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P.J. Hoover's debut novel The Emerald Tablet will be in stores in October. As she gears up for her
publication date she also maintains a blog, Roots in Myth, raises two children and finds some time for her
day job as an engineer in Austin, Texas. Luckily she had some time to answer some of our questions this month.
Welcome, P.J.!
The Edge of the Forest: Your first novel, The Emerald Tablet, is coming out in October, can you tell us a little about it?
P.J.Hoover: The Emerald Tablet tells the story of Benjamin Holt who discovers he's not only from another world but that he's not even
human. And if that information isn't enough, he's then teleported off to eight long weeks of summer school. Benjamin, his best friend Andy, and three other
friends discover they're members of a race called telegens from the sunken continent of Lemuria in the Pacific Ocean. While touring their new world, an
ancient relic called the Emerald Tablet ruins all the fun they'd hoped to have during the summer by bonding them together into an alliance with a mission.
Their task is to stop the millennia old war with the sunken continent of Atlantis, save the humans, and bring peace to Earth. Sound easy? Benjamin doesn't
think so either.
The Edge of the Forest: The Emerald Tablet is set in an underwater world—what drew you to that setting?
P.J.: Really, it's my fascination with mythology. I love studying how mythologies from across the globe fit together. Since Plato, people have
wondered if there ever were continents which sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Mythologies worldwide tell stories of great floods devastating life and
causing chaos. Each story is different, but all seem to agree on the reality of worldwide cataclysm.
So maybe the stories are true. And maybe there were advanced civilizations before us. And maybe, just maybe, the people of these civilizations caused the
floods themselves to hide their continents below the sea. It sounds like a good story to me.
The Edge of the Forest: How long did it take from when you first put pen on paper to now—being mere months away from seeing your book on store
shelves?
P.J.: Kind of short from everything I've read. I started The Emerald Tablet about four years ago. I signed my contract in
January 2007 and my book comes out in October 2008.
The Edge of the Forest: You are a member of the Class of 2K8, what can you tell us about that? Have you found it useful to be a part of such
a group?
P.J.: The Class of 2k8 is a group of 28 authors with debut middle grade or young adult novels coming
out in 2008. We're the second of such groups, the Class of 2k7, started by Greg Fishbone, being the first. The goal for the group is to band together and
promote our books with force. Really, as a debut novelist, the amount of publicity expected by a publishing house is limited. So the idea for The
Class of 2k8 is to publicize together. We're targeting BLTs (Booksellers, Librarians, and Teachers).
The wonderful side effect of this wonderful group is I now have 27 friends I never even knew a year ago. We all have similar goals. We all have similar
interests. And we're there to support each other through good and bad.
The Edge of the Forest: What do you have planned as an actual book launch?
P.J.: Hmmm...Running to the bookstore as fast as I can to actually see my book on the shelf.
But also, I'm planning a launch party at one of our independent bookstores here in Austin the weekend after my book's release. In addition, I'm hoping to
get on two panels in November (at a teachers' conference and a librarians' conference) with fellow Class of 2k8 authors.
Oh yeah, I plan on spamming every email address I have and mailing postcards to every single address in my address book—including the dog groomer.
But really, my main goal is to enjoy it and have fun!
The Edge of the Forest: Do you have any other projects in the works, what can we expect to see from you next?
P.J.: The Emerald Tablet is the first in The Forgotten Worlds trilogy, so there are two more books to look forward to. In
addition, I've started on a new urban fantasy series with an Egyptian theme. After that, I have at least twenty more story ideas in my head. It'd be
great if we could just pull ideas out of our heads and put them directly into the computer.
The Edge of the Forest: Tell me about your blogging. Why did you start and why do you continue to blog? Did you start the blog before or
after you knew you were going to be getting your novel published?
P.J.: I started blogging before signing a contract. At first, I started a blog more skewed to the personal side of things—something more
to keep my parents and friends engaged in the every day occurrences of my life. But as I got more into reading other author's blogs, I decided to start a
new blog—something with more interest to the general population. After all, I doubt everyone out there wants to know if I planted roses or tulips in
the backyard (which, by the way, I did neither. I'm cutting stuff down, not planting).
If life permitted me more time, I'd love to maintain both blogs. But currently, I've decided to just focus on the writing one, Roots in Myth.
The Edge of the Forest: What about blogging has been surprising to you as you get closer and closer to your publication date? Do you find that
blogging adds to or subtracts from your work as a writer?
P.J.: I'm surprised at the relationships that can form just through blogging. I've found my critique group through blogging. I've interfaced with
my editor through blogging (before signing a contract with her). I heard about the Class of 2k8 through blogging. I hear about conference opportunities and
book signings through blogging. All these thing have contributed positively to my being a writer.
Ok, sure, there is the negative side. Blogging takes time. It takes time to write. To read other blogs. To comment. It's one more thing to maintain in my
already busy everyday life.
The Edge of the Forest: Do you have any rules for yourself as a blogging writer?
P.J.: Don't feel like I have to post every day. If I don't feel like I have anything to say on a given day, then I won't post.
Do leave comments on other people's blogs (when I have something I feel I can contribute). I love getting comments. And I love having people respond to
comments I leave.
View blogging as fun.
The Edge of the Forest: Do you have any advice for writers thinking about taking up blogging? Or for any bloggers thinking of taking up writing?
P.J.: For writers taking up blogging: Don't be negative on a blog. Really, no one wants to read about all the bad things that happened to you
today. If you feel the need to “vent”, then make it a private post. Or a private blog. But if you want to interest others, look for the positive.
For bloggers taking up writing: You've already proven you can write—and consistently. So start the novel you've always been wanting to. It's not
going to write itself, and pretty soon, the pages just start scrolling by.
Speed Round:
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee. Black. And Bold. None of the McDonald's stuff.
Who is your favorite writer? What is your all-time favorite book?
OK, I'm fickle. But for the last few years, it's been steady at The
Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.
Beer or Wine?
Beer with some bite to it.
Beach, city, or forest?
I'll take City on this one. Big city with lots of museums. Seven years
ago it would have been beach. But now with the kids, sand toys, sunscreen,
and sand in everything, I've changed.
Favorite Place to Write?
My loft office in my house. Actually, it's the only place I write..
Movie, Theater, or a Concert?
Movie. Big screen. Lots of action. Special effects and fantasy/science-
fiction a huge plus. Movies are magic.
Favorite Snack Food?
Popcorn. In fact, you could have just called this category "Favorite
Food" and left out the snack part.
If you had an entire week and unlimited resources to do whatever you'd
like, what would you do and why?
Take the whole family on a trip to Egypt with a private tour guide.
Although the idea of a writing getaway sounds great, I'd miss my kids
(and husband) horribly after that long.
Halloween, New Year's, or Valentine's Day?
Valentine's Day. My kids make me valentines. Everyone wears a red shirt.
And there's candy. Lots and lots of Candy.
The Edge of the Forest:Thanks for joining us, P.J.! We'll see you on the blogs.
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