This month for our June Debut Author Spotlight, we're spotlighting debut author Lauren Gibaldi and her upcoming novel, The Night We Said Yes, that will be released later this month. Lauren also allowed us to conduct a brief interview and created an awesome playlist that goes along with her novel...plus, we have an awesome giveaway!
About Lauren Gibaldi
Lauren Gibaldi is a public librarian and author of THE NIGHT WE SAID YES (HarperCollins / HarperTeen, June 16, 2015) and MATT'S STORY (a The Night We Said Yes Novella, out August 2015). She's a fan of dinosaurs and cheesy jokes. And us.
Keep up with Lauren on her:
About The Night We Said Yes
Title: The Night We Said Yes
Author: Lauren Gibaldi
Hardcover, 304 Pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Date of Publication: June 16th, 2015
Summary: Before Matt, Ella had a plan. Get over a no-good ex-boyfriend. Graduate from high school without any more distractions. Move away from Orlando, Florida, where she’s lived her entire life. But Matt—the cute, shy, bespectacled bass player who just moved to town—was never part of that plan. And neither was attending a party that was crashed by the cops just minutes after they arrived. Or spending an entire night saying “yes” to every crazy, fun thing they could think of. Then Matt abruptly left town, and he broke not only Ella’s heart but those of their best friends, too. So when he shows up a year later with a plan of his own—to relive the night that brought them together—Ella isn’t sure whether Matt’s worth a second chance. Or if re-creating the past can help them create a different future.
You can find The Night We Said Yes On:
Our interview with Lauren!
First of all, what is The Night We Said Yes about?
The Night We Said Yes is about four friends who, for one night, say yes to every idea they have. In the process, two of them (Ella and Matt) fall for one another. Cut to a year later when Ella and Matt are seeing each other for the first time since he left town. As they try to recreate the night that originally brought them together, they see if second chances are possible. The nights flip between THEN and NOW as the book goes on, so at the same time you see both nights unfold.
Why do you think readers will enjoy The Night We Said Yes? What makes it special?
It's the best book EVER. Okay, I'm kidding. (Second best book ever?) It's a fun story about love and friendship, about the various bonds we have. It's about the magic of one night, and how anything can happen.
How does it feel to be a new author? What's scary about it? What's great?
It is definitely scary! And exciting! Every part of the process has been insanely cool. (Edits! Cover! Reviews!) Of course I'm terrified everyone will hate it, but that's part of being a writer. I'm so proud of the book and so excited for it to be out there that I try to ignore the fear. And making writer friends has definitely been amazing. There are so many lovely and talented writers out there, many of which are debuts with me!
What do you think about the relationship between the blogging community and authors?
The blogging community has been SO wonderful to me! I can't explain how nice all of the bloggers I've spoken to have been. They really LOVE books and writing, and I LOVE them for that! And, goodness, can we discuss how great all of your all writing is? For real.
What's been your best experience as a new author so far?
Befriending other authors. Seriously, their guidance is wonderful. Also, meeting my agent was incredibly neat. She's believed in my book from the start; I'm so happy she's been on this journey with me. And last, seeing my book as a book. So many tears!
What's been your worst experience?
I got a papercut from one of my ARCs. How ridiculous is that? I was convinced it was a bad omen.
What's your advice to fellow debut authors?
Join a debut group. I'm with the Fearless Fifteeners and it's been amazing. Everyone is supportive, and you form amazing friendships.
Lastly, will The Night We Said Yes have a sequel? If not, do you plan on writing anything else in the future?
Sequel, no. However, it does have a companion e-novella. Matt's Story, which follows Matt during his year away, comes out August 4th with Epic Reads Impulse. My second novel, Autofocus, comes out summer 2016 with HarperTeen.
An Exclusive TNWSY Playlist!
Lauren was kind (and awesome) enough to create a playlist to go with The Night We Said Yes, so here it is!
1. "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" - Stars
2. "The Night Starts Here" - Stars
3. "Sometimes I Still Feel the Bruise" -Trembling Blue Stars
4. "Should I Stay or Should I Go" - The Clash
5. "We Are Young" - Fun. featuring. Janelle Monae
6. "First Day of My Life" - Bright Eyes
7. "It'll Get You There" - Rilo Kley
8. "I Wanna Get Better" - Bleachers
9. "21 Guns" - Green Day
10. "Shake It Out" - Florence and the Machine
11. "Tonight the Streets are Ours" -Richard Hawley
*GIVEAWAY*
We'd like to extend a special thank you to author Lauren Gibaldi for allowing us to have her as our June Debut Author Spotlight and also for helping us out with the interview, playlist and giveaway!
Love the premise of the novel! Sadly the giveaway is US only, I'll have to add it to my long book wishlist haha.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a short but sweet and good interview!! Can't wait for this book to come out!
ReplyDeleteI am excited for THE NIGHT WE SAID YES!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance at the giveaway!!
I am excited because this new to me author has an excellent sounding book coming out. I am so excited. I hope I get to read it soon !
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway!!*hugs*
ReplyDelete