24 Aug 2012

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!

11 comments:

  1. Aw, what an awesome post! It's not often that we get to hear from publishers so this is super fascinating. Would love to see things like this more often. Thank you everyone! :)

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    1. Thanks, Kristen! Agreed, we should really involve publishers more. Hmm, I'll keep that in mind! Glad to hear you enjoyed :)

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  2. A post featuring 3 of my FAVOURITE ladies in publishing?? SUCH AN AWESOME IDEA. I LOVE.

    Buahahaha naughty Caroline and her books with green triangles :P I love hearing what books they're enjoying outside of the review books we discuss with them. And every answer to the last question is just perfection <3

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    1. Perfection is the word! (Greece is the word, is the word... *wiggles* *dances* I know what I'll be doing tomorrow, need to watch a certain movie...)

      Such an amazing group of ladies. Seriously, I'm surprised me (Etienne inspired) hasn't exploded from all the AWESOME.

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  3. Oooohh! Great post :D Interviewing the publishers? AWESOME!
    Loved reading this and I adored the answers to the last question :)

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    1. Thanks, Penny! I love all their answers, in the words of Brodie, it's perfection.

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  4. Another great post! Some of these authors - I've never heard of before! I chuckled a good bit at the green triangle part...

    Also, I've always loved the Anne of Green Gables books too. My grandmother and I read them together when I was a kid, like a read-along. :)

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    1. Right? Naughty Caroline. I don't remember seeing any green triangles on my books but I probably was reading older books...

      Aw, that's sweet. I haven't read Anne of Green Gables but I've heard amazing, amazing things!

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  5. OMGOMGOMGOMG.

    Becca, I love this so so SO much.

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

    WOW.

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    1. Pretty deep, huh? Love me some publishers ♥♥

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  6. Can I just say I LOVE OUR AUSSIE PUBLISHERS AND PUBLICISTS? They are just AMAZING, SWEET and AWESOME! AND OMG, like Sarah said, that line is AMAZING! All the lines completed by Caroline, Polina, Lara and Theresa are FANTASTIC! ♥

    Awesome post, Becca!

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