"Ben may only be pretending to be the 'Chosen One'—but I’ve definitely chosen this one as my favorite new fantasy series.”
—Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Last Kids on Earth series
How far would you go to play the hero? One seventh grader gets way more than he bargained for when he is swept into the fantasy quest of his gaming dreams in this funny illustrated series full of adventure and twists.
It’s not so easy being the Chosen One (or in Ben Whitlock’s case, pretending to be the Chosen One). Sure, when you’ve been mistaken for a long-prophesied hero by a teenage girl/mysterious assassin and transported to a fantasy realm you're supposedly destined to save, you don’t have to worry about things like math homework. But when flying narwhals are trying to blast you into oblivion (gulp) and a bunch of old mystics in flip-flops want you to enter something called the Gullet of Eternal Torment (double gulp), suddenly a C in algebra doesn’t seem like such a big deal.
Back in the real world, Ben preferred to escape into fictional adventures and role-playing games. But the more he learns about his true quest, the more he realizes that being a hero goes way beyond rolling a few dice. . . .
Reviews:
“Spellbinders hooked me from the beginning, but it became one of my favorites around the first flying narwhals.'“—James Riley, New York Times bestselling author of the Story Thieves series
"Here comes a new series that brilliantly embodies the power of creativity....The book’s immersive fantasy world of Lux is one I did not want to leave."—George Jreije, author of the Shad Hadid series
"To use the local parlance, a “ridonkulously” entertaining kickoff." —Booklist
"The themes of interpersonal relationships and change give the work emotional heft...A love letter to escapism and writing one’s own destiny." —Kirkus Reviews
"Through subversions of familiar fantasy tropes and a thoroughly engaging plot, Auseon conjures an idiosyncratic realm replete with endearing characters, madcap humor, and hijinks-filled adventure"— Publisher’s Weekly
I’m trying to imagine an exciting answer to this question, to envision the type of author whose day consists of thrills, chills, action, romance, and the unpredictable third-act twist. I’ll do my best. (Sidebar: I’m slightly tempted to write a fictional version of a day in my writing life just to add some gloss, but I will resist my impulses and give it you straight.)
I usually get up around 6:00 a.m. I do that because my children’s schools start around 9 a.m., as does my day job as a video game designer. Years of practice have taught me that I’m more productive first thing in the morning, and that it’s important for me to get out of the house. I’m easily distracted, and as many of us knew already, or learned during pandemic lockdowns, the home is the ultimate whirlpool of time and energy. I must escape! I go to a nearby coffee shop (preferably one with free refills and membership benefits) and plant for a few hours.
I work on whatever piece of writing flow the most freely in the moment. For example, today I was planning to work on a manuscript revision, but these interview questions felt like an easier, lighter lift, so I jumped in and started writing. It was the right decision. There are always 2-4 projects of varying scope that need attention--correspondence, publicity, marketing content, new writing, revisions, or other tasks I’ve haven’t anticipated. It’s a balancing act, and since I need to be 100% focused on what I’m doing, I try to knock out as much of my writing work as possible before 9:00 a.m.
Around 8:30 a.m., I return home and prepare for work. I’m incredibly lucky in that I love my job and (I’d like to think) I’m pretty good at it. I’m a narrative designer for video games, something I’ve done for about 18 years now. In addition to being an incredible opportunity to work with the most talented craftspeople in the world, it’s also an exciting way to expand and experiment in new methods of storytelling. Give me a piece of paper and a pencil and I’ll busy myself for days designing games. That’s all it takes. I sit down at my desk and start work a few minutes before 9:00 a.m., and I tend to work until lunch, pausing to grab something to eat or a refill of coffee. Sometimes at lunch I spend 30 minutes on whatever game I’m currently playing, taking bites between turns, or I might take a walk. I work through the afternoon, ending with a trip to the gym around 6:00 p.m. I might pick up a kid from school at some point in there as well, but it depends on the day and my place on the family schedule.
After work, I might read a book, play a game, or write, finishing at 7:00 p.m. when I clean the house and do chores. My wife and I like to take a walk every night before dinner, which is something I really enjoy. After dinner, we like to watch a TV show as a family until the kids go up for bed. (Right now, it’s Derry Girls and Schitt’s Creek, and we’re about to start Freaks and Geeks.) Depending on deadlines, I might go up and continue working for a few hours in preparation of the following morning, but the best nights are when I get to hang out with my family. I like to go to bed around 10:00 p.m. every night, because I’m old, but I always read for an hour before bed. (Right now, I’m reading Pearl, by Josh Malerman; and Mike Nichols: A Life, by Mark Harris.) I have trouble sleeping but reading a physical book and going to bed at the same time really help put in a place to rest. (Exercise also helps.)
Exciting, no? ;)
Website | Book Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Amazon
Week One:
5/20/2024 | Guest Post/IG Post | |
5/20/2024 | Guest Post/IG Post | |
5/21/2024 | Excerpt | |
5/22/2024 | Interview/IG Post | |
5/23/2024 | Excerpt/IG Post | |
5/24/2024 | TikTok Spotlight | |
5/25/2024 | IG Post |
Week Two:
5/26/2024 | IG Review/TikTok Post | |
5/27/2024 | Review/IG Post | |
5/28/2024 | IG Review/TikTok Post | |
5/28/2024 | Review/IG Post | |
5/29/2024 | Review | |
5/29/2024 | IG Review | |
5/30/2024 | Review/IG Post | |
5/31/2024 | Review/IG Post | |
5/31/2024 | Review/IG Post | |
6/1/2024 | Review/IG Post/TikTok Post | |
6/1/2024 | Review/IG Post |
Week Three:
6/2/2024 | Review/IG Post | |
6/3/2024 | Review | |
6/3/2024 | Review/IG Post |
2 winners
will receive a signed finished copy of SPELLBINDERS: THE NOT-SO-CHOSEN ONE &
a swag pack. US Only.
Ends June 8th, midnight EST.
What did you like about the author's guest post about her daily life? Did you view the book trailer? Is this a book you or a kid you know would enjoy?
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