Good News Day Tuesday: Book Launch for The Emerald Ring by Dorine White (includes an author interview!)

Please note: This very happy new feature was scheduled far in advance of yesterday's tragedy. My heart goes out to those in Oklahoma. Sending love, thoughts and prayers...

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So I renamed Monday, "Keep Reading Fun Day", and now I'm renaming Tuesday, "Good News Day Tuesday". (Can you tell I write rhyming picture books? :o) ) Every Tuesday, I'm going to try to share some good news from around the kidlit community, so we can celebrate with our fellow authors and illustrators.

And today, we're going to celebrate with (drumroll please)....

Dorine White!

I had the pleasure of meeting Dorine at the amazing Western Washington SCBWI conference I attended recently, where she told me the exciting story of her upcoming debut novel, THE EMERALD RING.

Since tomorrow night (5/22) is Dorine's book launch (at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park at 7:00), I thought her wonderful book news would make a perfect first bit of cheer.

So here's a brief interview with Dorine:


1. Please tell us about your book.


The Emerald Ring is a fantasy novel for ages 8 and up. The story goes like this, way back when, Cleopatra owned a necklace of magic gemstones. When she committed suicide, she entrusted her gems to a servant. They have been passed down through time, each with a different magic power. The catch, is that a murderous cult is after the gemstones, and will stop at nothing to get them.

Our story involves the emerald. Sara Bogus finds it in her Grandmother's attic. Presently it is a ring, which becomes stuck on Sara's finger. Sara quickly realizes that something is up when she starts having visions of ancient Egypt. Plus, she develops the ability to communicate with animals and shape shift into a cat. The problem is that a cult member is in town searching for the ring, and Sara must defeat him to keep her family safe.

2. How did you come up with the idea for your story?

I was inspired by two of my favorite things, Humanities and fantasy. I graduated with a degree in Humanities and love everything to do with culture. I also love fantasy books. My collection is huge. So, when I decided to write a book, I combined the two things I love.

3. Could you tell us about your path to publication?

My road to publication was long and bumpy. It has been almost nine years in the making. The Emerald Ring is my third manuscript, though I haven't yet sent out queries for number 2. I spent a year getting rejections from agents, and then a year and a half getting them from editors. Most had wonderful things to say, but it was never acquired. I had just given up, when I sent it out one more time. It was then that Cedar Fort bought it. Phew.

4. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Write what you love. If you are writing for trends or popularity, it won't go well. Readers know. Write what you read the most, what you dream about, and readers will feel that passion in your writing.

Yay, Dorine! Congratulations on your book launch for THE EMERALD RING!