MoAA Interview #2: Chaeli

Last July, I was honored to launch my Month of Authors and Artists interviews with a Q&A from Tara, the model on the cover of Enchanted. This year, I’m thrilled to begin the month by bringing you an interview with Chaeli — the model on the cover of Hero!

While the Hero cover has gone through multiple revisions, It’s been a relief to see that Chaeli’s intense stare has been the one thing to stay the same.

When Enchanted came out in hardcover, a blogger asked me to create a “Hollywood Dream Cast” for Enchanted. I came up with an actress for everyone pretty easily…except Saturday. She needed to be tall and severe, handsome and beautiful, strong and brave. So far, the only woman I’ve found who most closely embodies all of these things…is Chaeli. (Except for the pink frilly bits…well…you’ll see.)

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Chaeli Alethea: When was the picture for the cover of Hero taken? How old were you?

Chaeli: July 2012, I was 16.

A: Is that your dress?

C: It’s one of my Mom’s costumes. Though I do wish I could keep it for myself!

A: How is the photographer related to you?

C: She is my mom 🙂

A: Have you done a lot of modeling?

C: Yes, my mom is a book cover photographer and she uses me as a model all the time 🙂

A: Are you on the cover of any other books?

C: Yes, I’m on the cover of about 20 other books, but Hero is the only one where you can see my face!

A: The Hero cover has been through a lot of changes, but the one thing that’s always stayed the same has been YOU. What do you think about the many covers of Hero?

C: I like the final cover the best, the colors are very appealing to the eye.

A: What kinds of books do you like to read?

C: I love teen romance! Especially the Hush Hush series by Becca Fitzpatrick.

A: What were you like as a kid? Were you a tomboy? Have you ever held a sword?

Chaeli C: I was a girly girl for the most part, I always liked anything pink and frilly. I never liked playing competitive games.

A: What’s your favorite fairy tale?

C: Hmm… that’s a tough one! I would probably say “Beauty and the Beast,” because of the deep underlying message of inner beauty!

A: Saturday Woodcutter has a HUGE family. Do you have any sisters and brothers?

C: I have two sisters, one of them is 14 and the other one is 5. So not too big of a family 🙂

A: Who in your family tells the best stories?

C: My Grandma and Grandpa. When I was a kid, they would tell us all kinds of interesting or funny stories which made my childhood so memorable 🙂

A: What are some of your hobbies?

C: I like to draw, paint and sing. I have been drawing and singing for as long as I can remember and I recently have started painting 🙂

A: Where do you see yourself in five years?

C: I see myself working in the arts field. I always have loved art and I hope to have a career that involves art!

A: What are three things you’d like to do before you die?

C: Well… I’d like to skydive, travel the world, and meet all my favorite celebrities!

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Hero, October 1, 2013