About the Author: Polly Holyoke has been imagining stories since she was in fifth grade. When she isn’t writing, Polly loves reading, camping, skiing, scuba diving and hiking in the desert (where she quite stupidly got herself bitten by a rattlesnake). She lives with three rescue dogs, two spoiled cats and a nice husband who is tolerant about the piles of books all over their house. She thinks the best part about being an author is going to work in her sweatpants and getting paid for daydreaming!

About The Neptune Project: Nere Hanson and her teen companions are shocked to learn they have been genetically altered by their desperate parents to live in the sea. Protected by her loyal dolphins, shy Nere leads the rest on a perilous journey to her father’s new colony. Fighting off government divers, sharks and giant squid, can Nere and her companions learn to trust each before their dangerous new world destroys them?

Today we have an abbreviated Twitterview with Polly! 

Pitch your book in 140 characters:
When the sea has become humankind’s last hope, a group of genetically altered teens fights to survive beneath the waves.

Who will this book appeal to:
I hope MG girls and boys who enjoy adventure stories will love TNP. Cuz there’s some romance, I think some Y/A readers will pick it up, too.

Favorite moment or character in your book:
It’s hard to choose a single favorite character, but I love one of the dolphins. Densil is steady, loyal and kind, and a very good listener!

What’s your writing routine:
First thing in AM I take my hot tea upstairs, light a candle and dig in. If I get stuck, I skip to another part of the story or take a walk.

What’s your best piece of writing advice:
When you sit down at your computer, only read the last paragraph you wrote and steam forward from there. AND KEEP YOUR BUTT IN THE CHAIR!

What’s been the most surprising part of the publishing journey:
That me, a history major, is writing and selling a marine science fiction series. I never thought I’d spend hours each summer watching Shark Week!

What did you do when you learned your book would be published?
I stood for a minute taking deep breaths. Then I gave out a big whoop and started calling/texting EVERYONE. Didn’t stop smiling for hours!

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
Don’t feel like you have to begin a book by writing Chapter One. Just listen to the characters talking in your head and start with a scene. BTW it’s normal for writers to have characters talking in their heads!

What are your top three favorite books:
THE BLUE SWORD by Robin McKinley ARCHANANGEL by Sharon Shinn and FRECKLES by Gene Stratton Porter is a sweet, romantic classic.

What’s next for you?
Just turned in Neptune 2. Hope they’ll want Neptune 3! Then I have a couple of MG and Y/A fantasy and historicals I hope my agent can sell.

Find out more about The Neptune Project on Goodreads.