Author Interview with Gregory Slomba

The DMS was lucky enough to interview Gregory Slomba, author of the middle grade series The Deliverers. Lizzy recently reviewed the second book Order of the Crystal Lion, and it was great to share our thoughts about it and hear yours! We are excited to learn a little bit more about the story behind the story. So, without further ado... take it away, Gregory!

Where did you get the idea for the The Deliverers 2: Order of the Crystal Lion?

When I set out to write the sequel to Sharky and the Jewel I wanted to make it different than the first, so I made the setting a slightly futuristic sci-fi one. I actually wanted to make it more sci-fi than it wound up being, but as I wrote I kind of shifted back and forth between the future and the past. I don’t know if that was effective when all was said and done, but I think it made for a unique world.

The main inspiration for the book was the idea of people who seem different on the outside, but are really the same. A civil war where two seemingly different races were fighting seemed to be the ideal way to make the point.  

How long did it take you to write The Deliverers 2: The Order of the Crystal Lion? Was it faster to write the second book in the series?

This book took a lot less time to write, only about a year. The first one took about five or six, so I guess I’m improving!

There are many new characters in The Order of the Crystal Lion.  What was your inspiration for the characters Ari and Cy?

Ari is the true leader of the Chazum, the warriors who had lions genes spliced into their DNA. I wanted someone who was careworn and noble and wanted to lead his people to freedom and equality. He kind of appeared in the cell with Eric, Kate and Hallo.

As for Cy, I can’t really think of him without his friend, Chunk. Of course Eric runs into Chunk and Cy, literally. When he did, I wasn’t sure just who they were at first. They were both inspired by George and Lennie from Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. I really like them because they add a bit of humor, but they both play important parts in the story. 

I loved the imobilizers. Was this an idea that came to you while you were writing or did you already have them in your mind before you started writing?  Has there been an instance in your life when you wish you had one with you? 

They came to mind as I wrote the story. My brain always seems to come up with ideas for gadgets when I write. It seemed much more fun to have something that immobilized your enemies than just blasting them with a laser rifle, although they use those, too.

When I was a child, I would have loved to have had one to get out of fights or other uncomfortable situations!

Meet the author in Mrs. Robinson's class!

Where do you do most of your writing? Do you have a writing schedule that you follow? 

I sit in a chair in my bedroom with my laptop on my knees. I write a few nights a week for a couple of hours each night. In the winter when there is no yardwork to do, I often write on Sunday afternoons. My family is very understanding, but sometimes I do have to change my schedule so that I can pay some attention to them! Because of my limited writing time, I set a modest goal of 2,000 words a week when I’m working on a book. It’s a good goal—when I exceed it I feel really good, and if I don’t reach it, it’s not too hard to make it up the next week.

What advice do you have for other writers?

Never let others tell you that you can’t do something. If you believe in yourself you can accomplish anything. It may not happen right away, but stick with it and you’ll make it eventually. No one else can tell the stories that you can, and the world is waiting to read them. What are you waiting for?

Do you have any book signings coming up?

None at the moment, but I am involved in a project that I’m very excited about. This holiday season, I’m trying to provide books to children in need. For every copy of The Deliverers that I sell either on my website or face to face I am donating another copy to my local Salvation Army who will in turn give it to a child in need. Hopefully, I can continue this throughout the year, but right now I’ll be happy if I can give books to the 130 or so children the Danbury, CT corps of the Salvation Army has identified. I will be donating books using the proceeds of the sales from my appearances in November, in addition to the buy one give one program I’ve started. I am also approaching other authors I know to see if they would be interested in donating some books to the cause. So many children love to read. Reading opens their imagination to new worlds, but so often they are denied the opportunity. Hopefully, I can give some that opportunity, and I urge you to do the same in your little corner of the world. 

Are you currently working on a book? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?

I just completed the third book in The Deliverers series. The Deliverers 3: The Golden Dragon of Ang has Eric, Stig, Kate & Hallo off on another Assignment. This time they have to solve a riddle that takes them across a chain of islands called the Dragon Islands in a battle against time to save a world. For them it’s the usual stuff, except that they discover that there may be a sinister reason behind the snags these worlds are experiencing—something that may threaten the entire universe. My artist, Daniel Vogel is working on the cover now. It should be completed by Christmas and the book should be laid out and published sometime in February.

I am also working on the plot for The Deliverers four. I expect to begin writing before the end of the year and finish by next Thanksgiving. Look for that to be out sometime in early 2015. In book 4, someone is trying to change history by going back in time to our American Revolution. Eric and the others are sent to stop them. The thing is, they don’t know why this someone is trying to change history. Hopefully they’ll find out, otherwise the universe is in big trouble.

Connect with this author!

Amazon ☞ Barnes and Noble

Read the reviews!

Enter to win a signed copy of this exciting middle grade adventure. Fill in the rafflecopter form below! 
Giveaway ends December 24th 

Read our review of book one!

From December 14th- December 20th the Kindle version of The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jeweland The Crystal Lion will each be available for only $0.99! 

* Book Donations! 

When you purchase autographed copies of The Deliverers books, Gregory will donate a copy to the Salvation Army for each book you buy at The Deliverers Store. 

Here's a shout out to the following authors for their donations. Cheers to the magic of gifting a good story! 

C. Lee McKenzie/ Alligators Overhead

Read our review

Find out what C. Lee thinks about things

Check out the CBC meeting with Pete & Weasel

Karen Toz/ Pie and Other Brilliant Ideas

Read our review

Find out what Karen Toz thinks about things

Margo Dill/ Finding My Place

Kimberly Sentek/ Oh Brother! A Nico and Tugger Tale

Celia Carlile/ The Christmas Song

Join us this Friday for the next Character Book Club where Eric and Stig from the Deliverers will be interviewing Anna Green from Finding My Place. It's sure to be an adventure!






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