Kevin Emerson Author Interview ~ JeanBookNerd

Photo Content from Kevin Emerson

Author of the EXILE series, THE ATLANTEANS series, THE FELLOWSHIP FOR ALIEN DETECTION, the OLIVER NOCTURNE series and CARLOS IS GONNA GET IT. Musician in THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. Former K-8 science teacher, currently teaching with Richard Hugo House and Writers in the Schools. Originally from Cheshire, CT, now living in Seattle, by way of Boston.

Age Range: 8 - 12 years
Grade Level: 3 - 7
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Walden Pond Press; Reprint edition (February 4, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062071866
ISBN-13: 978-0062071866

FROM THE BACK COVER
Haley and Dodger don't have much in common. Haley lives in Greenhaven, Connecticut; Dodger lives in Port Salmon, Washington. Haley has a family who loves and supports her; Dodger can't seem to ever get his dad's approval. Haley is well adjusted and passionate; Dodger hears strange voices in his head. But they both want something: a new map, a path away from home—or, perhaps, a path toward it.

Of course, this was all before they heard about the missing people, the untraceable radio signals, the unexplained phenomena. Before they both became the first recipients of a summer research grant from a certain mysterious foundation. Before they discovered that their fledgling theories about extraterrestrial life were all too accurate.

Now Haley and Dodger are the only ones who can figure out what is happening in towns across America, who can give voice to the people whispering "alien abduction." At the very least, they're both going to have the most eventful summer vacations of anyone they know.

Why is storytelling so important for all of us?
Storytelling is how we find meaning in the world. Also, if it weren’t for stories, I wouldn’t be able to use the Force to get the salt during dinner (it doesn’t work, but it’s fun to try).

When did you write your first book and how old were you?
Either when I was nine, and I wrote my own Indiana Jones sequel (narrated by Short Round), or in 7th grade when I wrote a spy story (100 pages!) called Edge of the Blade. The first book I wrote for young readers I began on New Year’s Day 2000, when I was 25. I wrote it on Saturdays and had a near miss with getting it published, before that novel went in a drawer. Six years later, my third attempt at a book sold to Arthur A. Levine Books. By then, I was 31.

What was the greatest thing you learned at school?
How to play flamadiddles on the snare drum, the scientific name of a wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou), how to gesso a canvas, and that girls like athletes, but what they really like is a good listener.

How would you describe yourself in three words?
Can I have four?

In your new book; The Fellowship for Alien Detection, can you tell my Book Nerd Kids Community a little about it and why they should read your novel?
It’s a crazy road trip story with aliens, secret agents, missing time, a lost radio station, Elvis, and a fake horse. So, obviously you have to read it. Also because it asks a big question: how far would you go to find the place on the map that’s really yours? What if you had to go all the way to the stars? It’s a book that took me seven years to write, but in the end I really got it right. So says me.

For those who are unfamiliar with Haley, how would you introduce her?
World, this is Haley, and she’d like you to know that what she is doing this summer is not dumb, in fact, it may be bigger than the Milky Way galaxy. She’s nice but she’s in a rush, see, she’s on-the-clock, and she’s going to figure out this mystery and she’s not going to let you or her parents or those snickering classmates stop her. Aliens, on the other hand… that might be a different story.

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your readers. What would it be?
The only thing that’s truly unique is you. Put yourself in your writing, your music, your art.

What's the most memorable summer job you've ever had?
As a maintenance worker at a country club, where I rolled tennis courts, filled the soda machines, mowed the lawns, and ate more bacon-and-cheese hot dogs than anyone ever should.

What scares you the most and why?
People who think they know everything about anything.

What is your greatest adventure?
Staying alert to the magical details of the world around me and inside.

When was the last time you told someone you loved them?
About five minutes ago when I sang my kids goodnight songs.

Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?
Kim Baker, author of Pickle.

When was the last time you cried?
Last week when I watched the finale of 30 Rock. Also every time I watch How to Train Your Dragon.

Two kids from opposite sides of the country find themselves on a road trip to save the world from an impending alien attack - and bolster their middle-school transcripts in the process.

First came the missing people, missing time events, and untraceable radio signals. Then came Juliette, Arizona, a town that simply disappeared from existence. Suffice it to say, something strange is going on. Enter Haley and Dodger, two kids from opposite sides of the country who both think they can prove that these unexplained phenomena have a very real cause: aliens, and they are about to discover that their fledgling theories about extraterrestrial life are one-hundred-percent accurate.

Having each been awarded a Fellowship for Alien Detection (a grant from a mysterious foundation dedicated to proving aliens have visited earth), Haley and Dodger and their families each set off on a cross-country road trip over summer vacation to figure out what is happening in towns across America. They soon realize that the answers to many of their questions lie in the vanished town of Juliette, AZ, but someone, or something, is doing everything in its power to ensure they never reach it. If Haley and Dodger don't act quickly, more people may go missing, and the world as we know it may change for the worse.

Kevin Emerson’s The Fellowship for Alien Detection is a fun-filled adventure about two kids on a quest to prove that aliens exist and save the world from an imminent alien attack. The disappearance of people, lost times, and bizarre phenomena in the town of Juliette, Arizona, which happens to also disappear, triggers interests for Haley and Dodger. Haley wants to be a newspaper reporter and when she is given a grant, The Fellowship for the Alien Detection, from the Gavin Kellar foundation to investigate the happenings in Juliette, she jumps at the chance. Dodger is afflicted by visions of the town is the other winner of the grant. They believe that it is the work of aliens. Living in opposite sides of the country, their trips to Juliette seem to be obstructed by an unknown entity that is determined for the two kids to never reach it. A race against time ensues to prevent more people from going missing.

Readers will enjoy this breath-of-fresh-air science fiction as it draws away from the massive dosage of the dystopian assortment. The story is presented in three separate sections which I thought gave the story depth and quality. Starting with Haley’s journal and Dodger’s journey, it was like coming to the end of that 1,000 piece mini-sized puzzle when the two kids work together to tighten up the loose ends. In between, there are plenty of action and adventure that will keep readers’ interest at the highest level. The setting creates the perfect backdrop for this science fiction fun. Author Kevin’s writing style is a stunning display of wonder and amazement. He strategically builds suspense and creates remarkable action scenes. As each page is turned, the book gets harder to put down as the story grabs the reader and leads them to an unforgettable adventure.

You can purchase The Fellowship for Alien Detection at the following Retailers: