Authors Supporting Authors: #5

This segment is on FIRE! So, let's cool it down with a close look at "The Arctic Fairies of Oylara", the third installment of a fantasy series by  Johnathan Fontenot. (With my typical, invasive commentary!)

But first, let me back up. For those who have yet to come across this delightful series, here is what Fontenot has released thus far (in this series):

Book #1:  The Desert Fairies of Oylara,
Book #2: The Rainforest Fairies of Oylara
Book #3: The Arctic Fairies of Oylara (just released!!!)

Audience: Early readers who are ready for the transition to chapter books. Each book is approximately 30 pages long and feature 6 full page illustrations to enhance the story. The action/adventure focus of the story is universal; however, the emphasis on the female leads is meant to appeal to young girls who want a faster paced story.

About: The series is based on an Earth-like world of Oylara. Oylara is a beautiful landscape made up of many different environments. It is abundant in natural resources and home to strange and wonderful plants and animals. Fairies, shaped and adapted to their particular home environment, protect the planet from harm. They are the guardians who work to keep the planet healthy and beautiful. However, the planet is now under threat from an alien race called the Pollutoids.

[Julian's comment: Uhoh, don't like the sounds of that!]

They arrive at Oylara because they have destroyed their own home world due to their careless ways and their greed. The Pollutoids want to take over Oylara and steal all its natural resources for themselves. Each book introduces a new fairy group and an action adventure story of how they battle to protect Oylara from this new and crafty adversary. The books also feature strong female lead characters and an environmental message for us all.

I really love a great book with 1) diversity in landscape and characters and 2) a purposeful message. I hope people read this and take a good look at how they can prevent themselves or others to become "Pollutoids" ! After learning about the books, I asked Johnathan a few questions...

What makes this book/series stand out?
The stories move at a rapid pace and culminate with a climatic ending that will make your pulse quicken!

What was your inspiration?
I was inspired to write these stories because I personally think that our young girls are under-served when it comes to strong female action role models. [Julian's comment: I AGREE. Great perspective and mission!] I come from a background of military aviation and have seen young girls flock to our female pilots at airshows with a look of surprise and awe on their faces. [Julian's comment, again: That is AWESOME. To be honest, I always wanted to be in the Airforce. Seeing female officers in the military was inspiring] While I think that is wonderful, I also think that it should not be so unusual to these young girls to see such strong female role models. So, I'm trying to do my small part to hopefully make them feel empowered and invincible. I also believe that we need to pay attention and take better care of our planet. My environmental message is subtle but hopefully it will encourage awareness and inspire future engagement to make our home a little better.

Can we expect more from the fairies that live in Oylara?
In the current format and genre, these three books are all that are currently planned. However, I'm using them to establish the baseline for another set of books that are planned for the next level reader. I'm nearly halfway through my draft for a chapter book that brings all the characters that have been introduced, along with a couple of new ones, on an adventure together in the spirit of the first three books. 

So, let's get down to the facts, when is your latest installment, The Arctic Fairies of Oylara, available?
Book 3, The Arctic Fairies of Oylara, has just been released December 7, 2017. It is available, along with the first two books, on the Archway Publishing Bookstore website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks. You can get it in hardback, softback, or as an e-book.

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Archway Publishing Site

Amazon

Johnathan Fontenot grew up with a love of reading and a desire to explore the world outside his small hometown of Ville Platte, Louisiana. His adventurous nature led to a career as a fighter pilot in the Air Force that took him all over the world. Now retired from the Air Force, he shares exciting stories that inspire children the same way he was inspired as a child. Johnathan currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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