Today is launch day for our own Janet Lee Carey, the wonderful author of WENNY HAS WINGS, THE BEAST OF NOOR, and DRAGON'S KEEP.
I find myself saying this about every new book Janet writes, but this one is her best. STEALING DEATH tells the story of a boy named Kipp who must capture the bag Death uses to transport souls in order to save someone he loves. It's a great premise, to be sure. Even better, though, is the world-building and writing. Totally dazzling. (Read on for a chance to win an ARC of the book.)
Also worth noting: Janet is part of the launch of Egmont USA, a new publisher that's been getting a lot of attention. And, she's trying to raise $14,000 to provide clean water for children in Africa. In honor of her launch, the Chinook Update interviewed her:
Your new book, STEALING DEATH, got a starred review from School Library Journal. What did they say and how did it feel?
The review ended with ~ Carey’s wonderful language weaves family, love, wise teachers, and petty villains together in a vast landscape . . . Verdict: This is quite simply fantasy at its best–original, beautiful, amazing, and deeply moving. ~ The complete review is here; scroll down to Carey.
How do I describe the rush of reading that? It came at a good time. I’d been dutifully journaling about how to graciously accept negative reviews (part of any book launch prep) so this starred review sent me skyrocketing! Excitement quickly shifted to gratitude. A starred review means schools, libraries, and bookstores are more likely to scoot their books over a few inches to allow a new book on the shelves. That means potential readers will have the chance to see STEALING DEATH, snatch it up, and flip through the pages. What could be better than that?
What was it like to work with Egmont? It’s a brand-new U.S. publisher—how did you get hooked up with them?
My agent, Irene Kraas, hooked me up with Regina Griffin at Egmont USA. Irene had worked with Regina before and thought she’d like STEALING DEATH. I’d completed roughly100 pages when Egmont USA bought the book. I soon learned I had to write another 230 pages in two months if I was going to be a part of their fall 2009 launch. Yikes! I really wanted STEALING DEATH in launch, so I went for it. I’d been thinking about writing STEALING DEATH for sixteen years. Suddenly it was time to fill the pages lickety-split!
The USA début feels like a bit of sunshine during this recession. I feel so lucky to be a part of the Egmont USA fall launch. (See more about Egmont USA here.)
Your launch event includes a charitable element. What’s driving that? Is that a new thing for you?
I usually find a way to give back with each new book. STEALING DEATH is set in a drought-ridden landscape. Doing research for the book I learned more than one billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water and that water-related diseases take the lives of 6,000 people per day, so the give back clearly had to serve communities in need of clean water.
I was thrilled to find PlayPumps International! The nonprofit organization provides a simple, sustainable solution to the water problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Children play on a merry-go-round that pumps clean water from an underground source with every spin.
My goal is to raise $14,000.00 this school year. That’s enough for a new PlayPump. I’ll be getting the word out at schools and other author events. The tax deductible giving page on the PlayPumps website is the STEALING DEATH Water for Life challenge.
I’m lucky to live in the northwest where so many prominent authors give back. Most of us discover startling facts in our research and know we have to respond in some way. Readergirlz founding divas Justina Chen, Lori Ann Grover, and Dia Calhoun, and I were all used to linking writing and charitable work so our coming together to create readergirlz was kismet. Since the year I served divas Holly Cupala, Mitali Perkins, and Melissa Walker have added their talents to the readergirlz phenomenon. So have Sara Easterly, Martha Brockenbrough, Liz Gallagher, Beth Kephart. There are too many to name here (sigh) but people can check out the whole team including the postergirlz, readergirlz salon, and street team on this readergirlz page.
I’m happy to announce readergirlz will host an online book launch party for STEALING DEATH. Swing by to join the live chat and party with us Wednesday September 30th, beginning at 6pm Pacific Time/ 9pm Eastern. We’d love to have SCBWI people join us.
And how can your fans track where you are, both online and in the real world?
I strive to leave few footprints, but trackers might catch me in the forest, by a lake, at the local library, or at my local bookstores like Parkplace Books or Half Price Books. I MUST stop buying books. The shelves are bulging!
You might catch me web walking through website or at Lit Art Photography or tweeting on twitter. To capture a Janet bring a smooth hot cup of black tea and milk chocolate with almonds – the most irresistible trap known to humankind.
Want to win my (slightly dog-eared) ARC of this book? All you have to do is post a note about it on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter account. Let me know at chinook@marthabee.com and I will choose the winner out of a hat.
