Interview and Review: Kelly Hashway and May the Best Dog Win (Giveaway)

For Kelly Hashway, writing is a part of life.  She loves books because they allow her to journey to new places and to become acquainted with different characters.  One of her greatest passions is to foster a love of reading in young people which she does through her numerous publications.  Her debut picture book is May the Best Dog Win!   (Read on for a chance to win a signed copy.)  This up and coming fiction writer’s insight and sense of humor shine through in her interview. 

The Interview

1.   How did you know you wanted to become an author?

I really think people are born writers. Ever since I learned how to write, I created stories, poems, and I even wrote a novel in elementary and middle school. It's just part of who I am.

2.   What inspired you to write this book?

This book was inspired by real life. One of my many quirks is that I vacuum every day. Obsessive, I know! Well, I have a huge German shepherd and she acts really strange every time I take out the vacuum. She stalks up to it, sniffs it, and then runs away. She does this repeatedly until I'm finished. I couldn't help wondering what she thought the vacuum was. MAY THE BEST DOG WIN was born from there.

3.   If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world… which book would it be?

The books in the Percy Jackson series. I mean who wouldn't want to ride a Pegasus? And being able to interact with the Greek gods would just be amazing. 

4.   What is your most rewarding experience since being published?

I recently received a comment from a young girl who read one of my stories. She said she liked it so much that she Googled me and found my website. She also said she was looking forward to my book coming out. That was an amazing feeling for me. It's one thing to have family, friends, and other writers enjoy your work, but when a compliment comes straight from your target audience--well, nothing beats that.

5.   What is the one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Read and write as much as you can. I've learned so much from reading great authors. They really are the best teachers. And the only way you can truly get better at writing is to do it over and over again.

6. Which authors have influenced you most?  How?

Wow, there are so many. , , , and all have amazing voices. I read them all the time. I love how they genuinely sound like preteens and teens. That's priceless. James PattersonKelley ArmstrongWendelin Van DraanenRick Riordan

7. If you were a super hero what would your kryptonite be?

A good sale at a bookstore. I can't help myself. Just a few weeks ago I went into Borders, and I had an armful before I got through the second set of doors!

8. If you were stranded on a what 3 things would you want with you? desert island

My computer, my phone, and my kindle. I hope the island has WiFi!

9.   Do you have any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

I'm currently working on a middle grade trilogy. I'd really like to see that get published. I also have a young adult fantasy and five other picture books completed.

10. What is your most ambitious dream that you have not accomplished yet?

If it were only a couple months ago, I would've said finding an agent. But I recently signed with Lauren Hammond of ADA Management. So now my big goal is to get my middle grade trilogy published. That would be a dream comes true.

The Book:  May the Best Dog Win

Summary:  Dash’s idyllic life suddenly seems threatened when the Super Sweeper 5000 arrives at his home.   His owner follows the Sweeper around, allowing it to jump on the furniture and eat up all the leftover food scraps!  It even gets its own room!  Dash soon realizes he has nothing to fear.  His place is secure and much more desirable!

Review:  Kelly does an excellent job write imaginatively and realistically through the perspective of a dog.  Dash is an adorable and endearing character.  The charming illustrations by Valerie Bouthyette accompany the text well, depicting his animated confrontation with the sweeper as well as his playful demeanor.  Children (and adults) are sure to fall in love with Dash. 

The Giveaway: Win a Signed Copy of May the Best Dog Win!

• To enter, comment on this post.  Feel free to share something about a favorite dog in your life.
• For extra entries, follow Kelly Hashway and Books4Learning on Twitter, become a fan of Books4Learning on Facebook, and/or Tweet or blog about this post/giveaway. 
• To get separate credit for each entry, create a new comment. 
• Giveaway is only open only to U.S. residents. 
• Giveaway ends on May 11, 2011.

Thanks to Kelly Hashway for this interview and giveaway!