Young Adult fantasy author Debbie Manber Kupfer says that bullying, racism, addiction, and diversity run through her series as recurring themes. “I’m fond of morally grey characters and redemption stories. I don’t believe the world is ever black and white,” she says.
When Miri receives a silver cat charm from her omama, Celia, she discovers a hidden magic that pulls her into a world of shifters, werewolves, and dark secrets. At P.A.W.S., a magic school for shapeshifters, Miri must learn to survive both her new powers and a deadly werewolf bent on her destruction. The P.A.W.S. Saga by Debbie Manber Kupfer is a thrilling journey of magic, friendship, and finding courage when everything feels lost.
Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. I was bullied as a child, and reading Alice’s story about escape into a magical world over and over again helped me and cemented my journey into fantasy.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice another writer has given you about storytelling?
A: “You can’t edit an empty page.” It’s important to get the story down no matter how messy it is.
Q: Do you have your own circle of writer friends? If so, what other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
A: I have a huge circle of writer friends and it amazes me that when I started out around 12 years ago I knew no writers. It started off with my local writers group and then progressed to various FB groups and in each place I picked up more. I feel that this is particularly important for authors particularly when it comes to the marketing side of this gig. You need to develop a group of friends so that you can share each other’s work.
My first and best author friend though is one that precedes my publishing journey and is one of my best friends. Larry Miller has been my editor from the beginning and I in turn edit his words. He’s not scared to tell me when what I write makes no sense and that’s really important in this gig.
Q: What’s your go-to snack or drink while writing?
A: Hot tea with milk and the occasional square of dark chocolate.
Q: What’s the most rewarding feedback you’ve ever received from a reader?
A: I write about a magic school for shapeshifters, P.A.W.S. An early reader told me that they never wanted to go to Hogwarts, but they absolutely wanted to go to P.A.W.S.
Q: What have you written that you found to be the most fun to write?
A: I adore certain quirky characters I have written, everything from an animagus kangaroo based on my son, Joey, two a pair of sentient chairs that sit in the office of the principal of New York P.A.W.S. But my absolute favorite character that I’ve returned to since he emerged in book 2 is Gromer the Green, the wild warlock of Wales with a love of pea soup. His character is always a joy to write.
Q: What other books would you recommend to our readers in addition to your own?
A: Do check out D.R. Perry’s wonderful Hawthorne Academy series and all the connected series in her world. They are wonderful.
Q: If you could live in the world of one of your books for a day, which would it be and why?
A: Well, P.A.W.S. is based on our world, so we kind of do live in it! But yes, I’d love for the magic to be real.
Q: What’s a new genre or style you’d love to experiment with in the future?
A: I’d love to write a mystery some time. I have a lot of respect for mystery writers!
Debbie Manber Kupfer grew up in the London. She has lived in Israel, New York, and North Carolina and somehow ended up in St. Louis. She lives with her family including two very opinionated felines.
She works as a writer, editor, and puzzle constructor. She is the author of the young adult fantasy series, P.A.W.S. which features a secret international organization of shapeshifters.
She has also written several children’s picture books including Adana the Earth Dragon and Esmeralda Grunch and the Red Tulip. She is the editor of the Sins of Time horror series and has stories in anthologies including Fauxpocalypse, 13 Candles, and Corvid19.
When not writing or editing fiction, she writes puzzles for Penny Press magazines, the Tribune newspaper, and has also published a book of puzzles, Paws 4 Logic with her son, Joey. Debbie believes that with enough tea and dark chocolate you can achieve anything!
Connect with the author
- Author Website
- GoodReads
- YouTube
- Buy these and other Debbie Manber Kupfer books today!
Now available in print and on Kindle!
While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my latest suspense novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!
Book Summary
When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.
Are you enjoying this content? Please consider leaving a tip! You can buy me a cup of coffee or donate a larger amount to help me “make a living” writing so I can quit my day job!
Become a regular patron of my art by signing up to contribute a set monthly dollar amount to help me make a living with my writing!
You can also make an annual contribution to my writing. Select an amount below!
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Write on the World 