Interview with Catherine Linka for What I Want You to See

What I Want You to See

by Catherine Linka
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: February 4th 2020

Genre: Young Adult

Synopsis:

Winning a scholarship to California’s most prestigious art school seems like a fairy tale ending to Sabine Reye’s awful senior year. After losing both her mother and her home, Sabine longs for a place where she belongs.

But the cutthroat world of visual arts is nothing like what Sabine had imagined. Colin Krell, the renowned faculty member whom she had hoped would mentor her, seems to take merciless delight in tearing down her best work—and warns her that she’ll lose the merit-based award if she doesn’t improve.

Desperate and humiliated, Sabine doesn’t know where to turn. Then she meets Adam, a grad student who understands better than anyone the pressures of art school. He even helps Sabine get insight on Krell by showing her the modern master’s work in progress, a portrait that’s sold for a million dollars sight unseen.

Sabine is enthralled by the portrait; within those swirling, colorful layers of paint is the key to winning her inscrutable teacher’s approval. Krell did advise her to improve her craft by copying a painting she connects with . . . but what would he think of Sabine secretly painting her own version of his masterpiece? And what should she do when she accidentally becomes party to a crime so well -plotted that no one knows about it but her?

Complex and utterly original, What I Want You to See is a gripping tale of deception, attraction, and moral ambiguity.

Can you briefly describe WHAT I WANT YOU TO SEE and its characters?

Sabine is a first year art student getting back on her feet after a horrible year. She lost her mom in the spring and after months of living in her car, she got new friends, and a scholarship that even covers a cozy rented room. But Sabine’s painting instructor, Collin Krell, critiques her work so viciously that she’s terrified she’ll lose her scholarship. Then she meets Adam, a grad student who wants to help and he seems to have the access and insights she needs to deal with Krell. But Sabine makes a not-so-great choice that pulls her into a situation that could demolish the new life she created. 

Who would you say is your favorite character from the story and why?

Sabine, of course. After I spend so much time in a character’s head, I can’t help loving her. She’s smart and determined, and knows she’s talented, but she’s barely holding it together after losing her mom and their home. She’s aching for friendship and love, but she holds herself back because she doesn’t want people to know she was living in her car. She knows they’ll label her that “homeless girl,” and the only label she wants is “talented painter.”

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

I wanted to write a story set in the art world, and I’m obsessed with art crime so it had to be twisty. I remembered a book I’d read where a grad student did something borderline illegal to help a guy she loved, but it took her life apart. I thought what if my character was young and desperate so she crossed a line, but what she was doing wasn’t really hurting anyone….until it sends her world crashing.

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

I always freak a little when I hear the perfect song for the first time. As soon as I heard the opening bars of Smoke by Lucie Silvas, I had to stop and listen because this was Sabine’s song. When Sabine meets Adam, “she knew right from that moment he was too good to resist” and then, “Somebody stop me. I am a danger to myself.” Perfect, right?!!

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

Sabine’s in her first year at the art institute, so I’d team up with Ariana Grande to produce and play Sabine. Then I’d beg her to cast Avan Jogia to play Adam, because he’s got Adam’s smoldering intensity—and she’d need to cast Matt Bennett as Kevin because he’s got the smile and the curls.

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

For a perfect book date, you’d want to go to The Broad art museum—or any museum of contemporary art, and contemplate a few pieces that really speak to you. Then you’d want to find a grapefruity drink—maybe with vodka—maybe not and soak up some sunshine on the patio of a nearby restaurant while you dip into guac and WHAT I WANT YOU TO SEE. 

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish WHAT I WANT YOU TO SEE?

Art lovers who yearn to live in NYC should check out Piper Perish and Art Boss by Kayla Cagan. LGBTQ readers will fall in love with Kelly Loy Gilbert’s Picture Us in the Light. And if you like your stories twisty, dive into Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Figuring out why a story isn’t working. It can be painful!!

What’s next for you?

Getting my newest protagonist out of the mess she’s gotten herself into.

Catherine Linka is the author of the young adult novel WHAT I WANT YOU TO SEE as well as the dystopian series A GIRL CALLED FEARLESS and A GIRL UNDONE. A GIRL CALLED FEARLESS was an ABA Indie Next Pick and won the Young Adult Novel Award 2014 from the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association. A frequent speaker at writing and teen conferences, Catherine received her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and worked as a young adult book buyer for an independent bookstore for seven years. Prior to pursuing a career in publishing, she studied international politics at Georgetown University followed by a master’s degree in business at the University of North Carolina. Catherine is married and lives with her husband in the San Gabriel foothills. Visit her at www.catherlinelinka.com.

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🖌 G I V E A W A Y 🖌 . . Happy Wednesday, Beautiful Bookish People! Do you have any hidden talents or what talent do you wish you would have? . . Today I am super excited to share with you about an original story about belonging and deceptive expectations. After some tragedies in her life Sabine Reye's has won a scholarship to California’s most prestigious art school. However, things don't turn out to be the way she hoped and she finds herself meeting someone and doing things that could be seen as questionable. Full of passion, attraction and complexity, this story would keep you up all night! . . I have partnered with @letstalkya and @mbc_books to give you the opportunity to win a copy for yourself . . Entries for the giveaway: ▪︎Follow @theffbc & @whatmakespatri ▪︎Follow @catherine_linka ▪︎Follow @letstalkya & @mbc_books ▪︎Comment - Answer my question above ⬆️ #qotd . . Extra entries: ▪︎Tag a friend (each friend will be an extra entry). ▪︎Share on your stories about the giveaway (remember to tag me @whatmakespatri and @theffbc) ▪︎Follow @michellesulk & @artsyreadergirl ▪︎Follow any other FFBC team member participating in the tour (let me know who did you follow): @booking_belle @savingsinseconds @bookishgeekig @ya.its.lit @l.m.durand @sometimesleelynnreads @sincerelykarenjo @bookablereads @shalini_g26 @moonlight_rendezvous @twilightreader1 @adreamindream @kaitplusbooks @kagunderman @laurensliterarylibrary @amysbooketlist #whatiwantyoutosee #letstalkya #catherinelinka #bookshimmy #bookgiveaway #bookgram #yabookstagram #ireadya #booksatgrammer #bibliophile #bookphotography #booknerd #booklover #amreading #yalit #booksofinstagram #bookcommunity #booksbooksbooks

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Interview with Mary Weber

To Best the Boys

by Mary Weber
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: March 5th 2019

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port receive a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. Every year, the poorer residents look to see that their names are on the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink and parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope.

In the province of Caldon, where women are trained in wifely duties and men are encouraged into collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her Mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands—through the annual all-male scholarship competition.

With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone’s ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the maze.

Can you briefly describe the world in TO BEST THE BOYS and their main characters?

Of course! To Best The Boys is set in a Victorian-esque world, where ghouls and sirens are real, and things like women achieving higher education and financial independence are not (at least not yet ;)). The main character, Rhen, desperately wants to be a scientist, while her cousin, Seleni, wants a life of marriage and babies. When the two decide Rhen’s only chance for earning the future she wants is to enter a mysterious scholarship competition to an all-male university, they find themselves in a labyrinth that may or may not be as dangerous as some of their competitors. 

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

I have two - Rhen and Seleni. They’re humorous, strong, and different sides of the same coin. While each is worlds apart in their goals, interests, and views on love, they’re both passionate about a person’s right to choose their own path. That, for me, is very much what the story is about. Everyone’s right to belong to themselves and a future of their own making.

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

I wrote To Best The Boys last year when my sister was pursuing a degree (in the very male dominated STEM field) and one of my daughters was in her first year of college. The story reflects aspects of their experiences as well as my own and many others. My inspiration was the incredible strength I see in women (now and historically) pursuing their dreams – but also my frustration with the level of sexism that (unbelievably) still exists. I think the book is my way of saying to my daughters – and really to every teen – “You are worth breaking expectations for. So do it. We’ll be there for you.”

What’s your favourite quote from the book?

"You take this world and make it what it should be. And don't let the beliefs of a backward system define you. You are the one who has to live with the future. So you live it."

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

Paper Doll by Bea Miller. I wrote much of To Best The Boys with her songs in the background.

If the book was a movie/TV show, who would you imagine representing your characters? 

Oh funny - I don’t think I’ve considered this question until this moment! Honestly, I think my ideal would simply be actors who value honoring others in their real lives. That level of authenticity bleeds through a performance like nothing else.

Since it is still cold outside, what hot drink do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

Hot tea with a side of Labyrinth Cakes!

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish TO BEST THE BOYS?

Absolutely. I recently loved Emiko Jean’s Empress of All Seasons! I also think readers would enjoy fantasies by Sabaa Tahir, Danielle Paige, Marie Lu, Mary Pearson, and Kristen Ciccarelli.

What’s next for you?

Sleep! ;) And then...maybe some magic. And murder. With a dash of mayhem. ;)

Interview with Mary Weber, Spider Squealer. Mermaid Believer. HarperCollins Author. Lover of old souls. 

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Hi. I write books. I eat things. I kiss things. I believe in mermaids.

I'm also the author of the Storm Siren Trilogy, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow series, and the March 2019 release, To Best the Boys. When not working, I sing 80’s hairband songs to my three muggle children, and ogle my husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. We live in California, which is perfect for stalking aging movie stars while wearing fanny packs and sweatpants.

For those who like to know such things (mainly my mom), Storm Siren was featured in the Scholastic Book Fair and my novels have been endorsed by such nice humans as Marissa Meyer, CJ Redwine, Shannon Messenger, and Jonathan Maberry (in fact, Marissa Meyer and I have a fun interview in the paperback of her book, CRESS). Also, Boba tea & sweatpants are life. {We can chat about life (in sweatpants over tea, obviously) in my Newsletter.

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My Bad Romance & Tips to avoid a Bad Romance

Today, I am participating in the Bad Romance blog tour organised by Fierce Reads to promote Heather Demetrios' new book.

I did not have an abusive relationship whatsoever, but I did suffer from a bad romance. I spent 8 years with my ex-boyfriend and the last 6 years of my relationship I was not happy. I use to think that I was the one to blame. You see, I am Spanish and I can sometimes be compared to Gloria from Modern Family. So I have a quite strong character and it can be a lot to handle. However, being in a relationship means that there are two people sharing and caring and contributing to the partnership in equal parts. When you don't, is because there's something broken.

Therefore, I had some sort of blame in that relationship. I was comfortable with what I had and I was afraid to be alone since I had been in a relationship with the same person since I was seventeen. I did not know how to live on my own. It was easy to rely on someone that always agreed to what I wanted to do. Even banal actions such as going to the cinema were unthinkable when I thought about being alone. And I kept asking the same questions: How would I do it without him and Who am I as a person without him? Everyone knew me because of him and as a part of him. So that left me alone and friendless. Believe, it is the greatest terrifying feeling ever.

But when you are left behind, forgotten and unloved, you don't have a chance. You need to survive and try to crawl out of the hole you created for yourself. And that's exactly what I did. I met new friends which are now my best friends, I started doing activities I had never done with him (even boxing!) and I moved out of my parents' house and to another country! I had the best summer of my life with my friends and I found myself. I learn how to love me and how to appreciate small things. I became a strong independent woman and I have to thank him for giving me the chance at being happy again. Merely, because I was so scared and so trapped that I would have never left him if he had not left me. And I am not being the stereotypical woman who says this as a resentment for what happened. I am honestly thankful for giving me those years with me and for letting me go when he knew it was over and it was pointless to continue. Even though, I was terrified of terminating what I considered my whole world.

My advice? If you are not happy, it is a bad romance. Do not settle for something or someone less than what you deserve just because you are scared of the unknown or to be alone. Sometimes being alone can help you discover yourself, you can meet amazing people and you'll have thousands of adventures and experiences you one day will explain to your kids and grandchildren. Moreover, you can meet the person that was meant for you all along. Who knows?

We all want to fall in love, find our soul mate and, if not, find the closest thing to our book boyfriend(s). However, even though I suffer the risk of becoming a cliche, sometimes love is not enough.

1) Be honest. In order for a relationship to work and to be healthy, you need to be able to talk to that special person without any barriers. You need to be comfortable enough to talk about any topic and knowing it's going to be okay because the person on the other end is just going to be there to support you.

2) Trust. If there's no trust in a relationship, is there really anything going on there? And it works both ways. You also need to be comfortable enough to trust the person you are with. If you do not, maybe there's a problem.

3) Always On My Mind. I believe that if you fell in love and it's a good relationship, that special person it's always on your mind. From small gestures like going to the supermarket and buying something special for him/her just because to having a conversation with your friends and not being able to talk about anything else (well, almost!).

4) Respect. We are all humans, we make mistakes, we can argue and drive each other mad up to a point. But there's always that fine line called respect that no one should surpass and it should always be respected in order to have no regrets and don't hold a grudge for a comment said later on. 

5) Talk. I do not believe that bottling everything up and keep it inside it's a good thing. If you are having a bad day? Talk with someone. If something is bothering you? Talk. If there's something in your mind? Talk. Talk. Talk. You can even yell if given the occasion. Sometimes, getting all out is better than keeping it all in. Because believe me, one day you will pop and it's going to get nasty.

6) YOLO. I apologise for the silly acronym, but sometimes it is useful. If you are in a relationship, let things flow. Do not pressure anything, do not overthink everything... Just relax and enjoy. If it's meant to work, everything will happen accordingly.

7) Be comfortable. If you trust someone enough to love them, you are comfortable to the point of being able to show all your vulnerabilities to that person. Because that person is going to cherish even the saddest and darkest side of you.

Bad Romance
by Heather Demetrios
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Release Date: June 13th 2017

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Grace wants out. Out of her house, where her stepfather wields fear like a weapon and her mother makes her scrub imaginary dirt off the floors. Out of her California town, too small to contain her big city dreams. Out of her life, and into the role of Parisian artist, New York director—anything but scared and alone.

Enter Gavin: charming, talented, adored. Controlling. Dangerous. When Grace and Gavin fall in love, Grace is sure it's too good to be true. She has no idea their relationship will become a prison she's unable to escape. 

Deeply affecting and unflinchingly honest, this is a story about spiraling into darkness—and emerging into the light again.

Heather Demetrios is the author of the critically acclaimed YA novel Something Real. When she's not traipsing around the world or spending time in imaginary places, she lives with her husband in New York City. Originally from Los Angeles, Heather is part of the Summer 2014 Writing for Children and Young Adults MFA class at Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a recipient of the Susan P. Bloom PEN New England Discovery Award forSomething Real.