Kai Strand, prolific author of middle grade and young adult fiction

Today, I’m interviewing an exciting author of young adult and middle grade novels, Kai Strand. Kai is a prolific writer of middle grade and young adult fiction. Kai, tell us about your newest novel.

I actually have two shiny new novels!

BEWARE OF THE WHITE is a middle grade fantasy adventure:

As is tradition, Terra learns on the Saturday past her twelfth birthday that she is a Natures Spirit. It is her legacy to serve in the peaceful underground city of Concord. Learning she is named in a prophecy and being threatened by the leader of the death tribe…that part breaks tradition.

The Trepidus are the death janitors of the Underworld, responsible for delivering fatalities with a smile and cleaning up after themselves until Blanco, recent leader of the Trepidus, decides the day of reckoning for his species is coming. He begins organizing the creatures and leads them toward an uprising. The prophecy says there is one person who can stop him. Terra.

With Spirit of Security, Frank, protecting her, Terra attempts to complete her training and discover her Spirit talents. Together, they go on a rogue investigation to learn how to defeat Blanco. In the end, it comes down to a battle of the minds. The future of Concord is at stake. Will Blanco, the older, more experienced being win? Or will Terra, the young, new Spirit earn back the peace of the city?

Buy it: Publisher, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, or look for it on iTunes. Add it to Goodreads

And KING OF BAD my young adult super villain novel – no capes or spandex for these teen villains

Jeff Mean would rather set fires than follow rules or observe curfew. He wears his bad boy image like a favorite old hoodie; that is until he learns he has superpowers and is recruited by Super Villain Academy – where you learn to be good at being bad. In a school where one kid can evaporate all the water from your body and the girl you hang around with can perform psychic sex in your head, bad takes on a whole new meaning. Jeff wonders if he’s bad enough for SVA.

He may never find out. Classmates vilify him when he develops good manners. Then he’s kidnapped by those closest to him and left to wonder who is good and who is bad. His rescue is the climactic episode that balances good and evil in the super world. The catalyst – the girl he’s crushing on. A girlfriend and balancing the Supers is good, right? Or is it…bad?

Buy it: Publisher, Amazon, Barnes and Noble Add it to Goodreads

Both of these books sound really intriguing. You have such an awesome imagination to be able to come up with two stories that are so different. I’ve already downloaded Beware of the White and will definitely get the King of Bad next. Tell us how it is you became an author. What was your journey?

I caught the writing bug way back in 5^th grade when my story, Blunder Day, was displayed in the hallway during open house. But then I got sidetracked by things like the rest of school. I got married, had kids, worked in corporate America, did a stint in non-profit, all the while thinking I’d rather be writing. At some point I did start writing. It took six years, I think, from when I first decided to pursue publication to when my first novel was released. It felt longer. Writing is a tough gig, but very rewarding.

I agree, writing is not for the weak. If you ever deside to post Blunder Day on your blog, let me know. I’d love to see it. So what’s in the future? Are you working on anything right now?

I’ve finished the second book in my Super Villain Academy series and want to write a Concord Chronicles novella before I work on the second book in that series.

Doesn’t sound like you find much time for boredom. Where we can find your book, website, and FB page?

I included buy links for the books above. You will also find excerpts if you visit the publisher’s websites. My website is www.kaistrand.com and I’d love for you to visit and learn about all my books and virtual haunts. I spend way too much time on Facebook, (Kai Strand, Author) so that’s a good place to cyber stalk me.

Some of my previous blogs were about the continuous increase in e-book sales over the last few years. Your books are available in both e-book and print. Approximately what percentage of copies of your books are e-book sales? Do you think print will always be important? Why?

This is an interesting question. My younger middle grade books, the Weaver Tales and the bedtime stories collections my short stories are included in see a higher percentage sold in print form, but the rest of my books see a higher percentage of sales in electronic book format. The convenience of the immediate purchase, the portability and the lower price seems to be a real draw for readers over about ten years of age.

Kai, it’s been a pleasure talking to you. I’m always pleased to meet authors who are willing to write from such an emotional place. I can’t wait to read your next novel! Readers, don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Kai’s e-book, Beware of the White.

Thanks for having me, Neil. It has been fun visiting with you and your readers today.

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