Book Tour! A.R. Silverberry and “Wyndano’s Cloak”
I’m happy to be hosting a stop in A.R. Silverberry’s book tour for the re-release of nis novel, “Wyndano’s Cloak”.
A. R. Silverberry has won a dozen awards, including Gold Medal Winner in the 2011 Benjamin Franklin Awards for Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction; Gold Medal Winner in the 2010 Readers Favorite Awards for Preteen Fiction; and Silver Medal Winner 2011 in the Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book, Children’s/Young Adult. He lives in California, where the majestic coastline, trees, and mountains inspire his writing. Wyndano’s Cloak is his first novel. Follow him at the links below!
And here’s the book!
Jen has settled into a peaceful life when a terrifying event awakens old fears—of being homeless and alone, of a danger horrible enough to destroy her family and shatter her world forever.
She is certain that Naryfel, a shadowy figure from her past, has returned and is concentrating the full force of her hate on Jen’s family. But how will she strike? A knife in the dark? An attack from her legions? Or with the dark arts and twisted creatures she commands with sinister cunning.
Wyndano’s Cloak may be Jen’s only hope. If she can only trust that she has what it takes to use it . . .
Awards:
Gold Medal Winner 2011 Benjamin Franklin Awards, in Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction
Gold Medal Winner 2010 Readers Favorite Awards, in Preteen Fiction
Winner, 2010 Books and Authors Books of the Year Award, in Fantasy/Fairy Tale Fiction
Silver Medal Winner 2011 Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book, Children’s/Young Adult
Finalist, ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards, Juvenile Fiction
2011 Allbooks Review Editor’s Choice Award, in Young Adult/Children
Purchase limited edition hardback from A. R. Silverberry
AND, I’ve got a great interview with A.R. – here it is…
Who is your favorite author?
Don’t make me choose, I love too many! I read a lot of Dean Koontz. Jane Austen is amazing. Ditto Charles Dickens. Ditto Charlotte Bronte. I read Jane Eyre recently and was impressed at how modern her prose was. And what a master of characterization! Jorge Borges’ amazes me. I wish I could peek over his shoulder and watch him craft those stories. The Lucuna, by Barbara Kingsolver, was one of my all time favorite books. And of course, all things Tolkien.
How do you describe your writing style?
I like to read books where the story keeps moving, so I try to write like that. My goal is that no element—character, setting, description, action, or detail exists if it doesn’t fit with the theme and the plot. I cut anything inert.
Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book?
If you like stories with mystery, treachery, and intrigue; if you like stories with adventure, romance, and unforgettable characters; if you like to get lost in a magical world, where betrayal vies with loyalty, friendship, and courage, and hope lies with the unlikeliest heroes and heroines, then you’ll enjoy Wyndano’s Cloak.
Have any of your characters been modeled after yourself?
Maybe parts. The heroine, Jenren, is stubbornly persistent. I wrote a scene for her (unpublished) where she runs around a track, racing other students at her school. One by one they drop out of the race, but she keeps going. That actually happened to me, though it was only a challenge I had with a friend. We wanted to see how many times we could go around our schoolyard. I remember going twenty nine times. While he was faster than me in sprints, he dropped out at the eighteenth or nineteenth lap. The lesson stuck. Helped me finish my PhD, a super marathon.
If you could exchange lives with any of your characters for a day which character would you choose and why?
I’d have to go with Blue. Though he’s homeless, he’s resourceful, knows how to have fun, and travels widely, so I could see some extraordinary sights. Plus, as a fighter in the resistance trying to topple the villain, Naryfel, I would meet some colorful characters.
What books have most influenced your life?
My parents met in Australia while serving in World War II. While there, they bought a book for my brother and me, though we were still but a dream in their hearts. The book was called The Way of the Whirlwind. It was probably the first book I saw. I remember being captivated by the illustrations, which looked like sparkling jewels, as well as the characters and their adventure. After that, I had a babysitter who read to us from the Oz books. I couldn’t get my hands on enough fairy tales and myths. And then a fifth grade teacher assigned The Hobbit, which sealed the deal for me. What else could I do but write fantasy novels.
Beatles or Monkees? Why?
Hands down, the Beatles. Not to take anything away from the Monkees. I love their songs. But people will be listening to the Beatles 200 years from now. It’s like comparing Rossini to Meyerbeer. “Meyer-who?” you ask. Exactly. Though he was wildly popular in the nineteenth century, his music is seldom performed now.
Who should play you in a film of your life?
For some reason, Joseph Fiennes comes to mind. I don’t look anything like him, but I think he could capture my sensitivity and sense of humor. As long as we’re playing here, how about Demi Moore as the leading lady? Scratch Fiennes. If you can get Demi, I’ll play myself. No body doubles!
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One Reply to “Book Tour! A.R. Silverberry and “Wyndano’s Cloak””
Thanks for the great interview, James! Loved your questions!
Best Wishes,
Peter
(AR Silverberry)