Wednesday, September 16, 2009

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.

29 comments:

Kelsey said...

Great interview. I would love to see Blue Bloods turned into a movie(:

+1 answering the question
+1 linked on my sidebar (http://thebookscout.blogspot.com)

Kelsey
kelseythebookscout at blogspot dot com

Kelsey said...

Woops wrong email;

kelseythebookscout at gmail dot com

(:

Pam said...

Hmmmm. But would that mean I'd end up watching more TV? I think the Size 12 is Not Fat and sequels could make a cute show.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Chick Lit Teens said...

I read I was a Teenage Popsicle a few years ago and loved it. I was so excited to see an interview with Bev.

Ellz said...

I would like to see the HON series by PC Cast turned into a movie.
+1 question
zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom

Ladytink_534 said...

Sounds so cool!

I would love for the House of Night series by P.C. & Kristin Cast to made into a TV series or movies.

Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sara said...

I would like to see Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles!

sara
sosarora_11@hotmail.com

Simply Stacie said...

I would love to see The Pact by Jodi Picoult made into a movie.

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Haiku Amy said...

I want to see City of Bones as a movie, and The Hunger Games. I am also really excited that Percy Jackson and the Olympians the Lightning Thief is coming out as a movie in Feb. 2010.

I linked to your contest from Haiku Amy in the sidebar.

Haiku Amy said...

Oh I forgot my e-mail. haikuamy at gmail dot com

Jenny N. said...

Nice interview. I wouuld like to see the Vampire Academy series adapted.

+1 Answered the question

jen4777[at]hotmail.com

queen of entropy said...

I would most like to see C.J. Cherryh's "Foreigner" series turned into movies (or a tv miniseries). That would be so awesome!

haley said...

+1 I would like to see Mortal Instruments or Maximum Ride developed into a movie.
+1 posted at http://haleymathiot.blogspot.com/2009/09/todays-giveaways_18.html

haleymathiot at yahoo.com

Nina said...

the answer to your question would be: Mort!!

nina.happyendings@yahoo.co.uk

Bunny B said...

I would love to see The Mirror by Marlys Millhiser made into a movie!

Blogged: http://bunnymoney9.blogspot.com/2009/09/linky-love.html

bunnybx at gmail . com

Unknown said...

Jesse's Girl by Gary Morgenstein.

+1 tweet - http://twitter.com/bridget3420/status/4176775628

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

lag123 said...

The entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. Please enter me.

lag110@mchsi.com

Sheere said...

Amazing interview!
Please enter me in the contest!

+1 I'd love to see the hunger games
+1 tweeted
http://twitter.com/Sheeredry/status/4324761816

sheere.dry@gmail.com

Rebecca N. said...

Soul Survivor would make a good movie I think. I would love to win this. Thanks

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Llehn said...

I would love to see Lisa McMann's Wake series turned into a TV series.

lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katie said...

Great interview and contest. I would love to see Vampire Academy turned into a movie or tv series. =]

katieb206@gmail.com

~The Book Pixie said...

This is a great contest.

+1 I don't know if I'd really like to see any of the books I've read turned into a movie or tv show mainly because they always stray to far from the book. However, if I could be sure they would stay true to the book, I would say Saving Juliet by Suzanne Selfors. I think it would make a great movie. That or Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow.

+1 Sidebar: http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

Giuly said...

Great interview! I want that book! =D

+1 and the answer.. It's really easy! I want to see The host! but I´m so HAPPY becouse that someday will became true! I'm So happy! XD

giuly_4(at)hotmail(dot)com

Ashley said...

I've never heard of this author or her books before this post. Thanks for sharing!

I'd love to be entered to win her book.
booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com

What book would you most like to see developed for movie or television? THE HUNGER GAMES!

+1 Posted on my sidebar at http://booksobsession.blogspot.com

Thanks! :]

Anita Yancey said...

I would like to see Scream For Me by Karen Rose made into a movie. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Wrighty said...

This sounds really good! I always prefer books to movies but I think The Hunger Games would be amazing if done well. Thanks for another fun giveaway!

+1 question

5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net

Paradox said...

I would like to see Interworld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves turned into a movie or TV series!

+1 I tweeted about the contest: http://twitter.com/ParadoxRevealed/status/4485041634

paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com

Melanie said...

Hmm... I think Hush, Hush could be a great movie, although it wouldn't be anywhere near as good as the book. But that's almost always the case, anyway.

L said...

I'd love to see Evernight by Claudia Gray turned into a movie.

+1 for answering
+1 link on sidebar:
http://hookedonyabooks.blogspot.com/

lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com