I’ll be signing copies of WHEELMAN on Saturday, 4/9 from 2-4pm at McKay’s Books of Chattanooga (off I-75).
Be sure to stop by!
Brian
Category: wheelman
Celebrate Your Milestones.
As you navigate this final week of March into upcoming Spring 2016, get excited! There are so many things you can reflect on and celebrate as you continue working hard. I was reflecting on a few personal milestones of this 2015-2016 and was shocked by how much was accomplished in just the time since this academic year began. Here are just a few:
- Traveling to Las Vegas in October 2015 for the National Academic Advising Conference and presenting with a co-worker on current methods
2. This picture is self-explanatory
3. Reading Leo Tolstoy’s masterpiece, War & Peace, during Thanksgiving Break. F-i-n-a-l-l-y!!
4. Completing a novel (Wheelman) and getting it published. (I highly recommend NaNoWriMo each November!)
5. Adding a family pet in February 2016-
These were just a few of the memories from this year. As you think about your milestones, it’ll help motivate you to work through to the end of this season. I look forward to hearing your success stories.
My best,
Brian
Q&A with Eisenhower Elementary about Writing
Would like to thank Mrs. NeShaune Lasley and her 5th grade class at Eisenhower Elementary in Louisville, KY for the interview questions today. Hope they help motivate more young writers. Mrs. Lasley is doing great things and providing a great example for her students.
Here are the questions they asked:
The Burke Writing Interview – Brian L. Tucker
Thanks!
Goodreads WHEELMAN Giveaway!
1 copy of WHEELMAN will be given away on Goodreads this Friday, Feb. 19th!
Step 1: Go to goodreads.com
Step 2: Create account or log-in with Facebook/social media
Step 3: Search ‘Wheelman’
Step 4: Scroll down and select ‘Enter Giveaway’
Drawing will be in 4 days!
I hope you win.
-Brian
It’s Live! Grab a Copy!
WHEELMAN – a novel, click here to purchase!
“Teen Cy Vance wants to do one thing: D-R-I-V-E. Except he has nowhere to go and no way to get there. But when he’s given a note at church, he discovers his dad–one of the FBI’s Most Wanted–is alive and well in Mexico…and he wants Cy to meet him ASAP! With the help of a best friend, Cy escapes Child Protective Services and flees to Mexico. What he doesn’t know is that his father is going to ask even more of him when they meet. How far will Cy go to help his family, and will it cost him his life? RUNNING AWAY IS ESCAPE. STAYING PUT IS UNTHINKABLE. THE ROAD AHEAD IS ANYTHING BUT STRAIGHT…”
1 More Day
T Minus 5 days …
facebook.com/brianltuckerbook
Dear Readers,
5 days away from LAUNCH time! Hope you are excited!
1 Week Until …
Feb 2nd – Be sure to pick up a copy of WHEELMAN on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retail sellers!
What others are saying about WHEELMAN already:
“…a great novel for readers who like stories about journeys of self-discovery, redemption, or the mechanics of dysfunctional families as they travel miles down life’s highway.”
“…extremely hard to put the book down and take a few minutes here and there to take care of the needs of my family. I had to know what happened next!”
“I find myself still thinking back on this book a week later and reflecting on the messages of redemption, grace, and love that are woven throughout. This is not your run of the mill inspirational story. You’ll find that it leaves you with more than you might have expected.”
Cover for WHEELMAN (Reveal)
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.
8 Things about WHEELMAN
(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-