Tex McKenna’s junior year of high school is just as bad as his sophomore year. Maybe worse. Olivia’s dumped him. He's caught up between two warring gangs and gone “undercover” with the Modern Gangstas to unmask a murderer. All this poor Witch Boy and supernatural trouble magnet wants to do is end the school year alive. And maybe find out who the mysterious punker girl is and how she knows all his secrets.
Sounds awesome, right? Anyhow, you can grab a copy here:
MuseItUp Publishing and Amazon.
The first book is also on sale for just .99 for the release, so definitely go snag a copy!
Also of great fun, check out Stuart's hilarious blog where he's got a bad poetry contest going on for copies of both books! You can check out his facebook page here too :)
And, because I think you'll all enjoy this, how about a little interview with the author? Be sure to say hello in the comments!
-I always love to hear a bit about how a story got started. What inspired Tex, the witch boy?
Exorcising my high school demons, Meradeth! It's no secret I had a lousy time in high school. There were days I didn't think I'd make it out having been on the receiving end of the Bully Stick. I wanted to tell my tale, give hope to other teens going through the same junk, and hopefully put it into an entertaining tale without being preachy.
-Okay, I have to admit, I'm curious why witches?
Good question! One I ask myself on a daily basis! I think I sold myself more on the irony of having a male teenaged witch rather than any true interest in writing witch fiction. To me, that aspect just sorta' screams out as a sorta' metaphor about how awkward teens feel in their own body, at odds with the world around them. That's my boy, Tex!
-I know you've talked before about how the bullying instances in Tex are all based on real events. What made you decide that you wanted to include this component in your book?
Bullying's such an ongoing challenge with kids. It's finally getting more attention than it has in some time, but really, there can never be enough said about it.
-Tex was such a great character, as is Olivia. Are there any real people these guys have something in common with? Or were they solely products of your imagination?
I was a little bit Tex (although he's braver than I was!), shared the same awkward moments and suffered through the same smart mouth at times. But he's really made up for the most part. Olivia is part my daughter and part a few girls I knew in high school. Mix, shake and stir. I cribbed a few other characters from people my daughter knew in high school.
-Your second book is about to be released. What was the hardest part of writing a sequel? How about the most fun part?
Hm. The worst part is probably trying to reestablish my characters. I knew who they were and I was ready to move my playing pieces around the board already! On the other hand, since they were already established, it was great fun seeing how much trauma I could put them through. A little sadistic maybe, but I'm happiest when my characters are in big ol' messes.
-Last but not least, what is your favorite book of all time?
That's tough! But if you're gonna' put me in a corner, I'll probably go with To Kill A Mockingbird. It's perfect!
Thanks for yakking at me, Meradeth!
Sounds like a very good story, and I love hearing how authors find inspiration, even from the lousy experiences.
ReplyDeleteIt's always so interesting, isn't it?
DeleteThank you, Miranda! I suppose it's the writing equivalent to the horrid saying, "Turn that frown upside down!"
ReplyDeleteAnd many thanks to you, Meradeth, for allowing me to wax (silly) philosophical here!
Hey, I loved your first book and definitely wanted to spread the word! My pleasure!
DeleteThis series looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteI like it that books tackle bullying. It's also cool to have a male witch character.
It's definitely a fun take on it! Love the male MC too!
DeleteMedeia, it was definitely fun tossing stereotypes on their heads. The MC is a witch, but also a typical insecure boy. The true "action heroes" in the books are my female characters!
DeleteThis sounds like a great series. Thanks for the introduction. I will have to check it out. I also really enjoyed the interview. It was wonderful to see where Stuart got his ideas from and I am sorry to hear about the bullying he had to endure in high school. I am sure that this series will help others who are going through the same thing.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I definitely think it is a great example for those facing bullying!
DeleteBut Stephanie, I survived! And lived to write about it. Just tryin' to spread the word. And I hope to entertain a bit in the process.
DeleteI love how Stuart took his own high school bullying experiences and turned them into a creative force for good. Go Stuart!
ReplyDeleteChannel that negativity into a force for good, Faith! I'm either gonna' get on a soap-box or start up a Saturday morning cartoon show: Teen Witches Unite! (Not really a witch...just sayin').
DeleteIt's definitely an awesome thing :) And Stuart, I totally want to see that show!
DeleteI love the idea of a using what was a less-than-stellar high school experience to help other kids who might be facing some of the same kinda stuff today. Good luck, Stuart. I hope you sell a bazillion copies.
ReplyDeleteHmm, how many zero's go into a bazillion? I could definitely get behind that :)
DeleteSusan and Meradeth, I'll raise ya' a couple more zeroes. Make it a KA-Bazillion copies! Boom! Thanks for the wishes.
DeleteThis series look interesting. Thanks for posting about it.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a bit different that your normal fare, Nas, but it was great fun! :)
DeleteThe book premise sounds good, Stuart!
ReplyDeleteA fun interview, Meradeth!
It's a great read! Lots of fun!
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