Hello Readers,
It’s a week of interviews! They’re flowing into my email inbox like crazy and I’m having a blast reading them all and sharing them with you. On today’s agenda? Kay Cassidy!
C: You’re one of our first-time authors this year! What does it feel like to be a published author? Did you always know that you wanted to write? Did you always know that you wanted to write for teens?
KC: Being published is pretty amazing. Seeing your book on the shelf—a story that used to live solely in your head—is such an unusual experience! I used to write when I was 7 or 8, but then stopped and never really started again until I was in my 30s. I'm living proof that it's never too late to start that career you've always dreamed of. :-) Sometimes it takes a while to figure out what you want to be when you grow up!
C: Your novel “The Cinderella Society” has a unique concept – I’ve been describing it as “The Princess Diaries” meets “I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You.” How did you come up with the idea for “The Cinderella Society?”
KC: I LOVE that comparison! Meg and Ally are two of the authors who inspired me to write YA. :-) “The Cinderella Society” actually came from a magazine article about high school sororities. I'd never heard of that before and, once I started thinking about the kind of society I would create if I could, I realized I would want it to be an organization devoted to fighting the everyday battle of good vs. evil. The idea snowballed from there and The Cinderella Society was born.
C: Are any of the characters in “The Cinderella Society” based on you as a teenager? Or anyone that you knew as a teenager?
KC: I don't base characters on people I know because the characters are usually pretty vivid in my mind when they introduce themselves for the story. I will say that Jess and I have a lot in common. We have similar teen insecurities, were both cheerleaders who never felt like part of the In crowd, and were pretty independent (and, okay, stubborn). :-)
C: What was your favorite book as a teenager?
KC: I didn't read a ton as a teen, oddly enough. But my favorite book growing up was “The Westing Game” by Ellen Raskin. It's still one of my all-time favorites and, in my humble opinion, one of the best children's mysteries ever written. In fact, I bought a new copy a few years back because I'm not sure what ever happened to mine in all of my various moves over the years. And it's a definite book for my permanent keeper shelf.
C: What author are you most looking forward to meeting and/or seeing at the Fifth Annual TBF?
KC: There are so many fabulous authors – I can't wait to meet them all! One thing that's kind of neat: Alyson Noel and I are both part of the Living Your FiveTM inspirational web project devoted to making a difference in the world. But TBF will be the first time we've ever met in person! So that'll be fun. :-)
Thanks for the great answers, Kay! In 15 days we’ll get to meet you in person and we can’t wait!
Readers, I hadn’t heard of Living Your FiveTM until this interview with Kay and I can’t believe what I’ve been missing! Check out more information about Living Your FiveTM here.
Hey Readers!
More survey results to make up for missed days … “This or That” with Kay Cassidy!
1. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
2. Realistic fiction or fantasy? Realistic
3. City mouse or country mouse? Country mouse
4. Pop music or classical? Pop music
5. Dogs or cats? Dogs
6. Pen or pencil? Pen
7. Cursive or printing? Cursive
8. Summer Olympics or winter Olympics? Summer Olympics
9. DVDs at home or movies in the theater? DVDs
10. Hardcover or paperback? Hardcover
Also, readers, big exciting news about Kay Cassidy! Her book "The Cinderella Society" comes out on Tuesday! Congrats, Kay! I was lucky enough to get an ARC, but I can't wait until the rest of world gets to read "The Cinderella Society" as well!
There are more surveys to come. Check back soon!
