Christmas Countdown: Day 5: Interview w/ Amy Holder + Giveaway

For Day 4, I have an interview with one of the sweetest authors around! You know who she is? You don't? You do?

Amy Holder is one of the Elevensies. Her debut novel, The Lipstick Laws will be released on April 4, 2011!

What or who inspired you to write The Lipstick Laws? Why?

I wanted to write an entertaining story that highlights the ups and downs of teenage years and high school.  Believe me, I had plenty of them to gain inspiration from.  I've also always been fascinated by the dynamics of social hierarchies and how fragile they are, so I wanted to highlight that in the story as well.  

What lessons will readers pick up from your book?

First and foremost, I hope readers will have some laughs and be entertained while reading my book.  That was my main goal when I wrote it. As for lessons, I also hope readers will feel empowered by April's story to stand up to bullies and be less prone to popularity pressures, and less judgmental of themselves and others.

Why do you write for teens?

Teen years are such a pivotal point in everyone's life.  They're filled with good times and bad, angst and excitement, confusion and invincibility, growth and changes... and I don't think there's a more interesting period of time that I could write about. Not to mention, I never lost my inner teen voice.

How do you prepare for Christmas?

I watch the movie Elf and A Christmas Story at least 975 times... and I consume enough sugar to keep me running on a holiday sugar high for the whole month of December. This leads to overly efficient gift wrapping, Christmas cookie baking & frosting, and other important elf-like duties.  I also do most of my Christmas shopping in November, so I can enjoy the holiday season instead of fighting crowds at the mall.

As an author/writer, are you doing something special this Christmas?

I've been asked to be a part of several holiday blog events (including yours, thank you!!), which I think is pretty special and cool.  I'm also hoping that the excitement of the holiday will propel me to finish up the last bit of my WIP.  On the non-writing front, I plan on celebrating Christmas with my family at my parents' house.

Does your family have a Christmas tradition?

Growing up, we had so many Christmas traditions.  Some of my favorites were making sugar cookies with my mom, my father reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on every Christmas Eve, opening one present before we went to bed on Christmas Eve, my grandmother sleeping over on Christmas Eve, staying up all night to wake my poor exhausted parents up at the crack of dawn, and "Santa" color coordinating my siblings' and my presents.

Do you take advantage of the Christmas vacation and write?

Yes, I try to!  In fact, I finished my first draft of The Lipstick Laws over my 2008 holiday break.  I'm hoping this holiday season will be as productive.

As a writer, do you think it would be better to gift books for Christmas? why? Have you ever done this before?

I'm totally biased because I am a book-buying addict. I LOVE to both give and receive books.  I'd say that more than half of my holiday wish list every year is always books.  And, in turn, plenty of friends and family members will get a book or two from me. I mean, what's better than a brand new, crisp book for Christmas?  I know plenty of people who might say a designer handbag or a car...but I think otherwise...unless it's a Maserati that I could pawn off for even more books.

If you were to gift one book to any person, what book would it be?

I think a holiday classic like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens would be a nice gift, especially if it's a collector's edition that would look extra pretty on a bookshelf. 

Thank you Amy! And yes, the cute picture on the right of a little girl with the present is Amy when she was young!
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The Lipstick Laws Giveaway (Contest Closed!)

A big thank you to Amy who offered a signed finished copy of The Lipstick Laws and swag to one lucky winner! Do remember that the prize is a finished copy, it will be sent to the winner around March-April!

Contest Rules:


Must be a follower.
Comment with your email address!
Open Internationally.
Ends on January 3, 2011.


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Missed the other posts? Check here to see the line-up of posts for the event!
We're giving away The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith, Picture of the Dead by Adele Griffin, Prophecy of Days by Christy Raedake and Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala!