LOIS SEPAHBAN INTERVIEW AND PAPER WISHES GIVEAWAY

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m thrilled to have Lois Sepahban here to share about her debut MG historical fiction PAPER WISHES that released on January 5^th. It’s set in World War II in one of our Japanese internment camps. It sounds so good and timely that I’m hoping to read it.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads: 

A moving debut novel about a girl whose family is relocated to a Japanese internment camp during World War II--and the dog she has to leave behind.

Ten-year-old Manami did not realize how peaceful her family's life on Bainbridge Island was until the day it all changed. It's 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Manami and her family are Japanese American, which means that the government says they must leave their home by the sea and join other Japanese Americans at a prison camp in the desert. Manami is sad to go, but even worse is that they are going to have to give her dog, Yujiin, to a neighbor to take care of. Manami decides to sneak Yujiin under her coat, but she is caught and forced to abandon him. She is devastated but clings to the hope that somehow Yujiin will find his way to the camp and make her family whole again. It isn't until she finds a way to let go of her guilt that Manami can accept all that has happened to her family.

Hi Lois! Thanks so much for joining us.

1.  Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

Hi, Natalie! Thank you for having me here.

I was an obsessive reader as a child, and by the time I was 9 or 10, I was writing stories. When I was an adult, it occurred to me that I could pursue a career as a writer. So then I started taking writing classes, where I learned about SCBWI and joined a critique group.

Because I am a teacher, it was a natural step for me to write nonfiction books. I’ve written several on a range of topics—history, science, biography, current events, and so on. I learned a lot about outlining and revision from writing nonfiction. These days, though, I focus primarily on fiction. I teach full time and have a family, so I try to save my writing time for my special, personal projects.

2. Yes, I can see how your reading as a child and being a teacher would have led you to write. Where did you get the idea for PAPER WISHES? And are you surprised at how timely your story is given what’s going on in the world now?

The idea for PAPER WISHES came from several places over a long period of time. I grew up in central California, so I knew about Manzanar and the internment camps of World War II as a child. For many years, I had wanted to write a story set there. The ideas that became Manami and Yujiin and Grandfather and Ron came from a variety of places while I was researching: old newspaper articles, photographs, interviews, and so on.

And you’re right—Manami’s story is particularly timely given what is happening in the world, specifically regarding the refugee crisis and the rhetoric of some politicians. The World War II internment camps imprisoned people based on their ancestry. Leading up to those camps, laws were passed that outlawed immigration to the U.S. based solely on race. But that was more than 70 years ago. I hope that, 70 years from now, we will view others through a lens of compassion instead of fear.

3. I hope so too. PAPER WISHES is set in Manzanar, an internment camp in Central California. Is this a real place or did you base it on a specific internment camp? What research did you do on your setting and Japanese Americans’ experiences in these camps?

Manzanar is a real place. It was an internment camp during World War II, and today it is a national

historic site. You can visit Manzanar’s museum and walk the grounds. Most of the old buildings have been torn down, but monuments and artifacts remain. There is also a wonderful online museum (http://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/manz/index.html) where you can learn more about the internment camps in general, and Manzanar specifically.

In addition to the Manzanar museum, I watched interviews with former internees on densho.org. That site has an archive with hundreds of interviews, in addition to other artifacts. It is free and available to the public (http://archive.densho.org/main.aspx).

The Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community’s website (http://bijac.org) was a good resource as well. What I learned there was particularly important in the first chapter of PAPER WISHES which is set on Bainbridge Island.

4. Sounds like you did some extensive research. I read you had a dog growing up, and

Manami’s personal growth revolves around her guilt about her dog. Did you draw on your own experiences in developing this part of your story?

I had several dogs growing up, but PAPER WISHES is dedicated to one in particular—Strider, an Australian shepherd mix. He was such a good dog! He walked me and my brother to our bus stop every morning and was waiting there for us when the bus brought us home. The loss of Strider is still painful, decades later.

5. Sorry it's a painful memory. You’ve also written 10 nonfiction books. What made you decide to write a historical fiction story? Do you have a preference now on staying with fiction or nonfiction books?

I enjoy writing nonfiction because I love to geek out on history and science research. But I’ve always written fiction—and as a reader, I gravitate toward historical fiction. So I suppose it makes perfect sense that I would write historical fiction.

Because my writing time is limited, I tend to focus on fiction these days. But I’m always on the lookout for a nonfiction topic that I’m super excited to research.

6. Your agent is Kathleen Rushall. Share how she became your agent and your road to getting this book published and your nonfiction ones too.

When I queried Kathleen, I knew that she was an animal lover. After we spoke, I learned that she was also a big-hearted, loving person. Add to that how much she loved PAPER WISHES, and it’s no surprise that we were destined to work together. I’m sensitive to other people’s emotions, so it’s important that I am surrounded by kind people. Kathleen is one of the kindest.

I queried her, following her guidelines, on a Sunday night. Monday morning, she emailed me, requesting the rest of the manuscript. Later that day, she emailed again to say she read it, loved it, and wanted to talk. I had queried three other agents, so there was a bit of a waiting period before I signed with her. Kathleen asked me to change a couple of things in the manuscript, and then she sent it out on submission. It sold within a couple of months. So, all in all, it was a gentle, easy path.

7. That's so cool you knew you had a connection as animal lovers. How are planning to promote this book? Is your strategy different than your nonfiction books?

I’ll be honest, promotion is not my thing. I don’t do any promotion whatsoever for my nonfiction books—I leave it completely to the publishers.

With PAPER WISHES, I have done a bit more—including interviews like this one. :) I’ll also be doing book signings for the first time. I’m scheduled to be on a few panels at book festivals and conferences in 2016, too.

I don’t blog, but I’m on social media—Twitter and Facebook, although Facebook is mainly for my friends and family.

8. I wouldn't love the promotion either. What has surprised you about being a debut MG fiction writer?

I knew I was introverted and shy before becoming a debut author, but I didn’t realize HOW introverted and shy I am. Coming to terms with social anxiety has been a challenge for me, but I have help—a supportive partner, loving parents, and a therapist. I try to limit the time I spend away from my kids—being with them, hugging, holding hands, and so on, soothes me.

I’m blessed to be part of the generous kid lit community. My critique partners, my SCBWI Midsouth friends, fellow Sweet 16s and Class of 2K16 debut authors have welcomed me into their warm circle. The support of other writers is something I cherish.

9. What are you working on now?

I’m working on a couple of other MG novels with a similar setting as PAPER WISHES. They are a bit different, but share themes—loss and love and family.

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Lois. You can find Lois at

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoisSepahban

Website: http://www.loissepahban.com

Lois  has generously offered an ARC of PAPER WISHES for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through January 30th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter either contest.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. The is for U.S. and Canada.

Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays was started by Shannon Messenger. Find all the other participating bloggers on her blog.

Here's what's coming up:

On Monday I have a guest post by Gregory Funaro and a giveaway of  one book in his MG fantasy Alistair Grim’s Odditorium series. 

The following Monday I have an interview with debut author Sarah Ahiers and a giveaway of her YA fantasy Assassin's Heart.

Wednesday that week I have my new and first agent spotlight with agent Beth Campbell and a query critique giveaway.

Friday that week I'm participating in the Favorites Book Giveaway Hop. 

Hope to see you on Monday!