Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Mermaid and the Unicorns by L.T. Getty. This book tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book as well as a great guest post from the author. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the tour for more content. Enjoy!
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Title: The Mermaid and the UnicornsAuthor: L.T. Getty
Publisher: Black Unicorn Books
Publication Date: August 31st 2021
Print Length: 220 pages
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Adventure
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Daphne’s a typical mermaid, and at least according to her, that’s a problem. She’s courageous and has a beautiful singing voice, but lacks the power of an elemental, the ability to command water with the sound of her voice. Jealous of her best friend, she makes a deal with a sea-witch, only to be betrayed, in place of her beautiful tail and flukes Daphne’s left beached with a pair of human legs. The spell keeping Daphne looking human will become permanent, unless Daphne can hunt down and bring the scheming Lorelei a unicorn horn before the next full moon.
Unable to reach her friends and family for help, Daphne doesn’t know how to walk, much less where to find a unicorn or how to catch one. Even if she’s successful, Daphne’s still not sure if she can trust Lorelei and her pint-sized kraken to keep their end of the bargain and let her return to the sea.
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EXCERPT:
"You'll see lots as you travel from place to place," Daphne told the small dolphin. "Come, your mother won't forgive me if I let you roam from the pod."
Why hurry? Echor asked as he swam, spinning around different plants and sponges that grew along the rocks, before focusing in on a vibrant snail. It was not a very old reef, though it was well inhabited by many vividly-colored, small fish. The young dolphin seemed to take pleasure in disturbing them and watching them scurry into their small hiding crevices and among the anemones. You're so lucky that you get to stay in your town all the time. This part of the sea is so beautiful!
"I think it would be neat to see so much of the ocean," Daphne said, thinking of her small town of Thranda. Unlike the dolphins, who often travelled long distances in a single day, most merfolk lived in towns unless they left their communities to hunt or travel to another community. She had known members of his family since she was a little mermaid, and only got to see them a few times a year when they passed through her home to feed in a nearby bay. She heard a series of warnings behind her—the other dolphins had detected something with their echolocation. Unless it was something exceptionally large, they should have been safe within the pod, but Echor was very young. "Echor, let's return to your family." The young dolphin had wandered off while Daphne had turned her head, chasing a seal that had left her bob, trying to swim away from Echor.
"Echor!" Daphne called, swimming after him. She caught up to him, then looked over her shoulder as she heard a familiar sound. An orca! Daphne suppressed a shudder. It was large, but far enough away for her to find a hiding space. Still, killer whales almost always travelled in groups. The killer whale dove when he spotted her. She knew the others would want to help, but they were no match for an orca. He swam quickly towards her and Echor. Daphne knew she would be hard pressed to out-swim the large creature.
Hide! the orca told her.
Daphne then saw the immense shadow and wooden keel of a ship following the orca. The killer whale dove deep, though the water was too clear and shallow to truly hide his massive form. A harpoon followed him, missed, and was quickly pulled back to the surface by a rope. Another harpoon plunged into the water, and then another. The rough waters churned green and grey in the ship's wake, and Echor's warning chatter only told her that there was another human vessel. It came from Daphne's left, and it dragged a net behind it.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
L.T. Getty is a rural paramedic from Manitoba. She enjoys writing science fiction and fantasy and generally being creative.
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GUEST POST:
- What do you love most about the Fantasy Genre?
I’m going to lump mythology and folklore into the category of fantasy for the sake of simplicity and, in my opinion, fantasy therefore is our oldest form of fiction, unless you want to count parables, and even those often feature some aspect of the fantastic, even if it’s rather mundane (talking animals, for instance, think The Tortoise and the Hare).
When I took my first creative writing course at University, I often found myself at odds with the more literary types, with fantasy being dismissed as genre, and with few exceptions fantasy being a lesser form of writing. We didn’t always butt heads over everything but I remember asking a question and being met with more vehemence than usual. “I find that science fiction doesn’t always get things right, but it sometimes isn’t far off from what technology is being created. If I don’t look far enough into the future, I’m going to be left behind before my book is out. How do you keep your work from getting dated?” I asked.
“You can’t help that. All work will be a reflection of its time. Genre fiction is no different,” was the general consensus.
I will concede a point: we as authors are a product of our time, and unless you’re fabulously wealthy and famous and your fanbase will defend anything, you are writing for an audience at some point, and have to consider market trends and audience expectations. Shakespeare did it; I’m willing to bet the vast majority of playwrights and writers did it throughout history too.
Modern fiction in particular, I find is often very character driven and often introspective as compared to classic fiction and very old tales. My favourite novel, Til We Have Faces by CS Lewis, is a retelling of a classic Greek Myth from Psyche’s sister’s perspective. Margaret Atwood retold The Odysee from Penelope’s POV in her Penelopiad, and I want to go to Broadway and see Hadestown, a reimagining of the Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice with a depression-era aesthetic and jazz music. In general, I don’t mind seeing retellings done with a unique vision, unless they’re adapting someone else’s work, then I’m going to be a whole lot more persnickity. (I’m looking at you, Amazon’s Wheel of Time).
But, if you were to ask me when certain movies were released, unless there’s a very obvious hint, say a performance by an artist who was really popular at the time, if people are in historical dress, I probably would be uncertain exactly when movies like Gladiator were made. Clearly some choices like hairstyles, clothing, and music may be topical to that year or decade – but I can watch and enjoy a film made by people who are now all deceased and understand what’s going on in that story.
I referenced Gladiator above, so clearly stories that are profound and can be watched decades after they were filmed are not unique to fantasy, and I think many stories are classics that are important to stay in the time they were created for; for instance, I would have a hard time imagining Anne of Green Gables set anywhere but Prince Edward Island in the late 19th century. But because fantasy can be fleshed out ad nauseum or, be that faraway place that you know sort of never really existed, that I don’t have to know anything about about old middle eastern culture to be in awe of the tales of Sinbad the Sailor. I’m okay with this retelling yet another Cinderella because there’s another version I like better, and that’s the one I will compare all other adaptations (often unfairly) to.
Odds are, you have never been tasked with an impossible quest to destroy a talisman, lest the forces of hell be unleashed upon the earth. You may be facing odds that are too typical and still seem just as impossible; you can relate to a little hobbit, not in physically walking across the country but wishing that such an evil never came upon you in that time, and that someone better and stronger than you was chosen for something so overwhelmingly terrible. You may have found a means to better your circumstances, and arrogance was your downfall – you flew a little too close to the sun, Icarus. You did the work, but in the time of trial your faith was tested and you floundered; don’t look back Orpheus, or you’ll lose her forever.
At the end of the day, these stories have stayed with us for generations, and the ones that stuck with us from childhood held a meaning we didn’t always understand and sometimes still have a hard way of articulating. I’m not saying fantasy is unique to telling stories that are the most profound or that it is the best, but fantasy is in a unique position to use metaphors or simplify complicated ideas, so that when that cultural context is lost certain truths are self-evident to children, and can have deeper meaning for adults as well.
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GIVEAWAY:
L.T. Getty will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)
My niece would like this book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteDid you always want to be a writer while you were growing up?
ReplyDeleteThe short of it is, yes. I Didn't really think about "author" as a career so much as I always liked making up stories.
DeleteThis sounds like a very interesting book.
ReplyDeleteThe unicorn is so beautiful! I instantly wanted to read this because of the fantastic cover 😍
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt and cover.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! Thanks for visiting. =)
Deletebeautiful cover, this sounds amazing
ReplyDeleteReally nice cover and excerpt, looking forward to reading this!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteHow did you decide on the cover for the book?
ReplyDeleteI was originally going to paint or have my sister do an illustrated cover. I was looking at premade covers talking to my publisher for other books and I stumbled across thia cover on Etsy. Normally all the covers I fall in love with have nothing to do with what I'm working on, so it was really just luck.
DeleteThe short answer is if you're looking for a cover is find graphic artists you like and follow them. Most are willing to substitute minor changes or discuss alternatives, but it depends on the individual and your budget.
I enjoyed the guest post and I love the excerpt, I can't wait to share The Mermaid and the Unicorns with my grandkids!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it with me and have a wonderful day!
This sounds like a good read and I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any advice for new writers?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely but it's a big question. Feel free to ask a specific.
DeleteThe big thing in my opinion is know that the traditional publishing process is slow, so my suggestion is to read books around the same length/genre you like to write, then write a book to the best of your ability, put it out for submissions and start working on another project. Generally speaking your skill level will improve with each project. This way, if you do get a bite you can sneak in other projects once you have a publishing house's attention.
Will you write more now that Fall is here?
ReplyDeleteAbout the same for the fall, it's winter that I typically get the most writing/hard work done. I usually try to write a little every day though.
DeleteI’m so obsessed with the cover! I’d want to frame it
ReplyDeleteHere's to a sensational September!
ReplyDeleteSeptember already, hope the book tour is oging well
ReplyDeleteIs there any advice that you got early on about writing that has stuck with you?
ReplyDeleteIn grade 9, my teacher told me to try to genuinely understand the other side of a debate, so well that I can argue a side I son't believe but can convince people anyway.
DeleteHelps me get into oyher people' s perspectives and viewpoints.
The excerpt is interesting. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of pet would you have, if you could any pet?
ReplyDeleteI'd like an acreage and to have horses. Work commitment's takes a lot of time, but maybe in the future.
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest I'd have a funny farm probably with llamas.
Happy Friday! I hope you have a great holiday weekend!
ReplyDeletedoes the hot weather affect your writing
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
abfantom at yahoo dot com
I enjoyed your guest post.
ReplyDeleteI wish unicorns were real. I mean, how magical would that be?!
ReplyDeleteVery nice book cover and the book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteHappy Labor Day Weekend!
ReplyDeleteHave a safe weekend!
ReplyDeleteIf you could have any super power, what would it be?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteDo you have a 3 day holiday?
ReplyDeletehave a great long weekend
ReplyDeleteWhat was your favorite chapter and why?
ReplyDeleteDo you have any plans for Labor Day weekend?
ReplyDeleteWhat's your favorite food at a BBQ?
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite movie of all time?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting story.
ReplyDeleteWhen was the most exhilarating moment of your life?
ReplyDeleteHappy Saturday
ReplyDeleteWhich authors do you admire and why?
ReplyDeletedid you always want to be a writer
ReplyDeleteDo you have a favorite color?
ReplyDeleteHow do you come up with ideas for books?
ReplyDeleteHow many books have you written?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you like about being a writer?
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a great Sunday!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great excerpt and guest post. The book sounds like an
ReplyDeleteintriguing read. Great cover!
Have a good Labor Day weekend.
ReplyDeletesuch a beautiful cover
ReplyDeleteWho inspired you when you first began to write?
ReplyDeleteHappy Labour Day
ReplyDeleteDo you have a favorite holiday?
ReplyDeletewhat are you looking forward to most this Fall
ReplyDeleteHow many books have you written and which is your favorite?
ReplyDeleteHope you have a nice fall.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book that will charm many young readers.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Hope your weekend was good
ReplyDeleteThis book looks so amazing!
ReplyDeleteDo you decorate for fall at your house?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of phone do you have?
ReplyDeleteHave any of your books been made into audiobooks? If so, what are the challenges in producing an audio book?
ReplyDeletewas it hard finding a publisher
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHere's to a wonderful Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteyour book sounds like something I would enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteDo you listen to podcasts?
ReplyDeleteWhat is your next book going to be about?
ReplyDeleteDo you read these comments?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your excerpt.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a strict writing schedule or do you just write when you want to?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this well done excerpt & the amazing cover!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
AWESOME THANK YOU
ReplyDeletedo you have an other books started
ReplyDeleteWhat mythical creature do you wish actually existed?
ReplyDeleteWhere did you go to college?
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
ReplyDeleteat what age did you start writing
ReplyDeleteWhat was the highlight of writing this book?
ReplyDeleteWhere do you get your writing inspirations from?
ReplyDeleteIf you could run a store selling anything, what would it be?
ReplyDeleteWhat author do you most admire?
ReplyDeleteTell us about your first published book? What was the journey like?
ReplyDeletedo you have a favorite author
ReplyDeleteThe Mermaid and the Unicorns by author L.T. Getty sounds like a fantasy read many readers will enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
How many books have you written?
ReplyDeleteDo you read your own books?
ReplyDeleteWhat's your guilty pleasure?
ReplyDeleteI love fantasy stories! Can't wait to read this! What place have you visited that you love the most?
ReplyDeleteIf you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
ReplyDeletedid you take a vacation this year
ReplyDeleteWhat are you in the process of writing right now?
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday!
ReplyDeleteHow many books do you write in a year?
ReplyDeleteWhat projects are you currently working on?
ReplyDeleteWhat other titles did you think about for this book?
ReplyDeletethanks again best wishes with the tour
ReplyDeleteI think that the cover of this book is very attractive.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Who is your favorite author
ReplyDeleteWhich of your books is your favourite?
ReplyDeleteWhat are some of your best ideas?
ReplyDeleteWhat's your favourite color?
ReplyDeleteThe cover of this one is so magical.
ReplyDeleteheather hgtempaddy
What is your favourite season to write?
ReplyDeleteHa[[y Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteWhat was your favourite comic strip?
ReplyDeleteHow do you get your exercise?
ReplyDeleteHow do you handle writer's block, if you have it?
ReplyDeleteDo you have a favorite fall activity?
ReplyDeletehope the book tour is going well
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of book are you writing right now?
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a good day.
ReplyDeleteDo you prefer cake or pie?
ReplyDeleteApple or oranges?
ReplyDeleteDo you ever wake up in middle of night with new and wonderful ideas for your book(s) ?
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favourite unsolved mystery?
ReplyDeleteDo you like working with your editor?
ReplyDeleteis there a time of year you tend to write more
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteDo you like bread?
ReplyDeletewas it hard getting published
ReplyDeleteDo you have any weekend plans?
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite book?
ReplyDeleteWhat book to you like to re-read?
ReplyDeleteDo you like poetry?
ReplyDeleteThe cover is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteare there any authors that inspire you
ReplyDeleteI hope you have been having a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThe cover of this book is attractive and engaging.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
What inspires you to write books?
ReplyDeleteWho's your favorite author?
ReplyDeleteAre you 420 friendly?
ReplyDeletedo you have a quiet place you go to write
ReplyDeleteHave a fantastic week!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great night!
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite time of year?
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing crickets. Do you have crickets where you live?
ReplyDeletedo you write more in fall or winter
ReplyDeleteTell me about your dream home.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a great Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteThe attractive cover of The Mermaid and the Unicorns is just right for a fantasy tale.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Where did you get the idea for this book?
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite book?
ReplyDeleteDo you have a favorite breakfast food?
ReplyDeletedo you have a favorite book or author
ReplyDeleteHappy hump day.
ReplyDeleteHow's your Wednesday?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book!
ReplyDeleteDo you keep writing notes on you phone?
ReplyDeletebeautifully designed cover
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday.
ReplyDeleteHappy First Day of Fall!
ReplyDeleteThank you again for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThe Mermaid and the Unicorns looks like a great addition to our family library. My grandmother began collecting books when she was a young teacher in 1910. I still remember her reading to me from The Jungle Book, not Disney, Rudyard Kipling!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
ReplyDeleteI like the cover. This sounds like a great book that my niece would enjoy reading.
ReplyDeletethanks again and best wished with the book tour
ReplyDeleteI love the cover!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the contest. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful release.
ReplyDeleteLove this Cover! Sounds like an awesome book!
ReplyDelete