Pump Up Chats with Karen Pokras Toz

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Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife, and mom. Karen grew up in the small town of Orange, Connecticut and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Finance. She also attended the University of Richmond, where she studied law and business, receiving both a JD and an MBA. Karen has spent the last several years working as a tax accountant, writing in numbers. She recently discovered a passion for writing with words. In June 2011 Karen published her first novel for children, Nate Rocks the World. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), Association of Independent Authors (AIA), and the Independent Author Network (IAN). Karen enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her husband and three children. To learn more about Karen and Nate Rocks the World visit www.karentoz.com

Thank you for this interview, Karen. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?

A: The writing bug came much, much later. I loved to read books as a child, but was never much of a writer. It wasn’t until just a few years ago that I started to write (and write and write!) Nate Rocks the World is my first published piece.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

A: Marketing has been the most frustrating part for me. While I enjoy meeting all the amazing people I cross paths with each day, I was not prepared for the sheer amount of time it would take away from my writing schedule. On the flip side, it is the incredible people I have met, that make being an author so rewarding. I love hearing from those who have enjoyed reading Nate Rocks the World. I especially love hearing from kids – they are the best! I’ve started a section on my website to show off some of the pictures they have sent me: http://www.karentoz.com/meet-the-kids.html

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?

A: I am married, and I have three great children ages 5-14. They are my everything and so supportive of my writing. I am fortunate to be able to work from home and try to get much of my writing and marketing done then. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t – but I’m very lucky to have such an understanding family.

Can you tell us about your latest book and why you wrote it?

A: I didn’t set out to write a children’s book, but I found early on in my writing, that I had a “young voice.” I also noticed how hard it was to get my oldest two children to read something other then their assigned schoolwork. I decided I wanted to write a story that would be fun – something that kids would want to read. Nate Rocks the World was inspired by all three of my very creative and artistic children. It is the story of a ten-year-old boy who draws adventures that come to life, starring himself as the hero. Contrary to that description, Nate Rocks the World is not a graphic novel. I wanted the reader to experience the adventures the same way Nate does – by using his imagination. Nate Rocks the World cover

Can you share an excerpt?

A: “The score is three to two in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. The Philadelphia Phillies have a man on first, but honestly folks, I think this game is over. The Phillies have just not been able to pull it together this World Series, and now with all of these injuries, who could the Phillies possibly put in to bat? It looks like this hometown team is running out of options. I hate to say this, but I think the dream of winning this year’s World Series is now over for this team. Wait a minute – is that Nate Rocks approaching the plate? He hasn’t been off the bench all season. Surely, the Phillies have someone more experienced they can use. Even Nate looks confused, as he steps up to the plate. I don’t know about this. Here comes the first pitch … swing … and a miss. Second pitch … ooh, a 95 mph fastball … and that’s strike two. The Philadelphia crowd of 45,000 is silent, as we wait for the third pitch … the pitch that determines this year’s world champions. The pitcher looks around, winds up, and … CRACK – that ball is OUT OF HERE! I don’t believe it, folks! Nate Rocks has hit a home run and the Philadelphia Phillies have won the World Series!!!”

The Phillies rush out of the dugout, running toward me, as I cross home plate. They pile on top of me. Thunderous cheers of enthusiastic fans echo through the stadium. I can barely breathe. I feel a hand reach out to me.

“You did it, Nate! You did it!” The Phillies’ first baseman yells. He pulls me to my feet.

Two other players help hoist me up over their shoulders. I wave to the crowd in victory. The players parade me around the bases and the crowd begins chanting:

“Nate!”

“Nathan! For the fourth time – dinner is ready!”

“Huh?” I ask. Mom is standing in my bedroom doorway, hands on her hips, staring at me, as I sit on my floor among a sea of colored pencils.

“I said dinner is ready. And for goodness sake Nathan Michael Rockledge, clean up this mess!”

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A: I have a laptop, so I like to move around a lot. But I need to be comfortable. My favorite place to write is on the living room couch that sits in front of our big picture window. I also love to write while sitting up in bed, but only if I can get the pillows just right. We are in the process of converting one of our spare bedrooms into an office. I’m looking forward to having that completed and hope all our hard work proves inspirational!

What is one thing about your book that makes it different from other books on the market?

A: I don’t think there is anything else like it actually. I hope it fits a market that I felt was missing, namely a fun and adventurous book, geared mostly towards 7-12 year old boys (although I’m hearing that girls and adults are loving it too!)

Tables are turned…what is one thing you’d like to say to your audience who might buy your book one day?

A: To the kids, I will tell them what my oldest son told me when he finally realized he loved to read: “Reading is like a movie in your head, only better because you get to see everything the way you imagine it to be.”

For the person who may buy my book for a child: There is no better gift to give than the gift of reading – whether it is my book or someone else’s. Encourage the children in your life to read everyday.

Thank you for this interview, Karen. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

A: Thank you so much for having me. I hope all that are young at heart enjoy reading Nate Rocks the World!

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Aiken Brown, SON OF A SOLDIER

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Miri Leshem-Pelly, SCRIBBLE & AUTHOR

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Shami Stovall, KNIGHTMARE ARCANIST

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Bacon Press Books

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Deborah Serani, DEPRESSION AND YOUR CHILD

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Karen-Anne Stewart, ASH TO STEELE

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach