My sister
is another great supporter of my work. She has always been there to push me
along. My parents both say they’re proud but I’m not sure if they’ve actually
read any of my books. They aren’t big readers. Around Christmas time I think my
dad said he was up to chapter 2 or 3. He doesn’t know where I got my
imagination—certainly not from him. J
Is
it difficult for you to find time to write? Do you have a specific time you
write each day?
It can be very difficult. I
work as a freelance illustrator and cover designer and I am constantly trying
to catch up on all the many projects that entails. I also work from home with a
roost full of little girls. Thursdays are my writing days. My wife takes the
girls to grandma’s house and it is quiet. It is then I get the majority of my
writing done. Sometimes I write in the evening when my wife is watching her
shows. I’d gladly give up TV to write.
What
do you think about writing/critique groups? What advice would you give an
author who is trying to pick a group or start one?
I have been in several
writing/critique groups. Finding the right one IS the important key. If you
write say MG, I believe it is very important to have a group geared toward MG
writers. You’ll help see things expected for your genre. I also suggest finding
members that take their craft seriously. If they are there for the same goal:
make your story better, you’ll get more out of it. I suggest joining the
Authors’ Think Tank group on Facebook. We are a family of writers of all genres
but we all form little groups of our own. It is nice to have a large body of
open minded people to discuss things with and help each other out.
How
do you feel about Beta and Alpha readers?
I use mostly my wife, my sister,
and my editor to help me in honing my story. I also use my critique group. I
have a few beta readers that are actual kids (write MG so that why I use them).
They help me see whether I am connecting with them as my target readers. I
think everyone should have a trusted few that help them hone their craft.
However, make sure those people have the same goal in mind: making your work
better. Too many voices on how “they would write the story” is not what an
author needs. That just leads to confusion later on.
What
do think the most important advice is that you can give to aspiring Authors?
You need to believe in
yourself. Believe that you have talent. Thant no one but you can write the
story in your heart. There will be times along your journey when you will get
discouraged—don’t. Never give up and never give. Only you can write your story.
No one else! Believe you can do it and watch as your dreams come to life.
What
is the biggest mistake you think Author’s make while trying to get published?
I think they rush things. I
know because I have been there. When I finished my first book about 13 years
ago I was thrilled. I knew it was going to be the world’s bestselling book and
I was going to retire at the age of 25 and relax on my private island in the
Caribbean. I sent that book to every publishing house out there. I was crushed
when I got rejection after rejection. Somehow I got a few requests but they
later declined saying it wasn’t ready. I was disappointed and shelved the book.
That’s when I decided to go to school and learn to write. (Note: you don’t have
to do that.) 12 years passed and I was then a better writer. I found that
manuscript, rewrote it from the beginning to the end and now I’ll be releasing
it. Yes, The Stone of Valhalla was
the first book I’d ever written. In fact, I’d written four books before I ever
published one. Take your time to make your book the best it can be. There is no
rush.
What
would you say is the most important thing Authors need to do/know when trying
to get published?
This depends on what your
long term goals are as a writer. If you are just happy to get your books out
there for people to read then you might want to think about self-publishing. If
you want to make this a career you might want to think about indie publishing or
getting an agent. Ah did you see I said both self-publishing and then indie?
They are both self-publishing titles but I think the word “indie” implies these
authors are serious about their work. It’s not just a hobby or something to
share…it’s their livelihood. I always tell an aspiring author to either go BIG
(meaning the big publishers which requires agents) or go INDIE (which is
becoming a self-published entrepreneur). Both take hard work and determination.
So the most important thing: find out what your long term goals are.
So
now tell us about your writing. What genre do you write?
I write middle-grade and
picture books. I have always had a love for children’s literature and so that
is what I have decided to focus my attention on.
How
many books do you currently have published? What are they about?
I have several picture books
including the Amazon bestselling ABC
Adventures: Magical Creatures. It’s a concept book about mythical animals
and the alphabet. I also have Bean’s
Dragons and Trouble with Bernie,
both explore imaginary friends and the consequences of our actions. In
middle-grade genre I have two books out in The
Dream Keeper Chronicles, a story about two teens that have to save the
world from a nightmare trying to escape the world of Dreams. The final book
comes out this summer. And I just released The
Stone of Valhalla!
Did
you go through a traditional publisher or self-publish? Why did you decide to
pick this particular route?
I was on the fence for a long
time exploring both options. I studied both routes for about two years. And I
mean I studied. I read every report I could find to know the ins and outs
before I did anything. I have to know how deep the water is before I jump. With
my picture books I just self-published them. It was easy and I used them as a
platform to get more clients for my freelance business. My middle-grade books I
was more determined to traditionally publish. I queried for well over a year
and got no request from agents. I then decided to try for a smaller press and
got to offers. I declined one and accepted the other. However, I want happy
with all the rights and restrictions with the contract. I am a huge audiobook
fan and wanted one of my book. The publisher wanted my rights but never planned
on using them ALWAYS exploit your rights! Use them! I ended up declining the
contract (hardest thing so far) and I self-published. I now have my book in
eBook, hardback, paperback, AND Audiobook! I couldn’t be happier with my
choice. I still desire to be traditionally published. I want to be what is
termed as a “hybrid author”. I am currently seeking an agent and I have one
manuscript with an agent now.
Your
current book The Stone of Valhalla
promises to be quite a fun adventure. Tell us about it.
Yes! This is a fun fantasy-adventure
about a boy named Aaron who stumbles across an amulet in an old lady’s
basement. The amulet whisks him away to another world and he is immediately put
on trial for witchcraft, having just appeared in the center of town. Aaron
narrowly escapes the fire when goblins attack the village. He then learns this
amulet holds great power the goblins will stop at nothing to get. He teams up
with a not-so-magical-wizard and tries to find his way back home. However
Aaron’s fate is tied to the amulet. He was chosen to save their world, but it
might come at the price of losing his own. It really is a fun story!
I’m
quite excited to read this book with my own children. Is it for all ages? Who
would you say your target audience is?
This is appropriate for ages
9 and up. It is one of those Narnian tales that keeps you turning the pages to
see what happens next. I think adults will love the book just as much as the
kiddos. In fact it is already getting raving reviews from adults.
Is
there anything else you would like us to know about? Book signings, release
dates, ect . . .
Yes! The book is available
now and at a discounted price for the length of the blog tour. Just $2.99 for
the eBook and $9.99 for the paperback. I also have eBooks of The Dream Keeper Chronicles on sale
during this time for just $0.99. That’s about $2 or more off the list price.
There will be an online launch party hosted by LovingtheBookLaunchParty on Facebook on April 10th
and a LIVE release party April 12th at the Viridian Center in West
Jordan, Utah, from 6pm-9pm. We will be having giveaways including a $25 Amazon
gift card AND at the LIVE event we’ll have several guest authors including Chad
Morris, J. Scott Savage, Jenni James, Ali Cross, and Lisa Mangum. It should be
a super fun event.
Thank
you again for taking the time to speak with me. Good luck with your upcoming
book! I’m so excited to read it.
Thank you so much it has been fun!
Synopsis:
Aaron was chosen to save their world, but it might come at the cost of
losing his own.
Breaking
into an old lady’s basement was supposed to reward 13-year-old Aaron with new
friends. Instead he finds an enchanted amulet that transports him to another
world—one at war with magic. Before he knows it, he is accused of witchcraft
and invited to a bonfire—where he’s the main attraction. If that’s not bad
enough, a goblin army shows up and toasts the town...literally. The good news:
Aaron escapes being charbroiled. The bad news: the goblins are after him. They
want his amulet and will stop at nothing to get it. Battling to find his way
home, Aaron teams up with a not-so-magical-wizard and learns it’s his fate to
destroy the amulet and save this new world. But is he willing to sacrifice his
own?
Check out what these talented authors
are saying about it:
“The Stone of Valhalla is one of those
books that only comes along once in a great while. Brooks doesn't just create a
world, he puts you inside of it, allowing you to experience the wonder in a way
that only he can. His characters are likable and fun. His twists leave you
asking ‘Why?’ Treat yourself to an exciting adventure through a beautiful new
land. Make new friends and be a part of the magic. This is a book that you will
not be able to put down!”
—J.R. Simmons,
author of Ragesong: Awakening.
“The
Stone of Valhalla drew me in from the get-go. Aaron’s journey is
reminiscent of Dorothy’s trek in The
Wizard of Oz. Magic, sword fights, danger, and more danger, sprinkled with
humor and unexpected twists. This is one of the ‘best’ fantasy adventures I’ve
ever experienced!”
—BBH
McChiller, author of The Monster Moon
Series.
“The Stone of Valhalla is a riveting
mystery revealing true friendship, loyalty and sacrifice. Brooks engages the
curiosity of middle graders and older sleuths alike, until the very end.
Fantastic!”
—L.R.W. Lee,
author of The Andy Smithson series.
Where to Find The Stone of Valhalla:
Exclusive price for the eBook
release is just $2.99! (List Price: $4.99)
And only $9.99 for the paperback! (List Price: $12.99)
On April 12th
2014 the price will return to the List Price
Another special offer:
During The Stone of Valhalla
Blog Tour
Mikey’s other great middle-grade eBooks will also be set to the low
price of just $0.99!
The Dream Keeper:
The Dreamstone:
You’re Invited to PARTY!!
The
online launch party will take place on Thursday, April 10th at 4pm
(MST). The party will run for 2 hours and you’re invited to drop by anytime.
The longer you stay the more chances you have of winning prizes! We have slew
of eBooks to giveaway, as well as a Stone of Valhalla necklace AND a $25 Amazon gift card! It is hosted by
LovingtheBookLaunchParty on Facebook. Just follow this link to join the event: http://goo.gl/Q2Fd3r.
What’s that? Another Party!
That’s
right! If you’re local to Utah you don’t want to miss this kickin’ party. We
are having a launch party to celebrate the release of this awesome new book. Of
course there will be plenty of giveaways there too, but what’s even better are
the guest authors! Just check out these fabulous names: J. Scott Savage, Chad
Morris, Lisa Mangum, Jenni James, Ali Cross, and many more. The Launch Party
is: Friday, April 11th from 6-9pm at the Viridian Center in West
Jordan, Utah. Follow this link for a map: http://goo.gl/dqVc0u
About Mikey Brooks:
Mikey is a small child masquerading as an adult. On occasion you’ll catch him dancing the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is the author/illustrator of several books including the best-selling ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures and Bean’s Dragons as well as the middle-grade fantasy-adventure series The Dream Keeper Chronicles. The Dream Keeper Chronicles His art can be seen in many forms from picture books to full room murals. He loves to daydream with his three daughters and explore the worlds that only the imagination of children can create. Mikey has a BS degree in English from Utah State University and works fulltime as a freelance illustrator, cover designer, and author. As a member of the Emblazoners, he is one of many authors devoted to ‘writing stories on the hearts of children’. He is also one of
the
hosts of the Authors’ Think Tank
Podcast. You can find more about him and his books at: http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/
The Giveaways!
Enter the giveaway below to be entered to win one of the following
prizes:
$25 Amazon Gift Card
The Stone of Valhalla
Necklace
Autographed Paperback of The
Stone of Valhalla
Autographed 11x17 Poster
You can enter by clicking on the link below.
