Mundie Moms

Monday, June 18, 2012

A Midsummer's Nightmare Blog Tour: Author Interview & Giveaway

Happy Monday! I'm thrilled to be kicking off Little Brown/Poppy's blog tour for Kody Keplinger's newest release, A Midsummer's Nightmare. Today Kody has stopped by the blog to answer a few questions. First, here's a little bit about the book:




Whitley Johnson's dream summer of shopping, partying and tanning on the beach has just turned into a nightmare. Because Dad didn't tell her he doesn't live by the beach anymore, or that he's no longer a bachelor. He's picked up and moved to a tiny, lame town called Hamilton and gotten himself a fiance. A fiance whose son just happens to be what's-his-name from last week's drunken graduation party one night stand. Just freakin' great.
As if the summer couldn't get worse, Dad seems to forget Whitley's even there. She doesn't fit in with his perfect new country club family, and Whitley does what any kid lucky enough to go all summer unsupervised does: she parties. Hard.
So hard that she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a younger future step-sister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do friends"), and a smoking hot, sweet guy who isn't her step brother (yet) and who actually seems to care for her. It will take all three of them to convince her that they're not phoneys, and to get Whitley to get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together- quoted from Poppy's site

What's one of the things you've come to admire about Whitley?

Oh, that's tough. There are a lot of things I definitely don't admire about Whitley - she's very, very flawed and has a lot to overcome throughout the novel. She makes a lot of decisions I wouldn't. But then, she also comes a long way over the summer after graduation.  So maybe it's her strength that I admire - it takes her a while, but eventually she learns to bounce back.  She's had a lot of bad things happen in her life, and she's let them hold her down. But eventually she starts to come into her own and use her inner strength to push forward with her life.  I think it's that part of her I admire.  Some people would just feel like it was too late for them, but Whitley really shows that even if you've screwed up a million times, you can still keep going and move on with your life.  I admire that about her.

What was one of your favorite scenes/chapter to write?

I loved writing pretty much every scene that involved Harrison, Whitley's new best friend.  Harrison was a character alluded to in my first book, THE DUFF, and I've known him for so long with no opportunity to really write about him. So it was incredibly fun to finally let that character live. He's such a fun character to write.

Whitley has some great characters in her life. Which character did you find yourself relating to the most?

I related a lot to Bailey, Whitley's new stepsister. She's very young and naive and hopeful. I definitely felt that way at her age. I was convinced I was going to be a cheerleader like my sister, despite being totally non-athletic. But at thirteen, I had so much naive hope. It's both a good thing and a bad thing, I think. But I definitely related to her.

What's the best compliment you've received as a writer?

Occasionally I get emails from readers who tell me they don't usually like to read, but they enjoyed my books.  This is the best thing I can imagine someone telling me. When I was very, very young, I hated reading, but good books pulled me back into a love of books. So to me, hearing from reluctant readers who have read my books is so complimentary and gives me so much hope. I think there's no higher praise than knowing that someone who doesn't enjoy reading read and enjoyed my book. And I always hope those people then go on to read other books as well.

Where's your favorite place to write?

 Most of the time I write in my bedroom, but if I had my choice, I'd always write at a cafe or coffeeshop.  I find that I get so much work done in that kind of setting. But most of the time I just want to write in my pajamas, so I just stay at home. The minute pajamas become socially acceptable in public, I'll be in ALL the coffeeshops! 

Speed Round Questions:
  • When writing, music or no music? Music
  • Zombies or unicorns? Zombies
  • Cold weather or warm weather? Warm weather!
  • Staying up late or getting up early? Staying up late.
  • Horror movie or Romantic comedy? Romantic comedy
Thank you Kody for stopping by MM's today!
You can follow Kody via her Website | Blog | Twitter | Tumblr |Goodreads

Giveaway Time: Thank you to Little Brown I have 5 copies of Kody's latest book to GIVEAWAY!!! To enter, please fill out the form below:



55 comments:

  1. I love Kody's books & can't wait to read A Midsummer's Nightmare. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  2. I really enjoyed her other novels. This one sounds like one I'll just love!!

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  3. I desperately want to read this books... Amazing giveaway.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  4. I LOVE kody's novels... she's a great writer.. so excited for this new book.

    lyan

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  5. Ahh, I absolutely ADORE Kody and I'm dying to read this! Thank you so much for the interview and giveaway!

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  6. Thanks for the giveaway. This one looks so good!

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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  7. Great interview! I would totally wear pajamas out in public if I could. ;)

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  8. Love Kody!! She's an awesome writer. Can't wait for this book!

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  9. Great interview! I got to do one too on the 5th, when AMSN came out (http://romancebookie.blogspot.com/2012/06/interview-with-fabulous-kody-keplinger.html)! Kody seems so great, and I am a HUGE Fan of everything she's written!! :)

    I would REALLLLLLLY love to win a copy of AMSN!! :)

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  10. Great post! Thanks for sharing!!!

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  11. I want to go back and read The DUFF now, to see how Harrison was alluded to. I can't wait to read this one!

    ♥Jessica(:

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  12. Great interview. I really want to read this one. I'm curious about Harrison in The Duff as well, since I have read that one. I need Kody's other books now!

    -Lauren

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  13. This one has been on my TBR list for awhile! I need to move it up! Great giveaway, thank you!

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  14. The Duff is by my bed on my TBR pile. I plan o getting to it very soon!!!

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  15. The cover is amazing and the summary WOW.
    Hope to win :)

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  16. I'm curious how that plot summary connects to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. (commenting as Justine)

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  17. I have been wanting to read this for awhile. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  18. I LOVE Keplinger's novels! So excited that this one's coming out soon. Thanks for giving us a chance to win :)

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  19. I can't wait to read this book. I love the cover and the blurb and the author. Kody's writing is phenomenal. AND SO MUCH ANGST! I love her angst!

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  20. sounds an interesting read... :)
    thank you for the giveaway...

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  21. I love Kody! Her characters and stories and their voices are awesome!

    Thanks so much:)

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  22. Thanks for the chance and I really LOVED Shut Out so Ihave high hopes for this book too. Donna xoxo

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  23. Aaah, I can't wait to read this one! Sounds like a good book for a summer read =)

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  24. I love the cover and retellings. I sm looking forward to this book.

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  25. It's always a cafe/coffeeshop. What about those places I'll never understand. I see why writers might be attracted to the place, coffee on hand to stay alert, and some peace and quiet to get a lot done, but I figured there would be a lot of noise from different sources. Oh well. :D Great interview.:D

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  26. How cool that Harrison is Whitley's new best friend. We don't get to know him in The Duff so it will be fun meeting him. I am very excited for A Midsummer's Nightmare since The Duff is one of my favorite books. I can already feel Whitley's pain just from this interview so I know the whole book will be great.

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  27. Thanks for the chance to win! I'm really looking forward to reading A Midsummer's Nightmare.

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  28. Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  29. I'm excited to read A Midsummer's Nightmare! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  30. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I'm so excited to read this book! Definitely a big Kody Keplinger fan!! -Megan

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  31. I really wanna read this book!! the Duff and Shut Out were AWESOME!! :)
    -JennyC

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  32. Thank you so much for the super fabulous interview, a peek inside the groovy book and for giving all of us this wonderful opportunity to win a book. You guys rock.

    -Amy

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  33. I love Kody's books! So far The DUFF has been my favorite. :D Thanks for the giveaway! I can't wait to read this book.

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  34. I loved The DUFF, so I think this would be a great read!

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Leanne

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  35. This story sounds really good. I haven't read anything by this author yet.

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  36. Very nice interview. Sounds like a good book.

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  37. This book sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  38. I am so excited for this one - it looks amazing :)

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  39. Great post! This books sounds really good:) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  40. I don't know if this is international, but I entered anyway, just in case. This book really sounds amazing. :D thanks!

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  41. Wait, wait, wait--why zombies over unicorns??

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  42. You guys are so welcome! Good luck to everyone!

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  43. This sounds like a great summer read!

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  44. This sounds like it will be a very realistic and intriguing read! Thanks for giving some copies away to give more people a chance to spread the word

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  45. I absolutely love the sound of this! I've only read Shut Out so far, but it was definitely a fun, quick read! Thanks for the contest! :)

    P.S Is this international? :$

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  46. I am in complete agreement with the zombies and staying up late ;]

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  47. So many ppl have been talking about this book, and I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  48. I love her other books, I can't wait to read this one.

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  49. I'm still dying to get my hands on one of her books! This would be the prefect one to start with, thank you for the opportunity!!!

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  50. So excited to read this book! Kody's interview was funny and entertaining, though I don't entirely agree with her zombie over unicorn preference, and will go as far to say that zombi-corns beat both:)

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  51. thanks for the chance at this great giveaway!

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  52. I'm not gonna lie..I was completely uninterested in this book for the longest time because the title made me think it was going to be a Shakespeare retelling. Silly me! ;) And I almost missed out on it until I started reading some really great reviews! Love the interview. :) Thank you for the giveaway!

    Irene (Air Evac)

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