|
Tarpon Springs teen publishes novel
| Article published on Monday, June 15, 2009 |
|
![[Image]](/content_images/061509_lebook-01.jpg) |
| Andromeda's Turn is published by BookSurge, the self-publishing subsidiary of Amazon.com. |
|
TARPON SPRINGS - Libby Svenson, 14, a rising ninth grader at East Lake High School, never knew her great-grandfather, Andrew Svenson, but she grew up surrounded by the books he wrote.
Libby took his pen, replaced it with a laptop, and is carrying on the legacy he began in the 1950’s. Libby Svenson just released Andromeda’s Turn, a novel for pre-teen and teen readers.
Libby, the daughter of Andy and Callie Svenson, began writing her book in the summer of 2006 to pass the time during a long road trip from Florida to Maine and back. As the miles went on, so did the story, which eventually became Andromeda's Turn.
Great-grandfather Svenson, a prolific children’s book author, wrote The Happy Hollisters series exclusively under the pseudonym Jerry West, which sold over 11,000,000 copies. He also wrote many volumes of The Hardy Boys and The Bobbsey Twins as a ghostwriter for the Stratemeyer Syndicate.
Libby's father, Andrew Svenson, III, had been considering the possibility of re-releasing The Happy Hollisters, and Libby’s book seemed like a perfect opportunity to experiment with self-publishing.
Unlike other teen fiction, Andromeda’s Turn presents a unique perspective, written by a real teenager. Andromeda is a typical teenage girl with typical teenage dilemmas. Why hasn’t he called? Why is one of my eyes bigger than the other? But she also deals with some more serious issues: her parents’ nasty divorce; her mother’s remarriage; an older brother with a troubled past; and a new friend with a mysterious secret. With parallels to the Greek myth for which she is named, she finds a way to solve her problems and make her own “happily ever after.”
In the month since its publication, the book has already sold more than 100 copies, and is just beginning to receive accolades from readers of all ages. "In Andromeda's Turn, I learned what it might be like to be a teen in high school," reported twelve-year-old Natalie White. "It is a great novel that expresses love. It is dramatic, tender and a great choice for teens and adults. When you start the book, it is difficult to stop reading. I read it twice and recommend the book to everyone," she said.
Andrew Svenson, III is beginning to believe The Happy Hollisters might be ready for a comeback. And it could be a comeback with a twist: Libby is planning to write a “reunion” sequel to the series, bringing the Hollister family back to life and into the 21st century. Before she takes on that task, however, she plans to edit and market another book she has just finished, a historical fiction story based in Savannah. Libby Svenson is a busy girl. She’s a long way from 11,000,000 sales, but her great-grandfather would be impressed.
Andromeda's Turn is published by BookSurge, the self-publishing subsidiary of Amazon.com and is available for $17.99 (ISBN 1-4392-2779-9; 414 pages).
 |
Article published on Monday, June 15, 2009
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
