I am happy to welcome this week’s Rave Reviews Book Club Spotlight Author Tim Hemlin. He is on a tour, and you can see his stops by visiting Rave Reviews Book Club. Okay, Tim, the floor is yours.
Influences: Tolkien and a Middle School English Teacher
When I was in 7th grade my English teacher, Mr. Perry Onion, handed out this thick paperback to the class and at first I groaned. The Hobbit? What in the world was a hobbit? It sounded dumb. The only books I’d read at that point had been about sports, and they had pictures, too. Mr. Onion introduced the book and read the beginning to us. He then told us to take it home and read the next couple of chapters. I read that and more. I couldn’t put it down. I decided right then and there I wanted to be Gandalf when I grew up. When I told Mr. Onion how much I liked The Hobbit, he mentioned there were three other books like it. My parents were shocked when I told them I wanted to read The Lord of the Rings, and they went right out and bought me the series. I read every word. Finding myself in Middle Earth surrounded by all these fantastical creatures not only made me want to read more, it made me want to become a writer. While I was teaching middle school, often students will tell me how much they enjoyed The Hunger Games or Divergent or any number of other titles. I wonder if it’s a turning point for them the way reading The Hobbit back in the 1970s was for me.
Author Bio:
Tim Hemlin is a marathoner, teacher, and has his master’s degree in counseling, but his passion for the environment sparked him to write The Wastelanders, a dystopian-clifi published in both e-book and paperback by Reputation Books. He is represented by Kimberley Cameron of Kimberley Cameron & Associates Literary Agency.
He has also published a Wastelanders short story called Black Silence as a bridge between the first book and its sequel. He is currently in the notes and brainstorming stage for the Wastelanders sequel.
Recently the Muse has kindly allowed him to tap into that creative magic and pen a young adult urban fantasy. If all goes well with the edits and revision, the final draft should be completed by early summer.
Finally, in the late 90s Ballantine published the Neil Marshall series of culinary mysteries set in Houston, Texas. These include If Wishes Were Horses, A Whisper of Rage (nominated for a Shamus Award), People in Glass Houses, A Catered Christmas (the one I most enjoyed writing), and Dead Man’s Broth. He has recently gotten the reversion rights and is planning on reissuing them under an elite publishing house out of New Orleans.
Hemingway liked running with the bulls. Tim enjoys running with dragons (that’s what he calls his grandkids.)
Facebook
TimHemlin.com
Goodreads
Google+
Amazon Author Page
The Wastelanders
iTunes: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wastelanders-tim-hemlin/1108613068?ean=9780991363575
Barnes & Noble: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-wastelanders/id874164149?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Reputation Books: http://reputationbooksonline.com/2014/05/22/wastelanders/
Fiction Favorites 
Really like that ‘running with the dragons’ line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah it’s a good one.
LikeLike
I’d like to take the opportunity here to thank you for hosting me today, John! Glad you liked the dragon line…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any time Tim
LikeLike
Thanks Charles. It seems appropriate. I’ll be running with them, or after them, once again in two weeks when the whole family comes to Houston for our youngest son’s HS graduation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have fun. The joy of playing with kids and being able to hand them back to their parents afterwards. So envious. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is another lovely post, Tim, and I’m enjoying getting to find out more about you on your tour. Have a great week in the Spotlight! 🙂
John, thanks for hosting Tim, today! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, Hello again Harmony! Thanks for all your support, and yes I am loving every minute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the visit Harmony
LikeLike
This is a marvelous anecdote for Tim to share. I enjoyed it very much. Hugs to you both! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Teagan
LikeLike
I’m glad you enjoyed it Tegan. Best wishes to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Novels by Jennifer Hinsman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the re blog as well
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to know more about you Tim!
John, Thanks for having Tim today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for coming and for reblogging. I truly appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for stopping by Jennifer
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it wonderful when a teacher connects with a student and ignites a passion that can last a lifetime?? How blessed Tim is to have had such a teacher, and then to have had parents follow the lead. I guess none of us knows the ways we influence others — we can only try to make it a positive influence. Lovely interview, John — thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the visit
LikeLike
Hi Debbie. Yes, I was fortunate to have such a great teacher and supportive parents. Could be why i chose to teach middle school ELA for over 20 years ~ I can only hope I made the same impression on just one of the kids I taught. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds fantastic! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you! Glad you stopped by.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Tim and John. Great post! Nice to get to know you a bit better, Tim. Enjoy your week in the Spotlight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the visit Nancy.
LikeLike
My pleasure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Nancy! Great seeing you again and so soon. This is great visiting with ya’ll. John has been a great host as well. Like I said ~ RRBC is awesome. You’re all so supportive. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love reading about life stories that include the love of a book/series. Warms the heart. Judy Blume changed the course of my life in the 5th grade.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Audrey
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean about series…they tend to capture a a young person’s interest and as they follow the series, become readers! I’m glad you stopped by, Audrey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and I find that to be most beautiful. I love a young reader! Good to meet you, Tim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
John, as always, thanks so much for your kind support and gracious hospitality.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re the best Tim. Anytime.
LikeLike
[…] Note: Tim’s previous post on Influences appears on John Howell’s blog Fiction Favorites. […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another excellent post, Tim. John, thank you for your amazing support of this author!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the visit
LikeLike
Thank Beem. As always I appreciate your support.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kudos to those special teachers who ignite a spark in a young mind. So often, they never know the extent of what their words have instilled in innocent minds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. Thanks Rebecca.
LikeLike
Appreciate it. When I got into teaching, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but it was a great ride ~ especially when an ex-student came back and told me they really enjoyed my class. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tim, Congratulations on your book “Wastelanders” and I hope it does well. The topic is near and dear to my heart as well and I worry sometimes about our planet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the visit Shirley
LikeLike
Once agin, Shirley. We’ve got to fight the good fight. Thanks again for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent post, Tim! Thanks, John, for hosting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the visit Kim
LikeLike
Tim, I must have missed this stop, but it is never too late to make amend. I can see that you had a swell of a time. Thank you John for hosting him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joy for getting here. Nice.
LikeLike