Aimee Agresti was voted “Quietest” of her high school class–probably because she spent too much time with her nose buried in books. Clearly, becoming a writer was the only possible choice. She now happily toggles between the realms of fact and fiction. The author of the young adult novel ILLUMINATE, she’s also a former Us Weekly staff writer and entertainment journalist whose work has appeared in People, Premiere, DC Magazine, Capitol File, The Washington Post, Washingtonian, The Washington City Paper, Boston magazine, Women’s Health and the New York Observer to name a few. Aimee has made countless TV and radio appearances dishing about celebrities on the likes of Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, E!, The Insider, Extra, VH1, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, Headline News, A&E, and ABC News Now. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in journalism and lives with her husband and son in Washington, DC, where she can often be found skulking around the Smithsonian museums on slow writing days waiting for inspiration to strike.
Interview: Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
It’s an update of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” with some extra twists, and some angels and devils.
What's the craziest writing idea you've had?
An update of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” with some extra twists, and some angels and devils.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
I absolutely LOVE hearing from readers. As soon as the ARCs went out, I started getting such nice tweets and emails from readers who had gotten an early peek at ILLUMINATE and even from folks who hadn’t gotten a copy yet but who told me how excited they were for the book. That meant so much. One sweet journalism major even wrote to ask for advice on breaking into magazines and then jumping from magazines to fiction, because that’s what I did. It was like corresponding with the college me! Things like that just make my day.
Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
Great question! In my mind, the theme for ILLUMINATE and Haven, herself, is “Lights” by Ellie Goulding. I love that song, though I didn’t discover it until long after I’d written the book. The lyrics are perfect and there’s just something magical about it. I actually made a little soundtrack for the book on iTunes, I’ll be posting it on my website soon! Stay tuned!
What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
As a kid, I had so many favorites: Alice in Wonderland, Little Women, the whole Nancy Drew series. Then I read The Catcher in the Rye and fell madly in love with Holden Caulfield. That’s still my absolute favorite book and I re-read it every so often. I just love it.
Who are your favorite authors of all time?
Oooh, so many! Hemingway, Salinger, Fitzgerald, Tolstoy, Jane Austen, the Brontes, Dorothy Parker, Roald Dahl, Lewis Carroll and on and on.
What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Keep writing no matter what! The more you write the better you get at it. My laptop is full of unpublished stories, but all of that work definitely made me stronger and I like to think I keep improving every time I sit down to write.
If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
I would love to go back in time to 1920s Paris and hang out with Hemingway and his crowd. I would’ve had a huge crush on Hemingway!
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
I'd want to be able to fly. That’s why ILLUMINATE is about angels!
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
“It’s Always the Quiet Ones…”
Hidden talent?
I love to bake: I make very pretty cupcakes! It’s all about the mechanical pastry bag.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Celeb gossip magazines! I used to work at Us Weekly. And, you know, you can take the girl out of Us Weekly, but you can’t take the Us Weekly out of the girl.
Favorite quote from a movie?
“I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen,” from Say Anything. Cameron Crowe is one of my favorite writers, he’s so sharp and he writes the kind of characters we all want to hang out with. I actually had a major fan girl moment interviewing him years ago when I was working for a movie magazine. I got so giddy and gushy, he must’ve thought I was insane.
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I’m polishing up the sequel to ILLUMINATE! You can keep tabs on it at aimeeagresti.com!
Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.
As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?
Illuminate is an exciting saga of a teen’s first taste of independence, her experience in the lap of luxury, and her discovery she may possess strength greater than she ever knew.
Giveaway Details
1 copy of Illuminate
Open to US only
Ends 3/21/12
My debut young adult novel PRETTY CROOKED (Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins) will be released in March 2012. Even though I had to extensively research pickpocketing techniques, I am a law-abiding citizen. I live in Philadelphia with my husband Jesse. I'm a proud member of The Apocalypsies, a group of children's book authors debuting in 2012.
Interview: What is one book everyone should read?
Feed by M.T. Anderson. It blew me away the first time I read it and continues to inspire me about the possibilities of YA fiction.
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
I'm a Philly girl, so I'm gonna give a plug for scrapple. For the uninitiated that's a bunch of pig parts processed with cornmeal and buckwheat. It comes in a block and you cut it into slices and fry them until crisp. Sounds gross, I know, but it's totally delicious.
Night owl, or early bird?
Early bird. Once I'm up, there's no going back.
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I just finished the second book in the Pretty Crooked series and will be starting on the third soon. I'm also working on another unrelated novel.
What inspired you to want to become a writer?
There are so many influences but a biggie for me (as for so many YA authors of my age) is Judy Blume. I loved her books, all of them, when I was a kid. Later when I became a freelance writer, I wrote a short biography of her for an educational publisher. Last summer I got to hear her speak at the SCBWI conference and I couldn't help but get all teary-eyed and mushy. She just represents all that is good about the industry, and pretty much the world.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
By far, the most rewarding experience has been connecting with the community of authors, librarians, teachers and bloggers and realizing how many people care about kid lit—and how deeply. I'm so grateful to be part of something bigger.
What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Do your thing (and keep doing it). Only you can make it happen.
Hidden talent?
Back when I was in graduate school, I was pretty good at shooting pool. I used to hang out with a gang of girls and we would run the tables at the bars—but it's been a while so my hidden talent might need some polishing at this point.
Favorite Food?
I love Turkish food. Pretty much all of it.
What do you do in your free time?
Crossfit, yoga, read, cook, visit flea markets, travel, watch obscure movies with my husband, wander around New York City, look at art.
What's your favorite season/weather?
Winter. I love snow! This year has been a pitiful showing for winter in Philly, though. I might need to move northward.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Gossip blogs. Also Mystery Science Theater 3000, Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job, Cadbury chocolate and KFC.
Write a Haiku about your book
Her friends are bullies.
She must help the others, steal
money; give justice
High school sophomore Willa and her artist mother move to Arizona where Willa starts attending an elite prep school after her mother finally sells some paintings, and Willa attempts to even things out by stealing from the rich students and giving to the poor ones.
Giveaway Details
1 fun surprise swag package
Open to US & Canada
Ends 3/21/12
Copernicus H. Stringfellow, a.k.a. Nick, is not your run-of-the-mill genius. His mind is so powerful it can stop a speeding automobile or stem internal bleeding. As Nick goes about quietly doing good, he discovers that his powers are greatly enhanced by the nutrients present in Twinkies. Follow Nick on his amazing adventures in this humorous and exciting action-packed book for all ages.
Interview: If you could invite any five people to dinner who would you choose?
I have to assume the number is in addition to my family because, of course, I would want to invite them. And right now that’s a pretty big number. We have 12 children in our blended family and 35 grandchildren! But in addition to my family, right off I think I would want to invite the Savior. I’ll count Him as the absolute #1! Then I’d like to invite His mother and His earthly father. The other two individuals I would invite would be my magnificent parents. I think that would make for an incredible group of people who would facilitate an awesome dinner conversation.
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
Oh, my goodness, that’s a hard one. I would have to ask for two! The first that comes to mind is the ability to fly. No, not fly. I guess you would call it the ability to be transported. I just want to be able to think of a location I need to be to and instantly find myself there. The second superpower would be the ability to understand not only what people are saying, but what they meant by what they said—clear, honest communication.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
My truly favorite flavor of ice cream I cannot eat because I have an allergy to dairy products. However, when ice cream is made with non-dairy products, I love chocolate chip, vanilla, almond milk ice cream.
If you could meet one person who has died, who would you choose?
I would like to meet my grandmother Ida Romney Alldredge. She was a prolific writer and shared her poetry with family, church, and community. She was considered saintly by family members and friends. She passed away before I was born.
Pet peeves?
Now that’s really difficult to express. I guess I would have to say my two greatest pet peeves are people not following through with their word or promises and people who are two-faced and use their skills to manipulate others.
Why should you read A Woman’s Power?
You should read A Woman’s Power because there is a special spirit that accompanies this book that will soften your heart and change your life in a positive way.
Any goals for future projects?
With a co-author I have written a children’s book that was promised a publishing contract. The publisher did not follow through. We are hoping to find another publisher that will produce the book. It is a marvelous, family book that encourages people of all ages to write and journal.
What inspired you to want to become a writer?
I pretty much answer that question on my website (www.fayklingler.com). My creative writing teacher in junior high school should have received a “teacher-of-the-year” award!
What is your most rewarding experience since being published?
I have received MANY e-mails and letters or comments from individuals who say my books have made a positive difference in their lives. Creative writers don’t make a lot of money. So money certainly isn’t the answer. It’s really about sharing and helping others. At least it’s that way with non-fiction—sharing the message. And knowing I’ve made a positive difference for someone is very rewarding to me.
What’s one piece of advice I would give aspiring authors?
Write for the enjoyment. Write to share. You don’t have to be a highly-paid author to be successful.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
It would be in a different time and it would be in Strawberry, Arizona. I would be a young girl, riding horseback through the mountains. I had the best childhood anyone could wish for. And that’s where my happiest days were spent.
What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?
I actually write about this in A Woman’s Power. Here is a quote from my book. “My father once said to me, ‘It doesn’t matter what happens to you. What matters is how you react to what happens to you.’”
You have won one million dollars. What is the first thing that you would buy?
I know the answer to that right off—I would pay off our house. With our economy as it is, I have a deep desire to be as debt free as possible.
What do you do in your free time?
I create and sew something for someone or a make a bread product to share.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
The Scrambled Egg!
Favorite smell?
My mother’s cinnamon rolls baking when I enter her house . . .
City or country?
I am definitely a country girl, but I love the conveniences of the city.
Spontaneity or planning ahead?
There are soooooooooo many things I love to do. In order to fit them in, I have to plan ahead.
A Woman's Power: Threads That Bind Us To God
“I’m hanging on by a very thin thread!” is an exclamation heard frequently in our frustrating, chaotic world. This thought-provoking gift book is tenderly written for today’s Latter-day Saint women of all ages. Packed with sensitive, ageless stories of hope and encouragement, A Woman’s Power: Threads that Bind Us to God explains simply and beautifully which threads have the strength to carry daughters of God to safety, lasting peace, and happiness.
Giveaway Details
1 copy of A Woman's Power
Hardback copy open to US only, Ebook available Internationally
Ends 3/20/12
Got Great Giveaways is a weekly feature hosted here on I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. This feature will be posted each week on Wednesday.
I love book giveaways. Enter enough book giveaways and you are going to win them. Just be sure to follow the giveaway entry rules so you have a valid entry and don't get disqualified.
To win a giveaway you've got to be able to find it and enter it. Thus I created Got Great Giveaways! If you are hosting a giveaway on your blog or come across a great giveaway you want to share please link it up here.
Got Great Giveaways? Book Giveaway Link Up Rules:
Giveaways must be book related (books, gift cards to stores that sell books, swag, etc.)
Please do not link up to Blog Hop Giveaways that are hosted on this site.
Link directly to your giveaway post.
Please include as much info as possible such as the genre, book title & ending date of your giveaway, shipping info, etc.
Example: Young Adult - In The Forests of Night by Kersten Hamilton ends 2/28 (US)
You are welcome to grab the code for this linky and add it to your site, just be sure to mention it is for book related giveaways only so it doesn't get spammed with unrelated giveaways.
BOOK & BOOK RELATED GIVEAWAYS ONLY - others will be deleted.
Remember - Anytime you visit Amazon.com use an affiliate link to get there. Any purchase you make from a link on my site generates a small kickback. You need not purchase the item I'm featuring, any purchase counts. So whether you are shopping for books, movies, clothes, games, electronics, music, food or any of the myriad of other things amazon sells, simply use my affiliate link to shop. It costs you nothing extra and is an easy way to support this site. My Affiliate Link: http://www.amazon.com/?tag=iaarnaw-20.
Established in 1919, Children's Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast!
2 winners will each receive copies of the first 2 books in the Wind of Life Series. Open Internationally.
The Wind of Life: The Flyers by Oliver Neubert
Timo, a fourteen year old flyer, lives in the mountains with his mother. For years, the Flyers of the Mountains have been enemies of the Wanderers of the Flatlands. To stop the old law: "Those who are born without wings have to die," Timo is dragged into a plot where he must learn to use his special gift to bring the two misunderstood races together. As Wardor, the leader of the War Flyers, learns about the plot, he will stop at nothing to kill everyone involved. In her search for her missing brother, Val and Timo become close friends, but will they survive the impending war or will Val's brother be lost to the old law?
The Wind of Life: The Wanderers by Oliver Neubert
Rider, a fourteen year old Wanderer, has found shelter among the dead willows, the haunted place of the Flatlands. He is suffering from the abuse of his tyrant father, but his connection to nature and the elements keep him sane. He has a special gift that allows him to run with the antelope and to communicate with the animals. When he helps a young woman escape from a group of deadly hunters, he discovers that the mysterious, hated Flyers still exist. Drawn by curiosity and instinct, Rider uncovers a serious plot lead by his father to murder innocent children and to go to war against the Flyers. Rider has to stop his father and luckily he is not alone. One of his enemies is looking out for him, but will this be enough or will Rider be crushed by this father?
Giveaway #2
1 winner will receive a copy of The Tide of Mermaid Tears by Marcia Lynn McClure. Paperback open to US only. Ebook open Internationally.
The Tide of Mermaid Tears by Marcia Lynn McClure
Ember gasped as she looked forward up the shore to see a man struggling in the water. He was coughing—spitting water from his mouth as he crawled from the water and onto the sand. As he collapsed face-down on the shore, Ember lifted her skirt and ran toward the man, dropping to her knees beside him.
“Sir?” she cried, nudging one broad shoulder. The man was stripped of his shirt—dressed only in a pair of trousers—no shoes…
Ember shook her head, rolling her eyes at her own foolishness.
“Sir?” she called again, nudging his broad shoulder once more. The man lay on his stomach—his face turned away from her. “Are you dead, sir?” she asked. Placing a hand to his back, she sighed with relief as she felt he yet breathed.
“Sir?” she said, clambering over the man’s broad torso.
The man coughed. His eyes opened—his deep blue eyes, so shaded by thick, wet lashes that Ember wondered how it was he could see beyond them.
“Sir?” Ember ventured.
He coughed, asking, “Where am I?”
“On the seashore, sir,” Ember answered.
FYI: Kristie won Tide of Mermaid Tears
Zoey & Nyles won Wind of Life
There are 200 blogs participating in this giveaway hop. As blog post their giveaway I will put a ~ before their name on the linky. The linky should be 100% accurate by tomorrow morning so come back then to start hopping or should I say "leaping" to each blog.
Having failed at becoming a ballerina with pierced ears (her childhood dream), Allison Rushby tried writing instead. This is working out a lot better for her as it means she can sit on her backside most of the day and eat a lot more than a ballerina ever could. Plus, she can wear her pyjamas until midday and her book, movie ticket and DVD purchases are tax deductions. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Over the past ten years, she has published five books for young adult readers and five for adult readers in the women’s fiction genre. She is originally from Brisbane, Australia, but in 2011 and 2012 will be living in Cambridge, UK where she will most likely spend her days whingeing constantly about the weather.
She is currently working on a six episode New Adult e-serial for St Martin’s Press, a new YA novel, a travel memoir and her sanity. Oh, and she got the pierced ears in the end, thanks for asking…
Interview: If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
To the past, but I'd take a stash of antibiotics with me!
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I'm currently writing a six episode New Adult e-serial for St Martin's Press that I'm very excited about. It's set in the 1920s in London and is quite Downton Abbey-esque in some ways. I'm having a ball writing it and making trips to London for research (and shopping) purposes.
What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Write. Then read. Then write some more. Don't stop until you get published.
When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?
A ballerina with pierced ears. I got the pierced ears.
If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play the lead role and why?
Toni Collette. I'm always being told we look very similar. Plus, she'd do a great Aussie accent.
What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?
The Woman in Black. It looks so spooky and I'm a big fan of Daniel Radcliffe. I recently saw him perform in a musical in NYC and was amazed at how good he was.
Nickname?
AJ (Allison Jane -- the Jane is for Jane Austen as my mother is a big fan).
What do you do in your free time?
I love to bake. Nothing healthy, of course.
How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
I bought champagne, had my hair done and went out on a slap up dinner with my extended family.
What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?
I'm currently having midday binges on all the Australian customs and border security shows they show on TV in the UK, because I miss hearing Aussie accents!
Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....
We Need To Talk About Kevin.
Favorite places to travel?
London. Always London.
Favorite smell?
Pear. I am crazy about pear and have all kinds of pear perfumes and candles.
Cats or Dog?
Cats all the way. I am desperately missing my gorgeous Devon Rex cat, Violet, who is currently living with my parents in Australia.
Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter. If you can't say it in 140 characters, it's not worth saying.
Shooting Stars
Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.
Giveaway Details
1 copy of Shooting Stars
Open to US only
Ends 3/20/12
Lorin Barber has an MBA from the University of Washington and a bachelorâ??s degree in Japanese language. He has had a successful career as a manufacturing executive. He has six children and, so far, eight grandchildren. He lives in a small town in the state of Washington with his wife of thirty-six years. In his spare time, you might find him panning for gold in the wilds of Washington. This is his first fictional work
Interview: f you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?
Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, G. Washington, William Bradford, Charlemagne (T.J. could interpret from French)
What is one book everyone should read?
“Life Expectancy” Dean Koontz
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
Invisibility
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Strawberry Shortcake, but it has to be prepared according to specifications.
One food you would never eat?
Asparagus
Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
Not for a literary experience; for fun.
What inspired you to want to become a writer?
A long cold winter alone in Wisconsin.
What is your dream cast for your book?
A genius Napoleon Dynamite as Copernicus.
What is your favorite Quote?
“Outside of a dog a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” Groucho Marx.
Who are your favorite authors of all time?
Dean Koontz, J.K. Rowling, Tom Clancy
Favorite Food?
Strawberry Shortcake, but it has to be prepared according to specifications.
What do you do in your free time?
Pan for Gold
Favorite smell?
Hot chocolate chip cookies
City or Country?
Country
Harry Potter or Twilight?
Harry Potter
What is you favorite way to spend a rainy day?
It rains every day in Seattle.
The Secret Life of Copernicus Stringfellow
Copernicus H. Stringfellow, a.k.a. Nick, is not your run-of-the-mill genius. His mind is so powerful it can stop a speeding automobile or stem internal bleeding. As Nick goes about quietly doing good, he discovers that his powers are greatly enhanced by the nutrients present in Twinkies. Follow Nick on his amazing adventures in this humorous and exciting action-packed book for all ages.
I know I just did a Free & Cheap post yesterday but today's Amazon deal of the day was actually for a Young Adult book by an author I knew so I'm quickly putting up another post.
Today Only - Lament by Maggie Stiefvater is just .99 cents
Terri Giuliano Long is the bestselling author of the novel In Leah’s Wake. Her life outside of books is devoted to her family. In her free time, she enjoys walking, traveling, and listening to music. True to her Italian-American heritage, she’s an enthusiastic cook. In an alternate reality, she might be an international food writer. She lives with her family on the East Coast and teaches at Boston College. In Leah’s Wake is her debut novel.
INTERVIEW: What is one book everyone should read?
The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. This powerful novel transports us to a harsh post-apocalyptic world, where humans have been reduced to animal instinct—for the inhabitants of this world, murder and cannibalism are a means of survival.
In this unforgiving environment, McCarthy gives us a tender, elegantly rendered father and son. In their travels, the man and his son meet horrific challenges and hardships, yet they face each challenge with dignity and grace. Near death, the man says to his son: "You have my whole heart. You always did.” Years after reading the novel, the love of this father and son—their amazing bond—awes and inspires me.
This stunning work ends unexpectedly, with a promise of rebirth and renewal.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Almond Joy. In my novel, In Leah’s Wake, there’s an ice cream stand called Sullivan Farms, run by Bob Sullivan. Bob is a real person. Sullivan Farms Ice Cream is located in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. Bob’s homemade Almond Joy ice cream is to die for.
If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?
Jesus. Growing up Catholic, I don’t think I fully appreciated the historical Jesus. A few years ago, considering a PhD in theology, I took two grad courses. The critical analyses fascinated me—literary, historical, archeological, feminist, etc.—and I realized how relevant the readings continue to be. From a humanist perspective, Jesus was a brilliant man with a tremendous capacity for love and forgiveness. He loved, trusted and forgave even those who didn’t deserve love, trust or forgiveness, and he forgave out of strength, not weakness. I’d love the chance to learn from him.
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
If I could eat anything at all without gaining weight, I’d start each day with a stack of pancakes with butter and maple syrup. In the real world, I typically go for a low-ish fat protein. In San Francisco, Dave and I enjoyed a wonderful egg white omelet with broccoli, arugula, leeks and goat cheese. That’s now my favorite breakfast treat.
Night owl, or early bird?
I was an early bird for most of my life. Lately, because I tend to over-commit and am usually behind in my work, I’ve turned into a night owl. I also hate to miss anything.
Pet Peeves?
Selfishness and entitlement bother me. We share one world with limited resources. Circumstances sometimes require privileging certain people – for instance, in a health emergency medical personnel must be first to receive medical attention so they can care for the rest of us. In everyday life, there is no excuse for pushing and shoving. We’re all in a hurry. We all want what we want. That doesn’t give us the right to cut the line or demand special treatment. In a piece called “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” Robert Fulghum writes that he learned, among other things, to: “share everything; play fair; don’t hit people; put things back where you found them; clean up your own mess; don’t take things that aren’t yours; say you’re sorry when you hurt someone.” There is a lot of wisdom in those lessons.
Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
In Leah’s Wake, about a family in transition, tells a topical story that people relate to, but it’s also about the need for community and connection and, although sometimes sad, offers hope and redemption.
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
I’m currently at work on a psychological thriller with a historical twist. Nowhere to Run takes place in the White Mountains in northern New Hampshire.
After the brutal unsolved murder of her six-year-old daughter, award-winning writer Abby Minot had put her laptop away. A year later, emerging from a deep depression, she accepts her first assignment, a human-interest story on the wealthy and powerful Chase clan, the immediate family of Matthias Chase—a wildly popular congressman from northern New Hampshire.
Congressman Chase—a self-described "new Republican," fiscally conservative, socially just—has built his platform on unsubstantiated claims that his ancestors were abolitionists. When a subterranean chamber is discovered under a barn on the family property, the Chase estate is declared an official stop on the Underground Railroad. Soon after, Chase launches a campaign for the presidency.
After accepting the assignment, Abby and her two surviving children travel to the Chase estate in the White Mountains for a month-long stay. In her initial research, she glimpses darkness under the shiny veneer. Digging deeper, she uncovers a shocking web of lies and betrayal, dating back to the nineteenth century. Abby soon finds herself trapped-between an editor obsessed with uncovering the truth and the town and family who will stop at nothing to ensure it stays hidden.
The book is set to launch on September 15, 2012.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
When I published In Leah’s Wake, I had no clue as to what I was doing. Stupidly, too embarrassed to self-promote, I posted the book on Amazon and left it at that. I mean really left it at that– not even my parents knew I’d published the book!
I sold two copies in October, four in November, and thirty-four in December. By March, with sales lagging, I realized that if I didn’t do something my book would die. In early March, I began blogging and activated my Twitter account.
Once I got used to the idea that marketing didn’t have to mean shameless self-promotion, 24/7, I began to have fun and I actually enjoyed it. I’ve now sold close to 100,000 books. Getting there took a lot of hard work and dedication, and I’m proud of that accomplishment. Publishing In Leah’s Wake forced me out of my comfort zone. I had to learn to respect and value my work and share it with other people. It was hard and it took time to figure it all out. But it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I’ve also had the great good fortune of meeting many wonderful people!
What is your dream cast for your book?
Will Tyler – Matt Damon. Mr. Damon exudes fatherly love and protectiveness and he’s very intense. If his daughter were in trouble, I can picture him going into overdrive, like Will, and doing whatever it takes to pull her back.
Zoe Tyler – Sandra Bullock. I see her as loving, driven and ditzy, a less strident version of Leigh Anne Tuohy, the mom she played in The Blind Side.
Leah Tyler – For the role of Leah, I’d search for new talent. Caroline Wakefield, as played by Erika Christensen in the film Traffic, reminded me of Leah, in her all-American beauty and stunning transformation from preppy to drug-addicted prostitute. Ms. Christensen is too old for this role, but she’d be the prototype.
Justine Tyler – Abigail Breslin. Like Justine, she’s sweet and dorky and cute. She’s also precocious and strong.
Jerry Johnson – Vince Vaughn. He’s not the guy who walks into a room and gets the girl, but he’s centered and responsible, the rock for the others to lean on.
Todd Corbett (Leah’s boyfriend) – Jordan Masek. Jordan plays the role of Todd in my trailer. In real life, Jordan is actually a very sweet guy. But he knows how to channel his inner bad boy. I can’t imagine a more appropriately cast Todd.
What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Believe in yourself. To deal with rejection, boot your computer, day after day, when it seems as if no one cares and you wonder if maybe the stars are misaligned, you have to believe in yourself.
Writing is a lonely profession. Most of the time, we’re alone with our work. That loneliness can wear on you and cause you to question yourself. Cherish your friendships. A community of supportive writer friends can encourage and sustain you when your confidence flags.
Keep the faith. Don’t ever give up. You can make your dreams happen!
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Whenever we travel at some point in the trip I think, wouldn’t it be great to live here. But there really is no place like home. Dave and I have four daughters. Right now, our children are spread across the country—in Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, and California—fulfilling their own journeys. When everyone is settled or finished with school, I hope to live near or within a reasonable drive of all our children. That’s my dream home.
What's the craziest writing idea you've had?
I once had an idea for a novel about a woman who marries a dog. The idea grew out of an article I’d read, so it wasn’t quite as bizarre as it seems. Or maybe it was. Obviously it never went anywhere.
What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Be grateful and appreciate others. At the end of the day, the people in our life are all we have. No one ever dies wishing she’d worked longer hours or made more money or sold more books. It’s tough, because our culture values things over people and rewards monetary success. It’s important to remember that, in fact, we’ve got it backward. People – our friends, our family, our community – are our most valuable and precious assets. It’s far easier to recognize this and appreciate others if we’re grateful for what we have and all we’ve been given.
What do you do in your free time?
Hands down, my favorite activity is spending time with my family. I also enjoy walking and hiking, and I’m a passionate traveller and foodie. Dave and I have had the good fortune of visiting many interesting places over the years. For most of my life, I dreamed of travelling to China. It’s hard to describe the wonder of the Great Wall. From the towers, you see the wall continuing into the horizon. It’s positively breathtaking. I was awed by the power of humankind. I’ve felt this way in many places, inspired by the perseverance, creativity and ingenuity of people, awed by the beauty of the mountains, the valleys, the sun setting over the water.
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
There’s a book already – called The Little Engine That Could. In Leah’s Wake is a quiet literary novel. When I first began marketing, a former agent told me she’d found the book boring and assured me that I’d never sell 1000 copies (my goal at the time). I was so distraught; had I not been in the midst of a blog tour, I might have packed up my book and gone home. The bloggers had been gracious enough to read my novel and host me on their blog, so I felt I owed it to them to soldier on. There were many days when I questioned myself, wondering why I’d published the book. Those four words, I think I can, drove me on. If you think you can—accomplish whatever your goal—you’re right. You truly can!
What's your favorite season/weather?
I’m partial to spring, though on a bright sunny day, any season feels perfect. I’ve spent much of my life in the Boston area and currently live in Vermont. There is nothing quite as stunning as a clear fall day in New England, with the warm sun and colorful leaves. But in spring, as the days get longer, I feel hopeful and alive.
Who or what inspired you to become an author?
When I was a child, my mom read to us every day. Her reading instilled and nurtured a love of reading and stories. As a young child, I entertained myself by making up stories and plays. In high school, I worked as a stringer for the town paper - my first paid writing job - and I loved every minute. They paid me ten cents a word. Soon I was offered a column, called “High School News.” I wrote about anything that occurred to me or that I considered interesting, really. People actually read the column. That was exciting – and it launched my writing career.
When my children were young, I wrote news and feature articles for a local and regional paper, edited technical articles for trade magazines, and wrote marketing and web copy. In the nineties, I turned my attention to writing fiction. Early on, I published several short stories in lit magazines. In Leah’s Wake is my first novel. Nowhere to Run will be my second full-length work of fiction.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m a closet nerd. To the world, I appear cool and relaxed, but I’m actually very shy. Before a public appearance, I’m anxious for days and it takes me forever to decide what to wear. I’m also a choc-o-holic and a shoe whore.
Thank you so very much for having me, Kathy. I appreciate your kindness and I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my thoughts with your readers.
Readers, thank you so very much for giving me the invaluable gift of your time.
In Leah's Wake
The Tylers have the perfect life—beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. While their eldest daughter, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship, their youngest, Justine—more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years—just wants her sister’s approval. With Leah nearing the end of high school and Justine a seemingly together kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life…until everything goes wrong.
Will this family survive in Leah’s Wake? What happens when love just isn’t enough?
