Delightful Debutantes #7: Beth Revis & Across The Universe.

I'm very excited to feature Beth Revis as my Delightful Debutante today! I can't wait to read Across the Universe when it releases over here in March.  Luckily for you guys in the US, the book releases today. I suggest you all rush out and buy a copy now! Happy book birthday, Beth! Read on to find out more about Beth, and her delightful debut!

I’ve read the first chapter of Across the Universe, and loved it. I was totally left wanting more!  Where did you get the inspiration for the story?

Alas, I can’t be too specific with this! The idea for the entire story revolved around the twist at the end. I came up with the twist, then built the story to make the end work.

How has your life changed since the book sold, and how did you celebrate when you found out  you were going to be published?

The biggest change was that I was able to quit my job. Unfortunately, it was a job I loved—I was a teacher at a small high school, and I loved the subject (world literature) and the students (tenth graders) and miss it regularly. However, teaching is vampiric, sucking away as much of your life as you’re willing to give, and I couldn’t teach and write at the same time anymore, not if I wanted to do both jobs justice.

When I found out about the book deal….I got sick! I was so shocked that I gave myself a stress-induced illness! How’s that for a celebration?!

I have to mention the cover art for your book - I love it. It’s one of my favourite covers for 2011.  What does the cover image represent to you? Is it everything you hoped it would be?

What I love about the cover the most is something that not many people know about—it’s a reversible cover! One side is the kissing couple that people see on the ARC…the other side is a detailed blueprint of the space ship. So people can pick whichever cover they want for the book!

Can you tell me if any of the male characters in Across the Universe will be making it onto my book crush list? Any hot guys in there that I should know about?

I think many people will have a definite crush on Harley, Elder’s best friend (and probably many will crush on Elder himself). I’ll just go ahead and apologize for what happens by the end of the book, though!

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

Megan Whalen Turner’s book THE THIEF. It’s not sci-fi, but I think the twist at the end is brilliant. Agatha Christie’s MOUSETRAP—a contained mystery, just like mine. Robin McKinley’s THE HERO AND THE CROWN, a book I consider to be on of the best ever written.

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

So many! I’m eagerly anticipating the books by the fellow League writers, though. The League of Extraordinary Writers (http://leaguewriters.blogspot.com) is a group of debut 2011 dystopian authors, and they’re all brilliant.

You can also:

Read Beth's Blog
Follow Beth on Twitter

Watch the book trailer for Across the Universe:




Thanks so much to Beth for answering my questions. I wish you lots and lots of success with Across the Universe!