Rockstar Tours:

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE by Z Brewer Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE

Author: Z Brewer

Pub. Date: September 3, 2024

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Formats:  Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 272

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-CHRONICLES-OF-VIKTOR-VALENTINE

A perfectly average boy uncovers a supernatural secret about
his family that could put his whole town in grave danger—if it doesn’t make him
die of embarrassment first—in this mysterious and funny middle grade debut
from New York Times bestselling author Z Brewer.

Viktor Valentine can’t think of a better way to end his
summer vacation than playing All the Vampires Everywhere, his
favorite video game, with his best friend, Damon. Yet his parents, who make
cringey jokes and call him dorky nicknames, seem set on ruining his plans.
Viktor knows he can’t really compete with Damon’s “cool” friends—so their epic
video game playing is the best Viktor can do to come close to being cool in
Damon’s eyes.

But then Viktor slowly starts to realize that his parents may
be hiding something from him. They’re acting very suspicious; they sneak out
after midnight and return with bloody mouths. But he’s probably just played too
many video games. After all, vampires aren’t real . . . right?

Seventh grade is tough enough without having to figure out if
your family has fangs. And to make matters worse, the new girl that moved in
across the street seems particularly interested in things that
go bump in the night. Can Viktor protect his family, or will his sleuthing come
back to bite him?

Interview:

1. What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

Two words: unfinished business. I realized there are a lot of loose threads in THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD that were just never addressed and wanted to find a way to answer those questions in a fresh, new way. What better way than to introduce a new boy, with a whole new set of problems, in THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE?

2. Who is your favorite character in the book?

While I adore his best friend, Damon, with cool hair color choices and a quick wit, Viktor is absolutely my favorite character in this book. He’s got anxiety. He’s not certain of himself. He’s not confident in his friendships. He just really struggles emotionally, and I can relate to that. Plus, all those things are going on in his mind before he even gets an inkling that vampires might possibly be real.

3. Which came first, the title or the novel?

The novel. By a longshot! I had a title in mind, but it didn’t pass the mustard. My editor and agent and I shared idea after idea back and forth for months. The series title was set (THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE). We just needed the title of the first book. Then, after so much frustration, my editor eventually asked what I thought of calling the first book THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE. I thought long and hard about it and realized the perfect title was staring me in the face all along.

4. What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

I love being surprised, so my favorite things about THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE is what surprised me while writing it. One of my favorite aspects of writing THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD was writing from the perspective of the so-called monster. Seeing the world through the eyes of a half-human/half-vampire boy was exciting! With Viktor, I worried that I’d struggle to connect to the human point of view. But what surprised me was that discovering the vampire world through Viktor’s eyes was just as thrilling as writing from Vlad’s perspective.

5. Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?

When I first began publishing books, I let people get into my head with that whole “don’t let them pigeonhole you” nonsense. The truth is, I fashioned THE CHRONICLES OF VLADIMIR TOD as a five-book series, but I could have gone on writing it forever. I was happy in my lil vampire world. But the pressure from the outside to write a “big” book or different genres of books was enormous. I’ve learned over the years that it is absolutely okay to love one thing and chase after it with your whole heart. I love vampires. So I’m chasing them now with unapologetic glee.

6. What do you like most about the cover of the book?

I love how it reminds me so much of the style of Edward Gorey. To me, the cover evokes the feeling of having been a kid, out with friends, trick-or-treating – one of the best feelings in the world to me! There’s also an air of mystery about it that makes me want to pick up the book and hold it in my greedy lil hands.

7. What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2024?

DEAD THINGS ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR by Robin Wasley looks amazing. A magical apocalypse?? Sign me up!

8. What was your favorite book in 2023?

THE NIGHTHOUSE KEEPER by Lora Senf. It’s a follow-up to THE CLACKITY, and I am OBSESSED. Who knew Middle Grade could be so scary? (I did, but still)

9. What’s up next for you?

I’m currently working on the second book in THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE series (title TK, coming Fall 2025) and, in a strange twist, I’m writing a very weird adult novel. No vampires in that. Weird, right?

10. Is there anything that you would like to add?

It literally took one person to believe in me, to support me, to tell me it’s okay to follow my dreams. So today I wanna be that one person for anyone reading this. Whatever it is that you want to do, whatever you want to be, do it…be it. Because life is short, but dreaming makes it all worthwhile. I believe in you. Go do the thing. <3

11. Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?

Viktor loves his parents very much. So the scenes where he feels a huge disconnect with them—especially his dad—were challenging to write because when writing, I’m feeling what my characters are feeling, and poor Viktor was lost, angry, sad, and disappointed.

12. Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?

There’s this new girl named Alys who just moved in across the street from Viktor, and she gave me a heck of a time when I first started writing THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE. I had a difficult time connecting with her at first. But then I discovered her trauma and…well, now I understand.

13. Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?

If you’d asked me years ago, I’d have happily answered “drafting”. Nobody’s looking over your shoulder—not even you—when drafting. It’s freeing and sometimes chaotic and wild. But time tends to change things and my answer is different now. There is a certain rush to flinging words on the page during drafting a novel and hitting “The End”, but I’ve learned that my joy in writing really comes from watching the story piece together during revisions. It’s an eye-opening part of the process. Shifting nuances change the story right before my eyes and I’m surprised and delighted all over again.

14. What would you say is your superpower?

In writing, I can confidently say that dialogue is my superpower. But outside of that, my superpower is empathy. I have a way of connecting with people that I think is pretty cool. I like understanding people, getting to know them, relating to them, being able to support them in whatever way I can.

15. Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?

The Trevor Project (https://www.thetrevorproject.org). They focus on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ+ youth, which is badly needed in these trying times. The Trevor Project offers a chat line, a texting line, and a toll-free telephone number where confidential assistance is provided by trained counselors for those in need. Queer youth need our help now more than ever, so please donate to The Trevor Project if you are able.

About Z
Brewer:

Z Brewer is the New York
Times bestselling author of several books, including the Chronicles of
Vladimir Tod series, and more short stories than they can recall. Their
pronouns are they/them. Z is also an outspoken mental health and antibullying
advocate. Plus, they have awesome hair. Visit Z online at zbrewerbooks.com.

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Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE CHRONICLES OF VIKTOR VALENTINE, US only.

Ends September 17th, midnight EST.

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