YA Author Spotlight: A.K. Morgen

GRAFFITI PROMOTIONS is a regular feature on Writer's Alley, where authors and aspiring writers, editors, publishers, and anyone from the publishing world, to share their journeys, valuable wisdom, and to promote their work along a road of humor, encouragement, and inspiration. Features include Author Interviews, Book Promos, and Character Introductions.

Our featured guest today is lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her real life hero, their two dogs, and her demonic cat. A.K. Morgen, or Ayden, has a graduate degree in Criminal Justice and grand plans to save the world someday.

Ayden wrote her first story at the age of seven, and published her first book locally at the age of twelve. She's written in a variety of genres since, and has published poetry and numerous research papers over the years. Her boss loves to put her writing skills to use by having her write procedure and operation manuals for her day job.

When she's not writing, she spends her time teaching her niece and nephews things their mothers wish they didn't know, dancing in odd places, building a spork army, and fundraising for nonprofits close to her heart. She's a volunteer coordinator for one of her favorite charities, helps care for her special nephew Aloshua, and loves to spend her free time getting into mischief with her favorite partners-in-crime. Visit Ayden on her Website, Twitter, & Facebook Author Page.

Tell us a little about your introduction to cyberspace and how you use it for your writing.

I started blogging at ProgressiveU in 2006 as part of their scholarship contest. I didn't think I had much to say, but it turns out people were actually pretty interested in hearing my thoughts on issues big and small. I fell in love with the entire concept, and have blogged since.

My blog now is a mix of important issues like prematurity and bullying, random happenings in my life, and writing related items. I never really know what's going to inspire me to write an entry, which is nice. I never get bored.


What or who inspired you to start writing?
I wanted a pet elephant when I was little, but couldn't convince my mom to let me have one. Cruel, right?! Every first grader deserves a pet elephant! Anyway, while at school one day, my teacher introduced us to writing and authors, and it occurred to me that actual people wrote the books I loved. I'd never quite realized that before, and I was sold. I wrote myself my pet elephant that afternoon. I've loved writing since.

My grandfather was also a driving force behind my love of writing. He encouraged me so much over the years, and was always such a huge source of inspiration and support.

Share what it's like working with your publisher.
I absolutely love working with my publisher, Curiosity Quills Press. Working with them is like working with family. Everyone is so helpful and so much fun. I have an entire army of fellow authors on hand to answer questions, make me laugh, or even listen when I need to vent. My editor, Krystal Wade, has been a huge help throughout the entire publication process. I'd be lost without her.

Summary for Fade (The Ragnarok Prophesies: Book One): What do you do when you realize nothing in your life is what you’ve believed it to be?

When Arionna Jacobs loses her mother in a tragic accident, her world is turned upside down. She’s forced to leave her old life behind and move in with her father. Dace Matthews, a teaching assistant at her new college, is torn in two, unable to communicate with the feral wolf caged inside him.

When they meet, everything they thought they knew about life unravels. Dace has intimate access to Arionna’s mind, and something deep within her fights to rise to the surface. They don't understand what's happening to them or why, and they're running out of time to sort out the strange occurrences around them.

Their meeting sets an ancient Norse prophesy of destruction in motion, and what destiny has in store for them is bigger than either could have ever imagined. Unless they learn to trust themselves and one another, they may never resolve the mystery surrounding who they are to one another, and what that means for the world. (Find FADE on Goodreads and Amazon.) And why don't you take a chance and enter below to win your very own digital copy!! Just do it...

What is the biggest challenge in writing YA, MG, or PBs today?
I think the biggest challenge in writing YA is finding a balance between reality and expectation. Kids, teenagers especially, deal with so many difficult situations now, it can be difficult to figure out where to draw the line when writing for them. Do you include that scene of bullying or leave it alone? What about that fourteen year old kid going to prison? These are the kids and situations readers know, but it's so hard to find a way to write them while still giving YA readers the escape from these situations that they crave.

One final note from A.K. Morgen:
Through March of 2013, Curiosity Quills Press and Ayden will be donating 10% of royalties for FADE to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas, and 10% to the March of Dimes.

How fantastic is that! 

Thank you, Ayden, for joining us and sharing your journey and story!

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