Today I’m happy to welcome Aprilynne Pike to my blog, to answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel Wings.

I had the chance to read an ARC of this book a few weeks ago, and found it to be a quick, engaging read that is sure to please readers looking for faery romance and adventure. The prose was pleasant and readable, and I will be interested to see how the story develops in the rest of the series. I must also add that I’m currently rooting for David even though I usually like the intriguing dark horse romantic contender. I guess I just like science geeks more!

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.

A: I have this scene in my book that I like to call The River scene. It was so interesting to write. Lots of writers have times when their “Muse” strikes, or their brilliance manifests, or whatever you want to call it. I don’t have very many of those. But when I got ready to write The River scene, I totally had one! I wrote this scene straight through and by the time I was done I was totally sweating and almost shaking from the effort. It was totally awesome!! And even through edits, it was one of the least touched scenes, and is also one of the scenes readers comment on most often. I just love that scene!!

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why? Or alternately, what fairy-tale or myth do you dislike, and why?

A: I love the story of Sleeping Beauty, sadly, because I adored the Disney movie. I always wanted to be Aurora. I thought she was so beautiful!

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?

A: It changes about every three months, but most recently, the most exciting part had been seeing my floor displays with nine lovely copies of my book in it. Yay!!

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Today I’m happy to welcome C. Lee McKenzie to my blog, to answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel Sliding on the Edge.

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.

A: My Chapters 35 and 36 were bears to write at first–well, actually I kept re-writing them in my head until I could force myself to sit at the desk and put the words down. I didn’t want what happened in them to happen, yet I knew I needed it to. Hmmm. That sounds cryptic, but if you read the book, you’ll understand.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why? Or alternately, what fairy-tale or myth do you dislike, and why?

A: I don’t like the myth of Sisyphus. I guess the reason is because I sometimes feel like I’m rollin’ that old rock up the mountain every day, just to have it roll back down. This feeling comes about the time I’m not getting the story right. When the story IS right I’m kind of a Polyanna; then I love the fairy tale, Cinderella, where everything turns out good.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?

A: I loved talking to the editor for the first time and hearing her tell me she loved my book. Next to that, I got really excited holding the Advanced Reading Copy. “This is really a book!” I think I said that out loud.

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Today I’m happy to welcome Leigh Brescia to my blog, to answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel One Wish.

I’m particularly excited about this book (which I haven’t had a chance to read yet, but hope to soon) is that it tackles a subject I find very important: body image, and the pressure on young people (especially girls) to be insanely thin. Kudos to Leigh for writing about this topic!

On a related note: if you are interested in body image issues in YA/MG books be sure to also check out the My Favorite Author Blog where they’re spending a whole week talking about fiction related to body image.

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.

A: I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but there is a scene towards the very end that my editor wanted added. I was reluctant at first because it changed the entire ending. When I started writing, though, I was surprised at how natural it turned out. It’s almost like it was meant to be that way the entire time. Editors are *really* smart.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why?

A: I think my favorite myth (recently refuted, because they found her remains) surrounded the disappearance of Anastasia Romanov. So many people believed she was still alive and waiting to re-claim the Russian throne (or were pretending to be her). It’s more modern, but I like it.

The original fairytales were pretty gory. I’ve read some of them. Ew. I’ll take the Disney versions, thank you. I liked Beauty and the Beast: Belle was pretty AND smart AND she could sing . . . and because she looked on the inside she inherited a hot prince and a huge castle with a two-story library. I mean, really: Where do I sign up?

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?

A: The most exciting part so far was when my ARCs arrived, because it finally looked like a *real* book.

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Today I’m happy to welcome Carrie Ryan to my blog, to answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel The Forest of Hands and Teeth.

Some of the readers on my livejournal friendslist may find this book particularly notable because it has ZOMBIES! I have only just gotten my hands on a copy and will be starting reading it tonight, but I am really looking forward to it!

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.
A: I was having a hard time writing my main character’s best friend, Cass. My fiance read the first draft and said “you do realize she doesn’t say one word in the second half, right?” And I read back through and realized he was right! Ack! So in revisions I forced myself to write a scene with her and the main character and I learned so much about her that I was able to go back and flesh Cass out more.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why?
A: For me, my favorite fairy-tale or myth is the one I’ve just read – lol. Seriously, I’d never be able to choose because I love so many of them!!

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?
A: There have really been so many amazing moments, but I still think my favorite is the day I first sold. I’d formally accepted the offer and my fiance was picking me up from work to take me out to celebrate. As his car pulled up we were both just smiling so huge and laughing and screaming with excitement. It was an amazing moment and I loved sharing it with him!

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Today I’m happy to welcome Sydney Salter to my blog, to answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters.

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.
A: The scene in which Jory wrecks the delivery van was fairly easy to write–because it came right out of my own experience as a teen!

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why?
A: I’ve always loved Hansel and Gretel. Imagine finding a candy cottage! (Although I always envisioned it more chocolaty than how it’s depicted in most illustrations.) I also like how they cleverly trick the witch. And I like witches too!

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?
A: The initial offer call from my agent was absolutely thrilling. But the feeling that has lasted is the sense of legitimacy I now have about my writing. I can confidently tell people that I’m a writer. I also loved seeing my book on the shelf at my local bookstore. That felt like a fairy tale come true!

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Today I’m happy to welcome Neesha Meminger to my blog, to tell answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel Shine Coconut Moon.

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.
A: I’d have to say the initial, opening scene was especially easy to write. I knew the book should open with that because that was the moment that truly changed the entire direction of Sam’s (the main character) life. It flowed easily and helped me maintain the momentum I needed to keep going.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why?
A: There’s a lovely Indian myth/folk tale about two lovers who secretly meet each night. The woman, who can’t swim, takes a clay pot and holds on to it to cross the river that separates them. It’s beautiful and it’s tragic and it was one of my favorites as a child.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?
A: The two moments that have really crystallized in my mind as gasp-worthy have been 1) when I first saw my cover, and 2) when my final, finished copies arrived in the mail.

The first because I was absolutely overwhelmed to see my characters and vision through the eyes of someone else who cared as much about them as I did, and the second because it was finally real. They were done and printed and no one was going to call me and say, “Sorry, it was all a mistake. We’ve decided not to publish this book after all…!”

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Today I’m happy to welcome Heather Duffy-Stone to my blog, to tell answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel This is What I Want to Tell You.

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.
A: There is a scene, I don’t want to give too much away, but where one of my narrators is just completely broken. She’s just out of her head and broken—and yet she is telling the story. So I needed her to have some clarity for the reader and at the same time show how absolutely just gone she was. It was really hard, and certainly draining, but also incredibly rewarding!

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why?
A: I’m not very up on myths and fairy tales… I remember the first time I read Edith Hamilton’s Mythology… I was about 14 and I was completely hooked. I think I loved the idea that everything could be explained through the emotional whims of these divine beings—gods as human as we were whose indiscretions and battles and celebrations defined why we have four seasons or sadness. It made perfect sense.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?
A: Just this weekend I had my launch party at a little bar in Brooklyn. My family came and some of my best friends from out of town, in addition to my community here in New York. My friends made food and temporary tattoos… it was such an amazing afternoon and I felt so much support and joy… reading from my book in front of all of these people was a really surreal and wonderful experience. I’m still reeling from this!

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Today I’m happy to welcome Sarah MacLean to my blog, to tell answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel The Season. I think this book will be of particular interest to a certain contingent of my friends who share my love of Jane Austen, as The Season is set in the Regency era and features plenty of feisty young gentlewomen with quick wits and vivacity. Don’t these gals look ready to get into some regency intrigues?

Here’s what I said about The Season over on Goodreads:

As a fan of Jane Austen, mysteries, and strong female characters, this book was the perfect thing for me to read curled up on a snowy day with a cup of tea. All too often I find romances in novels don’t move me as I would wish, but I was completely enthralled by the complicated and conflicted relationships in The Season. It was also a very fun read– I particularly enjoyed the scenes of Alex and her two best friends Vivi and Emma discussing all manner of subjects. I am very much looking forward to visiting with them again!

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.
A: There’s a scene about 2/3rds of the way through the book, when Alexandra, the main character, is sad and depressed and wants nothing more than to find someone who will believe in her. And she finds her two best friends…and they are resolute in their faith in her. It was a great scene to write…because it just rang so true to me. Sometimes you just need your girls.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why?
A: I love the myth of Cupid & Psyche…which so perfectly represents the
evolution of the romantic relationship, from passion through doubt and anger and remorse to, ultimately, forgiveness and love. It’s one of the best love stories there is!

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?
A: Oh, definitely holding the finished copy in my hand. That’s the most wonderful part! Knowing that I wrote this real live book!

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Today I’m happy to welcome Cynthea Liu to my blog, to tell answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel The Great Call of China.

Q: Tell us about a scene or character from your novel that was especially easy (or especially difficult) to write.
A: The hardest scene to write in the THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA was one of the biggest emotional scenes in the novel. Can’t tell you much about it or I’ll spoil the book, but it was challenging to write from a technical standpoint. I had to deal with two languages and try to balance everything out so the emotion would come through even if the reader didn’t understand all that was being said in Chinese. Writing the scene was torturous. Seriously, I would have rather cleaned a thousand toilets than write that scene again.

Q: What is your favorite (or one of your favorite) myths or fairy-tales, and why?
A: I remember loving Cinderella quite a bit as a kid. I’ve always gravitated toward stories featuring impoverished main characters who come out big in the end. I think that has a lot to do with how I felt I stood among my peers as a kid. I never got the dance lessons or the Cabbage Patch Kid (so I just called them “ugly instead), or the birthday parties thrown in my honor.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of selling your book(s) and getting published so far?
A: So far? My release day was pretty incredible. So many people came out to wish me congrats. Hundreds of friends, family and even total strangers rallied together to support the book. But the very best part was getting a note from a Chinese adopted teen. She was glad I had written the book. Nothing can beat that.

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Today I’m happy to welcome Saundra Mitchell to my blog, to tell answer a few questions about her recently released debut novel Shadowed Summer.

I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this book a few months ago. Here’s what I said over on Goodreads:

There are books that I love for the intricate plots and books that I love for the beautiful prose. And then there are the books that have both. Shadowed Summer is one of these. I wanted to race through the book to find out why the ghost of a boy named Elijah is haunting 14-year-old Iris, and to find out the truth about what happened to him. But I also wanted to linger over the little vivid details, beautiful and funny and precise and real.

This is a ghost story that will be haunting me for a while yet.

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