Amy McCaw - Mina and the Undead - Interview (Q&A) - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books #10

WELCOME to the Mansion of the Macabre. In the spirit of Halloween, we have a fantastic interview with Amy McCaw the author of the brilliant book Mina and the Undead. This is a fantastic YA read that has found many a fan since it was published in April 2021 by UCLan Publishing. If you like a good old scare and an intelligent read this is definitely the book for your Halloween treat. We hope this interview will inspire you to purchase a copy so check it out below and try to visit the author's website HERE. 

Readers of your book (Mina and the Undead) can expect a paranormal thriller. What else can they expect to find in the book?

Mina and the Undead definitely draws influences from different genres. At its heart, it’s a story about two estranged sisters who rebuild their relationship in unsettling circumstances. The book is set in New Orleans, so there are plenty of local myths and creepy settings. There’s also quite a bit of murder…

How would 17-year-old Mina (the main character in the book) describe herself?

That’s an interesting question! She’d probably describe herself as a lover of all things spooky, from serial killer stories and horror movies to graveyards and haunted locations. Mina has a difficult relationship with her family, and at the beginning she doesn’t feel like she belongs anywhere. She’s insatiably curious and can’t let something go if she thinks a wrong has been committed.

How do you process and use the ideas you have in the development and writing of this book?

I got most of my initial ideas from visiting New Orleans in 2012. I knew I wanted to include the local myths and amazing locations that I learned about during my visit. It was then a case of figuring out my plot, characters and the time period I would set it in. The story really came together when I figured out that the book would be set in the 90s. That gave me a whole decade of pop culture to draw on and set into motion a lot of plot points that have a 90s feel.

I tend to record ideas on a mind map initially. At first, it’s just a messy sprawl of thoughts. I then start organising the ideas that fit together into groups. Once I have enough elements of the story, I start plotting using bullet points. As soon as I’m too excited to put off writing any longer, I know it’s time to plunge into drafting.

Did any of the characters take you on a journey that you were not expecting?

Definitely! From very early on, I had an idea of the basic plot and I knew who all of the characters were. As I started writing, I realised that some characters had the potential to be red herrings, some would be wrapped up in the murder mystery, some would help Mina and some would get in her way. Some of those characters definitely surprised me and felt like they were taking on a life of their own.

How did you decide on the setting for the book?

From the moment I visited New Orleans, I knew I’d set a book there. This book was always set in New Orleans because it is so steeped in the city’s myths and locations. Mina is a Yorkshire girl (like me) who is fascinated with the city.

Is there anything that didn't make the final cut in the book? What was this and how did you work through the edits?

The main plot and structure of the book is quite similar to my early drafts. I had a clear sense of where it was going and future edits were about tightening and shaping the plot. The main scenes I’ve lost along the way weren’t particularly noteworthy, and that’s why I cut them. If they didn’t develop characters or move the plot on, they had to go. Sometimes, I need to write my way through a scene that I know will get cut, but I need it at the time to help me figure something out.

I tend to keep notes of future edits I want to make as I write. I do this in the comments on a Word document and I start lists of ideas and things I need to improve. On each round of edits, I work through these lists quite methodically, tackling one big thing at a time.

I understand that you love travelling. What is the most inspiring place you have visited and why?

I love visiting places with a rich history – that’s one of the things that drew me to New Orleans. Some of my favourite locations are castles, movie filming locations, catacombs and bookshops, so I enjoy places that have these features. Cities I would visit over and over again include New Orleans, Paris, Orlando, Los Angeles, Edinburgh and Lisbon.

I love reading books that scare me. What does your reading diet consist of?

I read mostly YA books, often with elements of horror, thrillers or mysteries. I also enjoy contemporary and historical YA when I’m in the right mood. I read some adult books (mostly horror and thrillers), Middle Grade, Manga and graphic novels too. I have very varied reading tastes, but I tend to gravitate towards spooky subjects.

What do you think is the most important element to get right when writing a YA horror book?

There are so many elements of YA horror, and my favourite books do different things really well.

I think atmosphere is really important. If you read books by authors like Kat Ellis and Dawn Kurtagich, their books simmer with a creepy atmosphere that builds to chilling scares.

I also think characters shouldn’t be neglected in horror. My favourite horror titles, like IT by Stephen King, have characters that you will cheer for and weep over.

Do you think films or books have particularly shaped your writing and the ideas within this book?

I’m definitely influenced by things I’ve read and watched. A lot of people describe Mina and the Undead as a love story to horror, and that’s definitely what I was going for. I found it really useful to know the tropes of YA mysteries and horror, so I could have fun leaning into them or turning them on their heads. I’ve been particularly influenced by 90s slasher movies, vampire movies and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Jenny Pearson (Author), Rob Biddulph (Illustrator) - The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

This is a book to look forward to as part of the latest adventure from Jenny Pearson. The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates is set to be published on 30th April 2020 by Usborne Publishing. The book illustrations and cover have been illustrated brilliantly by award-winning illustrator Rob Biddulph. He has done an amazing job of depicting the story visually to enhance the very engaging narrative.

This story will definitely capture the reader's attention from the very first page. The main character, Freddie Yates, loves facts. You can rely on them. An example of one such fact is: the fastest time to eat a raw onion is 29.56 seconds which was achieved by Yusuke Yamaguchi in Japan 2013. You may think this is a bizarre fact to choose but it is very relevant to the story, as you will find out if you read the book. This thought-provoking, family adventure is full of many other fun facts. For example, did you know that Dolly the sheep was the first mammal to have been successfully cloned from an adult cell in 1996?

The book will take you on a hilarious journey following three boys on an adventure of a lifetime. Armed with a spare pair of underpants, they go in search of Freddie Yates's Dad whom he has never met before. However, things don't quite go according to plan! The adventure is fraught with danger and includes some very strange events along the way. The narrative is delivered comically as the three boys argue and fall out - just like most friends do.

This super fun, brilliantly engaging story will certainly have tears streaming down your face from laughing too much or from the thought of eating a raw onion. You can expect some well-timed miracles: a seagull with a deadly shot, naked scarecrows, three kids running down the high street with superhero costumes on and an exploding toilet. Yet at its heart, it's also a book that explores the importance of kindness, hope, and understanding what really matters. 

This is definitely a book for younger readers or someone with a good sense of humour. It's not overly complex but it has enough within it to keep an adult entertained. The book relates to the ups and downs of family life. In fact, it's a human rollercoaster of emotions but all make for great entertainment and reading. What more could you possibly ask for? Pre-order your copy now. 

Read a free chapter HERE

Alastair Chisholm - Orion Lost - Book Review - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books

The first book not to be missed this year is Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm. This story is a brilliant blend of Sci-Fi goodness which is perfect for fans of both Star Wars and Star Trek. The book will be published this week (9th January 2020) by Nosy Crow. Therefore, it's time to grab your boarding pass and take your first journey into a fantasy world that will have you booked and hooked. It's a middle-grade adventure that will have you rocketing out of the orbit in minutes.

Earth is a distant spot on the horizon, millions of miles from home. The Colony ship ORION is four months out of Earth on the way to EOS FIVE when a sudden and unexpected turn of events occurs.  This plunges the plot into MYSTERY as you hurtle into a non-stop action-packed ride. Thirteen-year-old Beth and her friends have to navigate the heavily damaged ship, without the help of an adult crew, as they spin out into uncharted territory. Fortunately, the children pull together using their strengths and skills to try and help them get back home. 

Many of the concepts and ideas in this book I particularly loved. For example, the crew making jumps through space which required all the passengers to be put to sleep. This really gave a fresh angle to the story. The characters were brilliantly written; some of them were gutsy and resourceful as they created a realistic approach to situations. However, there were also lots of fun moments to be had. 

This is definitely one of the best books, within this genre, that I have read for some time. It is a much-needed read that allows you to easily escape and be transported into another world and time. The atmospheric story is full of energy, space pirates, alien encounters and friendships. It's a life-changing adventure which is a million miles from home and it's all awaiting you, the reader, to engage in it from your comfy armchair. So, why not give it a try today - fun impacters on and full-throttle away! 

P.G Bell (Author), Flavia Sorrentino (Illustrator) - The Great Brain Robbery (The Train to Impossible Places BK 2) - Mr. Ripley's Enchanted Books - Book Review

Here we are being whisked away on another fantasy adventure all aboard the Impossible Postal Express. The Great Brain Robbery is the second book by P.G Bell and will hit the bookshops this month (October, 2019) with a fanfare of smoke and whistles. It has been published by Usborne Children's Books in amazing hardback goodness. The book cover has been superbly illustrated, once again, by the talented Flavia Sorrentino. Remove the holographic dust jacket and it will reveal an illustrative treasure; a marvel of design and colour that fully captures the reader's attention. Whilst inside, the book has twelve brilliant illustrations to complement the story.

In this book, we are treated to another all-out adventure which has clearly stretched the author's imagination. The inventiveness and playfulness is a really strong feature of the story; it makes a fantastic reading experience. You will easily find your self immersed in a quirky race for time in an unpredictable plot that will have your pulse and brain buzzing with energy and excitement.

We return to the Union of Impossible Places with Postal Operative Suzy. The magic shimmers from the very first page, as we slide back into a sparkling universe that will make your dreams sing and your heart pulse with eager expectations. The town of Trolliville is in danger - cracks begin to appear as tremors shake the foundations but what exactly is afoot? The crew of the Impossible Postal Express has a mystery and a puzzle on their hands. However, Suzy, Wilmot and friends soon uncover a dastardly plan that might derail their postal duties and bring Trolliville crashing down.  

Delivering the post has never been so deadly. However, "A good Postal Operative is not only courteous and efficient but embodies the ideals of honesty, courage, and trust" (Book of Knowledge - Postal Operative Handbook). With this in mind, you'll be rampaging across the amazing landscape in seven-league boots. Flying across the sky in a fold-away hot air balloon called Bertha and visiting secret caverns. Life has never felt so impossible in this thrilling narrative both above and below Trolliville.

This is another treasured book with a fantastic story to match. It's full of great ideas, humour, adrenalin and mild emotion that will be loved by everyone. Strap yourself in for a narrative full of mayhem and madness that will have you eating the pages up in no time at all. The story has a great ending to whip up a memorable fast-paced fantasy storm that will leave you wanting so much more. This is an excellent book so buy it or borrow it but you definitely have to read it; it is a great armchair reading experience.