I'm excited to have author Emma Eden Ramos stopping by today for a great guest post! Emma is the author of the soon to be released MG novella The Realm of the Lost. You can find an excerpt from the novella below along with a fun character interview.
The Realm of the Lost, is a middle grade fantasy/adventure novella, that will be published by MuseItUp Publishing on September 14th.
A short trip to The Realm of the Lost:
Excerpt and Character Interview
What if you were to die before your time?
The Realm of the Lost tells the story of thirteen-year-old Kathleen "Kat" Gallagher. After a tragic accident, Kat finds herself stuck in the place where people go when they have died before their time. Upon her arrival, Kat meets two of the young inhabitants of The Realm of the Lost. Will she learn to embrace her new surroundings? Little does Kat know, the relationships she builds in death will teach her to appreciate the ones she had in life.
Excerpt:
It was warm when I came to, and I felt no pain. Standing with ease, I bent over and inspected my pant-legs, searching for some remnant of dirt or ice. Nothing. Could this be a dream?
Then I noticed a bright orange ray reflecting off my necklace. The glare almost blinded me. I surveyed my surroundings.
Positioned atop solid dirt ground, I gasped in awe. Pine trees stood skyscraper high, haloed by dusty golden light. The sound of chirping birds echoed all around, and I spotted, to my left, what looked like a duck, but with a sharper and more pronounced beak. Bending down to inspect the creature as it waddled past, I heard a small voice from behind me.
"If you're a poacher, you belong in the under realm."
"What?" I asked, turning to face a boy who couldn't be more than eight. He wore navy blue shorts that folded at the tips of his scrawny knees. His white-collared shirt, grey vest and checkered cap reminded me of something out of an old movie. I couldn't help smiling as he stood, arms crossed, with an air of authority.
"If you're a poacher, you are in the wrong realm," the boy said.
"I'm not a poacher. I've been in an accident and—wrong realm?"
The boy sighed, twiddling his thumbs in a way that made me think of my brother.
"Okay," he continued, after an awkward pause. "Well, first, do you know where you are?"
"Like I said, I was in an accident. I guess I passed out. I don't—I'm not sure if my mother knows—"
"Oh. No. She wouldn't know a thing like this."
"A thing like what?" I demanded, stomping my foot.
"That you've come to the Realm of the Lost."
Chapter two
First Journey
I opened my mouth to respond, to tell the odd boy I wasn't in the mood for fantasy and games but I was cut off by a more grown-up sounding female voice. "Mikey! Mikey, how many times has Miss A told you? You're not to explain anything to the newcomers!"
"She asked," Mikey protested, fidgeting with his hands. "I can't help if people ask me. And you can't blame me this time because I was the first one here."
"Shush!" the voice snapped, its owner walking out from behind one of the tall trees. She was in her mid-teens and had beautiful olive skin. Her thick black hair fell past her waist, and I immediately felt captivated by her deep-set brown eyes. "You can be such a pest." She glared at Mikey. "And she didn't ask. I know that be—"
"Excuse me," I interrupted. "My mother is home with my brother. I should be with my sister Ellie. We were supposed to walk to school together, but we had a fight and Ellie—"
Mikey’s eyes bulged. "Your own sister killed you?"
Today I am joined by The Realm of the Lost's eight-year-old Mikey.
Hey, Mikey, How've you been?
Pretty swell, I think.
You think?
Well, you know. I just…I still get into trouble sometimes.
Still? I know that was a big issue for you in the past.
Yea, I know. I guess I talk too much.
Let's say you sometimes speak out of turn. Have you been in any trouble lately?
No, but I will be.
Really?
I shouldn't even be talking to you. You know that!
Okay. We'll make this quick then. I'm just checking in.
Alright. I just hope no one around here finds out.
In The Realm of the Lost, you are one of Kat's guides, her realm brother. What was that like? A lot of responsibility, I bet.
Oh, yea! Realm brothers and sisters are very important. And I'm an old-timer, you know. Sure, I'm only eight, but I've been here a long time! I know this place better than anyone.
I don't know if I'd go that far.
I would. I know this realm better than you do!
Mikey!
Sorry.
Can you briefly explain what a realm brother is?
Sure. Realm brothers and sisters are like regular brothers and sisters, only they're not related to you. They were never part of your family on earth. In fact, you probably didn't even know them when you were alive!
So when Kat came to The Realm of the Lost, did you immediately like having her as your realm sister?
No. Well, I did until she got bossy. Then I didn't like her for a short time. But I got used to her.
When people read Kat's story, they may have some questions about your past.
Why?
Because it's interesting! You're interesting. Still, The Realm of the Lost is mainly Kat's story.
Does that mean she'll get all the attention?
Well, yea. As I said, it's her story. She tells the story.
Can I tell a story, too?
Maybe, it you want to. It's a lot of work to tell a whole story.
I don't think it's that hard at all. I tell lots of stories.
Okay. We'll have to talk about that a little later. Before I let you go, is there anything you'd like to tell those who will be reading The Ream of the Lost when it comes out next month?
Yes. Tell them that I tell stories too! But not now. Darkness is on its way. I have to go!
Bye, Mikey. And thanks for chatting.
Goodbye. Don't forget to tell them. I'll see you all soon.
Yes, you sure will.
Who else is excited to read this novella and read more about Mikey?! I know I am! Thank you so much for stopping by Emma :)
Emma Eden Ramos is a writer from New York City. Her short stories have appeared in Stories for Children Magazine, The Storyteller Tymes, BlazeVOX Journal, and others. Emma's novelette, Where the Children Play, is included in Resilience: Stories, Poems, Essays, Words for LGBT Teens, edited by Eric Nguyen. Three Women: A Poetic Triptych and Selected Poems (Heavy Hands Ink, 2011), Ramos’ first poetry chapbook, was shortlisted for the 2011 Independent Literary Award in Poetry. Emma lives on the Upper West Side with her Standard Poodle, Atticus. When she isn't writing, Emma can usually be found drinking green tea and reading on her kindle. Atticus is never far behind.
3 comments:
Hi Emma,
I think Mikey is such a dear little fellow and I would like to read his story if you have time to write it for him. I'm looking forward to reading about Kat in the Realm of the Lost as soon as it comes out.
Thanks for the cupcake. I had one with a strawberry on top.
The realm sounds like one of those places that's crowded and lonely at the same time. I bet everyone there has a fascinating story, so you'll never run out of sequels and spin-offs to write. Best of luck with your novella, Emma. And thanks for the cupcake.
I'm looking forward to reading your novella for sure. Mikey is a character that's for sure and I bet he sticks his foot in his mouth a lot of the time.
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