Introducing 2013 MCBF Author, Mary Lindsey

Mary's writing is a natural expression of her love of reading and a fascination with the flexibility of the human imagination. Books make the impossible possible.

Prior to attending University of Houston Law School, Mary received a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Drama from the University of Houston. She has taught drama and playwriting in a large public high school and English in a private school. Currently, Mary teaches acting to children and teens at a private studio in Houston, Texas.

Mary lives in Houston with her husband, three kids, two dogs, her daughter's pet rats, an Australian Bearded Dragon and dozens of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. (The roaches are long story—don't ask.)

To learn more about Mary Lindsey, visit her website.

An Interview with Dom Testa

Q: Of which book are you the most proud? And why?

A: I love this question, because authors are usually asked to name their favorite book. I think the best writing took place in The Galahad Legacy, so it's my favorite. But I'm most proud of the first one, The Comet's Curse. I wrote that book during a time of personal upheaval, including the death of my father. It's as if I escaped into the world of writing, and the book became a haven. After it was published it began to pick up some nice awards, and I remember on one hand being happy for the accomplishment, but also feeling sad that I hadn't been able to show it to my dad.

Q: Patty Campbell talks about the germ for a piece of writing being like the sand in the oyster.  What is your grain of sand?  Do you begin with character or setting or something else?

A: All six of the Galahad series books were written to entertain my twelve-year-old self. For those books the grain of sand was a very strong desire to create a series that I would've loved in middle school. But the books I'm writing now have been spawned by the most unusual things. A friend of mine texted a photo to me that her daughter had taken, and I was so startled by this incredible image that I immediately sat down and drafted an outline for a story. And I love it! My germ was an eclectic photo taken by a 15-year-old girl. It was screaming to have a story built around it, and it shall.

Q: Who is your favorite character you have written or read about?

A: Well, if it's a character I've read, then it's no contest: Atticus Finch. I know, that's so cliched, but can there even be an argument? Ms. Lee created the greatest fictional character ever. I'd award second place to Lisbeth Salander. Utterly fascinating, through all three books.

Of the characters I've created, my favorite is the talking/thinking computer named Roc. It was a blast bringing him to life, and he provided a nice element of humor to the Galahad series.

Q: In high school, where did you fall? (Prom Queen/King, Gamer Geek, Brainy/Book Nerd, Jock, Shy/Quiet Scholar, Skate Rat, Stoner, Class Clown, etc.)

A: It's funny, because as I write this I'm getting ready to travel back to my high school (Cooper High School, in Abilene, Texas). They're inducting me into their Hall of Fame, which is such an honor. When I first walked through the doors of high school I was likely one of the most shy students on campus. But during my junior year I got a job as a rock n roll disc jockey on a radio station in town, and it was like throwing a switch, at least socially. You could probably lump me into a variety of categories, but of those you listed I'd have to say a combo of Book Nerd, Shy/Quiet Scholar, and a touch of class clown. Weird, eh? But it might explain why, after starting so shy and reserved, at the end of my senior year I was voted the runner-up Friendliest Boy. Ha ha, runner up! I guess if the actual Friendliest Boy had been unable to fulfill his duties...

Q: How often do you dream about the writing you are working on?

A: Most authors - including me - never dream about the story we're working on. No, we dream incessantly about the NEXT book we want to be working on! If you ask me, it's why so many writers have half-finished manuscripts. Our heads are turned by ideas, just like a guy's head is turned by a pretty woman. The key is finding the discipline to keep your head down and finish your current project before you leap into the next. It's almost like we need a mom to tell us that we can't have dessert until we finish our broccoli. And that next story is definitely the dessert.

Thanks for your time, Dom. We look forward to seeing you at the festival!

To read more about Dom Testa's book and his Big Brain Club, visit his website.

Introducing 2013 MCBF Author, Dom Testa

Dom Testa is the host of Denver’s top-rated morning radio show, The Dom and Jane Show on Mix 100, a multiple-winner of “Morning Show of the Year” from the Colorado Broadcasters Association.

He’s also the author of the award-winning Galahad book series for young adults. The first volume, The Comet’s Curse, was an International Grand Prize winner from Writer’s Digest, as well as a Top Pick from The American Library Association, alongside some book called The Hunger Something-or-other. Each of the first three Galahad books won an EVVY Award for Best Young Adult Book. More information is available at DomTesta.com.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, Dom is also the founder of The Big Brain Club, a non-profit education foundation. Dom speaks to thousands of students around the country each year, helping them to recognize that Smart Is Cool. Info at BigBrainClub.com.

An Interview with Kendare Blake

Q: Of which book are you the most proud? And why?

A: Honestly, it's whatever book I'm working on at the moment. That's how it has to be. If I'm not convinced that what I'm working on is the shizz, then I'd just stop working on it. After the books are out, in readers hands, they don't feel like something I did. They've left the nest. They don't even let me pack their lunches, anymore.

Q: What do you hear from your readers?

A: I hear that they really like Anna. A black-veined, blood-bathed, murdering rage-monster. Who knew? I mean, I love her, but I thought it would be hard for readers to get past her penchant for killing...everyone. I also hear that I write dudes well. Which I appreciate hearing.

Q:  In high school, where did you fall? (Prom Queen/King, Gamer Geek, Brainy/Book Nerd, Jock, Shy/Quiet Scholar, Skate Rat, Stoner, Class Clown, etc.)

A: In high school, I was a little of everything. I played ice hockey, was near the top of my class, had a teacher file a complaint because I wrote an essay that may or may not have been a federal offense...and hung with mostly stoners. The one thing I never really dabbled in was Theater. Or glee club, or anything like that. That stuff takes balls.

Q:  Do you have a pet (pets)?  Tell us about it (them) and how they help/hinder your writing.

A: I have two catsons. Tybalt (featured in the books) and Mojo Jojo (I can't have a cat named Mojo Jojo in the books. I just can't.) Tybalt will occasionally try to sleep on my lap while I'm writing. Or if he thinks I'm working for too long, he'll sit on my desk and stare at me while he shoves papers onto the floor. Mojo is very chill. Doesn't bother anyone, unless it's time for his tea, which isn't really tea, just a cup of hot water. Do not, forget, his tea.

I also have a horse daughter named Lassie, but she doesn't live at home anymore.

Q:  How often do you dream about the writing you are working on?

A: I almost said never, but last month I had a dream that I was the lead character in my new Greek mythology series. And I kept trying to fly, but couldn't. I woke up and thought, "I have to finish this stupid book."

Before Anna was published, my agent, editor, and husband had nightmares where Anna came after them. I wished she would come after me, but she never did. I think she knows better than to bite the hand that feeds, you know?

Thanks so much for your time, Kendare! We look forward to seeing you at the festival.

To learn more about Kendare Blake and Anna, visit her website.

Introducing 2013 MCBF Author, Kendare Blake

Kendare Blake is an import from South Korea who was raised in the United States by caucasian parents. You know, that old chestnut. She received a Bachelor's degree in Business from Ithaca College and a Master's degree in Writing from Middlesex University in London. She brakes for animals, the largest of which was a deer, which sadly didn't make it, and the smallest of which was a mouse, which did, but it took forever. Amongst her likes are Greek Mythology, rare red meat and veganism. She also enjoys girls who can think with the boys like Ayn Rand, and boys who scare the morality into people, like Bret Easton Ellis.

To read more about Kendare Blake, visit her website.

An Interview with Jo Whittemore

Q: Patty Campbell talks about the germ for a piece of writing being like the sand in the oyster.  What is your grain of sand?  Do you begin with character or setting or something else?

A. The grain of sand that starts my stories is always a "What if?" question, because the universe is made up of so many possible scenarios and outcomes. It's fun to explore them, particularly if it's something I would NEVER have tried myself (like putting on a one-woman show). After I've got my "What if?", I come up with the character, and it's the character's personality that will determine how the story plays out.

Q: What do you hear from your readers?

A. My readers think the stories are funny but sometimes are disappointed that certain characters don't end up together. I wish I could pair every character with whoever they're crushing on, but life isn't always like that, and learning to adapt to change is what helps people grow. Plus, a lot of times you end up with someone even better!

Q: Who is your favorite character you have written or read about?

A: My favorite character I've read about would have to be Bartimaeus from the Bartimaeus Sequence by Jonathan Stroud. For a 5,000-year old djinni, he's hilariously snarky and a bit too brave for his own good at times.

Q: What is one thing you would like your readers to know about you?

A. I'd like my readers to know that I love their laughter. THAT is what motivates me to keep writing.

Q: In high school, where did you fall? (Prom Queen/King, Gamer Geek, Brainy/Book Nerd, Jock, Shy/Quiet Scholar, Skate Rat, Stoner, Class Clown, etc.)

A. In high school, I was the Brain/Drama Geek. I remember in my freshman math class getting an A on a paper and lamenting that I didn't get an A+. I was THAT kind of extreme nerd. And for theater, I was once cast as a nun, so I watched the abbey scene from Sound of Music over and over until I truly felt I would make an excellent Mother Superior.

Thank you so much for your time Jo! We look forward to seeing you at the festival.

Read more about Jo at her website.

Introducing 2013 MCBF Author, Jo Whittemore

Jo Whittemore is the author of the tween humor novels, Front Page Face-Off, Odd Girl In, and D is for Drama, as well as The Silverskin Legacy fantasy trilogy. She is a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and is one of the founding members of The Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels. Jo has also written for, and been featured in, newspapers and national magazines. When she isn't writing, Jo spends her time with family and friends in Austin, dreaming of the day she can afford a chocolate house with toffee furniture.

Discover more about Jo Whittemore at her website.