Interview - N.A. Nelson

N.A. Nelson is a debut author with her first book being 'Bringing the Boy Home'. (see review here)
She was also a part of Class of 2k8. To learn more about N.A. Nelson go here.

I read somewhere that you are going to donate some of your book proceeds to the Amazon Conservation Team . How did that come about?

I’m going to take that question in its most literal sense. I was sitting in the waiting room of my ophthalmologist’s office, leafing through my InStyle magazine and I came to this article about celebrities and the philanthropic causes they support. Hilary Swank sounded so passionate in her interview, and although I don’t remember what her cause was (which is terrible of me), it stirred me into thinking. Wait, I could do that with my book. I SHOULD do that with my book. And so I went home and googled Mark J. Plotkin, author of Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice (a book I used a lot in my research), found The Amazon Conservation Team (ACT), emailed them and said "I want to work with you guys."

If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?
The Dalai Lama

Who do you relate with the most, Tirio or Luka?
I think I’m a combination of them both. I’m like Tirio in that I needed to prove some things to certain people in my life, things I didn’t realize I needed to prove until after the book was written and my husband asked me this exact same question. And I’m like Luka in that I don’t usually like to lure giant spiders out of their lairs while I’m wearing a blindfold. J

If you could have the whole world’s attention for 5 minutes, what would you say?
To be still. To turn off all electronic and battery powered devices, to get out of cars, stop talking and just be present for five minutes. I know not everyone knows how to meditate, but I think just the action of us all being still together would be pretty powerful.

Are you currently working on another book right now? If so, what is it about?
Thanks so much for asking! Unfortunately I made a new rule about a year ago not to talk about my works-in-progress. I was pretty badly burned after sharing a manuscript before it was ready and I was 'thisclose' to giving up writing altogether because of the block that I got after it. Only my critique group has access to my early drafts. But I will say that my next novel is very different than Bringing the Boy Home; it’s a contemporary, humorous, YA with a female protagonist and it takes place in the good ol’ US of A. I will also say, I’m having fun with it.

I see you are participating in Class of 2k8. How has that worked out for you and would you recommend it for other debut authors?
I am so fortunate to be in the Class of 2k8 and I would definitely, without a doubt, do it all over again. THAT being said, it does take work. It does take time. It does take money. If you realize those things up front and are prepared to be part of a team, through all the ups and downs , then yes, I would recommend it to other debut authors. I can go into any bookstore now and see books from 27 other authors whose journeys I know from beginning to end. I’ve learned more about marketing than I ever did in my college marketing class. I’m a smarter, more savvy, confident person because of the Class of 2k8 and I know Bringing the Boy Home got a definite sales boost because of my participation in this group.

Thank you so much Nina for taking the time to answer my questions!