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Website: Hopebolinger.com

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Hope Bolinger is a literary agent at C.Y.L.E. and a graduate of Taylor University's professional writing program. More than 800 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer's Digest to Keys for Kids to HOOKED to Crosswalk.com. She writes about 250-300 articles a year. Her modern-day Daniel, “Blaze,” (Illuminate YA) released in 2019, and they contracted the sequel “Den” for July 2020. Her superhero romance she co-wrote with Alyssa Roat releases from INtense Publications in September 2020. Find more about her at hopebolinger.com

So, I understand you have a new book coming out! Would you mind sharing with us what it’s about?

Absolutely! So Den is the sequel in my modern-day Daniel series. In the trilogy, I place Daniel in a boarding school. This one picks up right after Danny discovers the pyromaniac who has been wreaking havoc on campus last year. But there's a new threat on the horizon. A string of suicide attempts leaves Danny suspicious. Is there a murderer on the loose? Is Danny paranoid? Or is he next on the Hitlist? 

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? What/who inspired you to publish your first book?

Well, I've always been writing, but I didn't consider writing novels until I got to high school. My best friend wrote them, and I figured we need something else in common other than the fact we watched Doctor Who. So I tried my hand at the novel. 

How much of your books are realistic? Are the experiences based on someone you know, or are they events in your real life?

Ohhh boy. For fear of libel, I’m not sure how much I can say. I will say a great deal of experiences do get poured into every book, but I can't really spill much more than that. 

What do you do in the ‘real world’ when you’re not writing?

Besides working five jobs, I do theater, handbells, tennis, choir, and just about anything else I can before my family begs me to stop overcommitting myself. 

What are the challenges in writing your books? (Ex: logistical, research, literary, psychological, etc)

Besides the whole process? My biggest challenges I face are self-doubt and the submissions process. Just because you published one book doesn’t mean you’ll get another contract. You have to bring your A-Game all the time. 

Are there any quotes or verses you find inspiring? What are they and why?

So many could go under this, but I find a lot of comfort from Psalm 103. I tend to recite it to myself at night, when I can't get any sleep. 

Tell us a little about yourself. Perhaps something that a lot of people do not know?

Hmm. Let me try to think of a fun fact. Here are my usual go-tos when I play 2 Truths and Lie

-  I've swam (swum?) with sharks

-  I’ve illegally been in Nicaragua for five minutes

-  I’m allergic to coffee ... I love coffee

Are you a planner or a pantser when it comes to writing? (Planner – outline; Pantser – sit down and write)

Planner in the loosest sense of the term. I have certain destination points I need my characters to hit, but I allow for them to run rampant at times. 

If there was anything you could change regarding your publishing experience, what would it be and why? Also, do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Because I have such a strong belief that everything from my past has given me a tool for my present journey, I’m not sure if I would change anything. Except, to exercise more patience and trust in the process. My best advice would be to read voraciously, especially books published within the last five years. Read from large houses and smaller houses. You’ll get a pulse on what readers are devouring right now. 

Is there anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Thank you so much for bearing with my quirky self! I know I can tend to write some bizarre prose, so thank you for sticking with me.