Sunday, June 2, 2013

FABULOUS FIRST YEAR! Interview with Katie McGarry


FABULOUS FIRST YEAR!!

Congratulations to our very own Katie McGarry on the release of her second book, Dare You To!!

Dare You To

"I dare you..." 
If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does.... 
Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him. 
But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

It’s been less than one year since your debut, Pushing the Limits was released. You have had amazing success and been nominated for countless awards including Goodreads Choice in the romance category (voted sixth place—John Green won first if that tells you what a big deal this is), a top pick for reluctant readers by the American Library Association, and you’re currently a double nominee for RWA’s RITA Award in the romance category and best first book—to name a few.
--Is there a particular award or nomination that means the most to you—one that you can cross off your bucket list? Or one you’re striving for?

I never expected any of the nominations. In fact, I never really dreamed of any of the above because it felt so out of reach.

I will say that I am excited and proud of all of them, but I am especially thrilled about the Top Pick for Reluctant Readers by the American Library Association. PUSHING THE LIMITS is a story of hope and I’m happy that it can reach more readers through this list!

--Obviously, this has been a life-changing year for you. Do you have any advice for other authors climbing the ladder from regular mom/wife to mom/wife/rising-star-author?

First off there is no such thing as a regular mom/wife. The amount of work we do—we are all superstars!

I always consider myself a wife/mother first and writer second. My husband and kids are my home base. While my career is important to me, my home is the top priority. I always make my decisions of how to divide my time based on this.

--Do you have any advice on handling social media for authors who’ve just landed their first deal?

Find what you are comfortable with and what fits your personality. Personally, I enjoy twitter. It’s fun to have conversations with people from books to movies to commercials I like on TV.

Whatever you choose to do, don’t overload yourself and make sure you don’t take on too much that you end up wasting your writing time!

--Beth is a secondary character from Pushing the Limits and I loved her from the first few sentences out of her mouth. When did Beth demand that her own story be told? And when did you know what that story would be?

There’s a part in PUSHING THE LIMITS where Noah finds Beth physically broken and bruised. It was in that moment that I knew Beth had a story and what it would be.

--Can you tell us one of your favorite Beth lines? (preferably one of her wickedly-dark snark-tastic linesJ)

Ryan: “When you kiss guys, do they drop dead from the venom that spews out of your mouth?”
Beth: “I wish, because I would have kissed you days ago.”

--Do you have a favorite scene?

The rain scene between Beth and Ryan!

--Can you tell us anything about your next book and when we’ll see it on bookshelves?

I’m currently working on Isaiah’s story, CRASH INTO YOU. I don’t have an exact release date yet.

--You’ve made a lot of YA contemporary romance “favorites” lists this year. Can you name a few of your latest favorites?

I love Trish Doller’s SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL!

Thanks, Katie, for taking the time to answer some questions!!

If you live in the US and would like a chance to WIN a signed copy of DARE YOU TO by Katie McGarry, simply leave a comment. Drawing will be held two weeks from today!

18 comments:

Lisa Tapp said...

Thanks for the interview, Collette. Katie's writing is amazing.

Kristin Lenz said...

Collette - Thanks for interviewing Katie. It's been such a thrill to meet her through this blog and see her debut novel take off and be so well received. I loved Pushing the Limits and now I need to pick up Dare You To. Kirkus gave it a starred review which is high praise indeed!

Rebe said...

I love that quote about Beth and kissing - that is too funny! I can't wait to read this one!

Stina said...

I love Pushing the Limits. I've read it four times (I was analyzing three of those times). The local bookstores don't have Dare You To (which is surprising), so I'll either download it or order it.

Kurt Hampe said...

Katie, Colette, well done as usual. As a still-sometimes reluctant reader, I'm happy you're being recognized for bringing more people and books together.

I'll be buying a copy at a signing, so people let one of our guests have my chance of winning.

Alyssa said...

OMG Katie McGarry! Ahhh, this book was so good. I got an eARC from NetGalley, and I devoured this book in a few hours. The rain scene WAS quite enjoyable! I loved how Ryan wanted a jar of rain. Reminded me of Jack Sparro and his jar of dirt :D

Congratulations on your latest release, Katie! I absolutely cannot wait for Crash Into You :)

And thank you for the giveaway! Signed thing! o.O

lilleetleet (at) verizon (dot) net

Ana Lucía said...

I would love to read this. Pushing the Limits was a favorite book of mine, I looooved it! Can't wait to read this one.

luarroyave(at)hotmail(dot)com

Chayse Sundt said...

Thanks for writing such an amazing book and I can not wait for the next book.

All the Ups and Downs said...

Loved, loved, loved Pushing the Limits & am dying to read Dare You To. I loved Beth in the first book and am thrilled she gets her own story =)

Inspiring interview =)


Twitter: @khal_khaleesi

Unknown said...

I absolutely adored Pushing the Limits so when I found out you were writing more I was so excited! I'm happy to hear that Noah and Echo will be making appearances in this book as well. I was a little disappointed when I found out Beth wouldn't be with Isaiah but I'm excited for her story, and his, none the less! Love the review! Can't wait to read Dare You To! :D

Sophia said...

Ooh, I can't wait!!! Thank you!

Bonnie @ A Backwards Story said...

Katie McGarry is one of my favorite new contemporary authors. I'm so glad to see such a great interview with her! Can't wait for more from her in the future!

Kelly L. said...

I love the cover of Dare You To, it's absolutely gorgeous! :D<3

Aleksandra said...

I ADORE Katie McGarry. She is amazing. I have to say Pushing The Limits is one of my favourite books! I'm eager to read more from her <3

Tammy said...

Loved Pushing The Limits and currently have Dare You To on hold at the library, can't wait to read!

Zandalee said...

Great interview! Thanks for posting. :)
I was such a fan of Pushing the Limits; I'm really looking forward to reading this. x

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed Pushing the Limits and can't wait to read Dare You To. This was a great interview and thanks for the giveaway!!!

Unknown said...

Pushing the Limits left me in a major reading slump! Hopefully, Dare You To will get me out of it!

Thanks for the great interview and giveaway :)