Pump Up Your Book Chats with YA Author Steven Verrier

Steven Verrier, born in the United States and raised in Canada, has spent much of his adult life living and traveling abroad. Publications include Plan B (Saga Books, 2010), Tough Love, Tender Heart (Saga Books, 2008), Raising a Child to be Bilingual and Bicultural (Hira-Tai Books of Japan), and several short dramatic works (Brooklyn Publishers, USA). Currently he is living with his wife, Motoko, and their five children in San Antonio, Texas.

You can visit his website at StevenVerrier.com

Thank you for this interview, Steve. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?

A: I didn’t start seriously writing prose until I got to university. Though I was writing fiction in university, it was articles that got published first. Fiction didn’t follow until a while later.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

A: Frustrating? It seems every time you approach a new publisher or an agent, it’s like starting again. Most rewarding, I guess, is just having something to show for all your time and effort.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?

A: I’m married with five kids. Along with support, of course, come a lot of demands. All I can do is try to be consistent … try to work at my craft every day even if it’s not at the hour I’d choose to be doing it.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?

A: I play and read with my children as much as possible, and I find time to unwind – maybe watch the Leno monologue or part of a basketball game – most nights. Vacations often take me back to places where I’ve lived and maintain connections … Japan and Canada, in particular.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

A: Maybe Antarctica. I could use the silence.

Who is your biggest fan?

A: Probably my five-month-old daughter. Of course, she can’t read yet.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A: Anywhere I can. I have to be adaptable, and I can turn it on just about anywhere.

Do you have any pets?

A: No. We haven’t replaced our cat that died a few years ago.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A: Nothing jumps to mind. I guess if I’ve kept any secrets thus far I’m not going to spill them now.

What’s on your to do list today?

A: I’ll be attending an agents’ conference later this month, so I need to finish polishing up a fiction manuscript to pitch to agents there. I’m also starting to edit a nonfiction account of my past year of teaching at a challenging high school. Finally, I’ll play and read with my kids.

Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you. If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?

A: Well, a key theme of Plan B is persisting, standing up to any test, and finding a way to reach your goal. That seems consistent with the challenges his character faces in the movie.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi and the newest addition, Ellen DeGeneres, to determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay where you’d make millions of dollars. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your author photo – and why?

A: I doubt it would be my photo. I’m sure it would be something from inside the book. That’s where all my attention goes. I’ve never been too concerned about packaging.

You just got word that your book has received the 2010 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. What would you say and who would you thank?

A: I’d thank the readers first – and maybe last. They’re the ones that make a book a success.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in July via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

A: This is one more avenue that’s available in the modern age. I don’t want to overlook anything – and it’s kind of neat that this sort of thing can reach all corners of the world.

Thank you for this interview, Steve. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

A: Thanks so much for talking to me. I hope your readers enjoy Plan B.

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