Friday, December 28, 2012

Celebrating Debutantes: Author Elizabeth Norris (Interview + Giveaway)


We're down to the second to the last debut author!

Today, let's welcome the author who wrote a sci-fi novel, next project is a contemporary mystery and has plans into writing a fantasy, middle grade and adult book!



Author Elizabeth Norris

"Someone was quoting Unraveling and me, and I just feel really awed. I couldn't stop smiling that whole day."

- ELIZABETH NORRIS, debut author of 2012








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

It's a strange feeling. There's so much waiting and then so much whirlwind craziness when it comes to publishing a book. When Unraveling first came out I was so excited but also so nervous. I hadn't even let my family or friends read the book, and I was really afraid they wouldn't like it. I think my best moment and the moment when it really sunk in that I was a published author(!) was when I was on tumblr and I saw a post with a cool quote...that seemed really familiar. And then I realized it was familiar because I wrote it! Someone was quoting Unraveling and me, and I just feel really awed. I couldn't stop smiling that whole day. 

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

The MTV news was really cool. I can only imagine how awesome it would feel to see my book on screen as a TV show. But I think the best thing that happened after publication is much more personal. My long distance relationship became not long distance, and I gained more confidence in my writing. 

Are you interested in writing with different genre or audience?

Some day I'd love to write a middle grade book or an adult book. I have ideas, it's just a matter of having the time. I also have a fantasy idea that is my baby. It's that book that I've been working on and thinking about since I was 18. Who knows if it will ever get published or if it would fit better as YA or adult, but it's definitely a labor of love in the back of my mind.  

Do you read reviews about your book?

Not really. If bloggers tweet or email them to me I read them, but I don't seek them out. I'm really glad I've written something that makes people feel things, but reviews are for people who want to decide whether they're going to read the book. Not really for me.

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

I was in San Diego at Mysterious Galaxy for a signing and two fans brought me a carne asada burrito from Roberto's--which is what Ben gets for Janelle (it's her favorite) in the book. Also at that same signing, a fan gave me a letter inviting me to Hogwarts (I'd totally be Ravenclaw) and it was awesome. 

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

Janelle and Ben. People either really like or really don't like Janelle. (I think that's a strong personality thing). Then a lot of people really love Ben, which is great. I love him too. 

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

There were so many--Two highlights of my reading from debut authors though were Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood and Brain on Fire by Susannah Calahan (an insanely good adult memoir).

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

I read it from first page to last in several stages, but when it was actually the final book, I didn't. I was in the middle of editing the sequel when it came out and I was trying to get everything to fit together right and I didn't want to somehow mess that up. I'm actually about to do my first pass pages (the almost final step) of Unbreakable and I'm going to sit down and read it out loud from first page to last because that will help me catch any errors. 

Tell us about your next project.

So obviously, there's Unbreakable, which is the sequel to Unraveling. That comes out April 23rd. Then the project I'm finishing up right now is my novella, which is three stories from Ben's POV which will actually come out before Unbreakable on March 15th. Then my next project is a contemporary mystery that I'm really excited about. It takes place in a seasonal beach town that's famous for things like homemade fudge, boardwalk carnivals, saltwater taffy, and the high profile abduction of a six year old girl. The book opens eleven years later when she comes back--alive. 

Share us one embarrassing moment you've had.

This is pretty embarrassing (and not the smartest thing I've done), but I was a competitive swimmer, and when I was a junior in high school I was at a meet in upstate NY and swam the first event Friday night and then was hanging around with a bunch of friends for the right of the meet. We ended up playing a card game where the winner had to dare the loser to do things. When I lost, I was dared to moon the pool deck from this small room upstairs (it had a window that looked down on deck). I thought no one would see me because no one would really be looking up there. But right before I did it, my friend pounded on the glass and everyone on deck looked up--and everyone in the stands (all the parents) looked over and saw me. I had a write an apology letter which my coach taped up to a bulletin board on the main entrance for the next two days of the meet.

Fave joke?

One of my best friends from high school always used to tell this joke about a guy who bought a hundred bricks to build a wall, but it only takes 99 so he throws the last one up in the air. It's not funny at all, but she would just laugh hysterically while she told it which made it really funny. Then of course she'd tell another joke which ended with a brick crashing through a window. (Still not funny unless she was telling it) 

What's the recent thing that made you cry?

I'm terrible. I cry all the time. Last night I watched Scandal and got all teary during a flashback between Olivia and Fitz.

When's your birthday?

March 

Do you read/believe in horoscopes?

I read them. I only believe them when they're good. 

Fave movie?

There are so many, but one of my all time favorites is Donnie Darko

Fave artist/song?

I love anything by Adele and Florence + The Machine, but right now I'm really into Lights by Ellie Goulding. It's sort of the theme song for something I'm working on. 

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

I invited a bunch of friends to join me at Flute, a champagne bar in NYC and we hung out and had drinks.  

*****

Elizabeth Norris briefly taught high school English and history before trading the San Diego beaches and sunshine for Manhattan's snowpocalyptic winters. She harbors dangerous addictions to guacamole, red velvet cupcakes, sushi, and Argo Tea, fortunately not all together. Unraveling is her first novel.

Blog * Tumblr * Facebook (Author / Unraveling Series) * Twitter



The debut

Unraveling
by Elizabeth Norris
(Unraveling #1)

Published: Published April 24th 2012 by Balzer + Bray

Summary (Goodreads):


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.

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Praises for Unraveling:

“This high-stakes thriller—complete with mind-bending sci-fi twist—will hook you and never let go.”— Pittacus Lore, #1 New York Times bestselling author of I Am Number Four

“If Veronica Mars snatched a case from Mulder and Scully, you’d get this fast-paced page-turner. With a heroine full of moxie, wicked surprises around every corner, and non-stop action, UNRAVELING is an irresistible thriller.” - Andrea Cremer, New York Times bestselling author of the Nightshade trilogy 

“Leav[es] the reader wanting more and begging for a sequel to this multilayered debut.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“Readers will enjoy the nonstop action and romance.” - School Library Journal

“A satisfying puzzle full of novel twists and provocative clues.” - Publishers Weekly




Buy Unraveling now!

buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery



The novella 
Undone by Elizabeth Norris (Unraveling #1.5) 
Three stories from Ben's perspective, one that takes place a year before Unraveling, one that takes place during Unraveling, and one that takes place between Unraveling and Unbreakable.

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The sequel


Unbreakable
by Elizabeth Norris
(Unraveling #2)

Expected publication: April 23rd 2013
by Balzer + Bray

Summary (Goodreads):

Four months after Ben disappeared through the portal to his home universe, Janelle believes she’ll never see him again. Her world is still devastated, but life is finally starting to resume some kind of normalcy. Until Interverse Agent Taylor Barclay shows up. Somebody from an alternate universe is running a human trafficking ring, kidnapping people and selling them on different Earths—and Ben is the prime suspect. Now his family has been imprisoned and will be executed if Ben doesn’t turn himself over within five days.

And when Janelle learns that someone she cares about—someone from her own world—has become one of the missing, she knows that she has to help Barclay, regardless of the danger. Now Janelle has five days to track down the real culprit. Five days to locate the missing people before they’re lost forever. Five days to reunite with the boy who stole her heart. But as the clues begin to add up, Janelle realizes that she’s in way over her head—and that she may not have known Ben as well as she thought. Can she uncover the truth before everyone she cares about is killed?
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Pre-order Unbreakable now!
buy the book from The Book Depository, free delivery



GIVEAWAY!
- win a SIGNED copy of Unraveling AND pre-order of the digital novella, Undone
- 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.
- Elizabeth and I are not responsible for any lost or damaged packages.
- ends January 13th

* I would like to thank Elizabeth Norris for droppin' by today and for the donation of her books for the giveaway!


Previous author (Dec. 27th): Rachel Harris
Next author (Dec.29th): Ingrid Paulson
Intro post/CD page


60 comments:

  1. I LOVE Unraveling, and it was nice to know more about Elizabeth. :)

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  2. Yeah. I am DYING to read Unbreakable :D But omg. I VERY VERY VERY much want a signed copy of Unraveling :D I loved that book so much. <3 It was just perfect. And ah. I adore Elizabeth :) She's amazing. <3 Thank you for this interview + giveaway :D *fingers crossed.* <3
    Love, Carina

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  3. The book was amazing love Ben! to bad he had to go home

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  4. I LOVE Elizabeth and Unraveling! Its an amazing book! I cant wait to get my hands on the sequel! :')
    Thank you for this giveaway!

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  5. This is fantastic!! Thank you for the giveaway!!

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  6. This series looks great and I've heard a lot of great things about it. Thanks for the post and giveaway!

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  7. I am in desperate need of a signed copy of UNBREAKABLE - so my signed copy of UNRAVELING won't be lonely! ;-) One of my top three favorites of 2012!!

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  8. I still really need to read Unraveling! I love that the moment it sunk in that she was a published author was when she found someone quoting her book online. That must be such a strange, but amazing feeling. :)

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  9. I feel the same way about horoscopes. Like them only on 5 stars days!

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  10. I´ve read and loved Unraveling, can´t wait to read Unbreakable.

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  11. Really cool! I'm so looking forward reading this series, it looks awesome!

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  12. I LOVED Unraveling! It's one of my top 2012 books. And I can't wait for Unbreakable and Undone :)

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  13. I've wanted to read Unraveling for a long long time. It seems like a very genius book about Multiverse. THAT is absolutely awesome. Hope I win!! Thanks for the chance! :)

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  14. I really want to discover this series now ^^

    thank you a lot for the interview and the international giveaway

    all the best

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  15. The books seem interesting and Elizabeth so nice.Thanks gor this giveaway!

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  16. I'm so excited for this book:) Thanks for the giveaway:)

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  17. Awesome post dude, and thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  18. Great interview! This book seems super interesting!

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  19. I haven't read Unraveling yet but I totally want to and it makes me kind of glad that I also have a March birthday. Whee.

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile

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  20. I loved Unraveling! It was one of my favorite reads this year. It's one of those books that you just can't put down. I can't wait for the sequel. Thanks for having the giveaway.:)

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  21. Lovely interview! Ellie Goulding is amazing, my favorite song from her is The Writer. :3
    Would love to read Unraveling. Thank you for the chance, ladies!

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  22. Fantastic interview, thanks for the giveaway!!

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  23. Great interview! If I wrote a book, I know I couldn't resist reading reviews on it LOL. Thanks for the giveaway! (:

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  24. I heard so much about this book and the author is so nice. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  25. I approve of Elizabeth's Norris's music tastes: Ellie Goulding, Adele, Florence + The Machine's music are pure ear candy<3

    Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

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  26. i wanna read this book so much !!
    thx u for the opportunity :)

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  27. First of all thanks for the giveaway! Second, please please please let the winner be me!!1 ME ME ME ME ME !!!
    Love, LOVE,love this book *sobs*

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  28. I think this sounds amazing! Can't wait to read more about Janelle and Ben!

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  29. I like everything about this book! The title, the cover, the blurb... I would love to read it. thanks fo the chance!

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  30. One of my friend just read this and said it was fantastic. I'm dying to read it now.

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  31. STILL haven't gotten round to reading this but I definitely must.. I'm a suck for loner boys so I think I'll love Ben.
    I can't believe Elizabeth Norris mooned all those people xD I think I would've died of embarrassment!! hahaha

    -Laura
    What's Hot?

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  32. Thanks for the giveaway! Awesome book!

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  33. Oh my gosh, that's sounds so embarrassing!! :O woah... lol I don't have the guts xD can't wait to read UNRAVELING!! :D Thanks for the amazing giveaway :)

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  34. I have had Unraveling on my to-read list for so long. The cover has been featured as one of the best covers this year and the book itself was listed on best books of the year list by several blogs I follow.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  35. Very interesting! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  36. I love sci-fi novels, but there are so few of them compared to paranormal YA.

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  37. I've been seeing Unraveling a lot on my GoodReads page a lot lately. A couple of my friends said they liked it and I've been curious about it ever since.

    And completely unrelated - thanks for the giveaway and for making it international!

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  38. I've heard amazing things about this book. But so far...I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy. Really looking forward to this!

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  39. This is great! I loved the post and sadly I haven't read Unraveling (YET). Must do it now!

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  40. I love the covers and I really like the story, I would love to read the books!
    Thank you for the giveaway!

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  41. I loved the first book and just can`t wait to read the second one! I`d love to win it, so I could read it earlier than it came to Europe.

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  42. I've never read anything by this author but this series seems great :D
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  43. Sounds like a great book! Thank you for the chance to win!

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  44. I love Unraveling, it was unlike anything I've seen, can't wait until the second book is out! But now I can move my target to Undone first, I adore Ben! :)

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  45. ok,sounds interesting for me...i'll read unraveling, n elizabeth..thanx u for the interview..:)

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  46. Unraveling is now adding to my TBR list - I've heard great reviews about it but unfortunately, I never had the time to read it.. gotta try harder.
    Anyway, thanks so much for the giveaway! The idea was very fun to read - I love Adele too! :)

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    1. Oops, I meant, "The interview was very fun to read - I love Adele too! :)"

      where did I get "idea" anyway?

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  47. Cool interview. Looking forward to UNBREAKABLE! :)

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  48. I NEED UNRAVELING...like right now.

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  49. I really want to read this book! My friend loved it but I didn't want to borrow his copy because I want to have my own copy to pet. :)) This is perfect. Thanks so much!

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  50. I love reading new author interviews! Great interview :) Thanks for the giveaway

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  51. Great Interview now I really want to read the series it sounds like it's my kind of books : )
    Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to learn more about the author

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  52. I really want to read this book, heard a lot about it.. And the cover is just so pretty!!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  53. Now I need this book!! Looks fabulous!

    Carriefort29ATyahooDOTcom

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  54. I just love the interview! and don't worry I cry a lot during movies and books too haha! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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