Celebrating Debutanteres: Author Rebecc a Serle (Interview + Giveaway)

Meet the debut author of 2012 who, like author Sangu Mandanna, loves Hermione Granger, likes tweeting (insert: amazing) bloggers, believes in horoscopes and recently cried because of Google Chrome commercials...

Author Rebecca Serle

"What I'd say to readers is just, thank you. You guys make my job, and you make it so fun. Talking to you, emailing with you, tweeting with you, even if it's not about When You Were Mine are the best moments of my day. I hope we'll continue to grow together, and I hope I'll continue to give you books that are inspiring, challenging, and help us deal with and dialogue about things that matter."
- REBECCA SERLE, debut author of 2012


How was the feeling of being a published author, at last?

To be published is wonderful, because I get to share my work, which to me is the greatest gift a writer can receive. Of course I did that before I was published, and should there be a time, I will continue to do it if I'm not, but honestly? Being published is pretty great. It's the fulfillment of a life-long dream. I'm very lucky. 

What is/are the best thing/s that happened after your book was published?

Just connecting with readers and hearing how the book has touched them. So many young women have reached out who are going through heartbreak saying WYWM helped them. That's the best. What could be better? 

What do you think you're up to now if you're not writing?

When I'm not writing you can find me on twitter: @RebeccaASerle I have so much fun on there talking to bloggers and readers and gossiping about celebrities (my favorite subject!) I'm also a big workout junkie. I'm at pilates or a yoga class. 

Did you plan, all along, to write/publish a book with the genre of what you got right now?

This is an interesting question. I have always written, but YA wasn't really something I considered before When You Were Mine. I don't think of myself as a young adult author. I just consider myself to be an author. As it turned out, that particular story worked best in that genre. I have no doubt I will tell stories outside of YA, though. I'm a pretty curious writer by nature. 

Do you read reviews about your book?

Sometimes. People tweet me reviews and then I will read them. I consider it a great privilege to be reviewed-- someone took the time to read my work! I also love the dialogue of writing, and any format that allows me to correspond with readers. That being said, there are some cruel words out there, and I try to steer clear of those. I think it's important not to take anything personally, but at the same time, I'm human. I have to draw the line somewhere. 


(Sidenote: It was also our privilege to read wonderful books and talk to the person who ACTUALLY wrote it. It always felt surreal. Like now, with Celebrating Debutantes. I got to talk via email and interview the amazing debut authors of 2012! :)

What is your (best/fun/unforgettable) moment with a fan?

I LOVE the emails I get-- they are my absolute favorite-- all of them. But I also got to go to my own book club-- how cool is that? Forever Young Adult (www.foreveryoungadult.com) read When You Were Mine this past August and I went with the NYC city chapter to discuss it. Sitting around a table, chatting about a world you created with other smart, sweet readers? Pretty much a dream come true. 

(Sidenote: I swear people who came felt it was also a dream come true. ;)

Who is the character on your book who has the most response from your readers?

I think that depends. One character who people seem to feel really strongly about is Charlie, Rosaline's best friend. You either love her or you hate her! 

Which stresses you more: writing/finishing your book, looking for a publisher/getting your book published, or seeing negative feedback from the readers?

Well, the process of being published is a long one-- particularly the first time around. I had to go through it all-- will anyone like this? Will I find an agent? Will my agent find me an editor? And then: if it actually gets published, will everyone hate it? Some of those fears are gone, but not all. Publishing is dynamic, and you certainly never have to stop fighting for the stories you want to tell. But I write what I love, what I want to share, and that is the best I can do. Just working calms a lot of stress-- keep. writing. 

 Author you dream to work with?

There are so many! Deb Caletti is my favorite YA author. I adore her-- and I can say that, because I actually got to meet her! 

Fave character from a book (not yours)?

Hermione Granger. Is there another answer to this question?  

(Sidenote: *smiles* But I haven't read the HP series. Seriously.)

Did you read your book (like, from first page to last)? If you did, what did you felt?

I've read it so, so many times in edits, but as a bound book? Never. That would be terrifying.  

Tell us about your next project. 

I am so excited about this one! I can't tell you too much, but it's about a girl named Mcalister "Caggie" Caulfield and she lives on the Upper East side of Manhattan. It's a darker book, I think super romantic, and very New York. I'd say it's about love, loss, and what it means to be a hero-- pretty vague, huh? :) It will be out Spring 2014!

What's the recent thing that made you cry?

Those Google Chrome commercials - they kill me!  

When's your birthday?

January 2nd.  

Do you read/believe in horoscopes?

Absolutely, 100% yes.  

Fave movie?

Something's Gotta Give 

Fave artist/song?

Ahhhhh this is too hard.  

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book? :)

I threw a party. Well, I threw a few parties :)  

*****

REBECCA SERLE is a full-time writer, which means she gets to wear pajamas to work. She went to the University of Southern California, then got her MFA from the New School in NYC. (She likes New York much more than LA, but don’t tell anyone that.) Rebecca loves shiny hair, coffee, yoga, and pretending to be British. She, too, experienced heartbreak once. It worked out okay, though, because she turned the experience into this book. When You Were Mine is her first novel.

You can find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Visit her today: Website * Blog

What if the greatest love story ever told was the wrong one?

Find out the answer in Rebecca's debut novel!

When You Were Mine
by Rebecca Serle

Date published: May 1st 2012 by Simon Pulse

Summary (Goodreads):

In this intensely romantic, modern recounting of the greatest love story ever told, Romeo’s original intended—Juliet’s cousin Rosaline—tells her side of the tale. What’s in a name, Shakespeare? I’ll tell you: Everything.

     Rosaline knows that she and Rob are destined to be together. Rose has been waiting for years for Rob to kiss her—and when he finally does, it’s perfect. But then Juliet moves back to town. Juliet, who used to be Rose’s best friend. Juliet, who now inexplicably hates her. Juliet, who is gorgeous, vindictive, and a little bit crazy...and who has set her sights on Rob. He doesn’t even stand a chance.

     Rose is devastated over losing Rob to Juliet. This is not how the story was supposed to go. And when rumors start swirling about Juliet’s instability, her neediness, and her threats of suicide, Rose starts to fear not only for Rob’s heart, but also for his life. Because Shakespeare may have gotten the story wrong, but we all still know how it ends….






“When You Were Mine is one of those wonderful books that make you feel like you’re spending time with friends.  A sweet, fun, and utterly irresistible read.” 
 –Deb Caletti, author of The Nature of Jade

“By turns heart-stoppingly romantic and heart-poundingly exciting, When You Were Mine is a book you’ll want to make yours.”
–Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus New New York Times bestselling co-authors of The Nanny Diaries

“I cried, I swooned, I pumped my fist in triumph! When You Were Mine is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring, with enough sizzling romance and compelling drama to make Shakespeare jealous.” –Sarah (aka Poshdeluxe), founder of Forever Young Adult

“A powerful story about the thrill of first love and the devastation of first heartbreak.” –Leila Sales, author of Mostly Good Girls and Past Perfect

“I swooned. I cried. I loved, loved, loved this delicious novel.”– Sarah Mlynowki, author of Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn’t Have) and Gimme A Call

“Shakespeare ain’t got nothing on Rebecca Serle”- Foreveryoungadult.com


*****

Buy When You Were Mine now!

GIVEAWAY!

(Please READ these important details before jumping to the Rafflecopter! :)
- 3 SIGNED copies of When You Were Mine is up for grabs!
- open to US only.
- winners will be picked via Rafflecopter entries.
- the winning entries will be CHECKED. So please be honest in entering each one of them--you never know, it might be the winning entry.
- if the winners has not responded within 48 hours, another winner will be picked.
- all personal details will be kept privately and deleted after.
- Rebecca and I are not responsible for any lost or damaged packages.
- ends December 7th


* I would like to thank author Rebecca Serle for gladly participating in this event and Michael  Strother of Simon Pulse for providing THREE (3) SIGNED copies for the giveaway! You guys are really awesome! :)


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