About author: Amanda Kozik is an emerging author. Accidentally Heroic is her first published novel. Previously published works include “My Conversation with Madison” and “The School Mascot”.
**Contact Amanda: Email Book Sample Chapters
INTERVIEW
Describe yourself in five words: I am one odd duck.
You knew you were a writer when…: I baffled my 7th grade English teacher with my quirky stories.
Salty or sweet? Sweet
What is your writing/editing/publishing process like? Writing is the passion of a new romance. Editing is the commitment and growth of a marriage. Publishing is the stress of divorce.
Hard/paperback or eBooks? When I am reading, definitely paperback. For my readers, either format is fine. I simply want them to read and enjoy.
Do you have any writing rituals? I do not write “Chapter 1” in the original draft. My superstition has always been that if I label the first chapter I seldom make it much further.
What are you reading right now? My husband hooked me on the Dresden files. Currently I am on Ghost Story.
If you could meet anyone famous, who would it be? I’d say Neil Gaiman, but I’d be too awe-stricken to speak. So, I will go with Patricia Wrede.
Writing wise, where would you like to be in five years? I’d like to have an established readership and be able to write full time.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given? Write the story you want to write.
What do you want people to take away from your books? I want them to have a sense of catharsis, laugh, cry, and just feel.
What are you working right now? The Kindle Format of Accidentally Heroic and (just started) the draft to a new series.
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Accidentally Heroic
Blurb: In a world saturated with Superheroes, Accidentally Heroic puts a new spin on the genre. The novel opens humorously and quickly evolves into a tale that is one part noir, two parts love story, and every last page packed with the grandiose action that marks the world of comic books. The characters may be saving the day, but they still have to go to work on Tuesday.
EXCERPT
“You know what I could go for?” Larry mused with a broad grin. Oh god, I thought. I already knew.
“Black Rook Burgers.” Yup, it was as I feared.
“Really man? They’re nasty,” I replied in a vain attempt to avoid a four hour vigil at the porcelain shrine.
“Nah, they’re classic.” Larry ushered me into his Grand Am. We had been on the road for hours; our most recent stop had been unsuccessful. Unlike the Midwest, Nevada had hundred-mile stretches without good gas stations. There was gas, but that was it, no food, no frills, none of the luxuries many associate with road trips. As such, I was skeptical I’d find the proper facilities to handle Black Rook aftermath, but you couldn’t argue with Larry. Larry was one of those people; he was a force of nature. Murphy’s truth, he managed to find the one and only Black Rook Burgers in a 300 mile radius.
Sure enough, four hours later I was crawling out of a gas station restroom. It was the sort of bathroom that is a crime against humanity. Given my composure, slumped and sweaty on the ground, you’d never know my real identity.
“Mm, so good, I can still taste it.” Larry patted his belly.
“Unfortunately…” I muttered, alluding to the rancid taste in my mouth. Larry picked me off the ground by my left arm. He shoved me into my seat and walked to the other side of the car. So right about now you’ve figured out the obvious, right? Yup. Larry and I are superheroes. Like I said, obvious.
