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But don't just take my word for it. Meg Cabot agrees with me. Seriously.
“Adventure quest at its best. Tristan is a hero to remember. Readers will be dying for the next installment."
~ Meg Cabot, New York York Times Bestselling author
Pretty cool, huh? My 11-year-old actually discovered this series and lists them among his top ten favorite books. He's a pretty tough critic so that's high praise coming from him! When he found out I was interviewing the author, he threw some of his own questions into the mix.
My son got me hooked on the Youngest Templar series. I think I read all three books in two days. Like him, I couldn’t stop once I started. But now we both want to know: Are you going to continue the series? (We’d really love it if the answer is yes!)
I would love it if the answer was yes as well!
I think I left enough threads in the story to be picked up and explored and continued, but the decision doesn’t rest with me. It’s up to the readers. And what I mean by that is, it’s up to the readers and fans of the series to convince the publisher that the audience wants more books. And that’s true with any book or series not just The Youngest Templar. Not every series is a mega bestseller out of the gate like Percy Jackson or Wimpy Kid. Readers who write enthusiastic reviews on websites like Amazon and BN.com are enormously helpful. Who recommend the books to their friends and fellow readers, they are a series’ best friend. And frankly, not to be crass about it, but it comes down to readers buying the books they’ve read and loved as birthday gifts and Christmas presents and as donations to their school or local library. Nothing replaces word of mouth and the recommendations of others when it comes to helping an author continue to write more books in a series that readers love.
Publishing is like any business, driven by the bottom line. And it takes a lot of luck and support from fans and readers to be able to continue a series. I would love to keep writing more Youngest Templar novels. But at this point it’s not really up to me.
I am shopping around a Youngest Templar Graphic Novel series which would tell all new adventures with Tristan, Robard and Maryam. You can find out more about it by joining The Youngest Templar Fan Page on Facebook.
Well, I'm spreading the word right here! READ THESE BOOKS! THEY'RE AWESOME!
You’ve pretty much conquered every age group with picture books, adult comedy and a YA series. Do you have any more books planned for middle grade readers?Display Comments Add a Comment
17 Comments on Author Spotlight on: Michael P. Spradlin, last added: 3/3/2011
I'd love to win a copy for my son! He'd love this. And then i could donate it to my library and they can buy the rest! Great interview!
Great interview Sherrie. Thanks Michael for sharing your story. I want to read these books!
Sounds like my kind of book. I love MGs where a little history is thrown in....maybe a little famous literary or legendary references, too.
Can't wait for the Raven book, either!
Shelley
I am super intrigued by the premise of The Raven's Shadow! Even though I don't read a lot of middle grade, it sounds like something I'd enjoy. I'm also really glad he pointed out what it is that keeps series continuing. I think people forget that they really do have to go out an buy the books and promote them to others as best as they can, if they want the author to keep writing them. It's sort of like a TV show. If you don't get enough people watching it, it'll be cancelled.
I'm going to order it for my 11 yo. I bet he'd like it. :D
"being owned by two dogs" - Hehe! I know that feeling.
Wonderful interview, and the books sound fascinating.
Ooh, I'd love to be entered to win :) I love books like that! (Though I don't have a MG son or daughter that I can claim as my own ...)
Great interview. I love middle grade fantasy where history is weaved in. I'd love to win.
Wowee thank you- on my radar now for my son!
Oh, my son loves, loves, loves these books!! Great interview, and I'm thrilled to hear there are more stories coming! :-)
That's excellent that your son recommended it! It does look like a great read.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
Wow! 15 books! Impressive.
Great interview.
I love when you recommend books because my son is the same age as yours!!
Thanks for the great interview! This book sounds awesome!!
Lisa Reiss
Ooo, these books sound really interesting! I'll have to check them out. Thanks for the interview!
BTW, Sherrie, you've got a blog award waiting for you here:
http://tabithaolson.blogspot.com/2011/03/beautiful-blogger-award.html
I love anything sword related, and that includes Crusades time period, even though I don't like historical fiction. Crusades is practically fantasy!
Thanks so much for this great giveaway!
rivkarno1(at)hotmail(dot)com
I haven't heard of these but they sound like really great reads and Michael gave some really insightful answers to your questions. Great interview and thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the interview and giveaway! I liked how he tells kids that historical accounts are just one person's side of the story and that they can't believe everything they read on the internet. His books look like they'd be a lot of fun.