1) How did this story come to you?
Dawn, this book came to me bit by bit over a period of several months. I knew the ending before I knew some of the middle parts, and I used to wake up in the middle of the night and plot the next scene or two, then go back to sleep.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Do you want the long version or the short version? Short? Okay … I was totally sold out for this book and believed with all my heart that it was going to be published. I pitched it at a conference, entered it in a lot of contests, queried a lot of agents, and sent the partial to a few publishers, but no one was interested in a Christian medieval story, and getting a Young Adult romance published by a Christian YA publisher seemed even less likely. After two years I found an agent brave enough to take it on. And after another year of rejections—although the book came close to getting published as an adult Christian romance a couple of times—even my agent was seeming to lose heart. Our one last shot was to send it to the YA editor at Zonderkidz. And praise God, she bought it!
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I never watch TV and don’t even know what’s on anymore. I love writing historical romance but history was never a favorite subject of mine. I graduated from a tiny public high school in a class of 33 students.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I have a Beauty and the Beast story that my editor at Zondervan is looking at possibly publishing. I hope to write more medieval fairy tale retellings. I also have an adult romance series set in Alabama in the 1880’s that I’m hoping to find a publisher for very soon.
5) Parting comments?
Hold on to your dream, if you feel it is what God wants you to do, and never, ever, ever give up! Unless God tells you to. Be fully committed to listening to God and submitting yourself to His direction, because He loves you and knows what’s best for you.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is www.melaniedickerson.com and I have a YA blog that I do jointly with several other YA authors, www.novelteen.com, and I am on Facebook and Goodreads.
I would love to be able to read The Healer's Apprentice!!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me!
rae
raebyuel(@)gmail(.)com
Dawn, thanks for having me on your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks, GRITS, for stopping by!
Sounds like my kind of story. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeletecaseypitts@hotmail.com
Ooh! I've heard such wonderful things about this book from my Inkwell Inspirations sisters. I'd love to read it!
ReplyDeleteniki716(at)gmail(dot)com
I went looking for this book this weekend but it was not on the shelf. I have a sneaking suspicion it was sold out!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
This books sounds soo good. Love the trailor.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jodie Wolfe
digging4pearls(at)comcast(dot)net
I want this book SO BADLY!!! Thanks for the giveaway! :D
ReplyDeletepinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com
I've heard such good things about this one. Please enter me to win.
ReplyDelete~Steph
soklad@hotmail.com
I've only been interested really in reading historicals my whole life. History wasn't my favorite subject in school either, unless the teacher was excited about history (I had two of those) I guess you just have to make history interesting to grab me and a book does that.
ReplyDeletermjagears AT gmail DOT com
I'm a subscriber and follower.
ReplyDeletefreda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
This looks like such an exciting title Melanie! I'm totally into the medieval setting!
ReplyDeleteI hope Canadians can enter! If not...you wouldn't need another reviewer would you? ;)
This is the main book that I have been wanting to read lately - I would love to win it!
ReplyDeleteJanna
ryanx6 at msn dot com
I have also heard great things about this book. Please include me in the drawing.
ReplyDeletealekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com
I've read some really good reviews on this one...congrats! YA Fiction isn't something that I'm usually interested in, but this one has caught my attention. I've added it to my TBR list. Thanks for doing the interview.
ReplyDeleteAmazed by Grace,
Brandi
vi2005@aol.com
sounds like a great book, I would love to win a copy.
ReplyDeletemrhpets@gmail.com
Please enter me in the giveaway! Thanks!
ReplyDeletewriter_weaver at yahoo dot com
How interesting that Melanie would wake up with ideas for this book and write...
ReplyDeletePlease count me in!
I am an email subscriber.
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
I would absolutely love to win this book! I have heard such great things about it!
ReplyDeletepotosrose @ gmail dot com
Wow, thank you SO much for doing this giveaway Ms. Byrd (and Mrs. Dickerson)! I love the Healer's Apprentice cover . . . so much that I made graphics with it (computer wallpaper)! =) Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletejafuchi7[at]hawaii[dot]edu
I've been hearing about this book and I do love the medieval world settings of many Christian Fantasy novels, so I'm sure I'd enjoy reading this. =)
ReplyDeletekristia4(at)hawaii(dot)edu
The Healer's Apprentice sounds enchanting, please include me in the drawing. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
Melanie, I love that I'm not the only one who loses sleep over plots, characters, and scenes. It doesn't happen too often, but now and then I have to get out of bed and fire up my computer to get it out of my system...before I forget. I only do this when I can't go back to sleep, though.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finding a publisher. YA or not, I'd like to read your book.
~Linnette
lr . mullin (at) live . com
This looks like a wonderful read. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteLinda Ccaci
LinCaca3@aol.com
I'm a subscriber
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmai [dot] com
I would love to read this.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the drawing.
Thank you for the chance.
wdesirees[at]yahoo[dot]com
Melanie,
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter just put your book on her xmas list. I am so thrilled that I have grandchildren who love to read. I didn't have any luck with my daughters, getting them to read but my granddaughters read all the time. thanks for writing great stories that they can read and enjoy..
Heidi
heidijohnjeff@verizon.net
I would really love to read 'The Healer's Apprentice". Please enter me in this contest.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melanie for this giveaway book.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I really enjoyed reading your journey to publication. Thank you.
ReplyDeletesdeeth at msn dot com
Would love to read this book! I love fairy tale inspired books. I am already an email subscriber.
ReplyDeletecherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to read this book, please enter me!
ReplyDeletedancealert at aol dot com
Please put my name in for a chance to win!!!
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite recent reads have been YA, so I'm eager to read The Healer's Apprentice. I love the fairy tale theme and appreciate the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeletecjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
Thought I had entered for this...hmmmm interesting : D
ReplyDeleteHey Melanie!! It's Hannah from Seekerville (prolly where you know me from *wink*)
This book sounds great! It's not often that there are books set in this time period for the age group that yours is appropriate for. So thank you, it's awesome to know that there are so many "safe" authors out there for kids : )
I'd love to be entered! I want to be able to tell Melanie how much I loved it, not how much I know I will love it *wink*
Hannah
hccelie[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing! The winner is CarolNWong! I have sent her an email and am waiting for her reply.
ReplyDeleteTo everyone who's interested in reading The Healer's Apprentice, please request it from your library. If you request it, they will usually order it, and you can be the first one to read it!
Thanks again, everyone! You are all an encouragement to me!