About Fiona Ingram
Although Fiona Ingram has been a journalist for the last fifteen years, writing a children’s book—The Secret of the Sacred Scarab—was an unexpected step, inspired by a recent trip to Egypt. The tale of the sacred scarab began life as a little anecdotal tale for her 2 nephews (then 10 and 12), who had accompanied her on the Egyptian trip. This short story grew into an award-winning children’s book, the first in the adventure series Chronicles of the Stone. The author has already completed the next book in the series—The Search for the Stone of Excalibur—a huge treat for young King Arthur fans.
Although Fiona Ingram does not have children of her own, she has an adopted teenage foster child, from an underprivileged background who is just discovering the joys of reading for pleasure. Fiona’s experiences in teaching her daughter to read has resulted in her interest in child literacy and in creating ways to get kids more interested in reading, as well as helping parents to instil a love of reading in their children.
Naturally, Fiona is a voracious reader and has been from early childhood. Her interests include literature, art, theatre, collecting antiques, animals, music, and films. She loves travel and has been fortunate to have lived in Europe (while studying) and America (for work). She has travelled widely and fulfilled many of her travel goals.
Fiona’s latest book is the middle grade adventure novel, The Secret of the Sacred Scarab – Book 1 in the Chronicles of the Stone series.
Visit her website at www.fionaingram.com.
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The Interview
Could you please tell us a little about your book?
The Secret of the Sacred Scarab: A 5000-year-old mystery comes to life when a scruffy peddler gives two young South African tourists, Adam and Justin Sinclair, an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab, do the boys realise they are in terrible danger. Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They survive terrifying dangers in a hostile environment (such as a giant cobra, as well as sinking sand), pursued by enemies in their quest to solve the secret of the sacred scarab. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out. They must also learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. With just their wits, courage, and each other, the boys manage to survive … only to find that the end of one journey is the beginning of another!
Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?
I went to Egypt with my mom and my two nephews aged 10 and 12. We had an amazing time and upon our return to South Africa I thought I would write a short story about two boys who have an incredible adventure in Egypt. Naturally my nephews were the inspiration for the heroes. Well, the short story became a book; the book became a series, and I changed careers from journalist to children’s author.
Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?
I would say going to Egypt was the spark; researching the fascinating ancient culture of Egypt, discovering wonderful legends and tales completed the story.
Who is your biggest supporter?
My mother who has always been the backbone of all my endeavors.
Your biggest critic?
Me…
What cause are you most passionate about and why?
Child literacy is something that I have become deeply concerned about, both in my own country where one-fifth of the population is illiterate and also worldwide where in many homes there is a lack of books. I fostered an eleven-year-old African child the year I began the book. She came to me just about illiterate and I wondered how on earth she had managed to be pushed through the grades when she could barely read. I had to teach her to read, and now that the world of words has opened up to her she is an avid reader. By the way, she has just finished high school with flying colors!
In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?
Yes, I have finally severed my longtime attachment to adverbs!
Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?
No, because I never quite think of anything as finished. On the eve of sending to the publisher I would decide to reread it all, just in case there was room for improvement. I am getting better. I have just sent my second book in the series (The Search for the Stone of Excalibur) to the editor and I saw a mistake and did not freak out … so I must be improving.
Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?
I read widely so I am not sure if there is a specific influence.
What are you currently working on?
Book Three (The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper) if only I can clear the decks and just begin. It’s all there in my head, with characters stuck in dangerous situations calling out for me to write them a rescue…
Do you have any advice for writers or readers?
Three tips should be in the back of a writer’s mind: Never give up. Make sure your work reaches the industry’s standards. Tell everyone about your work.
What are some of your long term goals?
Finishing the seven-book planned series, and since I have signed a movie option on Book One I really would love to see all the books turned into movies.
What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?
Telling a great adventure story, something that could possibly happen!
What do you feel is your biggest strength?
My imagination is a huge plus for me. I never get stuck for ideas. The story just seems to unfold in my head. Sometimes I include things that will only come to fruition in later books, but somehow it all flows together.
Biggest weakness?
I am very critical of myself.
What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?
My book is what one calls ‘magical reality’ — the kind of adventure where it’s all real, and you too could go to an amazing place and embark upon a trip of a lifetime. I draw from actual locations, real myths and legends which are utterly fascinating. The reality behind the books makes them believable for the readers. The twist in the tale, the spark of ‘magic’ driving events makes it compelling reading.
You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?
I would make it a very big book so the amazing Lord of the Rings trilogy (bound in one book, of course) is my choice to while away the hours until my hero rescues me. (Preferably Aragorn and not Gimli).
What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?
To my eternal annoyance and the glee of my more spiritually minded friends, the lesson I have learned is accepting what they call ‘divine timing.’ The idea that everything comes in the right time and when you are ready. I tend to be very impatient and keep yelling, “I’m ready! I’m ready!” at the ceiling.
Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?
I wish I had written my books ten years earlier, but if we fling in a bit of ‘divine timing’ that would mean I wouldn’t have written the books I have written. Maybe I would have written something else and not been as inspired as I have been.
What is your favorite past-time?
I love books, music, the theater, movies, and the countryside. So all or any combination makes me happy.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Books are wonderful things. Simply having twenty books or more in the house immediately increases your child’s chances of going to study at college. Books in a home, or a parent involved with books is a great way for kids to enjoy reading. Make sure your children or young relatives are exposed to books from an early age. Books are the mark of a civilized society and hold all life’s lessons. I am passionate about child literacy and have written many articles on the subject. (www.FionaIngram.com) I know from personal experience how a child can struggle with reading. My adopted daughter (an African child) was illiterate when she came to live with me. I had to teach her to read and that was an enlightening experience.
About The Secret of the Sacred Scarab
A 5000-year-old mystery comes to life when a scruffy peddler gives Adam and Justin Sinclair an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. Only when the evil Dr. Faisal Khalid shows a particular interest in the cousins and their scarab, do the boys realise they are in terrible danger. Dr. Khalid wants the relic at all costs. Justin and Adam embark upon the adventure of a lifetime, taking them down the Nile and across the harsh desert in their search for the legendary tomb of the Scarab King, an ancient Egyptian ruler. They are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They survive terrifying dangers in a hostile environment (such as a giant cobra, as well as sinking sand), pursued by enemies in their quest to solve the secret of the sacred scarab. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out. They must also learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. With just their wits, courage, and each other, the boys manage to survive … only to find that the end of one journey is the beginning of another!
Young explorers will enjoy an interactive journey through Egypt, following Justin and Adam’s exciting adventure on www.secretofthesacredscarab.com. Readers can also browse the first chapter of the book. Those who survive the journey and manage to translate the Curse of Thoth will be able to read the first chapter in Adam and Justin’s next adventure—The Search for the Stone of Excalibur—as they hunt for the Scroll of the Ancients.
The Secret of the Sacred Scarab has received the following awards:
- Book Award Nominations & Wins:
- Finalist Children’s Fiction USA Next Generation 2009 Indie Book Awards
- Finalist Juvenile Fiction USA National Best Books 2009 Awards
- Winner Pre-Teen USA 2009 Readers’ Favorites Awards
- Number 2 in the USA Children’s & Teens Book Connection Top Ten Favourite Books of 2009 for Kids, Tweens & Teens
- Winner Silver Medal Teen Fiction 2010 Nautilus Book Awards
- Finalist Children’s Fiction 2010 International Book Awards
- Winner Bronze Medal Pre-Teen Fiction 2010 Moonbeam Book Awards
- Finalist 2011 Rubery Book Awards
- Winner Gold Award Mystery Pre-Teen 2011 Children’s Literary Classics Awards
Purchase ebook for $2.99 here!
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LATEST NEWS!
The Secret of the Sacred Scarab a Finalist in the 2011 SharpWrit Book Awards. Winners will be announced in Jan 2012. http://t.co/JIDokPlv
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