Meet Star Donovan, Author of Gappy and the Young Vampire Adventures
What inspired you to become a children's author?
I’ve always wanted to be a children’s author ever since I was 16 and wrote my first book. In South Africa where I grew up, my school gave seniors two weeks off of school to study for their final exams. I spent those two weeks writing a story for my sister, who wasn’t well. It grew and grew, and by the end of the two weeks, I hadn’t done much studying, but my story was well on its way to becoming a full-sized book. I think my love of reading and continuing love for children’s books, inspired me to become a children’s author. I learned how to read when I was four years old and never stopped. I still have my favorite children’s series and read them about once a year. For me they still represent that cozy safeness I felt while reading them as a child. I want to impart that warm fuzzy feeling to other children through my books and hopefully foster a love of reading and writing in them also.
How did you come up with the idea for Gappy and the Young Vampire Adventures?
When I was 11 years old, I was given an essay to write for homework. I always found it difficult coming up with topics to write about. My mother got sick of me hanging around the house and moaning about my writer’s block, so she suggested I write about a young vampire called Gappy the Unhappy who was sad that his fangs weren't growing. I did write the essay, but it turned into a story about Gappy being a normal boy until his parents suddenly informed him one day that he was turning into a vampire. The story stayed in my head until I was an adult, and then I used to tell bedtime stories to my own children about Gappy the little vampire. When I eventually got around to writing a book, my children suggested I write about Gappy. So I did.
How many books are available in the Gappy and the Young Vampire Adventures series so far?
There are six books in the series so far: A Surprise for Gappy, Gappy Disappears, Gappy is Kidnapped, Gappy and the Thieves, Gappy’s Great Escape, and Gappy and the Witch’s Curse.
What do you think children will enjoy most about your books?
Apart from being a vampire, the main character, Gappy, is perfectly normal in every way. He struggles with his secret new identity as a vampire, is a little shy, and is bullied at school. But he is a good, loyal friend, and when he sees others in need, he risks reprimand from the Vampire Council to use his powers in public to help them. Children have told me, and their teachers have also informed me, that kids can relate to Gappy because he is just like them. They enjoy reading about how he solves problems and becomes a better person for it. And, of course, they also enjoy the exciting adventures he falls into and reading about how he masters his emerging magical powers.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Since most publishers don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, find an agent to negotiate with publishers for you. Look for books that are similar to yours and find out who their agents are. They are usually mentioned in the acknowledgments. Then get a book from the library on how to write your cover letter and book proposal. First impressions are very important. As agents are bombarded with submissions every day, you need to hook the agent’s attention in the first few lines of your letter.
Are you currently working on other books?
Yes, I am working on book seven, which is actually book one of The Teen Vampire Adventures about Gappy as a teenager. His adventures will get more dangerous, and there might also be a little romance in there too!
You can find out more about Star Donovan and Gappy and the Young Vampire Adventures by visiting www.gappy.tv.
I’ve always wanted to be a children’s author ever since I was 16 and wrote my first book. In South Africa where I grew up, my school gave seniors two weeks off of school to study for their final exams. I spent those two weeks writing a story for my sister, who wasn’t well. It grew and grew, and by the end of the two weeks, I hadn’t done much studying, but my story was well on its way to becoming a full-sized book. I think my love of reading and continuing love for children’s books, inspired me to become a children’s author. I learned how to read when I was four years old and never stopped. I still have my favorite children’s series and read them about once a year. For me they still represent that cozy safeness I felt while reading them as a child. I want to impart that warm fuzzy feeling to other children through my books and hopefully foster a love of reading and writing in them also.
How did you come up with the idea for Gappy and the Young Vampire Adventures?
When I was 11 years old, I was given an essay to write for homework. I always found it difficult coming up with topics to write about. My mother got sick of me hanging around the house and moaning about my writer’s block, so she suggested I write about a young vampire called Gappy the Unhappy who was sad that his fangs weren't growing. I did write the essay, but it turned into a story about Gappy being a normal boy until his parents suddenly informed him one day that he was turning into a vampire. The story stayed in my head until I was an adult, and then I used to tell bedtime stories to my own children about Gappy the little vampire. When I eventually got around to writing a book, my children suggested I write about Gappy. So I did.
How many books are available in the Gappy and the Young Vampire Adventures series so far?
There are six books in the series so far: A Surprise for Gappy, Gappy Disappears, Gappy is Kidnapped, Gappy and the Thieves, Gappy’s Great Escape, and Gappy and the Witch’s Curse.
What do you think children will enjoy most about your books?
Apart from being a vampire, the main character, Gappy, is perfectly normal in every way. He struggles with his secret new identity as a vampire, is a little shy, and is bullied at school. But he is a good, loyal friend, and when he sees others in need, he risks reprimand from the Vampire Council to use his powers in public to help them. Children have told me, and their teachers have also informed me, that kids can relate to Gappy because he is just like them. They enjoy reading about how he solves problems and becomes a better person for it. And, of course, they also enjoy the exciting adventures he falls into and reading about how he masters his emerging magical powers.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Since most publishers don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, find an agent to negotiate with publishers for you. Look for books that are similar to yours and find out who their agents are. They are usually mentioned in the acknowledgments. Then get a book from the library on how to write your cover letter and book proposal. First impressions are very important. As agents are bombarded with submissions every day, you need to hook the agent’s attention in the first few lines of your letter.
Are you currently working on other books?
Yes, I am working on book seven, which is actually book one of The Teen Vampire Adventures about Gappy as a teenager. His adventures will get more dangerous, and there might also be a little romance in there too!
You can find out more about Star Donovan and Gappy and the Young Vampire Adventures by visiting www.gappy.tv.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012