Interview with Kelly Pawlik, author of YA scifi/horror Yesterday’s Gone
Book one of the Olympic Vista Chronicles novella series follows Darius and Adelaide as they explore a house rumoured to be haunted. What they find is so much worse.
An eager new kid, a deadpan music-lover, a fast-talking troublemaker, an anxious bookworm and a girl torn between popularity and adventure. Follow this group of friends as they delve into the mysteries of their small town while juggling the trials and tribulations of their home lives.
A tale of friendship, love, and coming of age (with a healthy dose of horror) in the late 1980s.
Excerpt from Yesterday’s Gone
Darius glanced over at Adelaide. She looked out toward the playground. “So, I heard this place is weird,” he said. “Because of The Link.”
Adelaide’s gaze was still on the playground. Tetsu shrugged. Sophie flicked her hair over her shoulder and smiled.
“They do a lot of experiments there, I guess,” Kurt said. “They say it doesn’t affect us and there’s a lot of safety protocols in place. Between you and me, though,” Kurt said, leaning in, “it’s full of commies. They are the real threat.”
“Come on, Kurt,” Sophie said as she rolled her eyes.
Kurt pursed his lips and looked at the ground. “That’s what my dad says.”
“No one believes that. And the other stuff is just rumours,” Tetsu said. “Got nothin’ to do with commies or Nazis. It’s just some stupid science building and observatory.”
“What about the haunted house?” Darius had thought about it nonstop since he’d heard about it yesterday. He wanted to ask Dillon or the twin boys more about it, but he hadn’t seen them at the school. “Have you guys ever gone there?”
“What haunted house?” Adelaide’s eyes flicked back to him.
“The one on Hyacinth Street. It isn’t far from where I live.” Darius liked her eyes on him.
“That’s a really nice area,” Sophie cooed.
Darius shuffled a step away from Sophie. Unlike with Adelaide, he didn’t like how she looked at him.
“I was going to check it out.” Darius ran his hand through his hair, and looked back at Adelaide. “Tonight.”
Adelaide cocked her head and looked at him. “I’m in.”
Darius grinned.
Buy The Olympic Vista Chronicles
Interview with Kelly Pawlik
-What inspired you to become a writer?
I would say I’ve always been a writer, but I made the leap from writing here and there to becoming a published author because of COVID. Like so many people, we spent a lot of time at home. My husband and I have three kids, and things were crazy, but after several months, seeing how much other people seemed to be achieving in their newfound free time, I wanted to do that. I wanted to take the leap. And I had a story I thought people would really enjoy, so I went for it!
-If you could visit your book’s world for a day, what one thing would you do?
I’d just hang out with this awesome group of kids! Honestly, I’d probably be too scared to do most of the stuff they do, but if they’d let me, I’d totally tag along as they wandered the forest or chatted in Sophie’s basement.
-It’s two in the morning. What does your protagonist reveal in confidence? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell.)
It’s no secret to anyone paying attention, but Darius would admit he is head over heels in love with Adelaide. Young love is so sweet, and he is absolutely smitten with her. He knows better than to get too emotional with her though. Adelaide isn’t one for mushy stuff.
If it wasn’t that, Darius might reveal one of the big reasons his family left Boston, and it isn’t just because his dad got transferred, or their family owns a big estate in Olympic Vista. No, Darius got into a bit of a fight at school.
-Which of your characters would you go out for drinks with?
Well, I shouldn’t go for drinks with any of them since they are underage! They all have such interesting perspectives and outlooks though, so time with any of them would be fun. I’d love to take Kurt for a hot chocolate just so I can give him a break from his homelife and hear about the latest book he read.
-You’re in a tavern, and a dwarf challenges you to a duel. What do you do?
Be very glad it isn’t a drinking competition! I would lose at that for sure.
-Is there a genre you could never write? Which and why?
I think there are genres I’d have more trouble with, for sure. Something I could never write, I’m not sure. I think with practice, time and dedication, people are capable of amazing things. It just depends how badly we want to achieve something.
About Kelly Pawlik
Kelly Pawlik dabbled with story writing from a young age. She spent her childhood reading, dressing her beloved cat, Midnight, up in doll clothes and hunting garter snakes in the backyard. Her childhood dream was to be an author and she is proud to have made her fiction debut with the Olympic Vista Chronicles novellas.
Kelly is a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) writer and has released multiple RPG supplements with her husband under their micro-publishing company, Dire Rugrat Publishing. She has also contributed to several best-selling works with Kobold Press.
Kelly lives on Vancouver Island, BC with her husband, their three inquisitive children, and two lazy cats.
Find her online:
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Yesterday’s Gone is free for the length of this book tour so pick up a copy today!
Giveaway
Kelly Pawlik will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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Thanks for hosting!
Do you have a favorite reason for living on Vancouver Island, BC?
Hi Nancy! In truth, it’s the only place I’ve lived, but I love it here. There are lots of walking and hiking trails, easy access to the ocean, and nothing is ever really that far away. The biggest downside is how much rain we get, but it’s part of what makes everything so green!
Welcome everyone! Thanks for stopping by!
I liked the excerpt.
Thanks so much, Rita! You can pick up the whole book FREE for a limited time 🙂
I really like the cover and the excerpt.
This series sounds like it would make a great TV show along the lines of Locke and Key and Stranger Things, is that something you would consider if given the chance?
I would love that SO much, Beatrice! And yes, with it being a series of novellas, it does have more of a TV show vibe to it.
(Also, I love both of those shows!)
I enjoyed the interview and the excerpt and Yesterday’s Gone sounds like a really good book! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a wonderful holiday season!
Thanks, Eva! You too. And feel free to pick up a free copy of the book. It’s a great afternoon read during the busy holiday season!