Mundie Moms

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Harken Blog Tour: Interview with Author Kaleb Nation


Hello and Welcome to today's HARKEN Blog Tour! I'm honored to be kicking off Kaleb Nation's tour for his newest YA book, HARKEN! I'm thrilled to have Kaleb on the blog today to talk about his book!



Hi Kaleb! Welcome to Mundie Moms. Congratulations on all the buzz surrounding your newest book, HARKEN. How would you describe HARKEN in 10 words or less?
Supernatural secret societies control our world. Don’t trust anyone. *Explosion*.

What is something you admire most about your character Michael? What was it about Michael's story that made you want to write it? 
I really connected with Michael because he is NOT a perfect person. In fact, in the beginning of HARKEN, he’s a bit of an overconfident jerkface who uses his gift of reading eyes to make money and buy himself a nice car. But I admire him most for his willingness to change himself. He is open to correcting his faults, to learn from other people, and to listen when someone says he’s wrong. 


It’s his overconfidence that makes him so much fun to write. He’s brazen because he has nothing to lose as an outsider with a scary gift and few friends. But instead of being crushed about it, he takes being an outcast and owns it.

I like that you've created this world that is driven by a conspiracy theory and has a supernatural element to it. Which element of your story did you enjoy creating the most?

I loved weaving Reptilians into the book. There is a popular belief among conspiracy theorists that reptile-like creatures disguised as humans do control our world. As I was writing the book, I was able to visit countless websites and listen to podcasts interviewing people who say they’ve met the creatures in real life. It was thrilling to throw my skepticism aside, get lost in their research, and put the best parts into the book.

Harken is the first book in the titled series, and starts things off with a bang. What can we expect to find in the next book? 

Everything is about to get a lot more intense. The Guardians are very upset over what Michael did in HARKEN. They have no qualms with taking their anger out on the entire world just to be rid of him. But even secret societies have secrets of their own.
I can’t say much about it yet but there are a lot of clues to the second book in HARKEN.

If you were able to write in one of your favorite fictional characters into Michael's world, who would that be and why?
Katniss Everdeen. She has such a brave personality and wouldn’t be afraid of telling Michael off when he’s being stupid. I think she and Michael would get into LOTS of awesome arguments.

What's one book you've read as an adult that you wish you had, had as a teen?
Looking For Alaska by John Green. It’s one of the best-written books I’ve read. I would have gotten all of my tears out years ago instead of ending up a college student on a train, nearly sobbing on my way home.  

*****

I have something special I’d like to share for the writers out there. In the process of publishing a book, there a LOT of cover drafts that end up rejected. I’ve never showed them off before, so you’re seeing them for the first time! Here are some of the covers that were turned down:

Cover 1

REJECTED BECAUSE: It looks too much like a signal summoning Batman to save the city from the scorched-black forest below… if Batman’s name was HARKEN.

Cover 2

REJECTED BECAUSE: It doesn’t really say much about the book besides the fact that there are TREES. LOTS OF TREES. But we’re getting somewhere with the introduction of the black and white and yellow.

Cover 3

REJECTED BECAUSE: It’s close, but not all the way there. Something’s missing on Michael’s hand…
(Also, this HARKEN logo looks like Michael spilled glue on his hands)



About the Book


Michael Asher is almost an ordinary California teenager, except for his unexplainable ability to see a glimpse of a person’s thoughts through their eyes. After surviving an assassination attempt, he discovers that he is at the center of a worldwide conspiracy higher than any earthly power. A clandestine organization with authority over world leaders, celebrities, and the wealthy desperately wants him dead. Tumbling into a web of international secrets, Michael is forced to search for the identity of the puppet master and dig up the truth that humanity is not being told.

Purchase Harken (for $2.99), Add it to Goodreads and read the first 3 Chapters.





About The Author:

KALEB NATION is an author and online personality. 
His blogs and videos have received over 50 million hits online, and he has been 
featured on NPR, Entertainment Weekly, The Huffington Post, and more.
While writing Harken, Kaleb documented his progress through video blogs at
   Youtube.com/KalebNation
A black belt in taekwondo, Kaleb lives in California with his chinchilla, Chilla. 
Harken is his first novel for teens. 
Kaleb regularly posts on Twitter (@KalebNation) and blogs at KalebNation.com.
The Giveaway

















Thank you to Kaleb I have the following to giveaway:

- a HARKEN poster (SIGNED)
- a HARKEN glow in the dark wristband
- a postcard (SIGNED)
- a glow in the dark silver ring.

To enter, please LEAVE A COMMENT with your email address below
Open internationally

GRAND PRIZE INFO
Through out the tour you can enter to win a HARKEN-themed Kindle PaperWhite & 
Prize Pack. To enter the Grandprize giveaway, please fill out this form

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

2/9 – MundieMoms.com
2/14 – TwilightMoms.com
2/15 – MTGreviews.com
2/16 – NovelSounds.net
2/20 – Fangirlish.com
2/25 – VysBlog.com

66 comments:

  1. I like the rejected book covers the first 2 remind me of when the book was called secret kaleb book and not Harken :D but the book cover that is Harken is the best.
    brookbgnll@yahoo.com

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  2. I'm really glad that they decided to use that book cover! Very nice! I think Callista and Katniss are very much alike. :)

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    1. My email is harkengurl@gmail.com :) you know...just in case haha

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  3. deenarenee@ymail.com
    I definitely think they made a good choice using the current Harken cover :)though I do really love the first one!

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  4. ff5girl@hotmail.com
    I am so glad Kaleb went with "the" Harken cover. The other ones I feel don't really represent what the book is about. Also the book is freaking fantastic, I encourage everybody to read it.

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  5. I'm ashamed that I only noticed the scales on the final book cover right now.
    langelclouca@gmail.com

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  6. Venatrax@gmailc.com I'm glad they chose the cover that they did. It looks AMAZING :D

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  7. I love the rejected cover art, there so awesome but i definitely think that you made a good choice with the current cover. My favorite rejected cover is probably the first but that may just be because i'm a big batman fan :)
    cailetlatham@ntlworld.com

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  8. So proud of Kaleb
    Greenangel1616@aol.com

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  9. Tbodda@rocketmail.com Awesome book! :)

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  10. Yay happy for Kaleb.

    katie.halliday@hotmail.co.uk

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  11. I remember when I found Kaleb on Youtube years ago and I'm so happy to see how successful he's become.
    allisonstroup@yahoo.com

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  12. aud.rose@me.com
    love this author and how hilarious he is!

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  13. nathlarson@hotmail.com I'm so proud of you Kaleb. Seems like yesterday when the Bran Hambric books were released, and now you're out with Harken!! :D

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  14. bubblegum651@gmail.com
    :) I seriously cannot wait for the next one..

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  15. madisoncho@yahoo.com
    I actually really like cover one!

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  16. The reasons why they have taken the final book cover are really good and I like the picture of the final book cover the most. I haven't read Kaleb Nation's book HARKEN, but I really like to read it soon! I know now that HARKEN is fantastic!
    Gracejcloud@gmail.com

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  17. I have not loveD any bOok as much as huNger games unTill I read harken, and That is saying something. on my Reading list for favorite book series harken is nUmber 3 out of all the bookS i have read ever. also i Think that kAleb is an iNspiration to YOung writers everywhere! ThaNk You KalEb for creating one of my favorite wordls to escape too.
    (There is a secret message hidden in the capitol letters of this comment enjoy.)

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  18. I'm now imagining a fanfic where Bran stumbles into a Reptilian cult. *shakes head* spring.gaines@gmail.com

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  19. I'm so glad that the original Harken coveres weren't choosen. Not like in a bad way or anything but that final one fits the book just perfect! ashleyrodriguez606@gmail.com

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  20. This is just awesome :D Can't wait until the second book arrives
    nuria.deandres.masa@gmail.com

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  21. lilianxcheng AT gmail.com
    I am relieved Harken ended up with its final cover and not the first two. Those almost reek with boringness. The second reminds me so much of S. D. Crockett's After The Snow.

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  22. I actually really like the 1st book cover, but i'm happy with the one they chose. It fits the book really well.

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  23. The final cover looks amazing! I've been a big fan of Kaleb since I was fourteen years old and I still look up to him for writing inspiration. Congratulations on the book, Kaleb! emyrox567@yahoo.com

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  24. Darith8ly@yahoo.com
    Thanks for the giveaway! I bought the book on my kindle! Excited to read it :)

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  25. Fantastic giveaway! And can't wait to see what Kaleb does with the rest of the series. dodgej4@gmail.com

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  26. Haha! The last rejected cover does look like Michael spilled glue on his hand! And the one with the tall trees over top is beautiful.
    birdyanddoggy@gmail.com

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  27. I really like the cover that Kaleb chose for Harken in the end. I'm not an original fan from when it was still a secret book, but, thanks to a friend, I'm now an absolute fan and I'll be looking forward to every book he has to offer from now on.

    medith.medith@gmail.com

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  28. alejandradgomez@yahoo.com
    My favorite cover of the rejected ones was actually the second one, but I'm still glad you chose the one you did.
    P.S. WHAT ABOUT BRAN HAMBRIC!!!!!

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  29. So cool to see the different stages of the cover!
    mandilynn @ chater . net

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  30. I liked the first rejected cover a lot! Geeze I never noticed what was on Micheal's hand on the cover. Having Katniss in the HARKEN book would be too cool for words.
    quietgalaxyandsilentplanets@gmai.com

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  31. I loved this book! The coverart is great! My email is sohaley@frontier.com

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  32. looks awesome! can't wait to get my copy!

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  33. Can't wait to finally read it! I really like the final cover, it is def the best. Though the other ones are quite nice to. ::)

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  34. This is such an amazing book! I liked some of those cover ideas, but the finished project is definitely the best! I agree with some of the other comments that Callista is very similar to Katniss in some ways.

    my email is: twilight_addict107@hotmail.com

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  35. This is a great book! But I love the cover that they chose, a lot of times the rejected covers are a lot better, but the harken cover is soooo awesome! It'll print very well too.
    riyarshah@gmail.com

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  36. I loved this book! I really love the cover that was chosen, it fits the book perfectly.
    lesli.j.ransom@gmail.com

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  39. I really liked the first cover and the 2nd feel like i;m more drawn to that style of art i guess :D

    readtomes@gmail.com

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  40. Harken is a nice change from Bran Hambric. The Bran Hambric books were amazing, but Harken is even better. The rejected covers remind me of The Secret Kaleb Book. I've read Harken three times and can't get enough of it. Having my name in the book was a WONDERFUL way to start out 2013. I can't wait for it to come out in print! I'm very excited for the sequal!
    kgirl9829@gmail.com

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  41. Harken is really an amazing novel. Kaleb has gone sooo far since Bran Hambric, and I can't wait for his next novel!!!

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  42. Loved seeing all of the covers that didnt makemthe cut!!! Oliviapap101@hotmail.com

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  43. crazydavisgirl@gmail.com

    I love how Kaleb had the 1st rejected cover art as the background for secretkalebbook.com :) Love Harken and I can't wait for the rest of the series!

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  44. jeanpaul.collet@yahoo.com.mx I love the 1st cover!

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  45. I love all the rejected Harken covers! Thanks for the giveaway! :D

    vintagevictoria71089@yahoo.com

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  46. It's cool to see the process. mskpm130804@gmail.com

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  47. The chosen Harken cover is definitely the most interesting one! (joyce.vanherck@hotmail.com)

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  48. This book sounds amazing! And I love the cover! :]
    Thanks so much for the giveaway!
    marijana.sitar at yahoo dot com

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  49. Harken is the best well-written book I have read. I love the cover they chose! The other covers are good, but they don't represent what the book is about. sarcastic9614@gmail.com

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  50. Thanks for the giveaway...it's so awesome that it's international.
    my email is: just.andreeam@yahoo.com

    Cheers!

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  51. Can't wait to read! I love Kaleb (as does my husband!)

    mysticsandmoonbeams(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  52. I don't really like the three rejected ones. The one they picked IS AWESOME!!
    yo308boy@hotmail.com

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  53. Great book Kaleb!! Looking forward to reading book two!!

    josiee67(at)gmail(dot)com

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  54. The final cover is definitely the best! Perfect choice :)

    sofybeth(at)gmail(dot)com

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  55. Sis.ling@Hotmail.com

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  56. The best was defiantly the last! The 2nd to last one looked silly. d: kaylanoble13@gmail.com

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  57. Ha, totally didn't realize what was on his hand in the current cover until it wasn't there on one of the rejected ones...
    sprints42@gmail.com

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  58. my email astarabriarart@pc-traxx.com

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  59. Sounds like a great read and something my teen would love. Are more than two books planned for this series?

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

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  61. Love the book, and Kaleb is amazing!
    isabelsong5000 at gmail dot com
    :) Thanks!

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