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PO Box 3201
Martinsville, VA 24115
United States

Stephen H. Provost is an author of paranormal adventures and historical non-fiction. “Memortality” is his debut novel on Pace Press, set for release Feb. 1, 2017.

An editor and columnist with more than 30 years of experience as a journalist, he has written on subjects as diverse as history, religion, politics and language and has served as an editor for fiction and non-fiction projects. His book “Fresno Growing Up,” a history of Fresno, California, during the postwar years, is available on Craven Street Books. His next non-fiction work, “Highway 99: The History of California’s Main Street,” is scheduled for release in June.

For the past two years, the editor has served as managing editor for an award-winning weekly, The Cambrian, and is also a columnist for The Tribune in San Luis Obispo.

He lives on the California coast with his wife, stepson and cats Tyrion Fluffybutt and Allie Twinkletail.

Jacci Turner, author of "Tree Singer"

The Open Book

Jacci Turner, author of "Tree Singer"

Stephen H. Provost

Nevada author Jacci Turner is an Amazon bestselling author of middle-grade and young adult fiction who has been a therapist, school counselor, campus minister, and mom. She is the author of several novels, most of which are geared toward young adults.

Her novels include Bending Willow, the first book in the Finding Home Series, a finalist for the Wishing Shelf Contest, which represented Nevada at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. She’s also the author of the Amazon bestselling YA novel The Cage, the first book in The Birthright Series, as well as The Retreat: A Tale of Spiritual Awakening, her first book geared toward adults, which was published by Harper One.

Other YA books include Snapped, about Snapchat and standing up to cyberbullying; and Cracker, an alternative history that examines what it’s like to be a marginalized person.

She graciously consented to sit down for an interview about Tree Singer, her first fantasy novel for young adults.

THE AUTHOR

Who are you? My name is Jacci Turner and I’m a recently retired trauma therapist.

Where and with whom do you live? I live in Northern Nevada with my husband of 39 years and our dog, Rosie.

If you could co-write a book with any author, living or dead, whom would you choose? I’d love to co-write a book with Madeleine L’Engle. She was a brilliant and thoughtful person with a huge imagination, but also a spiritual person, which I appreciate.

Why do you write? To add a touch of hope and light to this difficult world.

Where do you write? Mostly in my writing room, in my home. Before Covid, I wrote in the library every week.

Are you a planner or a “pantser”? I’m a pantser, but I plot in my head. I guess you could call me a muller or a plantser!

What imaginary land would you choose as your home, and why? I want to live at Hogwarts. I love the magic system there. So fun!

What animal, real or imaginary, would you choose as your constant companion? A dragon! I love books about dragons.

What do you collect? Besides books, I guess I’d say earrings. I like to get them when I travel to remember the places I’ve been. They don’t take up a lot of room in my suitcase!

Historical period you’d like to visit: I’m writing a historical fiction about the transcontinental railroad in 1869. What an exciting time. I’d love to see some of that. Not too much. though. Most of the past hasn’t been kind to women.

Famous person you’ve met: I was virtually mentored for a podcast by Gail Carson Levine. She writes retellings of fairytales like Ella Enchanted. The podcast hosts asked who I’d like to be mentored by, and I said her and she said yes! I was fangirling hard!

Complete this sentence: People are most surprised to learn that I… got a black belt in Karate when I was 48.

THE BOOK

Title, genre and length? Tree Singer, young adult fantasy, 244 pages

When and where does it take place? This book takes place in a fantasy world, where everyone has ended up on the island from other countries and over time become assimilated into a new culture. They all have practical gifts to help the population function well.

Would you live there and why/why not? I’d love to live there. It’s a very interesting place and I’d want to visit all the different clans: ocean, forest, and sun, plus the castle!

How did you come up with the title? Tree Singer is about a girl that sings to trees to help them grow so the title was a natural!

What inspired you to write it? I live in the desert, and I miss trees. So, I go to California as often as I can to be in the trees. One day I was sitting, looking out at a beautiful redwood tree, and thought, what if there was a girl who could help the trees grow by singing to them? Weird, I know, but that’s how my brain works and Tree Singer was born!

Is there a sequel in the works? There is one in my head, and several people have asked for one. But writing is expensive and I currently have four books on my computer I need to get published first.         

Where, how can you get it? It’s available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and all the usual places. And it’s on Audible! The reader is fantastic. She sings the songs I wrote, and it made me cry to listen to them.

How long did it take you to write it? It probably took six months to write and a year to rewrite.

What was your biggest challenge in writing it? I’ve never written fantasy before, and my editor was wonderful in helping me with the world-building. That is why the writing took so long. She kept asking me to describe things and explain things. It made for a better book.

THE HERO

Name, age, and occupation: Mayten, a tree singer in training. She is fifteen.

Where and with whom does he/she live? She has a very large family and lives with them at her homestead in the forest clan on the island of Triggensfeld. At the beginning of the story, this character is … A homebody, content to stay in her clan.

Who would play this character in a movie? Halle Bailey

What real-life person would be this character’s hero, mentor, or role model? Michelle Obama would be a good role model for her. She’s a strong woman who has overcome a lot.

What’s his or her celebrity crush? Her crush would be Tanner Buchanan. I had to google young actors, and he is very handsome!

What’s his/her favorite quote or motto? All living things are connected.

Worst habit? Self-Doubt.

Best feature? Bravery. She grows in this during the book as she takes risks and learns to lead.