Debut '19 Interview: Erin Jones & Tinfoil Crowns

In 2019 our goal is to work with as many debut authors as possible and spread the word about their debut novels. Follow us this year as we pick the mind of the 2019 debuts and chat with them. Also stay tuned for news of giveaways, twitter chats and more! 

Today on the blog Erin Jones, the author of TINFOIL CROWNS has stopped by to talk about her debut novel. We are super excited for TINFOIL CROWNS and we loved reading Erin's answers to out questions! 

About Erin!

Erin Jones received her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College where she is now affiliated faculty. She is the former head of marketing at Ploughshares and a regular contributor to the Ploughshares Blog. In September 2018, she became Editor-in-chief of The Platform Review. Her work has been published in The James Franco Review, Rock & Sling, and other publications. She was a 2017 finalist for the Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence fellowship and calls Boston home. Tinfoil Crowns is her first novel.

Keep up with Erin: Twitter

Interview!

The Book Bratz: How does it feel that TINFOIL CROWNS is debuting this year?

Erin: I have so many feelings about my book debuting so soon! To be perfectly honest, it’s still kind of surreal. I’ve had the idea for the novel in my mind since 2015, so to have a physical book coming out in the world is wild to think about. I’m excited and terrified all at the same time, but overwhelmingly I have a huge feeling of gratitude. Throughout this experience I’ve received so much positive support from my family, friends, colleagues, authors, former teachers, and my publisher; even people I haven’t spoken to in years have reached out to congratulate me. Having such a strong support system has helped so much when the whole process starts to feel a bit hard to handle. I consider myself very lucky.

The Book Bratz: In the length of a tweet (280 characters!) can you give us an overall summary of TINFOIL CROWNS?

Erin: Fit, a budding YouTube star, shares everything with her fans and they love her for it. But what her fans don’t know is that when Fit was three, her mother, suffering from postpartum psychosis, tried to kill her. When her mother re-enters her life, Fit must choose: family or fame?

The Book Bratz: Where did your inspiration for TINFOIL CROWNS come from?

Erin: The inspiration came from a variety of ideas. I just had this random thought one day of a mother trying to harm her children because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis. And I started to think about what a mother/daughter relationship would look like when the mother re-entered the child’s life after many years had passed. What would that road to recovery be like? I was also incredibly inspired by the internet. I made Fit a YouTuber because I find YouTube so fascinating. YouTube stars are a different brand of celebrity where there’s not much space between their real life and their audience. And fandoms are strong and fierce and loyal (and sometimes very mean). I was really about to draw on this “living your life online” aspect to create tension between the characters.

The Book Bratz: Is there anything from your personal life that you used as inspiration in TINFOIL CROWNS?

Erin: The setting is the only thing that I took from my personal life. I grew up in a small town that was ten minutes away from two major casinos. When I went to college about an hour away and people asked “Where are you from?” my answer was always “Do you know where the casinos are?” I find the dynamic of my hometown so interesting: it’s got a small town vibe yet it is in such close proximity to these two large institutions that people travel from all over the area to come to. I fictionalized the actual casino in the book, but I definitely drew on the fact that if my friends and I were bored we would just go walk around the casino. That’s not an experience that most people can relate to.

The Book Bratz: Can you share a secret about TINFOIL CROWNS that not many people know yet?

Erin: One thing that people are often surprised by is that part of the story is told from the perspective of Fit’s mother (River). As I was writing the story, I never wanted River to be a villain. Yes, she tried to harm her children, but there was an underlying, unaddressed mental illness at the root of her actions. I never wanted the reader to hate River. I felt sorry for her. I felt compassion for her. And the only way that I was truly able to get that compassion across was to tell part of the story from her perspective.


I was a bit nervous submitting it as Young Adult since about a quarter of the book is told from an adult perspective, but I was so happy when my editor at Flux Books, Mari Kesserling, saw how much depth and dimension those chapters added to the story.

The Book Bratz: If you had to create Twitter or Instagram handles for your characters, what would they be?

Erin: This is such a great question! And something I actually put a lot of thought into while writing seeing as Fit’s social media presence is a big part of the book. Fit’s handle across all platforms is @Fitted_Sheet. It’s her YouTube name and a nickname she got from an ex-boyfriend. (The full story behind the name is in Chapter 2!) Fit’s little brother is an artist and likes to post his art on social media so I believe his handles would be something like @FrankieCreates or @ArtByFrankie.  One aspect of social media that I learned about after I wrote the book are “finstas.” They’re private instagram accounts that only a small number of your close friends are allowed to follow. The pictures aren’t filtered or edited or curated. Rather, they’re sometimes unflattering and the captions are really long and resemble a journal entry. And the handle is generally something wild or outlandish. So I like to think that Fit would have one and the name would be @FranticMESS or @bbsotired or something like that.

The Book Bratz: Do you have any ideas you plan to visit after the TINFOIL CROWNS?

Erin: Right now I’m working on a project that’s completely different from TINFOIL CROWNS. It’s a collection of linked short stories that have a climate change/speculative twist to them. I’ve been working on it for about six months now. So even though it’s still very new, I’ve been having so much fun writing!

 

About TINFOIL CROWNS:

Title: Tinfoil Crowns

Author: Erin Jones

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: Flux

Publication Date: May 7th, 2019

Pre-Order TINFOIL CROWNS HERE!

Summary:  Seventeen-year-old internet video star Fit is on a mission to become famous at all costs. She shares her life with her fans through countless videos (always sporting some elaborate tinfoil accessory), and they love her for it. If she goes viral, maybe she can get out of her small casino town and the cramped apartment she shares with her brother and grandpa. But there's one thing Fit's fans don't know about her: when Fit was three-years-old, her mother, suffering from postpartum psychosis, tried to kill her.  Now Fit's mother, River, has been released from prison. Fit is outraged that River is moving in with the family, and it's not long before Fit's video followers realize something's up and uncover her tragic past. But Fit soon realizes that the only thing her audience loves more than tragedy is a heartwarming tale of a family reunion. Is faking a relationship with River the key to all Fit's dreams coming true?

Thank you so much Erin for stopping by to answer some of our questions. We are so excited TINFOIL CROWNS and can't wait for it to be out in the world! 

Adults in YA: Why We Still Read, Part 3

If you're an avid YA reader, there's no way you've escaped hearing about the stigma that surrounds the genre -- the fact that people who read YA even though they're older than the "targeted market" are often seen as immature, nostalgic, or stuck in their younger years. Recently, after our university newspaper posted an opinion piece in which the writer talked about how we all need to "read our age" -- meaning, basically, that we should break away from YA and focus on the classics such as Dickens -- we decided to send out a Tweet and ask if there were any other YA readers that were over 18 out there. Not to start trouble or stir up angry feelings, but just to see -- just how many "out of the age range" YA readers are there? Our Tweet was as follows:

SOS! 🗣 Do you read YA even though you’re 18+? If you do, please DM us or reply to this Tweet — we have a post idea, and we need your help! #replytweet

— The Book Bratz (@thebookbratz) March 14, 2019

Well, it's safe to say the response we got was absolutely overwhelming. We got nearly 1,000 people over the age of 18 who wanted to tell us why they still read YA even though they're past the "marketable" age-range for the genre. We had so many amazing responses that we wanted to take the time to share them all with you -- but since there are so many, it turns out that we had to make it a series! For 10 whole weeks, we're going to be sharing 10 reasons (100 in total!) why "older" YA readers stick with the genre, and why it's important to them. So without further ado, here are 10 readers above the age of 18 who explained to us why they still read YA:

I read YA because I find great solace in watching a young adult character struggle through the same turbulent life decisions I made -- and get it wrong. Nearing my late twenties now, I can confidently say I took the wrong turn at almost every opportunity, so having a character do the same and still come out okay gives me great hope for my own future. 
-@reneeapril92

When I was a teen I tended to read only adult novels because as a voracious reader I’d gotten it in my head that I should be reading “that caliber of writing” -- what rubbish! I found adult books to be depressing as an adult and they tended to only be dark and gritty. I read to find hope and escape from our dark and sometimes depressing real world. YA novels are filled with hope, and kickass women, and people searching for who they are and who they could be AND are still perfectly well written. YA has everything I want and need from literature and I’m proud to read a lot of YA books yearly! 
-@crushgoil 

I read YA because I teach teenagers. We have a new English curriculum that allows us to read 10 minutes [a] day. I read with them! It’s absolutely amazing. I have an hour a day to read! It’s a dream. However, I was once one of those people who looked down on YA literature. However, I’ve seen the error of my ways. My students love these books and I want to share their love of these books. 
-@phimugrl

Novels have the ability to note only shape minds, but to prove to people that they are not alone in what they might be feeling or experiencing. A lot of people find comfort in reading and young adult fiction can help people in what might be one of the most turbulent times of their lives as they transition into what people call the "real world’"and have to discover how to live and look after themselves. Young adult novels follow characters in a thrilling stage of their life, on the edge of something new and exciting. Reading about these experiences, about change and how to deal with change, can be rather therapeutic and can help people understand the change and challenges they are currently going through. Like teens themselves, YA takes risks. YA books are companions, they're comfort blankets, they're an escape. If writers want to reach that level of intimacy and companionship it can only be achieved if the book itself is reflective of the target reader. But that does not mean that people beyond the target age can't yearn for that sense of companionship, and that's what YA books are; they're a friend. 
-@mcgonagal

I'm a 28 year old mom that reads YA. Why? Because I connect to the stories more than any other genre/age group. Young Adult is able to bring topics to light that other genres can't and the stories are so mature and diverse that it's easy for me to relate to the stories. Young adult has a voice that everyone should listen to.
-@nbeewrites

YA stories are powerful, as their themes are often unfiltered, raw and honest due to the age of the characters -- many of whom are experiencing key life defining moments for the first time. As we age, we tend to become more rehearsed/constructed/rigid in our views and how we approach the world, our lives, and others, and there is something about the willingness to accept, question, and live freely, without abandon, as characters in YA novels do, that satisfies a desire in older readers of this genre. The ability to once again be those young selves and approaching life with the same vulnerability and experiencing all that helped shape who we became -- first loves and first heartaches, sexual awareness and desire, mental and physical health highs and lows, good/bad decision making, first drinks, smokes and sex, etc. -- is a gift. To restrict readers of YA to a specific age group, or to infer one graduating out of the age group should grow up or be more serious in their reading, is to confine the hearts and minds, and a lonely way to live. And for me, personally, YA stories that explore love, loss, and life are powerful reads because we all want to step away from the reality of our older lives and worlds, and remember what it was like to live and love as we once did; who we once were, forever etched on who we are. 
-@dmsreadwrite, 43

I read YA for a number of reasons but the main one is books don’t have an age limit. Everyone should be able to enjoy books regardless of age and genre. The story lines of YA novels are incredible and the characters develop so well over time. Even though I’m in my mid-twenties, I find YA characters more relatable than a lot of characters in adult novels. 
-@Tessaundra

I read YA even though I am 26 years old because it's still fun! It's a genre of books that deal with a person's potential, and who doesn't want to hear that they can do anything, even if they're told you cannot by the world, society, culture, or even your family? YA is about hope, love, potential, power, and the ability to harness all of these things for ourselves. This is why I read YA. I need to hear this myself from time to time. 
-@TinyNavajo

YA isn’t a genre, it can take you alien planets, fantasy worlds, other countries and other times. YA literature just proves that age is but a number and being strong and brave and powerful isn’t something you have to wait to inherit, it is something you become. YA shows the young adults of today’s world that we can stand up against adversity, big or small, and we can be the change. 
-@ClareTansell, 23

Finding out "who you are" doesn't end when you turn 18, so why should reading coming of age stories -- either light and fluffy or dark and twisty -- end when you mature past the "advertised" age group? YA protagonists (and antagonists) are some of the most complex and resonating characters I've ever read about. Why should I give that up just because I'm 40? 
-@alexgirlnyc

What are your thoughts about reading YA past the "age-appropriate" market? If you have something else to add on this topic, feel free to comment down below and share your opinions! Also be on the lookout for another post next week, where we share even more thoughts from other 18+ YA readers!

Check Out The Previous Posts:

Part One
Part Two

Review: The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald

Title: The Night Olivia Fell
Author: Christina McDonald
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Paperback, 368 Pages
Published February 2019

Summary: In the small hours of the morning, Abi Knight is startled awake by the phone call no mother ever wants to get: her teenage daughter Olivia has fallen off a bridge. Not only is Olivia brain dead, she’s pregnant and must remain on life support to keep her baby alive. And then Abi sees the angry bruises circling Olivia’s wrists. When the police unexpectedly rule Olivia’s fall an accident, Abi decides to find out what really happened that night. Heartbroken and grieving, she unravels the threads of her daughter’s life. Was Olivia’s fall an accident? Or something far more sinister? Christina McDonald weaves a suspenseful and heartwrenching tale of hidden relationships, devastating lies, and the power of a mother’s love. With flashbacks of Olivia’s own resolve to uncover family secrets, this taut and emotional novel asks: how well do you know your children? And how well do they know you?

I originally received this book as part of the March Scribbler box, and when I first opened it, I wasn't sure what to think because I was never a fan of adult books (as you clearly know, I am a big YA fan here, LOL!), so I wasn't sure if I would have a tough time falling into the story or anything. However, that was absolutely not the case with this book -- I practically flew through it and couldn't put it down because I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. So without further ado, let's get into this review!

As the summary explains, Abi Knight is horrified when she finds out that her daughter Olivia fell off the town bridge. Even worse? She's in a coma and almost definitely will never wake up. Even more intense? She's pregnant, and nobody knew about it. The worst part of all? The bruises on her wrists make it clear that this was so accident. So Abi sets out to find her daughter's attacker as the clock slowly counts down to the inevitable moment that Olivia's baby is born and she will be taken off life support for good. Can she possibly figure it out in so little time?

I absolutely adored this book and couldn't put it down. I sped through it because Christina McDonald was such an excellent writer when it came to creating a thrilling, mysterious story that made you fear every turn of the page while also tugging at your heartstrings. The fact that there were chapters that we saw in Olivia's POV that gave us info Abi didn't have yet also added a lot more stress to the situation. I seriously can't say enough good things about this book because it was definitely the best psychological thriller I've read in a very, very long time!

(Spoilers here -- skip to the next paragraph to avoid them!) Something that I really loved about this book was the way that everything panned out in the end. I was really impressed with the way that Christina McDonald put so many false leads into the story, first making me think it was Derek that pushed Olivia, then Gavin, then maybe even Kendall or Madison. There really wasn't any point that I suspected the real killer until they were actually revealed -- but then, once I went back and looked at all the clues, everything made sense. The ending scene where Abi is letting go of Olivia really touched me, too, and I'll admit that I started to tear up a little bit because it was so sad and emotional. This book definitely makes you cry just as often as it makes you gasp!

Overall, I absolutely loved The Night Olivia Fell, and if you're reading this review, I strongly encourage you to add this to your TBR immediately. I promise you that you won't be able to put this book down -- you'll read it so quickly because you'll always want to know what's going to happen next. If you're looking for an intense, gripping, thrilling mystery that has you on the edge of your seat, then The Night Olivia Fell is definitely the book for you. I'm super grateful to Scribbler for sharing this book with me, because now I have a positive experience with reading outside of my preferred age-group that I didn't have before, so it makes the adult genre seem less daunting and intense for me! 

20 Back Listed Books to Add to Your TBR ASAP!

I feel like there are so many books that are so over hyped before they are even published that excitement for any other book(s) seems to get pushed to the side. For me, I have a hard time reading books that are over hyped, most times I find they don't live up to the hype. 

But today I want to feature a few blacklisted books that deserve some hype because they were all amazing reads and books I'll reread to help pull myself out of a slump! There are also a few in here that friends have suggested to me and they believe the be under hyped as well! 

*Click on the covers to be redirected to their Goodreads pages*

                  

Have you read any of these?! What book do you feel like is severely under-hyped? 

Waiting On Wednesday: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine where we highlight some of the upcoming books we can't wait to read! 

Title: Ninth House
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Genre: YA/NA Contemporary Fantasy 
Publisher: Flatiron Books 
Publication Date: Oct. 1st, 2109

Summary: Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?
Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.

Believe it or not, I've never read anything by Leigh Bardugo. Don't ask me why cause I don't know. This summary really stuck out to me and I'm intrigued by the mention of secret societies. I'm hoping this takes a fantasy twist as well. Can't wait to get my hands on this!

What are you waiting on this week? Leave your links so we can stop back!