Wednesday, February 27, 2019

OTBF 2019 AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Suzanne Young


It is that time of year...again! Events and places where teens, authors and books meet! For many booknerds and readers alike, we attend many book festivals and author events all over the United States. I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this blog tour for this event! And...I get to host one of the amazing authors that will also be in attendance! You'll find out who I'm hosting soon...after discussing some details about this fun event! And, of course, at the end of sharing all this exciting and fun information, there is an awesome Blog Tour GIVEAWAY...at the end of this post! So... Follow the tour and get to know all the authors before meeting them on March 9th!

Well, this coming March 2019, the City of Ontario will be holding their 9th Annual Ontario Teen Book Fest featuring various bestselling YA authors. Booknerds and fans of all ages are welcome to attend!

The event will be filled with a series of panels, break-out sessions, and keynote presentations! So, don't miss this fun-filled day of books and authors. Come and hang out with all these awesome authors and fellow booknerds alike!!!

When:
March 9, 2019, Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Where:
Colony High School
3850 E. Riverside Drive
Ontario, California 91761


Did I mention that to attend is absolutely FREE and it is NOT ticketed!

Ontario's Teen Book Fest is completely FREE to attend!
For more information on the Ontario Teen Book Fest, go to:

Sponsored by:

*Books and other stuff will be available for purchase during the event*

FREE lunch will be provided by:

Feel free to share this event on your social media!!! Use hashtag #ontariotbf


Join us as we celebrate teens and books with an amazing lineup of authors! And, of course, there will be signings as well! Yay! To celebrate this upcoming and exciting event, we are having a blog tour spotlighting each of these amazing authors!

Blog Tour Schedule:

February 26th:
Spotlight on Abdi Nazemian - What a Nerd Girl Says

February 27th:
Spotlight on Suzanne Young - Movies, Shows, & Books
Spotlight on Cindy Pon - Bookchelle

February 28th:
Spotlight on Isabel Quintero - Read Now Sleep Later

March 1st:
Spotlight on Amy Spalding - Nite Lite Book Reviews
Spotlight on Julie Buxbaum - My Fangirl Chronicles

March 2nd:

Spotlight on Kayla Cagan - Movies, Shows, & Books
Spotlight on Demetra Brodsky - Adventures of a Book Junkie

March 3rd:
Spotlight on Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka - BookCrushin'

March 4th:

Spotlight on Jeff Sweat - Movies, Shows, & Books
Spotlight on Robin Reul - What A Nerd Girl Says

March 5th:

Spotlight on Jessica Brody - The Readers Antidote

March 6th:
Spotlight on Stephanie Garber - Adventures of a Book Junkie

March 7th:
Spotlight on Jennifer Brody - Bookschief Managed
Spotlight on Carrie Arcos - Read Now Sleep Later

March 8th:
Spotlight on Nicole Maggi - Bookchelle
Spotlight on Mary Weber - BookCrushin'



Today, I have the great pleasure to spotlight this amazing YA author, Suzanne Young!
**About the Author**
Suzanne Young is the New York Times bestselling author of The Program series. Originally from Utica, New York, Suzanne moved to Arizona to pursue her dream of not freezing to death. She is a novelist and an English teacher, but not always in that order. Suzanne is also the author of Girls with Sharp Sticks, All in Pieces, Hotel for the Lost, and several others novels for teens.

Stay connected with Suzanne Young
    

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Suzanne's upcoming novel:
Genre:
Young Adult
Science Fiction/Dystopian Thriller
Series:
Girls with Sharp Sticks, #1
Publish Date:
March 19, 2019
Publisher:
Simon Pulse

Synopsis:
The Girls of Innovations Academy are beautiful and well-behaved—it says so on their report cards. Under the watchful gaze of their Guardians, the all-girl boarding school offers an array of studies and activities, from “Growing a Beautiful and Prosperous Garden” to “Art Appreciation” and “Interior Design.” The girls learn to be the best society has to offer. Absent is the difficult math coursework, or the unnecessary sciences or current events. They are obedient young ladies, free from arrogance or defiance. Until Mena starts to realize that their carefully controlled existence may not be quite as it appears.

As Mena and her friends begin to uncover the dark secrets of what’s actually happening there—and who they really are—the girls of Innovations will find out what they are truly capable of. Because some of the prettiest flowers have the sharpest thorns.


       
  

~~~

Praise for Girls With Sharp Sticks

"... Young (The Complication, 2018, etc.) holds a mirror up to modern society’s push for perfection and the still all-too-common repressive treatment of women and girls. Readers will be revved up for the inevitable uprising. Characters follow a white default; Jackson and one student have dark skin. Two of the girls are romantically involved.

Despite a few predictable sci-fi elements, this is a suspenseful and timely read. Readers will look forward to the sequel." ~ Kirkus Reviews

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Now that we know a bit about Suzanne Young and her book, let's get to the interview! Let's get to know her more... on a personal level... Shall we!?!

*Interview with Suzanne Young*
 1. Why write YA?
I love writing YA because I find freedom in the structure, plotting, and pacing. As a storyteller, I love the stakes in YA novels — which can range from realistic to outrageous — and feature characters who are both relatable and flawed. 


2. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?

I found my passion for storytelling in middle school. I’d write murder mysteries starring my friends. I didn’t think I’d get published, though. I wrote because I loved it. It wasn’t until years later that I got the guts to try for publication.


3. When your first book got published, where were you and what was your reaction?

My first book came out in 2010, and I sold it the year before. I was actually at work when I got the call. I was pretty shocked, but tried to play it cool. One of the ladies from the office came over and tossed a bunch of papers she cut up into tiny confetti. Then she bought me lunch. It was a pretty low-key and wonderful day.


4. What is your writing process?

My writing process changes for each book. Lately, I’ve found the structure of an outline easier to work with, but they weren’t helpful before. I think being open to changing can help keep things on track. So now, I write chapter summaries, some character sketches, and then I try my best not to stray too far.  


5. Describe your writing in seven words?

Raw, honest, devastating yet hopeful, and romantic. 


6. How do you spend your time when not writing?

I have three dogs and two kids, so I spend a lot of time cleaning. I also love to watch movies and go on long walks… No, really. I love long walks around the neighborhood. It helps clear my head.  


7. What or who is your source of inspiration when writing?

All of my published novels are dedicated to my grandmother, Josephine. Sadly, she passed away before any of them came out. But I write for her. She believed in me before I even believed in myself. 


 8. If you could do a writing collaboration with any author (living or dead), who would it be?

I’ve collaborated with a few authors in the past. I have a book JUST LIKE FATE with Cat Patrick and a series with Tom DeLonge called Poet Anderson. I like working with other artists, and if I had to decide, I’d love to write a creepy horror with Amy Lukavics (The Ravenous). 


9. Pets: dogs or cats? Why?

Dogs! I currently have three rescue dogs, but we’re thinking of adding a cat this summer. For me, I’ve had dogs since I was in college. In fact, I got my first dog while living in the dorm. I snuck him in for an entire semester without ever getting caught. Since then, I’ve had several rescues.



OMG! Wow! There you have it booknerds/fangirls & fanboys! We found out a little bit more, personal, about this amazing author, Suzanne Young! Be sure to come out and meet her... 

Thank you Suzanne for taking time from your busy schedule for this interview!


***The Giveaway***

Note: Not Responsible for Lost & Damaged Prizes in Your Mail Box
Blog Tour Organized by

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