Guest Author and Give away: J.E. Medrick

Dear Readers,

Like many children in this unfortunate situation, I was raised in a single-parent home.  My mom had to work all the time to support us, and we definitely weren't part of the elite class.  At three years old, sadly, there was no time for us to bond with my favorite activity - having stories (from books!) read to me.  Being a curious and enterprising child, I told my mom, "If you can't read to me, teach me to read!"

She was kind, and thorough, teaching me my letters at that tender age.  I remember my first book, a Dick and Jane compendium.  It was a used copy, one my mother had hoarded away for just such an occasion.  I spent those hot summer afternoons sprawled on our tattered couch, poring over the letters that formed into words, and sentences... then finally, whole stories.  The wind, smelling of asphalt and grass, mingled with the hum of the fan.  My mom's bitter calico cat slunk around, glaring at me whenever I happened to glance her way.  Our radiator, of the hot water kind, sat indifferently under the window, miraculously still hot from the sun.

There were many words I didn't know, and I finally exasperated my mother with my relentless questions.  She handed me a dictionary and said, "Look it up!  If you really don't understand, ask me then!"  An unorthodox process, to be sure, but for a kid who loved challenges - the perfect method.  (As a note, the dictionary is considerably harder to understand than Dick and Jane...)

I tore through that first book, reading and re-reading.  Then came a second Dick and Jane book, and finally a third - a new copy!  I was ecstatic to have something so precious in my hands... and I read it faster than the blink of an eye.  Then came the problem - what to read next?

I have always loved reading - I even read things I didn't care for.  I devoured the Babysitter's Club series, along with all the Goosebumps of my time.  (Thank you, R. L. Stine, I still hate ventriloquist dummies...)  To this day, I read any written word in front of my eyes - signs, labels, ingredients, nutrition facts, blogs... because I absolutely adore reading, and the written word.

In kindergarten I read at a 1st grade level and in 1st grade at a 5th grade level.  I became obsessed with a book of "kid's poetry" named A Light in the Attic.  At 4, I pulled out my Garfield letters book (ostensibly for practicing letters) and wrote my first (terrible) poem named "Jeremy Rat".  It was a bold-faced mimicry of a poem I read in A Light in the Attic and my first attempt at my own work.

I'm 26 now, and I've read, I'm sure, more than would be expected of someone my age.  I hope I've impressed that I've always loved the written word.  After a shaky start in middle school, I've finally brought myself to bear and decided to seriously pursue writing.  In February I released my first novel on Amazon, B&N and Smashwords.  It is titled "Shackled".  It was a blast to write, but honestly, it's my Adult Novel.  I wanted to write at least one before pursuing my current project - an episodic YA adventure series.  Reading is fundamental for people of all ages, and the younger we can start kids, the better.  So, why not give them something interesting to read!

YA episodic adventure, how does that work?  (I can hear you asking.)  I'm writing a series of novellas, telling about the various characters involved in the overarching "situation".  The short of it is: a man deeply in debt agrees to do the dirty work of a genetic research company and (secretly, as he works as a neonatal attendant) injects newborns with an experimental compound that dramatically alters the structure of their DNA.  The result is, how shall we say, quite Super...

I hope you'll check it out!  Season 1, Episode 1 is titled "Cheat" and is digitally available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords!  Only 99 cents!  Look for the below cover, and - as always - thanks for reading!

With fond regards,

J. E. Medrick

GIVE AWAY GIVE AWAY GIVE AWAY

The author is giving away 3 e-book copies of CHEAT for international bloggers! 

All you have to do is follow me, leave a comment with your name and email or if you don't want to leave your email, just comment and send me your email here : kaori.books@gmail.com with the subject "JE Medrick give away". This give away will end on April 11 and the winner will be announced on April 12.

Goodluck!!