Author hosts digital book signing at Eldorado Library

It is a real advantage to be a middle-school language arts teacher when one sets out to write young adult fiction.

Katy Newton Naas learned a lot from her students. Much of it got into her first published electronic book, "The Visitors."

"Being a middle school teacher is great for this market. It really helped me to understand the things that interested them and what and how they talk about it," she said.

Newton Haas has now written four young adult novels but she banged out this, her first published tale, in the weeks before her first child was born.

"It has always been a hobby. I love to write. I do not do it to get fame and fortune. I just love writing," she said.

She believes it is easier now than in the past to get the attention of a publisher.

"I just followed their format for submission: first chapter and a cover letter. I heard back from them much sooner than I expected," she said.

Book signings are easier also.

There is a program that allows you to request and get a signature without traveling to the author's location.

"I have already started the sequel to the first story. It is science-fiction/romance, what else for young adults? You have to have that romance. But the publisher is very proper and parents can feel comfortable with their children reading this company's material. They publish some Christian books, but other stuff too."

The publisher is Astraea Press, an electronic publisher. It is a royalty paying publisher, not a vanity press. They provide cover artists, can sell to foreign markets and provide books cheaply. "The Visitors" price is $3.99. The publisher guides and instructs writers who wish the help.

Naas will hold another signing 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 at Harrisburg District Library.

The book is available through amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, iTunes and other online retailers.