Meet Steven Stickler, Author of The Absolutely Amazing Adventures of Agent Auggie Spinoza
What inspired you to become an author?
Becoming a writer is one of those things that just sort of happened to me: like getting hit by lightning, but without the tingling. I’ve been writing for adults for most of my professional career; not, unfortunately, the exciting fictional prose that becomes a blockbuster movie, but instead the sort of boring reports that get discussed in conference rooms by people in suits. That’s how I started writing. But what made me start writing fiction for kids was much more personal and not at all boring: I began to write stories for my son and I couldn’t stop.
How did you come up with the idea for your book The Absolutely Amazing Adventures of Agent Auggie Spinoza?
I imply in the opening of the book that I am a secret agent and that the book reveals important secrets. Actually, I do more than imply it; I come right out and state it. Not very spy-like of me, but I didn’t say I was a *good* secret agent. You can imagine, then, that the idea for the book resulted from the real-life adventures of an heroic secret agent; or, you can imagine that it is something I dreamed up purely as entertainment. I will leave it up to you. I couldn’t possibly comment. (You know, sworn to secrecy and all that).
What do you think readers will enjoy most about your book?
Time travel, secret agents, code-breaking, evil villains, chase scenes, and a mission to save the world: what else could a kid possibly want, except possibly ice cream? Sorry, there isn’t any ice cream.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Write as much as possible, edit more than you think is needed, and take plenty of vacations. Actually, that last bit is good advice for everyone.
Are you currently working on other books?
Absolutely. I am working on a sequel to the Auggie book, and putting together a new series I’m very excited about. Here’s the three-word teaser: spies, school, and subways.
You can find out more about Steven Stickler and his book by visiting http://stevenstickler.wordpress.com.
Becoming a writer is one of those things that just sort of happened to me: like getting hit by lightning, but without the tingling. I’ve been writing for adults for most of my professional career; not, unfortunately, the exciting fictional prose that becomes a blockbuster movie, but instead the sort of boring reports that get discussed in conference rooms by people in suits. That’s how I started writing. But what made me start writing fiction for kids was much more personal and not at all boring: I began to write stories for my son and I couldn’t stop.
How did you come up with the idea for your book The Absolutely Amazing Adventures of Agent Auggie Spinoza?
I imply in the opening of the book that I am a secret agent and that the book reveals important secrets. Actually, I do more than imply it; I come right out and state it. Not very spy-like of me, but I didn’t say I was a *good* secret agent. You can imagine, then, that the idea for the book resulted from the real-life adventures of an heroic secret agent; or, you can imagine that it is something I dreamed up purely as entertainment. I will leave it up to you. I couldn’t possibly comment. (You know, sworn to secrecy and all that).
What do you think readers will enjoy most about your book?
Time travel, secret agents, code-breaking, evil villains, chase scenes, and a mission to save the world: what else could a kid possibly want, except possibly ice cream? Sorry, there isn’t any ice cream.
What advice would you give to a new author trying to get their book published?
Write as much as possible, edit more than you think is needed, and take plenty of vacations. Actually, that last bit is good advice for everyone.
Are you currently working on other books?
Absolutely. I am working on a sequel to the Auggie book, and putting together a new series I’m very excited about. Here’s the three-word teaser: spies, school, and subways.
You can find out more about Steven Stickler and his book by visiting http://stevenstickler.wordpress.com.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012