YA Archives - Books in my Handbag Blog

Shelley Wilson

I sat outside of the café enjoying the winter sun, as I waited for author, Shelley Wilson to arrive. Thankfully, I had decided to wear my walking jacket and hiking boots and purple ski hat to ward off the chill. The blue sky breathed glorious colour into the sea, and the sun brushed my face. Mesmerised by the magical light bathing the scene, I contemplated what I would drink to warm me up. Finally, the fresh icy temperature drove me inside the café to wait for Shelley’s arrival.

Having travelled from the Midlands, by car, Shelley arrived bright and early and full of enthusiasm; her positivity shone from the moment she arrived. Wearing black knee-high Timberland boots with black leggings and a Harry Potter slogan t-shirt. Shelley delighted in the location of my Bloggers’ Café. I ordered an Americano and pain au chocolat, Shelley ordered a skinny latte and a croissant.

Shelley has recently gained a publishing contract from BHC Press and has written shelves full of books. Beside writing young adult fiction, she is also a motivational blogger. I was excited to meet with an author who has pursued a successful writing career through the indie route. Intrigued, I asked Shelley to tell me more about her novel Oath Breaker.

Shelley: What would happen if little red riding hood was a werewolf assassin?

Mia is torn between training to hunt wolves and becoming one of the pack.

Jessie: Ah, so you have challenged the fairy-tale. It sounds fascinating and scary. How has the novel been received?

Shelly removed her gloves to retrieve pre-printed page of reviews from her large brown bag trimmed with a beige piping.

Shelley: I have been so excited with the overwhelming responses.

Shelley Wilson’s best book by far…a fast-paced, excellently written young adult novel. – Barb Taub.

The reader will enjoy the build-up of tension and suspense, the riveting and likeable characters, the surprising plot twists, and spine-tingling secrets to be found behind the locked doors of Hood Academy. Paranormal YA fans will not want to miss this one — it is a true delight! – InD’Tale Magazine.

Oath Breaker is gritty, fast-paced, and addictive, and the need for answers drove me alongside Mia until the whole truth was discovered. – The San Francisco Book Review.

Jessie: Wow! Brilliant accolades. Please, give me a tempting couple of words from the novel

Shelley: How could I tell him that my dad was the one who tried to kill me and that a wolf had jumped through the window and ripped out his throat? Who would believe me?

Jessie: How did you feel when you had finished writing Oath Breaker, and did you miss any of the characters?

Shelley: I was filled with a sense of satisfaction when I’d finished writing Oath Breaker as my protagonist, Mia, had come such a long way. From the broken young girl at the start of the book, she had evolved into a strong and independent young woman. I guess I did miss having her around. Perhaps that’s what spurred me on to write the sequel!

Jessie: Who would you like to read your book and why? This could be another author, someone famous, a friend or a member of your family.

Shelley: Ooh, what a fabulous question *ponders this for way too long.* I’ve been a fan of young adult (YA) books for many years, but before discovering the delights of Maggie Stiefvater, Sarah J Maas and Jana Oliver I was an avid follower of the TV Shows and script writers that shaped this genre. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a firm favourite of mine so I’d love it if Joss Whedon read my book and then called me to say ‘Hey Shell, loved Oath Breaker and think we should make an epic TV series based on your characters!’ – It could happen!!

Jessie: Why should I keep your book in my handbag?

I listened for the werewolves when the moon shone bright.

Shelley: The full moon rises every month and we all know that any werewolf worth his salt will be shifting and howling well into the night. Think of Oath Breaker as your go-to guide for dealing with these hairy neighbours. If the top tips laid out by the hunters’ doesn’t sit right with your ‘all animal are cute’ vibe then at least you’ll have something to read when the wailing keeps you up until the early hours!

Jessie: What is the last sentence written in your writer’s notebook?

‘To every pack, a cub is born. Unleash the hunter to protect and serve.’

Jessie: It sounds as if you are planning another novel, but I won’t pry. What is the biggest challenge for an author?

Shelley: For me, I would say that marketing, and encouraging readers to leave a review are the most challenging aspects of being an author. Writing and editing the book is the easy bit!

I love social media and I’m fortunate that my YA Facebook followers are great at engaging with me online. The writing and blogging community on Twitter is also hugely supportive. Fellow authors know the importance of reviews, sharing special offers, and cross promotion but getting the reading public to do the same is much harder. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one size fits all remedy so having, and maintaining, an author platform on social media and through a blog are vital tools which can eat into valuable writing time.

Jessie: What is the best advice that you have received as a writer?

I’m not sure this piece of advice is purely for writers’ as I tend to use it in all areas of my life – ‘fake it until you make it.’

I’ve never declared myself as an aspiring author, instead I’ll shout from the rooftops that I am a writer. My writing career started on the self-publishing stage and I was proud to be an independent author. Thanks to my ‘faked confidence’ many of my fellow traditionally published author friends were surprised when they found out I was self-published. I was proud when they complimented me on how I handle myself and my author platform.

All that fake it until you make it paid off as I recently signed a ten-book publishing deal with American publisher BHC Press and sold the audio rights for two of my non-fiction titles to WF Howes.

About Shelley:

Shelley Wilson divides her writing time between the fantasy worlds of her young adult fiction, and her motivational non-fiction for adults.

She is an obsessive list maker, who loves pizza, vampires, and mythology, and can be quite excitable around a castle ruin.

Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire but raised in Solihull, West Midlands, Shelley lives with her three teenagers, one eleven-year-old fat goldfish and a black cat called Luna.

It was a pleasure to meet a fellow Leeds lass! I met with Shelley the day of the Super Blood Moon, and our conversation did pique my imagination. I confess that I listened for the werewolves when the moon shone bright in the night sky. I am intrigued by the way Shelley manipulates fairy tales and applies mythology to her novels. There are many layers to her novels and she presents a very contemporary, motivational message in her novels. She is lively, fun and energetic – all the qualities required for a successful writer. Her self-belief and ‘fake it till you make it’ philosophy is great advice. Oath Breaker has received wonderful accolades and she should expect that phone call very soon…

Contact Details
Twitter: @ShelleyWilson72
Facebook: facebook.com/FantasyAuthorSLWilson
Blog: www.shelleywilsonauthor.com
Website: www.shelleywilsonauthor.co.uk
Publisher: http://www.bhcpress.com/Author_SL_Wilson.html
Email: authorshelleywilson@gmail.com

Please see all my author interviews in My Guests chat room and my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.

Do you know the Dutch built a village for the Jewish community in World War Two? Imogen Matthews tells the inspirational story in ‘The Hidden Village’. She has written to her readers to explain more about the forgotten history and to introduce her dramatic extract.

Dear Readers

I’m so pleased to tell you about ‘The Hidden Village’, my novel set in WW2 Holland, deep in the Veluwe woods. It’s a story about survival, hope, despair, and ultimately, love, as a community pulls together to build a purpose-built village to shelter those persecuted by the Germans. The lives of young Sofie, Jan and Liesbeth become entwined with devastating consequences for their future.

About half-way through the book, Jan and his brother, Oscar, are arrested by the Gestapo for helping a fallen American pilot. This extract describes what happens after their terrifying journey in the back of the Nazis’ vehicle.

I chose this extract because it represents a dramatic turn in the story and shows how ruthless the Germans could be towards the Dutch people, even children.

I hope this extract will tempt you to read the book. I am delighted to present more context about the novel.

Best wishes

Imogen Matthews

Extract

‘Is this a prison?’ he whispered to Oscar, who stood, white-faced, next to him.

‘It’s a police station but there are cells through that door,’ said Oscar.

‘They’re going to lock us up?’

‘Looks like it.’

Jan wished Oscar could be a bit more encouraging.

It was their turn next and they went up to the desk together.

‘Name,’ said the man behind the desk without looking up.

‘Oscar Mulder and Jan Mulder,’ said Oscar.

‘One at a time.’

‘We’re brothers. He’s only eleven,’ said Oscar.

Jan pushed close against him.

The man lifted his gaze for a brief moment, before going back to his form. After a short pause, he pulled out another from a pile and wrote Jan’s name in capitals across the top, followed by a line and a squiggle Jan couldn’t read.

Jan decided to let Oscar answer the questions. When he’d finished, they were both led by the smirking SS-er to the door leading to the cells. Again a feeling of panic rose from Jan’s abdomen at the prospect of being separated from his brother. They were marched along an echo-y corridor lined with closed doors. Jan had to break into a trot to keep up. At the end was a metal door that needed four keys to open it.

Jan and Oscar didn’t need telling. They walked through and the door swung back behind them with a decisive clang.’

More about the Novel

Deep in the Veluwe woods lies a secret that frustrates the Germans. Convinced that Jews are hiding somewhere close by, they can find no proof.

The secret is Berkenhout, a purpose-built village of huts, many underground, sheltering dozens of persecuted people.

Henk Hauer, head woodman, is in charge of building of underground huts and ensuring the Berkenhout inhabitants are kept safe, But could his friendship with certain German soldiers endanger the very existence of Berkenhout?

Sofie, a Jewish Dutch girl, is one of the first inhabitants of Berkenhout. At first she refuses to participate in village life and pines for her friends and family. But she realises there is no choice and comes to appreciate the support of the local community who make their survival possible.

Young tearaway, Jan, finds the woods an exciting place, but they pose danger from the patrolling German soldiers. His discovery of Donald, an American pilot, changes everything.

The Reviews

Ms E. Holmes-ievers: “From the first chapter you are engaged with the characters and I even found myself warning them when they were due to be raided – OUT LOUD! Sensitively written, with a page-turning plot, this is a wonderful new book from Imogen.”

Gilly Cox: “This skillful blend of fiction within the factual events happening to many at those times, holds you till the end. I couldn’t put it down, nor did I want to until the final page.”

Clarky: “Though the subject matter is tough, there are lighter moments and the book rattles along at a good pace. The varied cast of characters, especially the younger ones, keeps your interest. Highly recommended.”

The Characters

This was a story I felt I had to get down, so when I’d finished I was pleased I’d told a story that so many people won’t have known anything about. It left a big hole as I’d spent so long on the book and I realised just how attached I’d become to my characters.

I miss Sofie’s feistiness and determination not to let her life change by hiding away from the Germans. And I miss her best friend Liesbeth, who sticks by Sofie through thick and thin, even though she also has to make her own big sacrifices. I even miss the enigmatic Henk, the head woodman, who’s instrumental in getting the hidden village built, but struggles with his loyalties. I particularly miss Jan, who’s always getting into scrapes but is only trying to help others and do good. He goes through so much that I just want to give him a big hug and tell him that everything will turn out alright.

The Author

My Dutch heritage has shaped me and influenced the writing of this novel, which is set in the woods where my family and I have cycled for the past 27 years.

This is a story about events in WW2 that hardly anyone knows about. Once you start reading The Hidden Village you’ll be gripped and won’t want to let the book out of your sight!

‘The Hidden Village’ is a bestseller in the US with over three hundred reviews. The novel explores wartime Holland and asks: Who can you trust? You can read my review of this book at……

Imogen re-visited the setting of the novel and has mailed an article to Books in my Handbag Blog.

Please see all my extracts at Book Extracts and my blog at jessiecahalin.com.

Tag: YA

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