Today, we continue exploring more YA authors coming to Wordstock Festival in Portland, OR October 9-10th. Today, we’ve got Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew Jacobson, authors of The Familiars!
After three young wizard apprentices are kidnapped by the evil queen of a distant land, it is up to their familiars, their magical animal companions — a street smart alley cat, a precocious blue jay, and a bumbling tree frog — to save them.
And here’s a quick Q&A we did with Adam & Andrew about coming to Wordstock:
What are you most looking forward to at Wordstock?
We would say the fans, but right now we don’t really have any (seeing as how the book hasn’t been released yet!). But hopefully by October a few Oregonians will be lining up to have their books signed. We’re also very much looking forward to meeting the other authors that will be attending. We’re not only authors but fans, too! And Adam is also on discovering some local slow food restaurants. Any good recommendations?
Yes! Mama Mia Trattoria in Downtown Portland and Tad’s Chicken & Dumplings (known to locals as “Tad’s Chic Dump” or “The Chic Dump”) in the Troutdale ~ Sara
Besides talking about The Familiars, you’ll also be part of an author panel about selling the movie rights to your book. Can you give us a preview about what you’ll discuss?
The Overnight Illusion – although we’ve had fast success in the book world, we spent over 10 years dealing with the ups and downs of screenwriting in Hollywood.
Describing the Chandelier – in writing screenplays, it’s all about economy. You could never describe the chandelier in a scene. In writing books, it’s all chandelier. You have to describe everything!
Not Another Middle Grade Book – we had our first writing success with the screenplay for the 2001 movie, “Not Another Teen Movie,” a spoof of teen movies. This put us in the box of being spoof writers. Now, nearly 10 years later, we’ve reinvented ourselves as middle grade authors. The moral: as writers, you always have the power to reinvent yourselves!
And of course, the story of selling the movie rights, and what we’ve learned in the process.
What’s the best part about participating in a book festival like Wordstock?
Well, this will be our first book festival, so we’re not sure yet! But we love visiting new cities like Portland and not only meeting fans, but other authors.
Plus, check out The Familiars book trailer below:
Novel Novice 
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