Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Here’s my Author Bio:
Marilyn Peake is the author of both novels and short stories. Her publications have received excellent reviews. Marilyn’s one of the contributing authors in BOOK: THE SEQUEL, published by The Perseus Books Group, with one of her entries included in serialization at THE DAILY BEAST. In addition, Marilyn has served as Editor of a number of anthologies. Her short stories have been published in seven anthologies and on the literary blog, GLASS CASES. AWARDS: Silver Award, two Honorable Mentions and eight Finalist placements in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards, two Winner and two Finalist placements in the EPPIE Awards, and Winner of the Dream Realm Awards. Marilyn Peake’s website: http://www.marilynpeake.com
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is SHADE, a Young Adult Mystery novel with Paranormal elements. When I decided to write a YA book, I first pictured the main character whose name would be Shade, then where she lived and problems she would be struggling with in her life. Some troubling stories that are frequently on the news influenced the later part of the novel.
Here’s a Book Summary for SHADE:
Thanks to her offbeat mother, Shade’s full name is Galactic Shade Griffin. Having a name like that while being the new girl in school is pretty much catnip for bullies. The summer before Shade’s junior year of high school, her mother breaks up with yet another boyfriend and moves them once again to a new town.
This time, they move into a dilapidated old house where Shade has an entire attic bedroom to herself—at least until she discovers it’s haunted by the ghost of a teenaged boy named Brandon Yates. When Shade’s best friend goes missing, her life becomes even more complicated. With the help of Brandon who’s struggling with his own issues in the world beyond, Shade faces the question of whether or not she has what it takes to become a true hero.
Although this novel deals with a number of serious issues—drug and alcohol abuse, cutting, and disturbing world events—it’s primarily a novel about a teenaged girl finding out who she really is and that she’s capable of so much more than she ever thought possible.
SHADE is a YA Mystery novel with Paranormal elements.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmmmm … Well, I drink a lot of coffee when I write. I procrastinate. I panic that I’ll never get the book written. I surf the Internet. I end up on a ridiculously late night schedule. Oh, wait. I think those are the habits of many writers … and we all seem to be up late, chatting on social media and in online writers’ groups. 🙂
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My writing’s been influenced by authors with a variety of writing styles and many different types of books. I love reading a variety of genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Literary.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m writing a fan fiction story set in the universe of Hugh Howey’s WOOL series, and I’m delighted to have the complete blessing of Hugh Howey to write and publish it. My story introduces Evangeline Hubbard, a hoarder in the silo of Hugh Howey’s first WOOL novel. I’m now about three-quarters of the way through writing it.
And I have plans to create a series of SHADE novels. The first book took place during Shade’s junior year of high school. She goes from being a rather lost teenaged girl to a girl who has really started to find her voice as a writer, graphic novelist and amateur sleuth in SHADE. I’m thinking I might write separate novels for Shade’s senior year of high school and each year of college, and in each book she would solve another important mystery. I’ve started planning out the next two novels and I’m very excited about them!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own website: http://www.marilynpeake.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
To read a lot, to learn everything you possibly can about the craft of writing, to practice writing, and to never give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To learn as much about the craft of writing as possible and to practice, practice, practice.
What are you reading now?
I just finished reading DEAD IN THE WATER, a Young Adult Paranormal Thriller with Romance, by Chrystal Vaughan – a fascinating and mysterious read! I’m also rereading the WOOL series by Hugh Howey – a wonderful Science Fiction series!
What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish writing my fan fiction short story in Hugh Howey’s WOOL series and to write five more novels in my SHADE series.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
2. The Swiss Family Robinson
3. Life of Pi
4. And a nonfiction book about how to build a boat from materials found on any desert island!
Author Websites and Profiles
Marilyn Peake Website
Marilyn Peake’s Social Media Links