I couldn’t wait any longer. Here’s the finalized cover (print & ebook) for WHEELMAN!
While the release day is still: Feb 2, this gives you a sneak peek at the look for this young adult novel we’re so proud of at Vox Dei.
Great work from Hayley Stone – designing it. The final proof has been approved.
(Interviewed on Twitter by Kandi J. Wyatt, author of The One Who Sees Me) 01.18.2016 –
Question 1: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? How did you find @voxdeipub
Brian: Sure. I grew up in so. KY and met my wife in college. I wrote in graduate school and found @voxdeipub while scouring the web. 🙂
Kandi: What did you write about in graduate school?
Brian: I created a short story collection titled “Baptisms & Dogs” set in the fictional town of Seton, KY. It helped me start (writing).
Kandi: It sounds interesting.
Martin Jones: Hey Brian, your friendly editor here – just popping in!
Question 2: What is your book about?
Brian: #Wheelman is about a teen seeking his father. He goes on a journey in search of hard answers.
Kandi: So is it a YA or middle grade book?
Heather Huffman: Hey everyone!
Kandi: Welcome! Glad to have you.
Brian: Young Adult
Heather Huffman: I’d say young YA.
Kandi: Awesome!
Martin Jones: Definitely YA, some serious themes tackled here!
Question 3: What led you to write Wheelman?
Brian: A trip with friends to Mexico in 2011 prompted the book #wheelman. It was a great experience albeit dangerous.
Kandi: Can you share what themes besides #humantrafficking Wheelman tackles?
Martin Jones: I think the impact of a broken home and sin is prominent, together with a fair amount of violence!
Kandi: How was it dangerous?
Brian: Drug cartels and beheadings were reported at that time. It was a tough time to travel near Mexico City.
Kandi: That does make for some interesting travel.
Martin Jones: Another question (for Brian) – are any of the characters based on yourself or people you have met?
Brian: That’s a tough one, Martin… I’d say Teddy resembles my dad just slightly. But most were abstract creations.
Question 4: So you’ve done some traveling. Can you tell us about that?
Brian: I love the open road. It’s what generates new memories. Central Mexico is so beautiful. It needs to be written about!
Kandi: Guanajuato is my favorite place. Although I had fun in San Miguel de Allende
Brian: God’s country, right? So pristine and beautiful! I LOVE San Miguel.
Kandi: Right. I love the colors of the houses.
Brian: And the doors. I’ve never seen so many different types of doors.
Kandi: You’re right. The doors in central Mexico are amazing.
Adam Hopper: How did growing up in a small town like Monticello, Kentucky impact the locations in the book?
Brian: #Wheelman tackles travel to and from some unique places. My hometown molded me into what I am today. I love Ky!
Brian: Hi! @pastortabitha Thanks, Tabitha!
Martin Jones: Do you think #Wheelman has any kind of take-away message for the reader?
Brian: Great Q. #Wheelman does. The importance of valuing family is central! Today, tomorrow, everyday. While we can!
Question 5: Do you have any #travel safety tips for us?
Brian: I knew that one was coming! 🙂 Be cautious. I had great taxis in Mexico (and fun). But there’re always risks
Kandi: That there are. Your book gives you a platform to discuss #HumanTraffickingAwareness.
Brian: Yes. It plays a role in the family reunion elements of #wheelman and it was a difficult subject to study.
Kandi: I bet it was. I know I had difficulty sleeping just after writing a blog about trafficking
Question 6: How did you become aware of human trafficking?
Brian: Drug/human trafficking are prevalent not only in other parts of the world but US- all 50 states #IJM helped me for #Wheelman. It messes with us, as it should. Knowing the world has such intense events happening daily – wakes us up!
Kandi: It makes us realize there is more to life than our happy little corner.
Martin Jones: Without revealing spoilers – we might differ slightly on this but would you say the book has a happy ending?
Brian: You all brought the real Qs. 🙂 Haha. I would say quasi-happy. It depends on the reader’s idea of win vs. lose though.
Kandi: I think that is key to any ending of a book.
Martin Jones: Gotta say I love the title #Wheelman – says so much about the book in a word – both sides of the story #goodevil
Brian: Amen! #Wheelman is to the point. Our team really made it happen.
Martin Jones: Yeah, I wish I could take credit for the title #lol
Brian: You CAN!
Question 7: What kinds of testing of faith have you experienced either while writing or that prompted you to write?
Brian: Learning about trafficking and realizing that all sins are equal … caused me to write more definitely. Scars are lasting.
Kandi: Scars are lasting! Oof. That they are. We can end #humantrafficking
Question 8: If people want to help end #humantrafficking what do you suggest they do?
Brian: Playing an active role in their daily lives, online and in person. We have an opportunity to @endtraffick ing
Kandi: Where can we find you online?
Brian: Online- https://brianltucker.com, Instagram: bltuck2, amazon at: http://amazon.com/author/tuckerb, and even on Goodreads at: Brian L. Tucker
#Wheelman releases Feb 2 on #groundhogday and my father’s birthday! It’ll be on @amazon and other major websites
Kandi: Can’t wait for it. Thanks so much everyone for joining, and congratulations, @thebriantucker
Brian: Thanks again, Kandi J Wyatt! I appreciate your time. Have a great night!
Kandi: Thanks again for the time. I’m off to eat dinner with the family.
-End of Interview-
BIG SHOUT OUT to the fine people at VOX DEI Publishing (Booktrope) for keeping the fires stoked on this first novel!!
As we near the Thanksgiving holiday, I’m feeling the need to give credit where it’s due, and I’d like to mention –
The cover is coming together, and a title change is more than likely in the works. STAY TUNED for more.
2016 will be here shortly. God bless!
Hello guys & gals,
I’ve included my 1st ever BLOG VIDEO on Youtube for you to see! Hope it helps key you in to the exciting developments around this first book of mine, The Silence of Sacrifice. I’m excited to have your readership and support.
2016 here we come!
“Story is massive. Story is the most powerful tool to compel a human brain. Every human being self identifies as the lead protagonist in the story.” – Donald Miller
“One of the deepest of all human longings is the longing to belong, to be a part of things, to be invited in. We want to be part of the fellowship. Where did that come from?” – John Eldredge, Epic
Had the good fortune of seeing John Mark McMillan play in Chattanooga last night at The Camp House. If you haven’t caught him on his Tongues of Fire tour, I highly recommend it.
I’ve heard this music scene described as a hipster, Jesus convention, but hey, Jesus loves hipsters, too. Right? And we ARE capable of looking away from the skinny jeans, if we try hard enough. (I think I’m just jealous I can’t fit into skinny jeans.)
Anyways…
I couldn’t help but marvel at a performer so on fire for eternal truths, genuine conversation with his audience.
It was great to see a “younger” audience (I’m dating myself, I know) tied into the deeper topics as well. One song which especially stood out to me, and I hadn’t heard before was titled: Future / Past, and the lyrics are below:
“Future / Past” by John Mark McMillan ::
You hold the reins on the sun and the moon
Like horses driven by kings
You cover the mountains, the valleys below
With the breadth of your mighty wings
All treasures of wisdom and things to be known
Are hidden inside your hand
And in this fortunate turn of events
You ask me to be your friend
You ask me to be your friend
And you,
You are my first
You are my last
You are my future and my past
The constellations are swimming inside
The breadth of your desire
Where could I run, where could I hide
from your heart’s jealous fire
All treasures of wisdom and things to be known
Are hidden inside your hand
And in this fortunate turn of events
You ask me to be your friend
You ask me to be your friend
And you,
You are my first
You are my last
You are my future and my past
You are the beginning and the end”
If this were a Sunday school lesson, I’d say ‘Amen,’ and we’d all head home. But, I wanted to bring up the relevance of JMM’s ability to connect with his audience AND deliver a message. The 2 go hand-in-hand. And…he did this in a way I hadn’t seen in a loooong time.
It was refreshing.
He said about halfway through his set that he didn’t know what he’d done before he was writing songs, but he felt like he’d wasted it.
To him, any time prior to songwriting and singing had been squandered.
And, I’m starting to see the need in my own life (writing as an example), to live on purpose. To care for those around me.
I pray the same is happening in your life. Whether it’s singing, songwriting, or whatever gift you have: use it.
It was refreshing to see someone similar in age having such an impact on the world around him. I wanted to post a video of the live environment I was trying to describe above. Hope it works for you:
