Read Clean YA with CJ
Episode Twenty-One
Join CJ Milacci and Ellen McGinty as they dive into an author interview and discuss Ellen’s new YA Fantasy, Saints and Monsters.
Episode Show Notes below
Links to Things Discussed in this Episode
Saints and Monsters(affiliate link)
Ellen McGinty on Instagram: @ ellenmcginty_author
Fantasy Japanese Worlds, Dragons, and the Seeing the Value Within with YA Author Ellen McGinty
Episode Show Notes:
Episode Overview:
Summary
In this episode, CJ Milacci interviews Ellen McGinty, author of the new young adult fantasy novel Saints and Monsters. They discuss the inspiration behind the story, the incorporation of Japanese history and culture, and the themes of self-worth in the book. Ellen shares her favorite character to write and how she discovered deeper themes while writing. She also provides takeaways for readers and talks about her author journey and hobbies.
Takeaways
- Saints and Monsters is a fantasy novel inspired by Japanese history and culture.
- The book explores the theme of self-worth.
- The book also explores the struggle of finding your place for individuals with physical ailments, autoimmune disorders, and disabilities.
- Readers are encouraged to see the worth in themselves and others, and to embrace the power of community.
- Ellen’s author journey involved rediscovering her love for writing and finding support from a group of experienced authors.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction
02:15
Ellen’s new book: Saints and Monsters
03:22
Inspiration for the story
05:12
Incorporating Japanese history and culture
06:27
Themes in Saints and Monsters
10:36
Favorite character to write
13:05
Exploring the theme of self-worth
22:47
Takeaways for readers
25:49
Ellen’s author journey
28:46
Hobbies and interests
31:09
Where to connect with Ellen
Wrapping things Up: from CJ
I hope you enjoyed listening in on this conversation with Ellen McGinty. I so enjoyed getting to know her and hear more about her newest book.
If you’re looking for a fantasy adventure, with an enemies-to-lovers romance set in fantasy Victorian-era Japan with dragons, then Saints and Monsters is the book for you!
Note for Sensitive Readers
At the time this episode airs, I am still reading this book, and I am very much enjoying the story. But I will say that I don’t have a note for young or sensitive readers today because I’m not yet finished. There is romance in this story, and some violence, but nothing graphic. All of that being said, I’ve heard from trusted sources that this book is a great fit for you, my amazing listeners, so if it sounds like your type of story, dive right in!
Next Time on Read Clean YA with CJ
Next time on Read Clean YA with CJ, I’ll be talking with young adult author LE Richmond, author of The Mermaid’s Tale. This is a fun conversation about an excellent story, so I hope you tune in!
Thank you so much for listening to Read Clean YA with CJ. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend so they can discover exciting, clean young adult books too.
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Ellen McGinty
Author
Ellen McGinty is an author and editor of Young Adult fantasy and historical fiction. She lives in the Tokyo metropolis with her husband, three boys, and a hypoallergenic cat. When not writing or editing, you can find her exploring the wilds of Japan with an abundance of espresso and the occasional kimono.
Ellen is an experienced fiction copyeditor with a Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing and a member of The Christian Pen. She has several magazine publications, including cover stories, and was selected for PitchSlam 2016, Pitch2Publication16, and PitchMAS. She is the author of SAINTS AND MONSTERS, a #1 New Release on Amazon, and THE WATER CHILD!
About Your Host
CJ Milacci is the award-winning author of The Talionis series, and she writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As a referee, she’s always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
CJ Milacci is the award-winning author of The Talionis Series, and she writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As a referee, she’s always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
Recruit of Talionis, Book 1
A teen with a dark past. A secret military force that kidnaps new soldiers. Can she survive as a Recruit of Talionis?
Fugitive of Talionis, Book 2
They kidnapped her. Trained her. And now they’re hunting her.
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