The Mitten

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's NEW Book Birthday Blog! 

Where we celebrate new books by Michigan's children's book authors and illustrators

BIG congratulations to Josef Bastian on his newest book, 
EXCERPTS FROM AN UNKNOWN GUIDEBOOK
BOOK 1: PHASES OF THE MOON!

Q#1: How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I saw that there was an opportunity to bring folklore back into modern storytelling.

Words have power. Children understand that almost instinctively the first time that they’re insulted by a sibling or on the playground. But something they might not understand quite as well is that stories do too, even (or perhaps especially) the fictional ones. The idea that stories and folktales are powerful inspired me to cofound Folkteller Publishing and to write this series.

Part of my mission is to preserve the craft of storytelling by sharing hidden folktales and stories from around the world. I coin the term for these hidden regional/culture-specific stories: “cryptofolk.” 

Regional folklore can get lost through time. But these folk tales tell a lot about us as humans and who we are in different regions of the world. In Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook, and in all of my work, I try to resurrect many regional myths and legends from around the globe.” I believe that we have much to learn from one another’s stories. By embracing storytelling, children, with their eternal optimism, can be especially receptive to the lessons therein. 

Q#2: What was the most difficult part of writing this book?

There was a lot of research involved. Also, since this is part of series, it was VERY hard to keep continuity throughout the book and the series.

Another difficult task was writing a creation myth that would encompass the entire world of the Folktellers in the first book. That was a real challenge!

Q#3: In the voice of your main character, tell us what you hope readers will experience or learn while reading your book.

Here’s the thing. If you read this book, you may not believe it, but it’s all true. I’m just a regular kid who never did a single extraordinary thing in my life. Then, one day, my whole world turned upside down and none of it was my fault!

If you like a lot of adventure, danger and dark, creepy stuff, you’ll love this book. Trust me, I lived it!

Q#4: Who is your author idol and how have they influenced your work?

My favorite author is John Bellairs. He is a Michigan native and has such a wonderful, magical style of writing. Bellairs has the innate ability to deal with very scary, intense subject matter without any sex or gore. He is just a great storyteller that creates characters that kids can relate to and root for time and again.

I also love how original his subject matter is. Bellairs creates a magical world of fantasy in ordinary places and I really love that and try to emulate in my stories.

 Q#5: What are your marketing plans for your book? Where can we find it?

We have a full-blown marketing campaign, including social media, video and pre-read opportunities on NetGalley and Goodreads.

We’ve partnered with Smith Publicity to get the word out too.

Book is available on Amazon, Seattle Book Company, and all major retailers.

A little bit about the book: 

Like a wheel within the wheel

Spiraling forever

Through the world we see and feel.

There’s a tale within the fable

Like a gear within the gear

Marking time forever

Until the secret is revealed . . .

There’s a story in the story

In every age, across time and space, there have been Folktellers. These are the select few who have been chosen to collect and share the stories that must be told.

Aaron is an average midwestern teen – or so he thinks. When his grandfather disappears under strange circumstances, Aaron’s ordinary existence changes forever. He will soon discover a mysterious world where stories are powerful and dangerous, where deadly enemies and dark forces lurk just out of sight.

Accompanied by his friend Jake and an odd girl from another dimension, Aaron must save his grandfather from the gathering darkness, and the shadowy creatures that thrive within.

In time, Aaron will learn that whoever holds the story, wields the power, and that the choices he makes will change the destiny of the entire universe.

A little bit about the author:  

Josef Bastian is the Young Voices Foundation Award-winning children’s book author of the Nain Rouge Trilogy, and co-founder of Folkteller Publishing. His new middle grade fantasy book series, Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook, launches in August 2018 with Book I: Phases of the Moon. Bastian currently lives in Metro Detroit, Michigan.

For more information, visit www.folktellerstories.com and connect with Josef Bastian on Twitter @NainRougeProj, Facebook at facebook.com/folkteller, and Instagram @folktellerstories. 

Phases of the Moon will be available through all major retailers on August 15, 2018.