Sunday, December 16, 2012

Celebrating Debutantes: Author Claire Merle (Interview + Giveaway)





Author Claire Merle

"I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to pick up my book and allowed the characters to take them on a roller-coaster journey. Those who have written to me, those who have left reviews, thank you. You’re the ones that give the book life. For those of you who haven’t read it, if you’re ready for a dark, twisty ride that’s totally unpredictable, I hope you’ll give it a try."

- CLAIRE MERLE, debut author of 2012


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

The first time I held a copy of my book was very exciting and surreal. I couldn't stop jumping around and then kind of freezing at how strange it was. I used to imagine walking into a bookshop and seeing my book on the shelves. For it to actually happen is amazing. 

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

Receiving emails from readers who loved the book and having other people ‘get’ what the my characters and story is all about. It’s an amazing feeling when a reader really engages and understands the different layers of the story. That sort of feedback for an author is incredible. 

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

No, but when I began writing The Glimpse I realised that it was going to fall into the Young Adult genre and began reading everything YA I could get my hands on. It was insta love! I love the optimism and energy that infuses YA fiction. It’s got that ‘anything is possible’ feel.

Are you interested in writing with different genre or audience?

I don’t have any plans at the moment to venture into adult or children’s fiction, but it all depends on the story I find myself drawn to.

Do you read reviews about your book?

I love to read reviews if people have tweeted me or sent me links. But I don’t generally seek them out as I found it becomes pretty distracting when you’re trying to write the follow up!

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

Cole, who becomes the main love interest, has drawn quite a bit of swooning. But the guy readers have the most questions about is Jasper, the boy Ana is supposed to marry. He’s something of an enigma in The Glimpse. In the follow-up book, The Fall, readers will get to spend more time with him, and I hope I’ll satisfy some of those questions!

Was there any book/s from other debut author of 2012 that you loved?

I’m currently reading Veronica Rossi's, Under the Never Sky and really enjoying it. I love the Smarteye concept and people being so deeply hooked into an online virtual world that they feel deeply lonely and strange coming out of it.

What's your next project?

I’ve just finished working on The Fall, the second and final part of The Glimpse Duet. This isn’t the official blurb, but here’s an idea of what’s in store: 

Ana has escaped her father and made it to the Enlightenment Project – a secluded sect living on the outskirts of City. But back in the arms of Cole nothing is simple. Some in the Project believe her presence jeopardises their safety, others interpret her coming as part of their prophetic Writings. When a recording she stole from her father goes viral, casting doubt on the Pure tests, the Project comes under attack. Now Ana’s father isn’t the only one looking for her. She’s been thrown under the radar of the Chairman of the Board, a powerful woman with a sinister plan. Ana must take greater risks than ever to unravel the truth and discover the secrets that lie beneath the Pure test. But unlike her father, the Chairman doesn’t want her safely home. She wants Ana’s spirit crushed, permanently. And she will destroy everyone Ana cares about to do it.

Share us one embarrassing moment you've had.

In France kids start nursery school at three-years-old. I was heavily pregnant and I drove my 3-year-old son forty-five minutes through Paris traffic to school to realise he wasn’t wearing any shoes. I had to park up and carry him in. Understandably the teachers looked at me like I was a barmy British woman as I attempted to explain this embarrassing oversight. 

What's the recent thing that made you cry?

‘Me Before You,’ by Jojo Moyles.

When's your birthday?

March

Fave movie?

Ooh, I love so many I can’t answer that. But one of my favourite directors is Chistopher Nolan who wrote/directed Inception, Memento and The Prestige.

Fave artist/song?

This changes all the time. At the moment Killers ‘Mr. Brightside’ is high up there.

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

Dinner out with my husband, kids at home. Lovely.

*****


Claire wrote her first paranormal screenplay at the age of thirteen and named it after a road sign. DANGER ALIVE never made it to the big screen, but she continued to write and daydream her way through school and university, graduated with a BA (Hons) in Film Studies, and spent the next few years working in the British Film Industry. 
Claire now lives in France with her French husband and two young sons, and is an advocate for Human Rights.


Website * Group Blog * Facebook * Twitter





The Glimpse
by Claire Merle
(The Glimpse #1)

Published: June 7th 2012 by Faber & Faber

Summary (Goodreads):


In a near future, society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell.

Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears.

Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not intefere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society, and as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper’s abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe.


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Praises for The Glimpse

«...I just cannot find the words to describe this book. It's breathtaking. Honestly, I can say that this is one of the best books I have read in a very long time.» Catherine Bakes, The Bookbag.

«Intriguing concept and pacy plot keeps the reader gripped till the very last page.» Peters Bookselling Services, Book of the Week.

«...a story that'll leave you turning pages long after the book has finished... The Glimpse is surely one of the best books I’ve read in 2012» Priya, RavenFicReviews.

«... I absolutely loved this book. I haven't read very many books this year that I fell head over heels in love with, so it was really refreshing to read The Glimpse. Dystopian lovers and fans of Pandemonium need to go get this book immediately. It was that good. It was really hard for me to put this book down. I ended up dreaming about it.» Nichole, YA Reads.




Buy The Glimpse now!

40% off from Book Depository!
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery






GIVEAWAY!

(Please READ these important details before jumping to the Rafflecopter! :)
- win a SIGNED copy of The Glimpse
- open INTERNATIONALLY!
- one winner will be picked via Rafflecopter entries.
- the winning entry will be CHECKED. So please be honest in entering each one of them--you never know, it might be the winning entry.
- if the winner has not responded within 48 hours, another winner will be picked.
- all personal details will be kept privately and deleted after.
- Claire and I are not responsible for any lost or damaged packages.
- ends January 2nd.


a Rafflecopter giveaway





56 comments:

  1. I want to read the glimpse because I've heard so many good things about this book and I love the book cover! :)

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  2. That sounds like a really good YA dystopia. Sounds interesting and exciting.

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  3. I want to read it because I suffer with mental illness, so I think this would be an interesting read =)

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  4. I love dystopian reads and the reviews look good for this book!

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Leanne

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  5. I'm so happy this is international! So excited to read the book!

    P.S. Mr. Brightside is one of my faves too. :)

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  6. I've read a lot of awesome reviews for Glimpse and have been dying to read it since it came out.
    Thanks :)

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  7. the story sounds interesting..make me wanna read glimpse :)

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  8. Oooh love the cover! I've read such postive reviews for Glimpse I must read it for myself =) Thank you for the giveaway!

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  9. This has been on my TBR for some time now but I haven't bought it yet!
    Thanks for the giveaway. :)

    -Tiffany

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  10. Have had this on my wishlist for awhile! It sounds really good!! Thanks for the giveaway!!

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  11. It's already on my TBR list for months!
    Hopefully I could win it through this giveaway :D
    Thanks!

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  12. because it's fascinating me

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  13. I love dystopias and this sounds amazing!

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  14. It has been on my TBR shelf for a while now :D!

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  15. I love dystopians, I've hears so many great things about it and I do like the cover. Thanks!

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  16. I`ve actually already read it and really really enjoyed it, so I`d like to win a copy for myself :) This book is in my 2012 top 10 favorite books :D
    Thanks for a chance to win!

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  17. I've wanted it since I saw it. It was love at first cover sight. :)

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway!

    Lily

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  18. I seriously love the cover. I like the plot and I want to kmow more. ;)

    -Riz B.

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  19. This sounds like an awesome YA novel!

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  20. This looks like a great book! Can't wait to read it!

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  21. I love dystopian and this one sounds especially good! thanks for the chance!

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  22. Interesting book!Thank you for this giveaway!

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  23. I love dystopians. End of story. :D

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  24. I really like the cover and it looks like an interesting book! Thank you for this giveaway and for the interview!

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  25. This sounds really good! I love reading dystopians! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  26. Dystopians are my favority ^^ I love the fantasy and the mystery of a new world :) and the cover looked amazing as well! - Thank you for the lovely giveaway! x

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  27. I have read The Glimpse and I absolutely loved it. I would love to win a signed copy but if I don't win I'm still glad that others could discover this wonderful book. Thanks for making this international! :)

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  28. Most of my friends read it and loved it and they are always saying that i must read it too so.... :) And i love dystopians!!!!

    Elena Feltri

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  29. I love dystopian novels and stories about eugenics.

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  30. Thanks for the giveaway and interview!

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  31. It sounds so creepy and I love the girl power idea behind it :D

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  32. This is a new title for me and it sounds like quite a ride. I definitely want to know what happened to Jasper and how Ana takes care of business. Thank you for sharing with us and for this treat of a giveaway opportunity.

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  33. This looks great! Can't wait to read it!

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  34. I heard a lot about this book and I really want to read it.

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  35. I've heard lots of praise for this book and I want to read it:) thanks for the giveaway!

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  36. I've heard a lot of good things about this book and I can't wait to read it!

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  37. I have read some interesting reviews on this book and I would love to read it! :)

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  38. I love dystopians and this one looks cool. love the cover and I hope I win!

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    1. Oopsy..I entered my commenting name as Ashfa in the RC.. sorry...

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  39. The book's blurb sounds so interesting! And the reviews/interviews make it sound so much better!

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  40. So cool that you liked Under the Never Sky, it was one of my favorites of the year.

    Walking into a bookshop and seeing your book there for the first time must have been one of those moments in life. :)

    Lovely interview, thank you for this event ladies.

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  41. I would love to read this book, it sounds like it's right up my alley. Love the dystopian genre

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  42. books with a mental illness theme really interest me.

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  43. I've read a number of dystopian books and I don't think I'd want to miss this one.

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  44. The cover is so cute and expressive and i like so much how the story sound. I think it will be a good lecture.

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  45. The book sounds really interesting

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  46. The cover is great! I like the summary and it sounds like a great book.

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  47. I want to read The Glimpse because I know what it's like to be looked down upon due to mental illness, and because this sounds like a fun, inspiring book of overcoming and winning.

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  48. I want to read The Glimpse because I love all about this book, the cover, the story.

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  49. It's dystopian and I love dystopians and it seems so good!!!

    May the odds be ever in my favor! lol

    Have a Happy New Year <3

    And thanks for the giveaway =]

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