Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island

Today I have C.K. Volnek here to talk about her new book, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island. It's a wonderful middle grade book about the 117 colonists that vanished from Roanoke Island.

C.K.: Hi Vicki. Thanks for allowing me to visit your blog today.

Vicki: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

C.K.: I live in small-town USA in the upper plains state of Nebraska. I’m married and we have three children and four Papillon fur-kids. A graphic artist and meeting planner by day, I keep myself busy writing and blogging by night. I’m proud to present my debut novel, Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island, available now!

I have always loved telling stories. I remember sitting at the campfire when I was young and my cousins would all turn to me to spin the next scary tale that would keep them up all night. I couldn’t help but oblige.:-) I also loved to read and after reading Black Beauty, I decided I wanted to be the next Anna Sewell.

I grew up and got married, ready to tackle the published world, but the demands of family and paying the bills forced me to limit my writing to articles and short stories. (I do have one ‘Chicken Soup’ story, JUST ANOTHER DAY, still making the rounds on the internet, though.)

As my children grew and developed into teenagers, I began to think about my novels once again, but finding the time to write on our ‘one’ home computer was another challenge. That is until my children and husband surprised me with my very own lap-top so I wouldn’t have to share anymore. But even greater than their gift of the laptop, was their gift of encouragement and faith in my writing ability. It has carried me through many a rejection and given me the hope to make it to my debut novel.

Vicki: What inspired you to write this story?

C.K.: GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND was actually inspired after reading a news article about the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island. In 1587, 117 colonists disappeared from Roanoke Island. Disappeared without a trace. To be honest, I don’t remember studying the Lost Colony in school so this mystery truly intrigued me. I was fascinated and couldn’t help but wonder what happened to these colonists. How could they have just vanished?

After researching the entire mystery surrounding the Lost Colony, I was appalled by the actions of Sir Richard Grenville and Ralph Lane. They destroyed an entire Native American village simply because Grenville thought one of the Native Americans stole a silver cup from his ship. This action triggered my muse to create a story of my own…a story evoking the value of acceptance and tolerance and the power of forgiveness.

What really happened to the Lost Colony? You’ll have to read GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND to find out. ;-)

Vicki: Can you tell us about the story's evolution and publishing history?

C.K.: Writing GHOST DOG OF ROANOKE ISLAND came fairly quickly, though it took another year to edit and make its way through my two on-line critique groups. I sent it to a few agents and publishers, and though a few expressed some interest in the story, I didn’t receive any requests. That is until a friend informed me MuseItUp Publishing had started accepted tween stories. I decided to query Lea Schizas. I’d come to know Lea through her MuseItUp conferences and respected her immensely. Within two weeks of submitting the manuscript to her, I had my first book contract.

Vicki: What can readers expect from you in the future?

C.K.: I have two additional MG books coming out from MuseItUp. A HORSE CALLED TROUBLE is a horse story (of course) for tween girls and comes out in December, 2011. A trouble teen must overcome her abusive past to save the defiant horse that taught her to love and trust again.

 THE SECRET OF THE STONES is the first of a series called THE LOST DIARIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND and will make its debut in April of 2012. THE STONES is a much lighter story and is a Harry Potter meets Merlin the Magician kind of story. A Merlin-loving tween is thrust into magic mayhem when the gift he’s been entrusted to protect turns out to be the enchanted object detailed in a mysterious prophecy.

Vicki: Where can readers find you?

My readers can contact me at ckvolnek (at) yahoo (dot) com.

They can join me on my web page: www.ckvolnek.com, or visit me at my blog: www.ckvolnek.com/blog.html. 

They can also find me on Facebook (C.K. Volnek) or Twitter (@CKVolnek), Good Reads and Jacket Flap. 

My book trailer is on youtube: Here

 

My books are available at the MuseItUp Book Store as well as Amazon, and many other fine book locations on-line.

Thanks again, Vicki, for allowing me to join you today!

C.K. Volnek

Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island

In 1587, 117 colonists disappeared from Roanoke Island, NC, leaving behind not only unanswered questions, but a terrifying evil.

Now, it's up to twelve year-old Jack Dahlgren to unravel the age-old mystery and save his family from the hateful beast haunting his home.

With the help of newfound friend, Manny, a Native American shaman, and an elusive Giant Mastiff, Jack must piece together the clues to the disappearance of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island to uncover what really happened. Shrouded in ancient Native American folklore, it's up to Jack to discover what the evil is and why it haunts his island in a horrifying campaign of revenge. But can Jack stop the beast...before it destroys him?