Today I am delighted to join The Princelings Of The East
Blog Tour
About the Book:
Title: The Princelings of the East (Princelings Trilogy, Book 1)
Author: Jemima Pett
Year published: originally published 2011
Publisher: Princelings Publications
Number of pages: 103
Recommended age: 10+
Summary (Amazon):
The Princelings of the East is the first of a trilogy telling of the adventures of Fred and George. When the King's Birthday feast is ruined by an unnatural power drain, our Princeling heroes leave their scientific experiments to set out in search of answers. They encounter the enigmatic businessman Hugo, the impressive Prince of Buckmore, the wise Lady Nimrod, the irrepressible barkeeper Victor, but find themselves threatened by those with vested interests. The scene shifts from a rural, feudal setting to the towers and heights of the curious Isle of Hattan, but where, or when, are they? Time is of the essence in solving this puzzle, and our heroes must keep their wits sharp and their heads clear if they are to survive. Suitable for good readers aged 10 and over, The Princelings of the East is a fantasy adventure with the charm of the Wind in the Willows in a world reminiscent of Anne MacCaffrey's Pern.
My thoughts:
I have reviewed three of Ms Pett's books and I would have to say, she corners the market in intrigue.
Here are the links to check out my reviews.
http://whenigrowupiwannawriteakidsbook.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/kidlit-blog-hop-10-review-princelings.html
Traveller In Black And White http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/603596081
The Talent Seekers: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/629568273
Today we are delighted to have Ms Pett
Join us for an interview:
1. When did you first start writing your book and when did you finish?
I think I had the idea in January 2009 and started writing it in the May or June. Once I started writing I couldn’t stop until I’d got to the ‘what happened next?’ stage. It was less than 30,000 words when I finished that first draft, but I don’t think it took me much more than a week. There were a lot of late nights. Revising it, editing it, getting it ready to send it out to an agent once I’d been told I should publish it - that took over a year. Since I’ve just revised it, maybe it is never finished, really.
2. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? What inspired you to choose to write books?
It changed from day to day, show jumper, nun, nurse, rock star, explorer. By the time I was in the decision making time at school I had no idea what I wanted to do - ‘something useful’. My subjects at school were mainly science based so I never thought I’d be a writer, that was just something I did, like painting. I didn’t really find out what I wanted to do till I was nearly thirty, and I didn’t actually change my career and do it for another ten years. When I finally stopped doing that full-time, I started writing the books and now that seems to be a full-time job.
3. What advice would you give someone aspiring to write a children’s book?
Read lots of children’s books. There is a huge range. Mine are in the ‘advanced reader’ category, partly because that’s what I wanted to read when I was a kid. I’m not secure in knowing what this audience wants or needs, though, and sometimes I read advice on sites that I think is far too protective. Different cultures have different standards. You need to be aware of that and know who you are writing for.
4. How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
I know I went and told Victor. Whether I gave him a cuddle or not I can’t remember. As he was on his own then (Fred died ten days before it was first published), I expect I did. I may have gone out and got a bar of chocolate!
5. Can we expect more books from you in the future?
Oh, I think so... (grins) The fifth book in the series is now out for all eReaders; the sixth was drafted at Camp NaNoWriMo in July. I think there are only about three more Princelings books though. A pile of other ideas are waiting to get out, and may get written before the next Princelings book.
6. What are some of your favourite books from when you were a child and did any of these inspire you when writing your books?
I usually cite Wind in the Willows as a huge influence and it is. I know anthropomorphism is frowned on, but detractors haven’t met my guinea pigs. I was pony mad so read all the books I could find in the library, and saved up my birthday book tokens for the Jill books, by Ruby Ferguson, which I still have. I also liked adventure stories, and from around ten to twelve I loved all the school stories, Mallory Towers, the Chalet School, and so on. I think most of the stories I remember best are ones involving the lives of animals in the wild, often in conflict with nasty humans!
7. What is your favorite book of all-time (adult)?
The Lord of the Rings. I often skip a lot of the Gollum bits though, these days. At one time I read all the Strider bits, every year!
8. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
A toolbox (with tools and nails), plenty of string, and Captain Jack Sparrow.
9. If you were a superhero what would your name be, what would be your super-power, and what would be your kryptonite?
I think I’d like to be Sand-devil. My superpower would be to attract or repel golfballs from bunkers (traps) so that the undeserving got their just rewards. And the deserving didn’t go in them, of course. The Kryptonite would be weedkiller.
10. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
“Snorkelling with guinea pigs – the woman who learnt a lot about many things, but never went into any of them too deeply.”
I might write it :D
Well, that was loads of fun. Thanks so much for joining us Ms Pett.
Now Where can I Purchase you ask:
Join us for an interview:
1. When did you first start writing your book and when did you finish?
I think I had the idea in January 2009 and started writing it in the May or June. Once I started writing I couldn’t stop until I’d got to the ‘what happened next?’ stage. It was less than 30,000 words when I finished that first draft, but I don’t think it took me much more than a week. There were a lot of late nights. Revising it, editing it, getting it ready to send it out to an agent once I’d been told I should publish it - that took over a year. Since I’ve just revised it, maybe it is never finished, really.
2. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? What inspired you to choose to write books?
It changed from day to day, show jumper, nun, nurse, rock star, explorer. By the time I was in the decision making time at school I had no idea what I wanted to do - ‘something useful’. My subjects at school were mainly science based so I never thought I’d be a writer, that was just something I did, like painting. I didn’t really find out what I wanted to do till I was nearly thirty, and I didn’t actually change my career and do it for another ten years. When I finally stopped doing that full-time, I started writing the books and now that seems to be a full-time job.
3. What advice would you give someone aspiring to write a children’s book?
Read lots of children’s books. There is a huge range. Mine are in the ‘advanced reader’ category, partly because that’s what I wanted to read when I was a kid. I’m not secure in knowing what this audience wants or needs, though, and sometimes I read advice on sites that I think is far too protective. Different cultures have different standards. You need to be aware of that and know who you are writing for.
4. How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
I know I went and told Victor. Whether I gave him a cuddle or not I can’t remember. As he was on his own then (Fred died ten days before it was first published), I expect I did. I may have gone out and got a bar of chocolate!
5. Can we expect more books from you in the future?
Oh, I think so... (grins) The fifth book in the series is now out for all eReaders; the sixth was drafted at Camp NaNoWriMo in July. I think there are only about three more Princelings books though. A pile of other ideas are waiting to get out, and may get written before the next Princelings book.
6. What are some of your favourite books from when you were a child and did any of these inspire you when writing your books?
I usually cite Wind in the Willows as a huge influence and it is. I know anthropomorphism is frowned on, but detractors haven’t met my guinea pigs. I was pony mad so read all the books I could find in the library, and saved up my birthday book tokens for the Jill books, by Ruby Ferguson, which I still have. I also liked adventure stories, and from around ten to twelve I loved all the school stories, Mallory Towers, the Chalet School, and so on. I think most of the stories I remember best are ones involving the lives of animals in the wild, often in conflict with nasty humans!
7. What is your favorite book of all-time (adult)?
The Lord of the Rings. I often skip a lot of the Gollum bits though, these days. At one time I read all the Strider bits, every year!
8. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
A toolbox (with tools and nails), plenty of string, and Captain Jack Sparrow.
9. If you were a superhero what would your name be, what would be your super-power, and what would be your kryptonite?
I think I’d like to be Sand-devil. My superpower would be to attract or repel golfballs from bunkers (traps) so that the undeserving got their just rewards. And the deserving didn’t go in them, of course. The Kryptonite would be weedkiller.
10. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
“Snorkelling with guinea pigs – the woman who learnt a lot about many things, but never went into any of them too deeply.”
I might write it :D
Well, that was loads of fun. Thanks so much for joining us Ms Pett.
Now Where can I Purchase you ask:
Amazon (US) * Amazon (UK) * Barnes and Noble * Smashwords
And Where to connect with Ms Pett:
Book Website: http://princelings.co.uk/
Author Website: http://jemimapett.com/
Twitter: @Jemima_Pett
Facebook: The Princelings of the East
Pinterest: Jemima Pett
Google+: Jemima Pett
Goodreads: Jemima Pett
The Princelings of the East Blog Tour Schedule (2013)
September 23
September 24
September 25
September 26
September 27
September 28
September 29
September 30
October 1
October 2
October 3
October 4
October 5
October 6
October 7
*** The Princelings of the East Blog Tour Giveaway ***
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash + a paperback copy of The Princelings Trilogy by Jemima Pett
Contest runs: September 23 to October 20, 11:59 pm, 2013
Open: WW
How to enter: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send us an email!
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Thanks so much for hosting a stop on The Princelings of the East Blog Tour, Julie. So, I have to ask Jemima, why are you bring Captain Jack Sparrow on the deserted island and not Viggo? Hmm? lol
ReplyDeleteA pleasure to be apart of it Jemima. I am so excited to read your reviews, especially when Kids review. Congrats.
DeleteThank you so much for being part of the blog tour, Julie! "Corners the market in intrigue" is a snippet I think I'll be using in future - a lovely thing to say. Thank you. The interview was great fun too, it was lovely to be on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI would also celebrate with chocolate, too, Jemima. I usually do. Now my favorite answer to this interview is #8 and you taking Captain Jack Sparrow along. Made me chuckle out loud. Fun interview!
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard to think of what you want to take with you on a desert island. Of course I was just thinking of his way with sea turtles....
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your newest book, Jemima! This is a lovely series.
ReplyDeleteI loved your island answer too. With Jack Sparrow on your side, what could go wrong? Well, I mean REALLY wrong :)
INteresting review Julie. I like the assorted questions you ask. None are typical. Congratulations on the publishing of this book, Jemima. This is turning out to be quite a series! :)
ReplyDelete