Today, please help me welcome our special guest, author Teri Polen, featuring her latest book, Subject A36. I’ve read this one, Folks, I can tell you it is terrific. It’s Young Adult written so that we “OLD” adults can enjoy it, too, and I did, every minute of it! In fact, I’m eagerly awaiting the next in the series. So, without further ado, let’s let Teri share some fun information about herself and her work. Teri, the floor is yours!
Thanks, Marcia!
If you’re a regular visitor at my blog, you know that every October for the past several years I’ve hosted Bad Moon Rising, which features thirty-one indie authors of horror, paranormal, and supernatural (or really any genre that falls under that umbrella). Other than the book info, there’s also a short interview with both fun and writing-related questions. While brainstorming ideas for this guest post, it occurred to me that I’ve never answered any of my own writing-related questions from October 2020, so I decided this was my chance. I guess it’s me interviewing me.
If you had to give up snacks or drinks during writing sessions, which would be more difficult?
Definitely drinks. I don’t snack while writing, but I’ll always have either a Diet Coke or water beside me. If I’m writing at night, you’ll find a glass of red wine. Sometimes I sneak in a hit of chocolate before I start—dark chocolate Hershey Kisses or Reese’s Thins.
Do you write to music?
Yes! I usually have a playlist for each book. Music inspires me and helps me visualize the scene as it plays out. Sometimes lyrics give me ideas. When I wrote The Gemini Connection, the twin brother main characters had different musical preferences. Evan wanted my favorite genres—hard/alternate rock, but Simon demanded classical, a type I don’t mind, but it’s not something you’ll find in my music library. Those boys were polar opposites, but I sure miss them.
What was the hardest scene to write in your featured book?
It’s hard to describe without giving away spoilers, but I’ll try. My MC, Asher, lost his family at a young age, but is now part of a found family. There’s a scene where he experiences devastating pain that just ripped me apart. It took me several days to write it, and I still wonder if I got it right. The intensity was hard to convey.
I’m thrilled to say that Subject A36 was voted one of the 50 Best Indie Books of 2020 on Readfree.ly.com! With the quarantine and silent characters plus recovering from COVID, the sequel has been a long time coming, but I promise I’m working on it. Hope you enjoy the A36 excerpt below. It’s from Asher’s point of view when he was eight years old.
EXCERPT:
“Asher!” Mom gripped the porch railing and called for me. Her voice cracked and was laced with tears. Dad vaulted over the porch railing, landed solidly on the grass, and frantically scanned our expansive yard.
My stomach clenched. Something was very wrong. “Over here!”
Dad’s gaze locked on mine. “Code Exodus! Now, Asher. Run!”
Was this another drill? We’d practiced twice a week, the times always unexpected, without fail for as long as I could remember. Drills were a regular part of our life, like eating, sleeping, and homework. Protocol was pounded into our brains. There could be no hesitation.
But this felt different. Dad’s expression was tight and urgent. Tears streamed down Mom’s face, and I knew. This was no drill. It was real this time. We’d been found. Code Tribe—we leave together. Code Exodus—we leave without our parents.
Code Exodus rules.
Grab the backpack.
Leave immediately.
Don’t stop for anything or anyone.
Run to the Wallaces.
When my sisters could no longer keep up, hide them and keep running.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
If genetic engineering could guarantee you and your family perfect health and unparalleled beauty, would you pay top dollar for it? Would you kill for it?
Residents of the Colony would. And do.
Only the Insurgents can stop them.
Seventeen-year-old Asher Solomon is a premier operative with the Insurgents. He and his team have rescued countless hostages, saving them from painful deaths in Colony labs as desirable genetic traits are stripped from their bodies.
He’s also suffered more losses than anyone should have to.
Then Asher gets intel that might give his people the upper hand. The Colony is searching for Subject A36. If the Insurgents determine the subject’s identity first, they might be able to turn the tide of the war.
Asher and his team embark on their riskiest mission ever, and the stakes have never been higher. But even if he survives the physical dangers, the devastating secrets he uncovers might destroy him.
Buy Subject A36 HERE
Teri Polen, Author
Teri Polen reads and watches horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. The Walking Dead, Harry Potter, and anything Marvel-related are likely to cause fangirl delirium. She lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband, sons, and black cat. Her first novel, Sarah, a YA horror/thriller, was a horror finalist in the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Visit her online HERE.
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This looks like a fun read. Great Q & A and excerpt. Best wishes with the sequel, Teri! 🙂
Marcia, it’s lovely to see Teri here today 🙂
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Thanks, Harmony! It’s lovely to have her visiting TWS. And believe, this book is great! I so enjoyed it, and am eagerly awaiting the next!
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Thanks, Harmony! This sequel has sometimes felt like drawing blood from a stone, but the characters and I are moving along now – finally.
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I love all of Teri’s work. Can’t wait for the sequel. Congratulations on the Readfree.ly.com honor, Teri, and best wishes on the sequel.
Thanks for hosting, Marcia.
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Always a pleasure to have Teri drop by, and I’m looking forward to that sequel, too! Thanks for stopping by, Staci! 🙂
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Thanks so much for saying so, Staci – my fabulous editor who also came up with the title after I’d reached epic fail with ideas.
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Thank me when book two has a title!
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That’s a great excerpt, Teri.
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It’s a super story, Craig, and I’m really looking forward to the sequel! Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂
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Thanks, Craig! That’s one of the first scenes of the book that I hoped would keep readers turning the pages to find out what happened next.
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I think it will.
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Marcia, thanks so much for hosting me today and generously offering up your blog for us author guests!
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Really happy to have you, Teri! And you KNOW how much I loved this Book. I’m so eager to read Book 2, so … WRITE LIKE THE WIND! 😀 😀 😀 I’ll be first in line to grab my copy! ❤
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Great excerpt – really breathless – and the blurb is very enticing.
I’m off to take a look.
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It’s a very good book, Debby. I think you’d love it! 🙂 And I KNOW I did! 🙂
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Thanks, Deborah! That was a nerve-wracking scene to write, but I sure enjoyed it.
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Hi, Marcia and Teri! It’s fun to see Teri answer some of her own questions, LOL.
Subject A36 was a great read. It really kept me flipping pages, and I don’t usually read YA so that says a LOT about Teri’s talent and the story she wove.
Congrats on your Top 50 honor, Teri!
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I enjoy YA when it’s written like this one, Mae. There are some really good YA books out there that work for any age, and Teri’s are that way. (I loved The Gemini Connection, too.) This one was a grabber, though, and I’m dying to know what’s gonna happen next, too. (But then, you and I often agree on the books we enjoy! 😀 )
Thanks for stopping by this morning, my friend! ❤
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Thanks so much, Mae! I don’t know why Bad Moon popped into my head, but it seemed like it would be fun to answer the questions I ask everyone else.
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Great interview! The excerpt sounds like a movie – for real! I could totally see that.
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Thanks, Sue! I wouldn’t object if anyone wanted to make a movie adaptation, lol. Anyone?
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Grab the book, Sue. You won’t be disappointed, believe me. 😀
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What a great excerpt, Teri! Wow! Fantastic interview. Thanks for sharing, Marcia!
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Teri is ALWAYS welcome on The Write Stuff, as are all of my online friends, but most especially when the post features a book I read and LOVED. It’s super good, Jan! I know you’d enjoy it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Jan! I had fun answering my own questions, lol. Glad you enjoyed the excerpt.
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Great interview:) I loved this story and can’t wait for the next book!
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Agree on all counts, Denise! I was riveted to the tale, and can’t wait to find out what happens next! 🙂
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Thanks for the endorsement, Denise! I promise I’ll get the sequel out ASAP.
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Congratulations, Teri. Your excerpt is powerful and irresistible. Subject A36 is now a “Must Read”. Thank you, Marcia, for offering great interview questions. I loved the whole post, but especially the interview. 💗
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Thanks, Gwen! I’ll take that powerful and irresistible, lol. Glad you enjoyed the interview and thanks for stopping by!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Gwen, but I can’t take credit for the interview. It was made up of questions Teri asked her guests during her month-long Bad Moon Rising series. And great questions they were, too. So glad she decided to answer them for us today! 🙂
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Well done, Marcia and Teri. Super interview. I read A36 and loved it. Congrats Teri on the best 50 honor.
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Thanks, John! Thrilled you enjoyed A36. I know you don’t play in the YA sandbox very often, lol.
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No, but I read and like all three of yours.
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Me too, John. Just can’t wait to see what happens next! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂
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Love hearing with another author creates playlists. I do for my books and although I like silence when writing, music does inspire scenes and even stories.
Congrats on the book being in the Top 50 indie reads!
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I’m always interested in hearing what other writers listen to, though I don’t do it, myself. My hearing is so messed up that it impacts what many songs sound like, as there are certain pitches I can’t hear, even with my hearing aids. Erp. Annoying. But I prefer total silence when I’m actually writing, too, so I don’t miss it at that point, at least.
Thanks for stopping by today, Joan! 🙂
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Marcia, if I listened to music while I’m writing, I’d want to sing along. Not only would it distract me but my signing voice is something even my cat’s don’t want to hear! 🙂
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Yeah, I’d get no writing done at all. I’d be remembering back when such and such a song was popular, or thinking about the artist, or just lost in the lyrics. Plus, anything that “anchors” me to the here and now pulls me out of my story, and messes up my writing. I always assign myself a place just behind (or next to) my characters, watching what they are doing and taking copious notes. 😀 Music would totally distract me from that. 😀 (Though, so far, my cats haven’t complained about my voice. But that could change at any point. It’s definitely scratchier than it used to be. 😀 )
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Thanks, Joan! Music really helps me imagine the scenes – especially actions scenes. It also gets me in the mood of my characters. Thanks for visiting, Joan!
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I loved A36! I went into it ‘blind’ (hadn’t read what it was about) and it hooked me by page two!! I love your interview question, Marcia. And it was nice getting to know a bit more about Teri 🙂
Holding out for the sequel now!
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I’m with you 100% on this book, Jessica. It was great, and I wanted to jump straight to Book 2, but am reminding myself that anticipation isn’t a bad thing. 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed the interview questions, but as Teri mentioned, it was Teri interviewing Teri by answering some of the questions she asked guests during her annual Bad Moon Rising event in October. (If you haven’t followed along with those, you really should. I’d missed previous ones, but followed this year, and it was super fun!)
Now. Should we start a countdown until the next book in the Subject A36 series arrives? (No pressure, Teri! 😀 )
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I’m just thrilled there are other writers out there who take their own good time writing book II in their series. I sorta felt like it was only me!!
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Hey, Jim Butcher took SIX YEARS to write the next to last release in his Dresden Files series! 😯 It was blinkin’ AWFUL!!! The only thing worse than the wait for that one was what he DID in the next one! I’m still debating whether I can keep on reading after all these years of being an ardent Harry Dresden fan! So, unless you are nearing THAT kind of delay, you’re probably good. 😀
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Haha, no. I should be ready to publish Book II in the Armageddon Showdown later this year. Which is about 14 months or so after GoP… acceptable?
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Hey, it takes what it takes, and this past year has dragged us ALL down, I think. It’s amazing what being angry, depressed, and/or worried about one’s health can do to stifle creativity. I didn’t write a single thing last year, though I did release the final Emissary tale. So I have no room whatsoever to complain about how long it can take to get a sequel finished. (Unless, of course, it’s SIX FREAKIN’ YEARS, in which case I complained. A lot. Every single one of those years. Not that I’m still complaining, you understand. I’m just sayin’ …… ) 😀
Write on, my friend. We’ll be waiting patiently. Mostly. 😀
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I love that you went into it blind, Jessica – I don’t think I’ve ever done that with a book! Happy to know it hooked you so quickly. Working on the sequel!
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It’s my favourite way to read books. If I know and love an author, I’ll grab their book without reading the blurb first. Sometimes, I’ll grab a book for the cover art and just jump into it without doing the blurb, too. You can get the best surprises that way 😁
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Teri, Congratulations on the recognition for your book. Great post Marcia. I’m going to share it on my blog as well. Hope it helps.
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Thanks, Don. It’s great to have you “back” again, and sharing posts. It’s always a help when fellow writers pass them along, and it’s much appreciated. 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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Thanks, Don – and thanks so much for sharing!
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You’re welcome.
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this post featuring author, Teri Polen over on The Write Stuff blog.
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And true to your word, here you are sharing. It really is a great thing, and I know Teri will also be happy to see you passing the post along. Subject A36 deserves a kajillion eyes on it. It’s a super book! So, thanks again for the reblog! 🙂
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My pleasure.
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Great to see Teri here. Loved her answers.
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It was a pleasure to feature Teri and Subject A36, Darlene. And if you haven’t read this one, I highly recommend adding it to your TBR list. It’s fantastic, and SO well done! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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Thanks, Darlene! It was fun to interview myself, lol.
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Woohoo, a Top 50 Indie book! Cool. The excerpt is good (and exciting!), and I’m happy that Polen is working on the sequel. It’ll be another fab book, I’m sure.
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I know I can’t wait to read it, Priscilla. I really loved Book 1, and I know I’m going to enjoy the next one, too! 🙂
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The sequel is taking much longer than I’d like, but I’m making progress. Thanks for visiting, Priscilla!
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Great self-interview and the excerpt has me properly hooked. Following on from the recommendations here I’m going straight over to Amazon and hope that my Kindle doesn’t rupture under the pressure!
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Good luck with your Kindle issue, Trish. It’s something most of us face, I’m sure. And I know you’ll enjoy Subject A36. Teri writes great YA fiction that anyone of any age can enjoy. This book had me from the get-go, and oh, how I’m looking forward to the next in the series! Happy reading! 🙂
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Glad to hear it hooked you, Alex – thanks for dropping by!
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I’ve got it on my Kindle now!
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I like the little ways you used music in The Gemini Connection, Teri. That’s such a heart-pounding snippet — I love it! I enjoyed your portrayal of Asher throughout this book. Kudos on keeping going with the sequel during these difficult times. Marcia, thanks for hosting Teri. Everyone, here’s to a happy and sassy week! Hugs all around.
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It was my pleasure to have Teri here on The Write Stuff, Teagan. I’m a big fan of hers, and I absolutely loved Subject A36! Can’t wait for the next book! Thanks so much for stopping by today, too. Always great to see you! 🙂
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Those twins were so different, so it made sense their musical tastes were the same way. I miss the twins, but Asher holds a special place in my heart. Making some good progress on the sequel – finally!
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I’m so looking forward to the next book in the series, Teri. I’ve enjoyed all of your writing, especially your YA sci fi. And I agree, Marcia, that her books are perfect for “old” adults too! Lol. A fun guest post. Thank you.
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We are in 100% agreement on all counts, Diana. Teri’s work is superb, and this story really touched me. Can’t wait for her to get Book 2 out. (Write like the WIND, Teri! 😀 😀 😀 )
Thanks for stopping by, Diana! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks so much, Diana! Statistics show that a large percentage of YA readers are adults. Age is relative!
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Yeah, I know. I definitely like YA if it isn’t too angsty and romancy. Your books are great.
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Great interview, ladies! A big congratulations on being among the 50 Best Indie Books of 2020! That is so wonderful.
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It really IS cool, isn’t it, Jill? And she totally deserved it for this book! It’s wonderful! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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Thanks, Jill! I always enjoy visiting with Marcia and had fun answering some of my own questions.
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