Suzy Davies's Blog: Book News - Posts Tagged "new-books"
Tune in to Snugs!
For those of you based in the U.K, some exciting news! Very soon I will be chatting with Radio Solent Presenter, Jonathan Hines, about my brand new Children's Book, "Snugs The Snow Bear" Watch this space for details!
Smashwords Interview: Suzy Davies, Author of "The Cave," Just Launched!
Interview with Suzy Davies
What's the story behind your latest book?
When I heard about The Wild Boars Football Team trapped in the Thai cave at Tham Luang, I felt I had to follow the story. Very quickly, from my research, a parallel story was unveiled: The Story of The Princess at Sip Song Panna, or the reclining Princess of The Mountain, as she is sometimes known as. Enter a Buddhist monk, thought by some to be the reincarnation of her suitor - a stable boy, and I had a vision of a story below the surface of the text. It was the story of a mysterious underworld of mermaids and the mystical princess guarding the cave and protecting the boys and all those who took part in the dangerous rescue effort.
I followed the story day by day, did my research and wrote day and night! It fascinated me. Needless to say, I was saddened by the loss of one True Hero, but he did not die in vain.
My story weaves the mystical tale of mermaids and The Princess into the more factual action elements of the rescue in my book.
I felt energized as I was writing my tale, and of course, as with all my books, it has a happy ending.
What motivated you to become an Indie Author?
This is my first self-published book. My first ever book, "Johari's Window," was published by a hybrid publishing house, SilverWood, the second book was traditionally published by Snow Leopard Publishing, and the third, "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid," by Quizicat Productions.
My decision to self-publish this book was based on the fact that I knew how popular the story would be with people all over the world, and I wanted control over the publishing process to bring you the book quickly, and to ensure that the book was of good quality with everything just as I wanted it to be.
I'm honored to be able to say that world-acclaimed award-winning Artist, Animator, and Educator, Sheila Graber, read this book and decided to do the cover design, which is stunning!
What Charity Are You Helping With "The Cave," and Why?
I'm delighted that 10% of all book profits from my brand new release, “The Cave,” on Smashwords, inspired by the Thai Cave, will go to my favorite swimming charity - SWIMSAFE SHARKS.
When I was a child, I nearly drowned in a river because I couldn’t swim. My dad saved me! So, it is a passion of mine to ensure that each and every child in Thailand has the opportunity to learn to swim and keep safe in water.
Here’s what SWIMSAFE SHARKS say about their charity:
"The SWIMSAFE SHARKS initiative helps Thai school children learn to swim with the Survival Swimming Curriculum. We work alongside Thai schools training teachers to be instructors and promote water safety in general. Thailand is a country in the epicenter of the world drowning crisis and swimming is generally not taught to children."
What Books Are You Writing Now?
I'm always writing! I've just completed the sequel to "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid." I have another children's story completed - top secret at the moment. I am still writing "The Blue Talisman," an adult novel, with supernatural elements.
Who Did You Write The Cave For?
This book will be of interest to parents, grandparents, life coaches, sports enthusiasts and exercise coaches, motivational coaches, psychologists, counselors, teachers, travel guides, travel agents, movie buffs, and young adults who are interested in things like sport, travel, adventures, films and exciting tales of heroes, and heroines.
What are the Literary Influences for "The Cave"
Writing "The Cave" was a very real challenge for me.
It wasn't just the challenge of getting the story out while the drama of "The Thai Cave," was still fresh in people's imaginations. The biggest challenge was how to weave mystical elements into my Young Adult/Adult Fiction Book, and still maintain the action/adventure drama.
Quite recently, I researched the work of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the major influences on my writing. I was enchanted again on re-reading, "The Little Mermaid," - for which I have a particular fondness, if only because of a road trip I did, many years ago, all across Denmark. I got to see Odense, and the statue of the "Ariel" inspired mermaid of his most famous fairy tale.
In my story, "The Cave," I wanted to honor The True Hero, who delivered supplies of oxygen tanks to the cave, and sadly, lost his life in service to others. I borrowed from Hans Christian Andersen's notion that there is a heaven, and that when we die we become (People) of The Air. Hans Christian Andersen gave me a poetic reference point with which I could describe death - a taboo subject in Western Societies - and soften the blow, without diminishing the heroism of The True Hero, who did not die in vain.
Mermaids feature in my story, "The Cave," and help to convey the enchantment I intended.
Of course, when I researched Thai culture, I decided that Thai Mysticism would be a predominant theme in the book, and Dulong or mermaids have been spotted out to sea, off Thailand's picturesque coastline. I was delighted when I discovered this fact!
When I delved further into Thai Folklore, I uncovered the magical story of The Princess of The Mountain, and the tale of her love for a stable boy, which was forbidden.
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales feature princesses and magical helpers who "fly" to castles to spy on them, in order to help suitors, who have to pass a series of tests. These elements in Andersen's tales helped me create Khun Mae - a Shaman Mother figure, who could "communicate" and tune in to what was happening to her son, Lek, from a distance.
Of course, it is well known that The Wild Boars passed their rites of passage because of the effort of International Rescue Experts from all over the world. But what also kept the boys going was communication with loved ones, the thought of "home," significant others, and what that love meant to them.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Doing what I love. Being Creative.
Communicating with people. Making people happy.
What do your fans mean to you?
I'm really grateful to have a good fanbase.
Who are your favorite authors?
My long-term adult book favorites are Virginia Woolf, Nabokov, James Joyce, George Eliot, Hardy, Isabel Allende, Daphne Du Maurier. I read avidly and I'm compiling an Indie Author top 10, across all genres, which will be revealed soon!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The sound of computer keys tapping, the smell of coffee.
What's the story behind your latest book?
When I heard about The Wild Boars Football Team trapped in the Thai cave at Tham Luang, I felt I had to follow the story. Very quickly, from my research, a parallel story was unveiled: The Story of The Princess at Sip Song Panna, or the reclining Princess of The Mountain, as she is sometimes known as. Enter a Buddhist monk, thought by some to be the reincarnation of her suitor - a stable boy, and I had a vision of a story below the surface of the text. It was the story of a mysterious underworld of mermaids and the mystical princess guarding the cave and protecting the boys and all those who took part in the dangerous rescue effort.
I followed the story day by day, did my research and wrote day and night! It fascinated me. Needless to say, I was saddened by the loss of one True Hero, but he did not die in vain.
My story weaves the mystical tale of mermaids and The Princess into the more factual action elements of the rescue in my book.
I felt energized as I was writing my tale, and of course, as with all my books, it has a happy ending.
What motivated you to become an Indie Author?
This is my first self-published book. My first ever book, "Johari's Window," was published by a hybrid publishing house, SilverWood, the second book was traditionally published by Snow Leopard Publishing, and the third, "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid," by Quizicat Productions.
My decision to self-publish this book was based on the fact that I knew how popular the story would be with people all over the world, and I wanted control over the publishing process to bring you the book quickly, and to ensure that the book was of good quality with everything just as I wanted it to be.
I'm honored to be able to say that world-acclaimed award-winning Artist, Animator, and Educator, Sheila Graber, read this book and decided to do the cover design, which is stunning!
What Charity Are You Helping With "The Cave," and Why?
I'm delighted that 10% of all book profits from my brand new release, “The Cave,” on Smashwords, inspired by the Thai Cave, will go to my favorite swimming charity - SWIMSAFE SHARKS.
When I was a child, I nearly drowned in a river because I couldn’t swim. My dad saved me! So, it is a passion of mine to ensure that each and every child in Thailand has the opportunity to learn to swim and keep safe in water.
Here’s what SWIMSAFE SHARKS say about their charity:
"The SWIMSAFE SHARKS initiative helps Thai school children learn to swim with the Survival Swimming Curriculum. We work alongside Thai schools training teachers to be instructors and promote water safety in general. Thailand is a country in the epicenter of the world drowning crisis and swimming is generally not taught to children."
What Books Are You Writing Now?
I'm always writing! I've just completed the sequel to "Luna The Moon Pig: The Pig Who Hid." I have another children's story completed - top secret at the moment. I am still writing "The Blue Talisman," an adult novel, with supernatural elements.
Who Did You Write The Cave For?
This book will be of interest to parents, grandparents, life coaches, sports enthusiasts and exercise coaches, motivational coaches, psychologists, counselors, teachers, travel guides, travel agents, movie buffs, and young adults who are interested in things like sport, travel, adventures, films and exciting tales of heroes, and heroines.
What are the Literary Influences for "The Cave"
Writing "The Cave" was a very real challenge for me.
It wasn't just the challenge of getting the story out while the drama of "The Thai Cave," was still fresh in people's imaginations. The biggest challenge was how to weave mystical elements into my Young Adult/Adult Fiction Book, and still maintain the action/adventure drama.
Quite recently, I researched the work of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the major influences on my writing. I was enchanted again on re-reading, "The Little Mermaid," - for which I have a particular fondness, if only because of a road trip I did, many years ago, all across Denmark. I got to see Odense, and the statue of the "Ariel" inspired mermaid of his most famous fairy tale.
In my story, "The Cave," I wanted to honor The True Hero, who delivered supplies of oxygen tanks to the cave, and sadly, lost his life in service to others. I borrowed from Hans Christian Andersen's notion that there is a heaven, and that when we die we become (People) of The Air. Hans Christian Andersen gave me a poetic reference point with which I could describe death - a taboo subject in Western Societies - and soften the blow, without diminishing the heroism of The True Hero, who did not die in vain.
Mermaids feature in my story, "The Cave," and help to convey the enchantment I intended.
Of course, when I researched Thai culture, I decided that Thai Mysticism would be a predominant theme in the book, and Dulong or mermaids have been spotted out to sea, off Thailand's picturesque coastline. I was delighted when I discovered this fact!
When I delved further into Thai Folklore, I uncovered the magical story of The Princess of The Mountain, and the tale of her love for a stable boy, which was forbidden.
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales feature princesses and magical helpers who "fly" to castles to spy on them, in order to help suitors, who have to pass a series of tests. These elements in Andersen's tales helped me create Khun Mae - a Shaman Mother figure, who could "communicate" and tune in to what was happening to her son, Lek, from a distance.
Of course, it is well known that The Wild Boars passed their rites of passage because of the effort of International Rescue Experts from all over the world. But what also kept the boys going was communication with loved ones, the thought of "home," significant others, and what that love meant to them.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Doing what I love. Being Creative.
Communicating with people. Making people happy.
What do your fans mean to you?
I'm really grateful to have a good fanbase.
Who are your favorite authors?
My long-term adult book favorites are Virginia Woolf, Nabokov, James Joyce, George Eliot, Hardy, Isabel Allende, Daphne Du Maurier. I read avidly and I'm compiling an Indie Author top 10, across all genres, which will be revealed soon!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The sound of computer keys tapping, the smell of coffee.
Reading of "Luna The Moon Pig" YouTube Recording
Just to let you know that there is a video/audio recording of "Luna The Moon Pig" read-aloud children's picture book posted on this Goodreads Author Page in the Video Section. You may purchase a copy of "Luna The Moon Pig" on Amazon Worldwide to add to your home library. Enjoy!
Book News
"The Flamingos Who Painted The Sky," our new picture book is NOW fully available to bring in #Christmas #sunshine, #flamingo #sunsets, and #happiness #worldwide Illustrated by the talented Shirin Mass ...more
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