2017 Debut Authors Bash!!

Welcome Readers to 2017's Debut Authors Bash! 

I hope you have had a great month of reading so far! I am so excited to be part of this again this year! 

Please make sure you go and check out everyone else's post and if you are doing any social medias include  the hashtag #17DABash!

I am so pleased to announce that I did an interview with Karen McManus - the author of "One of us is lying"! I have included some information about her, the interview and a giveaway! Make sure you get to all of it and if you have read the book I would love to hear your thoughts! 

  

Author's Bio:

"As a kid I used to write books when I was supposed to be playing outside, and not much has changed. I'm a marketing and communications professional who also writes Young Adult contemporary and fantasy fiction in Cambridge, MA.

 When not writing or working I love to travel, and along with my nine-year old son I've ridden horses in Colombia and bicycles through Paris. A member of SCBWI, I hold a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross and a master’s degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Which I have never, ever used professionally.

​One of Us Is Lying is my debut novel, and I'm currently working on a second book with Delacorte Press that's scheduled to be published in 2018."

(from karenmcmanus.com)

Author's Interview: 

1) First of all thank you so much for the interview! So, How long did it take you to write this book?

It took two months to write and two months to revise, so four months total.

2) Who are your favorite authors? Did they influence your writing style? What about your favorite book? What is it and did it influence this book?

Two of my favorite classic authors are Agatha Christie and Charles Dickens, and they definitely influence my style—Christie for her red herring-laden mysteries, and Dickens for the sprawling cast of characters he always creates. When it comes to contemporary young adult, I love Becky Albertalli’s witty, authentic dialogue, and Mindy McGinness’ unflinching take on dark themes. I could never pick a favorite book, but also I’m a big Suzanne Collins fan, and the Hunger Games series is what inspired me to start writing YA in the first place.

3) I saw you got your Bachelors in English, is writing books what you always wanted to do?

Yes, but it took me a long time to get here! I started writing stories in second grade, but by the time I was in college I’d given it up, because I found it too hard to finish a book. I thought I’d do something else with writing, like marketing or journalism. And in fact I’ve done business-related writing for a long time, but the urge to create stories never really went away.

4) When and how did you get your idea for this book?

I was driving to work one day and the song “Don’t You Forget About Me” came on the radio. It’s the theme to The Breakfast Club, and I started thinking about that movie and how it might be fun to write a modern, twisted take on it. The phrase “The Breakfast Club, with murder” popped into my head and stayed there. I started thinking how you could kill somebody in a classroom without anyone realizing you’d done it, and thought of a way. Then I wondered WHY you would do that, and the story started to take shape.

5) I think what pulled me in right at the beginning was how similar it was to Gossip Girl (which is my favorite tv show) - Did this show have anything to do with some of the ideas in the book?

It was an influence, along with The Breakfast Club and Pretty Little Liars. I’ve seen the book described as a mashup of all three, which I take as a compliment :)

6) Do you have a favorite character? Personality wise or favorite to write?

I love them all equally, but Nate was the most fun to write. His voice was clear as a bell from the beginning and his scenes always flowed. Addy’s character arc was my favorite and her storyline is close to my heart.

7) Was it hard going from character to character between chapters? Like having to go from one head space to the next?

It was! I made it easier on myself by creating a separate musical playlist for each character. I’d listen to that while writing their scenes, which helped me get into their heads.

8) Did you know how it was going to end when you started writing or did it come later?

I didn’t know at the very beginning. I had a few different ideas, and decided to get started by writing sample chapters and getting to know the characters. By the end of the second chapter I knew who these kids were, and who had done it.

9) What is something you edited out of the book? Or what is something extra about the book the readers do not know?

While I was drafting I asked my son Jack, who was nine at the time, if he wanted to name a police officer. He immediately said, “Officer Hank Budapest.” So I put that in. Once the book sold and started going through the editing process, I thought somebody might suggest I change it, because it’s a highly unusual name. But nobody ever did, and Officer Hank Budapest is now canon, which makes Jack extremely proud.

Thank you all for joining me for the 2017 Debut Author Bash!! I hope you all are inspired to pick up this book because it is simply amazing! 

Make sure you enter into the raffle below for your chances to win a hardcover copy of "One of us is lying" - Open to anywhere bookdepository.com can ship to. 

See you all next year!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2015 Debut Author Bash - Day 2

Welcome back Everyone!!

Hope you all are enjoying your posts for the Author Bash!
Find some new authors or books and get to reading! 

Lauren Gibaldi Mathur

Hello, I’m Lauren. I’m an author of young adult novels and public librarian. I’ve been, among other things, a magazine editor, high school English teacher, bookseller, and circus aerialist (seriously). I have a BA in Literature and Master’s in Library and Information Studies, both from Florida State University. I currently live in Orlando, Florida with my husband, daughter, and ever-expanding collection of books. (I mean, it comes with the professions, right?)

I love dinosaurs, pasta, musicals, and cheesy jokes.

I’m represented by Claire Anderson-Wheeler with Regal Literary.

The Night We Said Yes

 

Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex-boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she’s lived her entire life. But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town—was never part of that plan. And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying “yes” to every crazy, fun thing they could think of. Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella’s heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own—to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn’t sure whether Matt’s worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future.  In alternating then and now chapters, debut author Lauren Gibaldi crafts a charming, romantic story of first loves, lifelong friendships, uncovered secrets, and, ultimately, finding out how to be brave.  

1) What were you like in school? Where you good at English back then?

I was a drama girl in high school--I pretty much spent all my time in the drama room, or in the theatre. I loved it! I did like English class, too--I've always liked reading. I went on to major in English Literature.

2)  How did you come up with the idea for the book?

I love the idea that in one night, anything could happen. I kind of wanted to write about a really fun, amazing night where the characters felt unstoppable, and then revisit them a year later to see how that night changed them.

3) On your Goodreads page, many people compare your book to John Green's 'Paper Towns'; How do you feel about that?

As someone who loves "Paper Towns," I think it's a major compliment! I love John Green's books! That said, I think outside of both stories taking place in Orlando, they're quite different.

4) If 'The Night we Said Yes' is the so called "baby" of two other books, What would you say it's parents were?

I thought about this for a bit, and honestly have no idea! What do you think?

(Answer below in the comments) 

5) The friendship between Meg and Ella is so amazing and honest - Did you take that friendship from one in your real life?

Thanks! I didn't base Meg and Ella off anyone, but I think their friendship is similar to several of my friends. I love that honest friendship--the one that's so deep and loyal that you if you do fight, you know it'll end in about five seconds because it's not worth it. I wanted that for the two of them. I wanted them to be undeniably honest and open with one another, even when it was hard. I wanted their friendship to be just as important as the relationship between Ella and Matt because, to me, friendships are just as important as relationships.

6) I would have to say that Ella was my favorite character because she was so relatable and down to earth. It seemed like we grew with her as we went through the book. Who is your favorite character and why?

Thank you so much! I have a weak spot for Ella, definitely. She's the most like me. But I have to say my favorite character is probably Jake, I think mostly because I feel like I have to take care of him. He needs someone like that! I just want to pop into his life every now and then and make sure he's okay. I also adore Meg. I'm very protective of her.

7) There was a conversation towards the end of the book that really made me rethink things about my life and how I am living now; While writing the book was there any point where you did the same thing?

That's very amazing to hear! I think the whole "saying yes" message of the book made me want to "say yes" to more things. Like publishing in general! It's scary, but worth it. So, I think, like Ella, I say yes to more things now, even if they're scary.

8) What is one secret about the book? Like was there something you almost wrote differently, or a routine you have while writing?

Hmmm. Barker's first name is Jeremy. I wrote the entire book as Jeremy, and then changed it to his last name. So when referring to him, I still call him Jeremy (or Jerm, for short).

9) What is your favorite book and why?

I'm both a librarian and writer, so it's impossible to choose a favorite! I'll go with the ones I've read the most: The Great Gatsby and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. They're both amazing and beautiful.

10) What is the one thing you hope people take from your book?

I want people to not be afraid to go for what they really want, despite it being hard or scary. I had people tell me I shouldn't make a career of reading and writing because there's nothing in it, but, hey, I'm a writer librarian. I wanted it, so I went for it. So go for it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hawk Blog Tour: Guest post by Marie Powell!!

This blog topic was originated by the blog Mythical books! Make sure you go check out their book blog over at mythicalbooks.blogspot.com!

Hawk by Marie Powell Genre: young adult historical fantasy Published August 1st, 2015 Published by Five Rivers Publishing 294 Pages

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hawk-Marie-Powell/dp/1927400937 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26012924-hawk Chapters: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/hawk/9781927400937-item.html Amazon.ca http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1927400937 Kobo Books https://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/hawk-12 Scheduled during Teen Read Week! Check it out HERE!  

Hyw yearns to join his father in serving the charismatic Llywelyn, Prince of Wales. If only Hyw dared tell anyone of his ability to scout through the eyes of a hawk, it might help secure his place in the royal guard. Cat, his sister, longs to inherit the magical ability that runs through her mother’s line. If only she could see her future, now that she is 13 and promised to a boy she barely remembers. When a messenger summons the prince to a secret meeting, Cat and Hwy find themselves in the middle of a war that threatens to destroy all of Wales. Can they master their special abilities in time to save the royal family—and themselves? Set among the actual events and personages of late 13th century Wales, Marie Powell has constructed a fantasy novel that recreates what life might have been like for two teenagers coming of age.

About the Author:

Marie Powell (www.mepowell.com) is the author of 30 published books, including the young adult historical fantasy Hawk (Five Rivers, 2015) and Hawk and Crown (Five Rivers, 2016). She holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia, and her award-winning short stories and poetry appear in such literary magazines as subTerrain, Room, and Transition. She lives in Saskatchewan, and her writing workshops are popular across the province. Read more about Hawk and Welsh history on her blog at www.mepowell.com/blog.   Website: http://www.mepowell.com/ Blog: http://mepowell.com/blog/ Follow @mepowell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mepowellmendenhall

  From Fable to Fantasy - The Help of Animals   One of the first scenes I wrote for Hawk – maybe the first scene – was the opening, where Hyw is floating high above his world, connected with the mind of a hawk. Even after many revisions, it’s still the opening scene of the novel. I love hawks. To me, a hawk in full flight is a symbol of independence and freedom. My character Hyw also wants to use the hawk and other birds in the novel to scout out the locations and movements of the English army for his father and the other Welsh warriors. The first time I saw hawks up close was when I wrote an article on a master falconer for Prairies North Magazine (Summer 2006) and CBC Radio. That falconer told me that even the Swainson’s hawk riding on his shoulder should never be taken as a pet. They’re still wild animals, and have to be respected as such. I find their alien eyes and taloned feet chilling and fascinating, and I’m still writing about hawks (http://mepowell.com/blog/the-hawks-of-hawk/). Following Welsh mythology, Hyw can use his empathetic gift to gain insight and even control over any animal. Owls, rabbits, and foxes become his eyes and ears as the people move farther into North Wales, trying to escape the onslaught of English soldiers. A fox even orchestrates a meeting between the former prince Llywelyn and his brother, using Hyw as a medium between the world of the Old Ones and the royal princes. Hyw’s relationship with the animal world, and his hereditary ability as it evolves throughout the story, is meant to be one of give and take. I also wanted Hyw’s special power to ring true as a survival skill for any hunter-gatherer people, who felt more comfortable living on their land than in the stone castles of the so-called civilized English. Someone once asked me, how did the Welsh survive a genocidal invasion like the one in 1282? In my story, they survive through their connection with the land and the help of its animals.   The Giveaway: (3) ecopies of Hawk by Marie Powell a Rafflecopter giveaway