It’s a pleasure to welcome Rachel Craw who is here today to tell us about her new book, Spark. Welcome Rachel.
1. Give us the details – title, publisher, illustrator, release date.
Spark, Walker Books Australia, July 1st 2014
2. Why did you write the book?
It was an idea that grabbed me by the shoulders, shook me and slapped my face. I couldn’t ignore it or get away from it so I let the obsession take me. I wanted to explore the idea of free-will and push it to an extreme, a sort of cellular-predestination, forcing the protagonist to discover who they are within fairly taxing limitations.
3. How long from idea to publication?
Five and half years
4. What was the hardest thing about writing it?
Learning to write. I desperately wanted to be good at it. I wanted to be good more than I wanted to be published. So I went after the best advice I could find, assessments, mentoring.
5. Coolest thing about your book?
Aside from the gorgeous cover, designed by the brilliant Amy Daoud at WBA, I think the coolest thing about SPARK is Evie, the central character. For me she is real, angsty, funny, loyal, tortured, vulnerable, tough, flawed. I wish I had been as cool as her at seventeen.
6. Something you learnt through writing the book?
I learnt how to receive criticism, to look at my work soberly but not take myself so seriously. It taught me to know my own mind and to have faith in the process. Even the most difficult and seemingly impossible plot/character/thematic problems have solutions.
7. What did you do celebrate the release?
I will be having a BIG launch party in Christchurch on July 1st celebrating with friends, whanau, known associates and unknowns dragged from the streets, and a smaller soiree in Nelson on July 9th.
8. And how will you promote the book?
I will make the most of the opportunities and avenues opened to me by WBA, answering interviews, blog-tours, visiting schools that will have me, etc. I have a website and I love social media, so I’ll be spreading the good word on Twitter and FB but I enjoy those forums mostly for engaging with other writers and responding to readers.
9. What are you working on next?
I am currently working on ‘Stray’ which is the second book in the Spark trilogy.
10. Where we can find out more about you and your book?
www.rachaelcraw.com
https://www.facebook.com/rachaelcraw01
https://twitter.com/RachaelCraw
http://www.walkerbooks.com.au/Books/Spark-9781922179623
Thanks for visiting Rachael.
If you want to learn more about the book, you can follow Rachael’s tour.
Tuesday, June 24 Diva Booknerd
Wednesday, June 25 The Tales Compendium
Thursday, June 26 Kids’ Book Review & Happy Indulgence
Friday, June 27 Fictional Thoughts
Saturday, June 28 Inside My Worlds: R.L.Sharpe & Aussie Reviews
Sunday, June 29 Striking Keys & Thoughts by J
Monday, June 30 Books for a Delicate Eternity & Fiction in Fiction in Fiction
Tuesday, July 1 The Loony Teen Writer & Kkatie Reads
@RachaelCraw | RachaelCraw.com