The Sunday Street Team aims to help authors promote their book. Every month, new authors are chosen and bloggers from across the interweb team up to help authors get the word out regarding their story. For more information, visit Nori's blog!
Hi cupcakes!
Today, I have the lovely Aprilynne Pike on the blog with me to answer some questions about her upcoming book GLITTER!
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Publisher: Random House
Release date: October 25th
Add it on Goodreads
Outside the palace of Versailles, it’s modern day. Inside, the people dress, eat, and act like it’s the eighteenth century—with the added bonus of technology to make court life lavish, privileged, and frivolous. The palace has every indulgence, but for one pretty young thing, it’s about to become a very beautiful prison.
When Danica witnesses an act of murder by the young king, her mother makes a cruel power play . . . blackmailing the king into making Dani his queen. When she turns eighteen, Dani will marry the most ruthless and dangerous man of the court. She has six months to escape her terrifying destiny. Six months to raise enough money to disappear into the real world beyond the palace gates.
Her ticket out? Glitter. A drug so powerful that a tiny pinch mixed into a pot of rouge or lip gloss can make the wearer hopelessly addicted. Addicted to a drug Dani can sell for more money than she ever dreamed.
But in Versailles, secrets are impossible to keep. And the most dangerous secret—falling for a drug dealer outside the palace walls—is one risk she has to take.
Now on to the interview, shall we?
In your book, the setting is a mix of the 18th century and modern days. If you had to pick one era to live in, which one would it be and why?
Sadly, if it had to be the one or the other, with no blending, it would have to be modern. I am a spoiled rotten brat and I love my modern amenities.
What would you have done if your parents had arranged a marriage without your consent?
What would you have done if your parents had arranged a marriage without your consent?
Ha! When I was in high school I thought the idea of an arranged marriage was really romantic! Having been married for fifteen years, I definitely would have a hard time marrying someone I didn’t choose for myself. Especially if I really, really despised them.
I just turned eighteen and I couldn't imagine getting married next week!
Do have a favorite quote, either from your story or in general?
Do have a favorite quote, either from your story or in general?
Neil Gaiman: “The most important part of childhood is just trying to remember it.” I heard him say that in a speech one time and instantly wrote it down. I think it’s important for any author writing for children of any age.
I absolutely adore Neil Gaiman and if I may add to your answer, another one of his quote I like is this one: "If you, as a parent, raise your children well, they won't need you anymore. If you did it properly, they go away."
Some authors write their story in six months, some take five years. How long did it take you to write Glitter? Was it a sudden inspiration? Or years of thinking it over and over?
Some authors write their story in six months, some take five years. How long did it take you to write Glitter? Was it a sudden inspiration? Or years of thinking it over and over?
It took me about two years. GLITTER was a super tumultuous book. I started it, left my agent, used it to get a new agent, wrote about four chapters of the book, had a rather explosive break up with that agent, wrote about a fourth of the book, got another agent, and it went out on two rounds of submissions while I wrote half of the book. After it sold I finished the book and I turned it in to my new editor just over two years after I’d first started it.
Is the genre you like to write the genre you like to read?
Is the genre you like to write the genre you like to read?
Yes and no. I really, really love YA, but there I times when I just need to read about grown-up problems. I have recently been reading a bunch of Lisa Unger books which I feel is a nice happy medium because almost every book I’ve read has a teen main character. (Usually out of like ten characters! Her books are epic!) I really like that blending of all ages.
Ouhh, I'll definitely check out her books!
If you could go back and edit one last thing, would you? What would it be?
If you could go back and edit one last thing, would you? What would it be?
I would probably add in a few more technical details as I’ve had to back-load them into the sequel a bit. But I’m also not one to look back much. Once my book is in, it’s in, and I avoid thinking about things that I can’t change. That way lies madness!
Did you have a say in the making of your book cover? (which is GORGEOUS by the way!)
Did you have a say in the making of your book cover? (which is GORGEOUS by the way!)
I didn’t! They sent me the cover and we all just adored it, and there was no arguing or fussing with it at all. If it had not felt right, I suspect my editor would have listened, but there was simply no need.
Names hold a lot of power. How did you decide which one to give to your characters?
Names hold a lot of power. How did you decide which one to give to your characters?
I have always loved the name Danica, to the point that I wanted to name a child that … but my husband really doesn’t like it. So I named my character that! For Justin, I wanted a very normal, conventional name for a very non-normal, non-conventional character. And Saber? He burst out fully formed and already named. He was so easy to write. No work at all.
Final question: what do you hope your readers take away from Glitter?
Final question: what do you hope your readers take away from Glitter?
That stories can be fun, and thought provoking, and exciting even without a role model. (Did I mention that my MC is an anti-heroine?)
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A big thank you to Aprilynne Pike for taking the time to answer my questions! GLITTER will be out October 25th so make sure to mark your calendars; you do NOT want to miss this one!
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A big thank you to Aprilynne Pike for taking the time to answer my questions! GLITTER will be out October 25th so make sure to mark your calendars; you do NOT want to miss this one!
Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway to have a chance to win a copy of GLITTER!
Take care lovelies,
Sophie
Take care lovelies,
Sophie
