Category: Guest (Page 1 of 44)

Cover Reveal and Q&A for THE NECROMANCER’S RETURN by Beverly Twomey

October 14, 2026 / Katie L. Carroll / 0 Comments

Let’s give a big welcome to author Beverly Twomey as she reveals the cover of her upcoming middle grade fantasy THE NECROMANCER’S RETURN. This is the sequel to THE NECROMANCER’S APPRENTICE, which is only $.99 in the month of October. Be sure to check out the cover’s artist and designer Luisa Galstyan.

What was your main inspiration for the Necromancer books?

It started with a pun, “The dying art of necromancy,” followed by a tweet regarding what it might look like to explore a Necromancer who is great at his job but not people skills. I wanted to write something fun and a little spooky with lots of action, adventure, and skeletons. I’ve grown ever so fond of this little world and am delighted to be able to return to it.

Without spoilers, what’s one thing you think fans of The Necromancer’s Apprentice will be particularly pleased to see in The Necromancer’s Return?

I think they’ll really enjoy the new dynamics between my two main characters and the Necromancer. Noah and Tamsyn are very different from Georgie. They’re confident, less afraid of confrontation and really throw the Necromancer for a loop by calling out his faults to his face.

What were some of you favorite books when you were a teen?

My top 4 series were Redwall, The Lost Years of Merlin, Inkheart and The Squire’s Tales. All of these have an aspect of whimsy with a lot of heart which is something I strive to have in my own work.

At what moment did you truly begin to feel like an author?

When I held my first printed book in my hands. It was such a rough time in my life but to be able to tangibly hold The Necromancer’s Apprentice, see the size and shape of it in actual book form, was and remains incredible.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? What is your least favorite part?

I love to brainstorm and world build. I love to ask myself the Why of it all, such as “why does a small mountain village need a Necromancer?” Finding all the connecting threads and pulling them together is immensely satisfying to me.

Ironically, my least favorite part is often drafting. I know this is often many writers favorite part and I’ve gotten better at this through multiple books but those first words on the page are hard. It takes me easily 3-4 drafts so I know that those early words will be very far from where they ultimately end up. At the end of the day, I simply have to buckle down and write my way out.

What is the single best piece of advice you have for young writers?

Read! Read books, graphic novels, manga, articles, anything and everything you can get your hands on. Through reading, you can learn your own likes, dislikes, what works and what doesn’t, tropes, pacing, genre expectations and more. If you want to write a book, you simply must read them.

What is next for you in your writing career?

I have a couple projects in mind. I have the outline of the next Necromancer book, a project that I’d like to query to traditional publishing, and another possible sequel. At the moment, I’m throwing myself fully into Marketing Mode and after about a month of that, we’ll see what words arrive. Books are like wizards, they arrive precisely when they mean too.

THE NECROMANCER’S RETURN blurb:

In an actual circus, twelve-year-old Noah is the oddball.

While the rest of the Florian family paints, tumbles, and carves their mark into every performance of Waldo’s Wandering Wonders, Noah struggles to be seen—especially with his Unfortunate Habit of accidental invisibility. When a new puppet master arrives, taking over the circus with his eerily lifelike marionettes, Noah and his family are quickly entangled in the magician’s villainous schemes.

After a harrowing escape, Noah and his teen sister, Tamsyn, are desperate to find help. Yet the reclusive wizard known as ‘the Necromancer,’ along with his haunted companion are far from the heroes they had in mind. Together, this strange traveling troupe must face grave robbers, reanimated skeletons and travel to a long-lost mining town whose buried secrets rumble underground. The strings of fate are tightening fast, but which of our wizards will find the courage to face their fears before they are torn apart?

THE NECROMANCER’S RETURN promises familiar faces, new friends and foes, and the courageous strength of wonder.

THE NECROMANCER’S APRRENTICE blurb:

Georgie would do anything to help his father – even learn the dying art of necromancy.

Twelve-year-old Georgie works hard to care for his grieving father while keeping his nosy younger cousin out of trouble. But when his father begins to decline even further, Georgie decides to bring back the one person who could do it all, his deceased mother.

The local Necromancer is an awkward and solitary man with an ancient black cat and a literal skeleton in his closet. With a few words, he can cause a dead sparrow to fly, stop an animated skeleton in its place, and even speak to the dead themselves. Georgie is quickly swept away into a world of skeletal horrors, abandoned graves, and wizard duels where woodland creatures arm themselves against the undead. But can he convince the Necromancer to resurrect his mother in time?

THE NECROMANCER’S APPRENTICE is a whimsical take on the process of grieving and learning to live again.

The Necromancer’s Apprentice is on SALE during the month of October! Digital eBooks are available in US and Canada for 0.99 cents all month long!

About the Author:

Beverly Twomey was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. For over ten years, she has worked as a used bookseller, which has greatly expanded her personal Tolkien collection. When she is not lost in the stacks, she can be found drinking vast amounts of tea, snuggling with her two cats, reading fantasy novels, writing in the wee hours of the morning, and plotting ways to play more Dungeons & Dragons.

Website | Newsletter | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

More Indies, More Voices – A Guest Post by Author/Illustrator Parker Milgram

November 21, 2024 / Katie L. Carroll

Thank you so much to Katie for inviting me as a guest blogger, I am excited to share with you all about my newest picture book, Chameleon in Training.

Chameleons and Camouflage

The story features two chameleons, Commander Jackson and Edna, who have very different approaches to staying alive. Jackson, the camouflage master, is adamant on teaching Edna the proper blending techniques, but she prefers to do things her own way.

The core concept actually came to me when I was brainstorming for an entirely different book. During my stream of ideas, I drew a small sketch of what ended up becoming the spread “Feet Blue” and Chameleon in Training was born. Like most of my book ideas, I didn’t understand the concept right away, I didn’t know what the final book would look like, whether it would be a character-driven narrative or more of a wordless art book. But from the very beginning, I felt so connected with the concept.

The Struggle with Blending In

A chameleon who doesn’t want to blend in? Story of my life. I remember from a young age not fitting in, at first it was due to gender, not conforming to stereotypical gender preferences as a kid, and then later having mental health issues and sensory sensitivities that made me stick out in school. I wore noise-blocking headphones and felt like a lot of people didn’t understand how uncomfortable I was without sensory accommodations.

I think with Edna’s story, I am in a way reclaiming a lot of hurt I experienced as a child, being ridiculed or reprimanded for not being able to do things in certain ways at school, or not conforming to gender norms.

I hope that, especially for neurodivergent readers out there, Chameleon in Training brings a sense of joy, and also reassurance, that your differences bring positivity into the world.

Diversity in Publishing

There is so much strength in diversity of thought, and I am excited to see so many new titles now featuring autistic characters, and characters with other forms of neurodivergence and/or gender nonconformity.

I’ve noticed as my career has progressed that people have given me feedback, saying they like how I “see the world” or think I have a “unique art style.” I think this distinct perspective people sense is at least in part due to my neurodivergence, and it feels validating to have my differences now celebrated.

Post Meridiem Press

Chameleon in Training and my other recent picture book I Live for the Sun were published by Post Meridiem Press, an independent publishing imprint I started to promote content less represented in the traditional publishing industry.

I tried, very briefly, to get a literary agent in 2021-2022, but didn’t receive much interest from the agencies I queried. I hear a lot from traditionally published authors that it takes a LONG time to get an agent, and it’s important to be persistent. This is true, and for those people who stick with it and land an agent and traditional publishing deal—kudos to you.

But, for me, I just felt like I kept writing new stories and querying new agents, and rejection after rejection, no one was getting to read my stories (save for my critique group and close friends/family—you guys are great!).

With my own independent publishing imprint, I have a professional platform to share my work. I don’t sacrifice the quality of work, I put forth my best effort, conducting thorough research for projects and leaning on my critique group for feedback. But I don’t need a “green light” from a team of traditional publishing professionals approving my ideas.

Confidence through Independent Publishing

I think creating the Post Meridiem Press brand has also given me newfound confidence in the direction of my work. I’ve always enjoyed concept development and experimenting with styles in the process. With independent publishing, I feel empowered to pursue any style I want. I don’t feel restricted to a certain topic, format, or design approach.

For my most recent picture book, Chameleon in Training, I worked in a looser, digital style, which I felt best reflected the protagonist’s free-spirited, nonconforming personality. For my picture book I Live for the Sun I went for a mixed media approach, using lots of materials including acrylic paint, gouache, ink, colored pencils, and digital brushes. And most recently, I’ve been experimenting with ink and nib pens. There are so many techniques I enjoy trying and incorporating into my books, a big part of my process is trying to find styles/formats I feel best convey the concept at hand.

I hope creators whose interests may sway from the mainstream feel reassured that independent publishing is a perfectly valid way to produce professional-level content while retaining your creative vision.

My book I Live for the Sun, for example, features a penguin protagonist who becomes depressed and eventually experiences suicidal ideation after his friend gets eaten by a leopard seal. Through independent publishing, I was able to attempt this difficult topic of suicidal ideation, scarcely found in traditionally published picture books, and share my story with a wider audience through stores and events.

More Indies, More Voices

I really do feel there is room in the publishing industry for these lesser-represented subjects and “indie” leaning styles or approaches, which may be more commonly exhibited by neurodivergent creators. I’ve found success thus far in my career by leaning into myself, and I hope other creators share their distinct perspectives as well, because I think everyone’s unique approach and life experiences are what make for compelling, powerful, books.

About Chameleon in Training:

Chameleons must camouflage to survive…or must they? Why not have a disco party and snack on some tasty flies instead? Commander Jackson and student Edna duke it out in this fast-paced, witty attempt at Color 101: The Art of Camouflage. Class is in session!

“Chameleon in Training” is a picture book recommended for all ages. The story may especially delight neurodivergent readers through its celebration of nonconformity.

You can purchase Chameleon in Training on Amazon.

About I Live for the Sun:

When an Adélie penguin loses his best friend to a leopard seal attack, he becomes distraught and grows increasingly depressed. In the midst of peril, a humpback whale comes to the Adélie penguin’s aid and shows what keeps her going through the toughest of times.

Collage and mixed media painted illustrations depict the beauties of arctic nature in this tale of friendship and perseverance.

Recommended for ages 8 and up. “I Live for the Sun” may be a helpful resource for people struggling with grief and/or depression.

You can purchase I Live for the Sun on Amazon.

About the Author/Illustrator:

Parker Milgram is an author, illustrator, and fine artist based in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Their debut picture book and art book No Ideas Allowed! and Book of Worlds: An Artistic Representation of Mental Illness were published in 2021; their third and fourth books, I Live for the Sun and Chameleon in Training, were published by Post Meridiem Press in 2023 and 2024.

Parker’s art has been featured in publications such as The Worcester Review, Worcester Magazine, and CM PRIDE and exhibited at venues including ArtsWorcester, Worcester Center for Crafts, and the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery. Their current creative projects span themes of mental health, friendship, and neurodivergence.

You can view Parker’s art on Instagram @parkermilgram or see their published works at parkermilgram.com.

Meet Clare C-Saunders, Author of CHARLOTTE & ARTHUR’S ADVENTURES – THE PUMPKIN PORTAL

October 1, 2024 / Katie L. Carroll

Charlotte & Arthur’s Adventures – The Pumpkin Portal
A Middle Grade Adventure for spooky season!

Thank you, Katie, for asking me to be a guest blogger on your lovely website. I’m happy to introduce my new book Charlotte & Arthur’s Adventures – The Pumpkin Portal to you and your readers. This book cover has been beautifully illustrated by my daughter Rose, who is only 17 years old. Rose has worked together with me as a mother & daughter team on all our books since she was only nine years old, her first illustrations can be seen in, Seven Nights of Snuggles. She’s also done an amazing job of putting our book trailer together along with her dad’s music and my voiceover. Working with my daughter makes author events so much fun, as she often comes along with a craft activity for children. We’ve appeared at the Derby Book Festival, our local libraries and independent bookstores, and we even did a school book talk along with our Newfoundland dog in tow for World Book Day.

The Pumpkin Portal book and cover were inspired by our family trips out to our local pumpkin patch in Derbyshire, UK. Obviously, the book features a fictional version of it with a good dose of artistic licence for entertainment value. This is a beautiful farm near where we live, it has many different varieties of pumpkins and gourds in every size, shape and colour. I hadn’t realised you can get a blue pumpkin until I found one in their patch! Every year we visit together as a family to wander around their fields with the colourful wheelbarrows they provide, and we each pick a couple of pumpkins to decorate our woodland cottage with.

As well as their fields full of delightful colours we also visit the food marquee which is named the Witches Kitchen. Inside is always full of yummy food and drink choices and is surrounded by hay bales that you can sit on. There are also hay bales stacked up outside for children to climb on and fairground rides as well as other food vans and fun activities.

The story came to me when I thought about what might happen if a modern-day teenage girl had her Cinderella fantasy come true. Would she really like it? Or would her dream become a nightmare? Readers will find out as they follow Amara after she is whisked away from child minding Charlotte & Arthur at the Pumpkin Patch. Charlotte & Arthur must once again journey back to The Wheel World to save Amara from the Gnome King and his friend, Tricky Jack (the Pumpkin King). In doing so they learn about the magic of witches, go on death defying broomstick rides, have a close encounter with a mermaid and have fun with a baby dragon. During this adventure they will also unveil a hidden family secret to discover who they really are.

About the CHARLOTTE & ARTHUR’S ADVENTURES – THE PUMPKIN PORTAL:

Charlotte & Arthur are enjoying a day out at The Pumpkin Patch when their friend Amara is whisked away by a pumpkin portal. It’s up to Charlotte & Arthur to rescue her.

Grab your broomsticks for a trick or treat ride into a magical world. Zoom past dangerous mermaid filled waters, dodge flying pumpkins, learn about the magic of witches and fly a dragon.

Can Charlotte & Arthur rescue Amara with the help of their magical friends? Join them for a Halloween adventure on a path to self-discovery, as they unveil a hidden family secret and find out who they really are.

You can order this book through your local bookstore or it’s available in paperback and eBook online at Amazon.

About the Author:

Clare C-Saunders is from Derbyshire, England, UK. Clare has released three books to date, along with her young daughter, Rose, as illustrator. All made it into a top 100 Amazon best sellers chart. Currently she is writing her fourth book under the working title The Crystal Dragon’s Egg, which will be the last in the Charlotte & Arthur’s Adventures trilogy. Yule and the Helter Skelter had originally been a short story intended for her first book, but she decided it could make a better middle grade story. With 25 chapters it makes the perfect gift, not only as a book, but as an advent calendar for the whole family to enjoy in the festive run up. Next book in the series is, The Pumpkin Portal, featuring new character, Amara, who is whisked away by a pumpkin while child minding Charlotte & Arthur. The children must find a way to rescue her from the clutches of the Gnome King and his partner in crime Tricky Jack (the Pumpkin King) in this fairy-tale fantasy gone awry.

Seven Nights of Snuggles is a picture book for younger children. This book has seven delightfully illustrated stories designed to be read to children at bedtime. As well as books Clare has also worked in writing, producing and directing for radio. Her work includes an informative children’s internet safety campaign series entitled, The Internet Wizard and an interactive pantomime style radio play of Snow White. Today, when not writing, Clare can be found recording voice overs in her home recording studio, she voiced her own audiobooks for Seven Nights of Snuggles and Charlotte & Arthur’s Adventures – Yule and the Helter Skelter. You can hear samples of her audiobooks at www.clarecunliffe.com

Look out for more information on upcoming events, book festivals, magazine and blog articles, media interviews and special offers over on the following social media pages:
Facebook: Clare & Rose C-Saunders
IG: @theclarecs
X: @MediaClare
TT: @clare.csaunders

The Charlotte and Arthur’s Adventures series of books are published by Fisher King Publishing Ltd, find out more on their website.

Meet KD Williams Author of THE MYSTERIES OF WOODLAND ACADEMY

June 11, 2024 / Katie L. Carroll

I recently reached out to a bunch of authors while writing an article for Teen Librarian Toolbox called “Self-Published Authors Fill the Gap with Books Featuring Characters Ages 13-15.” Due to the timing of deadlines, I wasn’t able to include KD Williams in the article, so I’m so please to welcome KD and her book THE MYSTERIES OF WOODLAND ACADEMY to the blog today.

About THE MYSTERIES OF WOODLAND ACADEMY:

Natalie Evergreen’s best friend, Samantha Harper, is moving away to attend Woodland Academy, a prestigious private preparatory school in Virginia, far away from Memphis, TN. Natalie is unwilling to break up their friendship, so she agrees to attend Woodland Academy with her, where they encounter supernatural occurrences. Although, Natalie is smitten by the school’s enchantments, splendor, and wonders, Natalie is determined to understand these mysteries with Sam. Natalie learns there’s more to Woodland Academy than meets the eye. Natalie quickly rises to fame when she is elected to participate in the school’s annual games. Things take an unexpected turn when unbelieving Natalie converts to Christianity. However, she finds it struggling to share her newfound faith with her devout atheist parents, who want nothing to do with God. Can Natalie get her parents to accept her faith in time before their fate takes a turn for the worst? Natalie knows every decision she makes is crucial, but one thing is certain, her life will never be the same again. Find out what awaits Natalie in this coming-of-age story of a young girl who learns faith doesn’t come without a price… in The Mysteries of Woodland Academy.

Purchase it at Walmart, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Target.

About the Author:

K. D. Williams is a Christian author who lives in Mississippi with her family. The Mysteries of Woodland Academy is her young adult debut. K.D. Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in History at Mississippi Valley State University and a Master of Arts in Education specializing in Child Development at Ashford University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her grandchildren. K.D. Williams has a heart for the homeless and wants to start a homeless shelter one day.

You find her on Twitter @KdwilliamsA or Instagram @kdwilliams26.

Path to Publication: ZADIE AND THE WITCH’S TEA

July 11, 2023 / Katie L. Carroll

I’m excited to have author Gayle C. Krause on the blog today to talk about her latest release ZADIE AND THE WITCH’S TEA, written by Gayle and illustrated by Kate Talbot. I love Halloween books, and this one looks adorable. Welcome, Gayle!

Katie, thank you for having me on the observation deck.

I’m happy to share my latest picture book news with you and your readers. ZADIE AND THE WITCH’S TEA, a reimagining of the classic Cinderella tale, with a Halloween twist and no prince, has just released. Here are the links to Barnes & Noble and Amazon if you know a child who would love the fanciful illustrations of Kate Talbot and the whimsical Halloween story of little Zadie’s kindness.

My favorite holiday is Halloween and my favorite genre to read and write is fantasy. So, it’s easy to see the inspiration for this book. Also, my sisters were a huge influence. We often tease each other about our “witchy” powers. (When one calls, the other already has the phone in her hand.) So to celebrate our sisterhood and our sibling thought waves, we gather every summer for fun, food, wine, and of course, ‘dress-up.’ We call it our Witchy Weekend.

Add to that my love of fairytales, which I absolutely adored, as a child, and still do. My teaching career, training prospective educators for the Pre-K and Elementary classrooms, (I taught Children’s Literature at the secondary and post-secondary levels), and my Fairytale Seminar – BEYOND THE FAIRYTALE – which teaches prospective children’s writers how to reimagine a traditional fairytale and make it their own, and you can see how I love this little witch.

Book blurb: When Little Zadie’s sisters dash her hope of attending the biggest event of the Halloween season because she has no “witchy” magic, her determination and a surprising Fairy Godspider enchantment sends her as a special guest. The adult witches try to outdo each other by casting spells and chanting charms to become the assistant to the most powerful witch in the land. But a kind gesture from Zadie wins the night and the title, and her sisters learn that kindness proves stronger than any magic they possess.

Zadie’s path to publication took many turns. First written in 2016, it had too many words. Then I tried to illustrate it myself. I drew my version of the pictures but could do nothing else beyond that. In 2018, I signed with an agent, and she loved it. But when she subbed it to publishing houses, they said it was too long, and they’d like to see it in prose. So, reluctantly, I revised to write less words and no rhyme. But it hurt my heart to do that. Picture books come to me in rhyme. Asking me to write them in prose is like asking me to write them in another language.

I’m aware of good rhyme vs. bad. I belonged to The Poets’ Garage for six years, was the assistant poetry editor for Beneath the Juniper Tree, and served on Angie Karcher’s Rhyme Revolution Committee, helping to write the rhyme rubric, and select the “BEST” Rhyming picture book in the U.S. for three years. And they wanted me to write it in prose! So, I took a break and used my creative time to design and sew Zadie, her sisters, and the Grand Witch.

During my time at the agency, Kate Talbot and I were agency sisters, in fact, we shared the same agent. Since then the agent left the business and Kate and I left the agency. But it was easy to reach out to her because her whimsical illustration style was perfect to bring Zadie’s story to life.

Kate’s work is beautiful.

If I have any advice for children’s writers, it’s to write what’s in your heart. If it’s rhyme, so be it. If it’s non-fiction biographies, go for it. If it’s board books or novels, the only rules to follow are know your craft, and give it your all.

ZADIE AND THE WITCH’S TEA is published by Trowbridge Books, a small, independent, traditional publishing house. www.trowbridgebooks.com

I am offering a signed copy of ZADIE AND THE WITCH’S TEA to one of your readers who comments on Zadie’s story, and shares news about my little witch on social media (please list where you shared). I also have Zadie swag that will accompany the book. (USA only)

Thank you for having me and letting me share Zadie’s story with your readers.