Interview With Author, Grant Overstake

Grant Overstake

                  

Yesterday, I reviewed Grant Overstake's new YA novel The Real Education of TJ Crowley.  Today I am pleased to post an interview with the author. Read it and share with others who are interested in writing a novel, whether for adults or YA. 

Nancy:  You were a newspaper sports writer and editor. When you retired, you started writing YA fiction. What inspired the big change?

Grant:  Becoming a novelist came as an unintended consequence of being unable to find a newspaper job in the same town where my wife could teach middle school science. In 2011, we moved back to Wichita, KS where Claire found a teaching position and I began schooling myself to write fiction. As a newspaper writer, I was a stickler for accuracy and nobody accused me of misquoting them. As a novelist, I get to make up juicy quotes and put in my characters' mouths. It's funny. Everything I write is Fake News.

Nancy:  The first YA novel you wrote, Maggie Vaults Over the Moon, was a real winner in my estimation. A Kirkus Review called it "a fine young adult novel about perseverance in sports and in life." What prompted you to write it? And why feature pole vaulting in the story?

Grant:  Maggie is the story of a gutsy Kansas farm girl who overcomes tragedy and soars to new heights as a pole vaulter. I got the idea while watching former Olympic pole-vaulter, Earl Bell, share his wisdom with youngsters. I asked Earl if he would consider coaching a fictional vaulter to new heights. When he agreed, I knew Maggie was destined for big things. With its ever-rising crossbar, pole-vaulting is a great life metaphor. I vaulted myself and was able to express the thrill of flying so high. It's gratifying that coaches have used the story to inspire their athletes. Maggie is the subject of my school presentation "Don't Quit! Use Grit!" She's a resilient character who gets back up time and again after she fails. She's an inspiration to students who have real-life challenges to overcome.

Nancy:  Did your first novel win any awards?

Grant:  I'm happy that the story was inspirational to readers and that the quality of the writing has also been recognized. The strong Kirkus Review was a big affirmation. Having the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) put Maggie on the cover of its statewide journal was a great tribute. The story was named Book of the Week by BookWorks in 2013 and Publisher's Weekly selected it as one of their "Too Cool for School" reads just this past year. The book was published in 2012 so it's gratifying to know the story is standing the test of time. Another awarding experience was having the story performed by Audie Award-winning voice actress, Tavia Gilbert. She received great reviews for her audiobook production of Maggie Vaults Over the Moon.

Nancy:  Your second YA novel, The Real Education of TJ Crowley, was released yesterday, November 5, 2018. The story is set in a period of great civil unrest in Wichita, KS in 1968-69. Young men being sent to Vietnam was also a part of that era. Thirteen-year-old TJ Crowley receives an education in both race relations and competing with the shot put. Why did you include the sub-plot of TJ learning to compete in Track and Field?

Grant:  It's said that an author should write from their most vivid personal experiences, and as a former decathlete and coach, I know about the subject. The late 1960's was an explosive time in US history and TJ Crowley is an explosive young teen. He needed an event to pursue that would match his temperament. Because the shot put is one of the most explosive events in all of sportr, the shot put ring was the perfect place for TJ to channel his fiery temper.  

Nancy:  Why do you want the young people of today to read and learn about the Civil Rights Movement of years ago?

Grant:  They say that history doesn't always repeat itself but often rhymes. The things we experienced 50 years ago during the Civil Rights era need to be taught to young people so they can separate ongoing racial myths from reality, especially with the resurgence of hate groups in our country today. Experts who've read the manuscript are eager to introduce it to their classrooms so students can address these issues while reading and discussing the novel.

Nancy:  Did you base the story on real people or were the characters entirely made up?

Grant:  This story is realistic, historical fiction for young adults. Which means everything about the story is made up, except for the parts that are real. Or, in reverse, everything is real except for the parts I made up. I grew up in that exact time in Wichita so the setting is real but the storyline is almost entirely fictional. Many of the main characters are real people fictionalized for the story. I had some personal experiences that helped me wake up to being White; I did a lot of research and spent many hours interviewing Black people who lived in that time, trying my best to get it right. I received my "real education" first and then I wrote the story the way TJ Crowley might've learned it himself in that period. 

Nancy:  What is your plan for promoting this newest novel?

Grant:  There are several ways we plan to promote the book, which is being produced and distributed through Ingram. We'll be targeting libraries, bookstores, and schools. The first steps have gone remarkably well with outstanding endorsements and reviews locally and nationally. The best way to promote a book is by word-of-mouth. We want readers to tell others that TJ Crowley is a good read.

Nancy:  Do you have plans for a third book? Possibly a sequel to this one? This reader was left with wanting to know more about TJ.

Grant:  I don't think there will be a sequel but I have a couple of stories that I was working on earlier. Now, I'm not quite sure. My main focus right now is acting as the publisher and marketer for this book, which is going to be a full-time job for the foreseeable future. We are going to republish Maggie Vaults Over The Moon as a hardcover soon. There are people who want to collaborate with me on a sequel to Maggie soon.

Book Review--The Real Education of TJ Crowley

TJ Crowley may go to school every day but his real education takes place in a garage talking to a man whom he never expected to converse with, let alone grow to like. TJ, in the seventh grade, faces myriad choices amidst confusion and fear as well as anger.

Grant Overstake's second YA novel, The Real Education of TJ Crowley, is set in the turbulent years of the Civil Rights Movement in Wichita, Kansas. The summer of 1968 just prior to entering 7th grade leaves TJ Crowley spinning like a top. His dad deserts the family and his older brother joins the Army, then is shipped to Vietnam. His mother spends her days housebound relying on cigarettes and liquor.

The author invites the reader on a train ride of problems that TJ encounters and worries he has, as well as choices he must make. At times, I cheered TJ on, then feared for him, and sometimes felt disappointed in a choice he made. I had no problem in turning the page and continuing reading this intriguing story of a turbulent time in our country that resonates even today.

Fiery-tempered TJ narrates the story. It doesn't take long to relate to the character and what he is experiencing. The author has created a fine cast of secondary characters who all influence TJ's life in some way. Emotions run on high throughout the book.

Timothy Hayes, PhD, Clinical Psychologist offered praise for the book. He said, "This intense young adult novel presents numerous racial stereotypes and then shatters them."
I would agree wholeheartedly with his assessment.

Adults would benefit from reading this novel as well as the young people it was written for. It's a story that could be used in schools to promote discussion on the racial problems our country still faces today. The author does not tip-toe around what the desegregation problems were like in the late '60's. He is honest in his presentation, no sugar coating.

I give The Real Education of TJ Crowley 5 stars and urge anyone who has a middle school or early high school student in their family to purchase this exciting new novel by Grant Overstake. It's historical fiction at its best and a good story. Gift it to the young person but also read it yourself.

The book release date is today, November 5, 2018. You can order it at Watermark Books and Cafe , at Amazon or at Barnes and Noble.

On tomorrow's blog, I will post an interview with the author.

A Big Day For Grant Overstake--Audio Book Released

When Grant Overstake's YA book, Maggie Vaults Over the Moon, was released, he sent me a copy. I didn't know him personally but we'd seen one another on writing places on facebook and Kansas Writers Association and Kansas Authors Club pages. I didn't expect to be bowled over by the book but I was.

The story of Mggie, who loses a brother and gains recognition in the sports world and, oh so much more, hooked me immediately. So, how many people do you know interested in pole vaulting? Probably not a great number, but Grant's book has sparked interest in the field competition in places across our country, and other countries, as well. It's a book for younger and middle teens that any adult would enjoy and benefit from. 

Maggie has her own website and myriad fans. Today is a special day for Maggie and also for the man who wrote the story. The book was released today as an audio book narrated by Tavia Gilbert, voice actress. She is one of the top in the business. She liked Grant's book so much that she wanted to do the narration on the audio version produced by Blackstone Audio. Ms Gilbert's quote says a lot: "A great metaphor for courage, faith and belief in oneself"

Check here to learn more about the book, the audio book and how to order it as a download. Then go to Tavia Gilbert's page to learn more about her. You'll see why Grant Overstake was so excited about this newest version of his book. 

I downloaded my copy eaerlier this morning and am looking forward to listening to it. Do it for yourself and do it for your teen-age kids and grandkids. I remember one young reader of around 14 who said she'd read the book over and over. Definitely a message there! 

Read a Kirkus review, only one of many. 

Gifts That Cost Little But Mean Much

You may remember my blog post reviewing a YA novel called Maggie Vaults Over The Moon. You can read it here. I had never met the author, Grant Overstake, but he knew of me and contacted me through facebook. He asked if he could send me his YA novel. Of course, I said yes. The book arrived in the mail a short time later. I sat down with it one evening and was hooked immediately. Thus came the post/review on Grant's book. Then I sent it to my two teen-age granddaughters to read. I've recommended the book to a good many people since then.

This morning, I received notice that Grant had placed me and a portion of my review in Maggie's Hall of Fame. What a nice surprise. I received a message from Grant pointing me to the Hall of Fame page. When I got there and saw the above, I was so pleased. It felt like a Christmas package all done up with happy Christmas paper and sparkly ribbons. There I was alongside Miss Maggie (her book cover) and a quote from my earlier post. That and Grant's very nice message to me fits right into the category of Gifts I Love To Receive. Made my day!

A gift like this could be termed priceless. It costs the giver nothing but means the world to the recipient. In one of your 'sit down and catch your breath' moments today, why not make a list of people in your writing world that you think highly of for whatever reason. You know how you feel about them but they may not be aware of it. Why not take a few moments and send them a thank you for......note? You can do it as simply or as elaborately as you like. The wrappings are nice but it's the message that counts.

How about someone who has encouraged you in your writing endeavors? Or the friend who critiques all your work. What about the special buddy in your writing group that is there to catch you when you fall and cheer with you when you have a success? How about the illustrator who helps you with book covers for your ebooks? Or the friend who keeps the kids for a couple of hours so you can write? If you give it some thought, you'll find that there are a whole lot of folks out there who have been beneficial to your writing world.

In this season of gift-giving, take a little time and send a gift of thanks in lyrical poetry or prose. It's what you do best. Right?

This One's A Winner!

Grant Overstake's first novel is in the YA category--geared toward teens. I spent two evenings reading Maggie Vaults Over the Moon and this long-time adult enjoyed the story immensely. Heartwarming and realistic, this book is a winner.

The author's background as a sports columnist and editor and participant in track and field events served him well in this newest venture. He must have heard that old write what you know because he gives his readers a good picture of the world of pole vaulting. How many kids have a burning desire to be a pole vaulter? Not nearly so many as want to be a pro baseball or football player, but after reading this debut novel a lot of kids might have the urge to look into track and field as a sport. Mr. Overstake weaves in a lot of information about pole vaulting that only adds intersest to an already good story.

A native of Wichita, Kansas, the author chose his home state as the setting for the book. He let Maggie Steele be the narrator of her story beginning in June after her junioir year in high school and finishing one year later as she graduates. In the space of that year, Maggie loses her beloved brother, Alex, in an auto accident. She takes her brother's place helping her dad harvest their wheat as they both continue to grieve for Alex. Maggie looks in vain for comfort at home and with her grandmother but finally finds some solace in the hayloft of the family's barn where she once spent happy times swinging on ropes with her brother.

With a little help from an unusual source, Maggie spends hours practicing with an old bamboo pole to learn the art of pole vaulting but never telling anyone until she goes out for the track and field team in the spring. There's a lot more here including a new boyfriend, her fear of what life holds for her after graduation, and how she slowly works through her grief. Maggie is a good role model for young people as she's determined, caring, and full of spirit and spunk. 

I'll say it again. Grant Overstake has written a winner. Maggie Vaults Over the Moon would be a perfect gift for a teen, even a quick but satisfying read for yourself. Readers of this book come away with a clear picture of what life is like in a rural setting and high school in this state known for wheat farming. They'll learn something about farm kids showing animals at the county and state fair, about the big responsibilities farm kids often have, and a lot about how track and field sport is conducted. Most of all, they'll learn that people slowly learn to live with a tragic event and that determination, dedication and desire to achieve will bring results. 

The author asked me if I'd read and review his book. I'm very pleased that he did so. It's a story I won't soon forget, even if it is meant for people a whole lot younger than I am. I plan to send the book to my two teen-age granddaughers in Dallas. I feel quite sure they'll like it as much as I did. 

Look for the book at Amazon. You can also visit the website to learn more and to see an announcement of Grant Overstake's upcoming appearance at the Kansas Book Festival in September 2013.