April 26, 2012

Interview & Giveaway w/ Unraveling author, Elizabeth Norris.





1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and you newest release, UNRAVELING. 

Unraveling is about Janelle Tenner. Two days before the first day of her junior year, she gets hit by a car and dies. Only then she wakes up and vaguely recognizes a boy who guys to her high school. It's Ben Michaels, a guy she's never really talked to. Despite all logic, she's sure he's somehow brought her back to life.

Janelle's dad is an FBI agent working on a tough case. People are dying of radiation poisoning and they've found and unidentified explosive device counting down to something that could be the end of the world.

And the more Janelle learns about Ben and her father's case, the more she thinks they're connected.

I used to live in San Diego, where the book is set. I was a high school teacher there for several years and some of my students are the best people I've ever met. Now I live in New York and read and write a lot.

2. What was it like for you when you found out UNRAVELING was going to be published?

I was incredibly shocked. I've always written a lot and when I was in high school I really wanted to be an author, but after one terrible writing conference I decided that maybe publishing wasn't for me. So I continued to write, but just for me because it was something I enjoyed. When I moved to NY, a friend of mine convinced me to join a writing group with him, and I shared the beginning of Unraveling with the group. They loved it and my friend encouraged me to show it to Janet Reid.

Janet became my agent, submitted the book, and sold it, all in less than a week. So for weeks afterwards, I felt like I was walking around in a daze. I was just so grateful that I'd written something that I loved and other people loved it too.

3. Lately it seems books are being picked up for TV series, or movies, if UNRAVELING were to be optioned for either, who would you cast as Ben and Janelle?

I absolutely adored Hailee Steinfeld in True Grit--she was so amazing. I think she would make a great Janelle.

Ben is much tougher for me to cast, mostly because I'm just not familiar with many teen actors. I always picture him to look a little like James Franco from his Freaks and Geeks days back in the late 90s. But if anyone has a better suggestion, I'm all for it.

4. How did you come up with the idea for UNRAVELING?

The short answer is I was a little heartbroken. My boyfriend and I were doing long distance and it was tough, and we'd just had an argument. I was feeling a little dramatic about how it wasn't fair that I loved someone who lived in a different city, and that got me thinking about characters who fall in love but are from different worlds.

At the same time, I really wanted to read a YA book that had some small science fiction elements and had some kind of thriller aspect. So I started brainstorming and threw all my energy into the book so I wouldn't worry about whether the boyfriend and I would stay together (we did :) and Unraveling was the result.

5. If you can pick ONE song that can describe Janelle's life, what song would that be?

"We Are Broken" by Paramore. It was definitely a big inspiration for me while I was writing both Unraveling and the sequel.

6. Can you tell us if there is going to be a part two?

There is! It'll be out some time in 2013.

The next question is if it is a series :-)

7. How many books can we expect?

Right now, at least two. Unraveling sold in a three book deal so I'm doing a third book. I'm just not sure yet if it will be a third book about Janelle and Ben or something new.

8. What are you working on now?

I'm actually working on a couple short stories in the world on Unraveling. They're from Ben's POV and they take place before, during, and after the novel.

Thank you!

Links:
WebsiteGoodReadsFacebookTwitter


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Giveaway!

Elizabeth Norris is giving away a SIGNED COPY of Unraveling + some swag to one lucky visitor! All you have to do is following the rafflecopter below. 


About Unraveling:
Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she's opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn't possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.

But her revival, and Ben's possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father's files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what's right in front of her: Everything that's happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben's sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she's going to need to uncover Ben's secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.

From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl's fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.


Book Trailer:








Rules:
  • You can find our contest rules HERE.
  • US ONLY
  • Must be 13 or older to enter. 
  • Winner will be chosen at Random using Rafflecopter.
  • Winner will be announced on our Facebook and Twitter page. 
  • Contest will end one week from today. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Stop by all the other stops:
Wednesday 4/18: Liz Norris
Friday 4/20: Two Chicks on Books 
Monday 4/23: Justin's Book Blog
Tuesday 4/24: Release Day
Wednesday 4/25: My Five Monkeys 
Thursday 4/26: Good Choice Reading
Friday 4/27: Mindy Ruiz 
Monday 4/30: Literary Exploration
Thursday 5/3: Shortie Says



70 comments:

  1. This book looks awesome!!!!! I can't wait to read it. Thank you for doing the giveaway.

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  2. I've been hearing so many good things about this book. I'm looking forward to reading it. (Plus, I love that Paramore song.)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  3. I loved the story of how she got published! Its very encouraging and I can't wait to read Unraveling!

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  4. Oooh. I want to read the book! It would be awesome to read the short stories.

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  5. I can't wait to read this book! Love the idea of a young James Franco look to a character. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  6. Elizabeth welcome to NY. I hope the city and its people are treating you well. We new yorkers are friendly and kind. :)

    The story sounds great and different, I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  7. Hi Elizabeth! Can't wait to read your book...I've heard so much about it (only good things)! And thanks for the giveaway. =D
    ~Shelby
    http://gobsandgobsofbooks.blogspot.com/

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  8. Love the song you picked to describe Unraveling! It was one of my favorites from Paramore :)

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  9. I was born in San Diego, so I'm excited to see what the book talks about according to the present day San Diego! Thanks for doing this giveaway!

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  10. This book sounds so good. I cant wait to read it! And to look forward to other POV's makes it that much better!

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  11. I love hearing about inspiration for books.
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  12. It's a good thing you and your boyfriend got into a fight or we may never have gotten the chance to read Unraveling!

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  13. Wow, it's so awesome how she had her doubts about the book being published and then BAM, people loved it and made things happen.

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  14. I think this is so exciting!!! A 3-book deal, AND short stories in the works - I hope to read everything :)

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  15. great interview! i love to read about how the books come to be : ) i can't wait to read this one!!

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  16. This book sounds so awesome. I cant wait to read it. butterfli262002@yahoo.com

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  17. I too love Paramore!

    And what an awesome way to get inspired for a book - and what's even better is that Elizabeth and her boyfriends stayed together:))

    I'd love to read from Ben's POV!!

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  18. I think it's great that Elizabeth thought about the type of YA book she would like to read and then set out to write it. She could have just written one that fit into the current type only thinking about the probably financial reward. I think that if you believe in yourself rewards, monetary or otherwise, will follow. Congratulations that yours have, Elizabeth!

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  19. Wow, what an interesting way to get an idea for a book! My daughter is in a long distance relationship for a year now. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  20. I would love to have this book for our Highschool library. Thanks for the chance

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  21. I'm a big fan of YA literature, especially anything with a paranormal hint to it. I did the long distance thing once about 46yrs ago and it only lasted a couple of months before she moved on. We were both in high school and met when she was in NY visiting a cousin that I knew.

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  22. Great interview! I loved James Franco in Freaks and Geeks! Thank you for the giveaway! :)

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  23. Loved the interview!! It's really interesting to know that there are options for the third novel. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

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  24. Thanks for a very fun post! This book sound awesome! Definitely adding to my wishlsit!

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  25. Great interview! I can't wait to read this book!

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  26. Great interview! I'm really excited to read Unraveling!

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  27. So excited to read this and I love James Franco so that definitely makes me want it even more!

    *entered as Rachelle

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  28. I have heard such great things about this book! At first I wan't so sure but everybody is saying that it was great. The interview was good I also loved Hailee Steinfeld in True Gritt!

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  29. The book sounds great. I think that it was very wise to throw yourself into a project rather than worrying about a boyfriend. :)

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  30. Great interview! I love the song "We Are Broken" by Paramore! I just watched the trailer to this like two hours ago, it looks really good. Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  31. Wonderful interview! It's so amazing that the book sold so fast - really looking forward to reading it!

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Leanne

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  32. Great interview! The book sounds awesome! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  33. This book sounds so interesting! It's so on my TBR list. XD

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  34. How cool that this is a series. I didn't know that. Quick, rush me part one so I can get ready for two and three. Thanks.

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  35. I can't wait to read this series. Thanks for the giveaway. Tore923@aol.com

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  36. I've been hearing so much about this book recently and I can't wait to read it. Thanks for doing a giveaway for it!

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  37. Oh, nice pick with We are Broken! Love Paramore! :) Can't wait to read this!

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  38. I just love it when an author does short stories that gives the POV from another character in the story

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  39. Thanks for the giveaway! I love that Janelle's song would be "We Are Broken" by Paramore. They are my favorite band, which makes me kind of love Janelle a little bit. :)

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  40. Interesting interview. Especially how Unraveling came to be. I'd totally watch the series if Unraveling were optioned to be a TV show!

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  41. Sounds like a great YA book and read! What plans do you have after Unraveling series?

    Wendy/books4me

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  42. Great interview! I always wonder if its easier for an author to write the whole book or the short stories to follow :)

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  43. I would love to read this book. I love the song picked and the inspiration for the book.

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  44. Long-distance love. That is tough. I'm glad it worked out. I'm really looking forward to reading Unraveling. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  45. I am so excited to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway=)

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  46. Wonderful interview:) I love that there will be at least one more book. It sounds great and I love books that are in a series:)

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  47. I've heard a lot about Unraveling and really looking forward to reading it. Thank you for the chance to win!

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  48. I think it's cool that you might do something different with your third book - trilogies are kind of over done right now. Not that I don't love a good trilogy, but it's exciting to think that this might be a two-book sereies!

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  49. i enjoyed the interview and the fact that there is at least one more book in this series

    catherine0807 at hotmail dot com

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  50. I really enjoyed the interview. It is funny (not funny ha ha, but funny curious) to me how many books or songs or poems come to be because of relationship highs or (mostly) lows. It is truly amazing the amazing, huge stories and songs that can grow from your heartbreak. And watching the heartbreak evolve into something great has to be incredibly healing. Thanks so much for this interview and the giveaway!

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  51. Thanks for the great interview! I love how insightful they are to the author's personality and/or book(s). Thanks as well for the great giveaway!!!

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  52. When I read a series I like, I really enjoy the short stories that sometimes come with them. Frequently, they give secondary characters a chance to shine.

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  53. Interesting how you came up with the story of just something going on in your life. That's food for thought. Maybe I could do something like that but on a smaller scale - like preschooler size. I couldn't bite off a bigger bite if I wanted to. thanks for the interview and giveaway tour. I have only read raving reviews!!

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  54. Awesome Interview this book sounds so good I have read many wonderful things about it so thank you for the awesome giveaway.

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  55. I love when authors write short stories that go along with their books. It just adds this whole new dimension to the world and story. Always a sign of a good author, that they truly know their characters and the story! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  56. So glad that there's more. Unraveling is mind-blowingly awesome.

    Also, holy crap, I think that may be the fastest anyone got a book deal ever. :-p

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  57. I So loved this book. I hated parting with it, but it was an ARC tour and I had to send it on. What excites me most is hearing of possible short stories w/ Ben's pov, that would awesome to read:)

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  58. I was recommended to read this book after I finished Obsidian by Jennifer Armentrout... now that's quite a recommendation! I can't wait to read this one :)
    Thanks for the interview!!!!
    Alyssa Susanna

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  59. I love that she was inspired to write this through heartbreak. Can't wait to check it out.

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  60. Very nice review. Those would be good casting choices.

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  61. Loved the interview! And now when I read I'll picture that girl from True Grit as the character.

    Book sounds great!

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  62. thanks for the interview and the give a way!!!!!!!! :D

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  63. Awh, I love this interview! I'm glad Liz and her boyfriend made it through their trouble. And that she ended up writing this book, of course!

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  64. I love this interview! As a teacher, I agree that some of my students are the bravest people I have ever met!

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  65. I love Hailee Steinfeld. I pretty much imagine her as most YA characters. lol Great interview, found it interesting how the author was inspired to write the story.

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  66. Thanks for the interview! I wasn't sure if I should read this book before the interview, but not I really want to! :)

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  67. Great interview! I have been hearing such good things about your Unraveling and have been wanting to pick it up. I wonder is going to be an X-files type of story with some aliens/mutants? Thanks for the chance at a great giveaway!

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  68. Great interview. Looking forward to reading it.

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  69. Cool interview. I love you song choice. Can't wait to check this one out.

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