Blog Tour: The Summer I Became a Nerd ~ Author Interview & Giveaway

Yay!  Thanks for stopping by today!  I'm so excited to be taking part in Leah Rae Miller's blog tour for The Summer I Became a Nerd.  You can read my 4-star review HERE!  And today I have a super fun interview for you!!  I hope you enjoy! :)

But first, let's start with a bit about the book:

Title: The Summer I Became a Nerd
Author: Leah Rae Miller
Published: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.

Welcome, Leah!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

To start, would you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I’m not that interesting really. I’m just a stay-at-home mom who loves to read and write.

Is The Summer I Became a Nerd based on reality or completely fictional?  What gave you the idea?

TSIBAN isn’t based on any real events but a lot of the characters and events are based on actual people and occurances. As far as where the idea came from, I wanted to write about something I love. I love comics so I ran with it. But I was tired of the old “nerd girl gets transformed” cliché. I never understood why the nerd girl had to change. So, I flip-flopped that idea.

Do you have any silly habits or quirks that you want to share with us?  :)

Ha! Let’s see, I hate hate hate rollercoasters. I get frightened even on just a hilly road. Last time I was talked into riding a rollercoaster, I cried like a baby afterword. It was not pretty. I eat my sandwiches crust first. And I crack my knuckles.

Any weird phobias or superstitions?

I hate wasps, like will-run-around-squealing scared. Clowns scare me to death (Thank you, IT by Stephen King). And I always wish on 11:11, 2:22, 3:33, etc. I’ll wish on anything, actually, like eyelashes. I also knock on wood when I say something that I don’t want to come true. “Yeah, right, Avengers 2 is so gonna suck.” *knocks on wood*

What is your favorite genre to read?

I don’t really have a favorite genre. I read it all! I like horror, mystery, historical romance, YA contemp, and YA fantasy. I’ve even been known to read a biography or two. I try not limit myself.

What/who are your favorite books and/or favorite authors?

Number 1 favorite books are the Harry Potter series, period. I love AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman. And Les Mis by Victor Hugo. And SWAN SONG by Robert McCammon. I highly recommend that book. It’s a beautiful, real, and engrossing dystopian story.

If you were throwing a dinner party and could invite any five celebrities (authors, actors, musicians, etc.) who would you invite and why?

Let’s see… I’d invite Emma Stone because she seems like she’d be funny and charming. Ewan McGregor because I just want to see him in person (siiiigh). John Green so I could pick his brain about writing. Paul McCartney because… Well, duh. And, if I can pick someone who’s no longer with us, Hunter S. Thompson because you always need that guy who has spectacular stories.

If you had to pick three items that you couldn’t (or wouldn't want to) live without, what would they be?

Now, I’m assuming I don’t need to ask for the essentials like hot water or toilet paper so… I’d have to say 1) my laptop because not only does it hold all my music, books, and favorite movies, but it also holds those connections to friends I can’t see every day. Plus, it makes writing so much easier. 2) My glasses because the world is sooo much clearer with them. And 3) my stuffed animal named Cuddles. He’s a beat up little Scottie dog, but he holds so many memories that I never want to forget.

If you could be any Disney character, who would it be and why?

I’d have to say Merida. She’s a bada** and she has a wonderful family.

What’s the one question people ask you that is the hardest for you to answer?

When it comes to book stuff, the question a lot of people ask is usually something like “Did I mean for there to be the message of being yourself is okay in the book?” It’s a hard question because I didn’t set out for there to be a message of any type. I just wanted to write a book that people might enjoy. That this message kind of happened was a surprise to me. A great surprise but a surprise, none the less.

Is there anything you’d like to tell the readers about yourself or your book?

I just want readers to enjoy it. Have fun, revel in the nerdisms, and take it for what it is: a fun, summery read.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Leah!  It was so great to have you!!  :)

Thank you for the awesome interview!!!

Mother, wife, and YA author living on a windy hill in Natchitoches, Louisiana. I love fuzzy socks, comic books, cherry coke, and brand new office supplies. THE SUMMER I BECAME A NERD coming Summer 2013 from Entangled Teen. Stay cool! Contact me at leahraewrites(at)gmail(dot)com

For questions about ARCs, blog tours, interviews, etc. please contact my publicist, Heather Riccio heatherriccio (at) entangledpublishing (dot) com

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