Cover Reveal: THE CRYPTID KEEPER, by Lija Fisher

November 23, 2018November 15, 2018 ~ bookvillageadmin ~ Leave a comment

Hi Everyone!

Thank you for attending my cover reveal for THE CRYPTID KEEPER, the second book in my humorous adventure duology about a boy’s search for legendary creatures like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot!

It’s only been a few months since my debut novel, THE CRYPTID CATCHER, came out and it has been such a fun ride! When I first started writing about cryptids I had no idea what a rich, fascinating world it would turn out to be. I didn’t know that by talking about Bigfoot, kids would tell me about other animals that roam the forests. Or how exploring the possibility of aliens would lead to discussions about the bottom of the ocean and what creatures could be lurking there. Cryptozoology, a pseudo-science, has truly acted as a gateway science in my visits with kids, and I’m so excited to continue with the adventure!

So, without further delay, here’s the cover of THE CRYPTID KEEPER, where Clivo Wren and the Myth Blasters continue their quest to discover the immortal cryptid before the evil resistance finds it.

~ Lija

Lija Fisher was raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Her debut novel, THE CRYPTID CATCHER, received a starred review from Booklist and was a Junior Library Guild selection. Lija was the Aspen Words Writer in Residence in 2017. For more information about the Junior Cryptozoologist Club where kids can continue learning about legendary creatures, please visit LijaFisher.com.

The World of Cryptozoology!

August 21, 2018July 25, 2018 ~ bookvillageadmin ~ Leave a comment

The Cryptid Catcher

Hello everyone! It’s my book birthday! Today, THE CRYPTID CATCHER, is released into the wild and I’m very excited to share some information about it with you.

To begin with…what is a cryptid, anyway?

A cryptid is a hidden animal, meaning an animal that is thought to be real but whose existence has never been verified by science. Animals such as Bigfoot and the Yeti are all examples. Cryptids are different than myths in that some people truly believe that cryptids are real, whereas it’s generally agreed upon that Zeus and the other Gods are a work of fiction. But some people (perhaps you?) believe that The Loch Ness Monster and other cryptids actually inhabit our world. There’s even a science dedicated to the search for such creatures…cryptozoology. Some scientists call it a ‘pseudo-science’ because these creatures can’t possibly exist…but for those who believe they do, the world of cryptozoology can be very interesting.

THE CRYPTID CATCHER is a middle-grade adventure novel about Clivo Wren, a 13-year-old-boy who discovers that his dad was a world renowned tracker of these hidden beasts. Unfortunately, his father dies mysteriously, leaving Clivo to figure out how to find a legendary creature that isn’t supposed to exist and protect it from the bad guys. It turns out there’s one beast who can do something very special…grant immortality, and boy does the evil resistance want it!

If you’re in the mood for a humorous adventure novel that explores the world of cryptozoology, then I hope you enjoy THE CRYPTID CATCHER!

Lija Fisher is the author of THE CRYPTID CATCHER, a middle grade humorous adventure novel coming August 2018 with Farrar, Straus & Giroux, and THE CRYPTID KEEPER coming out in 2019. Yes, she believes in Bigfoot! She was the Writer in Residence in 2017 with Aspen Words. You can find her on Twitter @LijaFisher, or at LijaFisher.com.

How I Became a Published Author

July 16, 2018July 13, 2018 ~ bookvillageadmin ~ Leave a comment

I didn’t start writing until I was 35, in one of those ‘kismet’ moments when an idea for a story plopped into my head. I was living NYC making my way as an actor, but wasn’t getting a lot of gigs and felt creatively stuck. So I began writing as a way to find artistic fulfillment – and because it was more fun than sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring!

My first book was an adventure novel about drunk hobbit people (did I mention the idea came to me while hiking through New Zealand on a ‘Lord of the Rings’ tour?). Not surprisingly, my attempts at getting an agent weren’t successful. So I wrote another book, this one about a Delta Force soldier hunting legendary creatures. I thought the book was fabulous, but the agents I queried disagreed with my humble assessment. Inconceivable! I felt like someone must want a book about Rambo chasing unicorns! Lo and behold, Jason Anthony of Massie and McQuilkin picked my query letter from his slush pile and reached out. He said he enjoyed the first few chapters but that the story was for young adults, and would I consider re-writing it for teenagers? I did, and it became a story about a 17 year-old boy hunting dragons while daydreaming about sex. Yes, it was absolutely terrible. So I tried again, this time turning the story into a middle grade novel about a boy’s search for cryptids like Bigfoot and The Loch Ness Monster. The story and genre felt like the right fit for my writing style and I was offered a deal with FSG, an imprint of Macmillan.

I’m so happy my agent was patient with me while we figured out my voice. And I’m thrilled that I landed in the middle grade genre where kids can join me on secret searches for hidden animals. It was how I spent my time as a kid, wandering around the Rocky Mountains looking for signs of trolls and other beasts, and I’m so excited to share these adventures with others!

Cover Reveal: THE CRYPTID CATCHER by Lija Fisher

May 30, 2018May 29, 2018 ~ bookvillageadmin ~ Leave a comment

COVER_REVEAL

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Lija Fisher to the MG Book Village for the cover reveal of her debut novel, THE CRYPTID CATCHER. I’ve been excited for Lija’s book ever since I read the premise, and as soon as I saw the cover, my excitement skyrocketed. Learn a bit more about Lija and her book in the interview below — and feast your eyes on THE CRYPTID CATCHER’s awesome cover!

~ Jarrett

. . .

Thanks so much for coming by the Village, Lija, and for hosting your cover reveal here at the site! Before we get to the big reveal, can you tell us a bit about THE CRYPTID CATCHER?

It’s about a 13-year-old boy who discovers that legendary creatures (like the Sasquatch and Yeti) are real and he must find the special one who is the key to immortality before the bad guys do. And humor and mayhem ensues!

What led you to write about cryptids in the first place?

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that it all started with the trashy but delicious website TMZ. There was an article about an actor who went on a hunt to find the Otterman in Alaska. It made me wonder, “What would cause a grown man to run around the wilderness and search for a creature that might not exist?” Well, as I researched creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, I stumbled upon the vast world of cryptozoology, which I thought would be a fun science to explore (or pseudo-science, depending on if you believe in these monsters or not!)

Have you ever gone looking for cryptids yourself (outside of your imagination, I mean!)?

Oh my gosh, I haven’t even asked myself that question! But now that I think about it, yes, yes I have. I grew up in the mountains and would spend Midsummer Night combing the hills looking for fairies and trolls. I kid you not, one time a bush rustled next to me and a sound that I can only describe as a gurgling, curious troll voice called to me. Sadly, I did not investigate. I RAN!

Ha! I would’ve been right behind you! Now, onto the cover. Were you involved at all in the art process?

My editor asked what I pictured being on the cover and I think I said things like, “mist and smoke and beasts and mystery yet joy and adventure!” You know, standard cover requests!

Who’s the artist?

The artist is the amazing Lisa K Weber. I haven’t met her in person, but I hope to so I can shake her talented, ink-stained hands.

What did you think when you first saw the cover art?

Initially, they sent me five possible sketches and my first thought was, “Who are those people in the cover?” And then I realized that they were my characters! Having an artist bring to life what’s been living in my head for so long was such a delight. And I think the final cover is beautifully filled with beasts and joy and mystery and I’m so happy!

All right — I think it’s time to check it out. Here it is!

The Cryptid Catcher

I love it! He’s taking a selfie!

Yes! If I ran into the Otterman I’d take a selfie too!

Thanks again for hosting your cover reveal at the MG Book Village, Lija! When can readers get their hands on THE CRYPTID CATCHER?

Thank you so much to the MG Book Village for hosting my cover reveal! THE CRYPTID CATCHER comes out August 21st from Farrar, Straus & Giroux and you can find me at LijaFisher.com, Twitter @LijaFisher, or in the mountains running away from trolls.