(Oh, and Colors Like Memories is still free, if you want to go grab a copy!)
The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Can the members of the Detective Mystery Squad piece together the puzzle before it's too late? Or will whatever's causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first?
Jessica Haight is a true New Englander, with a deep desire to be near the ocean and a love of the four seasons. She enjoys drawing while standing up and cultivating magic in her garden. She easily floats away in the pages of a good story and is still waiting for her owl from Hogwarts. Jessica lives in Connecticut with her charming fiancé, James; dog, Jack; cat, Bill; and a very entitled bunny named Alice.
Stephanie Robinson lives with her husband in a quiet town, though not as quaint as Ashpot. After teaching fifth grade for almost fifteen years, she is now enjoying her role as a school media specialist. One of the many benefits of her job is that she learns something new every day. When Stephanie isn't working, she spends her time creating stories, getting lost in books, and traveling to new places.
The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow will hit bookstores everywhere in December of 2015!
If you'd like to learn more about the journey of this story to publication and how the authors were able to collaborate on this new middle grade mystery, click here to stop by the cover reveal post on Fairday's Blog.
“How did you write a book together?” A
question often asked of authors who decide to collaborate on writing a
story. The underlying truth of what they are really asking is, “How did
you manage to not end up hating each other during the process?” The
answer to this is simple, it’s not about the ego; it’s about the
book. We decided this first... read more!
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| From left: Rachael Dugas (Agent, Talcott Notch Literary), Jessica Haight, Stephanie Robinson, Krista Vitola (Editor, Delacorte/ Random House) |
Here's a little Q & A with Stephanie and Jess on books...
What do you love about writing stories?
Jess: The chance to explore my creativity and inner imagination. I love matching words with the thoughts in my head, then making a scene come to life.
Stephanie: It is so much fun getting to know characters and learning the story they have to tell! Once I know the characters and the basic story I love fleshing out story lines and weaving together all of the pieces, so that they come together like a puzzle.
What are some of the books that influenced you the most?
Jess: I love books by Edward Gorey, and I'm also a big fan of The Sandman graphic novels by Neil Gaiman. There are so many stories that I enjoy, but there's always that extra bit of magic sprinkled in when I'm reading either of these authors. :)
I would recommend Stardust by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Charles Vess.
Stephanie: I was obsessed with Nancy Drew growing up, so she definitely had a big influence on me. I still enjoy a good mystery and creating my own with Jess is a blast. I also read every Judy Blume book and even had a Judy Blume Diary with quotes from her books throughout it. I could easily connect with her characters, so without a doubt they have had a big impact on me as a reader and writer.
As an adult I fell in love with the Harry Potter series. The world J.K. Rowling created and the amazing characters continue to inspire me and fuel my imagination, and I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves a great story!
If you could meet any writer, living or dead, who would it be? What would you want ask them?
Jess: I would want to meet Edward Gorey and just hang out with him for a little while. I imagine he'd want to talk about the New York Ballet or possibly his many spoiled cats, and I'd like to listen!
Stephanie: I would love to meet J.K. Rowling. I am sure I would be tongue-tied, but I would want to ask her about how the Harry Potter books (especially the first one) changed throughout the editing process. I am curious about what her notes looked like from her editors!
"Remember, young lady, you have to think beyond what you know to be real. You have to see with your mind as well as your eyes." The old man pulled his glasses down to the end of his nose and looked at her. "Be careful, Miss Morrow. Please be very careful."
(excerpt from The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow)
Thank you for spotlighting The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow Meradeth. It's an honor for us to see the book featured on your awesome blog. :) ~ Jess & Stephanie
ReplyDeleteI loved Nancy Drew and Judy Blume growing up=) Who didn't!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Stephanie and Jessica. I enjoyed reading about how you two keep your writing centered around the book and not each others' ego. This is key when collaborating for our stories.
Thanks for stopping by Gina! Stephanie and I had a blast putting this book together. We've been friends since we met in English class in high school, so we've always loved talking about books. We were also servers at the same place for a while, and it's funny, but we collaborate on writing just like we used to wait tables together- staying on task and keeping the goal in mind. :) ~ Jess
DeleteNancy Drew=my life. Seriously obsessed. My grandma had the first print editions of a few of the books (Mystery of Lilac Inn, Haunted Bridge, and Message in the Hollow Oak, and she gave them to me. They're some of my most prized possessions! loved this, and the cover is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth-
DeleteI had an obsession with Nancy Drew and devoured the series. I still have many of the books in my collections, but many of the ones I read were borrowed from the library. How awesome that you have some of your grandma's first editions! WOW!!!! If I had them they would be part of my prized possessions too! :) Thanks for your kind words about the cover!
Meradeth, love these ladies! What a fun post. I'm so glad you pointed them out to me. And I'm so glad I've gotten to share space with you this year, Meradeth. You're a beautiful person and I'm so glad I know you. :)
ReplyDeleteMorgan- Thanks so much for your sweet comment! We love you too! :) And- we totally agree with you that Meradeth is an amazing person. :) ~Stephanie and Jess
DeleteExcellent answers, Jess and Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteHi William, Thank you for stopping by the post! ~ Jess and Stephanie
DeleteMeradeth thank you for such a great interview with these two great authors Stephanie and Jessica. I will be sure to buy a copy of The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow as soon as it comes out. Meradeth I love your books and look forward to reading more Of the Absence of Light and Surrender the Sky. I like all of your writings and as long as you keep writing I will keep reading.
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah- We are so glad you enjoyed the interview and we love your excitement for The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow! Thanks!! :)
DeleteWe also love Meradeth's writing. We can't wait for her next book to come out! ~Stephanie and Jess
Their blog featuring other authors and riddles is amazing, but I also love reading about these two ladies and getting to know more about them, their writing, and their collaboration.
ReplyDeleteMedeia- Thanks so much for your lovely comment about our blog and its features. :) You are so kind! We are also happy you enjoyed getting to know more about us and our writing process! ~Stephanie and Jess
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