A Minute with Author M. LaVora Perry

This author brings so very much to the literary table! She's a star with a thousand points of light.

What's Your Name and the title or titles of your books?

M. LaVora Perry

Books:

Taneesha Never Disparaging, Middle Grade Novel, Wisdom Publications, September 1, 2008, ISBN: 0-86171-550-0, $8.95, Paperback

Teen Sisters' Health--A Mind, Body, & Spirit Wellness Guide for Girls of Color, coauthored with Linda Bradley, MD, an internationally respected physician of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation whose been quoted in Essence, O, and several other popular and professional publications. Dr. Bradley and I are seeking a publisher for Teen Sisters' Health through our agent, Susan Schulman of New York. These books, I think, are revolutionary because there are no others quite like them.. They give our girls straight facts about sex and more, and can save their lives as well as protect their self-respect and futures. For more information including excerpts, a table of contents, a fact sheet about the books, and more, visit www.teensistershealth.com.

What genre do you normally write in?

I write across genres and for different purposes but I'm most passionate about juvenile fiction right now--middle grade to young adult.

Could you tell us just a little about yourself?

A full bio about me is available at http://www.mlavoraperry.com/bio.htm. And on my blog at http://www.lavoraperry.com/about


Will you give us a brief overview of your latest, or if you prefer, your favorite book?

This would be Taneesha Never Disparaging.
http://www.mlavoraperry.com/books.htm#taneesha
http://www.mlavoraperry.com/taneesha-interview.htm.



Here is Taneesha Never Disparaging summed up in less than 60 words:
What 5th grader bodyguards her limping best friend, runs a loser’s race for president, gets dissed by her parents, called “wimp” by her imaginary, evil twin, stalked by a teen ogre girl, and told she’s hell-bound because she’s Buddhist? Taneesha Bey-Ross, that’s who. And the whole mess just makes her go, “Dang!”

Where are your books available?

On Sept 1, 2008 Taneesha Never Disparaging will be available wherever children's books are sold.

Are you working on anything new at the moment?

I am seeking a publisher for my sequel to Taneesha Never Disparaging. The sequel is titled Hidden Jewel and is a young adult book written from the point of view of the 14 year-old girl that bullies Taneesha in Never Disparaging. I am writing a series of books about children and teens set in the fictional northern Ohio urban community in which Taneesha Never Disparaging takes place. The third book is about Taneesha's 17 year-old brother, Randy.

I am also working on a story set in 5th century China. It's titled Dragon Woman's Song and centers on a father and son who are skilled calligraphers and the women with whom they fall in love. In the father's case, love leads to a bittersweet outcome--the death of his beloved and the birth of his only child, his son.

What one statement would you like to make that you think our audience and your readers might benefit from?

As long as you continually self-reflect, put forth your best effort, work hard to strengthen the areas in which you are weak, and stay focused on your destination without giving in to defeat, you can achieve anything you set out to do.

Thank you so much!

Thank you Peggy for requesting an interview. I deeply appreciate it.

LaVora

I thoroughly enjoyed sharing this minute with this exceptional author with all of you!