An Interview with Magan Vernon

 

The Reading Cafe would like to introduce YA author Magan Vernon. Magan has joined us today having recently published her first novel. Let us welcome Magan.

 

 

 

Hi Magan and welcome to The Reading Café.

TRC: Please tell us something about yourself?

Magan: My name is Magan and I’m a writing addict, ha. But really, I like to call myself the geek-to-glam poster child and I now channel my geek by writing science fiction for teens. I actually did sleep with a  night light until middle school for fear of alien attacks (the first thing my dad brought up when I told him I was getting a novel published about aliens). I now live with my husband, daughter, and dog in central Illinois and sometimes I still do sleep with a night light…just in case.

TRC: Would you please tell us about the INDELIBLES and how you became involved with the group of authors?

Magan: The Indelibles is a group of Indie authors who work to support and promote each other. After joining DarkSide one of the founders, Megg Jensen, sent the rest of us a message about a group being formed by marketing guru SR Johannes. It was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up and it is awesome to have such a huge support and marketing system. It is seriously the best thing I’ve ever done for my writing career.

TRC: What has been the most difficult aspect about indie publishing?

Magan: The most difficult aspect is not getting the same respect from people. I’ve consistently ranked very well in children’s books on Amazon, have a really great following of fans, and a well-written book, but that doesn’t stop people from refusing to read my book or think of me as less of a writer. I may not have a big six publisher behind my books, but I do have a professional editor, cover artist, and a book on the shelves. There really isn’t that big of a difference when you get down to it, but some people still refuse to think of me as a “real” author.

TRC: How to Date an Alien is your first book in My Alien Romance series.  Will You please tell us about the premise of this story?

Magan: Here is the official blurb-
High school senior Alex Bianchi’s estranged father gets her an internship at Circe Operations Center to pad her college applications. But Circe isn’t your typical military base. It’s an alien-run operation center and not all of the aliens are friendly, especially the one that tries to kill Alex on her first day. When Ace, a dark-eyed Caltian, enters and saves the day, she can’t help but be drawn to him. Can these star-crossed lovers survive when they’re on the brink of intergalactic war?

TRC: How did you come up with the idea of a human & alien romance? How many books do you plan for the series:

Magan: Funny story, kind of, actually not that funny… I was walking around Borders with my cousin and checking out the YA books. I noticed there were tons of books about vampires, angels, and werewolves and thought, “what’s next?” I looked at my cousin and said, “You know there hasn’t been a good alien book out for a while, I’m going to write one.” So I did and haven’t looked back. There are going to be three books, one short story (so far), possibly a novella. The series could possibly go on, but I think that the third book ends it well.

TRC: How to Date an Alien has a lot of humor in the book. What led you to make this more of a light romance, then possibly a darker book, using the same theme? Click HERE for our review

Magan: This did actually start out with a darker premise, in my head, involving alien prophecies and big alien battles, but when I put myself in Alex’s head her sarcastic wit took over and the book became humorous. BUT there are still some elements that are dark (the Caltians still give me nightmares) and there are a lot of references to things like racism and social class. It’s like an episode of Saved by the Bell, except Zach Morris is an alien.

TRC: Your second book..How to Break Up with an Alien came out in May.  Can you please tell us the premise of this story?

Magan: How to break up with an Alien is the continuation of Alex’s story. She is now a senior in high school and with a new job, new friends, and an old crush crushing on her, Alex has to decide if her problems with Ace are interstellar or if it’s time to break up with an alien.

TRC: Are you interested in writing other types of genres?

Magan: Oh yes! I actually started out writing contemporary. I was supposed to have another contemporary YA out this Spring, but there certain unforeseen circumstances that have delayed that indefinitely. There will be a New Adult book out this summer by me under a different name and I have been published in Non-fiction as well.

TRC: What are you currently working (on)?

Magan: Alien book 3. I can’t give a title away yet, but it may be my favorite in the series!

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas between other authors or friends and family. With whom do you share ideas and troubles???

Magan: Oh goodness, there is of course my numero critique partner: Kelsey Ketch,and then my local RWA group- Heart and Scroll, and of course the girls of DarkSide publishing, and The Indelibles especially Karen Hooper, Susan Kaye Quinn, Rashelle Workman, and GP Ching. They have been very instrumental in bringing out the best in my books.

TRC: Do you have a favorite author or book?

Magan: That is like telling me to choose a child that I love more! Okay, well I guess I can pick, my two favorite books of all time have to be Shine by Lauren Myracle and Perks of  Being a Wallflower. They are both different than anything I write, but honestly they are two books that I don’t see a single flaw in and could read them over and over. I love the stories so much!

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Magan: I guess my words to live by are: The best things in life are always worth fighting for!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Tiramisu gelato (no judging, good Sicilian girls love their gelato)

Favorite Dessert: See favorite food, well that and gooey butter cookies.

Favorite TV Show: Roswell, Glee, New Girl, Fact or Faked paranormal files

Favorite Movie: Dogma (I memorized it one summer, watching it every single day)

Last Movie you Saw:  In theatres- Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and at home I watched Knocked Up the other night because it was on E. 

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Milk chocolate

What book are your currently reading? I am currently reading The Veil by Corey Puntnam Oakes, it’s a fabulous read!

Thank you Magan very much for taking the time to answer our questions.  All the best with your writing career.

If you would like to learn more about Magan, you can visit her at these sites.

Website: http://www.maganvernon.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/maganvernon
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/magan.vernon
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5237606.Magan_Vernon
Blog: http://thepunchingbagfightsback.blogspot.com/

****GIVEAWAY****

Magan has graciously offered to give one lucky member of The Reading Cafe an e-copy of her first two books in her the My Alien Romance series…… How to Date an Alien and How to Break Up with an Alien. 

1. You must be a registered member at The Reading Cafe.  If you are not a member, please register using the log-in tab at the top or one of our social log-ins.

2.  The giveaway is open internationally.

3.  You must comment on either the Interview or the How to Date an Alien review.

4. Please drop by and say hello to Magan.