Young author dedicates novel to Downey teachers

DOWNEY - It's rare that recently graduated high school students publicly declare gratitude towards their former teachers. Students usually can't get away from those teachers fast enough or give them a second thought.This is not the case for Shannon Regalbuto. She has dedicated her first published novel, "Queen's Rogue: Gallroc's Quest Trilogy, Volume 1," to all of her former teachers (K-12) in the Downey Unified School District. On her dedication page she states, "To the teachers of the Downey Unified School District who gave me the tools to write this book and all future books." Regalbuto began her first book-length work, "Queen's Rogue," at age 11. The teachers who read this early effort experienced compelling characters moving along a strong storyline, with a dash of humor, and encouraged her to develop her writing style further. After seven years and 11 re-writes, the book embodies a world of humans, fairies, werewolves and mythical monsters. It's described by the author as a "family-friendly, swashbuckling fantasy adventure that asks the question: can werewolf romance survive during a war between humans and werewolves?" Regalbuto completed the book during her senior year at Downey High School. Regalbuto will hold a book launch and book signing event Dec. 29 from 2-4:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Downey, where she will read select passages. One book character will also be present. Regalbuto said she "fervently hopes that some of her former teachers, counselors, administrators, staff and fellow students" attend to celebrate the book launch. As "Queen's Rogue" goes into publication, Regalbuto has entered her freshmen year at the University of Nevada, Reno, where the mascot just happens to be a wolf. "Queen's Rogue" is available as a paperback or an eBook at amazon.com or queensrogue.com.

********** Published: December 13, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 35