GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND
In 1587, over 115 colonists disappeared from Roanoke Island without a trace, leaving behind not only unanswered questions, but a terrifying evil.
Now it’s up to twelve year-old Jack Dahlgren to unravel the age-old mystery and save his family from the hateful beast that haunts the island.
With the help of newfound friend, Manny, a Native American shaman, and an elusive Giant Mastiff, Jack must piece together the clues of the Lost Colony to discover what really happened. Shrouded in ancient Native American folklore, it's up to Jack to uncover what the evil is and why it haunts his island. But can he destroy it...before it destroys him?
Now it’s up to twelve year-old Jack Dahlgren to unravel the age-old mystery and save his family from the hateful beast that haunts the island.
With the help of newfound friend, Manny, a Native American shaman, and an elusive Giant Mastiff, Jack must piece together the clues of the Lost Colony to discover what really happened. Shrouded in ancient Native American folklore, it's up to Jack to uncover what the evil is and why it haunts his island. But can he destroy it...before it destroys him?
You can find out more about GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND at the following locations:
And other fine web book stores
Hi Meredith. Thanks for the opportunity to join you on your blog today. I’m excited to let everyone know my e-book GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND comes available September 23 through MuseItUp Publishing. GHOST DOG is a tween ghost story with a twist of Native American folklore and based on the mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island . (And I’m giving away a FREE copy of the e-book to one lucky reader who leaves me a comment!)
(Q) Thanks for stopping by my blog! Let’s start with the basics: where are you from? Is there any place online you’d like to direct us to learn more about you?
I hail from the upper plains state of Nebraska
After I got married, we traveled around for several years following my husband’s career, but ultimately we came back to small-town Nebraska
As for where your readers can find me…I’d love to meet them and make new friends. They can contact me at ckvolnek (at) yahoo (dot) com.
They can join me on my web page: www.ckvolnek.com, or visit me at my blog: www.ckvolnek.com/blog.html.
They can also find me on Facebook (C.K. Volnek) or Twitter (CKVolnek), Good Reads and Jacket Flap.
My book trailer can be watched here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJEF9TjZzo
(Q) I always love hearing about how the idea for a particular book came about. Please fill us in on how you got the idea for Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island.
GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND was actually inspired after reading a news article about the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island . To be honest, I don’t remember studying the Lost Colony in school so the story truly intrigued me. I was fascinated by the mystery and my muse went wild coming up with a story of what she believes happened to the missing 117 colonists. I was also appalled by the actions of Sir Richard Grenville and Ralph Lane
(Q) Which authors have most influenced your own writing?
It’s hard to choose just one or two favorite authors. I try to make it a habit and glean all I can from any and all authors I read. I don’t want to copy anyone’s specific writing style, only build on the style that is best suited for me and the piece I am working on at the moment.
(Q) What do you do for fun other than writing?
I dabble in a variety of other things than writing…spending time with my family, flower gardening, jewelry making, hiking, and spending time with my four Papillon pups… I am officially known as the ‘dog woman’ around our small town. Lol. I take them on a lot of walks and have trained them to do an array of tricks from the usual sit, down, stay to roll over and play dead, crawl like a marine, wave hello and good-bye and take a bow. Noah, my biggest trickster of the bunch, is quite a ham-bone and is actually a certified therapy dog. We have visited nursing homes and outdoor events, as well as being a regular at my CCD classes. But he goes to my classes with a lesson, such as unconditional love, patience and obedience.
(Q) If you could describe your ideal writing spot, where would it be? What music would you listen to (if at all)? What treats would you have on hand?
I’m a night-owl. And I have a laptop. So most of my writing is done sitting in my most comfortable chair in the front room with at least two pups sitting by me or on the ottoman. I have my I-pod, loaded with Yanni, and a Diet Coke at hand and I’m ready to write, write, write.
(Q) Plotter or pantser? Both? Neither?
Actually I am a bit of both. I do outline some, and then continue to outline as I write by the seat of my pants. I can’t do the whole outline before I start writing or my muse will revolt and take the story a totally different direction. And what my muse wants, my muse usually gets.
As for when I write…I am a night-owl, so most of my writing is done at night. I work a day-job (at least for the time being ;-) and am able to check e-mails and blogs from there, leaving me free to put my feet up in my favorite chair and write, write, write on my laptop. I try to write at least 15 minutes every night on my WIP. If I don’t, my muse gets cranky and will jump ship to a totally new WIP. I already have three WIPs going so I don’t want to give my muse any further reason to start another one. lol
(Q) Do you have any new projects that you are working on? Care to share?
I have two additional books coming out from MuseItUp. A HORSE CALLED TROUBLE is a horse story (of course) for tween girls and comes out in December, 2011. A trouble teen must overcome her abusive past to save the defiant horse that taught her to love and trust again.
THE SECRET OF THE STONES is the first of a series called THE LOST DIARIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND and will make its debut in April of 2012. THE STONES is a much lighter story and is a Harry Potter meets Merlin the Magician kind of story. A Merlin-loving tween is thrust into magic mayhem when the gift he’s been entrusted to protect turns out to be the enchanted object detailed in a mysterious prophecy.
I also have three WIP’s in progress. The first would be the second in the series of THE LOST DIARIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND. The second is a YA paranormal/romance called SLEEPERS. My last WIP is a piece close to my heart. It is a fictional YA piece based on the true story of a school bus crash from my home town in which we lost three wonderful children and one parent. A tragic story but filled with miracle and hope.
(Q) What kinds of marketing do you think are the most successful in terms of getting your name/book out there? (Curious minds are taking notes!)
That is a loaded question! Marketing is a giant beast, as big if not bigger than writing the novel. When I received my contract one year ago, I knew nothing. I started to build a platform by building a website, getting involved on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and Jacketflap. I’ve joined local writing groups and on-line groups. I’ve also joined several boards such as Kindle Boards, Verla Kay, KidlitChat, Shewrites, and BookBlogs. Each day I try to make one small baby step forward. With baby steps, I have come a long way to gaining recognition and setting up my writing platform, but I know I still have a long way to go.
(Q) If you'd like to add anything, please do so.
I’d be honored to offer a free copy of my e-book, GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND, as soon as it is released on September 23. I hope whoever wins will offer me a review…a good one of course. Lol.
(Q) How about an excerpt to tantalize the readers?
(Q) How about an excerpt to tantalize the readers?
Here is a rare sneak peek at what lies in wait for my readers…enjoy. ;-)
A thunderous roar shook the earth and trees. Jack wobbled, his arms flailing. A massive wind gust hurled across the bluff and smashed Jack to the ground, driving the clouds, leaves, and dirt into a spinning frenzy around him. Rain poured down in sheets and bolts of lightning flashed across the ebony sky, striking at the ocean and trees. The fire licked at the torrential downpour, growing bigger and brighter, as though being fed gallons of gasoline. A large shadow began to grow from within the hissing flames, growing bigger and bigger until it towered over the Algonquian elder and boy.
Manny helped Jack up, his gaze never leaving the fire. “It is Witiku!”
Jack wiped the rain from his face. He gasped as the shadow began to take shape. Yellow eyes pierced the darkness from within the flames, and a long snout protruded from a face of spiky gray-brown hair. Pointed fangs filled the beast’s mouth. It snapped and howled, rolling its head and neck, angry and fierce. Wooly ears grew from the top of its skull, pivoting back and forth, listening to the call of distant thunder. Skeleton-thin arms covered with matted fur swiped at the wind and rain. Razor-sharp claws glistened in the firelight. The beast writhed and twisted, its hairy, gaunt body bursting out from the fire and landing in the muddy mire on long misshapen legs. The fire spit and flashed, flaming fingers reached for the beast as the downpour now forced the inferno to retreat, hissing and seething into the red-hot embers. The Witiku stood straight and raised its arms upward, the dying fire sputtering and licking. The beast took a long, deep breath and opened its mouth, a horrific scream of anger and hate surging from its black lips. The small oak tree shuddered in its quake, its branches trembling.
Thanks again, Meradeth! And (waving at readers), I hope to meet you all soon. And remember, readers, to leave me a comment for your chance to win a FREE e-copy of Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island.
I hope everyone enjoyed the interview! Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win this awesome sounding book!
