Author Vanessa Rodriguez wanted to write about something she knew, which was being a latchkey kid. That idea catapulted into the new fantasy series A Key to Home (Priceless Publishing, October 31, 2023), which follows a diverse group of four friends, who are all latchkey kids. When asked if she looks at her characters solely as that or as people, here is what she had to say:
“They’re like my … Read the rest
It is only right that we make a post about American Fiction, the new award-winning upcoming film written and directed by Cord Jefferson. Not only are we enthused because of the nature of the story, but also because of the cast, as well as its relatable career-based topic.
This film is based on the award-winning book Erasure by Percival Everett, which released in 2001. This is a story … Read the rest
When Emmy-winning television host, marketing executive, and bestselling author Markette Sheppard returned to SBC in support of her new children’s book Ninja Nate (Denene Millner Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, September 26, 2023) illustrated by Robert Paul Jr., we asked if it starts with an idea or confidence.
It was during this topic that Sheppard revealed the success story of a book idea of hers that had gotten … Read the rest
Scott Lord‘s Come November (Greenleaf Publishing, July 18, 2023) is garnering praise for its execution and story. The historical fiction thriller, romance is about two newspaper journalists who reconnect five decades later and discover whether their love has stood the test of time. In honor of the book’s release, check out Lord’s compelling take on romance and the underrepresentation of older romantics.
Love Among The Ruins
By Scott Lord… Read the rest
2022 marks the year that Hexael Rivera accomplished his dream of becoming a published author. The full-time educator and student, who idolizes J. R. R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings), has loved storytelling and world-building since his youth. This past summer he released The Intricate Code, the first book in his steampunk fantasy series Mysteries of Sirlionheart (illustrated by Phrygian Bayona). His literature is targeted towards readers … Read the rest
Journalist and Tune in Tomorrow (August 18, 2022, Solaris Books/Simon & Schuster) novelist Randee Dawn is a writer and storyteller through and through. As a youth, she wrote stories about her stuffed animals, and on the rare occasion she skipped school, it was to visit the library. Teachers assumed she was writing notes when she was writing fiction. Her love for literacy carried into fanfiction—Law & Order fanfiction (she … Read the rest
People will read for different reasons, but what does it mean to read well? Author María Amparo Escandòn of the instant New York Times bestselling and International Latino Book Award winning novel L.A. Weather (Flatiron Books, which is newly released in paperback) answers our question on the topic. “Most books have layers,” she tells So Booking Cool. “If you don’t read well, you stay on the top layer. But … Read the rest
Western, swing, and bluegrass are styles of music that trail back to the 20th century. 12-year-old Phoebe White, also known as the Yodeling Cowgirl, is helping to introduce new generations to these sounds with her forthcoming debut album UnXpected (September 9, 2022 digitally; September 16 physically, PoetMan Records).
“It’s important to me because not everyone does cowboy music,” White tells So Booking Cool. “It’s more country pop. And … Read the rest
When you write a story, you not only hope it will resonate, you also hope that those involved in the creative process will do it justice. So, how did children’s book author John Bray feel when he could not communicate with illustrator Josh Cleland during the development of The End (Starry Forest Books, September 13, 2022)?
“It was nerve-wracking because you’re handing over–kind of a child–a thing that … Read the rest
When Absolution creator Rachelle Storm writes the supernatural series, is she exclusively writing for longtime fans of the genre or also hoping to attract new fans? The novelist, who released the second book Revelations earlier this month, reveals it has been tricky to even categorize it due to the books’ various elements. At times, the four-part story leans into fantasy and romance and at times it does not.
“It’s this … Read the rest
