Debut Delirium Kick-Off: Group Interview & Giveaway

Remember that Debut Delirium kick off I mentioned? This is it! The chance to meet a few upcoming authors; get to know them just a little better; and maybe add a few debuts to your list because you can never have too many! I introduce to you five 2014 debut authors - please welcome, LYNNE MATSON, BRANDY COLBERT, MICHELLE KRYS, TESS SHARPE and DAHLIA ADLER. (links lead to author sites)

Thing you’re most looking forward to being a debut author?
LYNNE: The thing I'm honestly looking forward to most about being a debut author is that people finally get to meet my characters! Charley and Thad (and their story) have been in my head for so long, and I'm so excited share them with readers. That might sound hokey, but it's true. :)

BRANDY: I'm most looking forward to sharing my main character's story. Diversity continues to grow within children's books, and I'm thrilled to add another voice for people of color, a wide-ranging group that has historically been underrepresented in young adult fiction.

MICHELLE: I think I’m probably most looking forward to getting feedback from people who aren’t related to me (Sorry, Mom!), and hearing from readers who have connected with the book. I’m also looking forward to walking into a bookstore and seeing HEXED on a shelf for the first time, though at the same time I’m dreading it because I expect a level of ugly-crying that causes a small scene.

TESS: The readers! I love interacting with people and hearing their thoughts and feelings about books, so being able to do that from the author side of the table is such an amazing experience.

DAHLIA: I'm really excited to see what about the book people connect with, whether it's a line or scene they like, or a character they enjoy spending time with, or an overall issue/experience. I know people see the premise and cover and think "Hollywood! Nonstop wish fulfillment!" and there are definitely elements of both of those, but it's also about how realism fits into that world, and whether it even can, and it's very intentionally told from the perspective of a Real Person. So I think/hope people will relate to it more than they expect to, and I look forward to that!


Which 2014 debut(s) are top of YOUR wish list?
LYNNE: You know I can't just pick one, right?! :) Ok, all the YA Valentines books are on my wish list--because they're AWESOME. We're sharing ARCs between us, and they are to-die-for amazing. Other 2014 debuts I'm dying for? THE FIRE WISH by Amber Lough, GILDED by Christina Farley, TRACKED by Jenny Martin, CREED by Lindsay Currie and Trisha Leaver, THE PROMISE OF AMAZING by Robin Constantine, STREAMING by Heather Demetrios, HEXED by Michelle Krys. . . I'll stop now. But THERE ARE SO MANY! :) 2014 is going to be a fun year.:)

BRANDY: There are so many great books coming out next year, but the debuts I'm most looking forward to are NO ONE ELSE CAN HAVE YOU by Kathleen Hale, FAR FROM YOU by Tess Sharpe, DEAD TO ME by Mary McCoy, and WHEN AUDREY MET ALICE by Rebecca Behrens. (I was also lucky enough to read an advance copy of Elle Cosimano's NEARLY GONE, and I highly recommend this incredibly smart and creepy mystery for everyone else's wish list!)

MICHELLE: As one of the administrators for OneFour KidLit, the 2014 debut group for YA and MG authors, I’m keenly aware of all the amazing books coming out in 2014, to the point that it’s almost impossible to narrow it down to smallish list. Having said that, there are a few debut novels I’m particularly excited about:
BEWARE THE WILD by Natalie C. Parker
GATES OF THREAD AND STONE by Lori M. Lee
OTHERBOUND by Corinne Duyvis
CRUEL BEAUTY by Rosamund Hodge
SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY by Julie Murphy

TESS: I am dying to read Robin Talley’s LIES WE TELL OURSELVES, which is a YA LGBT Historical set in a school that’s just been integrated. Also, Kate Bassett’s WORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS, which I was fortunate enough to beta-read an early draft of. I can’t wait to see how Kate’s lyrical work and beautiful story about family and love has evolved.

DAHLIA: As a member of OneFourKidLit, I'm super lucky to be part of ARC tours for as many debuts as I can handle, so thankfully, I don't have to "wish" for too many! I've already read some incredible 2014 debuts I can't wait for people to read, like OPEN ROAD SUMMER by Emery Lord, SEKRET by Lindsay Smith, and SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY by Julie Murphy. I also got to read a few of these books when they were back in manuscript stages, and they were incredible even then, so I'm definitely anxiously awaiting the final versions of those, especially OF SCARS AND STARDUST by Andrea Hannah and BETWEEN by Megan Whitmer. But the one I'm drooling over that I won't be able to get my hands on before release day is POINTE by Brandy Colbert; is it April yet??
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So there you have it! Hopefully you've found some new books to read and you're now more excited to read '14 debuts. I know I'm looking forward to a bunch, my TBR list is piling up fast and the year has only just begun!

Win free stuff: 

Leave a comment telling me a 2014 debut your anticipating & why and you'll go into the draw to win a super secret...something. (I haven't decided what I'm giving away just yet, hence 'super secret' but it shall be awesome and anyone can enter!) Get commenting and feel free to spread the word!