Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: The Sandcastle Empire
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.kaylaolson.com/
CITY:
STATE: TX
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: no2017073331
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/no2017073331
HEADING: Olson, Kayla
000 00497cz a2200181n 450
001 10470134
005 20180126073302.0
008 170602n| azannaabn |n aaa c
010 __ |a no2017073331
035 __ |a (OCoLC)oca10837232
040 __ |a ICrlF |b eng |e rda |c ICrlF |d UPB
053 _0 |a PS3615.L75252
100 1_ |a Olson, Kayla
372 __ |a Young adult fiction |2 lcsh
374 __ |a Authors |2 lcsh
375 __ |a Women |2 lcsh
377 __ |a eng
670 __ |a Olson, Kayla. The sandcastle empire, c2017 : |b t.p. (Kayla Olson)
PERSONAL
Children: one son.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Previously, worked at a coffee shop, a fast-food restaurant, and a bank.
AVOCATIONS:Singing, playing piano and guitar.
WRITINGS
The Sandcastle Empire was optioned for film by Paramount, to be produced by Leonardo DiCaprio/Appian Way.
SIDELIGHTS
Kayla Olson is a writer of young adult novels, who is based in Texas. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked at a coffee shop, a fast-food restaurant, and a bank.
In 2017, Olson released her first novel, The Sandcastle Empire. Describing the book’s plot, Olson told a writer on the Curly Hair Bibliophile website: “The Sandcastle Empire is a near-future sci-fi thriller/survival story about four girls who set off for an island in hopes of finding freedom there—only to find it more dangerous than the war-torn world they’ve left behind.” The book’s protagonist is a girl named Eden, who helps save others by taking them to an island called Sanctuary, a place that her late father helped to create. Along their way, they must avoid being captured by the Wolves, the ruthless group in power. In an interview with Kayla King, contributor to the YA Books Central website, Olson stated: “My inspiration for The Sandcastle Empire came from a larger-than-life longing for a beach vacation mixed with withdrawals from LOST (I was—and remain!—a superfan of the show)! So, in short, the island setting inspired it—instead of a dreamy vacation, though, the island quickly became a place I’d never want to visit.” Regarding the title, Olson told King: “It came to me pretty early on while I was writing the first draft. It definitely helped shape the book itself; I loved it as a metaphor, for how quickly illusions of power can be crushed or swept away by the tide.” Olson discussed the book’s environmental message in an interview with Megan LaCroix, contributor to the Megan Write Now website. She stated: “I lived in Austin while writing the book, and we had an entire month of rain at one point that caused flooding issues; it made me wonder, What if these minor sorts of floods happened over and over, all along the coastal regions, to the point where the issues started piling up and they eventually ended up unable to recover?” Olson continued: “As I grew increasingly aware of environmental issues over the past several years, they became all the more important to me, especially once I became a mom. You can care about an issue in theory, about leaving a better world behind for the people who come next, but once you put a face on the people who will actually live in that world.”
King, the same contributor to the YA Book Central website, praised the characters in The Sandcastle Empire, stating: “They were all so interesting and fierce, driven by their need to survive and adopting whatever measure they needed in order to escape the world they were thrown in.” King concluded: “The Sandcastle Empire is a book … that should be read by everyone. The awesome thing is that it’s a standalone novel so your journey starts and ends here.” A reviewer on the Publishers Weekly website described the volume as a “smart, fast-paced debut.” The reviewer concluded: “Readers will enjoy sinking into the thoughtfully constructed details of Olson’s ravaged future Earth.” Brooke Bastie, critic on the San Francisco Book Review website, noted that the book offered “a thrilling read about the adventure of the surprisingly relatable Eden and … a hyperbolized version of the social issues of today.” “First-time author Olson creates a memorable mix of social upheaval, survival story, and trust issues,” wrote Cindy Welch in Booklist. A Kirkus Reviews contributor described the narrative as “wistful and poetic” and opined: “Filled with interesting characters and difficult scenarios, this debut is designed to leave readers thinking.” “Readers who enjoy stories of adventure and exploration will appreciate the trials that Eden must endure as she explores the island,” predicted Amanda Melilli in Voice of Youth Advocates.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, May 15, 2017, Cindy Welch, review of The Sandcastle Empire, p. 52.
Kirkus Reviews, March 15, 2017, review of The Sandcastle Empire.
Voice of Youth Advocates, August, 2017, Amanda Melilli, review of The Sandcastle Empire, p. 75.
ONLINE
Adventures in YA Publishing, http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/ (June 10, 2017), author interview.
Curly Hair Bibliophile, https://curlyhairbibliophile.wordpress.com/ (June 3, 2017), author interview.
Kayla Olson Website, http://www.kaylaolson.com/ (April 12, 2018).
Megan Write Now, https://www.meganwritenow.com/ (May 26, 2017), Megan LaCroix, author interview.
Publishers Weekly Online, https://www.publishersweekly.com/ (May 29, 2017), review of The Sandcastle Empire.
San Francisco Book Review, https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/ (August 1, 2017), Brooke Bastie, review of The Sandcastle Empire.
Variety Online, http://variety.com/ (April 12, 2018), Justin Kroll, article about film version of The Sandcastle Empire.
YA Books Central, http://www.yabookscentral.com/ (June 8, 2017), Kayla King, author interview; (June 29, 2017), Kayla King, review of The Sandcastle Empire.
Profile Picture.JPG
KAYLA OLSON
LIVES IN TEXAS,
AND CAN USUALLY BE FOUND IN NEAR PROXIMITY TO
BLACK COFFEE,
THE DARKEST CHOCOLATE,
SCRIVENER,
AND AN ARMY OF SHARPIE HIGHLIGHTERS.
Once upon a time, I was the girl who made your latte at the Starbucks drive-thru. And your bank teller. And the girl who handed you your chicken biscuit at the local Chick-Fil-A. I was the girl whose drawer was always balanced down to the penny, the girl who tucked her massive curls under mandatory hats, the girl who learned how to keep a smile on her face for customer after customer because, really, one smile can make a huge difference in someone's day.
Those jobs were important, and I was grateful for them. At the end of monotonous days, though, I couldn't help but wonder if there was something out there that used more of me than just my smile, or my patience, or my ability to balance a drawer.
I've always loved to create, and at that point in time, I'd been neglecting that side of myself for a while. I realized I had a strong desire to imagine worlds and characters, to find the precise words to convey them, to arrange my ideas on the page in just the right way. I've always loved puzzles, and the challenge of being disciplined, perseverant, and patient until I get them right. One day, it occurred to me that writing a novel would require all of those things and more. Bonus: I could do it from my desk at home, and I didn't need much—except time and determination—to get started.
So I sat down one day and got to work, inspired by the huge worlds of Harry Potter and Lost. I never looked back.
Fast forward (several) years later: on this website, you'll see only the tip of the iceberg. You won't see the quiet, early mornings or the late, bleary-eyed nights. You won't see the dirty coffee mugs, the journals filled with revision notes, the manuscripts set aside for now (or forever), the headaches and heartbreaks, the string of no that led to a life-changing yes.
If you pick up The Sandcastle Empire, if you read it—and I don't take for granted that you will—thank you. And if you're a writer currently in the midst of a string of no, hang in there. Only you can write that book, and I'm rooting for you.
fun facts:
FOR MOST OF MY LIFE, PEOPLE KNEW ME AS A MUSICIAN, NOT A WRITER—I GREW UP SINGING, PLAYING THE PIANO AND GUITAR, AND GENERALLY DREAMED OF BEING ON BROADWAY. AAAAAAND THEN I REALIZED…YEAH, YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO *DANCE* TO BE ON BROADWAY, USUALLY.
✹
I'M NOT A DANCER. AT ALL. PICTURE ELAINE FROM THAT ICONIC SEINFELD EPISODE, AND YOU BASICALLY HAVE ME.
✹
I CAN QUOTE ONLY ONE MOVIE, AND IT IS WAITING FOR GUFFMAN.
✹
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN RATHER INTO FOREIGN LANGUAGES. I MINORED IN SPANISH, SPENT TWO SUMMERS IN SHANGHAI LEARNING MANDARIN, AND TOOK A SEMESTER OF JAPANESE…BUT I'M NOT FLUENT IN ANY OF THEM, BECAUSE I NEVER COULD PICK JUST ONE TO FOCUS ON. IT THRILLS ME TO NO END THAT THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE WILL BE TRANSLATED IN SO MANY LANGUAGES.
✹
I ONCE AUDITIONED FOR SURVIVOR, AND WOULD GO ON THE AMAZING RACE IN A HEARTBEAT—MY SISTER WOULD HAVE TO DO ALL THE HEIGHTS CHALLENGES, THOUGH. AND ANY CHALLENGES INVOLVING SNAKES, BECAUSE NO.
✹
I HAVE HAD MORE TRAUMATIC HAIRCUTS THAN ANYONE I KNOW, SO IF YOU ASK…BE PREPARED FOR A VERY LONG STORY THAT INCLUDES SUCH PHRASES AS "MEDUSA HAIR" AND "HAIR RIPPED OUT BY GIANT DRILL" AND "STYLIST LEFT IN TEARS".
✹
I ONCE KNITTED A TURTLENECK SWEATER FOR MY CAT. IT DID NOT GO OVER WELL.
QUOTED: "I lived in Austin while writing the book, and we had an entire month of rain at one point that caused flooding issues; it made me wonder, What if these minor sorts of floods happened over and over, all along the coastal regions, to the point where the issues started piling up and they eventually ended up unable to recover?"
"As I grew increasingly aware of environmental issues over the past several years, they became all the more important to me, especially once I became a mom. You can care about an issue in theory, about leaving a better world behind for the people who come next, but once you put a face on the people who will actually live in that world."
Author Spotlight: Kayla Olson talks The Sandcastle Empire
May 26, 2017
|
Megan LaCroix
Today is special because I get to welcome author Kayla Olson to the blog! In addition to being one of the nicest people you'll ever come across, Kayla is a talented musician (and she once auditioned for Survivor!). Her debut novel is a YA sci-fi/survival thriller that's already generating a lot of well-deserved buzz. The Sandcastle Empire hits stores on June 6th and was recently optioned for film by Paramount with Leonardo DiCaprio/Appian Way producing.
Hi, Kayla! Congrats on your amazing debut, The Sandcastle Empire ! Can you tell us a little about the story and what inspired it?
Hi, and thanks so much for having me! The Sandcastle Empire is a YA sci-fi/survival thriller set in the near future, in post–sea level rise America, amid a future global war. When main character Eden Andersen escapes to the only neutral ground left in the world, Sanctuary Island, she quickly discovers the island is every bit as deadly as the world she left behind—and surviving it is the only thing that stands between her and freedom. As far as inspiration goes, I’m a huge fan of the show LOST, and had been going through stories-featuring-mysterious-island with-drawals when I came up with the idea for the book’s setting. After that initial spark, I followed the trail of What’s mysterious about this particular island? Who finds it? What if they expect it to be a safe place, but it’s precisely the opposite? What are they escaping from in the first place? and the story started coming together from there.
Set in the near future, The Sandcastle Empire takes place on an Earth plagued by flooding and overpopulation caused by climate change. How much research did you do on things like global warming? Have environmental issues always been very important to you?
I did quite a bit of research, especially because the crux of my idea hinged on the effects of sea level rise and nuisance flooding catching people off guard much earlier than expected. So often you hear, well, in a hundred years we’ll start to see a noticeable change…but one thing I found intriguing is that nuisance flooding could hit a tipping point much sooner. I lived in Austin while writing the book, and we had an entire month of rain at one point that caused flooding issues; it made me wonder, What if these minor sorts of floods happened over and over, all along the coastal regions, to the point where the issues started piling up and they eventually ended up unable to recover? As I grew increasingly aware of environmental issues over the past several years, they became all the more important to me, especially once I became a mom. You can care about an issue in theory, about leaving a better world behind for the people who come next, but once you put a face on the people who will actually live in that world—not a hundred years from now, but possibly sooner—it feels all the more imperative that we take a closer look not just at how to prevent the change that’s coming, but how to be prepared for it on a large scale when the issues we can’t reverse start to have a stronger effect on our world and the people in it.
Who was your favorite character to write? And which character gave you the most trouble?
My favorite character to write was Alexa—she’s full of secrets and sadness, and it was fun to mine those depths. I found Finnley the most difficult to write; the other three girls at the forefront came to me fully formed, practically, but Finnley was trickier to figure out. She’s practical but paranoid, bitter and trying to pretend she’s not, especially to herself. The unusual dimensions to her character on the inside versus how she behaved on the page was a challenge for me to navigate at first.
I know you’re a huge music-lover! What songs might we find on a playlist for The Sandcastle Empire ?
Yes! I am a huge music-lover! Because I’m such a huge music-lover, though, I find it incredibly distracting to have it going while writing—I do all of my work while listening to a thunderstorm track on my phone. (I’m listening to it right this second, actually!) There were two songs I kept coming back to whenever I needed to get into the mood of the story. The first is “Set the Fire to the Third Bar” (Snow Patrol, featuring Martha Wainwright) and the other one is “This Love” from Taylor Swift’s 1989 album.
The Sandcastle Empire debuts June 6th, but it’s already been optioned for film by Paramount with Leonardo DiCaprio/Appian Way producing. That must be exciting (to say the least)! Do you ever daydream about who would play your main characters?
That has been such an exciting aspect of this entire experience! I think all authors daydream about who would play their main characters, and I’m no exception—I picture an ensemble of four unknown actresses to play the main girls, and have been known to scroll through IMDB listings occasionally to see if there are any who match the images I have in my head. (There are! But I’m keeping specific names to myself—I’m superstitious like that.)
What are you reading, or otherwise currently obsessed with?
I’ve been lucky enough to convince a few of my author friends with books debuting this year to let me read their sophomore books—I’m about halfway through Emily Bain Murphy’s next project right now, and it is incredibly good! I loved her debut, The Disappearances (out July 4, 2017 from HMH), and this new project is likewise full of gorgeous, atmospheric writing, set in a harsh-but-beautiful setting, with a mysterious plot that’s made it near-impossible to set down. (I have to eat and sleep, as it turns out.)
What’s one steadfast piece of advice you would give to writers working toward publication?
My one steadfast piece of advice is this: be grateful for every step as you walk the path to publication, for every no that paves the road to your eventual yes. There are always going to be things out of your control—focus on what you can control. For the most part, that’s writing the very best book you can. You can’t control whether it will fall into the perfect agent or editor hands at just the right moment, you can’t control if they’ll connect with it—or if anyone will connect with it. You can’t control how many people buy it, or review it, or give it five stars. If your goal is to write something you’re proud of, something you’ll love no matter what, you’ll be able to ride out the bumpy road (and make no mistake, it’s bumpy for everyone at some point) with a little less angst.
Kayla, you are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing some of your process and a bit of the journey that led you to write The Sandcastle Empire. Be sure to add Kayla's thrilling, and sure to be bestselling book to your Goodreads list, or pre-order your copy RIGHT NOW from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local indie.
If you benefited from any of Kayla's interview, or if you just can't wait for The Sandcastle Empire to release, please make it a point to head on over to Twitter to tell her at @olsonkayla. For more, check out her author website at kaylaolson.com.
QUOTED: "The Sandcastle Empire is a near-future sci-fi thriller/survival story about four girls who set off for an island in hopes of finding freedom there—only to find it more dangerous than the war-torn world they’ve left behind."
Curlyhairbibliophile
BOOK BLOGGER WITH HAIR LARGER THAN HER TBR
INTERVIEWS
Interview with Kayla Olson (Author of The Sandcastle Empire)
JUNE 3, 2017 CURLYHAIRBIBLIOPHILE5 COMMENTS
Hello everyone! I’m so thrilled to have a wonderful guest on my blog today. Kayla Olson, author of The Sandcastle Empire, has agreed to do an interview and I’m SO excited about it. I won’t say anything else because I just want to get straight to the interview. Let’s get started!
1. Hey, Kayla! Before we begin the interview, can you briefly introduce yourself and The Sandcastle Empire?
Hi, Liv, and thanks so much for having me! The Sandcastle Empire is a near-future sci-fi thriller/survival story about four girls who set off for an island in hopes of finding freedom there—only to find it more dangerous than the war-torn world they’ve left behind. As for me, I love coffee and chocolate and the beach…but would not want to be stranded on one! (That said, if I ever were stranded on one, coffee and chocolate would help considerably with the whole survival aspect.)
2. When you were young, did you want to grow up to be an author?
I’ve always been an avid reader, but when I was young, I never quite knew how to approach being an author as a viable career. I was more of a journaler back then—but I did get into that because I dreamed of having my words written in a real, actual, book with a bound spine and a hard cover! It wasn’t until after college that I started writing fiction. Fortunately, by then, the internet was full of amazing resources on how to pursue the path to publication.
3. What is your writing process like? Do you have any specific things you need to do before you can begin writing?
Ooh, great question—I always love talking about process, and hearing how other people work, too. For me, whenever I get an idea, I always open a brand new Scrivener file and do my best to get the first page written. I’m a big believer in finishing what you’re working on (and these days, I have contracts and deadlines, so I can’t really switch projects based on feeling alone), so it helps to get the first line and the voice down for any shiny new ideas that hit me while I’m knee deep in drafting/revising something else! Having the first line and the voice ready to go helps immensely when it comes time to focus on the shiny new idea—it makes it much easier for me to slip into the project, even months or years after that initial spark.
4. (Cliche Question) How did you come up with the idea behind The Sandcastle Empire?
I was having a particularly strong longing for a beach vacation, which coincided with some particularly strong nostalgia for the TV show Lost—the island setting came first, but quickly morphed from ohhh, I wish I was at the beach to I *must* write this story about this mysterious beach/island I never, ever want to visit!
5. What about Young Adult made you decide to write for teens?
Being a teen is such a huge time for developing relationships, empathy, and worldview—I remember that time of my life so clearly, and naturally gravitated toward writing about those years when I decided to focus on writing books instead of music. I also simply loved reading YA, so it made sense to write in the category I knew and loved so much!
6. Do you have any other passions besides writing and books? Do your interests influence your writing in any way?
Music was my first passion, and in fact, I think everyone—family and friends alike—expected me to go that route. I’ve always been a big fan of lyrics (think Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch, Sandra McCracken) and wrote a good handful of my own songs back in college. My background of writing/loving poetry and lyrics definitely influenced the way I approach words on the page!
7. Do you have any projects you are currently working on (if you are allowed to talk about it)?
I do! As you suspected, though, I’m not able to share specifics quite yet—I will say that it’s another YA sci-fi/survival story, with another tight-knit cast, and a good bit of mystery/intrigue there, too. It’s very different from The Sandcastle Empire, but still very me. I can’t wait to share more details about it—it’s planned for Fall 2018, again with HarperTeen, so watch my Instagram (@authorkaylaolson) or Twitter (@olsonkayla) feeds for more!
Thanks again, Kayla, for allowing me to interview you. It was a pleasure!
Check Out The Sandcastle Empire
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32051724-the-sandcastle-empire
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sandcastle-Empire-Kayla-Olson/dp/0062484877/ref=sr_1_2_twi_har_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1474650236&sr=1-2&keywords=The+Sandcastle+Empire
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sandcastle-empire-kayla-olson/1124588986ean=9780062484871&st=AFF&2sid=HarperCollins%20Publishers%20LLC_7310909_NA&sourceId=AFFHarperCollins%20Publishers%20LLCM000023
Indiebound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780062484871&aff=hcweb
Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/9780062484871?AID=10747236&PID=7310909
Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/The-Sandcastle-Empire-Kayl-Olson/9780062484871?ref=grid-view
Are you excited to read The Sandcastle Empire? Is it on your TBR or have you already pre-ordered it?
Saturday, June 10, 2017
0Kayla Olson, author of THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE, on projects that serve different purposes during your journey
We're delighted to have Kayla Olson here to give us the inside scoop on her debut novel, THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE.
Kayla, how long or hard was your road to publication? How many books did you write before this one, and how many never got published?
I started writing back in 2009, all at once, and I haven’t stopped since. (Well, not completely. I took an inadvertent break when I had my son, but that was mostly because of extreme sleep deprivation and his 27-minute naps.) The first thing I ever wrote was a middle grade fantasy: it was about twice the length it should’ve been, which I of course did not know at the time I drafted it (or its subsequent three drafts in which I started over from scratch). I worked on that project for two years, and it’s absolutely just hanging out in my closet, having served its purpose as the project where I learned how to draft, revise, and sit at a desk day after day. I did one draft of a YA fantasy book after that, which is also in my closet (purpose: the project where I figured out my voice is more YA than MG).
After my son was born, I decided to start fresh with yet another new project, a YA time travel book. I loved that book then, and I still love it now; it was the first thing that felt special enough to maybe land an agent. When I did end up querying it, I received an offer from Holly Root and Taylor Haggerty, who work very closely together—I’m so happy to have landed with them! The day after I began the querying process, I started writing The Sandcastle Empire, and wrote it the entire time I was on submission (to agents, then editors) with the time travel book. As much as I loved the time travel book, it didn’t find its perfect home anywhere at that time, so we ended up going out with TSE instead—and I’m so happy with the way everything’s turned out! I still have the time travel YA in my back pocket, but looking back, I can’t imagine debuting with any other book.
What's your writing ritual like? Do you listen to music? Work at home or at a coffee shop or the library, etc?
When writing, I split my time between my home office and a couple of local coffee shops. At home, I write at a desk that was my grandfather’s; for my latest project, it helped for the room to be as dark as possible—I had never needed that before, but since I had to stop and start all throughout the process for TSE, the near-darkness helped me slip into the world of the new project a little more completely.
As for music, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve listened to an actual song while writing! Being a musical person, my brain easily snags on melodies and lyrics, even if they’re in another language. Six years or so ago, I started listening to a thunderstorm track, and it has become the perfect background noise whether I’m at home or out at the coffee shop—I’ve listened to it so often that it’s pretty much trained my brain to think okay, now we’re in FOCUS MODE whenever I turn it on.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m revising what will become my Fall 2018 book with HarperTeen! I don’t want to say too much about it right now, since we haven’t announced details just yet. I will say that it’s very different on the surface from The Sandcastle Empire, but still feels very, very me—it’s another YA sci-fi/survival story, and was challenging in entirely new ways for me as a writer. I’ve loved working on this project, and can’t wait to share more!
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Sandcastle Empire
by Kayla Olson
Hardcover
HarperTeen
Released 6/6/2017
Before the war, Eden’s life was easy—air conditioning, ice cream, long days at the beach. Then the revolution happened, and everything changed.
Now a powerful group called the Wolfpack controls the earth and its resources. Eden has lost everything to them. They killed her family and her friends, destroyed her home, and imprisoned her. But Eden refuses to die by their hands. She knows the coordinates to the only neutral ground left in the world, a place called Sanctuary Island, and she is desperate to escape to its shores.
Eden finally reaches the island and meets others resistant to the Wolves—but the solace is short-lived when one of Eden’s new friends goes missing. Braving the jungle in search of their lost ally, they quickly discover Sanctuary is filled with lethal traps and an enemy they never expected.
This island might be deadlier than the world Eden left behind, but surviving it is the only thing that stands between her and freedom.
Purchase The Sandcastle Empire at Amazon
Purchase The Sandcastle Empire at IndieBound
View The Sandcastle Empire on Goodreads
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kayla OlsonKayla Olson is a YA writer represented by Holly Root and Taylor Haggerty of Root Literary. Author of the THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE, which was recently optioned for film by Paramount, with Leonardo DiCaprio/Appian Way producing. Kayla Olson lives in Texas with her family. She loves the beach but would hate to be stranded on one. If she were, however, her essential survival items would be black coffee from a French press, the darkest chocolate, and an army of Sharpie highlighters.
---
Have you had a chance to read THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE yet? What was your first project that proved to yourself you could write? What projects really helped you identify your voice? Do you listen to ambient music like thunderstorms? Share your thoughts about the interview in the comments!
Happy reading,
Emily, Jocelyn, Anisaa, Sam, Martina, Erin, Susan, Shelly, Kelly, Laura, and Lori Ann
QUOTED: "My inspiration for The Sandcastle Empire came from a larger-than-life longing for a beach vacation mixed with withdrawals from LOST (I was—and remain!—a superfan of the show)! So, in short, the island setting inspired it—instead of a dreamy vacation, though, the island quickly became a place I’d never want to visit."
"It came to me pretty early on while I was writing the first draft. It definitely helped shape the book itself; I loved it as a metaphor, for how quickly illusions of power can be crushed or swept away by the tide."
Author Chat with Kayla Olson (Sandcastle Empire), Plus Giveaway!
Thursday, 08 June 2017 Kayla King, Blog Manager News & Updates Giveaways 2253 Hits 12 Comments
Author Chat with Kayla Olson (Sandcastle Empire), Plus Giveaway!
Today we're excited to chat with Kayla Olson, author of The Sandcastle Empire.
Read on for more about Kayla and her book, plus a giveaway!
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
My inspiration for The Sandcastle Empire came from a larger-than-life longing for a beach vacation mixed with withdrawals from LOST (I was—and remain!—a superfan of the show)! So, in short, the island setting inspired it—instead of a dreamy vacation, though, the island quickly became a place I’d never want to visit. ;)
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
The title was one of the first pieces to fall into place for the book, which isn’t unusual for me—if memory serves, it came to me pretty early on while I was writing the first draft. It definitely helped shape the book itself; I loved it as a metaphor, for how quickly illusions of power can be crushed or swept away by the tide.
YABC: Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you've learned as a writer from then to now?
The most important thing I’ve learned as a writer has been to cultivate a grateful heart at every step of the way. Before I started querying, I remember committing to gratitude, thinking, This—creating a manuscript I’m proud of, something I love—is the last thing that will be within my control. I can’t control whether an agent or editor will read it at just the right time, and love it just enough; I can’t control if anyone says yes to anything I put out there along the way. And if they do say yes, there will always be a new thing to crave, because life is just like that. So, my goal has been to choose gratitude during all parts of the path to publication, bumpy and smooth alike—that perspective hasn’t always been easy to pursue, especially in times of disappointment and frustration and stress, but the pursuit has undoubtedly shaped my experience as a writer for the better.
YABC: What do you like most about the cover of the book?
Ooh, good question! I love the ominous shades of green, and how stark and simple the title is—I particularly love the title font and its color! (I have alllll the heart-eyes for that sharp M in Empire) This cover is much more menacing and mysterious than anything I ever envisioned on my own, and I think the tone they created fits the book really well.
YABC: What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2017?
It is always such a difficult (but FUN) task to narrow this question down to just one book, so…I’m going to cheat, just a little. First, a book I am looking forward to: Julie C. Dao’s FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS, out October 10th (Philomel/Penguin). It’s described as “The Wrath and the Dawn meets Snow White and the Huntsman in this dark and mystical East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend about one peasant girl’s quest to become Empress.” (RIGHT??!) Next, a book you should be looking forward to, in addition to the one I just mentioned: Tracey Neithercott’s GRAY WOLF ISLAND, also out October 10th (Random House). I adored this book; it’s full of secrets and intrigue, a setting that could basically be a character, and lots of adventure—all of this, plus writing that is so, so gorgeous. I get chills whenever I think about it. Like now, for example.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
I’m writing another book for HarperTeen, planned for Fall 2018, and I’m super excited about it! Can’t reveal details just yet, but suffice it to say it’s very different from The Sandcastle Empire, yet is definitely still very me, style-wise. It’s another YA sci-fi/survival story…and that’s all I’ll say, for now. I can’t wait to share more!
YABC: Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
It truly depends on the project…or on which day you ask me the question. I love that feeling of discovery that comes with drafting a book for the first time—but I also love the feeling of making a book even stronger through the process of revision. On the flip side, drafting can be like pulling teeth, and revision can be maddening when you get stuck on problems that feel impossible. If I had to choose, though…I’d say…revision. Today, anyway.
YABC: What would you say is your superpower?
My superpower is the preternatural gift of being able to detect where Starbucks locations are, with little-to-no help from Google or any prior experience visiting a given area. (This superpower was much more impressive before there was a Starbucks on every corner.)
Meet Kayla Olson!
Kayla Olson lives in Texas with her family. She loves the beach but would hate to be stranded on one. If she were, however, her essential survival items would be black coffee from a French press, the darkest chocolate, and an army of Sharpie highlighters. THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE is her first book.
Facebook * Website * Twitter * Instagram
Meet The Sandcastle Empire!
Now a powerful group called the Wolfpack controls the earth and its resources. And even though Eden has lost everything to them, she refuses to die by their hands. She knows the coordinates to the only neutral ground left in the world, a place called Sanctuary Island, and she is desperate to escape to its shores.
Eden finally reaches the island and meets others resistant to the Wolves. But the solace is short- lived when one of Eden’s new friends goes missing. Braving the jungle in search of their lost ally, they quickly discover Sanctuary is filled with lethal traps and an enemy they never expected.
This island might be deadlier than the world Eden left behind, but surviving it is the only thing that stands between her and freedom.
Amazon * B & N * Indiebound
Leonardo DiCaprio to Produce YA Adaptation ‘Sandcastle Empire’ for Paramount
By Justin Kroll @krolljvar Justin Kroll
Justin Kroll
Film Reporter
@krolljvar
FOLLOW
Justin's Most Recent Stories
Tiffany Haddish to Star in ‘The Lego Movie’ Sequel
Michael Showalter to Direct Jessica Chastain-Octavia Spencer Holiday Comedy (EXCLUSIVE)
‘Scarface’ Reimagining Taps Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer for Another Rewrite
VIEW ALL
Facebook
Twitter
Reddit
Email
Show more sharing options
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Print
Pin It
Tumblr
CREDIT: OWEN KOLASINSKI/BFA/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
Paramount Pictures has optioned the YA novel “The Sandcastle Empire” with Leonardo DiCaprio on board to produce.
Jennifer Davisson, DiCaprio’s partner at Appian Way, is also attached to produce through their production banner.
The novel was written by Kayla Olson and is set in 2049 when the Earth is at a breaking point due to climate change, coastal flooding and overpopulation. A radical faction known as the Wolfpack overthrows the government and takes control.
The story centers on a young woman named Eden who escapes a Wolfpack labor camp, joining three others fleeing to an island. During her journey, she will find clues as to what happened to her missing father and find out that she is the key to bringing down the Wolfpack.
The book’s theme of climate change is an important one for DiCaprio, as he’s been vocal about the environmental issue, speaking out on it as recently as Saturday’s SAG Awards.
Appian’s Nathaniel Posey identified the book and brought it into the company.
DiCaprio can currently be seen in Fox’s “The Revenant” and just won SAG award for his role in the film. He is repped by LBI Entertainment.
The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
QUOTED: "Readers who enjoy stories of adventure and exploration will appreciate the trials that Eden must endure as she explores the island."
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521917813838 1/3
Print Marked Items
Olson, Kayla. The Sandcastle Empire
Amanda Melilli
Voice of Youth Advocates.
40.3 (Aug. 2017): p75.
COPYRIGHT 2017 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
2Q * 3P * J * S
Olson, Kayla. The Sandcastle Empire. HarperTeen, 2017. 464p. $17.99. 978-0-06248487-1.
In a time of scarce natural resources, Eden had a life of luxury with her scientist father, but when the
Wolves rose to power, all that changed. Now, she and others like her have been stripped of their positions in
society and sent to gulags across the county. Eden, however, has her now-dead father's book containing
information about Sanctuary, an island far away from the ruthless rule of the Wolves. Her life is now
focused on reaching this island and finding safety, but once she is finally there with her friends, it becomes
clear that Sanctuary is much more dangerous than the prison from which she escaped.
Although the dystopian future described in The Sandcastle Empire is intriguing, there are some major flaws
with the storytelling. The jungle and other environments play pivotal roles in Eden's adventures, but the
descriptions of these settings are confusing, making it difficult for readers to visualize the many action
scenes. The obstacles that Eden and her friends face frequently feel manufactured and do little to further the
plot, and the ways that the characters conquer many of these obstacles are unrealistic. Careful readers will
be confused by the sudden appearance of materials and/or skills among Eden and her friends, just when
needed to solve the problem at hand. Even with these issues, though, readers who enjoy stories of adventure
and exploration will appreciate the trials that Eden must endure as she explores the island.--Amanda Melilli.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Melilli, Amanda. "Olson, Kayla. The Sandcastle Empire." Voice of Youth Advocates, Aug. 2017, p. 75.
General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A502000868/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=35703883. Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A502000868
QUOTED: "wistful and poetic."
"Filled with interesting characters and difficult scenarios, this debut is designed to leave readers thinking."
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521917813838 2/3
Olson, Kayla: THE SANDCASTLE
EMPIRE
Kirkus Reviews.
(Mar. 15, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Olson, Kayla THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE HarperTeen (Children's Fiction) $17.99 6, 6 ISBN: 978-0-06-
248487-1
Olson offers a vision of a bleak, uncertain future.Ever since the Wolfpack took over and threw everyone
who was against them into work camps, life has been constant pain, hunger, and fear. With her father dead,
present-tense narrator Eden is alone with nothing to lose and only dreams of freedom to keep her going.
When she finally manages to escape her captors, it is with three other girls, Finnley, Alexa, and Hope. With
nowhere else to go, the girls seek out and find the fabled Sanctuary, a safe, neutral island--but when Finnley
disappears, it soon becomes clear that this is no safe place. When she mysteriously reappears with three
boys in tow, the girls find themselves in the middle of a plot to overthrow the Wolfpack. For Eden, this new
challenge is also an opportunity to delve deeper into her father's death and the twisted world he helped
create. Overlaid with Eden's memories, hopes, and lost dreams, the novel is in turns wistful and poetic. It
touches on issues such as the unequal distribution of wealth and power in a world with dwindling resources,
but aspects of this world's society and technological advances feel undefined. Finnley and Hope are white,
Alexa is Asian, and Eden, although she doesn't describe herself, speaks from a white default. Filled with
interesting characters and difficult scenarios, this debut is designed to leave readers thinking. (Postapocalyptic
adventure. 14-18)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Olson, Kayla: THE SANDCASTLE EMPIRE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2017. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A485105199/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=f164aa3d.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A485105199
QUOTED: "First-time author Olson creates a memorable mix of social upheaval, survival story, and trust issues."
3/24/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1521917813838 3/3
The Sandcastle Empire
Cindy Welch
Booklist.
113.18 (May 15, 2017): p52.
COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Full Text:
The Sandcastle Empire. By Kayla Olson. June 2017. 464p. HarperTeen, $17.99 (9780062484871). Gr. 8-12.
On Zero Day, the (human) Wolves took over and upended the status quo: wealthy people were consigned to
gulags, siblings killed each other over philosophical differences, and Eden lost her brilliant engineer father
to the Wolves' need to control the world. Eden escapes her prison and finds herself on a deadly island with
five other people, in search of a way to stop the madness. First-time author Olson creates a memorable mix
of social upheaval, survival story, and trust issues. The first-person narrative is effective as readers share
Eden's limited understanding of the situation, heightening the story's tension, although the brief reflection
chapters fall a bit flat. The setting, a tropical island shielded by and equipped with technology-enhanced
nature, is so menacing that it becomes another character in and of itself. Touches of horror, like razor-sharp
plants and blood-seeking beetles, are balanced by sweet moments, including a friendship that hints at
lesbian love interest and a romance that develops between main characters. Give this to dystopia fans or
those looking for a fantastical survival tale.--Cindy Welch
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Welch, Cindy. "The Sandcastle Empire." Booklist, 15 May 2017, p. 52. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A496084869/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=499dff90.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A496084869
QUOTED: "a thrilling read about the adventure of the surprisingly relatable Eden and ... a hyperbolized version of the social issues of today."
The Sandcastle Empire
We rated this book:
$17.99
The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson catapults the reader into a dystopian world where the underprivileged have formed an uprising called the Wolfpack, which mercilessly overtakes society amid environmental chaos. Eden, the protagonist who comes from a privileged family, resides in a labor camp where her story begins as she escapes with three other residents of the camp. When they beach on a mysterious island seeking sanctuary, Eden and the other escapees encounter not only treacherous biologically-modified traps but also a boat full of unexpected pirate-esque boys who bring even more intrigue to the already cryptic locale.
Olson intertwines Eden’s narrative with flashbacks and stream-of-consciousness so that the pace is broken up in an easy-to-read manner. Ultimately, the plot thickens and ventures from dystopian into sci-fi. Olson prevails in bringing thought-provoking material into the Young Adult novel through Eden’s experiences dealing with the dichotomous nature of privilege and poverty, the split reality of before and after the war, and the loss of loved ones. Olson also comments on the current environmental state of the world in the wake of global climate change. The Sandcastle Empire operates on two planes: as a thrilling read about the adventure of the surprisingly relatable Eden and as a hyperbolized version of the social issues of today. Young adult readers will enjoy this book, and it will be interesting to see where Olson finds her niche in this genre.
Reviewed By: Brooke Bastie
Author: Kayla Olson
Star Count: 4/5
Format: Hard
Page Count: 464 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: 2017-Jun-06
ISBN: 9780062484871
Amazon: Buy this Book
Issue: August 2017
Category: Young Adult
Share:
QUOTED: "smart, fast-paced debut."
"Readers will enjoy sinking into the thoughtfully constructed details of Olson’s ravaged future Earth."
The Sandcastle Empire
Kayla Olson. HarperTeen, $17.99 (464p) ISBN 978-0-06-248487-1
Questions of justice, privilege, and inequity hang over Olson’s smart, fast-paced debut, set in a near-future Earth racked by climate devastation and war. Seventeen-year-old Eden lost everything, including her father, when citizens calling themselves the Wolfpack took over in a populist uprising amid planet-transforming floods. Eden and others now work in gulags, suffering daily indignities from the brutal Wolves. Following a bloody battle, Eden makes a break for it, setting sail along with three fellow runaways. They head for the fabled refuge of Sanctuary Island, but upon arrival it appears to be deserted. After they locate a temple full of deadly traps, and a trio of boys arrives on the island, Eden discovers that her newfound safety is fleeting at best. Eden, who narrates, is both brave and aware of her flaws. Readers will enjoy sinking into the thoughtfully constructed details of Olson’s ravaged future Earth, as well as a number of terrifying action sequences that build to a game-changing twist and the potential for more to come. Ages 14–up. Agent: Holly Root and Taylor Haggerty, Root Literary. (June)
DETAILS
Reviewed on: 05/29/2017
Release date: 06/01/2017
Downloadable Audio - 978-0-06-268332-8
Compact Disc - 978-1-5384-1940-3
Ebook - 464 pages - 978-0-06-248489-5
MP3 CD - 978-1-5384-1942-7
Compact Disc - 978-1-5384-1941-0
QUOTED: "They were all so interesting and fierce, driven by their need to survive and adopting whatever measure they needed in order to escape the world they were thrown in."
"The Sandcastle Empire is a book ... that should be read by everyone. The awesome thing is that it's a standalone novel so your journey starts and ends here."
Featured Review: The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson
Thursday, 29 June 2017 Kayla King, Blog Manager News & Updates Latest Staff Reviews 1535 Hits 0 Comment
the-sandcastle-empire
About This Book:
When all hope is gone, how do you survive? Before the war, Eden’s life was easy—air conditioning, ice cream, long days at the beach. Then the revolution happened, and everything changed. Now a powerful group called the Wolfpack controls the earth and its resources. Eden has lost everything to them. They killed her family and her friends, destroyed her home, and imprisoned her. But Eden refuses to die by their hands. She knows the coordinates to the only neutral ground left in the world, a place called Sanctuary Island, and she is desperate to escape to its shores. Eden finally reaches the island and meets others resistant to the Wolves—but the solace is short-lived when one of Eden’s new friends goes missing. Braving the jungle in search of their lost ally, they quickly discover Sanctuary is filled with lethal traps and an enemy they never expected. This island might be deadlier than the world Eden left behind, but surviving it is the only thing that stands between her and freedom.
*Review Contributed by Melissa Robles, Staff Reviewer*
A Must-Read YA Dystopian!
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING. Kayla's voice is flawless, the story gripping, and everything else alarmingly possible. I can see why this book has been optioned for film and I cannot wait to be first in line to see it!
What I Loved:
The Sandcastle Empire is a book that surprised me in so many good ways. The mystery and intrigue of Sanctuary Island was one of the things I didn't expect to love so much. This is one of those times when the setting becomes a character of its own and that thrilled me to no end. I loved not knowing what the island was hiding or how things worked. Every step towards uncovering its secrets had me at the edge of my seat, crossing my fingers that no harm would come to my new friends, but at the same time that things would come to happen (and they do!).
The world in The Sandcastle Empire is a terrifying future that we might come to live, dominated by people who keep a strong hold in our world's resources, calling themselves Wolves. What was interesting for me to learn about was how the main character's father is one of the people to blame for how things turn out, as he discovered a way to adapt cities even when the environment is trying to drown us out. His intentions are well-meant, but those who have the power use it for their own ways and incite a war from those who could not afford.
"Fear mixed with bitterness never ends well, and fear mixed with power? Ends world."
My copy of The Sandcastle Empire is full of sticky notes highlighting my favorite passages. Kayla Olson has an amazing voice and her wise thoughts had me nodding constantly and falling deeper in love with the book. Some made me tremble, some lifted my soul, but all of them equally significant:
"If there's one thing I'm learning, it's that possibility won't be confined to a cage. It will bend bars, break locks, and fly away when you're not looking."
Oh, but I loved how effortlessly Kayla Olson would switch timelines in her book, from present-day to the main character's memories before the war, and how those memories at the end would relate to what Eden was going through at the moment. Like life lessons that apply to certain moments no matter the time and place. I think that's my favorite thing about The Sandcastle Empire, a style I rarely enjoy in books yet it drew me in completely in this one.
Lastly, I must not forget to mention how much I loved the characters. They were all so interesting and fierce, driven by their need to survive and adopting whatever measure they needed in order to escape the world they were thrown in. You must meet them!
Final Verdict:
The Sandcastle Empire is a book I cannot recommend enough and one that should be read by everyone. The awesome thing is that it's a standalone novel so your journey starts and ends here, but I promise it will leave you thinking right after you turn the last page.
Good Points
Great writing style!