What's Fresh with Jeri Smith-Ready's Shade

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.
Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan's violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura's new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart?and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Hello Jeri!! It's so cool to have you with us on YA Fresh! Could you please tell us a little about your writing background and how you made your first sale?

Jeri: My first sale was REQUIEM FOR THE DEVIL, an urban fantasy sold to the e-publishing arm of what is now Grand Central/Hachette. I entered the Warner Aspect First Novel contest, and while I didn’t win, the senior editor, Betsy Mitchell, liked it enough to send it to Paul Witcover, who was editing the new e-book line. He bought it, and it came out in 2001. Sadly, the line closed about eight months later, and it was 2005 before I sold my next book (grad school had something to do with that, as well as a book I just wouldn’t give up on but should have).

Readers and writers often like to get a behind the scenes peek of an author's writing routine. It would be great if you could please share your typical writing day schedule.

Jeri: Since I’m incapable of higher brain functions before 10am, I tend to spend early mornings doing chores, reading, and checking e-mail. Then I write in twenty- to thirty-minute spurts until about 4 or 5, with frequent ten- to thirty-minute breaks to keep my back and neck from killing me. Evenings I usually spend doing business tasks like website updates, mailings, or catching up on e-mail.

But after a while, routine really bores me. I’m always shaking things up and trying different schedules to trick myself into getting stuff done. I’m the hardest working lazy person I know.

Please tell us about your latest novel Shade and what we can expect from your characters.

Jeri: SHADE is coming out Tuesday, May 4, from Simon Pulse (although it’s already been spotted at several Borders over the weekend). It’s about a girl (Aura Salvatore) who can see ghosts (as can everyone born after her) and isn’t thrilled about it, until her boyfriend dies and becomes a ghost. There’s also a cute Scottish guy who is all too willing to comfort Aura in her grief.

Very fresh! What's up next? Do you have another project in the works? If so, please tell us about it.

Jeri: I’m writing the sequel to SHADE, called SHIFT, which will be out in May 2011. I also just finished page proofs on the third book in my adult vampire series, BRING ON THE NIGHT, which comes out in August. I can’t wait to see what fans of the series think of this installment! After I turn in SHIFT, I’ll get back to work on the fourth vampire book, which is still deciding what it wants to be named.

Thanks so much for sharing, Jeri! I wish you the best with the new series. Would you like to close with a writing tip?

Jeri: Whenever you give a character a dog or a young child to take care of, you need to make sure they’re accounted for AT ALL TIMES.

Award-winning author Jeri Smith-Ready lives in Maryland with her husband, two cats, and the world’s goofiest greyhound. Jeri's plans to save the earth were ruined when she realized she was more of a “problem maker” than a problem solver. To stay out of trouble, she keeps her Drama Drive strictly fictional. Her friends and family appreciate that. When not writing, Jeri she can usually be found—well, thinking about writing, or on Twitter. Like her characters, she loves music, movies, and staying up very, very late. Check out her website, www.jerismithready.com .