Next Big Thing Blog Tour - I've been tagged

Well it seems my good pal Nikki Boetger tagged me for the Blog Tour. The Next Big Thing Blog Tour is a global blog tour that was started in Australia to bring awareness about authors and illustrators and their current book/project. 

I will now proceed to answer some interview questions to the best of my ability. Here goes nothing.

1) What is the working title of your next book?

That's a tricky question....My latest book Your Time Will Come came out in December 2012 and was written by Dave Hammer. I'm at the very early stages of my next book which is going under the WIP title, Timothy Thompson and the NOT SO Typical Tuesday. 

 

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

My latest book was written by a teacher and educator for his son. My next book is inspired by my own son who has Autism and the theme of the book is what a "typical" day is like for him and other children on the spectrum. 

3) What genre does your book fall under?

Both are a children's book for K through 4th grade.

 

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

 Wow. That's tough. It's always tough as most kid roles go to unknowns, but George Wendt would play the Baseball coach, that's for sure! I see the dad as Greg Kinnear and the "@" key would be voiced by Michael J. Fox.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

"Chad loves to play baseball but every time he goes up to bat he would swing so hard that he strike out. What happens when every time you think you are ready to succeed, something goes wrong?"

6) Who is publishing your book?

YTWC is published out of Pittsburgh by Word Association Publishers. Our new book will be a new Kickstarter campaign that I will be sure to tell you all about when the time is right.

7) How long did it take you to create the illustrations?

For YTWC, I spent approximately 9 months on the book from conceptual designs to book layout. Working on character studies right now for the new book.

 

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Again, that's a tricky one. The story is quite different and very much similar to other stories. It's a classic baseball hero story with a special twist. It's a father/son story at the heart of it all.

 

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired most by the story, the author's journey, and my own experiences with a very supportive father and now having boys of my own. I felt a connection with Dave Hammer and it was something special I had to be a part of.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

It's just a great story with, what I think, fantastic artwork. It's also written by an educator who has over 30 years working with children who have speech disorders. It was created by two loving fathers for other loving fathers.

I want to thank Nikki for tagging me in the Blog Tour and I hope I can help move it along.

And next I would like to introduce to you my new friend, Linda Stanek!

Linda is a fellow SCBWI member and author/illustrator. Her blog is aimed at teachers and connecting schools with visiting artists and illustrators. Take it away, Linda!!

http://authorsandillustratorsinschools.blogspot.com/