Simone Elkeles :: NY Times & USA Today bestselling author

Q:	I'm doing a class project about one of your books. Can I email some questions for you to answer?
A:	I'm so sorry, but if I answered all the report questions I get emailed, I would never have time to write another book! The good news is, all of your questions can probably be answered by my website. If you need to know about the awards my books have won, you can look at the *Awards* page. If you need biographical information, you can look at the *Meet Simone* page to find my bio. If want to know what my favorite food is, what kind of books I like, how I feel about my characters, and other random facts, look at some of my past interviews. Good luck with your report and thanks for giving me time to write my next book!

Q:	Can you list all the books you have written so far?
A:	Perfect Chemistry 3-book series (listed in order) -Perfect Chemistry -Rules of Attraction -Chain Reaction (in bookstores August 16, 2011) Leaving Paradise series -Leaving Paradise -Return to Paradise (release date September, 2010) How to Ruin series (listed in order) -How to Ruin a Summer Vacation -How to Ruin my Teenage Life -How to Ruin Your Boyfriend’s Reputation

Q:	Are any of your books going to be made into movies?
A:	The Perfect Chemistry books are currently with a Hollywood agent who is representing it for sale to film companies/producers. I will post any updates on my website or my discussion board.

Q:	If any of your books get made into movies, can I be cast in the movie or get information on how to audition?
A:	If the books get optioned and production actually begins on any movies, my fans will be the first to know on my website! Unfortunately, an author has no say in the casting of the movie because it’s all up to the casting director to choose the actors. I was told by my agent that 99% of the time the author is totally left out of those decisions.

Q:	*Who are the actors who play Alex and Carlos in the Rules of Attraction* book trailer?**
A:	Alex is played by Alexander F. Rodriguez, an internationally known Latino model and actor. (He plays the groom in Katy Perry’s Hot ‘N Cold video.) Carlos is played by Giancarlo Vidrio, a Mexican-American actor who has acted in plays and television series. You can friend them through their websites at www.myspace.com/alexanderfrodriguez and www.myspace.com/giancarlovidrio.

Q:	*Are you going to write a third book in the Perfect Chemistry* series?**
A:	Good news! Yes! Right now I am working on Luis Fuentes’ story. I can’t give away any of the exciting details because I just started writing the book so don’t email me asking for details or hints, but I will tell you that all of your favorite characters (Alex & Brittany and Carlos & Kiara) will be back. Even some of the supporting characters might make an appearance, like Tuck and Isa (and maybe some characters you don’t want to be there will be there, too).

Q:	*Will there be a fourth book in the How To Ruin* series?**
A:	I don’t think I’ll be writing another How to Ruin book, although I loved writing Amy and Avi’s adventures together. They are such fun characters to write! Right now I want to work on other projects. Ultimately, however, it’s up to my publisher to decide whether or not they want a fourth book in the How to Ruin series. I never say never, but right now there are no plans for a fourth book.

Q:	*Will there be a third book in the Leaving Paradise* series?**
A:	No.

Q.	What are you working on now? Any sequels to your other books?
A.	I just finished the sequel to Leaving Paradise, titled Return to Paradise. It will be in stores in September, 2010. I’ve just started writing the third book in the Perfect Chemistry series (title TBA) which will be coming out in early 2011.

Q.	I’m a reviewer. Can you send me an advanced copy so I can review one of your books?
A.	Unfortunately I have nothing to do with sending copies out to reviewers. The publicity department at my publisher takes care of sending out review copies so feel free to contact Llewellyn Flux or Walker Books for Young Readers.

Q.	How long does it take you to finish one of your books?
A.	It depends. If I’m under deadline, it’s three to four months. I worked on Perfect Chemistry for almost five years on and off while I was in between other projects.

Q.	Do you put a lot of your personal experiences into your books?
A.	I use a lot of “who I am” and the experiences I’ve had in my books, but my books are in no way autobiographical. You’d be surprised how many funny things have happened to me in my life. And yes, I have been spit on by an Alpaca in Israel. I make up all my characters, although sometimes they’re caricatures of people I know.

Q.	When are your books coming out and where can I buy them?
A.	How to Ruin a Summer Vacation, How to Ruin My Teenage Life, How to Ruin Your Boyfriend’s Reputation, Leaving Paradise, Perfect Chemistry, and Rules of Attraction are available through your local bookstore or chain bookstore (Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books a Million, Walden Books, Waterstones, etc) – you can also get them at the independent bookstores near your house to help support family owned businesses. To buy online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online, click on my books on my home page on my website - there are links to take you directly to my books.

Q.	When is Return to Paradise, the sequel to Leaving Paradise, coming out?
A.	Return to Paradise is coming out in September, 2010!

Q:	I want you to come speak to my school, library, or conference! How much does it cost?
A:	It varies, depending on how far I have to travel. Have a teacher, librarian, or conference coordinator email my assistant at melissa@simoneelkeles.net and we can try and schedule it!

Q:	*What was your inspiration for the Perfect Chemistry* series? (and for Alex Fuentes?)**
A:	A town near where I grew up mirrors Fairfield: students who live in mansions on Lake Michigan mixed with students from “the other side of the tracks.” I have always wondered what would happen if two kids from those opposite worlds fell in love, and from that Alex & Brittany’s story came to life in my head. Alex Fuentes is a combination of guys I know, guys I wanted to know, guys I dated, and guys I wanted to date. He was initially inspired by this guy who works at my bagel store. He doesn’t have Alex’s OMG-to-die-for “looks,” but he definitely has his swagger and charisma.

Q:	*Where did you get the idea for How to Ruin a Summer Vacation?*
A:	I never thought I’d actually write about Israel even though I’d been there many times throughout my life. I went on a little retreat with some writer friends who suggested I write about “what I know.” I sat down and thought about my times as a teenager visiting Israel. I wondered how an American teenager needing an attitude adjustment would survive on my cousin’s moshav (farm community). I truly enjoyed writing about Amy and watching her change throughout the book. I also liked introducing Israel to readers through my eyes as an American, because everywhere Amy travels in the book, I’ve been.

Q:	Can you send me a free book?
A:	I’m sure you can check it out from your local library. If they don’t have it in their collection, put in a request for them to carry it.

Q:	*Did you really go to jail for research for Leaving Paradise?*
A:	Yes, I did visit a juvenile detention center for research. The warden was really nice and spent hours with me touring the facility and he actually locked me in a cell so I could feel what it was like.

Q:	*Who are the actors in your rap video for Perfect Chemistry?*
A:	The full cast is listed on the VIDEO page on my website.

Q:	I’m a writer, too. How can I get published and what advice can you give me?
A:	My first advice is to finish a book. Most people who start a book never finish it. Sometimes you might feel like you have writer’s block, but I’ve learned (because when you’re under contract you CAN’T have writer’s block) to keep writing even if it goes slow. Keep going, let yourself write stupid stuff because you can always go back and revise it. I write how I talk – my style is very conversational. To be successful, you need to write realistic dialogue. (The more you read, the better your own writing will be as well!) Teen novels are usually (not a rule, though) between 45,000 and 90,000 words so check your word count. I use one inch margins, double spaced, and write in either Times New Roman 12 point or Courier New 12 point. In the header of the page I insert the title, my last name, and the page number. Once you finish a book, join a writer’s critique group (I did, and wouldn’t be published if it weren’t for the group I joined). After you revise it and give it to a trusted person to critique and you feel like your story is publishable, you might want to search online for a reputable agent (or look at the acknowledgements page inside one of your favorite books because authors usually thank their agents or go to www.publishersmarketplace.com and research agents – it has a monthly cost associated to it, but you can sign up for some information for free). Go online for submission guidelines for each agent you want to submit to (you shouldn’t have to pay an agent unless they sell your book, and then they take a percentage of what you made), and good luck! And please, try not to get discouraged. Most authors have gotten rejected tons of times before they find an agent and sell their first book.

Q:	Can I email you a story I’m working on so you can give me pointers?
A:	I used to be able to have writers email me their stories for me to critique, but now I’m unfortunately too busy to read other people’s work because I’m under very tight deadlines. I strongly suggest joining a writer’s critique group (research for ones in your area) or get a bunch of writer friends together and start your own writer’s group!

Q:	How does it feel to be a New York Times Bestselling Author?
A:	Very surreal, fantastic, and WONDERFUL!! It has been a long journey to get here, but it’s my fans I have to thank for this honor. I have the best of the best fans! Thanks for enjoying my books so much that I have achieved every author’s dream goal of making the New York Times Bestseller list!