An Interview with Author Kelly Oram
Posted by larkin in Fiction - Comedy, Fiction - mystery/suspense
Author Kelly Oram is back with her new novel, Serial Hottie. Yup – great title! When I first heard the idea about this book, I knew I had to get my hands on it!
Ellie’s sweet sixteen is a summer of firsts. First car. First kiss. First boyfriend. First serial-killing stalker?
Hockey-obsessed tomboy Eleanor Westley has never been the object of a guy’s affection before. So when the hottest boy she’s ever seen moves in across the street and starts treating her like she’s the center of his universe, naturally she’s going to be a little skeptical. But everything starts to make sense when girls who look just like Ellie start dying all around the city. Obviously the new guy is the killer, and of course he only likes her because he wants to slice her into tiny pieces. Right?
The more Ellie gets to know Seth the more she’s convinced he’s a psychopathic killer. The problem is he’s the sweetest psychopathic killer she’s ever met. Not to mention he’s brutally hot. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t help but fall for him. Will Ellie find true love, or will her summer of firsts turn out to be a summer of lasts?
This book was hysterical! I loved Ellie and just could not figure Seth out! Ellie was one of those characters I would love to be friends with – super tough, athletic, and the total opposite of her sister. She gets herself into so much trouble and I loved reading about what she was going to do next. From her first interaction with Seth – skating, a crazy dog, and a taser – I was hooked with this novel! Angela – her popular sister, was great too. I loved how she was constantly trying to get Ellie her first official boyfriend – and flip flopped to whatever guy Ellie even mentioned in conversation. This was a great summer read…quick, funny, with characters who constantly had you guessing what the heck was going to happen next!
As part of the Serial Hottie Blog Tour, we’re thrilled to have Kelly Oram with us!
What’s the best thing about being an author?
Being able to tell stories! I always have so many ideas floating around in my brain. I love being able to make all those crazy ideas and daydreams come to life. Even when I thought no one would ever read my stories but me, I still wrote them. I need the creative outlet.
What was it like the first time you saw your book in a bookstore? Or in a reader’s hands?
Well, since I didn’t go the traditional publishing route you won’t find my books in the bookstores. They have to be ordered online. But they do have a copy at my local library and I don’t know what makes me giggle more—seeing it on the shelf, or realizing it’s been checked out. Sometimes I still can’t believe people like to read my work. It’s an overwhelming feeling.
What was your favorite book when you were in middle school? High school?
Hmm, I really loved The Giver by Lois Lowery in middle school, and then I fell in love with Anne Of Green Gables in high school. Or maybe I just fell in love with Gilbert Blythe.
And what are your favorite YA books now?
Oh, my goodness. Too many to mention them all! My current obsession is Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I’m also in love with the Starcrossed series by Angelini Josephine. I loved Legend by Marie Lu, the Maze Runner series by James Dashner, The Uglies series by Scott Westerfield, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, all things Meg Cabot, the Shadow Falls series by C.C. Hunter, the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Claire, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles, and anything by Kelley Armstrong. I could go on all day.
Favorite type of music/band/singer?
Sadly, I’ll always have a weakness for boy bands, but otherwise I’m mostly a rock fan. My favorite band is called Everybody Else. They’re a local indie rock band that I discovered in LA years ago and absolutely fell in love with. But I also love bands like Green Day, Weezer, 311, Sublime, Lincoln Park, Rage Against The Machine, The Killers… oh, and I absolutely love Frank Sinatra of all people.
Favorite junk food?
Cake. In any form. The more frosting the better. I could also gain a million pounds eating white chocolate and die happy.
What one piece of advice would you give students who dream about being authors and writing their own book?
READ! Anything and everything you can get your hands on. Reading other’s work is honestly the best tool you have in improving your own writing.
What are you working on next?
I’ve got a contemporary drama coming out in December called V is for Virgin. It’s about a girl who gets dumped for her decision to stay virgin until she’s married, so she decides to start a school-wide campaign to rally support for her cause. Only the controversy catches the entire nation’s attention when a famous rock star learns about Valerie and decides to take her abstinence as a personal challenge. I should have a cover to share soon, and I’ll post a teaser on my blog at the end of this blog tour, so be sure to stop by and check it out.
I’ve also got my first urban fantasy/paranormal romance releasing sometime in 2013. Summer, I think. It will be my first series as well. I’ve had so much fun with it and cannot wait to let people see my fantasy side!
Visit Kelly at her website to find out more about her, her books, or to pick up a copy of Serial Hottie! Or go to www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com – Serial Hottie is only $1 right now through the end of next week!
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