This year’s Frasier Contest has come to a close. Congratulations to the Semi-Finalists, and our Grand Winner! In order to have the Frasier each year, we introduce the Judges on our blog. Its our way of giving back a little bit to the published authors who help us help YOU! So lets meet one of the Judges that made it all possible: Jill Williamson, with her new book The Safe Lands: Captives!

Q: Jill, will you tell us a little bit about your story?

A: When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancee, Jem—taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe. Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Lands has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams. Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only the people of his village, but also possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands’ walls. Will Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Lands’ facade before it’s too late?

Q:  What do you want readers to learn/take away from this story.

A: The Safe Lands series was inspired by the book of Daniel, chapter one, when Jerusalem is conquered by Babylon and the young royals are taken captive. In my book, the Safe Lands is a city with walls around it. Those walls claim to protect the people inside from outside dangers, but the people who live in the small outsider village of Glenrock know that the real dangers lie inside those walls. Safe Landers all suffer from a terminal plague. And without uninfected nationals, their nation will die out in the next few years. This sets them looking outside the walls for uninfected people.

When Safe Lands enforcers attack Glenrock and take the young people captive, three brothers react very differently. Levi, who wasn’t home when the village was conquered, is set on getting inside the walls and freeing his people. Mason, who was training to be a doctor, is fascinated by the medical technology in the Safe Lands. He wonders if there isn’t a way to find a cure. And Omar, the youngest, thinks the Safe Lands is a wonderful place and that the people of Glenrock could be happy there if they’d just give it a try.

In writing this story, I wanted teens to consider how they might cope in such an environment. Plus, there are some things that take place that aren’t all that far away from our current society. It’s my hope that readers will ponder such parallels. It’s human nature to assume that life is better somewhere else in the world. But is that really true? I want to get my readers thinking about whether or not the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Sometimes first impressions can be misleading.

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Jill Williamson is a chocolate loving, daydreaming, creator of kingdoms and the award-winning author of several young adult books. She’s a Whovian, a Photoshop addict, and a recovering fashion design assistant, who was raised in Alaska. She writes fiction for teens and blogs for teen writers at www.goteenwriters.com. You can also visit her online at www.jillwilliamson.com, where adventure comes to life.

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