What is Zaught?

Zaught is an unusual work of middle grade fantasy. It is also what a boy from another world calls our Earth after he discovers it. Although novel is aimed at ages 9-13, late elementary to middle school ages, I like to think readers of any age would find it enjoyable.

What's it about?

Zaught begins with a boy named Zack. Twelve year-old Zack is fighting an unusual affliction: when other kids attack him, money magically appears in their mailbox. He thinks his life couldn’t be any weirder. Then he moves with his latest foster family into the supernatural suburb of West End. An arsonist sets fires in town, leaving human remains but no missing persons.  Two boys with superpowers chase him every morning, making him late for class. A creep at school keeps trying to read his mind. Zack's goal is to solve the strange occurrences and his own problem before he loses yet another home.

How long is it?

The novel comes in at about 65,000 words, or around 220 pages. It might be a little steep for middle grade, but I understand the fantasy genre is allowed to be a little longer. I hope it's the kind of story where you end it wishing there were more pages to turn.

Zaught is designed to be a series, and I would like to see that series labeled by color. Yep, that's right, like Pokémon. If I have my way, the first book will go down in history as Zaught Green.

What's with the name?

I chose the name Zaught as the sound a laser pistol makes when it fires. Then spelled it to look otherworldy. Zaught! I shocked your world. The first part was easy, but I couldn't very well give them all the same name. I antagonized forever on what else to call it. Then I had a dream--but you don't want to hear about that... Oh, you do? Well okay, you're the interviewer.

I was standing in a bookstore and my novels were on the shelves. I was also standing next to myself looking at them (the only time I've ever met myself in a dream). The books covers were different colors but had no titles on them.

"But what do I call them?" I asked, demanding she solve my problem for me.

Dream Me pointed at the series on the shelves.

"Yes, yes, but what do I call it?"

Dream Me gestured at the books again.

I was getting irritated. Then it dawned on me: name them after the colors. So amazingly simple and patterned after one of the most important plot devices in my book. Dream Me nodded and smiled. While immeasurably thankful, I tossed an insult her way about being a smug prat.

What are your future plans for the site?

I'd like to continually update the site with news stories related to the goings-on in West End. I think it would be fun to read through them and recognize plot points and events that pop up in the book. I should also establish a blog and probably will, but I'm really considering a forum instead. It's sounds a lot more interactive and fun.

And this is really far out there, but given that this is a 'radio station', if Zaught were to be picked up by publisher, I think it would be awesome if the site actually streamed music from young bands. It'd be a amazing venue for them and a brilliant hook for the website. Aspiring artists have to stick together.

And finally, why did you write Zaught?

Other than my dream to be an author? Easy question. I want kids to see that hope and humor are inextinguishable and that young people have the power to change the universe.

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Do you have other questions for Rebekah? Email the author at rjmoser@gmail.com.