Steve Webb & Toni Runkle - Plot Twist Conversations: YA Authors Revealed Like Hidden Treasure

Here's what to expect on the podcast:What factors or experiences brought Steve and Toni together to embark on a co-authorship journey?Why is having a co-author beneficial in the creative process of writing a book?What strategies or habits can help a writer stay motivated during the writing process?Where did Steve and Toni draw inspiration for their respective books?And much more!   About Toni Runkle and Steve Webb: Toni Runkle and Steve Webb have always loved telling stories. After becoming friends as graduate students at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, they worked separately in the movie and television industry for a number of years before coming together to write novels for young readers. Their first book, Glitter Girl, was called "...an empowering message about striving to be true to oneself..." by Kirkus Reviews. Toni loves scary movies, her garden, and trips to the beach. Steve loves baseball, not-so-scary movies, and a good cheeseburger. Both writers are married (not to each other because that would get weird) and live in Southern California with their respective families. Runkle and Webb (authors of Glitter Girl) put a modern spin on a good old-fashioned swashbuckling adventure, mixing it with the drama and angst crucial to young adult fiction. The story follows 15-year-old orphan and juvenile delinquent Bonnie Hartwright, whose latest stunt is the last straw for her foster family. When Bonnie’s sent to what she thinks is a bizarre sailing-themed reform school, she discovers it's actually the training ground for a secret society dedicated to waging war on the undead pirate Calico Jack Rackham—who gains life by killing his heirs, all of whom share the same birthmark. That secret society—the Brigands of the Compass Rose—and their recruits are led by the elderly Captain Ballister. Bonnie's crew consists of a New Yorker named Wilder, a snooty film producer's son Tanner, young legacy brigand Barnaby, and the Captain's dashing grandson, Reed, among others. Each character earns their moment in the sun as they uncover, together, a yacht-theft ring being run by men who answer to Calico Jack. More secrets are revealed, and Bonnie discovers, shockingly, that her parents are still alive—and she's the next target for Calico Jack. The climax is a rousing ship-to-ship battle between Bonnie's crew and the evil pirates, made all the more effective by Runkle and Webb’s careful development of the camaraderie between the young brigands. More than just a highseas adventure, The Pirate’s Curse dives into sailing, sword fighting, herbalism, the history of piracy, and even the Gullah Geechee culture of the Carolinas, all subtly developed through the teens’ complex interplay. The love triangle between Bonnie, Reed, and Wilder stays at a steady boil, and though the story has a satisfying ending, the authors leave plenty of unresolved threads for potential sequels. Beyond the compelling fantasy setup, this is a deeply emotional exploration of belonging and community. Takeaway: Rollicking high-seas adventure with surprising depth. *Post Interview: Toni and Steve shared that The Pirate’s Curse trilogy will be a major international television series! Website: https://runklewebb.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runklewebb/ Books Available On Amazon:  The Pirate's Curse: Brigands of the Compass Rose https://amzn.to/46V56D4 Glitter Girl https://amzn.to/3RzKDzr   Connect with Candice Snyder! Website: https://hairhealthvitality.com/passion-purpose-and-possibilities/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candice.snyder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candicesny17/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicesnyder/ ICAN Institute: https://vl729.isrefer.com/go/mindandbody/PassionPurpose22/ Shop For A Cause With Gifts That Give Back to Nonprofits: https://thekindnesscause.com/