It’s Week 2 of my 2012 YA Debut Interview series! My favorite part about a new year (besides building a wobbly tower of unrealistic expectations for how much I’ll write in the coming year, yay!) is the thought of all the new voices I’ll get to discover. There’s a whole crop of debut YA novelists coming out with books in 2012, and I can’t wait to read them! So, to share my excitement with you, I’m doing a new series of short interviews on this blog.
From December 5 through December 16, I’m featuring ten Winter/Spring 2012 debut authors who wrote books I want to read! Look for giveaways accompanying these interviews—as well as a chance to win a pre-order of your choice at the end of the series. Last week I featured five debuts… and this week I’m featuring five more.
Read on to see how Jess Rothenberg answered my questions about writing The Catastrophic History of You and Me and more (and if you comment on this post, you could win a signed ARC and a poster!)…
2012 YA Debut Interview:
Jess Rothenberg, author of The Catastrophic History of You and Me (Dial/Penguin, forthcoming February 21, 2012)
I’ll start with the dreaded question you may be hearing already from strangers on elevators, long-lost family members, and your doctor while you’re sitting on the examination table in the paper gown during your next checkup: “So what’s your book about?”
The Catastrophic History of You and Me is about a fifteen-year-old girl who literally dies of a broken heart and must pass through the five stages of grief before she can move on to the afterlife and, ultimately, restore her faith in love.
The story is sort of this big mix of light and dark, funny and sad—all about first love, first loss, and learning that sometimes a broken heart isn’t the end of the road… it’s just the beginning. 🙂
In my experience, every book wants to be written differently—and each one behaves differently from the one before it. Some novels like it out of order, and some rigidly insist on being written from start to finish. Some novels come out fast; others are excruciatingly slow. Some novels torment you, and some sing you to sleep. What did your novel want? Was there ever a moment when it misbehaved?
My novel wanted a lot of things. First, it wanted to be written really, really fast. Then it wanted to slam on the brakes and torture me a while. Then it threw a tantrum and forced me to rewrite it almost entirely, again. Then it wanted a meatball sandwich, even though it had previously claimed to be a vegetarian. Very demanding, this book.
What is the single worst distraction that kept you from writing this book?
Oh, the dreaded internets!
Tell us about the place—as in the physical location: a messy office, a comfy couch, a certain corner table at the café—where you spent most of your time writing this book.
I wrote a good deal of Catastrophic History curled up in front of the fireplace in my parents’ home in Charleston, South Carolina. The crackling heat against my back was this great mix of cozy and calming, and really helped me focus. Plus, I got a tan in the middle of winter, so that was an added bonus!
What was the moment when the upcoming publication of your novel felt “real” for the first time—when you got your editorial letter, when you saw the cover, when you held the ARC in your hands… or something else? Or if it doesn’t feel “real” yet, when do you think it will?
Definitely when I held the ARC in my hands for the first time. The whole experience was sort of magical: it was the last day of my family’s beach vacation, and I’d been waiting since breakfast for the book to arrive. All day long, whenever I’d hear a car passing, I’d tear back to the house, desperate to see the truck. But by sunset, it still hadn’t come, and I started to worry since we were leaving the next morning. I called the local post office in a last attempt to track the package down, and what followed was basically a sappy UPS commercial. The lady was like, “He’s pulling up RIGHT now!!” and when I spun around, there was the truck bouncing toward me down the sandy road. I basically attack-hugged the delivery guy while my family clapped and cheered and took pictures (I know, I know). Then I discovered my editor had wrapped the ARC with a beautiful, sparkly red ribbon, which made the whole thing even more special. I didn’t stop smiling all night. It was a pretty great moment.
Dream question: If you could go on book tour anywhere in the world, with any two authors (living or dead), and serve any item of food at your book signing… where would you go, who with, and what delicious treat would you serve your fans?
Oooh, tough one! I’d probably pick a coastal town somewhere in rural Ireland, one of my most-favorite-ever places, with Roald Dahl and Maurice Sendak, two of my most-favorite-ever authors! Even if only a couple of sheep showed up to the book signing, it would still be awesome. Plus, after reading the recent, rather hilarious interview with Mr. Sendak in The Guardian, I have a hunch that sharing a couple of pints with those two after the signing would be pretty entertaining.
(And p.s., I’d serve endless amounts of pizza, like my Catastrophic characters get to eat in their version of the afterlife, a pizza parlor called Little Slice of Heaven.)
How do you plan to celebrate your book’s birthday on February 21?
Haha, probably by visiting a bunch of NYC bookstores and weeping with joy at the sight of my book on actual shelves! Also, by throwing a REALLY fun release party with lots of friends, lots of champagne, and lots of dancing! Details to come, everyone’s invited!
Jess Rothenberg grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, graduated from Vassar College, and spent most of her twenties editing books for teens and middle grade readers (like the bestselling titles Vampire Academy, Strange Angels, and I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil & I Want to be Your Class President, to name just a few). She lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she now writes full-time, dances interpretively, and dreams of one day owning a sheepdog named Leo.
Visit her at www.jessrothenberg.com to find out more!
Read Jess’s blog at www.jessrothenbergbooks.blogspot.com.
Follow @JessRothenberg on Twitter.
Do you want a chance to win The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg? Jess is giving away a signed ARC and a poster to ONE LUCKY COMMENTER on this post. Just comment below and you’re entered to win.
(If you tweet about this giveaway you get +1 extra entry… just let me know you did.)
RULES: One winner will be chosen randomly. The giveaway to win a signed ARC and poster of The Catastrophic History of You and Me ends Monday, December 19 at 5:00 p.m. EST. To win this giveaway, you must have a US mailing address. Be sure to include your email in the comment form (it is private and only I will see it), so I know how to reach you if you win.
And stay tuned for the end of the 2012 Debut Interview Series—for a chance to win the pre-order of your choice out of all ten featured authors!
What is the next Winter/Spring 2012 debut novel I’m looking forward to? Come back tomorrow to find out.
59 responses to “2012 YA Debut Interview: THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME by Jess Rothenberg (+Giveaway!)”
I love your Debut Author series. It’s fun and informative. Now I have even more books to add to my to read list! Thanks!
– Nicole
As usual, Nova, I’m a big fan of your blog & the new series you’ve thought to share with us this month. I’ve just bookmarked this particular entry so I remember to find this book in February (unless, you know, you just happen to give it to me prior to February ;]). It sounds marvelous.
Always reading (if not commenting),
Bailey
I also tweeted the contest, just FYI.
If Bailey doesn’t remember it come February, I’ll be certain to remind her! This book sounds awesome! So happy to have heard about it now. Thanks, Nova!
https://twitter.com/#!/KenzieAudacious/status/146244830589227008
I stopped what I was doing to enter.. Looking forward to reading THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME whether I win or not.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/andietwbas/status/146245605159739392
Thanks for ANOTHER great debut interview & giveaway!
Andie
theworldbehindashelf(at)gmail(dot)com
This book….sounds AMAZING!!!
I love the string of afterlife books that’s been coming out/is coming out- they sound like they should all be lumped together but each one takes such a different view on it, I love it. Congrats!
Cheers~
Dot
requiemofrain (at) hotmail (dot) com
(oh, and I tweeted- @dothutchison)
holy crap, i love her ARC story. that would have given me a heart attack, though!
thanks, Nova!
Oooh, this sounds original in the afterlife genre.
Thanks the awesome giveaway this book looks amazing!!!
Thereadingnook123@gmail.com
Roald Dahl!!!! Oh my, I do love him. :] Have you read his short stories? Everyone knows him for his kid books, but his short stories are equally fantastic. Maybe even better then the kid books. Haha, the ARC story is really hilarious.
Thanks for the giveaway and guest post!
Book sounds great and the cover is gorgeous! Great interview.
This writer sounds like fun! I will look for her book… thanks for the intro!
I love this title & so look forward to reading this book. Hopefully soon. Thanks for the opportunity. I will RT.
bookgoonie at yahoo.com
This book sounds like something most of us can relate to! Thanks for the interview!
Tweet +1: http://twitter.com/#!/lunarwolves86/status/146287186671710209
Asilverflamedsky@yahoo.com
The book looks awesome. I cant enter because Im in Ireland ( we would love to have you here Jess) but I tweeted anyway for you. http://twitter.com/#!/natcleary/status/146292567074553856
This is one of my most anticipated 2012 debuts … Jess is so awesome, and her book sounds original and crazy good. Can’t wait to read it!
just added it to my “to read books” Also tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/JuanaAndrade/status/146296512132022272
I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while now. It sounds really good! Sounds like something a lot of could learn something from as well.
My tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/moiraethefates/status/146307673829277697
This book sounds awesome! Can’t wait to read it! 🙂
Breeann
This books sounds fantastic! Not something I would usually read. I want it soooo badly!
Look fabulous!! This is a new one for me.
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/deadtossedwaves/status/146384110246563841
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
This book sounds super complex and interesting. Can’t wait to read this one!
I’ve been waiting to read this one for a long time! Sounds really good.
https://novaren.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/2012-ya-debut-interview-the-catastrophic-history-of-you-and-me-by-jess-rothenberg-giveaway/
reutreads@gmail.com
I would so buy this for the cover. Gah. And dying of a broken heart? That sounds like an amazing concept to work with. Excited to see this on shelves.
Thank you so much for the interview!!
-Jill
This is such a fun contest idea! I’ve been really looking forward to this title. I loved the interview, especially t he part about getting the ARC the last day of vacation and having the family cheer and clap! 🙂
This book sounds awesome! I love the plot line, it seems so different. Definitely adding this one to my TBR pile 🙂
I am very excuted for this book!!! ❤
I’ve heard great things about this book! And I love your questions, Nova!
I tweeted about the contest too!
I’ve been seeing this book everywhere! Looking forward to reading it!
Another fun interview. Thanks again for the giveaway!
Just tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/got_wanderlust
I can’t wait for this one to come out!
–Linda
Love this cover! It drew me in immediately.
I love your sense of fun and excitement! I find that authors with that kind of enthusiasm always throw together the best books! I look forward to reading this in 2012!
Lenmeo
I’ve been dying to read this! thanks for the giveaway!
this is one i have on my wishlist for forever. cross fingers i win 🙂
Gosh, these all sound SO good!!!
I’ve heard such amazing things about this. Can’t wait for it!
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/taytaystalker/status/147508050952077312
Another great book I can’t wait to read! Thanks!
+1 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/bookishbaggins/status/147521303778308097
Baggins
Cant wait to read it!
Sounds really interesting! 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/#!/woven_/status/148061893439918082
Ahh! I seriously love the cover!
Sounds like a really demanding book. But I’m sure any vegetarian novel that craves meatball would be. Poor Jess.
I’m so so so EXCITED to read this! “The Catastrophic History of You & Me” sounds amazing, funny, heartbreaking, lovely! It’s one of my top anticipated books of the year 🙂
PS – I retweeted this post!! ❤
I’ve been wanting to read this one!! It looks great, thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Oh my gosh, this sounds awsome!!! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love the idea of this book…..and I’d love to win the giveaway! 🙂
Wow what an amazing interview! I think if I were an author I would definitely have to say recieving the ARC too! Congrats on your upcoming release and I wish the both of you the best of luck with your writing careers!
I tweeted here:
http://twitter.com/#!/SeeitORreadit/status/148843376945541120
Thanks again 🙂
I’m really excited for this book and would love to win an ARC! It sounds really great. 🙂
I also tweeted about it: https://twitter.com/pinkindle/status/148844946491846656
Love, love this interview! This book is one of my most highly-anticipated books of 2012.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/BookishAndrea/status/148852098564501506
andreat78@yahoo.com
I love this series (+1), so I sent this link to twitter (+1)
Great interview! I would be totally on board for a book signing with lots of pizza–count me in! 🙂
Great interview!! Really looking forward to this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
I tweeted the giveaway as well. @herfankidd http://twitter.com/#!/herofankidd/status/148879358814203905
email betweenthecoverschris (at) gmail (dot) com
This book is actually one of my most anticipated 2012 debuts!
I love reading about what authors think when they get a copy of their own book!
Great giveaway!
mariam_manghat@hotmail.com
LOVE LOVE LOVE your Debut author interview series!
Can’t wait for this book as well!!! 😀
This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered—and to the author for offering up the prizes and for answering my questions!
I think i’m a little late but I have to comment anyway – love the looks of this book!
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
This book looks good!
lmarste@yahoo.com