I’m so excited to host my fellow Little Lamb author Jason Joyner in a guest post today. He just released his debut novel called Launch. It’s a YA superhero book and I must say that my 14-year-old absolutely loved it! Once she started reading, she could not put it down! Here’s a little Q & A about Jason and Launch . . .
Why did you choose this genre? I’ve always loved superheroes. I used to daydream about saving the day in elementary school, so it was natural to write about teens getting superpowers. I had pictures of a guy running so fast he burned up his tennis shoes and a girl who could control light but it meant that she couldn’t dye her hair because it kept going blonde. From there Launch started to develop.
Are you a science/sci-fi nerd? LOL We prefer “geeks”. I really enjoy science and sci-fi, but I’m not so hard core that I get upset over technical mistakes in movies (unless it is medical, then watch out). I would consider superheroes more on the sci-fi side, but Amazon has it categorized in the “fantasy” side, so go figure.
Why did you choose this age group to write for? I wrote an adult suspense novel for my first book, but my writing style was too light for the subject matter. I had read a lot of YA, and decided writing for teens and young adults (and adults who like these books) would be a better fit.
Why do kids/preteens need heroes? I’d argue adults need heroes as well. But kids especially need to see that the dragons/villains/monsters out there can be defeated. Whether their obstacles are bullies, family troubles, or school issues, I think kids can see that victory is possible vicariously through hero stories. And of course, the greatest hero of all is Jesus, so all noble, heroic stories echo his victory over death.
What makes the heroes in your book (series) special? It may sound cliché, but the teens in Launch who develop supernatural powers are ordinary kids. Demarcus needs to keep buying new shoes because he burns them up running super fast. Lily knows more about social media than her computer industry father, but is depressed by loss in her life. Then when they get the opportunity at the Launch Conference, they must decide what they will do with their gifts.
Want to be a hero? Here’s how . . . by serving one another. We’ll all need help in life. God did not make us as Lone Rangers. He placed us in the Body of Christ for a reason. Superheroes come together in groups like the Justice League or Avengers. When we look at others’ needs and help when we can, it sets us up for help when we need it. Mostly, we’re created for this and when we get beyond ourselves and help others, we see how it helps us.
Here’s a little about Launch:
Sixteen-year-olds Demarcus Bartlett and Lily Beausoliel are among a select group of youth invited to an exclusive, all-expenses-paid conference at social media giant Alturas’ California headquarters. Led by charismatic founder Simon Mazor, the world’s youngest billionaire, this isn’t the typical honors society. It seems that everyone here has some secret, untapped potential, some power that may not be entirely of this world. An ancient prophecy suggests that if these teens combine their abilities, they could change the course of history. The only question is: Will it be for better or for worse?
Links if you want to connect with Jason:
Social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jasoncjoyner – You can join my Facebook group, The Heroes’ Hangout at https://www.facebook.com/groups/229022587673013/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jasoncjoyner
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jasoncjoyner
Launch Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/jasoncjoyner/launch/
Launch playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/124166539/playlist/4sB5rCXHYQ0wxA43gB7Oyr
Links if you want to get your own copy of Launch:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Launch-Rise-Anointed-Jason-Joyner/dp/0998624381/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=83XMXW8YRKBH0DTKNW9V
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/launch-jason-c-joyner/1128415598?ean=9780998624389