Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author E. Van Lowe to talk about Moondancers (11 February 2016, EViL E Books, 203 pages), a Young Adult Paranormal Romance, book one of The Beautiful Creatures of Beverly Hills series.
"Young love, paranormal creatures, and murder. What more could you want?" -Amazon Customer
"This book is action packed, served up with a light side of humor" -D. Browdy
"I started the book expecting another mermaid story, and was delightfully surprised to find that it wasn't." -Rebekah
"Moondancers is a twisted tale of true love and folklore" -Sapphyria, Saph's Book Blog
"I will never look at water the same again." -A. Branch
Author Q&A | Synopsis | Trailer | Teaser | About the Author | Tour Stops
A very warm welcom to E. Van Lowe; thank you for joining us on Bookschatter!
We love music; do you have a music playlist that you used in Moondancers, or which inspired you whilst you were writing it?
What was the inspiration for Moondancers?
How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?
The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Moondancers - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.
BTW, I think you did a great job on the cover; I can happily look at it all day!
Why should we read Moondancers and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?
It think this is the best answer we have ever had! I have only read Baad Dog by your alter-ego Sal Conte so far, and it is true - you are funny (just looking at your pictures makes me smile!) and it was a page turner.
Incidentally, I do remember the Cosby Show very well, as well as Knight Rider and Charles in Charge... although I used to watch them in Italy when they first aired in my childhood! I cannot believe you were part of those!
Can you tell us something quirky about Moondancers, its story and characters?
Who would you recommend Moondancers to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?
What is your writing process?
What is in store next?
And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?
I can certainly see that Godzilla does make a great assistant! I raise a glass of tequila to both of you, as I am rather partial to it ;-) (although I always sip it and never slam it!)
Thank you again for taking the time to be with us; I hope you have a great tour and look forward to reading Moondancers!
Moondancers
We love music; do you have a music playlist that you used in Moondancers, or which inspired you whilst you were writing it?
"I don’t have a playlist, but there is an old, romantic R&B tune that Josh and Lara dance to at the fake school dance near the end of the book. It’s called Always & Forever (by Heatwave), and the lyrics are heart-melting romantic. If you’re not into R&B, that’s okay. How can you not LOVE these lyrics."Great song! I have included here three videos of it: a record version, a live performance in the 1970s and one around 2000 - enjoy!
"Ever since I read Beautiful Creatures (Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl) I’ve been wanting to write a book from a male perspective. In the YA paranormal romance genre, the protagonists are almost always girls. It’s risky writing from a male pov, but heck, I’m a guy. And since I am now beginning my journey into self-publishing, and I don’t have to worry about pushback from my publisher, I decided to go for it.OK - I never knew either of those facts... I found a reference to the hot spring, but I cannot pinpoint the location of the "slums"... although I did find out about a 1998 film called Slums of Beverly Hills...
I liked the idea of setting the book in the community in which I live, Beverly Hills, because everyone associates BH with glamour. I wanted to show a different side of the community—the slums of Beverly Hills, which I thought might be interesting for readers. I did some research and discovered there is a little known hot spring that runs beneath Beverly Hills. Southern California is a desert, so the idea that there is water running beneath our feet that very few people know about sparked my imagination."
How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?
"There’s always a lot of me in the books I write. This book takes place in the community in which I live, and in the part of the community I live in, sometimes laughingly called “the slums of Beverly Hills.”
Soulmates are at the heart of this book. The idea of soulmates has haunted me much of my adult life. Both Josh and Lara’s fears about perusing the relationship are fears I’ve had to deal with."
The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Moondancers - why you chose that concept and who the artist is."I created the cover myself, and this is a first for me because I have no artistic ability. I saw some underwater photos of girls on Shutterstock and thought these could be the basis for covers for my series. Several of the characters in the book belong to a race of sea creatures. I thought, underwater shots for all the covers would perfect.I know the series of images you are referring to - very haunting. They are by Dmitry Laudin; I know this as recently another author, E.J. Mellow, used it for her book The Divide (Dreamland, #2).
I chose the current photo as the cover for the first book in the series, and did some tweaking of the colour to make it seem a bit more eerie or mystical. I am very pleased with how it came out. I hope readers like it, too. Thanks for asking."
BTW, I think you did a great job on the cover; I can happily look at it all day!
Why should we read Moondancers and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?
"My books are always different from what’s out there, and reviewers always point that out. Not surprisingly, you will hear this from several readers if you go to the Moondancers’ Amazon page. It’s just the way my imagination works.
One thing I know that sets me apart is my sense of humour. I was a comedy writer in Hollywood where I wrote TV sitcoms for over twenty years, so I am naturally funny. My books don’t have jokes, though. They have a subtle level of humour to them which is unusual for the genre I write in.
This series is also written from a male pov, which makes it quite unique in the genre.
And finally, my books are page turners. There is no beating around the bush with me. If you like a fast-paced, paranormal romantic read, you’re going to enjoy Moondancers. But don’t take my word for it. The early reviews are in on Amazon, and several reviewers are saying just that. See for yourself."
It think this is the best answer we have ever had! I have only read Baad Dog by your alter-ego Sal Conte so far, and it is true - you are funny (just looking at your pictures makes me smile!) and it was a page turner.Incidentally, I do remember the Cosby Show very well, as well as Knight Rider and Charles in Charge... although I used to watch them in Italy when they first aired in my childhood! I cannot believe you were part of those!
Can you tell us something quirky about Moondancers, its story and characters?
"I don’t know where the name Josh Butters came from. It just came to me one day, but while I was writing the first section of the book, I decided to have some fun with it. So the guys at school (as guys will do) have fun with his last name, calling him: Buttbreath, Buttstink etc. When I was in high school, my friends had fun with my last name. Van Lowe, calling me: Vanhigh, Vanho, Lowvan, Vanheusen.LOL Reminds me of an episode of the Big Bang Theory where Wolowitz is trying be nicknamed Rocket Man and instead ends up as Froot Loops!
When I was going through my gangster phase (courtesy of ) I told the guys to call me Alca-Van, you know, like Al Capone. Instead they called me Alcohol. True story."
Who would you recommend Moondancers to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?
"The book is about teens, so it’s a young adult, although like many YA novels, I’m sure adults will enjoy it.If you could / wished to turn Moondancers and the The Beautiful Creatures of Beverly Hills series into a movie, who would be your dream team?
Readers who enjoy paranormal romance will enjoy the book. It’s not a sexy book, but it’s very romantic. It’s also a bit of a thriller.
The only warning I might have is that one of the guys curses, so there’s a bit of profanity in the book."
"My other job is writing and producing TV shows, so I never indulge in this exercise with my books. I’m always interested in what people have to say, though. Others are way better at this than I am."What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?
"I really enjoy writing YA paranormal with some romance, but I also like to write horror. I write horror under the pseudonym Sal Conte. One thing I’ve noticed lately is that most of my protagonists (even in my horror) are young. Interesting."
"I am a full time writer, so my day is devoted to writing, editing, marketing and taking meetings in Hollywood. Sad to say, I don’t really have a process. I’d probably get a lot more accomplished if I did. I am also a great procrastinator, but I know what I have to do when I get up in the morning, and I do my best to get it done."
What is in store next?"Moondancers is part of a series, The Beautiful Creatures of Beverly Hills. Next in store is book two, which comes out on May 17th. I am working my butt off to make sure that happens.We wish you all the best with all of those projects, and look forward to the second instalment in this series!
I also have another series Hollyweird. The first book in that series will be published by my former publisher (White Whisker Books). That book is in editorial right now and will probably come out in the fall or later. We haven’t agreed on a title yet.
And I am writing a TV pilot with another TV writer. But pilots come and go, so I can’t say it will ever wind up on TV. If it does, I will let you know."
And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?
"Okay, so now you have evoked the silly side of me.Au contraire! That's excellent and just what I was hoping for ;-) And you betcha I am going to post ALL of them :-)
Yes, I have a pet, but he’s not real. His name is Godzilla. He’s an action figure from the 2014 movie. He sits in my office and mocks me all day. Right now he’s telling me I need a shave.
He also travels with me. Here are some photos. *(I know you won’t use all of these, but you asked, and you know how people get when you mention their pets or their babies) lol"
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| Me & Godzilla | Godzilla and his favourite drink |
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| Godzilla checking his flight | Godzilla on the plane to New York |
Thank you again for taking the time to be with us; I hope you have a great tour and look forward to reading Moondancers!
Moondancers
Only .99!
Absolutely wonderful interview! I am going to get these books, and put the current ones on hold!
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