Friday, February 27, 2009

Today I have Saundra Mitchell on the blog! Saundra is celebrating the release of her debut novel, Shadowed Summer, and recovering from a recent John Green sighting. More on that in a moment, but first:

About Shadowed Summer

Nothing ever happened in Ondine, Louisiana, not even the summer Elijah Landry disappeared. His mother knew he ascended to heaven, the police believed he ran away, and his girlfriend thought he was murdered.

Decades later, certain she saw his ghost in the town cemetery, fourteen-year-old Iris Rhame is determined to find out the truth behind "The Incident With the Landry Boy."

Enlisting the help of her best friend Collette, and forced to endure the company of Collette's latest crush, Ben, Iris spends a summer digging into the past and stirring old ghosts, in search of a boy she never knew.

What she doesn't realize is that in a town as small as Ondine, every secret is a family secret.

About Saundra Mitchell

A screenwriter and author, Saundra Mitchell penned the screenplays for the Fresh Films and Girls in the Director's Chair short film series. Her short story "Ready to Wear" was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and her first feature film, Revenge Ends, debuted on the festival circuit in 2008. In her free time, she enjoys ghost hunting, papermaking, and spending time with her husband and her two children.

On to the Interview!

Me: Without giving away too many spoilers, what is your favorite part of Shadowed Summer, or what was the part you had the most fun writing?

Saundra: I have to say, I really enjoyed writing every time my main character Iris bickered with her best friend Collette. They're so contrary sometimes, in the way only best friends can be!
Me: I love best friend dynamics! They can be such love/hate relationships. What kind of writing projects are you currently working on? Or, if you aren't working on anything new, is there a different demographic/genre you wouldn't mind tackling in the future?

Saundra: I'm currently working on a variety of projects- I'm finishing up a spec script for a pilot (the first episode of a television show,) as well as several short film projects. Fictionwise, I *am* working, but I can't say on what yet. It's a secret!

Me: Sounds Exciting! And Sneaky! I suppose we’ll have to check your webspaces for updates. And finally: who is your writing hero and why?

Saundra: You know what? Any writer who sits down, finishes the book, and braves the ugly wilds of rejection is my hero.
Me: Definitely! It can be a tough journey from writing to publication: nerves of steel required.

Readers, you should know that Shadowed Summer is already getting lots of praise! Booklist calls it: "Highly atmospheric, with pulse-pounding suspense and an elegiac ending."

And if that’s not fantastic enough, a certain, special, writer boyfriend of mine stopped by a recent Shadowed Summer Signing. SA-WOON!



Do it with me now: (SIGH)! And while I am completely jealous of Saundra—I mean, he’s like, TOUCHING her) I wish her the absolute best with her new novel!)

You can visit Saundra at her home on the web: http://www.saundramitchell.com/ or http://www.shadowedsummer.com/

And . . . Shadowed Summer is officially on sale. You can buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Shadowed-Summer-Saundra-Mitchell/dp/0385735715/

Don’t forget that Saundra will be chatting with Deva Fagan tomorrow at: http://www.devafagan.com/

Thank you so much for stopping by, Saundra!

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