*****Goodreads 5-Star Review*****
The MonsterJunkies is a story about a boy named Crow and his sister Indigo who try to approach bullying and life in two different directions. It is refreshing to read about such a real and close-knit family. This book sends a great message about bullying in a way that is humorous yet moving at the same time. The MonsterJunkies is best described as realistic fantasy. For once, we find this genre that isn't about saving the world! I loved the idea of a monster ball and collecting mysterious creatures as pets. Shein's ability to paint a picture with words really shines in this book. I really hope there will be a second installment.
Summary
Tucked away in a remote cul-de-sac on the Maine coast is a place where the strange is normal, and the bizarre, is everyday. This is a place, where, if you do not have an open mind, you will loose your mind in its reality and truths. This is the home of The MonsterJunkies, An American Family Odyssey.
Residing at this place, twelve year old Crow and his fourteen year old sister, Indigo , along with their friends go down a reality curve to arrive at the harsh truth of the indelible hurt bullying, emotional abuse and prejudice can foster. The family faces ignorance combined with aggression at every step as they try to build a life for themselves in the home of their ancestors.
We are all MonsterJunkies and wear masks during our daily lives, in school, during work, hanging out with friends, imitating, being people who we look up to and admire, or those we want to be. It is those people who take off their masks and show the real person inside who are the ones that truly find the meaning of their lives.
The MonsterJunkies an American Family Odyssey, defines growing up through a cast of quirky yet engaging characters who also experience the same anxieties as any other family, enduring the issues that portend ‘coming of age.’ Not all angst and agony, it marks a clear path to the ultimate form of acceptance, the approbation of self.
A conversation with Erik Daniel Shein and L.M. Reker, authors of The MonsterJunkies: An American Family Odyssey
When did you first start writing, and when did you finish your first book?
I started my writing career at the age of 19 with nonfiction children’s books on animals with sterling publishing in New York
How did you choose the genre you write in?
My passion is animals and nature my background is in zoology
Where do you get your ideas?
They just come to me , I listen to trends and what I would read if was a kid again , I guess I am still a kid because I am not going to grow up any time soon, LOL
Do you ever experience writer’s block and how do you overcome it?
No I know what to write and when I am in the zone it flows
Is there a particular author that influenced you while growing up or as an adult?
My idol was Walt Disney Dr suess was another one
Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
I was doing an animal show at a local mall, and there was an editor from sterling publishing in attendance I was making the kids laugh and educating them at the same time and she wanted to know if I wanted to write a book so she took me under her wing and the rest was history
If you had to do it again, is there anything you would change?
No I love what I do
How do you market your work?
Have you found some avenues to be more successful than others? Media release book blogs , word of mouth all is good
Is your book based on real life experiences or all pure imagination?
Both when I was kid we had strange pets and we were always different Gothic in way
What was your favorite chapter to write and why?
Monsters ball this were people wear masks, to hide their true selves
How did you come up with the title?
We are all monster Junkies in way that is where the title came from
What project are you working on now?
I signed a contract to do some animated films, based on screenplays I wrote Aurora and Darwin,
Are there certain characters you like to go back to, or are there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
On the Monsterjunkies we will focus on crow and indigo much more
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Do not give up, go with your heart
Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screws it?
I wore pajamas to the grocery store a few times people though I was weird
How does your writing process look?
(Consistent with regular amounts of word counts daily/weekly, or more sporadic with a gush of words all at once and then you abandon it for a while?) I just let it flow as the words come out
What would you like your readers to know about this book or you in general?
The monsterJunkies is about bullying I was bullied when I kid those people that did this told me I would never make it life, this book is about letting people know I can hear you and I know what you are going through and you are very special
Why did you feel you had to tell this story?
Kids and Teens need a voice in today’s world we live in a me me society self-gratification There parents do not listen to them this book is for them
How does your family and friends feel about the book?
As with all of my books, they are proud, to be honest this is a tough question,
What type’s books did you read as a child?
Animal books
If your book was made into a movie, who do you picture playing each part?
For the monsterJunkies Johnny Depp as Dr talon Monsterjunkie
Do you prefer to write in a quiet room, or do you need noise to keep your creative juices flowing?
I write all of my books in my office with my head phones on listening to Aerosmith
How did you feel when you realized that being an author was no longer a dream, but a reality?
I teared up but knew I had a long journey ahead
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Sports football, I like to cook,, I am vegetarian I like going to zoos and talking to the animals
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
Bullying is a disease that can be cured
What books have most influenced your life most?
There is too many
If you had to choose, who would be your author mentor?
I speak to many schools and colleges everybody has a dream, positive energy gets those dreams to come true
Do you see writing as a career?
It is a my full time job
How did you become interested in writing?
Just like doing it very creative
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Keeping the editor happy with story development
What was the hardest part about writing your book?
Getting it published
What advice would you give writers on the publishing process?
Never give up and write what you love
What was the hardest thing to cut from your manuscript?
Parts about the animals
What time of day do you write?
Late at night
When you rip out a page from a spiral notebook, do you leave the tabby pieces or do you pull them out?
No
If you were a superhero or villain, what would your power be?
Iron man
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