Tea Time with Daisy Whitney and The Mockingbirds

It’s time for another installment of Tea Time!

It’s a bit early for biscuits, but I’ve got my mug here and an English muffin, and I’m ready to tell you about an incredible author and friend, Daisy Whitney, and her novel, The Mockingbirds, which debuts TODAY.

That’s right, you heard me, TODAY.

Let’s get started.

1. Give us the essence of THE MOCKINGBIRDS in as few words as possible.

THE MOCKINGBIRDS is the story of an underground student-run justice system at a prestigious boarding school and the cases they try, including one involving the date rape of a student by another student. Think SPEAK meets DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS.

2. Tell us a bit about YOU.

I love shoes and Paris and chocolate and playing with my dog and my kids and eating popcorn and watching movies with my husband!

3. The journey is different for everyone, so much so that I don’t think there is a normal path to publication. Give us a glimpse into yours: How long did it take to write THE MOCKINGBIRDS? Was it your first book? Any surprises a long the way?

I was writing chick lit first to the tune of three unpublished novels about thirty-something women finding their way. In the fall of 2008 I read Courtney Summers CRACKED UP TO BE, which turned me on to all you could do in the young adult genre. Then I called my author friend Suzanne Young (A NEED SO BEAUTIFUL) and said “I want to write a book about date rape.” We brainstormed a bit and and then with the help of a pot of green tea and some time on the couch, I had the first chapter done and fired off to her later that night for feedback. She told me “to keep going,” so I did!

4. What has been your favorite part of the publication process?

I have LOVED working with the amazing editors and publicists at Little Brown. My editor fought for my book every step of the way and always encouraged me and always had the characters’ best interests at heart. The whole team there has been tremendous and they just know how to treat people right!

5. What was your favorite part of writing THE MOCKINGBIRDS?

If I had to pick I would say the final edits because that’s when you could really see the whole story come together in an almost sort of magical, musical way.

6. Villains. Really, what more do I need to say? They rock. Give me your favorite villain.

Colonel Hans Landa in INGLORIOUS BASTERDS is probably the best ever villain. He made that movie magnificent and he was delightful to watch in his gleeful horribleness.

7. Most important question of all. Favorite kind of cupcake?
Chocolate buttercream from Kara’s cupcakes in San Francisco.

Thank you so much, Daisy, and major, major congratulations on your debut!! I’m incredibly proud of you.

Daisy Whitney is a new media producer, reporter, and internationally-known Web show creator, and The Mockingbirds is her debut novel. A graduate of Brown University, Daisy believes in shoes, chocolate chip cookies, and karma. She lives in San Francisco, California with her fabulous husband, fantastic kids, and adorable dog, and you can follow her writing blog and new media adventures at DaisyWhitney.com

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Kiddos, any questions, or word love for Daisy, just leave it in the comments.

TEA TIME. Rebecca Maizel + INFINITE DAYS.

TEA TIME is my brand new interview series!

That sounds kind of fun, doesn’t it? Does it make you want a scone? Some finger sandwiches? Now I’m hungry…

Anyway, I am lucky enough to kick things off with awesometastic (I don’t know WHY WordPress insists that isn’t a word) Rebecca Maizel, author of the incredible INFINITE DAYS.

First, before we even begin, LOOK AT THE COVER.

You know how I feel about covers. This is one I even mention in my cover art vlog. And and and INFINITE DAYS officially comes out TOMORROW!!

For the full pitch, head on over to the GoodReads page! Or, you can read another one over on the Amazon page. But be sure to come back!

Now, onto the interview!

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1. Hey Rebecca, thanks for kicking off the Tea Time series! Give us the essence of INFINITE DAYS in as few words as possible.

The essence…hmm. I would say when you sit down to read Infinite Days, Lenah will make you feel, awake. Everything is new to her, even the smell of cookies and coffee. Oh, woops. This isn’t a few words. I stink at this.

Okay, take two:

Sensual
The moment right before you kiss. Those seconds right before the lips touch – that’s what Infinite Days feels like.

2. Oh, well put! Now tell us a bit about YOU.

Former bartender. Former radio DJ. Bichon Frise LOVER (my dog Louie is a person, I swear.) Favorite items include: my printer, Stop and Shop seltzer water, coffeeeeeeee and very pointy pens. Purple ink or black.

3. Mmmm pens. I do love pens. Pilot V5 Precise are so nice too….Oh, sorry! So, the journey is different for everyone, so much so that I don’t think there is a normal path to publication. Give us a glimpse into yours.

It took me eight months to write, ID. It came out of a very visceral place, a place that commanded that I write Lenah’s story. I queried a publisher looking for unsolicited manuscripts. The agent came next. It was backwards but I’m a firm believer that a well written query can open the doors to publication.

ID wasn’t my first book, I wrote a lot of fiction and creative work before IDays. That’s the thing, you need to keep writing every day. You need to believe that the piece you are working on matters, even if no one ever sees it.

4. What has been your favorite part of the publication process?

Writing. Lame answer, I know. But seriously! That I get to wake up every day and write is an amazing, amazing, thing. I’ll never get over how incredible it feels.

5. What was your favorite part of writing ID?

When Lenah’s voice came to me for the first time. I couldn’t write fast enough, I couldn’t get her words onto the page quick enough!

6. Villains. Really, what more do I need to say? They rock. Give me your favorite villain.

Dolores Umbridge – Harry Potter # 5. I have never wanted to jump through a book and THROTTLE someone so badly.

7. YES. YES A THOUSAND TIMES UMBRIDGE HAUNTS MY DREAMS WITH KITTEN PLATES… Okay, most important question of all. Favorite kind of cupcake?

ANYTHING buttercream. Or chocolate. Chocolate buttercream!?

Mmmm, delicious.

And a delicious book, kids. Go forth and purchase!

If you have ANY comments or questions for miss Maizel, she has agreed to answer them, so post them in the comments section!