Archive for the 'Interviews' Category
August 12, 2008 • 1 Comment
I’m thrilled to be touring Megan Kelly Hall. Her debut books sounds awesome.
Megan Kelley Hall’s debut novel, SISTERS OF MISERY is a modern-day gothic novel complete with witchcraft and runic mythology. It tells the story of Maddie Crane and her quest to unravel the mystery surrounding her cousin Cordelia’s disappearance.
Hawthorne, Massachusetts, a seaside town borne in the shadow of the witchcraft trials, has not changed much throughout the years, and persecution and ostracism are still an active way of life within this cloistered community. So, when Cordelia LeClaire and her quirky, free-spirited mother, Rebecca arrive, the community’s brief curiosity over the newcomers, quickly turns to disdain and jealously.
It is no surprise that The Sisters of Misery—a secret clique of the most popular, powerful girls in school, with the vindictive Kate Endicott at its helm —trick Maddie and her cousin into spending Halloween night on Misery Island. But when Cordelia disappears, questions arise as to what happened. The town would like to believe that Cordelia, always impulsive, simply ran away. But Maddie knows that more is at stake and others have something to hide. Now Maddie must choose between the allure and power of the Sisters of Misery and her loyalty to her beloved cousin.
1. What inspired the plot for your book?
Modern day version of the Salem Witch Trials. It’s set in a fictional town next to Salem, MA.
2. Why did you decide to write in this genre?
I’ve always loved suspense novels, especially as a teen. So many YA suspense novelists like Lois Duncan, Christopher Pike and Stephen King inspired my writing. In college, I devoured any short stories with a gothic element. Stories by Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson, William Faulkner.
3. What is your writing process like?
I’m a terrible procrastinator. I need to let things percolate in my mind for days, even weeks, and then, like a pressure cooker, it all comes pouring out of me. My writing habits are the same as my college days and usually include a lot of all-nighters. Unfortunately, with a five-year-old, a writing career and a literary publicity company (Kelley & Hall Book Publicity), I can’t recover by sleeping the whole next day.
4. What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second book in the SISTERS OF MISERY series. It’s called THE LOST SISTER and will come out in August 2009. I’m also playing around with a nonfiction memoir describing how I overcame major health setbacks (open heart surgery two years ago) to fulfill my dream of being a published author.
5. What do you do when you’re not writing?
Read as much as I can. “Do computer” as my daughter calls it, which involves staying on top of trends and new stories for my clients through Kelley & Hall. My online research also helps me with pitching articles that I write for national magazines and publications. Most importantly, I play with my daughter, Piper. Of course, she’ll say that I don’t do that as much as I should. There never seem to be enough hours in the day…
6. Who do you like to read?
I’m a huge fan of literary suspense novels. I also love books with a supernatural or magic realism bent. Alice Hoffman and Jodi Picoult are favorites. I also love reading dark YA fiction. And, of course, all the books from the members of the Girlfriend’s Cyber Circuit!
SISTERS OF MISERY by Megan Kelley Hall
Trade Paperback: 308 pages
Publisher: Kensington (July 29, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758226799
ISBN-13: 978-0758226792
Praise for SISTERS OF MISERY
“Megan Kelley Hall hits one over the fence with her debut novel — a true Gothic that skillfully combines the dangerous mischief of a modern clique with the bad girls whose prank-gone-mad ignited the Salem witch trials. The shivery story of Maddie and her mysterious, doomed cousin, Cordelia — both prey to the angel-faced vixens who party on the aptly named Misery Island — shows boldly that ancient and modern peer pressure are the same demon in new clothes. That demon wants Cordelia, and only Maddie can save her…unless evil catches her first.”
–Jacquelyn Mitchard, Oprah Book Club and New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean and The Midnight Twins
“Original, insightful, and scary. Megan Kelley Hall writes with an intense, frightening grace that will have you turning pages long into the night. She has immediately established herself as a first novelist to be reckoned with in the future.”
–Michael Palmer, New York Times bestselling author of The First Patient and Extreme Measures
“An exciting, dangerous, and mysterious world! Megan Kelley Hall has crafted a story that’ll keep you guessing until the last page.”
–Richelle Mead, author, Vampire Academy series
“A dazzling and dishy portrait of magic, mystery, and coming of age. Readers will eat this up and come begging for more.”
–Laurie Stolarz, author of the bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series
“One of the very best things in life is discovering an author you want to read more of. Sisters of Misery makes me want to read a whole lot more of Megan Kelley Hall.”
–Ellen Hopkins, author of Crank and Impulse
Megan Kelley Hall, who lives north of Boston with her husband, Edward, and five-year-old daughter Piper, started a literary publicity company, Kelley and Hall, in 2005 with her sister, Jocelyn Kelley, and mother, Gloria Kelley. Her freelance magazine work has been published in Glamour, Elle, American Baby, Working Mother, New England Bride, The Boston Globe, Boston Herald MetroSports, Parents and Kids, and many other magazines. She studied creative writing at Skidmore College under the Pulitzer-Prize winning author Steven Millhauser. Her work can also be seen in the former CNN anchor Daryn Kagan’s anthology entitled, What’s Possible! (Meredith Books, May 2008.) The second in the series, THE LOST SISTER, will be published by Kensington in August 2009.
Posted by Sara Hantz in Interviews @ 8:15 am
July 29, 2008 • 2 Comments
I’m thrilled to be touring Lara Zeises, aka Lola Douglas.
MORE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET – OUT IN PAPERBACK AS OF 2/28/08
Razorbill/Penguin Young Readers Group
Just when Morgan Carter was falling in love with the simple life she’d built in Fort Wayne, Indiana, her true identity as an infamous Hollywood starlet was exposed. Now Morgan has a choice to make: return to her glamorous movie star existence–or stick with the wholesome life, and the new love, she’s found in the Midwest.
In this sequel to True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet, Lola Douglas’s heartfelt prose and headstrong heroine return to delight readers.
1. What inspired the plot for your book?
MORE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET is my second installment in a series about Morgan Carter, who’s loosely based on a young Drew Barrymore (and not Lindsay Lohan, as most readers assume). At 16, Morgan OD’s outside of L.A.’s notorious viper room and almost dies. So her mother and agent ship her off to rehab for six months. When she emerges, she can’t get any work. So her agent cooks up this scheme in which Morgan will go live with a family friend in Indiana and attend high school undercover, then emerge a year later and write a tell-all novel that will re-launch her career. This is all in the first book, TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET, which was adapted into a TV movie that premiers on Lifetime August 9th at 9 p.m.
So MORE CONFESSIONS picks up a month after Morgan’s been outed and has decided to stay in Indiana to finish out her school year. Only instead of constantly worrying about her secret identity getting exposed, now she’s faced with a whole new set of problems: the paparazzi stalking her on school grounds, her love interest feeling insecure now that he knows he’s involved with a famous actress, her mother pressuring her to lose weight and clean up her image, and an old co-star claiming to be involved with her because it makes for good press.
I’ve been a fan of Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries series since its inception, and I’d really wanted to try my hand at a diary format novel. So I tried to think of whose diary I’d want to read. Drew was the first person who popped into my mind. I chose Fort Wayne as the setting because I lived there for several months after college and it was a total culture shock. I thought, what better way to throw a teen starlet out of her element than to send her to a mostly land-locked state that’s a good three-hour drive from the nearest big city?
2. Why did you decide to write in this genre?
I kind of feel like YA decided on me and not the other way around. I actually went to grad school to learn how to write TV shows. Instead I ended up in this adolescent novel workshop and never looked back.
Sometimes when I’m giving presentations people ask me how I became an authentic teen writer, like did I eavesdrop on kids at the mall, or did I read a lot of teen magazines? And my answer is always the same: I didn’t really have to work at the teen part. That’s my voice, that’s my sensibility.
3. What is your writing process like?
Messy. I’m a plunger, not a plotter, though my new editor at Razorbill is trying to turn me into a plotter. She’s making me outline everything chapter by chapter and it feels completely foreign to me. It also takes away some of the mystery. Still, when I don’t outline I tend to have horribly messy first drafts. Then I end up rewriting seventy-five to ninety percent of the book on the second draft. I never do fewer than three drafts with editors, and that doesn’t include copyediting and galley proofs.
4. What are you working on now?
The next Lola book, actually. It’s tentatively titled FORGET YOU and was inspired, in part, but the Goldie Hawn ‘80s romp OVERBOARD. That’s about all I can say right now, except that it’s a totally fun project and I’m psyched to be banging out the first draft.
5. What do you do when you’re not writing?
I watch a lot of television. Probably too much television, honestly. I’m a sucker for competition-based reality TV shows, like PROJECT RUNWAY, TOP CHEF, and AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL. But I’m also passionate about quality scripted TV, like FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and THE OFFICE.
The other thing occupying most of my free time – these days, anyway – is wedding planning. I got engaged in early July, and even though we’re not getting married until February 2010, there’s already so much stuff to be done. It’s completely overwhelming.
6. Who do you like to read?
I love Sarah Dessen’s work. Not only is she an amazing writer, she’s one of the classiest people I know. She doesn’t get involved in the petty muckity-muck prevalent among a lot of YA authors. She just does her thing, and does it incredibly well.
I’m also a huge fan of fellow GCC’er E. Lockhart. When I read her latest solo project, THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS, my first thought was, “My god, do I wish I’d written this myself.” She, like Sarah, inspires me to be a better writer.
BIO:
Lola Douglas is the author of True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet and its sequel More Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet. A TV movie adaptation of True Confessions starring multi-platinum recording artist Joanna “JoJo” Levesque and Golden Globe winner Valerie Bertinelli premieres on Lifetime August 9, 2008 at 9 p.m.
Lola also happens to be the alter ego of Lara Zeises, author of Bringing Up the Bones, an honor book for the 2001 Delacorte Press Prize Competition; Contents Under Pressure, winner of the 2006 Delaware Blue Hen Teen Book Award and a 2006 IRA Young Adult Choices selection; and Anyone But You. Lara holds an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College and lives in Delaware, where she grew up.
For all of the latest Lola updates, make sure to check out Lara’s LiveJournal at http://zeisgeist.livejournal.com.
Posted by Sara Hantz in Interviews @ 8:24 am
June 27, 2008 • 6 Comments
Bestselling author Jenny O’Connell presents a sizzling new series for summer. Her first two Island Summer novels, LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS (MTV/Pocket Books; June 2008; $9.95 each) highlight the lives of the summering visitors, the year-round locals living in the beach towns of Martha’s Vineyard, and the fireworks that explode when they combine for three steamy months.
In LOCAL GIRLS, friendships are in danger of ending with the summer. Kendra and Mona are best friends, local girls who spend their summers catering to rich tourists and the rest of the year chafing against small-town life. Then Mona’s mom marries one of the island’s rich summer visitors, and Mona joins the world of the Boston elite, leaving Kendra and Martha’s Vineyard behind. When Mona returns the following summer, everything is different.
Unlike his sister, Mona’s twin brother Henry hasn’t changed. He’s spending his summer the way he always has: with long, quiet hours fishing. Early mornings before work become special for Kendra as she starts sharing them with Henry, hoping he can help her figure Mona out. Then Kendra hatches a plan to prove she’s Mona’s one true friend: uncover the identity of the twins’ birth father, a question that has always obsessed Mona. And so she begins to unravel the seventeen-year-old mystery of the summer boy who charmed Mona’s mother. But it may prove to be a puzzle better left unsolved–as what she is about to discover will change their lives forever…
In RICH BOYS, Winnie jumps at the chance to babysit for a wealthy summer family and earn some extra money—but soon learns that life in the Barclay’s beautiful vacation home isn’t as perfect as it appears. And what was supposed to be a carefree summer quickly becomes more complicated than she ever thought possible.
I can’t wait to read these two books. Jenny took the time to answer a few questions for me:
1. What inspired the plot for your books?
The books take place on Martha’s Vineyard, so first and foremost summer was the greatest inspiration. I’ve always felt like summer is a time when anything can happen, it’s all about possibility. LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS have very different plots, but they’re both about the possibilities, opportunities and changes summer brings.
2. Why did you decide to write in this genre?
I love writing teen books. It’s a blast going back and remembering what it was like to be a teenager – so much of what I write is based upon my own experiences growing up.
3. What is your writing process like?
Pretty much sit down and start typing. I know the beginning, the end, and nothing in between. I just let the story take shape as it unfolds.
4. What are you working on now?
A third book in the Island Summer series.
5. What do you do when you’re not writing?
I work! I have a “real job” that I also love (in advertising). I also play field hockey, which is why I have odd black and blue spots all over my body.
6. Who do you like to read?
I’ve been on a Sarah Dessen jag lately, I love her books. I love going back and reading books I read as a teen, just to see if they still hold up – and they do! I don’t read fantasy or mystery or historical or suspense. I just like reading about ordinary girls like me.
Learn how you can win an Island Summer t-shirt – just in time for the beach. Go to http://jennyoconnell.blogspot.com and enter to win today! And learn more about LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS at www.jennyoconnell.com.
Posted by Sara Hantz in Interviews @ 3:47 pm
July 19, 2007 • 16 Comments
I am so thrilled to be interviewing my very good friend and crit partner Amanda Ashby. I watched her story evolve from being just an idea to a real live book. Let me tell you, I couldn’t be more excited if it was my own. And as for the cover and the title… both are absolute strokes of genius.
Please will you tell us about your latest book.
My debut novel, You Had Me at Halo (NAL August 2007) is about a young dead girl who gets sent down from heaven to sort out her earthly issues. Unfortunately, to do this she has to share a body with a computer geek, who isn’t too happy about her presence. A book of love, death and body sharing. What’s there not to like?
How long have you been writing and what made you start?
I had been writing for about six years before I sold (yes, I know, the words ‘slow learner’ do spring to mind!!!). I truly don’t know what made me start. I literally woke up one morning and decided to try writing a book. It was aimed at Mills and Boon and while it was probably the most dreadful thing ever written, I had the most amazing time writing it and from then I was hooked.
Many people spend a long time finding an agent, can you tell us about your agent hunt?
While I was living in the UK I tried to get an English agent and though I came close a couple of times it wasn’t until my Very Very Clever cp, Sara Hantz gently suggested (aka nagged and nagged and nagged) that I try US agents. At the time I thought this was crazy, but the minute I started sending things out the response was amazing. Where as in the
When I wrote Halo the requests came immediately and
I spoke to the agent and she was lovely and very confident. Also, she didn’t want any revisions. However, the revisions
Everyone loves a good call story, what was yours?
Hehehe – unlike my agent story, my call story is short and sweet.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Gawd, I’ve made so many blunders over the years that I’m not sure where to begin on this one!!! I think the most important thing is to remember that one book is not the sum of you. If your manuscript isn’t getting the response you want, then start on the next one because nothing is wasted. You’re honing your writing skills and you’re exp
Can you tell us about what you’re working on now and what books are coming out in the future?
I’ve just sold my first young adult novel called Zombie Queen of Newbury High and it truly was so much fun to write that I’m fairly sure it should be illegal!!! I’ve got a few other projects that I’m working on now, but for fear of sounding like an insane person, I’m not going to say what they’re about!!
Biography
Website: www.amandaashby.com
Blog: http://amandaashby.blogspot.com
Posted by Sara Hantz in Interviews @ 8:55 am
June 13, 2007 • 11 Comments
Please will you tell us all about your latest book?
My first young adult novel, REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, from Berkley Jam will be in stores on July 3rd. The entire country will be celebrating with fireworks the very next day! 
My novel is the humorous tale of a homecoming queen that goes a bit psycho when she thinks her tiara has been disrespected.
How long have you been writing and what made you start?
I have been writing for about 3 1/2 years. I have always loved to read but never even considered trying my hand at writing until my first son was born. I realized that I didn’t want to spend anymore time in cubicles so I started writing. Eventually I got laid off, had another son, and kept writing and getting better. This is the first job I’ve ever loved! I just wish I would have figured out what I love to do a little sooner!
Many people spend a long time finding an agent, can you tell us about your agent hunt?
My first novel was an adult chick lit. I got personal positive rejection letters but nothing came of it. Next came my first young adult novel, which I realize now is probably more middle-grade, and the rejections were even more positive, but they were still rejections. When I started sending out queries for REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, several agents immediately requested fulls. I knew it was going to be different this time. From the beginning I had my sights set on one particular agent,
Everyone loves a good call story, what was yours?
My sale happened pretty fast, so luckily I hadn’t had time to stress about it. I got home from Target (the best place on earth) one day and had a message from
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
I think knowing when to abandon a certain project is important. At some point if you’ve received a hundred rejection letters, and you’ve revised, revised, revised, it might just be time to move on. You are only going to get better on your future novels so keep pressing forward and never give up!
Can you tell us about what you’re working on now and what books are coming out in the future?
I am currently working on a sequel to my first novel. It’s called TWISTED SISTERS, and I believe it will be coming out in January 2008. After that I have a notebook full of ideas!
Biography
Stephanie Hale was born, raised, and still lives in the middle of a cornfield with her wonderful husband and two adorable little boys. She is pretty sure she was reading a book while she was still in the womb. She has been a cashier at a hardware store, a bartender, and has had several horrific jobs as a customer service rep. One day she decided to try writing a book herself. Then she had another thought, what if I could relive high school? After she stopped screaming, she started penning young adult novels. High school is much better the second time around when you can make your characters do and say whatever you want!
Her second YA, REVENGE OF THE HOMECOMING QUEEN, quickly won first place in a contest, got the positive reinforcement she was craving from agents, including her DREAM agent who happily took her on. Soon her novel, and a sequel, was bought by Berkley Jam and she lived happily ever after! When Stephanie isn’t busy working on her next novel she keeps busy chasing boys (see above).
Thanks so much Stephanie, it’s been a pleasure interviewing you.
Posted by Sara Hantz in Interviews @ 9:59 am
May 3, 2007 • 4 Comments
I was so thrilled when Allison agreed to be interviewed. I’m an avid reader of her blog, which you simply must check out.
Please will you tell us about your latest book
The Department of Lost and Found is a story about a 30-year old who faces a life crisis and is forced to reevaluate everything that she once deemed important, and in the process, is also forced to reinvent everything about both her concept of success and her concept of herself. Ultimately, it’s about finding your own way and prioritizing things that matter because, as my heroine, Natalie, realizes, life is fleeting and you have to take responsibilities for both your successes and failures.
How long have you been writing and what made you start?
Well, I recently found my childhood journals, so I guess I’ve been writing all of my life! But writing for pay? About eight years. I’ve been very fortunate to have found success in the magazine world, and then to see that translate over to fiction.
Many people spend a long time finding an agent, can you tell us about your agent hunt?
I’ve been on the hunt twice. I landed an agent with my first manuscript, which ultimately didn’t sell. After I wrote The Department of Lost and Found, she decided she didn’t think it was a strong enough book to go out with, and asked me to start working on another one. Clearly, I disagreed. So I took the leap and got back on the agent go-around again. I was terrified that maybe I had more faith in my work than I should have, but really, I DID have that faith: I truly knew it was an amazing book (um, you know, if I do say so myself!), and that just because this agent didn’t think so, it didn’t mean others would agree. Indeed, I got several agent offers within a few weeks, and instinctively knew that my current agent was the right one for me. I couldn’t wait to accept her offer and did so rather quickly, even pulling the manuscript from agents who were still reading because I wanted to go with my gut and sign with my agent.
Everyone loves a good call story, what was yours?
Well, mine is more of an email story! But, as I said, I knew right away that I wanted to accept my agent’s offer. I queried her via email and heard back from her within an hour, asking for me to email her the full. I did. By that afternoon, she sent me a note back saying that she couldn’t believe how wonderful it was, and to please not do anything before she finished it. Well, I received an offer from another agent the next day, so I let my current agent know. She called me immediately, said she’d stayed up until the wee hours reading the previous night, and even though she still had 50 pages to go, she wanted to rep it, saying she’d pretty much do anything to land me! Of course, I didn’t make her do anything special to sign me, though she did take me out for a celebratory lunch!
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Write, write and write. I think that too many writers get attached to what they’ve written and refuse to believe that there’s room for improvement. The truth of the matter is that writing a book is hard, but not that hard. Writing a GOOD book is extremely difficult. And the only way that you learn to craft a good one, in most cases, is to keep writing - to set aside the manuscript or manuscripts that are dead in the water and start over. It’s so daunting, but each time out, you’ll learn from your mistakes and create a better story (and book) the next time.
Can you tell us about what you’re working on now and what books are coming out in the future?
I’m working on my next novel, but it’s slow going. I’ve found it much harder than The Department of Lost and Found, which I think is pretty standard for second books. But I’m trying to plug away at it. I’m also juggling my magazine assignments, and two small kids, so, well…life is full! But full is good. There’s never a quiet moment in my house!
Bio:
Allison Winn Scotch is currently a frequent contributor to numerous consumer magazines including American Baby, American Way, Arthritis Today, Bride’s, Cooking Light, Fitness, Glamour, Hallmark, InStyle Weddings, Lifetime Television, Men’s Health, Parents, Prevention, Redbook, Self, Shape, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, as well as American Airlines Custom Magazines and American Express Custom Magazines. Her debut novel, The Department of Lost and Found, will be published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, in May 2007.
http://www.allisonwinn.com
http://www.allisonwinnscotch.blogspot.com
Thanks for taking the time out to be interviewed, Allison. It’s been a pleasure.
Posted by Sara Hantz in Interviews @ 7:52 am
