Today, my wonderful and talented friend Emlyn Chand launches her amazing YA Paranormal novel, Farsighted. I’m honored and proud to host her and to introduce you to Emlyn, Farsighted, and Farsighted characters – Alex, Simmi, Shapri and Dax.
We had a lot of fun with interview. I hope you enjoy it as we did. And don’t forget to pick up your copy of Farsighted!
Interview with Emlyn Chand
My, Emlyn, what a pleasure to finally have you – in person! – on my blog. Thank you so much for spending this time with us! Of course, we have some questions for you:
Please tell us something interesting about Emlyn. Tell us a secret.
Hmm… I’m kind of an open book these days, but I used to have secrets. Up until quite recently, I was a shy and socially awkward person. I felt very nervous participating in social interactions and was constantly sticking my foot in my mouth and giving it a good chew. At some point, I adopted the policy fake it until you make it and forced myself into extraversion. Novel Publicity has really brought me out of my shell. I had to get over my social anxiety if I wanted my business to take off, so I did, and it did.
How do you do it all? How do you balance your very successful social media business, Novel Publicity, with your own writing? How do you find the time?
Well, I may be able to balance my writing and my business, but everything else in my life is out of whack. I work anywhere from 13 to 17 hours per day. Every day. This does not leave time for social interactions, family, taking care of my health, or any sort of leisure activity. Didn’t somebody important say, ‘far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing?’ I don’t mind having to give-up the other parts of my life to pursue my work, because I love it. I know I’ll eventually need to achieve a better balance, but for now, I’m content to push the pedal to the metal.
Reading Farsighted, we can clearly tell you had fun. What was your favorite part of writing this novel? Why? Your least favorite? Why?
I had a blast writing this story. I often found myself chuckling aloud at the coffee shop. Alex amuses me greatly with his inability to understand certain things. And getting feedback from my earliest readers and finding out Farsighted won the WritersType first chapter contest-that was priceless. On the flip side, I hit a low point about half way through writing it. I just couldn’t figure out how to get from where I was to where I wanted to be. Oddly enough, the middle part of the book seems to be most people’s favorite. Go figure.
You’ve taken a risk by going with an unconventional ending. Without spoiling the story for your readers, can you tell us why you made this choice? Are you glad you did this? Do you feel it’s been successful? Why or why not?
Yeah, I ended with a cliffhanger, which goes against traditional publishing wisdom. But you know what? I. AM. INDIE! Being indie means taking risks and breaking the mold and, boy, am I excited to do it. The ending is kind of polarizing, people either love it or wish there was more there. The joining thread is almost everyone mentions looking forward to the next book in the series. Farsighted demands a companion, and people see that. I think it was a good decision since this is the first in the series and since I enjoy toeing the line of convention. It’s fun to shake things up.
As we all know, you’re a social media maven! What are you doing to market your own book? How is this similar to or different from what you do for your clients?
Oh, man. Marketing Farsighted has been a full-time job on top of a full-time job. I’ve definitely devoted more man power into my campaign, because I have no limits. I’ve spent an enormous amount of time and energy recruiting bloggers for my launch, and I have over 200, thank you :-) I’m also hiring 6 other blog tour companies to tour my book over the next couple months-getting buzz early on is crucial! I’ve had a good amount of luck with GoodReads pay-per-click advertising too (something I plan to blog in depth later for Novel Publicity). I’ve even taken it off the web and created some Farsighted-themed swag. I’m most proud of my postcards. Readers can request an autographed postcard by filling out a simple form on my website. It’s a fun way to connect with readers that is memorable and only costs me about 50 cents.
If you had to choose only ONE marketing tool or avenue, what would it be? Why?
Ahw, man! That’s like asking: ‘If you could only keep one of your bodily organs, which would it be?’ I mean, all the marketing tools work together. They support one another and complete the entire organism. In this analogy, the so-called heart of marketing would be the reviewers. Get people talking about your book. Get people reading it. That is the best thing you can do for your little fledgling.
Interview with Alex from Farsighted
You’re bullied at school. How does this make you feel? Your story is very much about taking power back into your own hands. What made you decide to do this? Was it hard?
Yeah, it sucks being bullied especially by a big stupid gorilla like Brady Evans. Ugh. One day I just couldn’t handle him anymore. I was under a lot of stress, because I started having these confusing psychic visions and this amazing new girl moved into town (but I could never say the right things around her). I kind of just snapped. The hardest part of it was getting punched in the nose. That hurt. Emotionally though? Great experience. I would definitely do it again if I had the chance. Someone’s gotta keep Brady in line. I guess that someone is me.
I can’t for the life of me figure this out – Why, oh why, when it’s so clear that the lovely, funny, smart Shapri adores you, do you go for that silly girl Simmi?
What? Shapri doesn’t like me. She’s a cool girl and all, but there are no feelings there from either of us. It took me long enough to even like her as a friend, okay? But Simmi, she’s perfect. She’s smart and funny and kind and helpful and she smells like an Almond Joy candy bar. Not another bad word about my Simmi, okay?
Early in the story, you don’t get along with your dad, yet he seems like a caring guy. What’s up with that? Is it an adolescent guy thing? Or do you have a good reason?
How am I supposed to speak for all teenage guys? I’m hardly qualified to be the mascot for teen male USA. But yeah, Dad definitely gets under my skin. At the beginning of the school year, he started acting different and got even more distant (which frankly I didn’t think was possible). I felt like he was free-loading off Mom, and that wasn’t fair. I have to protect my mom from jerks like Dad. That’s my job as the good son. Somebody told me I have an Oedipus complex. I don’t know what that means, but it seems to be another weird thing that ties into my ‘proud Greek heritage.’
If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be? Why?
That’s easy. Simmi’s thinking of me like a brother sometimes and not like a brother other times. I want to be the man in her life at ALL TIMES.
Do you like living in the U.S.? Do you ever wish you could return to India? Why or why not? What do you, as a teen, consider the major differences?
Oh, thank you for your very nice question, Terri. It is a pleasure to be here on your blog. I of course love living in the US. It is a very nice country. People here are more open with their feelings. In India, it was hard because, being a clairsentient, I could sense what others were really feeling even if their words didn’t match up with their underlying emotion. This is why I like Shapri so much, her inner and outer emotions always match. I’ve made very nice friends here and am quite happy. Thank you.
I’m sorry to be so rude: do you ever think about anyone other than yourself?
N-n-no, it’s okay. I’m okay. Of course I want what is best for others. Often what is best for me is best for them too.
Tell us the truth: what do you think of Alex, honestly? Do you like him, really like him? Or is he just a boy toy for you? If so, what do you find most attractive? Why?
I like Alex. He’s a very good friend and support. He is quite handsome too. Didn’t you notice that when you spoke with him? It feels nice to have a boy so devoted to you. I know Alex would do anything for me, and he has done some very scary things just to protect me. For that reason, Alex will always be an important part of my life.
Interview with Shapri from Farsighted
I’m sorry, sweetheart – you are so adorable! – but Alex is just not into you. Why do you continue to hold out hope?
What? Who says I like Alex? If I liked Alex, I’d have Alex. Sounds like I could have you too ;-) Thanks for calling me adorable. I try!
I get why you don’t want to admit your ‘gift.’ But it seems to me that your mom is, in her own way, trying to help you. Do you believe this? Why or why not? What do you think of the ‘gifted’?
Yeesh, I don’t know. I get that Mom is trying to help me and all, but her gifts have also caused a lot of problems in my life. Like I was picked on in school back in New Orleans because of Mom’s shop. Even when I asked her to do something else for work so that I could fit in better, she wouldn’t. People who are ‘gifted’ are okay. I guess I’m one of them, but it still freaks me out. I don’t think that’s ever gonna change, you know?
Could you please tell us about your dad. You see and talk with him every day. What does he say to you? Do you ever wish you could just give him a hug?
My dad is the best! We do all kinds of things together! Like he gives me advice about school and friends and boys… He’s also teaching me how to cook. My jambalaya is nowhere near as good as his, but it’s getting there. I <3 my daddy. He was there for me when nobody else was. He’s an awesome dad to have!
Interview with Dax from Farsighted
Is Dax your real name? Where did the name come from?
Yes, Dax is my real name. It is a family name. My great uncle was a Dax too as was his great uncle, and so on down the Lafache family tree. It’s a French name meaning ‘leader,’ which is obviously a perfect fit for yours truly.
What, in your heart of hearts, do you think of Alex? Does he scare you? Why or why not?
Alex? He’s small fries. There are ten Alexes for every Dax. He doesn’t scare me, but he does annoy me. How would you like it if someone was constantly forcing themselves into your space and trying to find out what you were doing? Ha! I can understand why he finds me interesting, but I think he needs to pull back and leave me be.
What do you look like? Could you please describe yourself?
Don’t you follow my Facebook stream? I’m constantly posting pictures of myself there. I’ll forgive you for the oversight and answer your question since you’re so interested to hear about me. I’m of a medium height with tan skin, Roman features, and good hair. I’ve been told I should model (but I’m too smart to model). Chicks dig me, because I put effort into my appearance unlike that teenage lumberjack Alex. I wear only the finest designer threads – Armani, Hugo Boss, Dolce. Nothing preppy. Always in style.
What is it like to travel through time and space?
I don’t travel myself. I make other things travel. You see that cup over there. Zhoop. It’s mine now. Awww, did that frighten you? Telekinesis does put off weaker individuals. It’s such a useful power, it tends to threaten others. Speaking of which, glad I could teach you a bit more about me today. I rather like that vase you have sitting by the window, so if you don’t mind (of course you don’t mind), I’m going to take that home with me. Zhoop. I know it’s what you would have wanted had you remembered to offer. Bye!
Blog Tour Notes
THE BOOK: Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still ‘see’ things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider. Get your copy today by visiting Amazon.com’s Kindle store or the eBook retailer of your choice. The paperback edition will be available on November 24 (for the author’s birthday).
THE CASH PRIZES: Guess what? You could win a $100 Amazon gift card as part of this special blog tour. That’s right! Just leave a comment below saying something about the post you just read, and you’ll be entered into the raffle.
THE GIVEAWAYS: Win 1 of 10 autographed copies of Farsighted before its paperback release by entering the giveaway on GoodReads.
THE AUTHOR: Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit www.emlynchand.com for more info. Don’t forget to say ‘hi’ to her sun conure Ducky!
Thank you for the amazing job you did representing Farsighted and me, Terri. You have got to be, hands-down, the nicest, most inspirational person in the entire book industry. It was a pleasure to be here on your blog with four of my best friends (five, including you).
Em :-)
My pleasure, Em. This was a lot of fun! Many thanks – to you and your friends! – for taking the time to answer my questions.
It's an honor to have you. It's a joy to share a book I love by an author I adore!
Wow it's amazing to get to know the author and characters further! Your welcome to read our review http://wovenstrands.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/fars…
Hiba <3
Awesome interview! I love how you did a little twist with having an interview with the characters too! Very clever!
I did an interview with the lovely Emlyn, too! http://little-red-reads.blogspot.com/2011/10/start-of-farsighted-blog-tour.html
xo
While as a reader I hate cliff-hangers, I'm right in your corner for the reason you did it–you are indie! The beauty of being indie is doing what's in your writer's heart. I'm working with a young woman from my writer's group on editing her first novel. She was going to do a cliff-hanger, but another reader is pushing her not to, because it's "not right." I'm telling her to trust her writer's gut and be true to the story and what she wants to stay. In fact, I told her exactly what you said–going indie means doing things the way you want to. I'm glad you're sticking to that, Emlyn.
It's true, we should trust our instincts and celebrate the freedom going indie brings. I had definitely not planned on ending with a cliff-hanger, but when I got to that point, it just felt right. Thanks for all your support, Ms. Shrimp :-D
[…] The Art & Craft of Writing Creatively […]
Loved the creativity of this review. Great way to start off the blog tour. I'm a little bummed mine isn't scheduled to post until Nov. 16th but I'm still excited to get to participate.
Later post = more anticipation from your adoring public :-D
This was a great book! Other's should read it!
I really liked how you did each of the characters separately. Very nice!
chelle2006 @ aol.com
Terri, what a great post and a fantastic introduction both the book and the author!
Emlyn, 'fake it until you make it' has always been the way I've approached things too. I am naturally introverted but the internet has allowed me to explore a more extroverted side. After all, in cyberspace, no-one can see you blush!