Back in spring 2009, you might remember that the Lexicon as well as other Twilight sites that were in operation then hyped up an event called Save the Book Babe. The event was to raise funds for Faith Hochhalter, a former YA book buyer at Changing Hands bookstore in the Phoenix area, who was fighting breast cancer. Faith was instrumental in supporting many YA authors and in particular Twilight. Aside from signings and promotions, among events that would not have come off without Faith’s help was the Eclipse Prom in May 2007.
One of the major organizers of the event was author Jon Lewis (J.S. Lewis) known to many as the author of the Grey Griffins series (pictured above at the Save the Book Babe event). Jon acted as the emcee that day and he was hilarious, kept the show fun and interesting. At the time I told him that if he books are half as entertaining as he is then my son would love reading them, which turned out to be true.
So, where is this all going? Jon is updating us on Faith, the future of Project Book Babe (right now Book Babe is auctioning on Ebay some left over stock. It’s a great time to get Stephenie Meyer signed items and to support breast cancer research!), and an exciting new series he has coming out. After our interview with Jon, leave us a comment and a random person will receive a prize pack donated by Jon. It includes:
- A copy of his most recent novel in the Grey Griffins series that Jon describes as “The series is a continuation of our GREY GRIFFINS books from Scholastic, but it’s an all new trilogy — same main characters, new school, more exciting adventures.”
- A signed Book Babe poster by with autographs from the attending authors such as Stephenie Meyer, Shannon Hale, Jon and more.
- A Bella and Edward action figure.
What drew you to writing and writing in your particular genre?
Growing up, I thought I was either going to work for Disney as a character animator or for Marvel or DC as a comic book illustrator. But I realized early on that in order to draw a story, you actually need a story and I ended up liking the storytelling more than drawing. As to genre, I actually love all kinds of stories. But I started with middle grade because (as my wife will attest) when I look in the mirror I still see a ten year old kid. I could live in Toys R Us and never get bored, and I still get excited when I see one of the characters walking around Disneyland.
A lot of our readers are aspiring writers. As a writer, what the best and worst advice you’ve ever been given regarding writing?
The best advice was to never give up. Rejection can demoralize you to the point of paralysis, but if you really love writing don’t stop. You are going to be rejected a lot — and it might not have anything to do with talent. It could be that a publisher is already carrying a similar book. It could be that an potential agent was having a bad day and didn’t feel like reading queries, so they rejected your proposal site unseen. You just need one agent and then one editor to love your book and the rest is history.
The worst advice? Only send queries to agents who represents the types of books you write. Why limit yourself? What if an agent is contemplating the idea of expanding his/her list to include teen paranormal romance but didn’t list it anywhere in a book or online? You are limiting your chance for success by assuming an agent will never represent books outside of his/her sweet spot. Let him/her make that decision, not you.
Can you tell us about your connection to Project Book Babe and Faith?
When the Grey Griffins series first got published in 2006, we got amazing support from Faith (the Book Babe) and Changing Hands Bookstore. I fell in love with Faith right away, as I’m sure everyone does. She has an infectious smile and a passion for books. That business relationship quickly turned to a friendship, so when Faith called me and told me she had breast cancer, I was floored. I had no idea what to say, but I knew that she had put off going to a doctor because she was worried about money. The cancer was aggressive and by the time she got tested, it was in the late stages.
I was bound and determined to make sure money didn’t stand in the way of her recovery — because she was going to recover! So the moment I hung up the phone I sent an email out to every author I knew. I had been an executive at an event company that did leadership conferences for executives, and I thought we could do some kind of benefit to help Faith out . . . a one day event to raise enough money to cover her bills and a little extra so she didn’t have to work for a few months. Thanks in great part to this website and Stephenie’s fans around the world, we blew those expectations out of the water. I’ve never been so proud to play a small part in such an amazing event!
The response was overwhelming. Not only did a host of amazing authors step up, but in short order we had an army of booksellers, librarians, educators and more who volunteered around the clock to put the show together in three weeks — and that includes staging, food, travel for the authors, a website, logging inventory, managing the online auction, mailing books. And I can’t forget to mention publishers like Little Brown, Scholastic and Simon & Schuster who donated all the books that we gave out.
Stephenie would never admit this, because despite the fact that she is one of the most powerful forces in the history of publishing, she is an amazingly humble and giving person. But she was integral in the planning phase. Without her, it wouldn’t have been possible.
Was the Book Babe event the first time you encountered Twilight fans en mass? What were your impressions?
It was. I was a bit nervous at first, but I got goose bumps when I walked on stage. It’s incredible to watch communities of passionate people come together like that. Everyone was so sweet, I didn’t want the day to end.
What has Faith been up to since the Project Book Babe event in 2009?
I can report that Faith is doing amazingly well. She’s cancer-free, and not only does she have her hair back, but she has her energy and that twinkle in her eye as well. Faith has been through a series of reconstructive surgeries, which I know aren’t fun, but she has an amazing network of friends that are there to help her through every step of the way. The coolest update, however, is that Faith has joined a roller derby team. I can’t wait to take my daughters to see her first match.
When did you meet Stephenie Meyer was she different than you thought?
I had met Stephenie once before at a signing for Shannon Hale. She was so quiet that I hardly knew she was there, but I have to tell you, spending that weekend with her at Project Book Babe was a privilege — not because of her celebrity, but because I feel like I really got to know her as Stephenie the person. She is unassuming, shy, and she’s really funny. But my oldest daughter, Bailey, is the one who really clicked with Stephenie. Stephenie commented that she was going to take Bailey home with her, and Bailey was ready to pack a duffle bag and go.
When did your wife and children turn into Twilight fans? Is Twilight obsession ruling your house?
I’m ashamed to admit that none of us had read the books or watched the movie until the week of Project Book Babe. My wife is easily frightened, so the vampire angle kept her away. But we hosted all the authors for a get together the night before the event, and Kelly thought she should at least give the first book a try. Well, she devoured all four in a week, and then went out and bought the movie –which she watched with my daughters. One look at Taylor Lautner, and they were hooked too.
My wife ended up reading all four books twice in one month. After she completed her marathon, she came down to my office and asked me the following . . . “do you ever think about working out again?” To which I paused, and then realized — ah, Edward! Then I asked, “and should I cover myself in glittering lotion as well?” Instead of saying no, she just smiled. I knew I was in trouble.
Last month my daughters bought a male and female Beta (the Siamese Fighting Fish) and went on to name them Bella and Edward, but not after a long debate as to whether it shouldn’t be Bella and “Jacob.” They would have preferred Jacob (and his pecs), but they figured since Bella marries Edward, they better go with that.
Any chance this Twilight connection has turned you into a closet Twi-guy?
I’ll say this. I really connected with Bella’s story. My parents got divorced when I was in high school, and I packed up everything and went with my mom and my brothers to a small town in Minnesota where I had lived for a bit when I was younger. My dad wasn’t the sheriff, but the newspaper there was more of a gossip magazine, where most people started with the sheriff’s report to see whose kid got arrested and for what. When I walked in the building, all eyes were on the “new” kid and I heard the whispers as I walked down the hall. And I did have two very beautiful lab partners in my chemistry class . . . neither glittered in the sun though. And from what I remember, neither had fangs.
Can you tell us about new projects that you have coming out?
I’d always heard wonderful things about Little Brown, and that includes Stephenie’s experience. So I’m excited that the Grey Griffins series found a new home there. Our first book with them, The Brimstone Key, just came this summer. For the Hollywood pitch, I’d call it “Harry Potter meets the Goonies” with a dash of Steampunk.
I’m super excited about my first YA novel, Invasion, which hits stores in January. If you’re a fan of Fringe or the X-Files, there’s a good dose of conspiracy theory thrills. It’s about a 16 year old surfer from San Diego named Colt McAlister. He finds out that his parents weren’t killed by a drunk driver, they were murdered. He wants to bring the killer to justice, but he also has to deal with the loss, as well as the fact that he had to move to Arizona to live with his grandpa. Now he’s at a new school and has to make new friends . . . but when it comes to Lily Westcott, Colt isn’t sure being friends is enough — even though she’s already seeing somebody.
Is there anything else you’d like to relate to us?
Though it’s very preliminary, I’m hoping we can get Project Book Babe 2 up and running in Spring 2011. I have some early commitments from amazing authors, and I’m hoping we’ll be able to bring the entire band back together for one more go round (at least). Giving back is a lot of fun — especially when I get to hang out with such amazing people.
And since this is my first chance to speak to your entire community, I wanted to say thank you for making Project Book Babe such an amazing success. You guys rock!
See previous coverage of the Book Babe posts here.
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