Word Spelunking’s temporary hiatus is now permanent. All requests are closed and there will be no new content. Thank you to everyone I’ve worked with and everyone who has read and supported this blog. Y’all are awesome!!
I'm so excited to have the lovely Danai Kadzere here today to talk about and give away her fun middle-grade book, The Princess Games...
The Princess Games
by Danai Kadzere
July 27, 2015
Lands Atlantic Publishing
King Winkle and Queen Periwinkle have a problem. They need a princess, and they need her fast. With the upcoming peace-keeping marriage between Prince Linus of Branninia and the princess of the fair Kingdom of Hoggenbottom, it's a bit risky to admit they don't have a princess.
Instead, they decide to host The Princess Games. Soon enough, the fairest maidens of the land are gathered in front of the castle, fairy-godmothers in tow! With a goofy king, an obsessive compulsive advisor, and a fairy godmother whose spells do whatever they want, these games are about to get interesting.
Even if Emma and her clumsy Fairy Louise can manage to do well in the competition, she'll have to get past the expert spells of Fairy Faye and the beauty of Laralyn, who is intent on pleasing her ambitious mother at any cost.
What three words best describe your book, The Princess Games?
Quirky, fun, adventurous!
Can you give us your best one sentence pitch to convince readers, especially reluctant readers, to give The Princess Games a try?
Explore what happens when your favorite fairy tales are turned on their heads in The Princess Games!
Grab a copy of The Princess Games and answer the following:
favorite chapter? Chapter 3
favorite page?Page 70
favorite setting? The royal carriage that Emma, Laralyn, Fairy Faye, and Fairy Louise travel to the castle in!
flip to a random page and give us a teaser:
Karl paced back and forth across the study. Then he paced back and forth again. At the rate at which he was pacing, he would wear through the floor before any of the prospective princesses even arrived.
“But, your Highness,” pled Karl, for the umpteenth time, “Are you completely certain that this is a wise decision?”
“Oh, bother,” said King Finkle, “Why ever not? We need an heir, yes? And we need her soon, yes?”
“Yes, your Highness” said a reluctant Karl.
“Well, how else are we to get a full-grown princess?” asked the King. As an afterthought, he added, “Or any princess at all, for that matter.”
“I do not know, your Highness,” said Karl.
“You know the precarious position that we are in,” said King Finkle, “Some thirteen years ago, were you not there when we promised the royal family of Branninia a wife for their baby boy? Our families are to be united in Holy Matrimony and they are to be united soon. So what shall we do, if we have no princess to give them, eh?”
Karl sighed and rubbed his head. He had advised King Finkle, those many years ago, not to promise a daughter’s hand in marriage when he did not have said daughter.
“Do you want a war, Karl?” asked King Finkle, moving a game piece forward on the board.
“No, your Highness,” said Karl.
“Then we have no other option!” King Finkle thought for a moment. “Unless, of course, you propose that you dress up as our princess and marry their prince.” King Finkle beat the table with laughter, causing the game pieces to hop and down on the board.
Karl bristled.
“You are right, your Highness,” said Karl. “As always, you are right.”
If only that darn King Finkle would act like a grown man for once, and not a carefree little boy. Once again, all the responsibility fell on Karl’s weary shoulders.
Oh, bother, indeed.
What inspired The Princess Games? How did the story come to be?
I’ve always loved fairytales and magical adventure stories. The idea of The Princess Games first came to me when I visited an old, (surely) magical castle in northwestern Germany and the world of The Princess Games started unfolding within its walls (and my imagination).
Can you tell us a bit about your heroine, Emma? What makes her unique?
Emma is spunky, ahead of her (medieval) times, and her father’s only son. She is the last girl you would expect to become a princess! She is smart, witty, and cunning, however, so you root for our relatable underdog.
Competing in The Princess Games sounds WAY more fun than competing in the Hunger Games or the Triwizard Tournament...what strategy would you advise using if we ever find ourselves in The Princess Games?
I would suggest pairing up with another princess-fairy godmother team to combine your skills for the various challenges. That increases both of your odds of winning and it makes it a lot more fun!
The fairies in The Princess Games can work some impressive magical spells...do you have a favorite spell in the book? What kind of spell do you wish you could use in your life?
My favorite spell in the book is the fire-proofing spell that turned Emma into a swamp creature!
I wish I had a real-life spell to pause time when I’m reading, so that I can read as many chapters as I want at night without staying up past my bedtime! The worst thing about being a grown up might just be that there’s no one to enforce a bedtime, so it’s ever so tempting to stay up all night with a good book and regret it in the morning, when it’s time to go to work.
What’s been the best thing about being an author?
You get to make up crazy, fun stories and share them with kid readers! Authors get to keep the magic of being a kid, even when they’re all grown up.
Fill in the blanks:
I’m really awesomeat kitchen magic.
I’m really embarrassed to admithow many glitter gel pens I own.
The last great book I read was ‘Anyone But Ivy Pocket’ by Caleb Krisp.
If you were to bake a cupcake inspired by The Princess Games, what would it look and taste like, and what would you call it?
It would be pale pink with swirly hot pink frosting covered in glittery pale blue sprinkles, but it would taste like chocolate and sunflower seeds and happiness. I would call it Fairy Godmother’s Delight!
Danai Kadzere is a recent graduate of Harvard University, living and writing in New York City. With family scattered around the globe in South Africa, Germany, Zimbabwe, and America, Danai loves traveling, being adventurous and baking. When not nose deep in a good book, or elbows high in flour, Danai can be found covering things in pink glitter, chasing her two cats, climbing trees, or acting.
Win 1 of 3 ebook copies of
The Princess Games!
Danai has generously offered an ebook copy of her fun book for three winners.
DETAILS
-open to anyone who can read ebooks
-ends 10/20
please read all rules below form
a Rafflecopter giveaway Unless otherwise stated, the policies and rules for each giveaway are as follows:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. who are 13 years old or older as of date of entry.
To enter, fill out the appropriate Rafflecopter form associated with each giveaway.
The start and end dates for each giveaway will be clearly stated and followed.
The specified amount of winners shall be selected in a random drawing.
Winners will be notified by email and must claim their prize within 48 hours. If a winner does not respond within 48 hours, then a new winner will be chosen. Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes in the mail. Once a prize is dropped off at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility and I will not compensate in anyway for prizes not delivered because of the USPS. If a third-party (author, publisher, etc) is shipping a prize, once I provide the winner(s)' mailing information to them, the prize is no longer my responsibility. I will forward your mailing info to the proper people within 48 hours after getting it from you. If you have not received your prize from an author or publisher within 8 weeks, it is your responsibility to contact them further. By participating in any giveaway, you agree to adhere to these rules. Any breaking of these rules by entrants will disqualify them from the giveaway and their entries will be deleted.
I'm excited to share my review of the charming Appleblossom the Possum today! Plus, you can win a hardcover copy...
Appleblossom the Possum
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
August 11, 2015
Dial Books
Fans of E.B. White and Dick King-Smith will adore this heartwarming and funny animal adventure by the award-winning author of Counting by 7s
Mama has trained up her baby possums in the ways of their breed, and now it’s time for all of them—even little Appleblossom—to make their way in the world. Appleblossom knows the rules: she must never be seen during the day, and she must avoid cars, humans, and the dreaded hairies (sometimes known as dogs). Even so, Appleblossom decides to spy on a human family—and accidentally falls down their chimney! The curious Appleblossom, her faithful brothers—who launch a hilarious rescue mission—and even the little girl in the house have no idea how fascinating the big world can be. But they're about to find out!
With dynamic illustrations, a tight-knit family, and a glimpse at the world from a charming little marsupial's point of view, this cozy animal story is a perfect read-aloud and a classic in the making.
“Readers will enjoy both the realistic details of a newborn possum making her way to her mother’s pouch, and the fanciful view of adult possums’ urban nightlife, complete with rooftop music and a conga line. . . . This attractive book will engage young readers intrigued by animals.”—Booklist“Insights about possums add an educational element to this otherwise comic adventure, while humorous illustrations capture the wee possums’ antics and personalities. A warm and funny possum-family saga.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A perfectly sweet animal tale, with just the right blend of humor, excitement, and uncertainty.”—School Library Journal
“Amid the homey message that family matters most, Sloan seeds the story with assorted possum facts and vocabulary lessons, but it’s the possum-as-actor metaphor . . . that generates the most fun.”—Publishers Weekly
Mama Possum has trained her baby possums in their possum ways the best she can. She’s taught them the art of acting (especially acting dead!), how to find food, and most importantly, how to stay away from the three monsters: cars, people, and hairies (dogs). But when it’s time for the babies to go their own way, little Appleblossom and two of her brothers, Antonio and Amlet, just aren’t ready to walk away from each other. And when Appleblossom gets a little too curious, she falls down a chimney and gets trapped inside a people monster home. Antonio, Amlet, and a surprising newcomer, set out to rescue Appleblossom...meanwhile, Appleblossom learns that maybe not all people monsters are so bad.
Holly Goldberg Sloan’s Appleblossom the Possum is a sweet, charming, and unforgettable middle-grade read! With sparkling storytelling, endearing characters, and an exciting and amusing storyline, Appleblossom the Possum is a delight from beginning to end. After jumping into Appleblossom’s world, readers will never look at possums the same way again! With vivid imagery that engages all the senses, authentic possum behavior, and age appropriate humor and thrills, Sloan crafts a captivating and fun setting. Young readers will be fascinated by this world of possums and inspired to learn more.
Sloan does a wonderful job of anthropomorphizing her animal characters and given them such big, engaging personalities! With her curiosity, unexpected bravery, and clever thinking, Appleblossom is a darling and daring heroine. I love Appleblossom’s relationship with her brothers, intelligent Antonio and amusing Amlet. And Appleblossom and Izzy’s (her new people monster friend) surprising, tender friendship will just melt your heart.
From the protective hedges to high up a tree, into the big city, across dangerous roads, in the fascinating people monsters’ home, and everywhere in between, Sloan takes Appleblossom and readers on a dazzling adventure.
my final thoughts: Appleblossom the Possum is a simply adorable little book, full of memorable characters, big adventure, and a lot of heart. Readers of all ages will fall in love with Appleblossom!
Holly Goldberg Sloan was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and spent her childhood living in Holland, Istanbul, Turkey, Washington DC, Berkeley, California and Eugene, Oregon. After graduating from Wellesley College and spending some time as an advertising copywriter, she began writing and directing family feature films, including Angels in the Outfield and Made in America. Counting by 7s, her first middle-grade novel, was a New York TimesBestseller. The mother of two sons, Holly lives with her husband in Santa Monica, California.
Win a hardcover copy of
Appleblossom the Possum!
The wonderful people at Penguin have offered one new hardcover copy for one winner.
DETAILS
-US only
-ends 8/31
please read full rules below
a Rafflecopter giveaway Unless otherwise stated, the policies and rules for each giveaway are as follows:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. who are 13 years old or older as of date of entry.
To enter, fill out the appropriate Rafflecopter form associated with each giveaway.
The start and end dates for each giveaway will be clearly stated and followed.
The specified amount of winners shall be selected in a random drawing.
Winners will be notified by email and must claim their prize within 48 hours. If a winner does not respond within 48 hours, then a new winner will be chosen. Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes in the mail. Once a prize is dropped off at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility and I will not compensate in anyway for prizes not delivered because of the USPS. If a third-party (author, publisher, etc) is shipping a prize, once I provide the winner(s)' mailing information to them, the prize is no longer my responsibility. I will forward your mailing info to the proper people within 48 hours after getting it from you. If you have not received your prize from an author or publisher within 8 weeks, it is your responsibility to contact them further. By participating in any giveaway, you agree to adhere to these rules. Any breaking of these rules by entrants will disqualify them from the giveaway and their entries will be deleted.
Wow, I can't believe Word Spelunking is 4 years old today! Y'all, this year's blogiversary totally sneaked up on me...like, I didn't even realize it was already here until I happened to look at my calendar last night and realized how special today was.
So, four years?! When I started Word Spelunking four years ago, with some bookish dreams and a fangirl heart, I had NO idea how much this blog and the community I found would impact my life and mean so much to me. It's been an amazing and often surprising four years, filled with so much bookish awesomeness! I've read hundreds of wonderful books, worked with so many spectacular authors and publishers, started the fun March Middle Grade Madness, and met countless fellow booknerds. All of you (yes, YOU, reading this) make running this blog worth the time and effort. You make my little corner of the book world fun, inspiring, and fantabulous!
a zillion cupcakes to you all
And to celebrate these incredible four years and to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you, let's celebrate with a little giveaway...
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
-one winner will get either a $10 gift card of their choosing or a book of their choosing from TBD
-open internationally as long as TBD ships to you or I can email your choice of gift card to you
-ends 9/20
please read full rules below form
a Rafflecopter giveaway Unless otherwise stated, the policies and rules for each giveaway are as follows:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. who are 13 years old or older as of date of entry.
To enter, fill out the appropriate Rafflecopter form associated with each giveaway.
The start and end dates for each giveaway will be clearly stated and followed.
The specified amount of winners shall be selected in a random drawing.
Winners will be notified by email and must claim their prize within 48 hours. If a winner does not respond within 48 hours, then a new winner will be chosen. Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes in the mail. Once a prize is dropped off at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility and I will not compensate in anyway for prizes not delivered because of the USPS. If a third-party (author, publisher, etc) is shipping a prize, once I provide the winner(s)' mailing information to them, the prize is no longer my responsibility. I will forward your mailing info to the proper people within 48 hours after getting it from you. If you have not received your prize from an author or publisher within 8 weeks, it is your responsibility to contact them further. By participating in any giveaway, you agree to adhere to these rules. Any breaking of these rules by entrants will disqualify them from the giveaway and their entries will be deleted.
I'm so excited to be sharing my review of Erin E. Moulton's awesome YA book, Keepers of the Labyrinth, with y'all today! Plus, Erin stops by to discuss her new book and you have the chance to win a copy...
Keepers of the Labyrinth
(book one)
by Erin E. Moulton
August 25, 2015
Philomel/Penguin
Courage is tested, myths come to life, and long-held secrets are revealed
Lilith Bennette runs at midnight. She scales walls in the dark and climbs without a harness. She hopes that if she follows exactly in the steps of her strong air force pilot mother, she’ll somehow figure out the mystery of her mother’s death—and the reason why her necklace of Greek symbols has been missing ever since.
So when Lil is invited to Crete for a Future Leaders International conference, the same conference her mom attended years ago, she jumps at the chance to find some answers. But things in Melios Manor are not what they seem. Lil finds herself ensnared in an adventure of mythological proportions that leads her and her friends through the very labyrinth in which the real Minotaur was imprisoned. And they’re not in there alone. What secrets does the labyrinth hold, and will they help Lil find the truth about her mother?
This book is perfect for older fans of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the Heroes of Olympus--and anyone who wants to find out the true story behind the magic of the Greek gods.
"Secret societies, mythology, and puzzles worthy of a Dan Brown novel all figure prominently in this thriller....There is much to recommend this book: all the protagonists are empowered female characters, it explores the idea that behind the stories of classical Greek mythology is a history of real people, and it is filled with exciting action."--VOYA
"Secret societies, Greek mythology, and a group of strong female characters are all wrapped up in a mystery which will hit the mark with readers who have finished Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series."--School Library Journal
"Greek mythology provides the frame for this exciting amalgam of action, friendship, and girl-detective fiction."--Booklist
watch the book trailer
Lil’s strong, adventurous Air Force pilot mother committed suicide...at least that’s what Lil has been led to believe. Lil wants to be just like her beloved mother and longs for answers. So when she’s invited to attend the Future Leaders International conference in Greece, the same conference her mother attended as a teen, Lil jumps at the opportunity. Once in Greece, Lil quickly discovers that there’s more to Melios Manner, her leader counselors, and her mother’s death. Soon, Lil and and her new friends find themselves traversing the fabled Minotaur's labyrinth and faced with unexpected truths.
Erin Moulton’s Keepers of the Labyrinth is a smartly crafted, excellently plotted, and enthralling book! Moulton fills the pages of Keepers of the Labyrinth with exiting mythology, fascinating science, intriguing history, and breathtaking art. The Greek myths of lore vividly come to life through well researched information, clever plot twists, and fierce imagination. Both fans of Greek mythology and those new to the subject will appreciate and be captivated by the world the author has created. Beautiful, mysterious Melios Manor, and the wicked cool labyrinth beneath it, make for beguiling and fun settings.
I love that Keepers of the Labyrinth is all about the girl power and features four strong, capable, and unique heroines. Lil, and her new friends Charlie, Kat, and Sydney, each bring something worthy and vital to the story. From brave Lil to witty Charlie, passionate Kat, and clever Sydney, these are memorable, complex characters that readers will respect and root for. Moulton wonderfully shows that girls can have thrilling adventures, get dirty, kick butt, and save the day and themselves! There are no romantic elements or pairings in Keepers of the Labyrinth, with the author choosing to focus on the relationship and bond between the four heroines...which I found so refreshing!
Moulton takes both her characters and readers on a breathless, twisty ride through the dangerous and surprising labyrinth. Our heroines come face to face with real life myths, deadly obstacles, and mind bending riddles, all while being chased by a crazy religious cult...needless to say, readers will be entirely consumed by the action and twists!
my final thoughts: Myths brought to life, secret societies, awesome heroines, and sparkling storytelling...Keepers of the Labyrinth has all this and more! A definite must read!!
MY RATING
5/5 yummy cupcakes
What three words best describe your book, Keepers of the Labyrinth?
Mysterious, ancient, dangerous.
Can you give us your best one sentence pitch to convince readers, especially reluctant readers to give Keepers of the Labyrinth a try?
Lil Bennette attends a future leaders conference in Greece as she tries to unravel the mystery surrounding her mother’s death, but she soon finds herself in a deadly labyrinth—and on an adventure of mythological proportions!
Grab a copy of Keepers of the Labyrinth and answer the following:
favorite chapter?Chapter 44. A lot gets revealed.
favorite page?115
favorite setting?The Daedalus Chamber
flip to a random page and give us a 1-2 sentences teaser:
P. 144
Follow to the Minotaur, son of Minos, full of lore.
Choose right and walk this way, or accept your death today.
Where did the idea for Keepers of the Labyrinth come from? How did the story come to be?
I don’t always remember where the story ideas originate from, but this beginning is clear as day to me. Being in my head is like standing in the middle of a coffee shop. The murmuring is sort of white-noise until you hear little fragments of conversation above the rest. That is how Keepers arrived. I was sitting on the floor, petting the dog, and a fragment—a line—managed to rise above the din. It said, “The Daughters of Ariadne.” And I literally tilted my head and said. “What’s that now?” But I’d heard it and wondered what the heck I was thinking. I tried to remember who Ariadne was. I couldn’t. So, of course, I started digging. I did a lot of digging. The thing about myths, though, is that they have been retold and retold and retold so many times, it is difficult to know what sources to trust, but I was able to hone in on Crete. And from there, I discovered the Minoans. And from there, I emailed a Professor at BU and he gave me some great archaeological resource ideas. And from there, I bought a plane ticket. And from there, well, I followed the thread, so to speak.
Did you have to do a lot of research on myths and lore when writing Keepers of the Labyrinth? Do you have a favorite mythical story and/or character?
I did a ton of reading in both mythology and Archaelogy. My favorite mythographers ended up being Appollodorous and Ovid. And my favorite archaeology text on the Minoans was Minoans by Lesley Fitton. Very accessible. The research fed my imagination.
My favorite characters..well, I grew very fond of all of the mythological underdogs on Crete, but especially Ariadne and Daedalus. Ariadne because I felt like there were huge chunks of her story missing and that left me with a sense of yearning. And Daedalus, because of his tragedy. Of course, he has the tragedy of losing his son, but tragedy follows him as a creator. Everything he creates, or is forced to create seems to sour in his hands. He builds a labyrinth…it becomes a prison. He creates wings…they malfunction and kill his son. His creations lead to destruction.
Keepers of the Labyrinth features four strong, capable heroines: Lil, Sydney, Charlie, and Kat...can you briefly tell us about each girl and what makes them unique?
I could go on and on about them, but I will try to be brief!
The main character is Lilith Bennette. She is a second generation Greek American. Her mom was from Greece, and fell in love with a hippie farmer from Vermont. Lil grew up following in her mother’s footsteps. And her mother moved fast. When we meet Lil, she has lost her mother, to a presumed suicide. But Lil doesn’t believe that her mother would commit suicide. So she runs at midnight. Running at midnight is how she deals with emotions. How she tries grapple with the mystery of her mother’s death. She’s tough, sure-footed, a good leader, but she feels like an outcast in her own town due to her heritage as well as the stigma around the suicide.
Sydney Bennington. Sydney is African Canadian, hailing from Winnipeg. She is a bi-lingual, smart as a whip, engineering-brained gal who values reason above all else. Oh, Sydney is as practical as can be and this can make some of her social interactions a little awkward. But she seriously excels at problem solving and seeing how things go together. Sydney grew up looking after her sister who has epilepsy. She wants to find the cure. Syd is a natural leader as well, but she is a little less diplomatic, so people are prone to mistaking her for bossy. Truth is, they’d be smart to listen to her.
Katrina Andrande: Katrina is half Spanish and half Portuguese and hails from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Her father works at the Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo. Staring at those beautiful art installations her whole life has turned Kat into what she is, today. A wonderful, caring, empathetic and passionate artist. She is known for her sketches and for making the kids in the favela smile, (she volunteers at an art program for kids in Paraisopolis). She goes to an international school and is well known for being clever, creative, and supportive.
Charlotte (Charlie) Babineaux is French as far as she knows. She actually doesn’t know who her parents are, so tracking her heritage is a bit of a mystery to her. Charlie is gay, but doesn’t feel the need to vocalize this, as her straight friends hardly seem to feel compelled to explain their sexual orientation to anyone. Why should she feel compelled to explain herself? Charlie speaks French and English. She lives with her foster mom, Margo, who owns a bookshop in a quaint village in France (Villefranche de Conflante). And she has read just about every book there. Every book and then some. A lover of quill pens, metaphors, and stories, Charlie is reliable, deep and has a brain like an archive.
Sorry to go on about them forever. I could say much more, but I don’t think we have that kind of time!
In addition to the four heroines above, Keepers of the Labyrinth features other strong, unique female characters and there is a real sense of “girl power” throughout the novel...was this something that you planned? How important was it to you to have such complex female characters?
This is a great question! Thanks for asking. I had several main reasons for writing a cast that was primarily female.
First and foremost, we see a lot of boy/girl romance in YA. A LOT. And it’s all good, but you know what? I come from sisters and to be honest, a sisterly connection, whether by blood or by bond, is a very deep thing, worth exploring. (And that’s not to say there can’t be romance in this story, of course. I could see a romance blooming, perhaps, later ;) )
Secondly, the women in the Greek myths are mostly sidenotes. They get abducted, ravaged, smacked around and then we go following along the hero’s story a bit more. I mean, there are exceptions, but the bulk of the narratives are quite disempowering toward the women characters. Think of Europa in the Metamorphoses. She gets abducted by Zeus, who is supposedly, in love with her(or infatuated…or something, I mean, Zeus is a serial rapist, so….). In Ovid’s version, he finds her play area and stakes out near it. UMMMM, yeah, how old is Europa that he is hanging around her play area? Is this just a problem with the translation? Or is Zeus abducting a very young girl? It makes my skin crawl. Because the Greek mythology is so heavily male, and the women have such broken stories I really wanted this retelling to highlight a variety of female characters that could have an empowered connection to the old tales.
Thirdly, the backstory of the plot simply pointed to an all female cast. In the backstory, the roots of the secret society would have been formed when the Minoans were disappearing and the Mycenaeans were invading. In this scenario, I pictured the women clustering together during this time period, for safety, and finding a way to continue their beliefs in a new world.
Lastly, the beauty of writing a cast so abundantly female is that you have time to explore the various forms of femininity and how it is represented. I have soldiers and artists, engineers and bookish ladies. Ladies that some people mention they keep picturing as boys, but the truth is, they’re girls. This is reality, as I see it. I think, as storytellers, we can be profoundly unoriginal in our representations of masculinity and femininity and I wanted to really stretch and see if I could hit more of the glorious personalities along the spectrum.
Can you give is any tidbits about what’s to come for Lil and the others in future books in this series?
Heck no!
Well, one of them is definitely going to die. Just kidding. Or am I?
Fill in the blanks:
I’m really awesome atdrinking tea
I’m really embarrassed to admitthat I just walked away from my computer but got caught on the cord to the mouse and tripped over that, bruising my ankle against the stool. Don’t let anyone tell you different: Writing is a dangerous job.
.
The last great book I read wasOh heck, I read so many great books! For nonfiction: So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson. For Middle Grade: Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley and Another Kind of Hurricane by Tamara Ellis Smith.
If you were to create and bake a cupcake inspired Keepers of the Labyrinth, what would it look and taste like, and what would you call it?
The Greeks do something magical with food. I don’t think they eat a lot of cupcakes, so it would have to be like baklava in a cupcake form. Honey and walnuts and filo dough. Flakey and crunchy and sticky and sweet. I would call it Homage to Ariadne.
Erin E. Moulton graduated with an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of Flutter: The Story of Four Sisters and One Incredible Journey, Tracing Stars and Chasing the Milky Way, as well as a forthcoming YA, Keepers of the Labyrinth. She lives in Southern New Hampshire with her husband, unruly dogs and son.
Win a new hardcover copy of
Keepers of the Labyrinth!
The awesome folks at Penguin have offered up one hardcover copy for one winner. Plus, since I LOVE this book so much, another winner will get my extra ARC.
DETAILS
-US only
-ends 8/31
-winner #1 will get the hardcover from Penguin
and winner #2 will get my extra ARC
(please read full list of rule below the rafflecopter form)
a Rafflecopter giveaway Unless otherwise stated, the policies and rules for each giveaway are as follows:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and Washington D.C. who are 13 years old or older as of date of entry.
To enter, fill out the appropriate Rafflecopter form associated with each giveaway.
The start and end dates for each giveaway will be clearly stated and followed.
The specified amount of winners shall be selected in a random drawing.
Winners will be notified by email and must claim their prize within 48 hours. If a winner does not respond within 48 hours, then a new winner will be chosen. Word Spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen prizes in the mail. Once a prize is dropped off at the post office, it is no longer my responsibility and I will not compensate in anyway for prizes not delivered because of the USPS. If a third-party (author, publisher, etc) is shipping a prize, once I provide the winner(s)' mailing information to them, the prize is no longer my responsibility. I will forward your mailing info to the proper people within 48 hours after getting it from you. If you have not received your prize from an author or publisher within 8 weeks, it is your responsibility to contact them further. By participating in any giveaway, you agree to adhere to these rules. Any breaking of these rules by entrants will disqualify them from the giveaway and their entries will be deleted.
King Winkle and Queen Periwinkle have a problem. They need a princess, and they need her fast. With the upcoming peace-keeping marriage between Prince Linus of Branninia and the princess of the fair Kingdom of Hoggenbottom, it's a bit risky to admit they don't have a princess.
Danai Kadzere is a recent graduate of Harvard University, living and writing in New York City. With family scattered around the globe in South Africa, Germany, Zimbabwe, and America, Danai loves traveling, being adventurous and baking. When not nose deep in a good book, or elbows high in flour, Danai can be found covering things in pink glitter, chasing her two cats, climbing trees, or acting.
