Author Interview: Jill Hathaway, Author of the Young Adult Novel SLIDE
Below find a Q&A with author Jill Hathaway, who is celebrating the release of her young adult paranormal thriller, SLIDE, (Balzar & Bray, March 2012). In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called SLIDE an “emotionally taut mystery with depth.” I always enjoy spotlight up-and-coming authors on my GLA Blog. Jill Hathaway grew up in Iowa and received her MA in literature from Iowa State University. A high school English teacher, she lives with her husband and children in the Des Moines area. You can visit her online at www.jillscribbles.blogspot.com.
GIVEAWAY: Jill is excited to give away a free copy of her novel to a random commenter. Comment within 2 weeks; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. (Update: Debbie won.)
What's the book about?
A girl who sees through the eyes of a killer.
Where do you write from?
Des Moines, Iowa.
(Why you should only query 6-8 agents at a time.)
What led up to this book?
I started writing seriously in 2007. I wrote a couple of crappy young adult novels before writing the rough draft of SLIDE.
What was the time frame for writing this book?
I wrote the rough draft along with my Creative Writing students during National Novel Writing Month. It did take me a few extra weeks to finish (plus manymanymany months to revise).
How did you find your agent?
I cold queried Sarah Davies (my agent) of Greenhouse Literary Agency, along with several others. When I received my first offer of representation, I let the agents who'd requested my manuscript know. Shortly after, Sarah offered representation. She guided me through the revision process and has been there for me every step of the way.
What were your 1-2 biggest learning experience(s) or surprise(s) throughout the publishing process?
I found out that SLIDE was first published in Hungary in February 2012. (It didn't come out in the U.S. until March.) I had no idea until a blogger sent me a note saying how much she loved it!
Looking back, what did you do right that helped you break in?
I think I came up with the right hook at the right time. Let's face it, luck counts for a lot in this business.
(What does that one word mean? Read definitions of unique & unusual literary words.)
On that note, what would you have done differently if you could do it again?
I would spend more time revising before I start the query process. I was so lucky that Sarah was willing to roll up her sleeves and work with me.
Did you have a platform in place? On this topic, what are you doing the build a platform and gain readership?
I have a blog, Twitter, and Facebook.
Website?
Next up?
The sequel IMPOSTER will be released in 2013.
GIVEAWAY: Jill is excited to give away a free copy of her novel to a random commenter. Comment within 2 weeks; winners must live in Canada/US to receive the book by mail. You can win a blog contest even if you’ve won before. (Update: Debbie won.)
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Other writing/publishing articles & links for you:
- How to Create Great Characters in Your Young Adult Novel.
- Literary Agent Interview: Kelly Sonnack of Andrea Brown Literary.
- A Children's Book Query That Worked: "The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic."
- How to Write Middle Grade Fiction.
- "How I Got My Agent," by Young Adult Writer Robin Mellom.
- 6 Tips on Writing Plays For Kids.
- Follow Chuck Sambuchino on Twitter or find him on Facebook. Learn all about his writing guides on how to get published, how to find a literary agent, and how to write a query letter.
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