Interview with novelist Riya Aarini

Novelist Riya Aarini joins me today to chat about her new contemporary family fiction novel, Licensed to Rear: A Novel.

During her virtual book tour, Riya will be giving away a book-themed T-shirt to a lucky US-only randomly drawn participant. To be entered for your chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Riya Aarini entered her small part of the world one summer day in the Pacific Northwest. She’s a writer who dabbles in an eclectic mix of genres, but is drawn mostly to humor, satire, absurdist fiction, and paranormal comedy.

Please tell us about your current release.
Licensed to Rear is a fun family-fiction novel that revolves around the concept of earning a parental license prior to having children. Coolbeensia, a forward-thinking fictional micronation, is the setting that allows such an unprecedented, yet compassionate, law to be enacted.

What inspired you to write this book?
Many kids have great parents, but a few aren’t as blessed. In writing this book, I simply wanted to be an advocate for these children who deserve a more carefree childhood, where they focus on being joyful kids instead of worrying.

Excerpt from Licensed to Rear:
“He’s seven, barely getting started,” Jason retorted. “And for life? Are you kidding me?”

“Well, we have to look closely at the defendant’s conduct and determine if it unequivocally led to a violation of the plaintiff’s Fifth Amendment rights.”

“What was that right again?”

With a heavy sigh, Mila shook her head. “Jason, you should know it by now. It’s Friday, and you had three days to memorize the entire Bill of Rights.”

He ran his hand through his hair. “Yeah, but—”

“No excuses, Jace. We’ve got to prepare if we’re going to be licensed parents.” She put her hand on his thigh and gave it a light push. “Anyway, the Fifth Amendment states that kids have the right to live in a make-believe world for as long as they wish.” She dropped her tablet onto her lap. “For sure, per Coolbeensian law, this kid’s right was violated.”

Jason jerked his head back. “How so? Kids at some point realize there’s no Santa Claus.”

“But at age seven, he had the right to be inspired by the magical world of Santa and other legendary beings. I mean, it’s just plain wrong that the father’s irresponsible blurt led him to no longer believe in the Tooth Fairy too. These figures add so much joy and wonder to a child’s life. The father had no right to take that joy away from his son so soon.”

She crossed her arms. “It’s just not sensitive parenting.”

“Eh, I disagree,” Jason argued, cocking his head. “In a couple years’ time he’d have learned the truth anyway, from friends and even teachers.”

Mila flung her neck back. “Ugh, I’d never tell my fourth graders that Santa doesn’t exist.” Her eyes grew big. “Some still believe.”

What exciting project are you working on next?
I’m promoting Licensed to Rear right now, hoping people will read and enjoy it.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always been a writer since my school days. I’ve loved the written word since junior high English classes, then studied it in English Literature courses in college.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I put words to the page on a daily basis and am glad to have the opportunity to do so.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
All my many quirks are interesting. There are too many to count. I’d say I am made up primarily of quirks.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Everything under the sun, from a lawyer to a CIA agent.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I hope readers pick up Licensed to Rear: A Novel. It’s a story with a good message presented in a thought-provoking and entertaining way.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon buy page

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