Today’s special guest author is Melissa Madian to chat with me about her new juvenile sci-fi novel, It Came from the Science Lab!
During her virtual book tour, Melissa will be giving away a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. For a 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:
Melissa Madian is the Chief Fabulous Officer at TMM Enablement Services Inc. As a mechanical engineer, she loves taking the science of what is possible and imagining stories around the impossible. She is a storyteller, mom to a precocious cat, and auntie to her human nephew. She hopes that this book serves as a reminder to people – adults and children – that even the weirdest and most unusual creature just wants and deserves to be loved.
Please share a little bit about your current release.
Bartholomew Blob is a curious creature that comes alive when a science experiment goes wrong. He embarks on a journey of discovery, seeking friendship, love and acceptance. As he goes in search of a new home, he feels all sorts of emotions and realizes that it’s okay to look and feel a little different than everyone else.
What inspired you to write this book?
I found my old story notes when I was cleaning out our basement during the beginning stages of the pandemic. When I wrote the original draft, I was much younger at the time and back then I was feeling a little out of place and different from everyone else. Many years later I now know who I am and I’m proud of everything that makes me unique and fabulous! I wanted to show kids who might be feeling the same way that they can embrace and love everything about themselves, even if they don’t always feel the most confident in their skin.
Excerpt from It Came from the Science Lab!:
A deafening noise filled the air around Bartholomew. He turned and shrieked – a huge object with large, sharp teeth and four fat round legs was heading straight for him! A yellow streak ran across Bartholomew and he shut his eyes tightly, hoping the creature would not see him.
The tractor stopped mere feet from Bartholomew. A girl jumped out and ran over to him, picking him up in her arms and lifting him to her face. Bartholomew, feeling the strength of her arms, opened his eyes and looked into a pair of big, brown eyes.
“What are you?” she asked.
“I… I… I’m Bartholomew Blob. I came from the science lab across the fields” Bartholomew said.
What exciting story are you working on next?
My husband and I have a 1-year old cat named Pickle who is a bundle of hilarious, goofy energy. We think he’d make a fantastic character for a children’s book, so that is what I am working on next!
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been writing and creating stories since I was a little kid, so I guess I’ve always thought of myself as a writer. Working at my “day job” prevented me from sitting my butt down in a chair and getting the creative thoughts out, as I used to do a lot of travelling. When COVID hit and I wasn’t travelling anymore for work, I realized there was no better time than the present to write! It came from the SCIENCE LAB!!! and my book Enabler? I Hardly Know Her! How to Make the Sales Experience Not Suck were born during the pandemic and I couldn’t be prouder to finally have them out of my head and published.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I run a boutique consulting firm, which is where my book, Enabler? I Hardly Know Her! How to Make the Sales Experience Not Suck stems from. Consulting is my “day job”, so I am focused on working with my clients during the week. I try to set aside time on evenings and weekends to write, sometime with a glass of wine to get the creative juices flowing!
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I pace around a lot when I am thinking of what next to say. Fortunately, neither my husband nor the cat minds me walking around the house muttering to myself.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Queen of the World! Just kidding (not really!). I always knew I was destined to have a career in the sciences. I excelled in both languages and math, but I knew that if I got my degree in Engineering it would open so many doors for future opportunities. It’s why I feel so strongly about encouraging young girls to get into STEM (Science-Technology-Math-Engineering) fields. When I graduated in 1996, I was one of 6 women out of 116 graduates in Mechanical Engineering! My hope is that more young girls get excited about learning science subjects, as it can open the mind to such amazing creativity and potential.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Do not be afraid to be who you are and don’t let anyone tell you to be anything other than yourself! If just one child is inspired to enter STEM or make friends with someone who is a little different because of this book, then I’d be a happy gal!
Links:
Goodreads | Twitter | LinkedIn | Website
Buy Links:
Amazon US | Amazon CA | Kindle | Bookshop | Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | Indigo Chapters – paperback | Indigo Chapters – hardcover
Thank you for being a guest on my blog!
Thank you for having me, it was my pleasure!
Thanks for hosting!
Thank you for having me on your blog!
Thanks much for sharing your book and a giveaway. Sounds great and happy to have read about it.
Sounds like a great read.
Great excerpt and interview! Sounds like a fantastic book for our youths! Thanks for sharing with me!
I have holidays on the brain. What’s your favorite holiday?
My birthday, which I make into a week-long extravaganza!
Sounds like a very good book.