Author Interview: Sean McCartney

Today I have a two lovely authors for interview! Firstly let me welcome Sean McCartney, author of the upcoming Middle Grade book, The Treasure Hunters Club: Secrets of the Magical Medallions to Girls Without a Bookshelf! Sean's debut novel will be out 6th July so watch out for it! (I will post more information at the end of the post.) I have asked Sean a few questions and here's what he has to say.

1. In ten words or so, what can we expect The Treasure Hunters Club: The Secrets of the Magical Medallions?

A fun filled read of action and adventure.

2. What was the inspiration behind The Treasure Hunters Club: The Secrets of the Magical Medallions? 

I wanted a series that I would have liked as a kid. I really enjoyed the mystery of the Hardy Boys and I love the magic from Harry Potter. So I tried to add them together and drop in some of Indiana Jones and National Treasure and you've got The Treasure Hunters Club

3. What were the major challenges of writing this book?

The major challenge are when the words don't come. Some days it just is so hard to find the right words that flow and tell a good story. The best part is it usually doesn't last because you push through.

4. ...And the most fulfilling part?

The most fulfilling was the creation of the characters and the research for the story. In all the books I want the treasure to be real and working through the history of those treasures really gives you great insight. The characters were great fun to work with because they were very much like the kids I grew up with.

5. Who do you look up to as a writer?

I look up to a lot of writers from every genre. Rick Riordan does a really good job incorporating history into his books and John Grisham's longevity and ability to tell a story are great. J.A. Konrath really seems to have his hand on the pulse of publishing as he sees what is coming down the pike. I must say, however, that Mark Twain was always a great read. He had such ability to find the right word. He was someone I really do look up to.

6. Let's talk about your characters. Can you introduce us to your protagonists?

13-year-old Tommy Reed is the leader of the treasure Hunters Club and his three friends make up the rest. Shannon McDougal, even as the girl of the group, provides the muscle and no fear attitude; Jackson Miller is super smart and sometimes too smart for his own good; Chris Henderson is the big, lovable teddy bear whose size belies his rather timid image. The one character who I think is the most interesting is "Diamond" Jack Reed. He is a very famous treasure hunter and is also Tommy's uncle and his hero. Jack is the inspiration to the club but in this story we find Jack's inspiration waning as he searches for it while helping Tommy.

7. Can you give us a taste of what these characters will face in The Treasure Hunters Club: The Secrets of the Magical Medallions?

The club longs for adventure. They are restless and are getting tired of talking about treasure and want to find some. When Tommy's uncle, the famous treasure hunter "Diamond" Jack Reed, sends him a medallion, adventure finds Tommy and his cub. Now they are pursued by an evil treasure collector named Manuel de la ernesto who will stop at nothing to get the medallion back. It's up to Tommy and the club to find out why this medallion is so special before Manuel runs them down.

8. What is the best and most difficult aspect of framing these characters?

The best part about these characters are they remind me of people I grew up with as a kid. They also have similar traits to students I have had in the past. The most difficult part about the characters was staying true to who they were and what they are about. I have to remember they are on their first adventure and that can be scary.

9. Any tours or book signing where readers may meet you in person?

I am in the middle of planning all of that now. This interview is a nice start. I am also planning on doing more blogs and I hope to do several signings in the future. I will have a calendar on my website (www.treasurehuntersclubbook.com )in the next week were people can check out where I am going to be.

10. What can we expect next from Sean McCartney?

My hope is with the success of the first book will lead to the second and so on. I have great plans for this series with future stories as the club gets older and their adventures become more dangerous and exciting.

Thanks again for having me and I can't wait to hear what people think.

Thanks Sean!

To find out more about The Treasure Hunters Club and about Sean, you can visit either
www.treasurehuntersclubbook.com or www.sean-mccartney.com. Don't forget, the book is out 6th July!

And I shall leave you with the trailer:


An interview with Simone Elkeles later! :D