Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Interview & Giveaway with Amy Plum

EMBRACE YOUR ODDITIES DELIGHTFULLY WELCOMES NOVELIST AMY PLUM, TO THE BLOG TO DISCUSS HER UPCOMING NOVEL, DIE FOR ME (Revenants #1).
(BTW, I'M ONE OF HER BIGGEST FANS!)

Don't forget to check out the sweet giveaway  following the interview!



Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

Order Online: Amazon.com






Embrace Your Oddities: Describe your feelings about the upcoming release of your very first published novel.

Amy Plum: I have been waiting for this for over a year now, and my emotions have done roller-coaster shaped swoops this whole time. Right now we’re at six weeks before release and the positive reviews are starting to roll in, so I’m feeling pretty good about it. Before there were any professional critiques and it was all one huge question mark, I was pretty darn nervous! I’m just waiting for my freak-out when I actually see DIE FOR ME on a shelf in a bookstore.

EYO: What inspired you to write Die for Me?

AP: I had just written a book in a completely different genre, and was ready for a brand new project. And since I had recently read Twilight and was swept away by the story (and pretty hooked on Edward, I will admit!), I thought I’d give YA a try. I wanted to create a love story in the same style, but with very different characters and in a setting that is as magical as they are.

EYO: The Revenants are unlike any other paranormal beings I have seen thus far. How did you come up with this unique group of characters?

AP: When I decided I wanted to write a YA paranormal book, I spent a few days trying to figure out the type of being I would write about. I actually sat down and made a list: ghosts, vampires, mummies, werewolves, angels, demons, and on to the diverse mythological beings. I thought about each one and what I could do with it, and it was almost like dating. I just waited for one to catch my eye and be crushworthy (Not in a makey-outie way, but in a “I could write a whole book about this and not get bored” way.)

None did. But I kept coming back to “gods” and “zombies” and finally decided to try to find a way to combine the two. I wasn’t even able to plan it. I just started writing, and worked the revenants out as I went along. It actually felt like they already existed, and I was just discovering them. I think it was Stephen King who refers to that process as excavating fossils. Well that’s totally how it worked for me.


EYO: Why did you choose Paris as the setting for Die for Me?

AP: Because I lived there for five years and am deeply and truly in love with the city. A big chunk of my heart is dedicated to it, and when I’m there I feel like I’m home. There is also the point that new writers are told to “write what they know”, and I do know Paris. But it was actually a guilty pleasure setting my story there because I could write about Paris ALL DAY LONG.

EYO: How many books are you anticipating for the Revenants series?

AP: I am anticipating three, although it seems one never knows nowadays!

EYO: I noticed that on your website there is a small portion of your story told from Vincent’s point of view. Do you plan to continue the book/series in this manner after you have completed it from Kate’s perspective?

AP: I plan on writing little tidbits for my characters from different perspectives, but just for my site. I haven’t planned a book from Vincent’s perspective, although it would be interesting because his writing style is so different from Kate’s. It would be fun to do spinoffs, or even back-in-time spinoffs about the former lives of the other revenants.

EYO: Would you consider writing an adult paranormal romance series in the future?

AP: I’m working on an idea for another YA paranormal series...I haven’t decided yet how
 much romance will come into it. It definitely won’t be of the Kate and Vincent type – I don’t think I could top their romance! Same with an adult paranormal romance. Right now, I can only see doing this one romance and giving it my all.

EYO: Being a southern girl (like myself) and growing up in such a unique culture, would you ever consider writing a series set in the deep South?

AP: I have thought of doing a stand alone book, in the style of YaYa Sisterhood, but WAY darker.

EYO: Have you decided on a title for the second book in the Revenants series, and what is your target date for its release?  

AP: No – I didn’t actually choose the first title (I had called it SLEEPWALKING). And I’m ridiculously useless at thinking up titles. So I expect it’s my editor who is going to be the title-creator again!


FUN FACTS

EYO: Who/What is your favorite…

author?   AP:  At the moment – Neil Gaiman

book?   AP:  A Winter’s Tale, Mark Helprin

actor/actress?   AP:  Colin Firth / Frances McDormand

movie?   AP:  Breakfast at Tiffany’s

band?   AP:  I don’t really follow bands – I just like individual songs. The last band-crush I had though was the Dandy Warhols.

song?   AP:  At the moment – Optimist, New Young Pony Club

NFL/College football teams?    AP:I don’t know any NFL teams, but suppose I would be expected to support either Alabama or Auburn since I grew up there! (I don’t watch sports. Ever.)

color?    AP: Blue

quote?   AP:  "Flowers lead to books, which lead to thinking and not thinking and then more flowers and music, music. Then many more flowers and many more books."  Maira Kalman

EYO:  If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be? 

AP: Dreamer.

EYO: If all of your readers could hear you right now, what would you say to them? 

AP: Dream big. You are worthy.

MORE ABOUT DIE FOR ME

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel. 
Amazon.com)

ABOUT AMY PLUM

Amy Plum grew up in Birmingham, Alabama before venturing further afield to Chicago, Paris, London and New York. An art historian by training, she finally traded a tiny apartment in Brooklyn for a rambling farmhouse in a village of 1300 people in the French countryside. She lives there with her French husband, two young children and big red dog Ella, and spends her time writing in a tiny ancient stone house in her garden. (from amyplumbooks.com)

For more information about Amy Plum & Die for Me, please visit her website at www.amyplumbooks.com

A special thanks to Amy for being so eager to discuss her novel (and her life) with me. She is a true inspiration and a beautiful person. 


AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

In honor of the upcoming release of Die for Me, EYO is giving away 4 Beautiful Bookmarks autographed by Amy Plum! Yay!

If you would like to enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment including your name, your email address, your blog address, and your thoughts about Die for Me

Following EYO is appreciated but not required.

Giveaway begins on Tuesday, March 29th and ends on Tuesday, April 5th. 

Thanks for participating and following EYO!




27 comments:

Rebecca said...

great interview and i love the title of the book will definitely be reading this one sounds amazing can't wait

Becca

Rebeccabryant562 at hotmail dot com

http://becca-mycrazystuff.blogspot.com/


i think i've covered all the requirements to enter have a great week

Unknown said...

Name: Crystal

Email: cgrant@liberty.edu

blog: http://thegreatyaescape.blogspot.com/

The cover of the book is absolutely gorgeous and I've had it on my wish list since the second I fist laid eyes on it!!

Mandy Lum said...

Becca - perfect! Thanks for entering!

Crystal - I absolutely loveeeeee the cover :) Thanks for entering!

Jo said...

Brilliant interview! I am sooo excited to read Die For Me, it sounds so good! I am so intrigued to read about these renevants!

Name: Jo
Email: joannestapley[at]gmail[dot]com
Blog: http://onceuponabookcase.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Amazing Interview & Giveaway!

My Name Is Leanne B

leanne.luce21@gmail.com

http://leanne-luce.blogspot.com/

Die For Me sounds so awesome, I can't wait to read it & also to look at the stunning cover!!

*Astrid A.* said...

WELL... I had been kind of stalker of Amy Plum lately (on Twitter, of course xD)... I read "Die for Me", thanks to NetGalley.com, a couple of weeks ago, and I'm SO IN LOVE WITH VINCENT! (and the entire book too!)...
I can't said it enough times: "Die for Me" is the BEST book I've ever read.
Read it. Follow my advice.

Thanks for this interview, darling, and for the bookmarks! :)
My email is astrid_triatlon@hotmail.com.

Take care!!

Astrid A.

Rachel @ Bookshelf Lust said...

I read Die For Me a few weeks ago, and fell in love! (My review: http://bookshelflust.wordpress.com/2011/03/21/review-die-for-me-by-amy-plum/) And Amy is absolutely wonderful. So glad this book is getting so much well deserved recognition!

bookshelflustATgmailDOTcom

Kulsuma said...

Die For Me sounds great and the cover is beautiful. Count me in if this is international please.
Email: k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
Name:Kulsuma
Blog: http://kayaloves.blogspot.com/

Deborah A. said...

That was a great interview. I have Die For Me on my TBR list (and actually have a copy thanks to NetGalley). I think it just bumped it's way to the top.

http://deborahandreasenbooks.blogspot.com
deborah@deborahandreasen.com

Mandy Lum said...

Thanks for all the entries and new followers! Glad to hear so many people are interested in the book - it is a must read, the best YA paranormal romance I have read thus far.

Kalsuma - yes, it is international :)

Anonymous said...

I don't think I had heard anything about this book before now. It sounds fascinating. Great interview! I'll be sure to snag this one to read soon.

Jenny @ Into The Morning Reads

LittleMsBookish said...

What a very intriguing plot! PLUS the setting's in Paris. The city of love *sigh* More reason to read the book :D

Can it be a tumblr blog? 'Cause I don't blog here. :)
LittleMsBookish.tumblr.com

Claudine San Miguel
claudine_princess@yahoo.com.ph

Mandy Lum said...

Claudine - that's fine, it's really not a requirement, as long as I have your email address to contact you. I just like to advertise the winners' blogs

Truly Bookish said...

Great interview! I have heard so many great things about this book and would love to get a copy! Thanks for the giveaway!
Truly Bookish
bookishlilly@gmail.com
http://trulybookish.blogspot.com/

CAsanmiguel said...

camille san miguel
email: camilleanne_angel@yahoo.com.ph
blog: thegirlwholovesreading.blogspot.com - i don't update it though :)

the storyline is very interesting. and i love the sentence "For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art." So maybe avid readers can relate to her since she loves to read. And who wouldn't want to read a book if its location is paris? :) Vincent seems like another character that readers will love. and it's always fun to read about star-crosed lovers :)

Rachel said...

Is this an international contest? If it is count me in!

Rachel
rachybee101@live.com.au
http://rachybee-the-rest-is-still-unwritten.blogspot.com/

I think this book looks brilliant! It's one of the most anticipated books right now and I can see why. Can't wait for it to come out.

Oh, and I'm a follower :)
Rachybee

Unknown said...

First of all, the cover of this book is absolutely beautiful. And second, I can't wait to hold it in my hands, take it home, and read it in one sitting. Yes, it's going to be that type of book, I already know this.

Thirdly, anyone who can get me to want to read anything remotely covering zombies is a fantastic author in my book. And of course, her interview was quite enjoyable and I like that we share the Dandy Warhol's in common. :)

This is a fantastic give away, thank you for sharing.

Susan Haugland
susanhaugland@att.net
blog: A Soul Unsung

Vivien said...

Love the sound of this one.

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Archimedes said...

Brandi
brturnbu@uno.edu
www.donotdisturbmybooks.blogspot.com

I really enjoyed this book! I can't wait to see it in stores and pick up a hard copy.

Sonia said...

Fantastic interview! I'm so excited to read DIE FOR ME - it's been on my list for a while now. Thanks for the swag giveaway!

E-mail: thestoryqueen@hotmail.com
Blog: http://thestoryqueen.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I love the idea that she is without parents in a place she has not known. Thanks lisapeters AT yahoo DOT com

Mandy Lum said...

Thanks for all the new entries and followers :) And yes, the giveaway is international.

Have a great day!

Chel said...

Die for Me has one of the most gorgeous covers, and it summary really entices me. I've been looking forward to reading it ever since I saw it on NetGalley.

Chel
toprocrastinate at hotmail dot com
http://to-procrastinate.blogspot.com/

Heather Leah said...

Gorgeous cover and the story sounds like a real page turner. Can't wait to buy it at the store!!!

leahmcclung@gmail.com

Thanks,
Heather

Novels On The Run said...

Hi,

Great Interview!!

I have read and looooovvvved Die For Me, gorgeously written book. Make sure you all get a copy for your bookshelves. I will be.

tintinbrains@bigpond.com
www.novelsontherun.blogspot.com

Michelle

Mandy Lum said...

Thanks for the comments and new entries!

minhchieu said...

name: minhchieu tran
email: blubear12@gmail.com
blog:http://minhchieusbooks.blogspot.com/

great interview! i've been lookinh forward to this book, and the cover is so pretty

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