Interview & Giveaway with james crawford

1. When did you first start writing, and was there something in particular that inspired you?

I am an odd ball author. I wasn’t one of those kids who were always writing. Heck, if we went back six years ago I would have laughed at anyone for even suggesting I write a book. I have always considered myself more of a story-teller and dreamer than a writer. My story Caleo was just that. I had a series of dreams about a kid who was extremely pale, with white hair, piercing blue eyes, and the power to control the temperature around him. He was being hunted in what seemed to be a post apocalyptic world. Take these sets of dreams, add a lot of refining, and you get the Leech series.

2. What first attracted you to your genre when it comes to writing?

Ah, my genre . I am actually not really sure how I fit in. Caleo was written in a young adult style but I wouldn’t classify it as a Young Adult book (ages ranging from 12 to 18). My series is more aimed towards the 15 and up age range. There are some things in it that might not be suitable for people younger than that (getting away from the question, sorry). I was attracted to my genre because I felt that I could do the most good here. Here I am not just writing a story that someone will read and say "Good book", but I have the opportunity to touch the lives kids. Whether it’s helping a teen feel that’s it’s okay to be who they are by them relating to my character, or by helping the next generation gain understanding, and with it, empathy.

3. In regards to your own characters, who is your favorite and why?

This is a tough one. I have been in love with each and every character of my series at one time. You promise you won’t tell any of them? I wouldn’t want to start an uprising on my pages. It’s Jack! He is sweet, funny, protective...and did I mention the captain of the swim team?

4. What other genres (besides your own) do you enjoy reading?

I am pretty much a strict Science fiction/paranormal/fantasy reader; Magic, vampires, werewolves, other worlds. I read to escape this world and I don’t just want some hot guy I ran into on a farm somewhere helping me save my Pa’s ranch from being taken by the bank. Snore! Now if we replace the word “Bank” with “Aliens” you can count me in.

5. If you could not be a writer, what would you be?

There are these distant cousins of writers called "Gamers". Now I have heard that when they are not working their day jobs, they are risking life and limb killing dragons, pawning noobs, and drinking Red Bull just to stay awake long enough to reach… well it’s all just a dream anyway. I gave that life up years ago for writing.

6. As a reader I know how difficult it can be to name a ‘favorite’ book, would you mind listing your top three? (Past or present authors)

Favorite book? That’s really hard. I’m a book series kind of guy, so I can either go with the first book of each series; Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Eragon, and I Am Number 4… but if I have to chose individual book; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Eragon, and Eldest.

7. What are some must haves when you sit down to write?
I just have two things; space and quiet.
Space: I am always in a constant battle with my dog over not crowding me on the couch.
Quiet: no radio, no TV, no spouse interrupting as I am trying to figure out the right wording.

8. If you became trapped as a character in a book or series, which would you choose and why? (Any book, any series, new or old)

My first jump to answer was someone in the Harry Potter Series. That world is just so wonderful. All the modern accommodations like toilets, showers, and beds plus you have the added fun of magic, but choosing any character from there equals heart break and pain.

So I think I am going to have to pick Bella Swan. Okay, okay stop laughing. I have very good reasons. Besides the two obvious reasons (I’m team Jacob, by the way. Book Jacob, not movie Jacob. There is a big difference in personalities I think), Bella has it easy. She acts like her life is so hard but every boy in school seems to want her. She has a pack of werewolves and vampires guarding her and she seems to miss every fight. Yeah she is unconscious, or under vamp venom but it always seems to work out. 

About the author:

james crawford (all lowercase please) grew up in Foxbourgh, PA. I currently live in Hornlake, MS with my partner of five years.

As of right now I am currently in the midst of finalizing edits for the re-release of Caleo Leech: Book 1. In between edits for Book 1 I am also working on Jack Leech: Book 2, which I will have a cover for soon and a release date that is somewhere in the near future. Keep an eye on the blog for news of that and many other things.

Find the author:

Website | Twitter | Facebook


Debut Release:

Caleo Leech: Book 1

Every High School has their social outcasts. The band nerds, the math geeks, the chess club, the girl that chews her hair, but at Butler but even the creepy nose picker in the chess club is more popular than Caleo Anima. No matter what he did, his pale skin, snow white hair, and piercing blue eyes always made him an easy target.  He used to think that the only way things could get worse would be if someone found out that he was gay, but that isn't even the tip of the iceberg of problems after a mysterious stranger shows up and changes Caleo’s life forever.

Hidden amongst our society, a secret and magical race of people known as ‘Leeches’, have been engaging in civil war for decades. Both sides are desperately searching for a weapon with unlimited power that will give them the advantage they need to rule their world. This wouldn’t mean anything to Caleo, except for one problem...He is that weapon!

Forget making it through High School. Caleo has bigger problems! As the search for him goes on, the world is quickly crumbling around him. He's now fighting for his life and the life of what little family he has left. With the help of new friends, he has little time to try and master his newly found powers as he tries to figure out who he can trust, who is trying to use him, and who just wants him dead. One wrong step and being the awkward pale outcast will be the LEAST of his worries.

Giveaway

An ebook of Caleo.

Rules for entry:

- Giveaway ends September 14, 2012 12AM EST.

- Open internationally.

- Leave a comment and fill out the FORM below.  Entries in the comment section will not be counted.