Author Interview: Bev Katz Rosenbaum

Today we're back to our normally scheduled author interviews to celebrate my 3rd blogoversary. Today I'm happy to welcome Canadian author Bev Katz Rosenbaum. So here's my interview with Bev, with my questions in bold.

Your books I Was a Teenage Popsicle and its sequel Beyond Cool both take place in Venice Beach, California. Did you ever get to visit for research purposes?

I visited Venice Beach as a teen, and, needless to say, it left a big impression!. I vowed I'd write about it one day. I wanted to set I Was a Teenage Popsicle in a funky place where Floe would fit in, and where I imagined a cryonics company might set up. Venice Beach fit the bill on both counts, what with Floe being a skater girl, and the inhabitants of Venice Beach being open to all kinds of weird stuff.

What was the best thing about visiting Venice Beach?

I just loved the whole scene--the crazy exhibitionists, the laid-back vibe, the funky beauty of the houses...

How does it feel to have your books optioned for film and television?

It felt great when my books were optioned! But I won't find out until January if the company that optioned them are going to make the TV show they were planning--keep your fingers crossed!

Fingers crossed on both hands! I know you worked for some time as an editor before publishing your own novels. Was it hard to accept feedback on your manuscripts from other editors?

No, even though I was an editor, I'm fully aware that I have no objectivity whatsoever on my own writing. I'm immensely grateful for my agent, who has a fantastic editorial eye, and all the great editors I've worked with and will work with in the future.

If you hadn’t quit work to be a full time writer, what do you think you would be doing?

If I wasn't a full-time writer now, I'd probably still be working as an editor.

Makes sense. What inspires you to write? Have certain authors or book influenced you?

All sorts of things inspire me. As a kid and teen, I devoured books, comics, TV shows, movies, and you know, it all goes into the mix. As an adult, I still devour all that stuff, plus there's newspaper articles, my own teens (who come home from school with hilarious stories every day), new experiences, and memories of my own teenhood...

Do you have a favorite word?

My favorite word is probably 'bizarre'. I say it way too much (as in, 'That's so bizarre').

Anything new in the works?

There are two fun new series in the works (that I can't talk about yet, but keep checking my website and my tweets!), plus two books that are slightly artier/more literary in nature--all for tweens and teens, of course!

I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for something new. Thanks so much for stopping by!

For those of you who would like to learn more about Bev and her books, make sure you check out her website. She also has a great manuscript critique service for those of you who are aspiring authors. And for your viewing pleasure, here's the book trailer for I Was a Teenage Popsicle:



And for those of you who've made it this far down the post, I have another contest for you! I have a signed copy of Beyond Cool to give away to one lucky winner! And for those who are runners up, I also have some great bookmarks to send your way. To enter, just leave me a comment and answer this question: What book would you most like to see developed for movie or television?
+1 for answer (no answer, no entry!)
+1 for linking to the contest (MUST post a direct link to count)

Rules: The contest is open until September 30th, 2009. This contest is open internationally! The winner will be chosen by a random number generator. Rules about claiming prizes can be found here.