For those of you who don't know what Meet the Newbies is, it's a fun way to introduce you all to authors debuting in 2016 and it's organized by the lovely Rachel from A Perfection Called Books. To see the full schedule, click here.
Today I've got the wonderful Laurie E. Flynn on here! She's the author of Firsts (which I've heard *phenomenal* things about) that you should all go pick up ASAP!!!
Author Most Likely To Be On Her Tenth Cup Of Coffee Right NowNickname: Hurricane
First Day of School: January 5, 2016
Homeroom: Thomas Dunne Books/St Martin's Press
Grade: YA Contemporary
Extracurricular Activities: Painting, hiking, thrift store shopping, hot yoga, eating nachos
Favourite Class: English Literature (No surprise there!)
Favourite Quote/Motto: "Comparison is the thief of joy."
Onto the Interview!
1. Your book has been out for a few months now. How did it feel to see your book in a bookstore for the first time? Has that feeling gone away since?
It was pretty much the coolest feeling ever seeing my book on shelves! The first time I saw it in person was at Brookline Booksmith in Boston with my critique partner, Emily Martin, whose book was also on the shelf (two weeks early, which was a surprise!). Sharing that experience together after so many "firsts" along the way was awesome! The euphoria of seeing Firsts in the wild definitely hasn't gone away. Every time someone tweets or shares a photo of my book on the shelf at different bookstores, I'm giddy-- and slightly jealous that I'm not traveling as many cool places as my book!
2. Do you think Firsts would make for a better movie or TV show?
What a great question! I think it would be amazing to see it as either. There would be definite and uncontrollable flailing if that happened!
(Liran's Note: Due to the fact that Hollywood really struggles with keeping the movie faithful to the book more so than they do with TV shows, TV show all the way!!!)
3. Can you sort your characters into their Divergent Factions?
Confession: I haven't read the Divergent series yet! The books sound fantastic, though, and they're definitely on my TBR. I have heard great things!
(Liran's Note: I haven't read them either, but my mom did and she liked them!!!)
What's your favourite place you've ever visited?
That's a difficult question! I've been lucky enough to travel lots of places in my life so far. I fell in love with Paris when I lived there, but when my husband and I were camping in Botswana, I totally lost track of time-- it was so gorgeous and peaceful. We also went on a road trip last summer, where I was astounded by the beauty of the Yukon.
(Liran's Note: PPPPPAAAARRRRIIIIISSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!)
What's the best part about being a debut author?
Being part of the kidlit community is such a wonderful, empowering feeling that I'm grateful for every day. Seeing my book on shelves aside authors I admire is still so surreal! But my very favorite part of being a debut author is receiving messages from readers who loved Firsts and resonated with something in the story. Those messages make my heart swell and those readers reaching out means the world to me.
Do you have any writing advice for aspiring authors?
Write the story in your heart-- the one only you can write-- even if it scares you. Especially if it scares you. That means it's worth it. And create habits, because the only way that story gets written is if you put in the work. Make writing a priority. And above all else, have fun with it!
About Firsts:
Seventeen-year-old Mercedes Ayres has an open-door policy when it comes to her bedroom, but only if the guy fulfills a specific criteria: he has to be a virgin. Mercedes lets the boys get their awkward, fumbling first times over with, and all she asks in return is that they give their girlfriends the perfect first time- the kind Mercedes never had herself.
Keeping what goes on in her bedroom a secret has been easy- so far. Her absentee mother isn’t home nearly enough to know about Mercedes’ extracurricular activities, and her uber-religious best friend, Angela, won’t even say the word “sex” until she gets married. But Mercedes doesn’t bank on Angela’s boyfriend finding out about her services and wanting a turn- or on Zach, who likes her for who she is instead of what she can do in bed.
When Mercedes’ perfect system falls apart, she has to find a way to salvage her reputation and figure out where her heart really belongs in the process. Funny, smart, and true-to-life, Firsts is a one-of-a-kind young adult novel about growing up.
Watch the Firsts book trailer here!
Where to Purchase Firsts:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indigo | iTunes | Kobo | Books-A-Million | IndieBound | Powell’s | Target
Add Firsts to your Goodreads bookshelf here!
About Laurie:
Laurie Elizabeth Flynn writes contemporary fiction for young adults. Her debut, Firsts, is out now with Thomas Dunne Books/St Martin’s Press.
Laurie went to school for Journalism, where the most important thing she learned was that she would rather write made-up stories than report the news. She also worked as a model, a job that took her overseas to Tokyo, Athens, and Paris.
Laurie now lives in London, Ontario with her husband Steve, who is very understanding when she would rather spend time with the people in her head. Laurie can mostly be found writing happily at her desk, with the world’s most spoiled Chihuahua on her lap. Laurie drinks way too much coffee, snorts when she laughs, and times herself when she does crossword puzzles.
Laurie is represented by the amazing Kathleen Rushall of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
What's the best part about being a debut author?
Being part of the kidlit community is such a wonderful, empowering feeling that I'm grateful for every day. Seeing my book on shelves aside authors I admire is still so surreal! But my very favorite part of being a debut author is receiving messages from readers who loved Firsts and resonated with something in the story. Those messages make my heart swell and those readers reaching out means the world to me.
Do you have any writing advice for aspiring authors?
Write the story in your heart-- the one only you can write-- even if it scares you. Especially if it scares you. That means it's worth it. And create habits, because the only way that story gets written is if you put in the work. Make writing a priority. And above all else, have fun with it!
About Firsts:
Seventeen-year-old Mercedes Ayres has an open-door policy when it comes to her bedroom, but only if the guy fulfills a specific criteria: he has to be a virgin. Mercedes lets the boys get their awkward, fumbling first times over with, and all she asks in return is that they give their girlfriends the perfect first time- the kind Mercedes never had herself.Keeping what goes on in her bedroom a secret has been easy- so far. Her absentee mother isn’t home nearly enough to know about Mercedes’ extracurricular activities, and her uber-religious best friend, Angela, won’t even say the word “sex” until she gets married. But Mercedes doesn’t bank on Angela’s boyfriend finding out about her services and wanting a turn- or on Zach, who likes her for who she is instead of what she can do in bed.
When Mercedes’ perfect system falls apart, she has to find a way to salvage her reputation and figure out where her heart really belongs in the process. Funny, smart, and true-to-life, Firsts is a one-of-a-kind young adult novel about growing up.
Watch the Firsts book trailer here!
Where to Purchase Firsts:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Indigo | iTunes | Kobo | Books-A-Million | IndieBound | Powell’s | Target
Add Firsts to your Goodreads bookshelf here!
About Laurie:
Laurie Elizabeth Flynn writes contemporary fiction for young adults. Her debut, Firsts, is out now with Thomas Dunne Books/St Martin’s Press.
Laurie went to school for Journalism, where the most important thing she learned was that she would rather write made-up stories than report the news. She also worked as a model, a job that took her overseas to Tokyo, Athens, and Paris.
Laurie now lives in London, Ontario with her husband Steve, who is very understanding when she would rather spend time with the people in her head. Laurie can mostly be found writing happily at her desk, with the world’s most spoiled Chihuahua on her lap. Laurie drinks way too much coffee, snorts when she laughs, and times herself when she does crossword puzzles.
Laurie is represented by the amazing Kathleen Rushall of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Giveaway:
1 Pre-Order or Finished Copy of Any Debut Novel Featured on Meet the Newbies. It's International (as long as The Book Depository ships to your country)!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hope you all enjoyed getting to know Laurie! Be sure to go get Firsts, available at your favourite book store now!
This book sounds so interesting. I really liked the book trailer too. Definitely adding this to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteRight?! I hope you get to it soon! Tell me if you end up loving it!
DeleteThis book sounds really good! It's already on my TBR. And if it were a movie or a TV show I would totally watch it. Oh Paris! I'd love to go to Paris someday! Great interview!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! And I'd also love to see it adapted into a movie or a TV show in the future. I think that could be really cool. And Paris is gorgeous!!! I hope you get to go someday!!! :)
DeleteFantastic interview! First of all, you need to read the Divergent series. Moving on...This book sounds amazing and I can see a lot of awkward-moment-potential which I love. I really am envious of the debut author community (especially for YA at the moment).
ReplyDeleteI know, I know, I'll get to Divergent eventually!!! Also, the YA debut author community is amazing!! I'm jealous too!!!
Delete