Monday YA Author Interview With Katie Cotugno + Giveaway

Katie Cotugno

Twitter - Goodreads - Website

 

Where are you from? I'm from half an hour outside New York City originally, but I've lived in Boston for ten years.

When and why did you begin writing? The first story I ever wrote was in my dad's office on his Macintosh Classic--I was six, he parked me there to keep me quiet while he was in a meeting. I started typing and basically never stopped.

What books have most influenced your life most? My favorite books are Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer, Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic, Richard Russo's Empire Falls, and Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. As a kid I loved the BSC books, and anything by Roald Dahl--Matilda in particular, I read like a dozen times.

What book are you reading now? I just finished Holly Black's White Cat, which I loved, and am about to start Zadie Smith's On Beauty, which I'm reading for Lesley University's MFA program. 

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Every single member of the Fourteenery, natch. Seriously, what a bunch of smart, beautiful, unique debut novels--and debut novelists.

What was the hardest part of writing your book? Not being embarrassed. Believing that I had something to say. Sticking to it. 

Have you been an avid reader your entire life? (since you could read) I have, yeah! I used to come home from the library with like fifteen books at a time when I was elementary school. I was totally that kid.

What character in your books do you relate to most? Probably Reena, since I spent the most time with her, but she and I definitely have our differences.

What is your favorite sport to watch and or play? I'm so excited for the Olympics! I love figure skating, especially pairs.  
 
Favorite Movie? Almost Famous, always always always. 
 
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
 
Puppy's or Kittens? Puppies!
 
Beach or Mountains? Beach. 
 
If you could be a color, what color would you be? Bright, screaming orange. 
 
Favorite Dessert? S'mores. 
 
If you could be a book character, what character would you be? Kay Thompson's Eloise, for sure. "Tomorrow I think I'll pour a pitcher of water down the mail chute."

Giveaway:

Katie is giving away a SIGNED copy of How to Love to one lucky winner!

Please see terms and conditions in the rafflecopter before entering.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

How to Love
Published October 1st 2013 by Balzer + Bray

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?