Heather,
Thank you for agreeing to another interview. A few months ago, we discussed Murder of Crows, your first middle grade book. I’m so excited to talk about your latest book, Kobi: Memoirs of a Mustang.
Can you tell me about the book?
Absolutely! And thank you for having me back. Kobi’s story is that of a wild mustang who is rounded up by the government off of the Nevada plains, sent to prison, and then auctioned off. He makes friends along the way, both equine and human, before ending up in a show ring, proving a wild horse has every right to compete against purebred horses. One thing I think sets this story apart from other horse books is that Kobi tells his own story – from his own point of view. You know exactly what he’s thinking as he’s running from coyotes and being halter broke by a prisoner in jail.
The book is based on the history of your horse. What do you want people to know about Kobi?
He is such an incredible animal. When I first began training and showing him, people were interested in his story and said it would make a great book – I tend to agree!
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rounds up the wild horses to try and keep their numbers sustainable. It was through this program, I was able to add Kobi to my life. To me, there is nothing better than hearing his nicker every morning.
How is this story special to you?
While the beginning of the book was pieced together from help from BLM based on Kobi’s freeze brand, the majority of the book was our journey together. I was amazed by how many close minded people we encountered. They felt because he was a mustang his only use was for slaughter, dog food, or something else gross. So many people fail to see how incredibly smart these animals are – they had to be to survive on their own.
It’s also special to me because it includes my experiences with a formerly abused draft horse, Jake. I felt I owed it to him, and other horses experiencing the same kind of abuse he did, to get his story out there and make others more aware of abuse that continues to this day.
What age group would be interested in this story?
This book is written at the mid forth grade reading level, so any upper elementary school student through adult. There is something special about horse books that appeal to adults who either grew up around the majestic animals or always wanted to.
The book cover is beautiful.
Thank you. I’m fortunate to have talented people in my life who are also willing to lend a hand to my projects. Jean Drayovitch is a nurse at my school and also a very talented artist. She created the cover art as well as the sketches seen throughout the book which are based on photographs of the actual horses in the book. More of her talent can be seen at: http://www.jeandrayovitch.com/
How can we buy a copy of Kobi: Memoirs of a Mustang?
Kobi’s story is available on Amazon, both print version for $12.99 and e-book for $4.99. click to buy Kobi: Memoirs of a Mustang
Last time, you discussed your future projects which included a four book crypto-zoological series. Where do these books stand?
The first two in the series (Under Sapphire Skies and Beneath Diamond Water) are done – at least the first draft is anyway. They are currently being revised and edited. I’m hoping to be able to release them late 2014 or early 2015 with the other two books in the series (Within Emerald Forests and Across Ruby Fields) six to nine months later.
Thank you for your interview. Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’d like to thank you and your readers for their support. Also, the Kindle version of Murder of Crows is currently on sale for $.99 to celebrate Kobi’s release. Thanks again!
Thank you Heather! I loved reading Kobi: Memoirs of a Mustang and I know everyone else will love it, too!
Have a great week everyone.
Katelin Maloney
Thank you for agreeing to another interview. A few months ago, we discussed Murder of Crows, your first middle grade book. I’m so excited to talk about your latest book, Kobi: Memoirs of a Mustang.
Can you tell me about the book?
Absolutely! And thank you for having me back. Kobi’s story is that of a wild mustang who is rounded up by the government off of the Nevada plains, sent to prison, and then auctioned off. He makes friends along the way, both equine and human, before ending up in a show ring, proving a wild horse has every right to compete against purebred horses. One thing I think sets this story apart from other horse books is that Kobi tells his own story – from his own point of view. You know exactly what he’s thinking as he’s running from coyotes and being halter broke by a prisoner in jail.
The book is based on the history of your horse. What do you want people to know about Kobi?
He is such an incredible animal. When I first began training and showing him, people were interested in his story and said it would make a great book – I tend to agree!
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rounds up the wild horses to try and keep their numbers sustainable. It was through this program, I was able to add Kobi to my life. To me, there is nothing better than hearing his nicker every morning.
How is this story special to you?
While the beginning of the book was pieced together from help from BLM based on Kobi’s freeze brand, the majority of the book was our journey together. I was amazed by how many close minded people we encountered. They felt because he was a mustang his only use was for slaughter, dog food, or something else gross. So many people fail to see how incredibly smart these animals are – they had to be to survive on their own.
It’s also special to me because it includes my experiences with a formerly abused draft horse, Jake. I felt I owed it to him, and other horses experiencing the same kind of abuse he did, to get his story out there and make others more aware of abuse that continues to this day.
What age group would be interested in this story?
This book is written at the mid forth grade reading level, so any upper elementary school student through adult. There is something special about horse books that appeal to adults who either grew up around the majestic animals or always wanted to.
The book cover is beautiful.
Thank you. I’m fortunate to have talented people in my life who are also willing to lend a hand to my projects. Jean Drayovitch is a nurse at my school and also a very talented artist. She created the cover art as well as the sketches seen throughout the book which are based on photographs of the actual horses in the book. More of her talent can be seen at: http://www.jeandrayovitch.com/
How can we buy a copy of Kobi: Memoirs of a Mustang?
Kobi’s story is available on Amazon, both print version for $12.99 and e-book for $4.99. click to buy Kobi: Memoirs of a Mustang
Last time, you discussed your future projects which included a four book crypto-zoological series. Where do these books stand?
The first two in the series (Under Sapphire Skies and Beneath Diamond Water) are done – at least the first draft is anyway. They are currently being revised and edited. I’m hoping to be able to release them late 2014 or early 2015 with the other two books in the series (Within Emerald Forests and Across Ruby Fields) six to nine months later.
Thank you for your interview. Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’d like to thank you and your readers for their support. Also, the Kindle version of Murder of Crows is currently on sale for $.99 to celebrate Kobi’s release. Thanks again!
Thank you Heather! I loved reading Kobi: Memoirs of a Mustang and I know everyone else will love it, too!
Have a great week everyone.
Katelin Maloney
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