Great Reading with the Next Big Thing Blog Hop

My Friend Scott Bury a really excellent writer, journalist and editor, and founder of the exiting new organization independent Authors international  has tagged me for The Next Big Thing blog hop. Scott was originally tagged by travel writer and blogger Autumn Birt, and I am trying help get some notoriety for several great Indie authors I know.

The idea behind the Next Big Thing is to answer a set list of questions about your work in progress, then tag five more authors to do the same thing.

So, here are my answers for My Next Big Thing:

What is the working title of your book?

Anabar's Night

Where did the idea come from for the book?

It is the third book in my series about Anabar. The first two books were Anabar's Run and Anabar Rises. Anabar is a young man who is humble and really nothing special. He does dream of leaving to see what the world is like outside his isolated valley home. Along the way he encounters adventures and adversity, and amazing success, but ultimately decides to risk thing to try to bring peace to his land.

What genre does your book fall under?

Action/Adventure for middle grade readers.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

For Anabar, Chandler Riggs from "The Walking Dead" television series. He does a great job of playing a strong character who may not fit the typical physical stereotype of a fiction hero.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When forced to defend his family agaisnt his enemy, young Anabar's biggest battle is trying to save his humanity.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Most likely, I will self-publish Anabar's Night, but I would definitely consider an offer from  traditional publisher.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I do not know yet as I am just gettng started. I typically write more in the summer, so I plan to finish it by next August.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

The Ranger's Apprentice series, except that Anabar has no magical abilities. He becomes a hero through his strenghth and determination.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

I wanted to tell the story of how anyone can do something great. It does not take wealth, or royal blood, or special powers.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I think readers will enjoy seeing how Anabar struggles with maintaining his basic goodness as a person. He will have no choice but to act harshly in order to save and protect his family, and it will be difficult for him remain the same person.

Here are the authors I have tagged for The Next Big Thing blog hop:

Michelle Isenhoff
Mike Poeltl
Timothy Davis
Susanna Leonard Hill
Cheryl Carpinello