MMGM: GIVEAWAY & INTERVIEW w/ LORIN BARBER

- Win THE FOX INHERITANCE swag signed by Mary E. Peterson (Ends 7/31) 
- Win a ROCK OF IVANORE T-SHIRT!
- Win a copy of TRACING STARS by Erin Moulton (Ends 7/17)
- Win a copy THE SINISTER SWEETNESS OF SPLENDID ACADEMY (Ends 7/23)

 Welcome to Marvelous Middle Grade Monday (MMGM), a weekly event hosted by author Shannon Messenger. For a list of other MMGM posts, click HERE.

THE SECRET LIFE OF COPERNICUS H. STRINGFELLOW
Lorin Barber
Cedar Fort
304 pp.
Middle Grade

The Secret Life of Copernicus H. Stringfellow is the story of a brain so powerful it can stop a speeding vehicle or heal internal bleeding.

Orphaned at the age of two when his father shot his mother, Copernicus H. (Nick) Stringfellow is a genius of unprecedented capacities. Educated in Medicine, Engineering and almost every other scholarly discipline at America’s leading Universities, Nick goes quietly about the country performing miraculous feats. He devotes his life to saving others and combating evil while striving to remain conspicuously anonymous.” 

Barber’s novel brings Copernicus to Seattle where opportunities for changing lives, including his own are abundant. He makes family of friends and friends of acquaintances as all learn that when it comes to his activities you “just don’t ask."

Lorin Barber's delightful middle grade debut released in March of this year. He has taken time out of his writing schedule to visit with us today. He is also providing a copy of his book to GIVE AWAY. Details of how to enter can be found at the end of this post. Take it away, Lorin!

1.  Tell us about your book in one sentence.

Copernicus is an adventure in intellect intrigue and imagination told with a tongue protruding through a cheek.

2. What age range is it for?

The hope was that people from 10 to 100 could enjoy the book. It is family friendly. For an adult to like it they must have some kid left in them. If you are a bit of nerd, have ever loved a nerd or enjoyed watching a nerd that would also be helpful.

3. What inspired you to write this story?

Like many debut authors, I’ve actually written a number of other things. Having met with previous disappointments Copernicus was the result of a conscious effort to come up with a saleable story. The inspiration came from a really smart, socially inept guy I once knew. To that character I added lots of traits I wished I had myself. Twinkies were chosen as a catalyst because the disparaging remarks I’ve often heard about their nutritional value made them an ideal juxtaposition. In the end, the story built itself around the name. Copernicus H. Stringfellow was my inspiration.

4. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I hated writing since my first grade teacher gave me a C- in penmanship. It got a little better when I got an electric typewriter for H.S. graduation. I love creating a story. Writing is beginning to grow on me.

5. What books did you enjoy reading when you were younger?

I enjoyed typical ‘boy books’ of the 50’s and 60’s; sports, action, outdoors. A favorite in grade school was “Fire Hunter”. I read Jack London books etc.

6. Tell us a little about your road to publication.

In 2004 I had a year-long contract to work in Wisconsin while my family lived in Washington State. I only came home every other weekend. It get’s really cold in Wisconsin and you can only watch reruns of Die Hard so many times. It dawned on me that I could write a book. I wrote my first novel and submitted it to about 50 publishers. It really wasn’t good at all. I didn’t get anything better than a form letter in reply.

I wrote another novel, and another each a bit better. On the 3^rd novel I did get one Publisher to comment. I changed it according to their advice and they turned me down. 

Eventually a friend told me about a small publisher that liked specialty books. I quickly wrote a small work on my ideas of being a grandfather.  They bought it.

With one win under my belt I quickly finished and submitted my 4^th novel, “Copernicus”, and they bought that too.

7. What can we expect from you in the future?

I have four more novels in the Copernicus series in mind, one well under way. I have numerous other stories I would like to write, and maybe eventually even some serious literature. I also have a project in my heart that I’ve desired for decades but it will take me achieving some notoriety to make it happen.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Lorin Barber has graciously provide a copy of his book for one lucky winner! 

To be eligible to win, just fill out the rafflecopter form below.  

This giveaway will end on July 30th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway