April Feature Debut Author~Amy Holder

This month I have the pleasure of featuring a friend of mine, Amy Holder, who's book I've been looking forward to for a long time. Before we meet Amy though, here is a bit about The Lipstick Laws(don't you just love that title?!).

At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life as easily as snapping her perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her.

For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. With zero friends and nothing close to a boyfriend, April is so unpopular, kids don't know she exists. That is, until Britney notices her. One lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity.

But Britney's friendship comes with a price tag. How much is April willing to pay?
 
Welcome to Heather's Odyssey Amy! I love that you're a fan of silly comedies and that you have degree in psychology. I'm curious, did your degree help with character building and will we see any of your love of comedies reflected in this novel?
Amy: Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Heather!  I love that you appreciate my interest in silly comedies and psychology!  I think both of these interests definitely helped me while writing The Lipstick Laws.  I've always been fascinated by human behavior and am naturally a people watcher... don't be scared... I'm not talking about stalking people from treetops with high-power binoculars.  I've just always been interested in social psychology and observing interactions.  This naturally led to studying psychology in college, and I think it's also a key factor in helping me with my writing and character building.  I believe good writers have to be good observers.  As far as comedy goes, I love humor and always like to add it to my writing.  So yes, I believe you'll see my love of comedies and laughing reflected in the story.
 
I couldn't agree with you more! Though I don't use binoculars for research either. Nope, not at all (hides binoculars). So tell me, what was your favorite part of writing this novel?
Amy: I just had a lot of fun writing this novel!  I was able to let loose and have fun with the characters and their interactions, use humor as much as I wanted, and write the story that I think would be entertaining to read. At the time, I had no clue if it would be published or not, so I was able to write for myself without any pressure. And I was able to write a lot of it in my pajamas to boot! Pajamas always make everything more fun...and comfy.
 
It really shows in a good way when an author writes freely without thinking of the market. Is there anything juicy you can tell us about The Lipstick Laws that we may not know from your website?
Amy: One secret that I have not shared yet is that Britney originally had a different first name.  I’m not going to say what that name was because I have a relative with the same first name. Of course, I originally chose the name because I thought it was perfect for a pretty, popular teen girl…not because of my relative. Just to be safe and to avoid any familial hurt feelings, I changed her name to Britney during the editorial process. I would never want the relative in question (who is very sweet, I should add) to think I named such a vile character after her.
 
LOL! Yeah that wouldn't be good. Because I know my readers will love your writing so much, what do you have in store for us after The Lipstick Laws?
Amy: I hope I’ll have a lot in store!  Right now, I’m working on a few different projects.  The one closest to being finished is a YA contemporary novel with a bit of a paranormal twist.  I’m also contemplating a sequel to The Lipstick Laws.  Hopefully more stories in other genres and age groups will be in my future as well.
 
Both sound excellent! I do love a good paranormal read. Which character was the most fun, interesting, or challenging to write and why?
Amy: I have to confess that Britney was pretty fun to write in a slightly twisted way.  She’s so very mean and I like to think I’m the opposite of that… so I felt sort of like an actor getting to play the villain when I was writing her character.  April was very fun to write as well because we share a similar sense of humor.  April’s character was also one of the more challenging ones to write because it was tricky to balance her flaws and likable qualities at times.
 
Hey, no judging here. It's fun to be the bad chick once in a while, even if it is just in fiction. ;) Any closing thoughts to leave us with?
Amy: I just want to thank you so much for the interview, Heather!  Your support of new authors is really appreciated.  And thanks to everyone else who has been so enthusiastic and supportive about my debut!  It means the world to me.
 
You're very welcome Amy because great authors like you mean the world to me. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. Okay readers click on over to Amy's site to learn more about her and her books and because it is far too clever and cute not to check out. Then be sure to order The Lipstick Laws here!

Comments

  1. A fascinating interview, Heather. Amy brought up a point many novice authors don't think about : many in our lives will hunt in our novels, looking to see if they can spot themselves in them. A mine field many do not think about! A fun interview, thanks, Roland

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  2. It looks like an interesting book and I like the cover a lot. Great interview keep up the good work.

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  3. Heather, as you know, YA is not my writing genre and I don't read mainly YA books. I have to say, however, that The Lipstick Laws is one I will definitely read. It sounds wonderful. Thanks for the great interview, and congratulations to Amy!

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  4. This one's already on my wish list!! :-)

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  5. Roland, she really did! People are going to do that, there's no way around it. Best to be prepared!

    Josh, thank you! Amy is quite the writer.

    Linda, you'll love it! Amy has a great writing style that I know you'll enjoy.

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  6. Heather Thank you for sharing a great author and her debut book. I know we all say we're going to read... but before I wrote this, I diverted and purchased. It's on it's way! All the YA authors you've recommended have been incredible.
    April, I'm really excited to read your book. Love the name. Love the premise. Love the humor. And when I fall in love with the book, it will be on my Christmas gift list. Expect more or less ten more purchases from me to gift out.
    Thank you ladies, for giving me the gift of something fun to read!

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  7. I saw this cover and was immediately intrigued! The author is so right about us writers being people watchers -- it's one of my favorite pastimes.

    Now I have to read this book and see if Britney gets her "just desserts". LOL

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  8. Karlene, that's great! I know Amy will be thrilled and you'll love her writing style.

    Karen, true, much of what we see and experience makes it into our books. I can't wait to hear what you think of Amy's book!

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  9. Great interview. Congrats on your book, Amy. I've heard such good things about it and love the cover. I'm looking forward to your YA with a paranormal twist too. Good luck with your debut.

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  10. Great interview, Heather and Amy!

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  11. Love the cover. I'll definitely check the book out, and am curious about the YA with a paranormal twist.

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  12. Natalie, I'm really looking forward to her YA paranormal too! In the meantime this sill hold you over nicely. :)

    Julie, glad you enjoyed it!

    Stina, it is a great cover isn't it?!

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  13. It sounds like a great book! Nice to meet you, Amy!

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  14. Lipstick Laws sounds like so much fun! Thanks for the interview!

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  15. Lydia, it definitely is! I'm already well into it and am loving it!

    Amie, you're welcome. :)

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  16. Yay for Amy! I love the cover and it sounds like such a great read. Thanks for a great interview, ladies!

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  17. Great interview! I love the title and cover. :)

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  18. Talli, you're welcome! Trust me, it's as great a read as it sounds!

    Ghenet, thank you. The title and cover are pretty amazing aren't they?!

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  19. Great interview--Lipstick Laws sounds like an intriguing book! :)

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  20. Thank you so much again for having me on your blog, Heather!! You are fabulous and your interview was so fun!

    Thanks to everyone who took the time to read & comment on this interview. I really appreciate all of your wonderful messages! For those of you buying the book, I hope you enjoy it!

    Karlene - If you decide to give my book as presents, let me know if you'd like to have them signed. I'm sure we could work something out! :)

    Thanks again!!

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  21. Golden Eagle, I'm glad you liked the interview!

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  22. Amy, you're most welcome! You are so kind and generous! It was a true pleasure having you here. I wish you all the best!

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  23. Thank you Amy so much. That would be GREAT!!! I'll take you up on that.

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  24. That sounds like a REALLY awesome book! And I was looking for one to read :) YAY! I just found one! I would also like to say thank you for checking out my blog today. It really means a lot!

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  25. Great interview. Britney is an awesome villain. I finished the book this week and loved it.

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