The Legendary Mo Seto
by A. Y. Chan
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GENRE: Middle Grade, Martial Arts, Action / Adventure
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BOOK BLURB:
Mo Seto, martial arts movie star! Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? Too bad there's a height restriction to audition. But 12-year-old Modesty (Mo) Seto has never let her height get in the way before, not when she became a black belt, or when she fought the meanest boy in her class, and she’s not going to let it stop her this time! Now if only she can figure out a way to grow five inches and fool everyone at the auditions…and find time to search for her missing father (who just might be harboring a dangerous secret of his own). Join Mo on an adventure (and audition) of a lifetime and find out if powerful things really do come in small packages!
Publishers Weekly calls THE LEGENDARY MO SETO “Adrenaline pumping”, Kirkus Reviews says it “Packs a punch”, and Booklist calls it “Remarkably relatable.” Leap in and join the fun!
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EXCERPT THREE:
I tap the arm of a boy next to me. He’s around my height, though he looks like he’s probably a good couple of years younger. “What’s everyone looking at?”
The boy cocks his head toward the crowd and frowns. “There’s a poster about auditions for a Cody Kwok movie, but—”
Cody Kwok? Cody Kwok! Aaaaaaaah! Every thought inside my brain disappears, except for the words “CODY KWOK” in capital letters, surrounded by flashing lights.
I need to see that poster.
I crane my neck, but it’s no use. What would Cody Kwok do? Cody wouldn’t let buildings or bridges or trains or nuclear explosions stand in the way of what he wanted—let alone a few people.
“Nacho, meet me out front. I’ll be right back.” Slipping through cracks, under armpits and between legs, I duck, crawl, and push my way through until I’m standing in front of Cody’s magnificent face. I’d recognize it anywhere. His black eyes are narrowed, and his lips are curled, as if daring his opponent to strike. His fists are held in a classic fighting stance.
“Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.”
Below the picture are the words:
CASTING CALL FOR THE PROTEGES
PRESENTED BY FLYING FIST STUDIOS
Inviting all young martial artists to participate in our open auditions to star alongside CODY KWOK in his next movie.
Sign up for an audition spot on Sunday, July 7
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Auditions begin Saturday July 13.
Sign-ups are—I double-check my phone—in a week.
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GUEST POST:
Character Creation
I once read that everyone is the main character in their own story, and this couldn’t be more true in storytelling. Sure, you’ve got a terrific main character—let’s call her Jem. You’ve mapped out a fun, twisty adventure for her to embark on. You know Jem down to her unruly auburn curls that have a mind of their own. She’s got quirks that make her unique but still relatable, a clear goal, and plenty of challenges to help her grow. And, of course, she’s surrounded by a lively world with her parents, her annoying little brother, and her best friend, Geoff.
But here’s the kicker: what about Dad, who hates his job and regrets not enrolling in the Space Special Ops as a spaceship fighter pilot? Or Mom, who moonlights as a spy for the world’s fiercest criminal mastermind? Or Geoff, who just found out he’s a clone of his parents’ real child, who disappeared years ago?
The truth is, every character in your story is the main character of their own life. They all have their own wants, needs, growth arcs, and resolutions. So, if you thought you only had to create one main character, surprise! You’re actually creating many. Each character’s journey is just as important as Jem’s—to them, at least.
Creating characters means diving deep into each one’s background and understanding their dreams, fears, and quirks. Even if these details don’t all make it onto the page, they’ll influence how your characters think, the decisions they make, and how they interact with each other. This depth makes your world feel rich and lived-in, and your characters become more compelling and real.
So, as you build Jem’s world, take the time to flesh out the lives of those around her. Understand what drives them and what keeps them up at night. Maybe Dad’s regret leads him to bond with Jem over shared dreams of adventure. Perhaps Mom’s secret life adds a layer of tension and excitement that spills over into Jem’s story. And Geoff’s shocking discovery could create a subplot that enriches the main narrative. Character creation is about treating every individual in your story as the main character of their own. This approach adds depth and richness to your writing, making every interaction and subplot more meaningful.
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AUTHOR BIO:
A. Y. Chan grew up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area reading all the middle grade and young adult books she could get her hands on. To this day, those remain her favorite genres. After achieving her black belt in Taekwondo, she explored other martial arts, such as Wing Chun, Hapkido, and Muay Thai. These days, she continues her martial arts training some mornings, writes in the afternoons, takes long walks to muddle out plot points, and falls asleep reading.
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CONNECT WITH A. Y. CHAN:
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Simon & Schuster Author Page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Legendary-Mo-Seto/A-Y-Chan/The-Legendary-Mo-Seto/9781665937320
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BOOK BUY LINKS:
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GIVEAWAY:
A. Y. Chan will award a $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.
**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog. This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**
This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.
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Thank you so much for featuring THE LEGENDARY MO SETO today.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fun read. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really like the cover and think the book looks interesting.
ReplyDeleteSuperbly fun cover
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the guest post.
ReplyDeleteLove that she's a black belt!
ReplyDelete