Andy Smithson
Blast of the Dragon’s Fury
Ten-year-old Andy Smithson lands with a thud on a cold, hard floor. He hears the sounds of breaking glass, things falling and something fizzing. It’s pitch dark. Strange smells erupt around him. So begin Andy’s adventures in the Land of Oomaldee.
From the After Life, dead King Hercalon IV is tired of waiting. Put nicely, his daughter, Imogenia, is being difficult. She cast a curse on her brother, Kaysan, for murdering her. After 500 years, she’s still ticked at him and is refusing to lift it. The King thrusts Andy, through no fault of his own, into this “sticky” situation to resolve the impasse.
Family issues? That’s not the half of it. Andy has a few issues of his own to deal with, like that tiny problem of him single-handedly flooding the castle, nearly destroying it. But wait, there’s more… After barely surviving quicksand, giants, capture and vicious vulture attacks, Andy fails to retrieve a red dragon scale, an ingredient critical in breaking the curse. Now, he faces the biggest challenge of his life, defeating the evil King Abaddon, monarch of Oomaldee’s northern neighbor. Will he survive a battle with this ferocious, seven-headed-fire-breathing dragon? Will the curse ever be broken? Will he ever return to his normal life?
Publication Date:
April 2013
List Price: $11.99
ISBN: 978-1482312645
Specs: Paperback, 245 pp.
Wholesale Orders:
Ingram, Baker & Taylor
Retail Orders:
Praise for L. R. W. Lee
“Her humor is visible and the book has many clever touches in this multi-layered story. L. R. W. Lee is a strong and determined writer with a well-thought-through plot and vivid characters and situations.”
— Barbara Bamberger Scott, Editor
A Woman’s Write
About the Author
Since the age of eight, L. R. W. Lee wanted to write a book that not only entertained, but also impacted people, changing lives. She began her creative journey by placing 3rd in a writing contest in middle school, and winning an essay contest in high school. After a career in public and corporate accounting, she became a mom and accomplished business owner. After 12 years of growing her business, she successfully sold it in early 2012. Now L. R. W. Lee has turned her creative energy and talent to writing her debut novel, Andy Smithson: Blast of the Dragon’s Fury (Book One).
Contact:
Twitter: @lrwlee
Joining
us today is L. R. W. Lee, author of Andy Smithson: Blast of the
Dragon’s Fury (Book One). This is a children’s book geared toward
ages 9-10.
Can
you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself?I
was born in Upstate New York. My
family didn’t have a lot of money so my older brother and I were
encouraged to use our imaginations to entertain ourselves. And use
them we did – climbing trees and creating tree forts, using a quilt
for a matchbox car city, making puppets and putting on shows, and
much more.
I went
to college and got a degree in Accounting. However, most folks frown
on “creative accounting”, so I put my imagination on hold. My
business interests eventually led me to founded and grow a successful
company which, with my partner, I sold in January 2012, leaving me
time to imagine and write for the first time.
I live
in scenic Austin, TX with my husband, my daughter who is a Longhorn
at UT Austin and my son who is in high school. The Sound of Music is
my favorite musical. I hate scary movies. But, I love piano and
strings music, sunsets in Hawaii and a good cup of decaf, French
press coffee (yes, decaf!). I also love Ansel Adams prints, as well
as all manner of kinetic art.
When
did you first get published?This
is my first published work.
Do
you feel you were bit by the writing bug?I
don’t know that writing was a sudden urge. I remember as far back
as 8 years old wanting to write a book. At the time though, I felt
that I did not have anything meaningful to say, but hoped I would one
day.
Why
did you decide to write for children?I’m
a kid at heart. I love the innocence of childhood and the trust that
kids give to willingly accept a world I have invented and just go
with it.
Do
you believe it is harder to write books for a younger audience vs. a
teen or adult reader?I
don’t know. I approach writing for middle grade with respect,
knowing this age is very flexible and willing to absorb what I
invent. I think this grade can be talked down to when this age kid
can get some very advanced subjects if you lay it out in a logical
manner for them. When I write, I assume my readers can get what I’m
saying.
What
is your favorite part of writing for young people?My
favorite part is inventing worlds out of nothing more than words. To
me, words are magic! Everyone’s reality is just words. To be
allowed to construct a world or people or a scene out of nothing but
words and have readers trust me with that, is a privilege. The
greatest challenge to writing to this group is communicating the
messages I am passionate about in a way that readers can get for
themselves without preaching. At times, this is a big struggle for
me. I know what significant change happened for me, personally, that
fuels my passion for writing – I just want to tell people about it!
However, in the context of a book, I can’t. This adds a lot of
challenge for me. The character of the inneru came out of this
conflict, so much good can result!
Can
you tell us what your latest book is all about?Ten-year-old
Andy Smithson is magically brought to the Land of Oomaldee while he
is doing dishes one night. Unbeknowst to him, he is there to break a
500 year old curse. Andy learns that his quest is the Dragon’s
Lair to find an ingredient critical to breaking the curse - the scale
from an elusive red dragon, the fiercest of all dragon species. Andy
nearly destroys the castle amidst adventures battling fire-breathing
dragons, fighting vicious vulture attacks, escaping people-eating
giants and more. I had a lot of fun interjecting humor throughout
the book in the form of fart jokes that appeal to middle graders, but
also more advanced word play for adult readers. One example, when
Andy is faced with crossing a raging river, he speaks of overcoming
the “current” problem. I love doing word plays like this.
You’ll find these throughout the book, particularly in the
prologue.
There are many teachable moments sprinkled throughout
the book. I’d say overcoming frustration, fear and impatience are
important messages in this book as well as commitment and dedication
to a cause because of those you love.
I am
passionate about helping others embody new ways of approaching these
and similar situations. As a result, I have included on my website
discussion questions for parents to work through with their kids.
What
inspired you to write it?I
founded and grew a business for 12 years beginning in 2000 and
successfully sold it in January 2012. In 2005, I chose to bring on a
partner/mentor to continue to grow it. He taught me not only
business narratives, but also shared his personal philosophies. He
is Korean and therefore has many philosophies that you might call
Eastern-based that are refreshingly different from Western-based
philosophies I was raised with. Many of these, including overcoming
frustration, impatience and fear among others, significantly changed
how I think and act. It is these life principles that I seek to
share through my books. I hope to help others better enjoy their
journey through life. I am passionate about helping others embody
new ways of approaching these and similar situations. As a result, I
have included on my website discussion questions for parents to work
through with their kids.
Where
can readers purchase a copy?Both
the eBook as well as the paperback are available at Amazon.com or you
can get the paperback and other gear, like T-shirts, at my website at
www.lrwlee.com.
While you’re there, be sure to check out the Read, Review, Refer
reward program where you can get a free copy of the next book.
What
is up next for you?I’ve
started the second book in the series, Andy Smithson: Venom of the
Serpent’s Cunning that I hope to have out winter 2013.
Do
you have anything else to add?Just
that authors love to hear what you think of their work. It’s a
vulnerable business inventing something and then putting it out there
for the world to critique. Please tell me what you think by posting
a review at Amazon.com, even if you don’t buy the book there.
Thank
you for spending time with us today, L. R. W. Lee. We wish you much
success.
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