Premiere Saturday: Joy Preble

Debut author Joy Preble's Dreaming Anastasia was released around the first of September (09). Having read her book I wondered how Joy got the idea to intertwine Anastasia Romanov and the legend of Baba Yaga into the story. Here's what Joy had to say:

I’ve been asked a lot lately about my inclusion of the Russian folklore witch, Baba Yaga, in Dreaming Anastasia. You know initially, she had not been part of the novel. But when I began working with my then agent Michelle to get the novel ready for submission, it really began to feel apparent to both of us that there was a missing element. The basics were there – the Anne/Ethan story; the Anastasia story; the search for Anastasia and the quest for Anne to rescue her. It was a good story – good enough to have snagged me an agent obviously – but it wasn’t complete. And so I dug in deeper and realized that the fantasy needed grounding in something organically Russian/Slavic. Baba Yaga and the Vasilisa the Brave fairy tale came into the picture soon there after.

I love this crazy witch with her metal teeth! She is the perfect symbol, really, for so much in the novel. She is neither wholly good nor bad. You can’t quite define which side she’s on. Once characters enter her forest in the various fairy tales in which she plays a role they never emerge – if they live, that is – without having changed. She is in fact an instrument of change. She is also a reflection of society’s perception of women and beauty and age – there’s a lot of wisdom in this old crone, but her ugliness is definitely off-putting. For a story that has its literary feet firmly in the “girl power” arena, this is something of importance and my female characters all reflect it. Both Anne and Tess are often underestimated in the novel. There is most certainly a reverse fairy tale – princess saves the prince element that speaks to this as well. (that’s all I’m saying right now because to say more would be all spoilery unless everyone’s read) And Baba Yaga herself – well, let’s just say I hope to be able to write at least one sequel to Dreaming Anastasia, because I’m definitely not done with the old girl – there is more to her power and more to how it has affected Anne and possibly Tess.

In short, Baba Yaga really was the missing link for Dreaming Anastasia. Women play such a key role in everything that happens in the story. Yes, it’s the men of the Brotherhood that have set a lot of things in motion. And it’s a man – Ethan – who’s been searching for Anne. But it’s a girl that’s got to save the day. And the choices of the women and girls in the novel figure so strongly – from Tsarina Alexandra to Anastasia to Anne to Tess to Baba Yaga herself.

I didn’t start out writing a story about this Russian witch. But that’s the thing about her, I guess. She doesn’t always follow the rules. And when she decided she needed to be part of the novel, I guess she just climbed in her mortar and flew on over to me.

Wow, that was neat! Thanks so much for guest posting here today; I'm anxious to read Dreaming Anastasia's sequel and I hope my readers are to! Be sure to look for more "Premiere Saturday" posts on debut authors.....

Premiere Saturday: Fran Cannon Slayton

When did you know you wanted to write? Was it always your plan to write about your family's history?

I knew I enjoyed writing as early as fourth grade, when I started writing poetry. But it wasn't until just before I entered law school at the University of Virginia in 1991 that I began writing a novel. Actually, I didn't know it was a novel when I started - it was just a story idea that gripped me by the collar and wouldn't let me go until I put pen to paper. I worked on that story on and off for thirteen years before beginning to write When the Whistle Blows, so no, I didn't always plan to write about my family history.

Did you plan for When the Whistle Blows to be children's book? If so, do you plan to write more novels for kids/teens? Will it be more historical fiction?

I always thought that When the Whistle Blows would be a young adult novel, although I didn't write it geared to a specific age group. I just wrote it the way it came out.I do plan to write more middle grade and young adult novels. I'm currently working on a fantasy/dystopian novel about a girl who wants to be a pirate.

What's your favorite book(s) and why? Did any of these inspire you to write?

I have a handful of favorites: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor, and Sounder by William Armstrong are my top three, and they all influenced me greatly both as a writer and as a person. For me, that's what good books do - they are not just well written, they also change the reader at a fundamental level. These three books presented ideas about time, love, and injustice that fundamentally changed the way I viewed the world. The inspired me not only in my writing, but also in my being.

Do you have a favorite author(s) or literature character(s)?

In addition to those I mentioned in the last question, I do love Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

If you could meet one person-either in figure history, a character in a book, or someone alive today-what are some questions you would ask them?

I'd like to have the opportunity to sit down and have a long talk with Thomas Merton, who was a very interesting and smart Trappist Monk who died all too early in a freak accident. I'd ask him questions about his contemplative life and his writings.

What are some things you use to do for fun as a child/teen growing up in Virginia?

I used to catch salamanders and then use them as bait for fishing, and for awhile I would do handstands all the time (which I'm sure drove my mother crazy!). I loved hanging upside down on the monkey bars and flipping off, landing on my feet. I played the trumpet, acted in school plays and went to school dances. I ate pizza with friends, played field hockey, softball, soccer and grass lot football. I had a lot of fun!

Now that some of the rutine questions are out of the way, can you answer some of these quirky questions? Would you rather be on tropical beach overlooking aqua blue waters; getting lost in a maze of endless artifacts in a museum; or exploring the seven wonders of the world?

You mean I have to pick just one? I think I'd rather explore the seven wonders of the world in the morning, walk through the museum after lunch, and hang out on the beach just before dinner.

Favorite kind food?

It varies. Mexican is a staple - I have it at least once a week. But I also love lobster, crab and a good filet mignon (medium rare). I also love chocolate cake batter ice cream, peanut butter and banana sandwiches and almost anything with chick peas in it. Oh, and I really like gazpacho, lentil stew and black bean soup.

Favorite season?

Fall. It's when I met my husband. I always think of it as when things begin.

Name one thing you always keep on your nightstand:

What else - books!

Thanks so for much for sharing with us here at BLT! Before we say goodbye, do you have anything to say to encourage young future writers?

Follow your heart; write what you love.

Fran Cannon Slayton's debut book, When the Whistle Blows, was released June 11th, 2009 and was published by Philomel. Don't forget to visit Fran's website www.francannonslayton.com

Read BLT's review here.

Premiere Saturday: The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding

It is 1790 on Drury Lane in the city of London. Miss Cat Royal is an orphan that was left at the Drury Lane Theater when she was a baby. Ever since then, she has been living at the theater earning her keep by doing small jobs. One day she over hears the theater owner talking about a secret diamond that has arrived in the theater. She is determined to help keep the secret safe, and not let anything happen to the diamond; then suddenly word gets out that the diamond has been hidden in the theater. Even though Cat hasn't seen the diamond, she knows that she must keep it out of harms way. In the process of her great adventure she makes new friends and foes on Drury Lane.

Review & Book Trailer by 

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Premiere Saturday: My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter

You know how they say "don't judge a book by it's cover", well I did....in a good way. Picture me sitting at my computer scanning the new book releases when I see the title "My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters".

"Whacky title....this outta be interesting."

[Clicks link that goes to Amazon; book cover appears]

"Oh my gosh! I have a Barbie just like that!"

Instead of saying "Oh, this sounds good" or "Alright, a book about someone who doesn't like their nose either!", I only wanted to read it because there's a Barbie on the cover. Um, yeah, somebody played with Barbies waaay too much. And for the record I like my nose, even though it resembles my grandfather's round Irish strawberry nose. (When the rest of your family has big pointy noses, you'll be estatic with anything but a big pointy nose.)

Now onto the review:

My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters was great narrative by an average teenage girl with some acceptance issues. (Who doesn't right? As for the people who love themselves as is: Good for you!)

After finishing her junior year of high school, seventeen year-old Jory Michaels has three things on her summer to-do list: get ride of the Super Schnozz, find her passion (aka land Tyler Briggs as boyfriend), and learn to drive a stick-shift.

When both Jory's friends, Hannah and Megan find their "passions", Jory feels she must speed things up a little; and when she does, natural disaster follows. If only she can get ride of her big nose everything will be peachy....right?

In this comedic drama about every girl's worst nightmare comes the story of accepting yourself and getting the guy without causing natural disaster.

******

Yes, you can take away the Barbie doll image now ladies. This girl has a serious problem. After reading the first chapter I was hooked! The humor was great, the issues surrounding Jory were so-true and relateable, but she was a little too obsessed with boys for my taste. Kinda to the point where she was getting rather ridiculous and getting way too desperate. I think girls should never get desperate over boys-especially when some girls only have boyfriends for approx. three months. Me? I'd rather skip the boyfriend fling and find my "Edward" for keeps.

How cool is this? Not only do you get to read a fun teenage novel, but you get to be introduced or re-introduced to those life lessons we keep ignoring. Now if only there was a book on how to accept those pesky black-heads. Talk about best-seller....

*Because of some sexual content and references and underage drinking, I would only recommend teen girls that are at least fifteen read this.

Pages: 345 Year Published: April 6th, 2009 Genre: Realistic/Contemporary

Age Group: YA, ages 15+ Content: Teen drinking, some sexual situations/references

Enjoyed It: 4/5 Rating:(based on content)

For more fun with My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters go to www.sydneysalter.com!