Dickensen Academy by Christine Grabowski - Book Tour + Giveaway
Dickensen Academy
by Christine Grabowski
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GENRE: Young YA - fantasy
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BLURB:
Dickensen Academy isn’t a typical boarding school. The faculty is hiding an unbelievable secret
within their fine arts program. When Autumn Mattison receives an invitation to attend the high school,
she yearns to escape her overbearing father yet remains reluctant to leave her mother and brother.
Her doubts fade away when a vivid dream convinces her she belongs there.
within their fine arts program. When Autumn Mattison receives an invitation to attend the high school,
she yearns to escape her overbearing father yet remains reluctant to leave her mother and brother.
Her doubts fade away when a vivid dream convinces her she belongs there.
Away from home, Autumn discovers a unique school environment that awakens her creative potential,
and her new friends become like a second family. However, as she uncovers more about the dark
side of the school and struggles with its curriculum, she questions whether Dickensen Academy is
truly where she belongs.
and her new friends become like a second family. However, as she uncovers more about the dark
side of the school and struggles with its curriculum, she questions whether Dickensen Academy is
truly where she belongs.
When tragedy strikes, Autumn must learn to believe in her own power and stand up to her greatest
fear or risk having her memories destroyed to protect the school’s secrets. Caught between secrets
and dreams, can she find her true self?
fear or risk having her memories destroyed to protect the school’s secrets. Caught between secrets
and dreams, can she find her true self?
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EXCERPT
Clues to the secret existed from day one, yet they appeared to belong to separate puzzles.
Most students either missed these signs or chose to ignore them. We were busy acclimating—
as the faculty called it—to a new environment. Some outsiders might call what they did to us those
initial weeks a form of brainwashing or fostering a cult-like mentality.
Most students either missed these signs or chose to ignore them. We were busy acclimating—
as the faculty called it—to a new environment. Some outsiders might call what they did to us those
initial weeks a form of brainwashing or fostering a cult-like mentality.
But not me.
I agreed with Principal Locke. We weren’t ready. We needed time to separate from our families
and become a cohesive group. And some of us, myself included, even needed a little nudge to
accept the invitation. If someone had told us the truth on Day One why they’d brought us to
Dickensen Academy, we would have never believed it. We’d think they were crazy.
Or worse, we’d turn around and run back home. But if we left, we would have missed out on
something extraordinary. Something worth the wait.
and become a cohesive group. And some of us, myself included, even needed a little nudge to
accept the invitation. If someone had told us the truth on Day One why they’d brought us to
Dickensen Academy, we would have never believed it. We’d think they were crazy.
Or worse, we’d turn around and run back home. But if we left, we would have missed out on
something extraordinary. Something worth the wait.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview with Christine Grabowski
1. What is the first book that made you cry?
I remember this so well. I was around 4th grade, and I was
reading Where the Red Fern Grows. Tears
were streaming down my face, and my mom had to ask what was wrong. I didn’t
know a book could do that. Most animal books still will bring me to tears.
2. How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
It’s tough to say because Dickensen
Academy was my first book and when I began it, I was only writing about five
hours a week. I also took several breaks to work on other projects and to let
it sit before revising. But I’d guess it was about two years total. However, I
expect to cut that down to one year for subsequent books now that I am a better
writer and won’t have to revise so many times. I dream of the day when I can
focus more on my writing and write two plus books a year. But between my responsibilities
as a stay-at-home mom as well as being relatively new to the craft, I am not
there yet.
3. How do you select the names of your characters?
This was one of the most fun aspects of writing Dickensen Academy. I often picked names
of family and friends. In the end, I had to cut the names in half when I realized
readers don’t want a name for every insignificant character. Therefore, I had
to shift the names around to ensure my kids and all six of my nieces and
nephews were still in the book. I didn’t want to leave anyone out.
4. What fictional character would you want to be friends with in
real life?
Edward Cullen from Twilight.
I fell in love with him when reading the books. Besides wouldn’t it be nice to
have a friend (or boyfriend) who would almost magically appear to rescue you from
trouble.
5. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
I have two suggestions:
A - Don’t compare yourself to other writers. There is always
going to be someone who has the better contract, better sales, more Facebook likes,
etc. We all have our own writing journey to follow. However, comparisons to
inspire you to do better is fine. Just don’t let it bring you down.
B – One of my favorite quotes is “the only difference between a
published writer and an unpublished one is that one gave up.” This has kept me
going through the ups and downs of the publication process. Again, don’t take
it too literal. You have to keep working too.
6. What book do you wish you had written?
Let’s face it, Harry Potter. I don’t believe I need an
explanation. The reasons are too many to list.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Dickensen Academy is Christine’s debut YA novel. After graduating from the University of Washington,
she earned her MBA at the University at Albany. She honed her technical writing skills in marketing
and consulting but attributes the creative part of the process to her passion for reading.
she earned her MBA at the University at Albany. She honed her technical writing skills in marketing
and consulting but attributes the creative part of the process to her passion for reading.
When she isn’t reading or writing, Christine can often be found running, skiing, or hiking.
She lives in Newcastle, Washington, with her supportive husband, two avid teen readers,
and their energetic wheaten terriers.
She lives in Newcastle, Washington, with her supportive husband, two avid teen readers,
and their energetic wheaten terriers.
https://www.christinegrabowski.com/
https://facebook.com/christinegrabowskiauthor
https://twitter.com/christinegrabo
Buy Links:
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Christine Grabowski will be awarding $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner
via rafflecopter during the tour.
via rafflecopter during the tour.
16 Comments
Thank you for hosting
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteMy family and I all appreciate you bringing to our attention the book description of another great book to read. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks again James.
DeleteThanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in again. FYI, since you started following my blog tour, the price of the eBook has dropped to $2.99 on Amazon and B&N.
DeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rita! FYI, since I began this blog and you started following it, the price of the eBook has dropped to $2.99 on Amazon and B&N.
DeleteHappy Friday! Thanks for sharing the great post :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday to you. Thank you for stopping in. FYI, since I began this blog and you started following it, the price of the eBook has dropped to $2.99 on Amazon and B&N.
DeleteThanks so much for hosting me today. I will be checking in to respond to any reader comments
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! :)
DeleteHappy Friday! Do you have any reading or writing plans for the weekend?
ReplyDeleteI am working on the sequel for Dickensen Academy. But I'm also going to a quinceranera, my first, so that should be fun.
DeleteHow long did it take you to write your book? Congrats on the release. Bernie Wallace BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteIt took me a year from start to release, but I'd assume it was about 2 years if you took out the other projects that caused lots of stops and starts
DeletePlease try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.