Interview with Victoria Simcox and Giveaway!

Victoria, welcome to Hardcover Feedback! A lot of people are on Twitter these days, so can you describe The Magic Warble for us in 140 characters or less (which is the size of a tweet)?

Dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals, and an evil queen – all these and more can be found in The Magic Warble, an enchanting tale of adventure and friendship.

When did you begin writing The Magic Warble? What inspired this book and how much research was involved in writing it?

I started writing The Magic Warble in 2001. I remember sitting in the theater watching the first Harry Potter movie, when I envisioned my main character Kristina walking down a snowy sidewalk. At the time that’s all of the story I had. I went home that night and wrote my first page not knowing where the story would go. Because my story is a children's fantasy that I invented, I didn't put much reserch into it. But I can say that I was inspired by other writers, like C.S Lewis and J.K Rowling.

What or who made the biggest influence on you wanting to become a writer?

C.S Lewis and J.K Rowling. There are more, but these two authors were great inspirations to me.

What was the first book you ever wrote about and was it ever published?

The Magic Warble was my first book, and yes it is published.

Do you have any writing habits that people might find unusual?

Maybe that I only sit for a few minutes at a time when writing. Then I go do other things that need to be done, and then come back to my writing. I do this all day long. I have to multi-task, or I would fall behind on all that needs to be done in my life as a wife and mom.

Do you have a favorite character or one that is especially close to your heart?

I love all my characters, but I especially like Kristina and Werrien, the main characters in my story.

What is the best gift you have ever received, do you still have it and who gave it to you? 

My family. My husband and three kids are the most precious gift, and yes I still have them and hope to for a long time.

What is something that you have always wanted to do, but just haven't gotten around to it yet?

Traveling to multiple countries in Europe, with my family. I have family in Austria and Germany, and have been there 6 times already, but I would love to see Italy, Greece, the British Isles and more.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you hope to find in your suitcase?

My Bible, a lot of dehydrated food packets, and a lighter.

What is your all-time favorite book?

The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, by C.S Lewis.

Other than yourself, who is your favorite author?

C.S Lewis and J.K Rowling.

If a TV show was based on your life, what type of TV show would it be (i.e., comedy, drama, suspense, etc.) who would you choose to play the leading character(you), and what would the theme song be? Why?

I must say comedy. The lead character would be me, and I think the show would be about my kids taking advantage of me—I do way too much for them. The theme song would be, Muddy Waters: You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Dead and Gone.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Write, workout, read, paint, gardening and hang with the family.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

Early bird. Everyone else in my family are night owls.

What is your favorite TV show and/or movie?

At different seasons I have different favorite TV shows. Right now my favorite is, The Big Bang Theory, and I love cooking shows of any kind. My favorite movie, I would say is, You've got Mail.

If you were throwing a dinner party and you could invite five people (fictional or real, dead or alive), other than family or friends, who would you invite and why?

C.S Lewis, and J.K Rowling, because they are my favorite authors. Jack Black, he seems like a fun guy to hang out with. Owen Wilson, same reason as Jack Black. Chef: Lidia Bastianich, from Lidia's Italy. She could cook dinner for all of us.

If you had the opportunity to go anywhere you wanted, at anytime in history, where would you go and why?

I would like to go back in time to my teenage years and go to the School of Hogwarts. I think it would be absolutely amazing.

What are you currently working on?

Book 3 in The Magic Warble Series.

Where can people connect with you online?

• The Magic Warble on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/77l7yj8
• My Website: www.themagicwarble.com
• My Blog: www.victoriasimcox.blogspot.com

Thank you so much Victoria for being on Hardcover Feedback!

And thank you for having me! :)

About The Magic Warble:
Twelve-year-old Kristina Kingsly feels like the most unpopular girl in her school. The kids all tease her, and she never seems to fit in. But when Kristina receives an unusual Christmas gift, she suddenly finds herself magically transported to the land of Bernovem, home of dwarfs, gnomes, fairies, talking animals and the evil Queen Sentiz.

In Bernovem, Kristina not only fits in, she's honored as ''the chosen one'', the only one who can release the land from Queen Sentiz's control. But it s not as simple as it seems. To save Bernovem, she must place the gift she was given, the famous ''Magic Warble,'' in its final resting place. And she must travel through the deep forest, climb a treacherous mountain, and risk capture by the queen s ''zelbocks'' before she reaches her destination. Guided by her new fairy friends, Clover and Looper and by Prince Werrien, a teenage boy, as well as an assortment of other characters, Kristina sets off on a perilous journey that not only tests her strength but her heart.

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up 
• Paperback: 276 pages 
• Publisher: Two Harbors Press (January 1, 2009) 
• Language: English 
• ISBN-10: 1935097172 
• ISBN-13: 978-1935097174 
• ASIN: B003Y8XUNY
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Available to purchase at Amazon: Kindle ($2.99) & Paperback ($16.95)

Author Bio:

Victoria was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, to an Austrian immigrant mother, and a Dutch immigrant father. She now lives in Western Washington with her husband, Russ and their three children, Toby, Kristina, and William. Her other family members are a Chihuahua, named Pipsy and two cats, named Frodo and Fritz. Besides being an author, Victoria is a home-schooling mother of twelve years and an elementary school art teacher of eleven years. In her spare time, Victoria enjoys managing her two older children's Celtic band. She also loves writing, reading, painting watercolors, hiking, good movies, and just simply hanging out with her family and friends.

Giveaway:

Enter to win a copy of The Magic Warble by Victoria Simcox - there will be four winners! One winner will receive a printed copy (US only) and three winners will receive an e-copy (Int.).

To enter, all you have to do is follow this blog in at least one way, follow Victoria in at least one way, complete the mandatory entry and then complete whichever extra entries you want in the Rafflecopter form below. If you are not familiar with how to use Rafflecopter HERE is a link to a how-to video. Giveaway ends June 1st at 11:59p.m. (e.s.t.). Good luck!

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