We're Day Two of our Favorite Covers Week, and we're so delighted to be highlighting a new release!
For those of you who tuned into our 2nd Annual Diversity Month event last December, you may have met a certain someone by the name of Steven Dos Santos.
It's so amazing that he reached out to us, with his new release Dagger, with a banging cover, just in time for our Covers Week!
We got to sit down with Steven to talk about his upcoming release, and you can also hit up GayYA, where the cover is also been shown full blast!
1. For those who may not be familiar with you Steven, why don’t you introduce yourself!
Hey Everyone! I’m Steven dos Santos, author of THE TORCH KEEPER novels, a Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic series. Book One, THE CULLING, was released by FLUX Books in March of 2013, and named an American Library Association 2014 Rainbow List Top Ten Selection. Book Two, THE SOWING, was released on March 8, 2014. I’m a Team Member of the We Need Diverse Books organization, and I’m represented by literary agent, Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown, Ltd.
I studied Motion Picture production at University of Miami and graduated from Florida International University with a B.S. Degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications Television Broadcasting program. I’m also a very passionate advocate of LGBT rights and diversity in Children’s and Young Adult Lit!
2. So it’s our favorite’s month, and we’re highlighting covers this week. Man is yours sweet! Any idea of the steps it took to make it so awesome?
Thank you! I think the Artist, Jay Aheer, did a phenomenal job capturing the essence of the book. The whole process was very streamlined. I filled out a cover sheet with my ideas of how the main character (DAGGER), should look, and what elements I felt should be included. Jay received these notes and ran with it.
When I saw the first rendering, my jaw dropped at how gorgeous it was! I gave her a few more suggestions to add and received the finished version shortly thereafter. I can’t tell you how pleased I am with the cover and how awesome I think it turned out, even though I’m a little biased, lol.
3. Dagger is a new release for you. It’s described as YA Paranormal Espionage Adventure, wow that’s a mouthful! What makes it all four? What inspired the idea behind this release?
What’s interesting here is that, while DAGGER may be a new release, I actually wrote it before The Torch Keeper series, back in 2007-2008! At that time I met with a lot of resistance from publishers because of the gay male protagonist, and I had to shelve the project until I decided to try again after two of The Torch Keeper books were published.
As far as the four genres, think of DAGGER as James Bond or Jack Bauer from 24, meet Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Teen Wolf/Supernatural (except with actual MAIN gay characters), and you get the idea. There’s plenty of spy intrigue, supernatural creatures, and action, and the main character is 17, so there go your four! My love for spy stories and fun paranormal creepiness motivated me to write this story, and I can’t wait to share it with readers!
4. What are your favorite parts about “Dagger?” What are you hoping readers connect with?
My favorite thing about DAGGER, is that he’s a little cocky, very witty, and breaks the mold as far as action heroes go. He’s gay, but that’s not an issue. He’s very comfortable with himself and can kick major ass along with the best of them. DAGGER’s definitely someone you’d want on your side when battling the forces of Evil, that’s for sure.
With so many television shows and movies promising and teasing LGBTQIA inclusion, and mostly reducing their gay characters to insignificant roles, I hope DAGGER can help fill that void in some capacity.
5. Tell us there’s a planned sequel! If not, what are your plans for the next Torchkeeper” Book?
I’d LOVE to write more DAGGER books! I definitely have many ideas brewing. Hopefully, readers will connect with DAGGER when it’s released and make that dream come true. And yes, the Third Torch Keeper Book, which is called “The Raising” has been written! I’m just in the process of doing some editing. In the meantime, I thank fans for all their patience. You guys ROCK!
6. When will “Dagger” be ready for us to pay and consume it???
DAGGER is scheduled to be released next month by Evernight Teen! I don’t have the exact date in September, but I’ll definitely keep you posted. (this link will be LIVE soon: Evernight Teen Link).
7. Finally, where can readers and new fans go to get updates on new releases?
For more information on DAGGER and other news, you can visit my website, like me on Facebook and Dagger The Dust Ops. I’m also on Twitter , and you can find me on Tumblr and Instagram.
And if you want to help support DAGGER’s release on Social Media, join the Thunderclap Campaign and help spread the word!
Thanks so much for sharing the DAGGER cover love!
Don't forget the month long giveaway, where you can receive a signed copy of Steven Dos Santos' new release Dagger!
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