Pump Up Your Book Chats with Fumi Hancock

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ABOUT FUMI HANCOCK

Ah, yes…. A Grateful Heart for all the awesome people that’s crossed my path, an Author of Inspirational Books and Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Young Adult Novels… an avid Book Lover who resides in Spring Hill, Tennessee!

Oh, I said it- absolutely crazy about these authors: Stephenie Meyer, Amanda Hocking, Samantha Young…and a Self Proclaimed Writer of the Year (Ok, perhaps a stretch but I’m on my way!).

Alright so I’m not in my twenties… probably starting my writing career just a tad-bit late… but I’m determined to be a success story too! I heard 40’s s the next twenties in this century… If they are right, then I just peaked! Hooray for me. My friends range from ages 14 – You know… let your imagination run wide…. Ha!

Some call me an Humanitarian and a Life Changer for Children in Africa (http://www.adassafoundation.org)…. Host of “From Scratch TV,” an Online Inspirational TV Programming (http://www.fromscratchtv.com), Mother of 2 Terrific Sons and Daughters, and an Adventure Seeking Adult with an unquenchable love for Young Adult Novels.

To find out more, please visit http://www.worldoffumihancock.com

Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

My adventures to and fro the outskirts of Africa inspired me to name my first Young Adult Fantasy Novel, The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest: http://www.amazon.com/Fumi-Hancock/e/B009BHBI6S

I wanted my readers to go on a journey to a unique setting alongside my protagonist, Jewel Cardwell. I wanted this novel to be seen as an adventure where my readers not only see themselves in some of the characters they meet in this unique setting; but are also softly educated about other parts the continent. One of my readers once wrote me to tell me and also reviewed the book just few days ago on goodreads. It tickled me when she said she literally found herself on the streets of South Africa, walking alongside Jewel Cardwell and experiencing what she was experiencing. According to her, my description in the fiction fascinated her well enough. With responses like this, I consider my work done.

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

It is a coming of age story of a young girl from a blended family, tossed in an unfamiliar setting. It shows resiliency, determination and hope even when all looks deem. It tells us regardless of our age our resourceful and determined we are capable of, if we set our minds on whatever we want to accomplish. Above all, it reminds us that we are able to overcome circumstances; we just need to keep putting on feet after the other. Our “promise land” is closer than we think.

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

This question always cracks me up whenever I’m being asked. Let me share a story my parents shared with me over 14 years ago. I must have been around 2 years old when this incident happened. Mother always told me that at two while most kids were getting into various things, I had one … it was to write on any paper available at my disposal. My mum told me that it didn’t matter what type of paper it was, I would scribble things on it. At first, it was cute but when I started writing on important documents, they soon did not find it funny. At one point, for almost two weeks, my parents would put me in a room with old newspapers, gave me a marker and told me to go at it until I was tired. They felt that would help me to calm down a little where writing was concerned. They were wrong! If you asked my parents, they would tell when at the age of 2 was when I started writing something! As for me, I can recall back as far as 6 or 7 years old when I started writing poetry.

Q: Besides books, what else do you write? Do you write for publications?

Yes. I am a Mental Health Registered Nurse and currently completing my second doctorate in Nurse Practitioner. I currently write for an Immigrant Newspaper, The New American Times. My column talks about Mental Illness and how to watch out for them. This month, I delivered in the second in the series: Eating Disorder Rising Amongst Adolescents ion America. I am very passionate about that.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I love waking up very early in the morning. I stay in bed and write. This works for me, than going into my office.

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

I officially announced the Adventure of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest on my blog: www.fumihancock.blogspot.com as well as my facebook: www.facebook.com/fumihancockgrimmlyn. This was followed up with signing up for a virtual tour with Pump Up Your Books: http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/2012/10/10/pump-up-your-book-presents-the-adventures-of-jewel-cardwell-hydras-nest-virtual-book-publicity-tour/

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

Oh yes. With the way the world is right now, not sure if anyone can avoid them. Here are my social networks:
Facebook Like Page: www.facebook.com/fumihancockgrimmlyn
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/worldoffumihancock
Twitter: www.twitter.com/fumihancock

Q: What is the most rewarding?

The most rewarding thing about writing is the fact that as an author, you are able to display your characters with fluency. That is, you are able to engage in what people will call day dream and even get others to day dream alongside you too. Life is serious as is and when you read a great book, it either elicits the following: inform you, inspire you, entertain you and provide an avenue to release tension. More importantly, knowing that someone is laughing or changed because of the book, really gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Just 3 days ago, one of my readers posted a recommendation on Amazon:
“I bought this book as a present for my daughter because everyone in her class at school has read it. After my daughter finished reading she was talking about this book for probably 2 weeks and finally convinced me to read it too.
Jewel Cardwell is very courageous and smart girl which faces such challenges that most adults would find difficult to solve. The action in the book is developing very quickly and I was never bored. In fact my wife had to postpone our family dinner for 2 hours to let me finish reading it:)”

This reader went as far as comparing it with a best seller: the Hunger Games series. This made me proud.

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

To eradicate hunger for the African children currently sponsor. It is my hope that The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell is truly supported and becomes a commercial success. This will further my cause to help in impoverished places like Africa.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

Wow! Africa…. Any part of Africa suites me just fine. My return to Africa several years ago has really changed my life for the better. Because of all of the wonderful people I have met along the way, my life has been completely impacted and my mission taken a different but better cause.

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

First, I would thank God Almighty who has given me the talent to write. I would thank my husband and children for their complete support in particular helping me with my revisions, I would thank my extended family for constantly nudging me on to write; my publisher, editors who stayed on my back to complete my book and of course Pump Up Your Books for helping to spread the word on The Adventures of Jewel Cardwell: Hydra’s Nest. Then, I will hope to God I didn’t forget anyone.

Q: Thank you so much for this interview. Do you have any final words?

Thank you so much for having me here today. It was fun.

ABOUT THE ADVENTURES OF JEWEL CARDWELL: HYDRA’S NEST

Free-spirited and more than a little rebellious, seventeen-year-old Jewel Cardwell isn’t too thrilled when she gains admission to Grayton Preparatory School, a prestigious, girls-only, top-notch private institution nestled in the South African farmlands of Limpopo. Unfortunately, it’s a move that will change her life forever. Almost from the moment she arrives, a string of misfortunes and strange occurrences begin trailing her. The comforts of home have been swept away, and she is plunged into a world where she has to fend for herself. But that pales in comparison to what happens on the nights when there’s a full moon. Dark forces swirl during those nights and turn up in the form of hideous monsters and frightening demons. Though Jewel has always been drawn to the darker side of life, this is more than she bargained for. She’s also caught between two boys: Darwin Morton, a lad she’s known growing up, and Eric Broder, a soccer team leader with a silver spoon in his mouth. Why her love life has to get interesting now is a question she can’t answer! The key to it all may be in her grandmother’s locket, which Jewel always wears. Will Jewel be able to solve the mystery before evil is unleashed against those she loves?

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach