The folklore staple of a human child raised by wild beasts gets a postapocalyptic twist in Bemis’ novel.

Humans, known as Skinless Ones, Old Devils, or Companions—depending on who is speaking of them—are supposedly extinct. Their cities are empty and the Forest is now controlled by vicious packs of wolves, who claim to have exterminated the humans, and who maintain a strict hierarchy in which formerly domestic pets are despised by the wild animals. When childless bear Casseomae rescues a boy “cub,” the sole survivor of a spaceship crash, she sets off to find a place where she can raise him in safety, away from the wolves and dogs who wish to claim him alternately as a sacrifice and a savior. This is a thoughtful fantasy, rich in characterization and drama, with a unique language that is simultaneously ancient and familiar. Bemis creates a believable reality in which all that is left of humanity is the oral tradition of rats (who lived among humans without befriending them)—by passing on stories, the rats preserve the truth.

— Kara Dean

Heidi, please contact me at john@johnclaudebemis.com, so we can make arrangements for shipping the book.

Thanks to everyone who participated!  Keep an eye here on the News page or on my Facebook author page for more chances to win advance copies of The Prince Who Fell from the Sky.

1. Write the story you’ve always wanted to read.  What is the perfect story you’ve always wanted to read but have never found in a bookstore or library?  That’s the one you need to write.

2. Look at the everyday world around you with curiosity.  Connect new information (something you see at a yard sale or hear about on a nature show) with all those ideas floating around in your head (the “compost bin” of memories, experiences, and stories in your brain).  Weird and wonderful ideas can arise if you put different ideas together in ways you haven’t seen before.

3. Make lists of Magnetic Nouns.  Magnetic Nouns are types of people, places, or things that you find deeply fascinating.  Find ways to bring your passions and obsessions into your stories.

4. Ask “What if?” questions.  These are the best questions writers can ask to get imaginative ideas.  What if my dog could talk?  What if we never had to sleep?  Try asking “what if” questions about some of your Magnetic Nouns or ask some “what if” questions if you get stuck for what to have happen next in your story.  Some of the best story ideas arise from “what if” questions.

Congratulations all you Young Authors on being honored at our state’s celebration and awards ceremony!  Thanks to the NC Reading Association for sponsoring this wonderful program.

A compassionate bear defies everything to save a boy from certain death in this original story blending creation myth with post-apocalyptic and animal-fantasy traditions.

The Forest, where Casseomae hunts, forages and has given birth to several litters of stillborn cubs, is littered with relics of the humans, or Skinless Ones. Ages before, Skinless cut down the trees and nearly drove hunting animals, or voras, into extinction until the Ogeema (wolves) eradicated them. When a human starship crashes in the Forest, Casseomea discovers a human boy in the wreckage. Instinct compels her to save this cub who is “not so different from the ones she lost.” Determined the new Skinless One will “upset the order of the Forest,” the Ogeema pursue Casseomae, who flees with the boy. She is joined by Dumpster, a sassy, street-smart rat, and Pang, an outcast dog. Together they travel along overgrown highways, past abandoned power lines, gas stations and garbage dumps to ruined cities, seeking a safe haven. In contrast to the somewhat bleak social commentary, Casseomae’s unwavering hope for the silent boy in her care never waivers. Appropriately, animal characters are fully developed and complex while the boy remains a pivotal unknown.

Compelling animal fantasy grounded in ecological warnings.

As part of the giveaway, I asked participants to suggest other books that fans of the Clockwork Dark series might enjoy while they’re (patiently… or not so patiently) waiting for the 3rd and final installment, The White City, to come out on August 23rd.

These are the suggestions:

Giveaway details here.

While you’re eagerly awaiting the final book in the Clockwork Dark, I want to share a list of other recommended books that fans might enjoy.  Fantasy adventure, sci-fi, steampunk, historical fiction, classics, anything!  All responses will be shared on my website and on Facebook on Monday, July 25th.

Thanks for participating and good luck on winning your copy of the thrilling conclusion to the Clockwork Dark trilogy!

If any of you out there are not a follower of Smack Dab In the Middle, this is a great blog I belong to along with an assortment of talented writers of novels for middle-grade readers.  You’ll find fascinating insights into the publishing industry, children’s books, and the creative process.  Hope you’ll consider following us!

For the contest, I asked folks to say what animal they would be if they were a Rambler.  Excellent and creative responses!  Several people said bears.  Others said skunk, pig, butterfly, hawk, horse, wolverine, and wolf.  Sarah Brooks insisted I tell you my choice.  I think I’d want to be a cougar.

In The White City, it will be critical that Ray learns how to take animal form in order to reach the Gog’s sinister Machine.  I bet some of you Ramblers can guess what he animal he wants to become…  (Lips sealed.  No spoilers from me.)

Thank you everyone who participated!  And thanks for all your support for the books.  More giveaways to come…

Listen as the characters come to life, and music by yours truly.  Just in time for The White City coming out in August!

Giveaway Info here.

Enter by July 10th for a chance to win.  One entry will be selected at random.  All responses will be posted on my website later.