Monday 28 February 2011

The Big Break with Keris Stainton


The Big Break is extremely happy to welcome the rather witty Keris Stainton who is about to take the YA world by storm again with her second novel 'Jessica Hearts NY' which comes out in July . So I am over the moon, that she is able to take time out from her busy schedule to come and speak to me today.


Firstly, can I thank you for joining me today on my blog.

Thank you for asking me!

How long had you been dreaming of being published before you got that life changing phone call?

I think it was about 10 years since I'd first had the idea of writing a book, but it took me a long (long) time to finish one I was happy with, so, realistically, probably 4 years.

What was your first reaction when you found out that your first book ‘Della Says OMG’ was to be published? How did it make you feel?

I couldn't believe it, honestly. I'd been down to Orchard Books to meet my editor and the Editorial Director for what I thought was basically an interview. It wasn't. I mainly sat there, grinning, while they told me how much they loved the book. On the train on the way home, I couldn't stop giggling.

What were you doing when you found out?

Well when they actually phoned and offered me a deal, I was sitting in my office, at my computer, as usual… :)

Who did you tell first?

I phoned my husband, David. And then I remember my friend Fionnuala (who at that time was an online friend I hadn't yet met) phoned me, cheering, but I can't even remember how she knew!

How long did it take for your first book to be published after you had been told?

Ah. A while. I got the deal in early 2008 and it was for a book called FORGET ME NOT. But then my editor asked me to write something else and so I wrote DELLA SAYS: OMG! which came out in June 2010. So two years!

What was happening to your manuscript during this time?

The FORGET ME NOT manuscript was alone, unloved, crying. You know, probably. ;) For DELLA, I had edits, line edits and copy edits.

How did you cope whilst waiting for publication day?

It was strange, I couldn't quite believe it was really ever going to come out. From 100 days before release, I did a competition on my blog - giving away books every 10 days - and once I started that, it seemed to fly by. Scarily fast, actually.

How did it feel to see your name in print?

It was amazing. I still can't quite believe it. Every now and then I pick the book up and go "Squeeee!"

Where was the first place that your saw your book on sale and did you do anything crazy when you saw it?

I can't remember. How mad is that? I just looked on my blog to see if I'd written about it, but I didn't. That's TERRIBLE! I'm really disappointed in myself. But I bet wherever it was, I bought a copy.

Your second book ‘Jessie Hearts NYC’ comes out in July. How do you plan to celebrate?

I'm hoping to have a launch party - New York themed :)

What advice would you give unpublished authors?

Read everything you can. Write what you want to read, not what you think agents/publishers/readers want to read. And don't expect to get rich quick. You may not get rich at all and even if you do (and I hope you do), it won't be quick.


On behalf of all my bloggers I want to thank Keris for coming over today and taking time to speak to us.

If  you would like to know more about Keris and her books then pop over to her lovely website here. She has a fantastic giveaway at the moment which runs until the 11th of March, which gives you the opportunity to win a proof copy of her new book Jessica Hearts NYC. So what are you waiting for, click here to go and enter.


If you don't get the chance to win, you can always purchase her first book Della Say: OMG! from The Book Depository.

9 comments:

  1. Awww. I'm a little surprised that the first time you saw your book wasn't documented somewhere, anywhere. You'll have to be more observant for when Jessie is published :)

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  2. I like her book title 'Della Says: OMG' :)
    Fun post ladies.

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  3. Terrific interview! Thank you for presenting such a fun post with a new-to-me author.

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  4. What a fun interview! A themed launch party would be loads of fun!

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  5. You are soooo good at interviews - you will have to teach me :D

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  6. Must add her books to my list. Really fun interview!

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  7. Hi Viv, that's an interesting interview! Fun title for a book and I like the advice. Hi To Keris too. :)

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