I’ve been tagged! Chain letter style, that is, by the lovely A.B. Westrick, author of the forthcoming novel Brotherhood (I have heard the author read from this novel, and it is amazing!)
So it’s my turn now, to answer a few questions, and tag a few other writers for the Next Big Thing interview series.
Those who have been faithfully reading my blog posts at The Lucky 13s and Emus Debuts know that I’ve been working on several projects over the past year. So I’m going to spread the questions out over all three books … just to give you a little sampling of each!
1. My debut novel…
(out in June … did I mention that I’m just a little bit excited?)
What is the title of your book? Parched
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I’m represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette at EMLA, who sold this book to Harcourt Children’s Books. I am so lucky to have the insights of an excellent editor and the support of the enthusiastic team at HMH behind this novel.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Parched is the hard-hitting but hopeful story of three characters who come together in what might be their last hope of survival.
2. The verse novel…
Where did the idea come from for the book? I was inspired by the true life story of Clara Lemlich. She was an amazingly brave and determined you woman.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Hmmm … I’d have to pick the verse novels by Karen Hesse and Margarita Engle.
Which actor would you choose to play your character in a movie rendition? Helena Bonham Carter. The resemblance is uncanny!
3. The Steampunk…
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? A year, which is a long time for a first draft! I started it for NaNoWriMo, but then PARCHED sold and it had to wait in the wings while I worked on several rounds of revisions.
What genre does your book fall under? Back to middle grade for this one!
What about your book might pique the reader’s interest? Steam engines, gadgets & goggles, and adventure. AND, there be dragons…
Now, it’s my turn to tag 3 excellent debut authors:
Pat Zietlow Miller, debut author of SOPHIE’S SQUASH (2013, Schwartz & Wade)
Nancy J. Cavanaugh, debut author of THIS JOURNAL BELONGS TO RATCHET (2013, Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky), and
Laura Golden, debut author of EVERY DAY AFTER (2013, Delacorte/Random House Children’s Books)
Look for their posts in the Next Big Thing interview series next week!
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