Delightful Debutantes #1: Daisy Whitney & The Mockingbirds.

The first installment of my new feature is finally here, and I'm very happy to have Daisy Whitney along as my first Delightful Debutante. I've heard lots of good things about her book The Mockingbirds already, and can't wait to read this debut! Read on to find out more and to view the book trailer!

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney.
Publisher: Little, Brown.
Release date: November 2nd 2010.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.

The Mockingbirds is one debut I cannot wait to read.  Can you  tell me a little about your road to publication and how you celebrated when you heard The Mockingbirds was  going to be published?

I wrote three chick lit novels that were repped but never sold. When I switched to writing for teens, I finally broke through and landed a book deal! But it was a long road paved with many rejections and I have the stack of rejection letters and 300,000-plus unpublished words to prove it. When I heard the news, I pretty much visited every one I knew in my town to share the news! Then I bought myself a Mac!

The Mockingbirds deals with the issue of date rape.  I think it’s really important that authors are addressing such issues in Young Adult literature nowadays. How important do you think it is for younger readers to read about these difficult subjects?

I think it’s vital. Books are an amazing tool to help teens understand all the different aspects of tough issues that they may wind up confronting themselves or via their friends.  As for date rape in particular, it’s alarmingly prevalent date rape is among teens. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), 1 in 6 women will be a victim of sexual assault during her lifetime and girls ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault. My hope is that books like mine can help girls know they are not alone and can serve as an empowering reminder that no means no.

Can you name three other books that you think readers of your book might enjoy?

If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Anything by Courtney Summers, but especially Cracked up to Be and Some Girls Are and Dirty Little Secrets by CJ Omololu.

Can you name any other upcoming debut novels you are really looking forward to reading?

I am in love with Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins so everyone should read that! (Cannot wait for Anna and the French Kiss!)

I believe The Mockingbirds is set to continue. What can readers expect to read about in the sequel?

There is a sequel and in it you will be introduced to many new characters and learn more about the inner workings of the Mockingbirds, as well as their challenges.

Book Trailer

Daisy Whitney's Blog    |    Follow Daisy on Twitter    |    The Mockingbirds on Facebook

Thanks so much to Daisy for being my first Delightful Debutante!  Wishing you all the best of luck with The Mockingbirds!