

Title: The Neptune Project
Author: Polly Holyoke
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Release Date: May 21st 2013
Genre: YA Dystopian/Sci-Fi
Blurb:
With her weak eyes and useless lungs that often leave her gasping for air, Nere feels more at home swimming with the dolphins her mother studies than she does hanging out with her classmates. Nere has never understood why she is so much more comfortable and confident in the water than on land until the day she learns the shocking truth—she is one of a group of kids who have been genetically altered to survive in the ocean. These products of the "Neptune Project" are supposed to build a better future under the waves, safe from the terrible famines and wars and that rock the surface world.
But there are some big challenges ahead of her: no one ever asked Nere if she wanted to be part of a science experiment; the other Neptune kids aren't exactly the friendliest bunch, and in order to reach the safe haven of the new Neptune colony, Nere and her fellow mutates must swim across hundreds of miles of dangerous ocean, relying on their wits, their loyal dolphins and one another to evade terrifying undersea creatures and a government that will stop at nothing to capture the Neptune kids ... dead or alive.
Fierce battle and daring escapes abound as Nere and her friend race to safety in this action-packed marine adventure.
But there are some big challenges ahead of her: no one ever asked Nere if she wanted to be part of a science experiment; the other Neptune kids aren't exactly the friendliest bunch, and in order to reach the safe haven of the new Neptune colony, Nere and her fellow mutates must swim across hundreds of miles of dangerous ocean, relying on their wits, their loyal dolphins and one another to evade terrifying undersea creatures and a government that will stop at nothing to capture the Neptune kids ... dead or alive.
Fierce battle and daring escapes abound as Nere and her friend race to safety in this action-packed marine adventure.
***Guest Post***
Polly
Holyoke on My Writing Process
I’m definitely a writer who likes to
know where I’m going when I start a novel. I’m always amazed by
those authors who only vaguely know their main character and story
arc before they bravely begin their book. That approach is way too
scary for me! Maybe it’s because I’ve spent so much time hiking
and climbing mountains with sharp, unexpected drops and gorges, but I
like to have a map before I start.
I daydream most of my story before I
begin. I usually start with a character which has a major problem or
goal, and I think a great deal about this character, the challenges
she faces and the world she inhabits. Because I write historicals,
fantasy and science fiction, setting is always an important part of
my story. If I have to do research, I try to have most, but not all
of it done, before I begin writing.
Early on in my career I went to a
workshop with a prolific commercial author who said she usually
dreams up the twenty key scenes in her story, and once she has those
down, the rest of her novel falls into place. I found that approach
works well for me. I outline the 15-20 key scenes in a synopsis, and
once I have my character and those scenes, I have my map and I’m
ready to start writing. After my characters come to life, they do
have a surprising amount of free will. They have been known to take
some interesting detours from the path I outlined, but they always
end up at the destination I had in mind for them.
My writing is my job, and I treat it
like one. When I’m producing a first draft, I set daily word and
page counts for myself. If I’m having a bad writing day and get
stuck, I skip ahead to a more interesting scene, and then I usually
can make forward progress. I can always circle back and finish the
other scene later.
I don’t allow myself to have writers
block, but if my writing really isn’t going well, I’m a big
believer in taking a break for a fresh cup of tea, a brisk walk or a
long shower, and then it’s back to work.
I do feel incredibly fortunate to have
such a wonderful job. Writing is hard, but I often get swept away in
the adventures my characters are having. While I was writing THE
NEPTUNE PROJECT, I was probably the only mom in the afternoon carpool
line who had spent her day fighting imaginary sharks and giant squid!
About the Author:

So sad this is US only. The book sounds really interesting. Good luck everyone :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful guest post Polly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating, Jessabella :)
This sounds like a really interesting book, thanks for holding a giveaway for it!
ReplyDeleteI loved the authors guest post, I enjoyed hearing about her writing process! This book looks interesting :) Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really cool! I like undersea books. <3
ReplyDelete