Literary Rambles - Interview and ARC contest!

I recently started following a new blog, Literary Rambles. 

It spotlights Middle Grade and Young Adult books, authors, agents, and publishing companies. Seriously, a gold mine of great information. I want to digest it all and am a little overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge to help me in my (LONG) journey of becoming a published author. 

Obviously, I am not the only one who finds this site valuable, as there are over 3,000 followers!

Today, Natalie Aguirre posted an interview with debut author Kit Grindstaff, including a contest for an ARC of her novel The Flame in the Mist, which is releasing tomorrow.

Here is the synopsis of The Flame in the Mist, as included in the interview (originally found on Goodreads):

Set in an imagined past, this dark fantasy-adventure is for fans of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass. Features Jemma, a fiery-headed heroine held captive in Agromond Castle, yet destined to save mist-shrouded Anglavia.

Fiery-headed Jemma Agromond is not who she thinks she is, and when the secrets and lies behind her life at mist-shrouded Agromond Castle begin to unravel, she finds herself in a chilling race for her life. Ghosts and misfits, a stone and crystals, a mysterious book, an ancient prophecy—all these reveal the truth about Jemma's past and a destiny far greater and more dangerous than she could have imagined in her wildest fantasies. With her telepathic golden rats, Noodle and Pie, and her trusted friend, Digby, Jemma navigates increasingly dark forces, as helpers both seen and unseen, gather. But in the end, it is her own powers that she must bring to light, for only she has the key to defeating the evil ones and fulfilling the prophecy that will bring back the sun and restore peace in Anglavia.

*Image source - buy it now on Amazon! (Or elsewhere, but this link is for Amazon) :)

The interview is amazing for anyone interested in publishing. Lots of great advice on marketing AND the author shares her story of publishing a book without an Agent! I didn't even know that was possible. I've never really considered writing a middle grade (MG) book, but I am thinking about it now after hearing how much more rare MG authors are. The sooner we get kids interested in reading, the better, right?!

If you are interested in the book, author, or interview, check it out here!

If you also want to be in the running for the ARC (advanced reader copy) contest, head over to the interview and make a comment. You get two entries if you mention the contest in some other form of social media (twitter, facebook, blog, etc)!