Author: blogespresso

Book: The Sovereign

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Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

Hello, I’m Xandrea Castaldi, author of the novel, “the Sovereign.” I’m a photographer that loves music, food, traveling, and artsy things, but I’m also a thinker. Deep concepts, unorthodox ideas, an “uncharted territory” type thinker. I don’t own any pets but I will babysit whomever’s furbaby needs it. I started writing as a child, and am a screenwriter “by trade.” My favorite movies are the Godfather, the Mummy (Brendan Fraser not Tom Cruise…sorry Boris Koloff), Rush Hour, and Captain America: Winter Soldier.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Sovereign’ book?

Attempting a genre I didn’t have much experience in. When I started writing (seriously) as a pre-teen, the first story I wrote was based in ancient times, as well as every subsequent story since until now. Learning what makes science fiction what it is and applying my own ideas and flare were pretty mind-opening moments for me. Another challenge that I overcame was the typical fear a debut author would have. I remember the day I told myself that I wouldn’t let that fear keep me from doing what I’ve been wanting to do since I was a kid. I’d let life push me so far off track of where I really wanted to be. I was tired of doing abunch of things I hated. Publishing this book was an act of self-love for me.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Ray Bradbury was the first author that introduced me to science fiction, followed by George Orwell. Both of them directly influenced this book. But in other genres, Michelle Moran, John Grisham, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, Joseph Conrad, A. W. Tozer, J. Gresham Machen…I have a few. If I could choose a book or two that has influenced my general writing the most, I’d pick Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison, Heart Of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, and The Ways of White Folk by Langston Hughes. I adore the way they tell stories.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

I don’t have a single favorite spot to visit. I enjoy spending time in nature, but I also enjoy people-watching. I don’t always need to interact with people to have a good, meaningful time. The first place I think of when I think about visiting or traveling is Miami. It’s where I went to college and I always tell people I grew up there because in many ways, I did. It’s my home away from home. So my answer really just depends on the day, but as long as there’s nature, I’m set.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

Not at all. Many times I find myself writing scenes, conversations, or full chapters, and calling it a “book” later. I don’t write my books in the mindset of it being “work,” otherwise I’d never get it done. I allow the story to build itself and I supplement the gaps with research or ideas I’ve held onto but had nowhere to use them. I think the most work that goes into it is just figuring out the first few steps, e.g., what’s the story about right now? Where can it go from here? How do you want it to get there? I just ask myself those questions a lot and build as I go.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Sovereign’ book?

The first draft took a month, I started compiling the story into a book in May 2019. I submitted the final draft to a publisher around March or April 2020. So about 11 months.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘The Sovereign’ book to buy?

Besides Amazon – Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, IndieBooks, WalMart, far too many to list…I mean, it’s selling on online stores across the world. I had to search my own name and book to see all the places that offer it. But it’s available both in paperback and e-book formats.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Sovereign’?

I wanted my book cover simple, that was my first non-negotiable. I didn’t want it “too busy.” I wanted it dark, starry skies, shadows, etc. But the back cover had to be what it is – bold. I wanted the cover to tell you the story but not the whole story. I worked with a design team at Palmetto Publishing and they would send me proofs and I’d send suggestions. It wasn’t a long process because I wanted simple but still a statement. I think they did an incredible job with it.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I add elements in the details, and try to give people something they haven’t seen like this before. My writing style is a little different and I don’t force myself to change it. Over time, I think we’ll all see how not only details change in my work, but how influences and interests change. The stakes, however, will always remain pretty high.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

The only secret is what hasn’t been released yet *wink*…But honestly, no secrets. Plenty of Easter eggs, but no secrets.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Sovereign

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Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

Hi I am Callie chapman, I am in 6th grade. I wrote my first book when I was 6 years old and in first grade. My favorite color is blue and my favorte food is spagetti. I live in Birmingham, Alabama. I have written four books. Glitter the Unicorn, Glitter the Unicorn goes to the Beach, Glitter the Unicorn goes to the Moon and Chandler The Best Unicorn Rider. I have a fourth Glitter the Unicorn book that I hope will be availble this fall. I donate all my prceeds to Children’s Hopsital for art supplies. I have donated $11,500. I plan to make another donation this fall for $8,500 bringing my total to $20,000. One things I have gotten to do since writing my books is speak to children at schools, teacher conventions and more. I like to share my message Dream Big! You are never to small to do big things.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Glitter The Unicorn’ book?

I was only six when I wrote Glitter the Unicorn. Challenges I faced when writing Glitter the Unicorn was spelling, being able to have a lot of details in each page and putting all my ideas on the pages. Sometimes my mom would have to ask how, describe what it looked like….and how did something happen. These questions helped me to stay on track and write a good story.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Pinkalishious was my favorite book when I wrote Glitter the Unicorn . I would beg to read it every night.

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Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

My grandparents house because when I go there my cousins are there and the whole family.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

When I have an idea for a book I will put my ideas in bullet points and put everything in order. I will then write the story. It helps when I draw pictures for each page. Sometimes this can help spark new ideas.


Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Glitter The Unicorn Goes To The Moon’ book?

About a month. I like to write the story. Then I will draw picture for my illustrator showing her what and how I would like each page to look. I will then put the story down and come back to it. I will usually then make things more clear, add more details and even change the story ending.

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Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?

Amazon, OakieBees.com, and GlitterTheUnicorn.com

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?

The titles are the adventures that Ellie and Glitter are doing in each book. The cover is a reflection of what they are doing on that adventure. My mom, my illustrator, and I usually save the cover for last. We look at all the pages and then come up with the best illustration for the book. It’s important for the cover to be exciting to lure you in.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I like to write thing that kids at a young age like to do and explore. I find it exciting to day dream and imagine different stories to tell.

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Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Glitter The Unicorn  Goes To The Moon

Glitter The Unicorn 

Glitter The Unicorn  Goes To The Beach

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Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

Hi, my name’s Steve Ellis.. I’m a writer, musician, singer, narrator and English Language Teacher/Teacher trainer – oh, and more importantly, a parent and granddad! I’m British and live in Banbury, England – for your international readers, that’s not far from Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace.
I write stories for children, although I am also currently working on a young adult novel. My passion for writing has its roots in my childhood. Reading and writing were a pleasure, not a chore – first at home and then at school. I was fortunate! I had lots of encouragement from family and teachers who nurtured my love of books and ensured a plentiful supply of reading material. I fondly remember, – one teacher brought his personal library of children’s books into class!
A love of reading soon led to a love of making up stories and writing, both at school and at home, and many years later, my enthusiasm continues.
My experiences as an English language teacher kept him in contact with children and took him to Italy, Turkey, Thailand and Malaysia, as well as back to the UK to manage Summer Schools. Working for the British Council as Teacher Trainer, I promoted the use of illustrated storybooks as a learning aid for children to read, including using songs and role-play to make English language learning effective and fun.
I seek to pass on my love of books and reading to children.
My other main interest is music, and I have produced written and shows involving children in schools and the local community. I currently live surrounded by a load of books, two pianos, three guitars, four computers and a host of musical and video hardware and software, which often keep me up late at night. Thankfully, an app on my phone gives me a daily nudge to get out and do some exercise, which is not always welcome in a typical British winter.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Man In The Moon ’ book?

Only one! I’ll come back to that in a moment. ‘The Man in the Moon is a poem, a story in verse. It didn’t start as a book – it was just a written doodle I wrote many years ago, toying around with words and verse. Why did I write it? I have no idea really! I do remember I first considered the title when I was in my teens and playing around with song writing – I think the idea of the man in the moon looking down on lovers – something like that! I dismissed the idea. Anyway, later when I did write it, I thought the rhythm of the verse had a lyrical quality to it so I then set it to music, a melody I had used in one of my children’s pantomime shows. That song version is available now on video.
The challenge, if I can call it that, was that I never believed as a child that there was a man in the moon. I remember my granddad used to get me to look up at a full moon and ask me if could see the man. I could sort of make out the outlines of a man’s face, but thought it was a bit silly as where was the rest of him? Anyway, it didn’t stop me from writing the verse later, and when I briefed the illustrator, I was intrigued to see what she would come up with. But, I liked her idea and so too, it appears, do children.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Roald Dahl. Easily my favourite children’s book author. He was never afraid to introduce some reality, bad behaviour, even if exaggerated, in adults and children alongside the fantasy! I should say that I have also always loved J M Barrie’s ‘Peter Pan’, which I made into a musical version some years ago. I love the last few words at the end of the book, ‘ … and thus it will go on, so long as children are gay and innocent and heartless.’ I always found the contrast between ’innocent’ and ‘heartless’ striking. I wonder if your readers would ever consider that they can have both qualities?

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

There are many beautiful spots in the UK. My countryside is probably The Yorkshire Dales, where I lived for a time. Older readers may remember it as the location for the TV series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. My favourite city is York which has both Roman and Viking history.

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Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

No, not really with stories for children. I have tended to come up with a concept and a working title first, so the only problem is constructing a plot that is somehow plausible, as well as being fantasy. Elements have to link and there has to be a sort of credibility to how the story unfurls and reaches a resolution.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Bossy Boots’ book?

I honestly cannot remember. As with some of the other books, it started not as a written book, but as audio with music and songs. The hardest part was creating the songs and music, but, of course, they are not in the book version. When, I decided to publish it as a book, the editing took some time because the original audio version depended upon the songs to tell part of the story. I still included some of the lyrics in the book, bits where the boots, not the girl, are speaking in verse.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?

Amazon and now I am just about to make them available on my new website, The Read Sing Play Well. https://www.thereadsingplaywell.com/ There are also videos and songs available.

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Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?

I use a platform called Fiverr, which has many illustrators who show examples of their work amongst other services offered. I look for ones whose previous work matches the kind of thing I want and have an initial discussion to find out if I think they can understand what I am seeking and if we would work successfully together. The illustrator I have most enjoyed working with is Roz, from Ireland, who produced the illustrations for ‘Bossy Boots’ and ‘Who Knocked Out Santa Claus?’. We had an excellent rapport and I love her work. Her images are so amusing, sad, touching, dramatic – depending upon the part of the story – and they have a vibrancy—a sort of movement in them which almost makes them seem animated. I just wish I could make them even more prominent in the books!

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

For children’s stories, I try to imagine what I would like to read if I was a child, the kind of things, situations that would make me laugh, sad, scared and so on. Working with children as an educator helps because it keeps me in contact with kids. In the case of the young adult novel I am writing, I am trying to make it very contemporary to fit events that are happening, or could happen, in the world today. To say much more would give the theme away! I j pretty well know the plot outline and have made a good start on the writing. I just need to find the time to get on with it – and stop myself doing too much self-editing as I write – something I’m guilty of doing as I get over-critical and analytical, at times.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Man In The Moon

Bossy Boots