Sara Hantz » Blog Archive » GCC Presents…………………… Amanda Ashby

March 10, 2009

This is the one GCC tour I’ve been hanging out to do. I’m SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited to be touring my very good friend, and CP, and neighbor (we live only 20 mins from each other) Amanda Ashby, and her totally fabulous, amazingly funny book ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEWBURY HIGH. And check out the awesome cover.

If you comment on my blog and then send an email to Amanda telling her where you’ve commented, you’ll be entered into her contest to win a copy of the book. How cool is that????

So here’s what it’s about:

Tomorrow is prom, and all Mia wants to do is cast a love spell on her date Rob Ziggerman to keep him away from cheerleading goddess Samantha and save him all to herself. But somehow she ends up inflicting a zombie virus onto her whole class instead. At first Mia loves all the attention her classmates are giving her; treating her like a queen, compliments galore, and all the chocolate a girl could want. But then zombie hunter hottie Chase explains they are actually fattening her up. Why? Because in twenty-four hours, Mia will be the first course in their new diet. That’s what being the ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEWBURY HIGH means. She’s sure she and Chase can figure something out, especially when the alternative means that her classmates and teachers will be feasting on her bones. But in the meantime, she’s suggests that no one wear white to tomorrow night’s prom, because she has a feeling that things could get very messy.

And now for the interview. All comments in italicis are mine!!! Well if you can’t comment on what your CP has to say when can you?????

What inspired the plot for your book?
Actually it was you Sara – though I know you won’t remember (for anyone who isn’t aware – Sara’s memory is like a sieve apart from when it comes to important things like what time her fav TV shows are on or what she wants to have for lunch next week!!!!!) excuse me???? I don’t know what you mean . The thing is that I used to always threaten my cps (aka you being one of them!!) that if all else failed I could always write a book called I Was a Killer Zombie Bride. However, the more I joked about the more I realized that it might actually fun to really write a zombie book. Of course if this logic really works then one day Sara will be writing a book called Space Motel, since that is what she constantly threatens to do!!!

Why did you decide to write in this genre?
Hahaha, again, Sara I totally blame you!! When I was first trying to write chick lit books Sara kept suggesting that I try doing a young adult story but I kept ignoring her and in the end she got so sick of me not listening that she eventually wrote one. Not long after that I got the idea for my debut book YOU HAD ME AT HALO which was about a dead girl getting kicked out of heaven. However, when I tried to write it as chick lit, the heroine was soooo stroppy and annoyed with being dead that I suddenly realized she was only sixteen. From that moment I knew I loved writing young adult books – though in one of those weird twists of fate, Halo ended up being sold on the basis that I made my heroine older and turned it into a women’s fiction novel. I did that but for my next book I knew I wanted to go back to young adult books again because they were just so much fun to write. I’m not the sort of person to say I told you so…. but…….

What is your writing process like?
Can of worms alert coming up because asking me to talk about my process is never a pretty sight!! I can vouch for that. The truth is that no matter how much I try and plan, it just never works out that way and end up rewriting it so many times in order to try and find the ‘real’ story. This in turn tends to turn me slightly insane for long periods of time until suddenly the story all clicks together and I look back on at all and wonder why I made such a fuss. Then I start my next book and the crazy happens all over again!!!

What are you working on now?
I’ve just finished another young adult book about a girl who goes to a prestigious slaying school and suddenly starts to see invisible killer fairies that no one has ever heard of before. Unfortunately due to a small incident which totally wasn’t her fault – she’s become the girl who cries wolf’ and so no one believes her about the invisible killer fairies and she is forced to try and fight them on her own. While I’m waiting to get my edits for that one I’m working on a mid grade book which is lots of fun and has a very feisty heroine who gets herself in all sorts of trouble!!! You can say that again!

What do you do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing I’m either thinking about writing, reading, watching television, hanging out with my kids and husband or working at my weekend job at the library. And spending hours on the phone to me

Who do you like to read?
Right now I’m all about the House of Night series by PC Cast and Kristin Cast. And who introduced you to it??? Apart from that I read a lot of young adult books, chick lit and also fantasy books. Some of my all time favorite authors are: Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, Jill Mansell, Janet Evanovich, Raymone E Feist, Ursula LeGuin, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Anne McCaffrey.

Bio
Amanda Ashby was born in Australia and has spent the last ten years dividing her time between England and New Zealand. When she’s not moving countries, she likes to write books (okay, she also likes to watch television, eat chocolate and sit around doing not much, but let’s just keep that between ourselves, shall we?). She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two young children. Her debut adult book You Had Me at Halo has been nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award. This is her first book for young adults. Visit her on the web at www.amandaashby.com.

Reviews
“Zombie Queen of Newbury High is a delightfully fun, fresh, and funny read! Amanda Ashby creates a highly likeable heroine in Mia Everett, who, despite her best intentions, turns her classmates into zombies. And with prom quickly approaching, she must find a way to undo it before, well before she gets eaten! Never again will you look at prom, your classmates, or even zombies in quite the same way! ~Alyson Noel, New York Times Bestselling author of Evermore
“Zombie Queen of Newbury High is a delicious treat! Who knew zombies could be both fun and funny? It’s Zombilicious!” — Michelle Rowen, author of Bitten & Smitten
“Zombie Queen of Newbury High is where popularity can turn you undead (with an unsettling appetite) and Prom will be a little dangerous this year. Amanda Ashby moves into the YA world with snapping prose and an entertaining high school mix of teen crushes, popularity drama, and a zombie squad. Zombies beware–you’ll love to follow the twists and turns of this fresh and fun novel!” — Kelly Parra, author of Invisible Touch
“Amanda Ashby’s book, Zombie Queen of Newbury High, is filled with twists, turns and humor, sure to totally draw you in. I loved the fact that this read was more than your typical high school teen love story. If you’re like me and can’t get enough of books filled with mystery, suspense, with a dash of relatable relationship and friendship probs on the side, I def recommend picking up your own copy—you won’t regret it!” -Jami Katz GirlsLife.com Book Club

“Amanda Ashby writes a very entertaining and quick read about a teenage protagonist who has to fix the catastrophic problem she created – or else she’ll never be able to enjoy the ball with Prince Charming. Many readers will be able to relate to Mia and her quirky ways, and others will simply fall in love with her witty humor. And if that doesn’t work, there are always hunks Rob and Chase. ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEWBURY HIGH deserves the five stars. This is a very original story that isn’t too far-fetched that teenage readers can’t relate at all – it’s the perfect mix of reality and imagination.” 5 stars teensreadtoo

“…full of humor, romance and suspense, and her characters are well-developed and a joy to get to know. Five Stars.” – Bitten By Books

“Feel-good, fun and utterly lovely – if you’re a Buffy/Angel fan, or a zombie, or both, or neither, don’t miss this one! Highly recommended.” – Chicklish

Posted by Sara Hantz in Interviews @ 7:01 am

On March 10th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Keri Mikulski Says:

Love this interview! Can’t wait to read ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEWBURY HIGH!
On March 10th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Ashley Madden Says:

I can’t wait for the fairies!!

I also can’t wait to read Zombie Queen!

House of Night series rocks, as well!
On March 10th, 2009 at 11:08 am
bridget3420 Says:

I want to read Zombie Queen so bad!!
On March 10th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Karen W. Says:

And I’ve followed you over here too, Amanda. Fun stuff.
On March 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Laura Says:

Another great interview.
On March 10th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Amanda Ashby Says:

Sara thank you so much for hosting me and for setting me straight on several comments I made. What would I do without you. Well, actually…I joke, I joke!!!!

And thanks to everyone for their rocking comments. I heart them big time!
On March 10th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Nora Says:

Another wonderful interview, seems like you guys had a lot of fun with this one!
On March 10th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Sara Hantz Says:

Thanks guys….
On March 10th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Clare Says:

Hope the zombies didn’t stay at your motel, Sara. Imagine the housekeeping?! Amanda, I’m just intrigued to know how/where you researched the story, I mean you can’t just observe zombies in action, can you? (Well, I can’t anyway!) Sounds loads of fun anyway, just like the interview!
On March 10th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Diana Dang Says:

Oh my gosh, your new book sounds awesome Amanda! I look forward to reading it! But of course, I need to get started on Zombie Queen.
On March 10th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Sara Hantz Says:

Clare, we definitely didn’t have any Zombies stay… yikes, unless Amanda smuggled them in… Amanda, tell the truth now….
On March 10th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
tasha Says:

im looking forward to the book!
On March 10th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Erika Lynn Says:

this interview was really funny with all the comments added in. I can’t wait for Amanda’s next book, it sounds so amazing.

and I love the background of this blog!
On March 11th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Sara Hantz Says:

Thanks, Erika!
On March 11th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Wendy Toliver Says:

Fun(ny) interview, ladies! I’m jealous you two live so closet to each other. It was a blast hanging out with you two in California. Can’t wait to see you again.
On March 11th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Sara Hantz Says:

Likewise Wendy!!!!! 2011!
On March 11th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Kate at Read This Book! Says:

Great interview! :] Enjoyed reading it.
On March 13th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Lauren Baratz-Logsted Says:

OK< now I’m dying to read this killer-fairies book. Great interview!
On March 13th, 2009 at 5:50 am
Sara Hantz Says:

Thanks, Lauren. The killer fairies is an awesome book!! You’ll love it!
On March 13th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
blackroze37 Says:

im 40, though i love YA books now, (though i stalk the YA authors, for me and my kids , really , mostly them {wink} i didnt know how much a YA book is interesting
On March 14th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Sara Hantz Says:

I know what you mean blackroze!
On March 15th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Paradox Says:

That’s really awesome that you’re neighbors! Can’t wait to read the book!

March 10, 2009

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