Debut Author Bash 2016: Stephanie Scott


Welcome back to another post for the 2016 Debut Author Bash! Today I am happy to say that I will be talking with Stephanie Scott whose YA novel, Alterations, will be coming out in September! You can find the bash schedule here! There's also a giveaway at the end of this post so be sure to enter!
Meet Stephanie Scott
Stephanie Scott writes Young Adult stories about teens who put their passions first. She’s an active member of Romance Writers of America and its online YA chapter YARWA, and a current writing mentor in online pitch contests. Born and raised in Kalamazoo where there are no zoos, she’s a Midwest girl at heart. She now lives outside of Chicago with her tech-of-all-trades husband. You can find her chatting about TV and all things books on twitter and Instagram at @StephScottYA. Her debut ALTERATIONS about a fashion-obsessed loner who reinvents herself releases 9/6/16 from Bloomsbury Spark.

Links: 


Interview
Gabriella: Care to introduce yourself? We want to know everything!
Stephanie: Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog! I’m Stephanie Scott and I am truly hooked on YA books. I’ve always liked reading, but felt I truly found my book people once I started going to book signings and events. I’m married and live outside of Chicago. If I could live anywhere else it would probably be the Pacific Northwest. If forced to choose two out of this list of three: fuzzy, shiny, tiny, I would choose fuzzy and tiny.

Gabriella: Can you tell us about your debut, Alterations?
Stephanie: Sixteen-year-old Amelia is a self-made style maven with an Instagram full of high-end fashion pics. Only in real life, she can’t afford designer anything, and on Friday nights she’s more likely found tweaking her Pinterest prom boards while daydreaming over her lifelong crush Ethan (who happens to be the son of her family’s employer, and who happens to barely know she exists). Amelia heads to New York for the summer for a fashion internship, which transforms her confidence. When she returns, her dream guy Ethan definitely takes notice. But Amelia is no longer sure he fits her dream. Especially now that she and Ethan’s twin brother Liam are working together to develop a fashion app. The story is set in Miami and New York, and there are great friendships as well as romance. Plus, killer shoes, because of course.

Gabriella: Oh man, I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Gabriella: I know that Alterations is inspired by the movie Sabrina, but when did you come up with the idea?
Stephanie: I had written a story that was a bit more literary, set fifty years ago (think Mad Men but YA) and definitely needed something lighter and more romantic after that. Every time I told someone I was thinking of a YA twist on the Sabrina story, people told me how much they loved the movie. So I had a lot of motivation to write it.

Gabriella: What do you like to do if you ever feel stuck in your writing or in life?
Stephanie: I’m a regular at a dance fitness class called WERQ which is hip hop and modern pop--I am sure we do not look cool to anyone else but it is the most fun I have working out. Exercising helps me think through problems--story and life! Though I don’t do it as often these days, I still love a good RPG or first person shooter. I’ve lost many hours to the various Fallout games, Skyrim, Dragon Age, and Halo online.

Gabriella: Well remind me to come hang out with you sometime! It seems like you have a lot of fun!

Gabriella: If there’s one thing you really want readers to know in regards to this particular book, what is it?
Stephanie: Alterations is a book that may seem like a light, “fluffy” read (and there’s nothing wrong with that!) but I hope there’s a deeper sense of family, friendships, and love that comes through. My favorite stories are the ones that trick you when you think you’re getting a light read.

Gabriella: I agree. Those definitely are the best kinds of books, but it's unfortunate that some don't get given the chance because they appear to be so fluffy. You know?

Gabriella: Are you currently working on anything? If so, is there anything you’re willing to share?
Stephanie: I have a short story that will be part of a young adult collection with some truly fantastic authors--announcement coming soon. I have several drafts in the works. The one I’m readying now may be my favorite. Here are two hints: road trip and comics convention.

Gabriella: Okay, so earlier this month I went to my first comic-con and those hints have my full attention! *grabby hands*

Gabriella: If you had to choose one, which 2016 debut are you most excited for? I know, they’re all so great! We can narrow it to one that isn’t out yet if that helps. Lol.
Stephanie: Well, I’ll tell you right now I can’t choose one. I’ve been fortunate to have read a lot of advanced copies of 2016 debuts through The Sweet Sixteens group. Debuts I loved: Summer of Sloane by Erin Schneider, Summer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods (can you tell I like summer books?), Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner, Scarlett Epstein Hates it Here by Anna Breslaw, The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner, Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies by Laura Stampler, which has a lot of fun parallels to my book, but a totally different story.

Gabriella: Oooh, I absolutely loved Summer of Sloane and Phantom Limbs! The rest are on my TBR. I'll definitely need to come to you for more recommendations sometime!

Gabriella: Instagram or Twitter?
Stephanie: A year ago I would have said twitter--I’ve been on it 9 (!) years. But more recently it’s Instagram. I love the #bookstagram community, which has put me in touch with great bloggers like yourself!

Gabriella: Aw, thank you. It has been lovely chatting with you these past few months! Y'all, trust me when I tell you that Stephanie is absolutely the sweetest.

Gabriella: Pinterest or Tumblr?
Stephanie: I’m more of a lurker on Tumblr, but Pinterest is definitely useful for story planning and inspiration. Here is my inspiration board for Alterations: https://www.pinterest.com/stephscottil/alterations/

Gabriella: Sabrina circa 1954 or Sabrina circa 1995?
Stephanie: Tough call! The 1950s version is wonderful because of the enchanting Audrey Hepburn, but there are some aspects that do not translate well across the years. I saw the 1990s remake first. The fashion is a little less glamorous, but I like seeing Han Solo, er Harrison Ford, in a romantic comedy.

Gabriella: Go to fashion item?
Stephanie: Scarf

Gabriella: Best writing spot?
Stephanie: The corner of my L-shaped couch. I now have a more ergonomic lap desk because writing on the couch is probably terrible for posture.
Gabriella: Favorite reading spot?
Stephanie: In bed with the kitty by my side :)

 Gabriella: Funny, mine is in bed with my doggies next to me. (:
Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I want to thank Stephanie for stopping by today and I really hope y'all check out her debut as well as the rest of the tour! Happy Sunday!
Xoxo,
Gabriella

Comments

  1. bn100June 26, 2016 at 1:16 PM

    looks interesting

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 26, 2016 at 9:31 PM

    Thanks for joining the #16DABash!

    -N

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gabriella MoralesJune 27, 2016 at 2:14 AM

      Of course. Thank you for having me, it's been a blast! I'm really looking forward to next year!

      Delete
  3. RebeccaJune 28, 2016 at 12:29 AM

    First time hearing of Alterations, but it sounds fun and totally different. Thanks for featuring the book, it sounds like a great read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gabriella MoralesJune 28, 2016 at 2:15 PM

      Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll check it out!

      Delete
    2. StephscoJuly 3, 2016 at 3:33 PM

      Thanks! I have a lot planned upcoming on Instagram before the book launches, including a cover reveal :)

      Delete
  4. PennyJune 29, 2016 at 7:06 AM

    Alterations sounds interesting and original.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BubeJune 30, 2016 at 8:06 PM

    Alterations sounds interesting,looking forward to read :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. FebieJuly 5, 2016 at 8:49 AM

    It looks unique.

    ReplyDelete

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