Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Celebrating Debutantes 2013: Christy Dorrity (Interview + Giveaway)



Aside from books and cooking, today's featured debut author is a champion Irish dancer! How cool is that? Introducing, the author of Awakening!




Christy Dorrity


1. What do you feel about the number '13'?

I've always felt like Friday the 13th was a lucky day--I even found a four leaf clover on a Friday the 13th once. And because 2013 is the year of my debut novel, it's luckier than ever!


2. What's the best thing that happened after your book was published?

There were many fantastic moments, but one that stands out is the day I got my first fan mail from someone I've never met. I printed it off and put it in a file so that I can look at it when I get discouraged. 


3. How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

I hosted an all day launch party on Facebook, and that Saturday my Irish dance school hosted a party and book signing. I can honestly say that the party was one of the best days of my life, with so many close friends and family celebrating the launch of my book.


4. Do you read reviews of your book?

Yes, I do read them. I know that there will be unfavorable comments, but no one can write a book that appeals to every person, so I am pretty good at successfully brushing off not-so-constructive criticism.


5. What is your best or most unforgettable moment with a fan?

I have a fan in Ireland who has been so excited for my book and she has supported me every step of the way. It's nice to have that kind of encouragement. 


6. Was there any book/s from other debut author of 2013 that you loved?

I loved Splintered by A.G. Howard, and If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch, among many others.


7. Are you interested in writing in a different genre or for a different audience?

Yes. I have several other projects in the works, waiting for the right timing. I have a romantic comedy, an early reader series, and some children's picture books. And I would love to write a series of mysteries based on Aunt Avril from AWAKENING.


8. Share us one embarrassing moment you've had.

That is hard for me to come up with because I always suppress bad memories. :) Once, when I was in junior high the boy that I liked dropped a note he wrote to me in the hall and a teacher read it in front of the class. What is worse is that the teacher was the boy's dad!

9. Favorite color? Red
Favorite movie? The Proposal
Favorite ice cream flavor? caramel cashew
Ultimate celebrity crush (dead or alive)? Christian Bale

10. What's next for you?
I am working on Book Two of The Geis, which will come out in 2014, as well as the final volume in the Book Blogger's Cookbooks.

***

More about Christy!

My name is Christy Dorrity. My family means everything to me and I love being a wife to my amazing husband, and stay at home mom to five awesome kiddos.

Reading, writing, cooking and Irish dancing make me happy. You will find a little of everything here.

I am a freelance writer and author. I write a blog about Irish dancing on IrishCentral.com, the leading Irish-American website. My articles have appeared in Feis America Magazine and DiddlyiMag. I use to write for my local newspaper, The Syracuse Islander, and I recently had an article accepted for the children's Friend Magazine.

I am a champion Irish dancer. I dance with my teen son, who is also a champion Irish dancer. Together we are training to go to the Worlds competition in Spring of 2014. We are associated with the World Irish Dance Association (WIDA).

I love to read books and review them. Because I love to cook, I found a way to combine reading with eating--I guess you could call it reating!  I enjoy matching recipes to the books I read, and then I blog about them both.




Have you checked out her debut novel?

Awakening
(The Geis #1)
by Christy Dorrity

Published September 24th 2013 by Mythic Studios

Blurb (Goodreads):
Because some Celtic stories won’t be contained in myth . . .

A little magic has always run in sixteen-year-old McKayla McCleery's family—at least that’s what she’s been told. McKayla’s eccentric Aunt Avril travels the world as a psychic for the FBI, and her mother can make amazing delicacies out of the most basic of ingredients. But McKayla doesn't think for a second that the magic is real—it’s just good storytelling. Besides, McKayla doesn’t need magic. She recently moved to beautiful Star Valley, Wyoming, and already she has a best friend, a solo in her upcoming ballet recital—and the gorgeous guy in her physics class keeps looking her way.

When an unexpected fascination with Irish dance leads McKayla to seek instruction from the mute, crippled janitor at her high school, she learns that her family is not the only one with unexplained abilities. 

After Aunt Avril comes to Star Valley in pursuit of a supernatural killer, people begin disappearing, and the lives of those McKayla holds most dear are threatened. When the janitor reveals that an ancient curse, known as a geis, has awakened deadly powers that defy explanation, McKayla is forced to come to terms with what is real and what is fantasy.

A thrilling debut novel based in Celtic mythology, Awakening is a gripping young adult fantasy rife with magic, romance, and mystery.






The Escapist

Dianne is back in featuring debut authors! Check out the Transparent author, Natalie Whipple on Oops! I Read A Book Again.

Yesterday: Ruth Silver (Aberrant)
Tomorrow: Patrick Matthews (Dragon Run)
Leigh Ann Kopans (One; Two) [Oops! I Read A Book Again]


Calling YA/NA/MG debut authors of 2014! Want to join us on this fun event? Fill out this form! Don't forget to spread the word with your debuting friends!



GIVEAWAY!
- ecopy of Awakening
- open internationally






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