Book Giveaway & Author Interview: The Hot List by Hillary Homzie

Welcome to Author Hillary Homzie:

Hillary Homzie is the author of the tween novels, The Hot List (S&S 2011) and Things Are Gonna Get Ugly (S&S 2009), as well as the comedic chapter book series Alien Clones From Outer Space (S&S), which is being made into an animated television series. She has also been privately coaching both published authors and aspiring authors for nine years, several of whom have achieved publishing success with major national accolades. During the summers, Hillary teaches in the graduate program in children’s writing at Hollins University. A former sketch comedy performer in NYC, Hillary currently lives with her family in Northern California.
http://hillaryhomzie.com/

Interview:

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?

I would choose J.K. Rowling, Barack Obama, Deepak Chopra, The Dalai Lama, and soprano singer Renée Fleming to sing for us.

What is one book everyone should read?

 Pride and Prejudice

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

The power to move at super speed so I could get more books written.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Vanilla with toffee crunch

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?

My dad. He died when I was a teenager and now that I’m an adult, I’d love to talk to him and fill him in on my life! And, of course, to find out about the after life stuff…

Night owl, or early bird?

I was completely a night owl. A stay up all night and write owl. But recently, I’ve been getting up early so suddenly, I’m morphing to a morning person. I guess at a certain point late night owls and early birds converge J

One food you would never eat?

Brains

Pet Peeves?

Mean people

Skittles or M&Ms?

Peanut M&Ms.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

Because it’s a funny, sweet tale about seventh grade friendship and crushes that will resonate and entertain.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

I’m working on a new novel for tweens as well as a young adult novel. I’m really excited about both projects!

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Read, read, read, and then write the book you would want to read.

  

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?

A writer.

How did you know you should become an author?

My second grade teacher Mrs. McCrone wrote me a note saying I should become an author. After that the idea cemented into my head.

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

I was definitely more like Sophie than Maddie in terms of friendships. In other words, being part of a big group of friends who always do stuff together would scare me. But I’m more like Nia than Sophie in that I’m not afraid to get up and speak in front of people. 

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?

My husband’s former boss, David Schneider said, “Never shirk a journey.” Those words always stay with me.

Hidden talent?

I can draw.

Favorite Food?

Popcorn

Favorite Candy?

Candy corn.

What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

What was your favorite children's book?

The Secret Garden

Nickname?

Fark (in high school I asked whether a goldfish and shark could mate)

How do you react to a bad review?

Eat popcorn.

If you were a bird, which one would you be?

Peregrine falcon

If you were a super hero what would your kryptonite be?

Someone scratching a chalkboard

Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your day starting when you wake up till you lie down again.

I’m usually up at 5:15 a.m. where I check out Twitter, Facebook and e-mail. Then I write for about an hour from 6-7. Then at 7:00 a.m. I make lunch and breakfast. Then we eat breakfast then I either drive my kids to school and go for a walk. Then I write from 9:30-12:30 have lunch. Then I do administrative/author sort of things after lunch. And then once school gets out I’m driving my kids around to after school activities. Then I make dinner and then I read and go to sleep around 10:00.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I love watching romantic comedies. I’m not that discerning.

Favorite places to travel?

France! I was a French major at the University of Virginia.

Write a Haiku about your book

Best friend is slipping away

Must do something now.

Will the Hot List keep her?

The Hot List by Hillary Homzie:

It all starts as a goof between Sophie Fanuchi and her BFF Maddie Chen--a "Hot List" the two girls create and anonymously post in the girls' locker room listing the cutest boys at Travis Middle School. Soon enough the list has taken on a life of its own. Maddie's thrilled to be caught up in all the excitement and finally hanging out with the "pops," Travis Middle School's self-proclaimed It Girls. Sophie, however, misses just having secrets between herself and Maddie. Even worse, Maddie's suddenly super tight with Brenna Tate, leader of the pops and the daughter of Sophie's father's new girlfriend. As Sophie and Maddie's friendship unravels, Sophie latches onto an impulsive bet with Brenna to get the universe right again--Sophie declares she'll prove the list is meaningless by making over their wacky classmate Squid so that he can land on the Hot List. But will any bet or list matter more than Sophie's friendships . . .?

Giveaway Details:
Open to US only
Ends 7/19/11

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