What genre do
you write and why?
I write contemporary realistic fiction, which reflects the
lives of tween girls, ages 9-12. Lots of kids who aren’t big readers tell me
that they love my books, which really makes me so happy. While my books are
great for reluctant readers, they work for avid readers as well. There’s plenty
of dialogue and humor, but I always try to present an issue that will get girls
thinking.
I write for this age group because when I became a tween I
suddenly lost my confidence. I went from being a fairly confident kid to
someone who slipped into self-doubt. I thought--if only I were someone else, my
life would be better. So no true! When you are your truest self, your best
friends show up and you flourish. In my first book for tweens, Things Are Gonna Get Ugly, the main
character decides that the only thing that matters is popularity and drops her
interest in reading and school. She even cheats on tests. But through the book,
she has a chance to redeem herself (there’s even a bit of magic in it a la Freaky Friday). In my second book, The Hot List, I address what it’s like
when you’re in seventh grade and your best friend abandons you for another set
of friends. My main character goes to crazy lengths to try to win her best
friend back, which doesn’t turn out as planned.
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| http://amzn.to/1N4fZDy |
Tell us about your
latest book.
My latest
book, Queen of Likes, comes out this
month so I’m going to go ahead and throw some confetti right now. It’s probably
my favorite book (okay, my newest books are always my favorites lol). It’s
about tweens and social media and how it can go very wrong. I’m the parent of
two teens and a tween so I know about this--really and truly.
Here’s a
summary of the book: Like everyone at Merton Middle School, Karma
Cooper’s smart phone is almost another body part. She's obsessed with her likes
on Snappypic. Karma attends a classmate’s bar mitzvah and when she is called up
to sing, she’s in the bathroom on her phone (well, what else do you do in the
bathroom?). When her parents shut down her social media account and take away
her smart phone, Karma’s whole world crumbles. She has to figure out what she
actually likes and how to live life fully unplugged. Ultimately, Karma ends up
learning to do something because she LIKES it versus what others think. Set in
the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, this middle grade novel will jumpstart
conversations about how social media is changing the way in which tweens are
growing up.
What marketing methods
are you using to promote your book?
I’m so glad you asked that. I figured since
it’s a book about social media—well, I definitely had to use social media in
order to promote the book, right? My son, the singer songwriter Ari Eisenberg
(of the band Secure the Sun) wrote and posted an awesome song on Soundcloud
called, well, Queen of Likes (https://soundcloud.com/ari-eisenberg/queen-of-likes).
Also, a very talented young videographer, Cameron Lovie, made a book trailer,
which can be viewed on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDoojO03TVg&feature=youtu.be).
I also had young teens film themselves showing what they like to do. Those
shorts will be posted on Youtube during the months of April and May.
What formats is the
book available in?
ebook and paperback. They are both 7.99. Here
are some links http://amzn.to/1N4fZDy and http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781481445214
Who are your favourite
authors?
Jane Austen, Madeleine L’Engle, Clare Dunkle,
Judy Blume, Gail Carson Levine, Shannon Hale, Jaclyn Moriarty, Rainbow Rowell,
Paula Danziger, Richard Peck, Paul Zindel, Susane Colasanti, Sarah Dessen,
Cecil Castellucci, Louise Rennison and so many others!
What advice do you
have for other writers?
Write what you would to read! Don’t write what
you think you should write. If you enjoy guilty pleasure books, write one. If
you love mysteries, write one! Write about what gives you joy. Write regularly
and read a lot! Revise, revise, revise, and create a supportive community for
yourself by joining writers associations. In my field (children’s books) the
go-to group is the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. They
can help you locate critique partners. Also, consider taking some writing
classes. Naturally, I highly recommend programs where I teach—Hollins
University Summer Graduate Program in Children’s Book Writing &
Illustrating (https://www.hollins.edu/academics/graduate-degrees/childrens-literature-graduate-program/)
as well as the Children’s Book Academy (http://www.childrensbookacademy.com)
which is an interactive, online site.
What's your favourite
quote about writing/for writers?
Well,
I will have to use a quote Pulitzer Prize winning author Annie Dillard as she’s
a graduate of Hollins University where I teach.
Do not hoard what seems good
for a later place in the book, or for another book; give it, give it all, give
it now.”
—Annie Dillard
Where can people find
out more about you and your writing?
At my website hillaryhomzie.com, they can
follow me on Twitter @HillaryHomzie and like my new Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/Hillary-Homzie-97371546051/.
Did you learn anything
from writing your book that was unexpected?
I actually became obsessed with Twitter for a few months and,
suddenly, I understood social media addiction in a whole new way. For a long
time, I resisted social media. I think I worried it would take away from my
writing time too much. I remember my sister Leslie was on Facebook for months
before I joined and started a personal page. For years I had Twitter but wasn’t
active on it as it seemed so mysterious to me. But since my protagonist, Karma
Cooper, is a social media aficionado, I figured in order to completely get her
I had to be one too. Finally, I embraced Facebook and joined a bunch of
wonderful groups (some author communities) and I really am enjoying the
camaraderie. Same thing with Twitter. I
was even able to speak with one of my writing heroes, Judy Blume, through a
Twitter chat. Now I’m a believer. However, for a bit, I got a little too
obsessed and was compulsively checking it all the time and it was interrupting
my work flow. But I’m so grateful I plunged in as now I feel as if I fully
understood the good, the bad and the amazing part of social media!
When you’re not
writing, how do you spend your time?
I’m probably running my kids around to various activities,
cooking dinner, speaking with a critique partner, checking emails, on social
media, playing social secretary and trying to figure out my kids schedules,
reading a Hollins University MFA creative thesis, tidying up the house, talking
my giant labradoodle out for a walk, on the elliptical at the gym, or reading a
book and not in that order. I do try to sleep every night, although when I was
younger I would forgo that when on deadline. But these days I find I really do
need my sleep. I don’t write well in a zombie state. I do try to take the time
to give gratitude and thanks every day!
GIVEAWAY
author interview
books
ebooks
goddess fish
Hillary Homzie
Interview
interview feature
Jo Linsdell
Queen of Likes
Social Media
writers life
writing
11 Comments
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks so much!
DeleteIf you could live anywhere, where would it be?
ReplyDeleteIn northern California, exactly where I live now. I know that sounds lame but I love it here!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this giveaway with us.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, Becky!
DeleteI really enjoyed the interview and it hit home in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rochelle! Our kids are definitely having a very different childhood experience. It some ways better, in some ways more challenging.
DeleteGreat post - thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteSo happy to do so, Victoria!
DeleteGood luck with the release!
ReplyDelete--Trix
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