VBT + #Giveaway: The Mirror of Doom by Bailey Baxter @BaileyBaxter7 @GoddessFish

The Mirror of Doom

by Bailey Baxter

GENRE: Middle Grade

BLURB:

What would you do if you got stuck in another world? 12-year-old Tim Hunter and his two older siblings panicked. Just a little. (Can you blame them?) Unfortunately, the only way they can return home is to steal a magic mirror from an evil queen. Yes, that’s right. Evil! To make matters even worse, enemy soldiers, horrible creatures called galrogs, and even a dragon will do anything to stop them. Do they have what it takes to make it home alive? There’s one way to find out. This fun, fantasy-adventure for middle-grade readers is available on Amazon.com.

Excerpt:

Ron started down the hallway toward me. “Timmy, give Kat her diary back, or I’ll take it from you myself.”

He would, too. But I wasn’t about to give him the chance.

I turned and threw myself against that mysterious closed door, giving the glass knob a big twist. It opened suddenly, and I found myself stumbling forward into a dark room. Quickly regaining my balance, I shoved the door closed. It took a bit of fumbling in the darkness, but I found the key and quickly turned it.

Locked. And just in time, too.

The doorknob jiggled.

“Timmy, open this door,” Ron said.

“Nope.”

Ron’s fist slammed into the other side of the door with a loud bang. “Open the door, runt!”

“Go away. I’ve got some reading to do.”

“Timmy!” Kat practically screamed my name through the door. “If you even open my diary, I will kill you. Do you understand?”

Oh, I understood all right. But come on! Kat’s diary was usually guarded more closely than Fort Knox. This could be my ONLY opportunity to see what’s inside. I’d be crazy NOT to read it!

I slid the little book out of my pocket and stretched out my other hand to feel for a light switch — and froze, my heart pounding. I heard a noise. It sounded like a footstep.

And it seemed to come from inside the room.

Interview with Bailey Baxter

What inspired you to write “The Mirror of Doom”?

When I was a kid, I loved to read stories that sent characters to other worlds. Yeah, I was a huge fan of The Chronicles of Narnia series! So, when I decided to write a book for middle-grade readers, I gravitated toward what I used to love…

…Fantasy and adventure!

But, I must say I was also inspired by the Snow White fairy tale. Think about it… what do we really know about the evil queen? What made her so vain and cold-hearted that she would attempt to kill her own step-daughter – just for being too pretty? That’s totally warped, if you ask me!

That evil queen – and what became of her after her plans regarding Snow White were thwarted – became the launching off point for my story. Add in three kids from Connecticut who were “pushed” through a magic mirror into her world, and you end up with a fun adventure.

When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I was 12 years old when I knew I wanted to be a writer. I remember creating mini books, complete with pictures, and passing them back and forth with my best friend during class. But, I think it was my English teacher, Mr. Torgeson, who really got me going. He was the first one to recognize my writing abilities and encourage me to pursue writing.

What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?

Honestly, I’ve been reading books for as long as I can remember. When I was as little as 1 years old, my mother would sit me beside her and read to me while she fed my baby brother. So I was brought up on a steady diet of books.

What genre of books do you enjoy reading?

I know I’m an adult, but I enjoy reading middle-grade fiction. There are some real good books out there – like the Mysterious Benedict Society series. Novels for this age group are (usually) fun and creative.

I also enjoy Christian supernatural thrillers – like Rachel Starr Thomson’s “Exile” book – and the occasional clean romance.

What is your favorite book?

I really love “The Lord of the Rings” series. I’ve read all three books many times. In fact, I like starting “The Fellowship of the Ring” in the fall – when Frodo began his adventure in the book. Yeah, I’m a total geek.

You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?

Of course, J.R.R. Tolkien. He didn’t only write an engaging story – he created an entire world and language (Elvish)! He was amazing.

If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?

I think I’d go back to the 1920s and 1930s. They had electricity, which is important. And cars. So, the transition wouldn’t be so much of a shock. But, I like the dresses and the way ladies wore hats and gloves. And I like the simpler pace of life.

When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?

It all depends. Sometimes, you get into the zone and the story just flows out of you. Other times, getting words out is like trying to squeeze that last bit of toothpaste from the tube! Either way, I wouldn’t trade the writing process for the world. It’s one of the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?

I have a dog named Lucy. She’s a mischievous, stubborn, loving little Shih-tzu who keeps me on my toes. I never know when she’s going to sneak up on me and attack my feet – wanting to play. She’s a lot of work, but she’s also a lot of fun. She makes me laugh.

What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?

Chocolate, for sure. Preferably dark. And, this will make me sound like I’m 12 years-old, but I adore pepperoni pizza. It’s my Friday night reward to myself for making it through a rough week of writing sales copy. (I make my living as a copywriter.)

Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?

Read, read, read and write, write, write!

And never give up.

The truth is… writing a book is tough. I worked on “The Mirror of Doom” on and off for over 10 years. I have a full-time job, so I had to squeeze in writing time at night and on weekends. I rewrote the book four times to get it where I wanted it to be. It was a lot of work.

But, if you have the desire to write… if you have stories to tell… the process of getting that book out of your brain and onto paper is so rewarding. It’s totally worth the sacrifices you make to get there.

I also recommend to “follow” other authors and learn the most you can from them. Most authors love to answer questions from their readers.

AUTHOR BIO:

Bailey Baxter is the pen name of a somewhat successful copywriter who writes online "junk mail” for health supplement companies. She's been writing stories since childhood. In fact, when she was 12, Bailey wrote and illustrated tiny books that she stapled together and passed to her friend during class. (She was never caught.)

Bailey grew up in Ellington, CT – a small town where cows outnumbered people 2 to 1. She currently lives in Asheville, NC with a mischievous Shih-tzu named Lucy. Fortunately, Asheville is weird - and proud of it - so it gives her plenty of inspiration and plot ideas for new books.

Her first book, The Mirror of Doom, was inspired by a certain pesky brother named "Jimmy" and the childhood desire to find a wardrobe to a place like Narnia.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

BUY LINKS:

Amazon (Paperback Book) ~ Amazon (Kindle)

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC
 

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