{Interview + Event Giveaway} Dahlia Adler, Author of BEHIND THE SCENES

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An interview with
Dahlia Adler

Dahlia Adler is an Assistant Editor of Mathematics by day, a Copy Editor by night, and a YA writer and blogger at The Daily Dahlia, YA Misfits, and Barnes & Noble at every spare moment in between. Her debut novel, BEHIND THE SCENES, is available now, and its sequel, UNDER THE LIGHTS, releases from Spencer Hill Contemporary on June 30, 2015.
Follow Dahlia on her website, Twitter,  
Pinterest, and Facebook!



What inspired you to write BEHIND THE SCENES?


I don't remember exactly where the Hollywood idea came from (though the new 90210 was a lot of the inspiration for the setting), but I really loved the idea of exploring what it would be like to be the closest person to someone that famous; I very specifically did not want to write it from the celebrity POV. The aspect of her father being sick and that being why she needed money was inspired by my own life and fears. When I was in college, my father was diagnosed with stage IV melanoma, same as Ally's, and though I was lucky enough for it not to cause similar financial issues, I very distinctly remember it being a huge fear.

I just found out that you're releasing a sequel, UNDER THE LIGHTS, next year. Can you tell us a little bit about it? Will there be even more books in the future?

Indeed I am, on June 30! I'm so, so in love with it, which is so great to be able to say, because it was probably the most painful but rewarding writing experience I've ever had. It takes place about a year after BtS, and it's alternately narrated by Josh Chester and Vanessa Park, who are Liam and Ally's respective best friends. It's sort of a funny book because it's trading off between these two people who don't even like each other and it starts off with them living these very separate lives, but they just keep intertwining, and as Ally and Liam drift further out of the picture for them, they come to realize that they've actually become extremely close friends in their own strange way. They're both learning so much about themselves and what they want, and they don't even realize how integral they've become to each other's growing process. There's also, as you can see from the cover, a pretty freaking adorable lesbian romance that I absolutely love. There aren't any plans for any more books with these characters, but there will be an unrelated contemporary standalone coming out less than six months later!


In your head, what actors come closest to bringing your characters Liam, Vanessa, and Josh into reality when imaging them on set?

Liam was always inspired by Matt Lanter, and I've always pictured Josh as Brody Jenner. I used to say Jamie Chung for Vanessa, but it never sat quite right with me. Then I saw a picture of Arden Cho, and I knew that was totally my Van.

Did you ever want to be a “star” growing up? What was your dream?

Oh, God no. We used to be family friends with a talent agent, and he wanted to send me on auditions when I was really little, because I was a cute little kid and an early reader, but I was brutally shy and always said no. Being on camera is not my thing. The closest thing to a star I've ever wanted to be is an author!

Who is your celebrity crush?

I don't really only get to choose one, right? OK good, I didn't think so! Well, obviously I'm partial to Matt Lanter, but I also have an unfortunate thing for Bradley Cooper. And DB Woodside. And Camilla Luddington. And Archie Panjabi. And Max Lloyd-Jones. And and and.

Do you have a favorite movie or book about a star encounter?

Why do I have a feeling I won't be the only one to answer OPEN ROAD SUMMER by Emery Lord to this question? ^.~

If there was a soundtrack to your life, what would be on the playlist?

A lot of 90s grunge and ragey girl rock.

Do you have a personal theme song?

Probably "I'm Only Happy When it Rains" by Garbage.

Did you listen to anything in particular while writing BEHIND THE SCENES and UNDER THE LIGHTS?

So much The Pretty Reckless while writing BEHIND THE SCENES. So much. UNDER THE LIGHTS was a lot of Eminem's "Monster," Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful," Kanye's "All of the Lights," 3OH!3's "House Party," and...Kesha. Don't ask.

  ~*~
O F F I C I A   I N F O:

Title: BEHIND THE SCENES
Author: Dahlia Adler
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18365279-the-castle-behind-thorns
SUMMARY:

High school senior Ally Duncan's best friend may be the Vanessa Park - star of TV's hottest new teen drama - but Ally's not interested in following in her BFF's Hollywood footsteps. In fact, the only thing Ally’s ever really wanted is to go to Columbia and study abroad in Paris. But when her father's mounting medical bills threaten to stop her dream in its tracks, Ally nabs a position as Van's on-set assistant to get the cash she needs.

Spending the extra time with Van turns out to be fun, and getting to know her sexy co-star Liam is an added bonus. But when the actors’ publicist arranges for Van and Liam to “date” for the tabloids just after he and Ally share their first kiss, Ally will have to decide exactly what role she's capable of playing in their world of make believe. If she can't play by Hollywood's rules, she may lose her best friend, her dream future, and her first shot at love.

****Giveaway*****

During A Week of Shooting Stars,
I'm giving away a book of YOUR CHOICE
from the event!

It could be BEHIND THE SCENES!

Enter now!


This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL to any country that Book Depository ships to.  You can also claim an e-book as a prize; it doesn't have to be a physical copy!

You must be at least 13 years old to enter or have a parent's permission!

Enter now!

Comments

  1. Such a fan of Dahlia. BtS was great and I can't wait for UtL!

    ReplyDelete

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