Author Interview with M. Gail Grant
I’m interviewing M. Gail Grant today, author of YA Fantasy “Magdalena Gottschalk: The Crooked Trail”. Welcome to my blog!
- When did you know you wanted to be an author?
Honestly, ever since I was about the age of twelve. I just didn’t have the confidence to see it through until this past year. It was mostly out of love for my youngest daughter. She is absolutely fascinated with reading, just as I was as a child, and watching her love and enjoyment from reading has given me the extra little push I needed to make it happen. I wanted to write something for her, something she could proudly say, “My mommy wrote that!”
- What inspired you to write your book?
My nine-year-old daughter, Penelope, was my biggest inspiration. I remember when I was about her age, how excited I would get to go to the library. My favorite series as a child was the Nancy Drew series. I would be captivated by the storyline and couldn’t wait until we returned the book so I could get the next one in the series. My mother always took me to the library as she was a strong believer in the gift of reading. Since my children were toddlers, I have always taken them to the library and every year we have always participated in the summer reading programs where they earn rewards and certificates for the books they read. Writing a book was something that I felt would reinforce their view of reading. Penelope loves anything in fantasy fiction, hence my decision to write in the genre.
- What is your editing process like?
Brutal! I am constantly editing. I’m not one of those authors that writes the entire book and then edits. I have read pros and cons to this style. But, I write a few chapters at a time, then edit. I write more, then edit. Once the book is completed, I read it front to back on the computer, and edit. I then print the manuscript, read it front to back, and edit again. I then send it off to the publisher to receive it back in book form. I read the book cover to cover, and then edit again. I re-print the book, receive it in the mail, read it again from cover to cover, and edit again. It is always a never-ending cycle. I am so very type A, that a typo drives me crazy. I’m not saying my works are perfect, but I can say they are done to my very best ability. I put my best foot forward, in regards to editing.
- Is this your first book?
Yes, it is! I have written a few short stories for journal submissions, but this is my first novel. I have loved it, hated it, cried over it, prayed over it, and published it. I am thrilled with the result, but I approach it like everything else in life. It is more about the journey than the end. I have tried to embrace and enjoy each step along the way as I will never get this time in my life back. There will never again be a first book!
- Did you set any writing goals for 2017?
My book was just released late June to early July via Amazon and Ingram Spark in paperback, hardcover, and digital eBook. I just completed my first book trailer which can be found on YouTube. I’m honored to say my 2017 goals have now been attained! Writing your first book has many challenges and rewards. My goal was to complete the manuscript, edit and edit, and see the book come to print. I feel very blessed. I have one more goal for 2017, and that is to complete and publish the second book of the series titled, Magdalena Gottschalk: The Slippery Slope, which should be released middle to late November of this year.
- Are you working on something now?
Yes, I am currently working on book two of the series. And, I am slowing working on the theme for book three. Beyond that, I am focusing on marketing and promotion of Magdalena Gottschalk: The Crooked Trail, my first novel. Now that it is complete, I’m learning the art of marketing.
About the Book
Title: Magdalena Gottschalk: The Crooked Trail
Author: M. Gail Grant
Genre: YA Fantasy
The enchanted secret of Lily Brooke was safe and sound, until Magdalena and her thirteen-year-old friends accidentally unleashed the revengeful demons of the past. How were they supposed to know that a friendly expedition in the woods on a stress-free Saturday morning would lead to the most intense and scary moments of their lives? So many mysterious happenings have occurred ever since they found that crooked trail leading to the sacrificial cave, and hidden monstrosity of a treehouse. With the chanting voices and shrill noises that only Magdalena could hear, the friends decide there is something sinister living amongst them. Time is of the essence to save Lily Brooke and their childhood club, the Mystical Alliance of Lily Brooke, knows it is up to them to capture the demons hiding in their community and set the town free. Witches, wizards, and some black magic may just be what it takes for Magdalena and her best friends to save the day.
Author Bio
Melinda Gail resides in Canton, Georgia with her three daughters, husband of over twenty years, and two adorable fur babies. Surrounded by the north Georgia mountains, the scenery provides for inspirational settings for her novels. Being raised in the south, she brings a little southern flair and tradition to her characters, all the while remembering the adventurous nature of middle grades to young adult age children. With a passion for the extraordinary and imagination, Melinda hopes you enter a world of fantasy as you see life through the eyes of the characters.
Writing has always been her underlying passion in life. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, and a minor in Sociology, she felt understanding and studying human behavior on the individual and collective level, would apply to anything and everything chosen to do in life. Identified as being a strong writer for her age at the time, she attended a summer literary writer’s camp around age twelve. She flourished and loved every moment of the experience and it has stayed with her throughout adulthood.
The desire to write has always been an integral part of who Melinda is, and about eight months ago she decided it was time. Having always been an avid reader of topics from intense young adult fantasy and thrillers, to light hearted summer romances, she chose juvenile to young adult ages for her book. In middle school summers, she would stay up to the wee hours of the morning reading because she just couldn’t put the book down. This basic idea, not being able to put a book down, is the principal she built on while writing Magdalen Gottschalk: The Crooked Trail. It has moments of ease, moments of intensity, moments of humor, striving to offer some of her own personality in her writings. There is a time for sweetness, a time for seriousness, and always a time for kindness and life lessons. Her style isn’t made up. It is simply who she is, on paper.
Links
For author signed paperback and hardcover editions: http://www.MelindaGailBooks.com