Ten Tantalizing Questions for Artist Arthur, Author of Manifest, A Mystyx Novel

Have you ever wanted to learn more about your favorite authors?
Ten Tantalizing Questions is designed not only to showcase exciting books on the horizon, but to also provide a glimpse into the personalities of the authors behind them.

There are thousands of thoughts lying within a man that he does not know till he takes up the pen and writes. ~William Makepeace Thackeray

MANIFEST is a story about Krystal Bentley, a high school student who discovers some unusual abilities both within herself and in the people surrounding her. Can you tell us a little more about the book, and perhaps give us a teaser or new insight into Manifest?

Manifest is also about teens from all different backgrounds coming together despite the odds or what’s popular at the time. They each find a purpose togther and vow to see it through. It’s about courage through adversity.

Do you remember the first words you ever wrote for Manifest, and are they still in the novel today?

Yes.

“I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you.”

When I decided Krystal would have the ability to hear ghosts, I thought the first reaction of a girl who knows she can talk to the dead would be denial. I figured she’d be holding her hands up to her eyes trying to convincer herself that she wasn’t hearing it. And even through one round of rigorous revisions, those words stayed.

What three words do you think best describe your novel?

Unique. Spooky. Intriguing.

Can you share with us some of the challenges you faced to publish MANIFEST? Is there anything about the process that you would do differently, knowing what you do now?

I almost hesitate to say this but Manifest came to publication fairly easily. I think in this industry, its all about timing. I had an idea, an author friend said Kimani was looking for paranormal YA, so I submitted. And the rest, as they say, is history. LOL

If you could inhabit the life of one literary character and dive into their world for just one day, who would you choose and why?

There is none. I am very content with my life and wouldn’t trade it for anyone else’s.

If MANIFEST was to be made into a movie, do you have certain actors you envision in the lead roles or do you think unknowns would be best suited to play them?

What’s strange is that with all the YA books being purchased for translation to the big screen, I’ve never thought about who could play the characters in Manifest. I think I’d like Selina Gomez as Sasha. A more reserved Justin Beiber as Jake. Kiki Palmer as Krystal.

In MANIFEST, Krystal is able to see and communicate with ghosts. Her friends Sasha and Jake have some interesting abilities too. If you were able to pick one supernatural power to try out, which one would you want to have?

I’m terribly nosy so I think I’d like the ability to read minds. I know that what other people are thinking could ultimately be embarrassing or terribly hurtful and that mindreading is a terrible poach on one’s privacy. But I’d still like to know.

Can you tell us something interesting about yourself that not many people know?

I don’t know if it’s interesting or not, but I can’t eat food that touches another food. Like, if food is on the plate, I don’t like for different things to touch. Actually won’t eat those portions of they do. That’s probably more weird than interesting. LOL

What can we look forward to reading from you next? Any upcoming projects or new series in the works?

Mystify releases in February 2011, Mayhem in Aug 2011 and I’m working on a new urban fantasy YA series.

MANIFEST
by
Artist Arthur
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Kimani; Original edition (August 1, 2010)
Language: English

When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom's hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.

But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He's cute, funny, a good listener—and everything she'd ever want—except that he was killed nearly a year ago. Krystal's ghost-whispering talents soon lead other "freaks" to her door—Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly, call themselves the Mystyx. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren't the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky's death, will she lose him for good?

More Information on Artist Arthur:

Official Website

More YA Novels by Artist Arthur:

Mystify, A Mystix Novel (February 2011)

Mayhem, a Mystix Novel (August 2011)