Friday, August 13, 2010

Delcroix Academy: The Giveaway!


We welcome debut author Inara Scott today, who I got the chance to meet at the Romance Writers of America conference last month, and whose bright smile and positive attitude was very infectious. And she has every reason to be glowing right now, with August 24th launch of her young adult series, Delcroix Academy: The Candidates.

Hello, Inara! Could you tell us a bit about your writing background and how you made your first sale.

I started writing in high school, but never took any creative writing classes. I was always WAY too intimidated by creative writing types -- they seemed much more intellectual and angsty than me, and I suspected they wouldn't be impressed by my genre of choice (romance novels!). I was also way too practical to consider trying to make a living as a writer. I ended up going to law school so I could write all day long and actually get paid for it. But scholarly essays and legal briefs didn't capture my attention the same way gentlemen pirates and supernatural powers did. I got back into writing in 2005, after being stuck in a hotel in Anchorage for two weeks for an incredibly boring trial. Over the next couple of years I wrote two adult novels and then after hearing Meg Cabot speak at a conference, decided to try YA. I submitted Delcroix Academy to 50 agents. 49 said "pass". One took me on, and we sold Delcroix in a pre-empt to Disney-Hyperion in a two-book deal. It was an incredible shock.

Defying the odds--I love it! Now, please tell us about your novel, Delcroix Academy: The Candidates, and what we can expect from your characters.

Dancia Lewis is a girl with a dangerous paranormal gift -- she can make things happen just by imaging them. The problem is, when she uses her gift, people always end up getting hurt. Dancia tries to make herself invisible, hiding from the world in an effort to avoid using her powers, but when she's recruited to attend Delcroix Academy, an exclusive boarding school, all bets are off. Suddenly, she's got the hottest guy on campus and a dark, troublemaking best friend vying for her attention. But why has the most invisible girl in the ninth grade suddenly become so popular? What's really going on behind the gates of Delcroix Academy?

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

I am currently working on edits for the next book in the series (Delcroix Academy: The Watchers) which will be released in August 2011.

Sounds great! Care to close with a writing tip?

I run into a lot of people who tell me they'd love to write but don't have time. I usually smile and nod, and it's true, time is a precious commodity. But the truth is, you can always find time for the things that are most important to you. If writing is REALLY what you want to do, take a hard look at how your spend your days. Ask yourself what you're willing to give up, and then put your butt in the chair. You'll be amazed at what you can do.

Thanks, Inara. And thank you, too, for offering up an Advanced Reader Copy of your book to one of our lucky commenters!


So to all of those interested in wining the ARC of Delcroix Academy: The Candidates, simply tell us...if you could have a super power, what would it be?

And check back on Monday morning, when we announce the winner!

34 fresh comments:

Bidisha said...

Super-power? The power to absorb other powers, something like Rogue from the X-Men.

Me wants this!

Jennifer Rummel said...

I simply can't WAIT for this book! As for a super-power, that's a touch choice. I think I'd like to be able to fly/teleport

TinaFerraro said...

I think I'll weigh in on this just for fun, too! How about some kind of super-swimming power, like able to cross the English channel without getting winded, scull water endlessly, dive into crashing Hawaiian surf without resistance? Sounds summer fun cool to me!

Diana Dang said...

Hm, to manipulate people's minds. :D

Honey said...

I think I'd like the ability to become invisible. Thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Totally love to be able to shoot fire from my hands. There's a time or two I would have loved to zap someone in the rear! LOL These books look intriguing and I can't wait to get my hands on one!

Ashlyn Riley said...

To be able to fly so I can go shopping more!

Bidisha said...

Inara ~ You haven't seen ANY of the movies? *cue horror music*

I was an X-Men comic nerd back in the seventh grade (and secretly loved them more than the movies)..but if I get to be Rogue, I get to have everyone else's power just by a touch! How awesome is that? That means I can get any power. LOL

Also, Inara means mermaid? That is so cool.

Xx

So Many Books, So Little Time said...

I'd like to be able to fly. The freedom and no public transport make it the perfect solution to everything! Although, my sense of direction isn't great...

Kelly (Lynn) Parra said...

Hi Inara! Thanks for sharing with us on YA Fresh! I love your sale story. It only takes "one" important person to help writers to get their chance to shine!

Best of luck to the YA Freshers!!

donnas said...

I would want to teleport and take someone with me. Oh the time we could save without traffic getting in the way and the places we could visit.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Aliya said...

Hmmm...I think I'd like to be able to either a) fly or b) talk to ghosts. Because the two are so OBVIOUSLY similar, lol ;)

Also, "Delcroix Academy: The Candidates" sounds awesome! I'll make sure to get my hands on a copy soon ;)

Good luck with the release Inara, and thanks for the interview ladies :)

~Aliya

Speech Delay Mamma said...

I'd have the superpower to absorb the superpowers of those around me so I could have them all!!

Unless I was the only one. In which case I'd probably be like Claire from Heroes and heal.

Liviania said...

If I could have a superpower, I'd want to be omnipotent. (Hey, doesn't hurt to dream big.)

You'd be surprised by creative writing classes! Mine were always open to my love of genre and crazy plots.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Inara! Like Yabooknerd, I cannot WAIT for this book! I've been dying to read it since you first told us about it.

Was this your Golden Heart book?

Now I'm going to go tell all the Romance Bandits they need to come invade. You won't know what hit you with all the superpowers. Grins.

I'm liking invisibility, or teleporting. Not so much flying as that think-it-go-there teleporting thing. I like that.

Looking forward to the book!

Nancy said...

Inara, you know I love my super-heroes! I can't wait to read this book.

That cover is going to get a lot of attention, and once people read the blurb, they're hooked.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Inara on her debut release - it looks fantastic.

What superpower would I like? Mind reading - just so I could figure out hiring managers and men.

jo robertson said...

Hi, Inara! I'm popping over from Romance Bandits to say again that I can't wait for the release of this book. I know it's going to be wonderful.

I love stories about superpowers. Probably my most favorite is Stephen Kings's FIRESTARTER. I loved how the girl had to learn to control her power so that it wouldn't be devastating.

B. A. Binns said...

I'd like the power to detect when something is wrong with a person - illness, physical or mental) or injury and maybe fix them. I think it's the mother in me.

Robin said...

Your book sounds really great, Inara! And I loved reading about your first sale.

If I could have a superpower, I'd like to be able to control the wind.

Jen Bigheart said...

Love the cover art of this book! If I had a superpower I would want it to be flying. I am SO terrified to fly and being able to do it on my own would be fantastic! Silly I know, but how convenient would it be...very!

Inara, hope you have a book tour in Texas soon!

Darcie K. said...

I would love to be able to fly!
dmkayes@gmail.com

Pokadots1121 said...

Hmmm...a super power I want is to be able to finish any book within a minute. I know its lame, but there so many books I want to read but will never have time for. I just think that having a major super power may be a little too much pressure for me too handle.
Thanks for the giveaway!

Misha said...

Please enter me if the contest is international. Thank you
A superpower I would love to have is summon any book , the moment I wish it.

Misha
mishamary@gmail.com

Sharli said...

If I could have any super power, I'd choose being able to transform things with my mind :P

Pink Panther said...

Hm... I would love to have the ability to zap from one place to another. :) Imagine that, never to be late for school, enjoy your blissful sleep until the very last minute...

You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com
Can't wait to get my hands on Delcroix Academy!

latishajean said...

I would love the power to be invisible I always loved that one so many cool powers. This book sounds really good can't wait to read it.
tishajean@charter.net

Jessica said...

I would love to either teleport or be able to be in two places at once...more reading time!

mariska said...

What kinda superpower that i will choose ? i want to able read other minds :)

it will be great advantage for me when i know what they are thinking *wink*

Llehn said...

Teleportation. I hate public transportation!

lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

A Musing Mother said...

Invisibility. I can't imagine how much trouble I could manage with that power. But I'd sure like to try.

Nancy

ntaylor228 at yahoo dot com

My Life With Books - Jennifer K Jovus said...

I would like telekenisis - i would never have to look for the remote or car keys again.
kjovus(at)gmail(dot)com

April X said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Patricia's Particularity said...

I would like to have the power to make things move - that way when I am driving and people are being "dumb drivers" I can make the fast ones slow down a bit and the slow ones move a bit faster. Of course no one would get hurt.