Rockstar Tours: SPELLBINDERS: THE NOT-SO-CHOSEN ONE (Andrew Auseon), Q&A plus Giveaway! ~ US ONLY

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the SPELLBINDERS: THE NOT-SO-CHOSEN ONE by Andrew Auseon Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

About The Book:

Title: SPELLBINDERS: THE NOT-SO-CHOSEN ONE

Author: Andrew Auseon

Pub. Date: May 14, 2024

Publisher: Yearling

Formats:  Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 448

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/SPELLBINDERS-THE-NOT-SO-CHOSEN-ONE

“Ben may only be pretending to
be the ‘Chosen One’—but I’ve definitely chosen this one as my favorite new
fantasy series.”
—Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the
Last Kids on Earth series

How far would you go to play the hero? One seventh grader gets way more
than he bargained for when he is swept into the fantasy quest of his gaming
dreams in this funny illustrated series full of adventure and twists.

It’s not so easy being the Chosen One (or in Ben Whitlock’s case, pretending to
be the Chosen One). Sure, when you’ve been mistaken for a long-prophesied hero
by a teenage girl/mysterious assassin and transported to a fantasy realm you’re
supposedly destined to save, you don’t have to worry about things like math
homework. But when flying narwhals are trying to blast you into oblivion (gulp)
and a bunch of old mystics in flip-flops want you to enter something called the
Gullet of Eternal Torment (double gulp), suddenly a C in algebra doesn’t seem
like such a big deal.

Back in the real world, Ben preferred to escape into fictional adventures and
role-playing games. But the more he learns about his true quest, the more he
realizes that being a hero goes way beyond rolling a few dice. . . .

Reviews:

“Spellbinders hooked
me from the beginning, but it became one of my favorites around the first
flying narwhals.’“—James Riley, New York Times bestselling
author of the Story Thieves series

“Here comes a new series that brilliantly embodies the power of
creativity….The book’s immersive fantasy world of Lux is one I did not
want to leave.”—George Jreije, author of the Shad Hadid series

“To use the local parlance, a “ridonkulously” entertaining kickoff.”
—Booklist

“The themes of interpersonal relationships and change give the work
emotional heft…A love letter to escapism and writing one’s own
destiny.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Through subversions of familiar fantasy tropes and a thoroughly engaging
plot, Auseon conjures an idiosyncratic realm replete with endearing
characters, madcap humor, and hijinks-filled adventure“—
Publisher’s Weekly

Book Trailer:

YABC Q&A

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

I’ve always been fascinated by games, even before it was cool. Ha. I’m not mathematically inclined, or a particularly gifted thinker when it comes to logic, but there’s something about trying to navigate the world within a set of strict rules that I find endlessly compelling. Most games have a theme, offering players a fantasy: riding dragons, conquering Wall Street, time traveling, or even saving the world from slimy monsters with your best pals back in the 1980s. Like books, they offer escape, but games have an added layer that allows you to simulate a story or experience firsthand. Games let you take a deeper step into your favorite fantasies. What’s not awesome about that? I’m obsessed with understanding and building game systems, those unique sets of rules and mechanics that bridge the space between story and player, and every book I write expresses some of that obsession.

Spellbinders is the inevitable product of my two greatest creative pursuits: writing and game design. But there’s more to it. I’m interested in people’s fantasies, real and imagined. Kids dream about life when they get older, aspire for what they don’t have yet; and we all do that to some extent, we’re constantly on the search for a better situation. Honestly, I wish that wasn’t the case and more people found true contentment in life, but the truth is that we’re always casting a curious eye for ways to improve our lives or measure up. That’s especially true in the age of social media. Fantasies drive our perceptions of one another and the world around us. It’s very warped and confusing.

Ben, the main character in Spellbinders, uses his gaming fantasies as a way to escape the difficulties in his own life. Everything in those imaginary worlds works out just as he wants it to–he’s big, powerful, wise, celebrated, and infallible. Of course, Ben learns that fantasies can be misleading, and that it’s tough to balance daydreams and reality.

2. Who is your favorite character in the book?

Normally, the cheating answer would be to complain that I can’t choose between them. (“It’s like choosing between my children!” cries Every Writer.) Instead, I’m going to say it’s a tie between two characters: Niara and Merv. Late in the book, Niara emerges as an important focal point for one of the story’s biggest emotional moments, and I hadn’t really expected that. She’s an incredibly rich character with a lot of personal issues at stake. It’s every writer’s dream! In many ways, Niara is the hero of the series. She’s such a driven, confident person, which isn’t something to which I can relate personally. (I’m an insecure weenie.) She’s certain of her beliefs, steadfast, and devoted, and I found that so endearing. As Niara’s point of view is challenged, she’s forced to reflect on who she is at a fundamental level, and that’s a hard thing for anyone to do. I have a lot of respect for Niara. She’s also the most unintentionally funny character.

Merv is also a huge favorite of mine, and a fan-favorite as well, which tickles me to no end. In the series, Merv is a bit of a late bloomer, playing a follower in some of the early adventures but then coming to the fore once they start to discover who they are and what they want. Most of the other characters start the story with much stronger visions of their identities and roles within in the questing party, but Merv is still trying to figure theirs out. Some of this is due to their life as a mimir, a shape-changer, but it’s mostly because they’ve moved around their whole life and never found the time or luxury to contemplate the future. Now, safe among friends, they’re experiencing that first taste of possibility. It’s been exciting to watch Merv learn about themself and start to try new things and contribute to the team. They really go play places in the later books, so readers should definitely come back to find out what happens.

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

Interesting. I’ve never gotten this question before. The novel, for sure. Titles are notoriously troublesome. That’s something books and games share. You stumble upon the perfect title maybe once in a lifetime. The name Spellbinders wasn’t the hardest I’ve ever had to settle on, but it certainly had its challenges, specifically because it’s my first series, so weighing title and subtitle became its own separate consideration. I liked Spellbinders because it has the element of magic with “spell,” but also the entrancing vibe you get when “spellbound” by a particularly good or immersive story. “Bind” has such a unique connotation in the context of books and bookbinding, but it also carries with it the slightly sinister “binding” meaning, which can be associated with ancient magical or spiritual rites, as well as the simple verb form to trap or hold something tightly. In all transparency, the first book was nearly done when I decided on the series title, and it was so evocative that I returned to the manuscript and made some changes to really play into the idea of power having the ability to trap someone. Sometimes the best things in the world can hold you back if you’re not careful. I thought that was interesting.

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

Even with all its high fantasy trappings (and ridiculous humor), I tend to enjoy writing realistic fiction the most; and when I mean “realistic” I mean realistic for me, which always includes just a pinch of heightened reality, it’s just how I see the world. There’s a scene late in Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One when we get a glimpse of Ben’s life before everything changed, before his family fell apart and he moved to a new town. I don’t know if it’s the scene of which I’m most proud, but it came very easily, which isn’t always the case when writing a book, and the emotions of longing and loss rang so true. It’s one of my favorite moments in the book because I hadn’t planned for it, and it ties so much of the story together. When I sat down to write it, the words just came splashing out.

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

I have an incredible editor. Correction. I’ve had several incredible editors, but my editor on Spellbinders is Incredible +10. She gets me. Nothing is more important in a creative relationship than mutual understanding. From the very beginning, Spellbinders was meant to be a comedy. No questions asked. Everybody signed up for the trip to Silly Town. However, one of the first lessons I ever learned as a writer was that there needs to be an authentic heart at the center of every story, an honest About with which readers connect and relate. People in my life know me as an empathetic and sensitive person, and I value emotion, but when I started getting goofy, weird, or silly… Watch out! If done right, humor and emotional honesty are a very powerful combination, maybe the most powerful, but it’s a challenging needle to thread. Doing it wrong can be disastrous. My editor, along with my other amazing readers, taught me the important balancing act of staying true to both my comic self and my dramatic self, and while I don’t pull it off perfectly 100% of time time, I’d like to think the series as a whole is successful.

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

What’s not to like? Lisa Weber crushed every piece of art in the Spellbinders series–and there are a lot of illustrations. The covers are no exception. If I had to pick a favorite thing it would probably be the energy and dynamism she captured with Ben and Niara bursting from the center of the image. The flying narwhal is also a favorite. It’s hard to capture such a complex tone–funny and fantasy and friendship–in a single composition, but I think Spellbinders: The Not-So-Chosen One, and the subsequent books do as good a job as anyone could have expected. They certainly far surpassed any expectations. 🙂

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

I think the easy answer is The Sherlock Society by James Ponti. James’ books are always a rip-roarin’ good time, and I love a good mystery. I’m also hoping there’s a new volume in the Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series. I’m a sucker for history, especially in graphic novel form.

8. What was your favorite book in 2023?

(Checks GoodReads.) Okay, well… while it looks like a lot of the books I read are a few years old, I do try to stay current on what’s coming out in middle grade and YA, especially since so many of my friends write for those audiences. A book that stuck with me all through this past winter was Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow. It’s a charming, surprising, funny, and deeply moving book that feels both realistic and surreal in just the right doses. I tend to gravitate towards books that manage to do something I’m trying to do in my work, but more successfully. They teach me things, so I puzzle over them for long stretches of time, hoping to understand their secrets.

9. What’s up next for you?

There’s never enough time. I look at what some people manage to accomplish and I scratch my head. How do they squeeze it all in? It boggles my small mind. To answer the question, I’m always working on a big new video game, which is an ongoing team project. I also continue to design small tabletop games on the side, as creative exercises. When it comes to writing, I’m finishing the third adventure in the Spellbinders series, and I have an idea for a fourth novel, but I don’t know if I’ll end up writing it. We’ll see! In addition, I’m working on a few new books that a very different from what I’ve done in the past. One is an anthology of horror short stories, and the other is a graphic novel about time-traveling kids. And guess what? Neither of them are funny! As a creator, I think it’s really important to always try new things and to stretch your comfort zone, so I’m diving headfirst into some new territory. I’m excited for what comes next? Are you?

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

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

The most emotionally charged scene for me, as the author, is near the ending of the book, when Ben and Niara encounter each other in the sewers under Lux. Ben is heading out, hoping to escape the palace with his life. Niara is heading in, on a mission that will put her in direct confrontation with him. These two intense characters have always had very different approaches to life, very different childhood experiences, and they come from different worlds–literally. At this point in the story they’re the closest they’ve ever been as friends, but they’re the farthest apart they’ve ever been when it comes to motivations and character development. It’s truly a moment where no one–not even the reader–knows what’s going to happen next. Both Ben and Niara need to make some big decisions, and those choices will shape who they ultimately become.

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

Ben Whitlock is always the most difficult of the Spellbinders crew to write, and that’s probably because he and I are very similar. It’s like trying to have a complicated emotional discussion with yourself, only it’s a version of yourself you haven’t really spent time with in 30+ years, and he’s very chatty and opinionated, oh, and full of energy. Ben is amazing, and I understand why he’s beloved by his friends, but his motivations and his desires are very alien to me now. He’s unpredictable and bold, qualities I may have once possessed when I was younger but have weakened with age. No matter how much I write Ben, I still feel like I’m still scratching the surface of him as a character. He grows up quite a bit in the span of the Spellbinders stories.

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

I adore revising because it means I never have to stare at a blank page. All your life, people tell you, “Starting is the hardest part!” And you know what? They’re so right! Ha! For me, the most fun is having a wild idea and playing with it for a while, scratching out scenes or character conversations and experimenting, but once I have to plot out a story and sit down to connect everything, it suddenly becomes science, engineering, all the subjects I struggled in when I was a student. Sure, I’m working with raw materials that I know well, such as sentences, scenes, mechanics, technique, but building the complex machine is so hard, so time-consuming and cumbersome. That’s why revising rules! You already have all the “lumber,” as my first editor used to say, and it’s all about following the flow, shaping the stone, and enjoying detail work that brings the whole story into clearer focus. Editing is a blast.

14. What would you say is your superpower?

Can I say writing? Ha. Such a weak answer, I know. Some of my writing friends and I always joke that we’d be the first to go in a zombie apocalypse because we don’t possess any useful skills other than writing. We’re one-trick ponies, as it were. When you need to fix an air conditioner or forage for food, we’re the last ones on the recruitment list. Ha! But I’m mostly joking. It takes a whole toolbelt of skills to devise, write, finish, and revise a book. You have to bring plenty of talent and skill to the operation. So, who knows? We might be the most useful people in a zombie apocalypse. Let’s hope we never find out. 🙂

But to answer your question, I think my superpower is probably my writer’s voice. For whatever reason, I grew up trying to make myself laugh in nearly every situation, and I view the world in a unique and peculiar way. That perspective really shines in my style, description, and dialogue. I’d like to think my books have a singular authorial voice, regardless of the characters, and even when I’m tackling a common subject, I’m doing so in a way you’ve never seen before.

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

I’m a strong advocate for the rights and welfare of LGBTQ+ youth, as well as for the acceptance and support of autistic people. These two causes, which often overlap, are incredibly important to me.

 

About Andrew Auseon:

Andrew Auseon is the
author of several books for children and young adults, and he is the writer of
numerous bestselling and award-winning video games. A transplant from the
Midwest, he lives in Washington, D.C. with his family and two very naughty
cats. He loves breakfast cereal, the sound of the ocean, and the feeling of a
brand-new book in his hands.

 

Website | Book Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Amazon

 

 

 

 

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a signed finished copy of SPELLBINDERS: THE NOT-SO-CHOSEN ONE & a swag pack. US Only.

Ends June 8th, midnight EST.

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