Virtual Book Tour Guest: Interview with 'Anzard' Christopher Conroy
Author Christopher Conroy currently lives in Los
Angeles, California, but was
born in Ireland
and raised in Canada. He grew up in a large family consisting of
seven children, and a mother and father who by his own description were “loving,
moral, fun and pure magic.” Conroy says
he was heavily influenced by John Steinbeck growing up, and also likes Jack
London and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but that the “main influence for ANZARD
came from that magical place in my mind where I write.”
For
More Information
About the Book:
Author Christopher Conroy has just
released a book for kids aged 8-12 called ANZARD. Teachers, parents,
producers...take note! This appealing
and well-written book would give Lewis Carroll (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) reason to worry. As a matter of fact if you mixed in one part
ANZARD tells the story of how a
young boy named Justin Cavell learns to listen to that voice inside him and trust
his instincts. He also learns how his
dreams and wishes can come true: Justin
becomes more aware of himself and his potential to turn his dreams and wishes
into reality.
One dark and stormy night, as
Justin is anxiously awaiting the return of his parents and praying for their
safe return from a long overdue plane trip, he is visited by Poofy, a tiny,
magical pixie who comes from the faraway planet, Spiritainia. Justin is escorted to this wonderful world of
Spiritainia by the Anzard pixie, Poofy.
Aside from Poofy, Justin is joined by his own Tribe of Truth – that
include such memorable characters as Regal the Eagle, Turner the Turtle,
Chumpah the Chipmunk and Billy the Goat – define Justin’s inner voice and help
him in his quest of self-discovery.
Justin also learns to resolve
conflict, which arrives in the form of an evil witch named Nosefeen, and
captures Poofy as Poofy is guiding Justin to the Path of Possibilities. Through
these adventures, Justin grows stronger and develops self-esteem, enabling him
to return to Earth, find his parents, and guide them home safely.
ANZARD opens up a world of rewards
for kids who learn to develop and trust their inner voice. The book helps them
to become more aware and enlightened.
The ANZARD book cover is beautifully
illustrated by Peter Green Design of Glendale, California who also designs for
film companies, sporting teams and many other businesses including DreamWorks,
McDonald’s, The Walt Disney Company, LEGOLAND, The NBA, HBO, FOX Kids Networks,
and the “Game of Thrones” fantasy drama television series, to name a few.
“A timeless, yet very modern story
of a young boy’s journey to a magical new world, filled with enchanting
characters and thrilling adventure. You
owe yourself a trip to Spiritania.”
- Victoria
Lucas, Producer
“My nephew loved ANZARD so much I
had to see what got him so excited.
After the first chapter I was hooked.
I normally don’t read this kind of fiction (fantasy) but the storyline
was compelling enough to make me locate the author’s website and post this
review.
Can’t wait to read Mr. Conroy’s
next novel!”
- D.
Butler, Amazon Post
Justin’s story can even appeal to
adults. Says Mr. Conroy, “I want my
readers to come away happier, more aware and enlightened…as a child I was aware
of many things but I constantly invalidated that awareness. I shouldn’t have. Those gifts are precious. Our inner awareness should be nurtured and
cultivated, especially by parents and the child who has those gifts. Maybe some part of Anzard will awaken those
powers.”
For More Information
- Anzard is available at Amazon.
- Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
- Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Christopher. Can you tell us how
long you’ve been writing and how your journey led to writing your latest book, Anzard?
I have been writing seriously
over the past 15 years but I’ve loved writing since childhood. That journey
that lead me to write this, my latest book, ANZARD. ANZARD came from the desire to try to make
people aware of the great gifts we are given by this Universe of ours …
especially the gift of inner awareness.
Q: I love your title…can you tell us why you chose it?
I was trying to give a name to that comment people consistently make with
two words “I knew”. They usually say
“I knew” when they ignored their words of “I knew” and got into trouble
afterwards, like “I knew” I shouldn’t have done this or that.
The name for the words “I knew” for me became the title of this book
ANZARD … part ANGEL … part WIZARD.
Q: Why did you believe your book should be published?
I believe my book should be published because, I believe, we all have an
ANZARD. I feel we all have that voice
inside us that let’s us know about things before they happen. This gift from this Universe of ours has been
given many names and one of them is ‘instincts’. It’s especially important, I believe, for
children to be aware of these instincts to aid in their certainty, courage and
creativity as soon as possible in their lives so their individual worlds can
become more bountiful and safe.
Q: We all know that publishers can’t do all of the publicity and that
some lies on the author. What has your
publisher done so far to publicize the book and what have you done?
My publisher, Charles Barnett, has done many wonderful things to promote
my book including a virtual book tour and a radio commercial that resulted in a
wonderful book review. I have mailed out
postcards with my sister, Moira, and we also pass these postcards out wherever
we go.
Q: What book on the market can it compare to? How is it different? What makes your book special?
My book is a combination of HARRY POTTER, ALICE IN WONDERLAND and
PINOCCHIO. My book is different because
it addresses an area in of all of us that isn’t addressed enough in my opinion
… our inner gifts that make us unique and special such as our instincts.
Q: Open to a random page in your book.
Can you tell us what is happening?
On page nineteen a wedding takes
place on a far away, magical planet called Spiritainia where a cute fairy is
born called Poofy. Poofy is the Anzard
of a boy on Earth who is praying for his lost parents that Poofy is going to
help him develop the tools to find them.
Q: Do you plan subsequent books?
I am presently writing another Children’s Book titled the Jungle Ball
Story about an amazing revelation that affects children and adults.
Q: Thank you for your interview, Christopher. Do you have any final words?
I want everyone who reads ANZARD to enjoy it and listen inside to the
magical gifts we all are blessed with.
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