Blog Tour: M.P. Kozlowsky, Juniper Berry Giveaway

Today I have the privilege to welcome M.P. Kozlowsky on a stop from his blog tour for his middle grade book, Juniper Berry. He’s graciously composed a guest post and it’s very fitting to my situation since I’m at home right now with a 3 week old newborn.

I was sent a copy of Juniper Berry to read and review but unfortunately I’ve only been able to make it through the first few pages. Why? Basically because of the newborn. I hope to read it soon though!

Here’s what M.P. has to say about having a child and how it changes you forever.

A Creature of Habit Come Undone

Juniper Berry was written during a different time.  B.C.  2009 B.C. (Before Child).  I had a strict routine which I followed religiously, both a blessing and a severe thorn in my side – this included lunch at 11:12, walking the dog at 2:52, washing dishes at 4:54, among other odd intermissions.  In the middle of all this, however, was a good full day of writing.  But, that was assuming that I wasn’t interrupted by the super or a phone call or an errand.  If something disrupted my routine I couldn’t write; I couldn’t get in the right head, so to speak, the trance was broken.  To sit down in front of the computer I had to be in such a specific frame of mind, so focused, and, most importantly, I couldn’t have that damaged in any way.  I had certain meals I ate on certain days and at certain times and if we didn’t have peanut butter this threw everything off.  I would browse the internet in a predetermined order, I had to place phone calls at specific breaks in my day, and if I didn’t I couldn’t think straight.  But this was my ritual and I perfected it and I accomplished incredible amounts of writing because of it.  Then I had a baby.

This changes everything.  Suddenly my routine was gone, snatched away overnight.  I had to conform to the erratic whims of my daughter.  I could only write when she was napping, but this time was brief and ever changing, and the responsibilities piled up all around me.  I was so tired.  My mind wasn’t allowed to focus.  I had to accept constant distractions, I had to write through them, adjust my thinking, my writing method.  I understood this and accepted it.  As a parent, I knew I now had to become selfless.  It wasn’t about me and my idiosyncrasies anymore.  It was about her, my daughter, my Margeaux.  To be the best father and husband, I had to change who I was as a writer.  And I learned that I didn’t control my routine, my routine controlled me.  Sure, my output has slowed, but I have grown.  My baby is new; I am new.

M.P. Kozlowsky (very short!) Biography

M.P. Kozlowsky was a high school English teacher before becoming a writer. Juniper Berry is his first book. He lives in New York with his wife and daughter. www.mpkozlowsky.com

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Thanks so much M.P.! I couldn’t agree with you more, that’s for sure. I’m the last stop for M.P. but you can go back and see his other stops!

Juniper Berry Blog Tour: Part II
Tuesday, May 10th - Interview and Giveaway at Another Gray Day
Wednesday, May 11th - Interview at Bri Meets Books
Thursday, May 12th - Interview at Book Yurt
Friday, May 13th - Review and Giveaway at The Book Maven's Haven
Saturday, May 14th - Review at MundieKids
Sunday, May 15th - Guest Post at Kid Lit Frenzy
Monday, May 16th - Review and Giveaway at Kid Lit Frenzy
Tuesday, May 17th - Interview and Giveaway at MundieKids
Tuesday, May 17th - Guest Post and Giveaway at The Cozy Reader

Juniper Berry Writing Contest:  To celebrate the release of M.P. Kozlowsky’s debut novel Juniper Berry, Walden Pond Press is inviting all writers aged 9-14 to write their own tales of terror and temptation in at least 500 words. One grand prize winner will receive an iPad, a library of Walden Pond Press eBook, paperback and hardcover novels, and his or her story published online at Walden.com. Author M.P. Kozlowsky will select the winner. To learn more: www.walden.com/win/juniperberry.

Juniper Berry by M. P. Kozlowsky 240 pages, Walden Pond Press, (2011-04-26) $10.02 (Amazon.com)

Juniper Berry Trailer

Giveaway

Enter to win a copy of Juniper Berry!

Details

Ends 05/24 at midnight eastern time

Entrant must be 13 years of age or older.

Open to US & CANADA mailing addresses only. Shipping directly from the publisher.

If shipping info is not supplied in the form, selected winner must respond to my email within 3 days or a new winner will be selected.

Extra entry for sharing this giveaway. Direct link is required.

Go to The Cozy Reader to enter and update your following!