Pages

Monday, June 26, 2023

Blog Tour- WILLIE THE WORRYING DOG by David Yuen & Micah Zhang With An Interview & A #Giveaway!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the WILLIE THE WORRYING DOG by David Yuen & Micah Zhang Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: WILLIE THE WORRYING DOG

Author: David Yuen & Micah Zhang (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: June 10, 2023

Publisher: Upward Bound Press

Formats: Hardcover

Pages: 36

Find it:  GoodreadsAmazon, B&N, BAM, Bookshop.org, Blackwells 

Willie can't help but worry. Worrying is the worst thing ever. And now his owner wants to take him to a new park where everything's different. Oh no, Willie feels doomed! What if things go wrong? What if something bad happens? Will Willie make it? Or will worry get the best of him?

 

Interview:

For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about your book and the characters?

My book is about worry and all the nasty unwanted little thoughts that rush into our head even when the future doesn’t exist yet. It’s about, Willie, a dog who tries, but just can’t handle these little thoughts by himself and when the unexpected comes those thoughts get in the way from him seeing anything else. And this book is about the unexpected friends he meets who help him realize one thing: he can’t do it alone.

What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m taking a short hiatus and focusing on other areas of my life and less on writing. To be honest, I’m working on myself. I’m learning to love my friends and family just a little bit more. I’m working just a little harder on what I know I need to work on. And I’m focusing more on the things I know I should be focused on more. Does that make sense?

Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?

Well, that’s a loaded question! Yes, as a person who suffers and struggles with anxiety all his life, Willie is almost a translation of myself. I awfulize. I ruminate. I think about the worst things that haven’t happened. And the other characters that are introduced in the book are inspired by the people who’ve came into my life who taught me an important lesson—most things that we do to ourselves are more in our head than in reality.

Who was your favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?

The type of characters that I gravitate towards are those who don’t really have it altogether and who struggle with themselves. But despite their struggles, they still try to do the right thing or just need a little guidance to do the right thing. I believe those characters really speak to all of us because we all struggle. And even those who are good at hiding it, it doesn’t make those struggle non-existent and it doesn’t change the fact that we’re all only human.

The least favorite characters that I try to avoid writing are those who have it altogether all the time without any depth of how they ended up that way. These characters are simply born perfect and go through life effortlessly. Honestly, not only are they not interesting, but they’re unrealistic.

What is your favorite passages/scenes in your book?

When the thunderstorm happens and Willie and his friends have to go beneath a bench to shelter from it. It’s a very climatic moment, where Willie learns actual ways to deal with his struggle from those willing to come beside him. It’s friendship, it’s wisdom, it’s honesty—all good ingredients to overcome challenges.

What kind of research did you have to do for the story?

A lot of the research that I had to do was really more self-reflection than anything. My life was essentially the research material and figuring what I had to do to get over my anxiety was poured into this book. Honestly, I still struggle with anxiety, but if it wasn’t for the friends and family that stepped in and who were willing to walk beside me, this book probably wouldn’t have happened and I would be in a very different place. And I owe so much to them. 

Lightning Round Questions

What are you reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?

I have a Tim Tebow book that I have yet to crack open but I heard a bit about. I should really read that shouldn’t I? 

Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook?

Facebook. I’m old fashioned.

Favorite Superhero?

Green Lantern. I mean, Batman. No, Superman…really, I can’t decide, sorry.

Favorite TV show?

Stranger Things

Sweet or Salty?

Depends on my mood.

Any Phobias?

The phobia of failure.

Song you can’t get enough of right now?

Are any of you familiar with southern folk music?

2023 Movie you’re most looking forward to?

The Flash

 

 

About David Yuen:

Born and raised in NJ as a second generation Chinese American, David Yuen received a B.A. from Rutgers University and has been writing poetry along with other writing styles for over twenty years. His works have appeared in other publications including Poetry East and Romantics Quarterly.

Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

 





About Micah Zhang:

Micah Zhang, a North American based visual artist with Chinese and Japanese roots. His visual language encompasses the wonders of nature, the allure of science fiction, the essence of urban lifestyle, and the enigmatic mysteries of our world. With a decade of experience, he breathes life into stories through his illustrations and various artistic mediums. With a keen sense for details and a knack for capturing imagination, Micah Zhang expertly brings fantasy characters to life in a visually pleasing style.

Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a finished copy of WILLIE THE WORRYING DOG, US Only.

Ends July 4th, midnight EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

6/26/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Guest Post

6/26/2023

@jaimerockstarbooktours

IG Post

6/27/2023

Books With a Chance

Review/IG Post

6/27/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

Review/IG Post

6/28/2023

Character Madness and Musings

Guest Post

6/28/2023

@dharashahauthor

IG Review/TikTok Post

6/29/2023

@get.outside.and.read

IG Post

6/29/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

6/29/2023

@read.with.mamab

IG Review

6/29/2023

Little Red Reads

Review/IG Post

6/30/2023

@enthuse_reader

IG Review/TikTok Post

6/30/2023

@pagesforpaige

IG Review

7/1/2023

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

7/1/2023

The Momma Spot

Review/IG Post

7/2/2023

Girls in White Dresses

Review/IG Post

7/2/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post


No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.