Blog of Children and Young Adult Author Ellwyn Autumn

Interview With Illustrator Patrick Harrington

Patrick Harrington is an all around creative person whose artistic interests range from singing to sketching. His passion for visual art began when he was a small boy and continued to develop as he grew older.

A native and resident of Philadelphia, PA, Patrick studied art and graphic art at The Antonelli Institute. He’s worked for Toll Brothers, Inc., ISCA and started his own business, Harrington’s Live & Studio Caricatures and Cartoons.

Now that I’ve introduced you to Patrick, let’s get to know him a little better.

Hello, Patrick, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

Thank you for having me.

What inspired you to be an illustrator?

I’ve always loved drawing. As a little kid I was mesmerized sitting on my father’s knee while he drew cartoon characters from the Sunday funny comics.

When I was in school, I would draw my classmates, teachers and some of the nuns. This got me into a lot of trouble and was a lot of fun! When I got older, it was more Mad Magazine and Heavy Metal Magazine. Then political cartoons and editorial illustrations. And now 2d Animation.

Is illustrating your full-time profession?

Yes. Mostly Live caricature Entertainment at various events: Weddings, Mitzvahs, Tradeshows, Graduations, etc .

Traditional (paper and marker), Digital, and Animated services. But I am also getting a lot more kids book illustration and animation projects.

How long have you been illustrating?

Pretty much from the day I was born, so I would say @50+ years? Doing live caricatures since 1980.

Have you won any awards?

The first political cartoon contest I ever entered I won the grand prize, first place & third place. It was called the Homer Davenport Days Political Cartoon Contest. Cash total of prizes was something like $400.

I was blown away by that experience! I won a portfolio excellence award in art school and I won a couple Caricature awards too.

What types of media do you illustrate?

I’ve done kid’s books, Business book spot & interior cartoons and book covers,

Whiteboard animations, explainer videos, coloring books, board-game & game card designs, trading card sets, joke books, comic books,

Album covers, character designs for iPad apps and game apps, cartoons for customer calendars, invites, save the dates, etc., and I do a lot of flash animation cartoons for various clients and sites.

I work in many styles to meet clients needs.

How many books have you illustrated?

@20 or so

Some projects larger than others, some for clients personal use only and self-published. Some published work and soon to be published work and links below.

2 Hercules coloring books Kappa

2Bad cats kids

Fair Thee Well comic

3 business books cartoons-

Adventures in the sea of complexity

Jokebooks

Are you Indian? Publisher Bad swami 2012

Bageltoons comics and Animations

Hamish McLogie and the worlds biggest Boogie -kids (est @June 2020)

That’s not Chocolate, Nigel kids-@Feb 2020

Oh Dear Dudley -@June 2020-kids

Libby’s Magical Garden kids

Mr RobiNson kids

iSammy suitcase app

https://www.backatchabooks.com/apps-cjn9

Senior v Zombies app

& my most intense project to date –

Ms Love’s Mystical Island Adventure kids book & animated iPad app

Which genres do you illustrate?

Just about everything.

Mostly humorous and fantasy, also dark and gritty.
I prefer comical and exaggerated characters but I work in different styles to suit clients needs.

What do you find most challenging about illustrating?

Working with different clients of different mindsets. Some have seen a certain piece of work I did and want something in that specific style. That makes it easier to know how I will approach that project.

Some that say they love my work and give me full and total creative freedom. I love when that happens!

Then there are some who have very specific visions they want me to realize, they are laser focused on what they want and not looking for too much creative input from the artist. Those are the hardest projects to deal with.

Sometimes it comes down to I’m really only using my talents for that project and not my full creativity. I have worked with and I am fine with all types of clients and art directors. It’s the client I am aiming to please.

And sometimes the client is pleased with something I am not entirely pleased with. And if given a little more creative freedom, I feel I could have made better.

The projects where I use my imagination and creativity are the ones I am closest to and proudest of.

What are you working on now?

Another music video animation using flash and aftereffects.

A fun little kids book geared around growing up wanting to be a player for the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, but we have to call them the Green Beagles because of copyright.

An animated Caricature template for an upcoming Mitzvah,

A bug race animation for a birthday party gift, and another book trailer for Ms. Love’s Mystical Island Adventure.

Where do you find inspiration for your characters?

Everywhere, real life, family, friends, strangers, inspired by other artists work, doing a lot of live Caricature events I run into all different people.

A wonderfully diverse and beautifully bizarre collection of shapes, colors, personalities and textures. A lot of times someone will sit in my chair and I will think automatically yeah this guy could be a great inspiration for a pirate or wrestler in my next project.

What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?

Continuing to get more work I enjoy creating and meeting interesting new colleagues, authors and clients that inspire me to continue to grow.

Excited about how much positive feedback and expanding interest our book Ms. Love’s Mystical Island Adventure is getting publicists representation, media and press and plans for future promotions.

What advice would you give to illustrators just starting out?

Draw. Draw all the time. Love it! Don’t stay in your comfort zone. Experiment. Draw! Have FUN! Learn software programs but don’t let them be a substitute for drawing skills.

Draw-draw something that’s hard to draw that takes practice that you will be proud of when you accomplish it because it wasn’t easy to start with.

Don’t be intimidated, Be inspired… and oh yeah draw some more after you’re done drawing

Is there anything else you’d like your followers to know about you?

Happy to announce that I will be teaching a course in Cartoons, Comics, and Caricature at Mount Airy Learning Tree starting Wed evenings 7-8:30 starting April 24th – check out

www.mtairylearningtree.org for info registration, etc.

I love Led Zeppelin and sang in a tribute band for 10+ years.

What message are you sharing in your books?

Different books have different messages, or some are more serious than others, usually that is the authors call. But I am working on some stories of my own.

Ms Love’s Mystical Island Adventure kids book & animated iPad app Message is about teamwork and appreciating the differences in each other makes us more valuable to each other.

Who are your favorite illustrators?

Wow! Too many to list. If I start typing now, I won’t be done until The 12th of never and that’s a long, long time…

Different illustrators for different topics and subjects, more added daily. If pressed to give an answer, I would say top 10 overall in no particular order:

Thomas Fluharty

David Cowles

Tom Richmond

(MAD magazine)

JAN Opdebeeck

Alex Ross

Nate Kapnicky

Stephen Silver

Joe Bluhm

Jason Seiler

What are your favorite movies, TV shows?

Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Sopranos, How To Train Your Dragon, Just about anything animated Pixar.

When you’re not illustrating where can we find you?

Maybe singing karaoke or playing tennis.

Photo courtesy of: Patrick Harrington

Can you tell us a little about Harringtoons Live & Studio Caricatures & Cartoons?

Traditional caricatures are just a small part of our services.

Harringtoons offers various Live Caricature Entertainment services to suit your budget/ needs.

From traditional to ipad and digital and animated! For a real WOW factor!

Explained here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s13ysNHWeI

Harringtoons also offers:

Gift Caricatures from photos, Caricatures used for: Custom Business Cards, T-shirts, Logos, Greeting Cards, Coloring books & Comic Books, album cover art/ designs, animated music videos etc. Pet Caricatures & 3D Clay Caricatures also available.

Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?

Yes. Keep up to date with my fun and crazy live Caricature antics on social #harringtoon

Patrick Harrington

www.harringtoon.com

www.mslovesmysticalisland.com

harringtoon.blogspot.com

www.caricamation.com

www.iwanttodrawyourpet.com

www.instagram.com/harringtoon/

www.facebook.com/harringtoons/?ref=mf

267 304 3230 cell

215 904 6247 studio

215 964 0841 alt

Where can we find your books/artwork?

Portfolio www.har ringtoon.com

Ms Love’s Mystical Island Adventure kids book & animated iPad app

http://www.mslovesmysticalisland.com/

Fair Thee Well comic

Adventures in the sea of complexity business cartoon book

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=Stephen+wagener&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss

Jokebooks

Are you Indian? Publisher Bad swami 2012

Bageltoons comics and Animations -in process

Hamish McLogie and the worlds biggest Boogie -kids (est @June 2020)

That’s not Chocolate, Nigel kids-@Feb 2020

Oh Dear Dudley -@June 2020-kids

Libby’s Magical Garden kids

Mr RobiNsons class kids

iSammy suitcase app

https://www.backatchabooks.com/apps-cjn9

Senior v Zombies app in process

Thank you, Patrick, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success and lots of luck!

The Lahaska Bookshop

The Lahaska Book Shop is the first stop on my Independent Book Store tour. In an effort to bring awareness of how vital these places are, I’m interviewing the great folks who manage them.

A few weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of chatting with the manager of The Lahaska Bookshop, Daniel Eilisii. The moment I stepped through the door, Daniel and his staff greeted me with smiles, eager to share their love of books with me.

I couldn’t help myself. I had to get a photo of Daniel holding one of my books that is sold at the store. Shameless, I know. As you can see he was happy to oblige. Thanks, Daniel!

The Lahaska Bookshop, located in Peddler’s Village in Pennsylvania, is a bright and cheerful place. Peddler’s Village is a quaint shopping mall with cobbled paths and picturesque store fronts.

Like the other merchants, The Lahaska Bookshop, has large glass windows filled with eye-catching displays that delight and entice. But, they specialize in one important item the others don’t-books!

Not only did Daniel welcome me to his beautiful shop, he was kind enough to answer the many questions I had about running an Independent Bookstore.

Hi, Daniel, welcome to Angle Kiss Publications. Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview.

Thank you for having me.

What motivated you to open (or work at) an Independent Book Store?

Well, my family owned a small bookstore back in the ’90s, The Dublin Bookshelf. And when I started working at the Doylestown Bookshop in 2005, it felt similar in a way.

A family-owned store. There was a camaraderie with all the staff. We all share a love of reading. That continues to The Lahaska Bookshop.

Can you tell us a little about the Lahaska Book Shop?

We are a relatively new store located in Peddler’s Village. We’ve been here almost a year and a half. We are connected to the Doylestown Bookshop which has been in Doylestown for over twenty years.

Our staff has decades of bookselling experience. We have a large selection of books in every subject as well as gifts, cards, stationery, puzzles, and toys.

What’s involved with running an independent book store?

I can only speak of my experience but it’s a full-time job that is always active and exciting. Besides the basics of ordering books, unpacking, processing, and shelving, we are handselling books and making recommendations throughout the day.

Making displays, arranging new sections, trying to keep things fresh and interesting. It also takes time to develop an understanding of what books your customers are interested in and stocking those books yet still keeping an assortment of books on the shelves for visitors and tourists.

Is competition with online retailers difficult? How do small book stores compete with Amazon and Barnes & Nobel?

In the past decade, there has been a movement to support your local businesses. These stores are the backbone of our communities. People want to have that connection.

I will shop at my favorite stores because they do their best to take care of me and I want to do the same for them.

Among independent bookstores, there is also an invaluable network of support provided by the ABA, The American Booksellers Association.

What makes your store unique?

I think what makes our store here at Lahaska and at the Doylestown Bookshop most unique is our staff. No matter what business you are in, you need a crew of people that love what they do.

You need that love to be infectious. So it’s the faces and the smiles and the love of books. We all want our customers to discover their next great adventure in literature.

And we love customers recommending books to us. We’re all in the biggest coolest book club ever.

What are your biggest sellers?

This changes a lot throughout the year. Right now “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens and “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris are selling very well. “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles and Tara Westover’s “Educated” continue to be popular.

Do you have promotions throughout the year?

We have promotions and special events throughout the year at both of our stores. We held our “Blind Date with a Book” promotion during the month of February.

The books come wrapped up in plain brown paper and tied with twine with just a few keywords of description written on them to pique your curiosity and take a chance.

March has been history month in our Doylestown location. We are working with the Doylestown Historical Society to put on programs all about the interesting and almost unknown facets of our community.

We have a regular children’s storytime every week and many diverse book clubs. Also, The 5th Annual Independent Bookstore Day is Saturday, April 27th!

Do you have author book signings?

We do.

What advice would you give to authors just starting out?

As a bookseller I would say after the hard work of writing your book is done, there is still more hard work to come. Getting out there to promote and sell your book is not easy.

It takes time and lots of energy. Promote your work on blogs and social media. Send it out to get reviews. Look for new and unique ways to promote.

Work with your local retailers, develop a friendship with them and get to know your readers.. In talking to authors we’ve had at our stores over the years, the most successful have been the ones that communicate the best with their audience.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you and your store?

Our website lists all the events and special programs for both of our locations. There is something upcoming for everyone.

We also have a great staff picks display. It’s our favorite section. Get to know us and let’s talk books!

What are some of your favorite books/authors?

The author who got really got me to love reading was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. To this day, his books hold a special place on my shelf.

And I’ve been devouring and loving his other series and characters, “Brigadier Gerard”, “Professor Challenger”, the “Round the Fire” stories and his historical fiction, “Sir Nigel” and “The White Company”.

I am also a big fan of science fiction, fantasy and horror. Tolkien, LeGuin, Bradbury, Asimov, Gaiman, Vonnegut and of course Stephen King.

Do you have a website/Facebook page, etc?

www.doylestownbookshop.com

https://www.facebook.com/LahaskaBookshop/

https://www.instagram.com/lahaskabookshop/

https://www.facebook.com/DoylestownBookshop/

Thank you so much, Daniel, for taking the time to tell us about The Lahaska Bookshop. I had so much fun talking with you and exploring the store-again.

Independent Book Stores

As an author I love books. I love cracking open a fresh cover and hearing the stiff crinkle as it’s unfurled for the first time.

There’s something special about being the initial one to open a brand new book. It’s as if the words inside are old friends welcoming you, keen to tell a tale written with you in mind.

Over the years, I’ve purchased books for my Kindle and my Nook but I never seem contented with the purchase. E-commerce transactions are convenient for our fast-paced lifestyles.

That handy-dandy click to purchase button has turned into the norm but, for me, the experience comes up short. It lacks the personal touch of chatting with an Independent Bookseller who cares for books as much as I do.

I enjoy entering a place where books are the mainstay and the atmosphere is awash with the joy of bibliophiles as they peruse the shelves. I also like being surrounded by many shelves chock full of books that cater to every niche. You can’t get that with an online merchant.

Because I value the contributions of Independent Books stores, I’ve started interviewing the people who manage them. It’s important for us to recognize that small business owners are people who recognize their patrons and cater to their different needs.

Independent Bookstores are an integral part of a community and we can’t let them disappear into obscurity. We must prevent their being overwhelmed by a single impersonal conglomerate that rakes in millions of dollars every year without paying their fair share to neighborhood economies.

Since small business proprietors are established in local communities, they care about the people they serve and often donate to support youth groups and other charitable causes.

For more on why Independent Book Stores Matter click the articles below.

Writer’s Digest

Buzz Feed

Odyssey

Karen J Mossman & Karina Kantas’ Toxic

Available on Amazon!

Two authors, two versions of the same book in two exciting genres of fiction. Karen J Mossman and Karina Kantas present, Toxic.

Blurb
Lexi isn’t your normal Malok. She craves adventure and freedom from the mundane life forced upon her. 100 years ago, the first drop of acid rain fell. Maloks fled to the mountains, building a new way of life—a desolate life—a life Lexi knows all too well.

Lexi has a plan, her ticket out of this miserable existence, becoming a ranger. Aron, her partner, believes she’s not strong enough to fight alongside him. Lexi will stop at nothing, no matter what the danger, to achieve her independence, even if that means defying him.

Amidst everything, Marcus, Lexi’s childhood best friend makes a sudden return. Before she can rejoice in a reunion, her happiness is crushed when she sees Mae, the bully that had terrorized her in her teens. Marcus was aware of the mental abuse Lexi had suffered and yet the person she loved and the person she hated the most, stand before her, together.
“A powerful dystopian thriller that captures the heart and imagination”.

“A romantic, thrilling read…..Karen dares to challenge relationships bringing them together in troubled times….thougthful and though- provoking.”

“I was fascinated by Stephanie Meyer’s book The Host, where people lived in mountains. This was a world I wanted to explore as a setting for Toxic. Living in a close environment as this, there has to be rules. Those rules don’t always have to be fair. This gave me scope to add intrigue and animosity between my characters.”
Karen J Mossman
Buy Links: https://books2read.com/KJMToxic

Karen J Mossman

Karen J Mossman comes from a family of journalists with her grandfather and uncle having been newspaper editors. Further back a 2x grandfather wrote for his local paper and also published a book based on those articles. Karen is the only one to go into fiction.

All Karen’s books are in collections – The Decade Series, Electric Eclectic and Just Stories.’ She is also a founder member of Electric Eclectic books and has four tales in that collection.

Karen is also an avid blogger and book reviewer, “It’s especially important to me to have feedback from my readers, so please leave a review when you have read one of my books.”

Karen lives on the beautiful Isle of Anglesey off the North Wales coast with her husband and two dogs. She has two grown up children, who were both born on the same day, two years apart.

https://www.facebook.com/karensmagicofstories/
author.to/KarenMossman
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9814921.Karen_J_Mossman
https://twitter.com/KarenJMoss

https://magicofstories.net/
http://karenmossman.weebly.com/

Karina Kantas

Karina Kantas is the author of the popular MC thriller series, OUTLAW and the loved romantic fantasy duology, Illusional Reality.

She also writes short stories and when her imagination is working overtime, she writes thought-provoking dark flash fiction.
There are many layers to Karina’s writing style and voice, as you will see in her flash fiction collection, Heads & Tales and in UNDRESSED she opens up more to her fans, giving them another glimpse into her warped mind.

When Karina isn’t busy working on her next bestseller, she’s a publicist, author manager and VA. She’s also the host of the popular radio show, Author Assist on the Artist First Radio Network.

http://bit.ly/FBFPKK – FB fan page
http://bit.ly/INSTKK – Instagram
http://bit.ly/TwittKK – Twitter
http://bit.ly/BLOGKK – Website
http://bit.ly/KKGRE – Goodreads

“A sensual, erotic read…Karina dares to figure out the nature of passion…thoughtful and thought-provoking.”
“It was a pleasure to read an erotic story that had an actual plot. The genre itself is probably the most misunderstood. The plot drives an erotic story and the sex just adds to the enticing nature of it. You’ve done a great job building a world for your reader. “
Buy Link – https://books2read.com/ToxicAE

“Toxic is based in a future world where acid rain forces the people, the Maloks to build their cities inside mountains for protection. What is also amazing is this book has two versions, the romantic and the erotic. In both books the story focuses on a female Malok called Lexi, who is determined to become a Ranger and help society guard against the Outcasts. Only Lexi has little support, even from her own boyfriend, Aron. Mix in a childhood sweetheart, in the shape of Marcus, and the unexpected arrival of Mae, Lexi’s childhood bully and things begin to get interesting. Toxic is the story of Lexi’s determination to satisfy her ambitions, both professionally and personally. The Erotic Toxic tells the same story but delves deeper into Lexi’s sexuality and passions. Whichever Toxic you chose, you find yourself living the fantasy.”

Excerpt

“Lexi,” greeted the young medic.
“Hey, Sha.” Lexi smiled.

She walked past Sha and sat down on a stool, took a sterile cloth, and wiped away the dead skin, causing her to take an intake of breath. No matter how many times she had been burnt there was no way to get used to that kind of pain.

As she reached for a jar of Dozax paste, Sha spoke. “You’ve been outside again, haven’t you?”

Lexi didn’t answer at first, as she felt the wonderful relief as the paste went to work, taking away the pain and healing the burn. The skin immediately started to regenerate and within moments all that was left on her hand was a green coloured dye, which would eventually fade. Still, Lexi needed to wear a patch that had a tiny spot of Dozax cream to complete the treatment.

It was dangerous for any Malok to use Dozax in its pure form. Everything had to be diluted.

“You are such a strange Malok,” Sha said, shaking her head.
Lexi smiled. “I can’t help it. I’d go crazy if I was cooped up here forever.”
“Has your ranger training started?” Sha asked.

Lexi’s grin was wide. “Not yet. At the end of the week,” she answered, still not believing she had been accepted into the academy. “Okay, I’m done,” she said and then jumped off the stool. “See you tomorrow.”

“Oh wait. You have four inoculations to do tomorrow.”
“Four?” Lexi questioned.
“Yes, some Maloks arrived last night with the new commander.”
“Oh, yes I forgot about Jow. So sad. He was nice as a commander, and so approachable and happy all the time, you know?”
“Yeah,” Sha agreed and then giggled. “Remember when he came and said he wanted to learn basic aid? Oh my, he was so funny.”

Lexi laughed as she remembered that day and how he always made her smile. “See even now, just thinking of the late commander makes us happy. He left a great legacy behind.”
“He sure did. Let’s just hope the new one can live up to that.”
“Okay, I’m off. See you tomorrow, Sha.”
“I will have the Dozax jabs ready for you in the incubator,” Sha called.
“Super! Thanks,” Lexi mumbled.

Lexi still couldn’t get that sad day out of her mind. She even had to visit the Charmer to talk and get closure. The loss of Commander Jow was hard for everyone. A party of fifteen went out that day and only two returned. Lexi wished for peace every day, but the only way that would happen was if the Outcasts and the Maloks agreed to share.

She shook her head. Of course, that would never happen, she was kidding herself. Outcasts needed the Terra leaves to feed their addiction. Never mind that this amazing plant could cure pain, protect the body from germs, Illness and normal medical problems that come from age and a weary body.

She couldn’t imagine how life used to be when young people would die, because they didn’t know the secret of the plant and the properties it possessed. So, sad, she thought, as she quickly made her way back to the residence she shared with Aron.

Everyone assumed that Lexi and Aron would marry and settle down. Her friends certainly thought so, and at the start, so did Lexi. Only now she had woken up, and the adventurous Lexi wanted so much more from life and becoming a ranger was a step in the right direction.

Buy Links
Toxic Adult Edition – https://books2read.com/ToxicAE
Toxic Romance Edition – https://books2read.com/KJMToxic

Karina and Karen and proud to associate Toxic with Electric, Eclectic books.

Photo courtesy of: Karen J. Mossman

Christen Stovall’s Song of Souls Trilogy

Please Note: The above picture is not the official cover for Boundless.

Soulbound

Soulfire

Interview With Author Christina Francine

Christina Francine’s motto is, imagination is key. Not only for artists but for everyone. It’s the key to our survival.

As an author, teacher and researcher, Christina infuses her beliefs into everything she does and hopes that others will get the message she’s helping to spread:

Students are individuals who crave liberation from formulaic curriculums and standardized tests. Like every generation whose come before them, they need to broaden their minds through creativity, trial and error and investigation; not regurgitate pre-packaged lessons that lack spontaneity, originality and FUN!

Christina enjoys cultivating medicinal herbs and is an Adjunct English Instructor at The University at Buffalo.

Now that I have introduced you to Christina, let’s get to know her a little better.

Hello, Christina, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

Thank you for having me.

Why did you become a teacher?

I’ve always felt a calling to make a difference and teaching allows me to do that every day.

What grade do you teach?

I teach a wide range of students from pre-k to college level, but mostly academic college writing.

How has your teaching experience influenced your writing?

Not only does teaching remind me of how difficult some things are to learn, but also that different people learn in different ways.

My daughters remind me I over explain sometimes, but it is because not everyone understands due to my style of teaching.

As a result, I often have to cut back after writing because I’ve put too much there, over explained. I’d say much of what I write is not only for young people, people but for those working with them.

I want people to understand and to remember how it is to be young and struggle. Many of my stories reflect this.

What inspired you to become a writer?

Since I was little, my imagination has been big, but I suppose the biggest jump into writing stories down was when my 4th grade teacher asked us to write a story.

That story turned out to be the one I revised recently about a talking pen. It’s a Reader, Level #3 story for beginning readers and it will be released sometime Fall 2019.

Imagination is also where invention lies, and the world has a lot of problems that imagination can solve.

Which genres do you write?

There are a few: Fantasy, Romance, and Mystery. And mainly for these audiences: Children & Young Adult (YA).

What do you find most challenging writing for your genre?

When I write, I get “into” my characters’ heads, and have to experience the pain, difficulties, and frustrations each goes through. Doing so makes the writing more authentic.

What are you working on now?

A fantasy novel meant for young adults about a dream keeper for Earth’s children who falls in love with a musician, even though she is not allowed a mate and jeopardizes her health and some of her young charges.

The story is under consideration by a big name publisher. I just completed another picture book and a mystery chapter book for middle grade.

How many books have you written?

I’ve written six and two will be released this fall. I’m hoping the fantasy is next.

There is a non-fiction work I’ve done a lot of research for. The Journal of Literacy Innovation, an academic journal, published in the Spring 2016.

The analysis on why students across the nation are at Basic level as opposed to Proficient or Advanced after examining the Nation’s Report Card.

The work argues writing is not where it could be nationally for a few reasons, the largest being a prompt for a right formula/answer as opposed to following individual voice. There is too much focus on state tests and not enough on imagination.
https://journalofliteracyinnovation.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/9/4/15949950/jliapril2016issuefinal.pdf

What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?

Reading my work to children and watching their reaction. Them connecting play and imagination to invention.

What advice would you give to authors just starting out?

It’s been said often, but it’s true, don’t give up. Whatever you want, hang in there.

Find other writers who support your effort and understand what you’re trying to accomplish. Get feedback on what you write.

What message are you sharing in your books?

Everyone matters and has something to contribute.

When you’re not writing, where can we find you?

With family, gardening, or working on material for students.

What are your favorite books?

There are too many to name, but I do like to give these picture books at baby showers: Wherever You Are by Nancy Tillman and Love You Forever by Robert Munsch and Sheila MaGraw.

What are your favorite TV shows/movies?

TV shows:
I like sit-coms such as The Big Bang, Young Sheldon, and Everybody Loves Raymond because they make me laugh.

Movies:
Lord of the Rings, The Matrix Series, Men In Black, City of Angels, You’ve Got Mail, and Somewhere In Time.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?

I believe individual learning style may solve world problems.

A movie producer wants to turn your book into a movie and you get to make a cameo. What would you do in the movie?

I’d be Emily’s kindergarten teacher in Special Memory on her first day of school.

An elf named 12-25 approaches you. He’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing and there’s a strange tattoo of a snoring dog on his cheek. What do you do?

I’d say “Bless you,” and hand him a couple of tissues.

Do you have a website/Facebook page?

Website: https://ChritinaFrancine.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristinaKenni
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinafw/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christina.francine.3

Where can we find your books?

Waldorf Publishing and later this fall most other outlets such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.
www.waldorfpublishing.com
* Special Memory pre-orders available at:
https://www.waldorfpublishing.com/collections/2019/products/special-memory
Release date is Sept. 15th, 2019
⦁ Mr. Inker the Talking Pen Finds a Home (pre-orders coming soon). Keep checking Waldorf Publishing for now.

Thank you, Christina, for spending time with us and sharing your story. We wish you continued success with your work and lots of luck!

Interview With Author Bonita Maria Gutierrez

Bonita Maria Gutierrez is a storyteller through and through. She began her storytelling journey as an actress, then utilizing the narrative skills this profession provided, transitioned into writing with relative ease.

Don’t let these creative outlets fool you into thinking Bonita is a sedentary creative. She is quite the opposite, practicing martial arts and jogging regularly.

Now that I’ve introduced you to Bonita let’s get to know her a little better.

Hello, Bonita, welcome to Angel Kiss Publications. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview.

Thank you for having me.

What inspired you to be a writer?

Funny, I wasn’t always (at least in my own mind) a writer. I always had stories in my head but decided to take the acting route. My husband is a screenwriter, and from time to time, I would pitch him my ideas.

He always thought I had a unique voice and encouraged me to write my own scripts and get my work out into the world. I eventually dipped my toe into writing with my short film Cantar.

I even did the festival circuit. But it wasn’t until my friend (and Empyrean Press collaborator), Camilla Ochlan, approached me with, The Werewolf Whisperer, idea that I began seriously writing.

Is writing your full-time profession?

Right now, I split my time between writing and running my entertainment business Nemesis Kitten Entertainment. But, I am starting to feel the acting itch again.

How long have you been writing?

I wrote my first screenplay (unproduced) over fifteen years ago. But I’ve only been in the author biz since 2012.

How many books have you written?

Under the Empyrean Press banner, I’ve co-authored five books (two main novels and three novellas) in THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER series with a sixth on the way.

Which genre do you write?

I write urban fantasy with a bit of science fiction and humor mixed in.

What do you find most challenging writing for this genre?

The wonderful thing about fantasy is that you can let your imagination run wild, create worlds that never existed. But when you add in elements of reality — which to me is what defines the urban fantasy genre — you have to build a world that the audience not only recognizes but also relates to.

In THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER a virus is unleashed in Los Angeles, giving rise to the werewolf apocalypse. Of course werewolves are fantasy (or are they?), but the premise of a bio-agent causing cataclysmic events around the world is steeped in reality. It’s a fine line to draw. One that requires a lot of research…and believe me, we do a lot of research.

What are you working on now?

Camilla and I are feverishly working on BLOOD & BONES: The Werewolf Whisperer Book 3. And as an exclusive to our BEASTY BITES newsletter subscribers, we just put out a six-part serialized novella about one of our favorite characters — KAI.

And we’ve heard our readers’ many howls for a hard copy of THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER. So, we’re excited to announce that Book 1 will be available in paperback this December!

How has acting influenced your writing?

For me, acting and writing go hand in hand. They’re both forms of storytelling. My years of training, performing and reading countless scripts have taught me how to analyze characters and breakdown stories. And it’s through acting that I’ve learned the importance of good dialogue.

For a character to be relatable, he or she needs to sound real. When I’m creating a character, I have to hear that person’s voice to understand how he or she thinks and feels. Once I know that, I can write their story.

How long have you been practicing martial arts?

The martial arts are an essential part of my life, and I’ve been training off and on for almost two decades. I started out in Jeet Kune Do Kung Fu (Bruce Lee’s art), and recently earned my Black Belt in Kickboxing-MMA. I also train in Kali Eskrima (stick and knife fighting).

Does this also influence your writing? How so?

Absolutely. With THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER, our main characters are formidable women who are be able to handle themselves in very dangerous situations. My firsthand knowledge in martial arts allows me to create exciting action-packed scenes that are still grounded in reality.

What has been your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?

I never thought I’d be a writer let alone an author. The Werewolf Whisperer gave me the confidence to grow in new ways as an artist. And finding this once untapped, creative part of myself has been extremely rewarding. That fact that readers like my work and call it “exciting,” “compelling,” and “fun,” is icing on the cake.

What advice would you give to authors just starting out?

Write and keep writing. And when the words don’t come (which is an inevitability), write down anything that pops into your head.

Read books; listen to music, clean house, or exercise (I get some of my best ideas jogging down the street) to get your creative juices flowing again.

You never know where you’re inspiration will come from, so be open. And above all, relax. Don’t be so hard on yourself if you’re not spewing out 2,000 words a day.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know about you?

I’m a huge Sci-fi and Fantasy fan. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Wars are my jam. Mix in a little Kung Fu and you’ve got my blog — Bonita’s Geeky Blog-Fu!

I write regular movie recommendations, highlight my favorite books and feature a little butt kicking for good measure. If you’re into all things geek-a-licious, you can find me at: https://bonitasgeekyblogfu.wordpress.com

And if you’re in to SF&F, Camilla and I have our Empyrean Press Facebook page where we share our favorite movies, T.V. shows and books. Come join our community. https://www.facebook.com/TheEmpyreanPress/

What message are you sharing in your books?

The overall theme of The Werewolf Whisperer is, “Evolve or die.” You have to be able to adapt and never, never, never give up. And when you get down to the nitty-gritty the thing that keeps you going is family.

What are your favorite books?

I love to read. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn and Shakespeare’s Hamlet (I know it’s not a book, but it’s my all-time favorite play) are tops on my list.

I also love listening to audiobooks (especially when I’m walking my dog Loki). I just finished Pierce Brown’s amazing Red Rising series on Audible.

I’m also digging Greg Rucka’s comic book series, LAZARUS, and Kieron Gillen’s THE WICKED + DIVINE.

And in the spirit of supporting my fellow indie others, I try to read as much of their work as I can. I just finished Vanessa Ravel’s “deliciously demented” horror anthology DEMON DANCE.

What are your favorite movies, TV shows?

To quote the great Bill Murray, “Star Wars, nothing but Star Wars!”

But really, I have so many: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural, Game of Thrones, Alien, Terminator, West Side Story, To Sir, With Love just to name a few.