HATE LIST Author: Meet Jennifer Brown!!!

The Niceties: Peeps meet Jennifer Brown. Jennifer Brown, meet my peeps.

Okay, so now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get down to business. Jennifer’s debut novel HATE LIST is a book I’ve been dying to tell you about (honestly, no pun intended)! As part of the Debs (and Tenners too), I’ve had the chance to read more than my share of extraordinary debut novels, the only limitation is that I have to wait my turn in line. Okay, so maybe patience is not one of my virtues. Fine, it’s definitely not one of them. And since I wasn’t fast enough signing up for HATE LIST that means I can either wait months for my turn to read it for free…or I buy it from Amazon. NOW. Let me just say: “Hello two-day shipping!”

Why the rush? Check it out:

Five months ago, Valerie Leftman’s boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saves the life of a classmate, but is implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things they hated. The list her boyfriend used to pick his targets.

Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.

And the reviews are coming in all over, and everyone seems to agree…Jennifer’s book is being hailed as brilliant. Even Kirkus (KIRKUS!) says: “this debut is one to top the charts.”

Seriously, just take a few moments to watch this (come on, it’s less than a minute and a half of your time, what can it hurt?). If this doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will.



See? Doesn’t it look haunting and horrifying and genius? This one moves right to the top of my to-be-read pile.

So, now to the interview portion of our program. You guys know the drill, so I won’t waste time explaining.

Jennifer, here we go:

1) Would you rather be the Bestselling Rockstar Author or an Acclaimed Literary Award Winner?

I guess I'd choose... Bestselling Rockstar Acclaimed Literary Award Winning Author... With a Winning Smile.

2) Make people laugh, cry, or hide under the covers?

Depends on what I'm writing. I hate it when people laugh at my serious fiction and cry at my humor, though. That's a bad day.

3) Retire early or just keep writing from your beach house(s)?

Never retire. Never!

4) FaceBook or MySpace?

Facebook, with tons of flair and other cyber-stuff.

5) After a period, one space or two?

Oh, no! It took me years to get that second space out of there. Please don't make me put it back!

And your bonus question: What ONE WORD of advice would give to any aspiring writer?

Write.

To find out more about Jennifer Brown (believe it or not, she’s a humor columnist for The Kansas City Star), check out her website at http://www.jenniferbrownya.com/!

And. Buy. This. Book!!!

Comments

jberk said…
You are right, that is a ridiculously awesome trailer! Oh man!! I already had planned on reading this book, but man that's awesome. Altogether a great interview!

(Are we really not supposed to use two spaces after a period anymore?)
StaffPicks said…
Killer Trailer. Pun Intended. Thanks for posting, Kim. And thanks for answering the questions, Jennifer. Can't wait to read the book. I'll buy it local. |:~)
lisa and laura said…
Um..sweet jaysus that trailer was amazing. I am definitely ordering this book today. Thanks Kimberly!
PJ Hoover said…
Great interview! I've been seeing mention of this book around and about. How fun!
Josh - I *totally* use two spaces. I'm sure my editor hates me.

Paul - Nicely played on the pun. LMAO!

LiLa - I know, right? I think I'm as in love with the song as I am with the video, I want to just play it as "background".

PJ - You'll have to check it out, I think it's going to be *amazing*!!!
JESSJORDAN said…
Okay, if Borders doesn't hurry up with my order I'm going to track that FedEx truck down myself!

Seriously, whoever thought to play Mad World was genius. Chilling trailer. Can't wait to read it!
Jess - Totally agree about the song...AND the FedEx truck. Let me know what you think!