Solitary by Travis Thrasher * press release *

As Halloween approaches, and the latest Twilight DVD hits stores this fall, Travis Thrasher is available to talk about young people’s fascination with tales of darkness, and his new Christian release for this audience.

Travis Thrasher is an author who knows how to tap into the fear that lurks within the human heart, and his latest novel invites teens to enjoy his terrifying tales.  Thrasher builds on the broken, hurting hearts of his characters to create a tale that will keep them up at night in hopes that the people within the story survive until the end of the book!  He also understands the power of redemption and flawlessly blends hope into the darkness that his characters must battle against in order to survive.  The remote town of Solitary, North Carolina, provides the perfect setting for this tale and reveals that the most frightening things in this world reside within the human heart.  Told from the perspective of a sixteen-year-old boy experiencing love for the first time, Thrasher’s Solitary will have readers leaving their lights on and making sure that they don’t spend too much time alone!

An interview with author Travis Thrasher

Q: How was the idea of Solitary conceived?  Other than the age of the protagonists, how does this story differ from other similar stories you have written?

I’ve wanted to write a story from a teenager’s perspective for some time. I came up with this idea while I was in the Carolinas on a book tour. I lived in North Carolina when I was in high school so I wanted to document some of those experiences while writing in the supernatural vein. This is first time I’ve done a series, so there’s a lot of back-story on the town of Solitary and the characters. Solitary is the first of a four-book series. Each book will shed more light on the darkness of the town and on what’s happening to Chris. 

Q: Was it difficult to write from the viewpoint of a sixteen-year-old boy?  Why or why not?

I actually found it quite easy to tell this story. I wasn’t sure what my publisher and readers would think about the job I did, but the response I’ve gotten has been very positive. I’m not sure if that means I’m doing a good job getting into the mind of a teenager, or if it simply means that I’m immature. 

Q: Do you think this will be a book that appeals to parents as well as teens?  Will it provide opportunities for parents to discuss spiritual matters with their teens?

There have been lots of examples of “teen” stories being read by adults. The Solitary Tales are certainly stories that can be enjoyed by both. I think as the series progresses, there will be a lot of things to talk about. Issues like faith and spiritual warfare. 

Q: What is the greatest take-away value offered by Solitary and its characters?

My hope is that Solitary is a thrilling and slightly creepy beginning to an amazing supernatural series. I want readers to be surprised and to be eagerly awaiting the next installment. I’m not making this up as I go--the story has all be laid out. It’s going to be interesting to see how successful I am at getting to the final destination. I hope readers will come along for the ride. 

Q: Can you tell us about other projects you are working on right now?

I have four novels coming out in 2011, including book two of The Solitary Tales. That book is called Gravestone and will be released in June 2011. 

For more information on Travis Thrasher, visit his website www.travisthrasher.com.

Also, check out Travis’ blog to read about the 10 ways that Solitary is similar to Twilight and more: http://thejourneyiseverything.blogspot.com. 

Solitary: Book 1 in the Solitary Tales Series by Travis Thrasher

David C Cook/August 2010

ISBN: 978-1-4347-6421-8/336 pages/softcover/$14.99

www.davidccook.com ~ www.travisthrasher.com