Today I'd like to introduce Gretchen Elhassani whose novel "Volunteers for Literacy" has just been released this month. If you're looking for something new to read; this is the story you want. First, let me show you the book cover... just so you know what you're looking for. Going to the library will have a whole new meaning for in the future.
Now for some details about both the author and the book.
What is the title and genre and give us a 30 word or less
tagline about your book: Volunteers for Literacy, thriller. A learned edifice. A hostage crisis. The
heroes: a librarian, a homeless man and an illiterate woman. Sometimes learning to read can be a killer.
What makes your book different from
others on the market? This book
tackles social issues such as illiteracy and homelessness in the course of the
narrative. It shines a light on the hidden epidemic of adult illiteracy, but in
such a way that the reader should relate to the character and her
struggles. At its heart, it is a
fast-paced action/adventure novel set in a library. Sure to engage those bibliophiles among us!
Why do you write this particular genre? I dropped
out of college because I was sick of academia.
This means that the jobs I am able to secure are not necessarily
thought-provoking endeavors. I have time
to ruminate as I slave over my data entry, and my mind naturally inclines
toward thrillers. I always imagine
myself a warrior defeating criminals, though in reality, I am just an ordinary
person.
Why did you pick this particular
title? Volunteers
for Literacy is the organization within the library that brings the heroine
into her situation. I also wanted to
highlight the uniqueness of the main character, her inability to read.
Which came first, the title or the
idea? The
idea. I worked for a volunteer literacy
organization for ten years in the basement of the public library. The book is loosely based on my experiences.
Your experiences? Are you telling us you were illiterate? No, I am not illiterate. I worked with adults who were illiterate.
Okay, my bad. Was there much research for the
novel? I did some
research for the novel specifically, but most of it came from my own personal
experiences within the library. The
details about adult literacy are a by-product of my work environment.
Who are your influences for writing? James Ellroy
is super cool, I think. I went through a
long period where the only thing I read was true crime. Then I creeped myself out on that, and went
through a phase of not reading. Recently
I have been devouring books by other indie authors. A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow got me energized to write again recently.
Do you have a writing regime? I like to
push myself, but when I really don’t feel the mood, I have learned to let it
go. When I’m kicking it into high gear,
I wake up early to write, and I stay up late.
I write while the kids are watching television, and on my breaks at
work.
You tell us you have children. I raised four children -- writing and raising is an interesting combination. Would you care to expound on that? If not, I understand some don't want their personal lives splattered all over the internet, but, if you wish... I do have children, and they come first. I am often unable to work on a
project due to homework or dinner or potty time. It's the nature of the beast.
I just keep plugging away every chance I get.
How long did it take to create this
manuscript? Variations? How many? It took
about a year to write this novel, but I took some time off in the middle of
that year. The manuscript is largely the
same (with massive edits), but the ending is completely different. I had a lovely woman read the first copy and
was terrified to read her comments. I
then changed the ending, adding a bit more of a secondary character and
changing the location. I think the
enhancements worked well. (The first
draft was a bit weird)
Who is your favorite and least
favorite character? Why? Amanda is my
favorite character, she is the protagonist and the woman who cannot read. My least favorite character is the lead bad
guy, Johnson. I wrote him almost one
dimensional. There are other characters
who participate in the murders but are more sympathetic. Johnson is just a cold blooded killer.
Who do you consider your audience for
this novel? I hope this
novel will appeal to those who enjoy frequenting libraries. There are nuggets of library gossip hidden
within the narrative, and the entire plot revolves around literacy.
Why do you write? What inspired you?
And how long have you been writing? I’ve been
writing ever since I was a child. My
first work was a book of poems about Winnie the Pooh. I’m my biggest critic, however, and I am
always striving to do better. This book
was edited by Kim Coghlan, and she did a wonderful job, teaching me nuances
even as she polished the book. If I live
to be 100, I’m sure I will still be learning!
Even if I couldn’t publish, I would still be writing. It’s what I do; it’s in my bones; I’m
addicted to it.
So, where can we find you on the web? I have a
blog called Creative Writing Addict at http://publottery.blogspot.com. I do author
interviews, book reviews and my own random musings.
Where can we get our hands on this very interesting novel, Volunteers for
Literacy? It’s out in
ebook on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Volunteers-for-Literacy-ebook/dp/B0095JNMPW/ and
also at Damnationbooks.com: http://damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615727605
Thank you Gretchen for spending a few moments with us and sharing this great insight of your novel. We look forward to this exciting read.
Until next I ramble...
Thanks for posting this blog entry!
ReplyDeleteGretchen that was a great interview!
ReplyDelete