Author Interview: Kiersten White

Hi folks!

Today I have a special guest here, the lovely Kiersten White, author of Paranormalcy, her debut novel that's coming out in August 31st, 2010.

Paranormalcy is one of those new books that even though it's not out yet, I just can't wait to get my hands on it. I need to read it, like NOW! *ahem*

I have seen a lot of talk online about how great this book is. The early reviews from those lucky enough to get their hands on an ARC copy of it are raving about how incredible it is. I have never seen any debut novel have that much buzz around it, but maybe that's because I'm new to the whole book blogging thing, but I suspect it's just because the book is damn good. You can count on my review of it being up right after its release date. 

That's why I contacted Kiersten and asked her for an interview. My policy is usually to only request and do interviews with authors I have read before, but I couldn't resist and wanted to talk to Kiersten about it. No way was I going to wait until after the book was out, I'm just that curious about Paranormalcy. You should be too. Check it out:

Product Description:

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

Aren't you dying to read it now too? I thought so. And isn't the cover just beautiful?

So, without further ado, I give the floor to Kiersten White. I just have to thank her profusely for agreeing to answer my questions and for being so gracious. I haven't read her book yet, but I'm already her fan. Here is why:

1) What was your inspiration for writing Paranormalcy? Was it the first thing you had ever written? And can you tell us what the story is about in your own words?

I had wanted to write something with more of a fantasy element than I had been before. I got the idea for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's voice popped in my head, and that was that!

Paranormacly is about a girl trying to figure out where she fits in the world. However, in Evie's case it's not just about who she wants to be, but maybe even about what she wants to be. Normal? Paranormal? Or something in between...

It was not the first thing I'd ever written--Paranormalcy was actually the fourth novel I'd completed. I wrote it while another book of mine was on submission to editors, and wrote another one between when I finished Paranormalcy and when it sold, too. That's always my advice--keep writing! You never know what's going to hit at the right time.

2) Paranormalcy has generated quite a buzz in the Internet, and the book hasn't even been published. The advanced readers have given it great reviews. How does that make you feel? Were you surprised?

I am always surprised by good reviews! I had really prepared myself to be okay with getting negative reviews (as an author you hear horror stories from other authors), so every time I get another glowing one it makes me ridiculously happy! I'm so, so glad that people are connecting with Evie and that they enjoy the story so much. That was always my goal--I wanted people to have fun reading it. And it makes me that much more confident going toward my publication date that (hopefully) more people will feel the same way! I genuinely appreciate the people who have taken the time to read it and post their reviews, and continue to be amazed and thrilled by their reaction.

3) Why write a young adult novel? What attracted you to the YA and Paranormal genres?

It's pretty simple: I think YA is the most fun to read, so I figured it'd be the most fun to write, too! And it is. What is wonderful about YA is that you have awesome writers, true, but you also find the best plotting in literature. You can't get away with boring, plodding novels. (Can you tell I was an English major? I had to read SO MANY boring things in college! When I got my degree I stopped reading literary fiction and discovered YA and I've rarely gone back.) As far as paranormal, I enjoy stories with a paranormal or supernatural twist, so once again, it was natural for me to be drawn to that in my own writing.

4) I know Paranormalcy is going to be a trilogy. Once all three books are done, do you have plans to write other stories? If so, can you share something about it with us?

I actually already have one book completed, and a separate series in the works. The finished book, which I hope to sell this fall, is about ghosts (and Florida! and kissing! and obsession and fire ants and humidity!).

5) Who's your all time favorite author? Have you ever considered what you might say to him/her if you ever run into each other?

You know, I think it's impossible to read as much as I do and have a single favorite author! I admire so many authors so much, when people ask me this question I positively blank. I did, however, recently meet John Green, and I had a complete fangirl freakout to the point where I couldn't even talk coherently in front of him. It was embarrassing. And wonderful. Authors are my rock stars!

6) Anything else you want to say to your future readers who are eagerly anticipating the release of Paranormalcy in August 31th?

Thank you! Really, I can't say enough how much it means to me as a debut author that you are excited to read my book! So, thank you, and thank you, and thank you again!

Isn't she super sweet? Go visit her website here for more!


I want to thank Kiersten again for being here. I'm really grateful for her time. Paranormalcy is coming out soon, and I'm sure she is very busy, so I appreciate it all the more for it.

If I were you I would go pre-order a copy of Paranormalcy right now. I already did. And if you are as excited as I am about it and counting the days to its release, go grab the countdown widget below (sadly not one of my own creations), it's already on my side bar.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White: