Guest Post: Shelley Workinger

1/18/11

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Summary:

"Eighteen years ago, a rogue Army doctor secretly experimented with a chromosomal drug on unknowing pregnant women. When he was killed not long after the children were born, any knowledge and evidence seemed to die with him -except the living, breathing human products of his work.

Almost two decades later, the newly self-proclaimed 'open-book' military unearths the truth about the experiment, bring Clio Kaid and the other affected teens to a state-of-the-art, isolated campus where they soon discover that C9x did indeed alter their chromosomes -its mutations presenting as super-human abilities. The military kids, who come from across the nation and all walks of life, come into their own as lighter-than-air 'athletes'; 'indies' as solid as stone walls; teens who can make themselves invisible and others who can blind with their brilliance.

While exploring her own special ability, forging new friendships, and embarking on first love, Clio also stumbles onto information indicating that the military may not have been entirely forthcoming with them and that all may not be as it seems..." (from back of the book)

Amazon★Website

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Here's what Shelley had to say about her novel:

The main criticism I get from readers is, Why is "Solid" so short? Virtually every blog review has expressed the desire for at least fifty more pages. And as an epic lover myself, I can absolutely see their point.

What most people don't know, however, is that "Solid" was actually written for the reluctant reader - the early teen who has started to become so overwhelmed by required reading that she's in danger of losing the love of pleasure reading entirely. At an age when "book" starts to feel synonymous with "ye olde torture," I wanted to offer a fun, fast read that was short enough to put the accomplishment of finishing within everyone's reach.

Now, of course, I'm thrilled with the praise and attention "Solid" has started to get from established readers, and I'm faced with the challenge of meeting both sets of needs. (Just because the illustrious "they" say that you can't make everyone happy, doesn't mean that I can't try!)

So the good news is that as the once-reluctant readers cross over into the book-loving fold, the "Solid" series can grow alongside them. This doesn't mean that book three will be a thousand-page tome, but readers will see significant (and organic) expansion, and, by the conclusion of the series, hopefully everyone will feel satisfied with the whole.

And you never know, maybe I'll get so caught up in our joint venture that I'll have to take the story beyond the planned trilogy...follow the "Solid" series and we'll grow together :)

-Shelley

Thanks for stopping by, Shelley!

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Stay tuned for my review of Solid coming later on in the day!