AAA: On Authors: Publishers Spill

We’ve heard from bloggers, authors and now it’s time to see what the publishers have to say. Below is a short interview with four wonderful, Australian publishers who have ever so kindly stopped by to spare some of their time and answer a few questions so we can get some insight into which authors they love and appreciate. Please give a warm welcome to Caroline from Simon & Schuster, Polina from Harlequin Teen, Lara from Allen & Unwin and Theresa from Hachette!

 

1. I’m thankful for so many authors but a few of my favourites include....

 

Caroline: Melvin Burgess, D.H Lawrence, Becca Fitzpatrick, Enid Blyton, Suzanne Collins, and John Green.

Polina: Milan Kundera, Ovid, Ursula Le Guin, Julie Kagawa, Jonathan Safran Foer, Nikolay Gogol, Samuel Beckett, and I could go on and on …

Lara: I couldn't possibly answer that as I really do enjoy working with all my authors (corny I know) but at the moment I do feel especially lucky to be working on Leigh Hobbs', Tohby Riddle's, Anna Fienberg's and Danny Katz's new books.

Theresa: R. L. Stein: he tapped into my love of horror stories, gave me nightmares of the greatest kind, and is still my childhood hero.

The second is another children’s author (hey, I’m a children’s book publicist!) - Dr. Seuss: his books are a timeless worldly treasure. He once said: “I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.” And this quote alone made me want to become his BFF :)

The third would be Carlos Ruiz Zafon: His novel The Shadow of the Wind was so incredible, I wanted to learn Spanish just so I could read his books in the purest form and without translation. The fact that I was also reading it while lying on a beach in Fiji had no effect on my reading experience. Much…

2. Is there a certain author who got you addicted to reading or have you always been a reader?

Caroline: I’ve read since I was little but when I was in my early teens I always used to pick up books in the library from the teen section with green triangles on them which meant that it was 15+ and probably had some rude content in it!! I discovered Melvin Burgess, who is the most amazing English author and he got me totally addicted to reading. His books Junk and Bloodtide are my absolute faves.

Polina: The author that got me addicted to reading was Gabriel Garcia Marquez, his 100 Years of Solitude was given to me when I was around 14 years old. I shunned it at first, but after entering the world in that book, I could never turn back. However, my real addiction to books, started with a book, rather than an author. I read The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, and its ineffable charm continues to be my knight in shining armour every day I need a beautiful reminder.

Lara: I've always been a reader but if there was one series that kicked off my love of reading when I was at school it would have been the Ann of Green Gables books.

Theresa: My parents always argue about who encouraged my addiction to reading, but from a very young age I was devouring books. There wasn’t one author that got me addicted to reading, but I can still remember my favourite book as a child was a gorgeous illustrated book of fairy tales. I would take that with me everywhere. PS. It was my mum :)

3. Please finish this sentence: Authors are…

Caroline: like temporary counselors, they make me determined to live my life a certain way, until the next one comes along.

Polina: masters of the pen, and conquerors of the sword.

Lara: passionate, talented, creative, funny and usually extraordinary.

Theresa: wonderful word wizards. 

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How awesome was that! It’s always so interesting to hear what publishers have to say. A huge thank you to Caroline, Polina and Lara, as without you this interview would be, well, nothing! ;)

There’s only a week left of Author Appreciation August but Sarah and I have still got some great posts up our sleeve, so make sure you stop by every day to see what’s happening at both Reading Wishes and saz101!