BY AUTHOR/EDITOR LAURISA REYES
The house is quiet this morning. Three of my five children are sound asleep on the living room floor where they conked out last night around midnight. It’s summer, and I occasionally allow these sorts of adventures. The truth is, the later they stay up, the later they sleep in, which means more writing time for me in the morning. Ah, summer.
Outside my bedroom window the sky is a pale gray. We had a bit of rain last night, and the moisture still clings to the palm and mulberry trees in my backyard. Rain is a rare pleasure in the high desert of Southern California, so I’m basking in the cool air and the fresh, clean smell of what promises to be a beautiful day.
I’m one of the newest editors here at Hamilton Springs Publishing, but I’m not new to editing or to the publishing world. After earning my B.A. in English/Creative Writing many eons ago, I spent thirteen years as a magazine and newspaper columnist, an editor for a homeschool book publisher, and a creative writing instructor. I’m currently in grad school pursuing an M.A. in English.
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About seven years ago, I decided to finally live my lifelong dream of writing fiction. It all started with my son, who was eight years old at the time. I read to him every night before bed (as I do with all my kids), and one night he told me he didn’t want me to read to him anymore. “Make up a story instead,” he said. So I did.
I made up a story about a young enchanter’s apprentice named Marcus who just couldn’t get his spells right. Every night I’d ask my son what he wanted to hear. “Dragons!” he would say, or “Swordfighting!” In time, the story grew. Eventually I started writing it down.
THE ROCK OF IVANORE, my debut middle grade fantasy novel, was published in 2012 with Tanglewood Press. The sequel, THE LAST ENCHANTER, comes out this October. Book three, THE SEER OF THE GUILDE, is tentatively slated for 2015. I also write young adult science fiction and paranormal.
In addition to writing, editing, going to school, and being mommy, I’m also an avid blogger. After slogging through hundreds of blogs in search of those few gems willing to review books for kids aged 8 to 12, I created Middle Grade Mania, an online directory of middle grade book and author blogs. I also maintain my own author blog where I review books, interview other authors, and talk about everything bookish.
I am a member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), LDStorymakers, and Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). I love chocolate, the smell of new books, the beach, and rainstorms. I share my home with my hubby of twenty years, our five kids, our four parents, six fish, four birds, two desert tortoises, two bearded dragons, and a dog.
Favorite all-time books include: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Lilies of the Field by William E. Barrett, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, and Harry Potter (all) by J.K. Rowling. I read just about anything from non-fiction to paranormal exceptwesterns and romance novels.
I have two remaining dreams yet to be lived: to own my own bookstore, and to star in a Broadway musical. And I am thrilled to be part of the Hamilton Springs/Xchyler Press team.
I hear movement downstairs. Time to make breakfast and get my day started. ‘Til next time!
Website: http://www.laurisawhitereyes.com
Blogs: http://laurisareyes.blogspot.com & http://middlegrademania.blogspot.comFacebook
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The X team is delighted to welcome Laurisa to our staff. We feel her a perfect match for her first projects. the sequels to Vanguard Legacy: Foretold by Joanne Kershaw, and Vivatera by Candace J. Thomas, slated for release in 2014.
