The Next Big Thing - Week 20

I don't usually participate in blog hops, but when my Katherine Tegen "sister" Liz Coley (PRETTY GIRL-13) asked me to play I thought it might be a bit of fun. So here I am, claiming to be The Next Big Thing. But because I'm me, some of the answers are... er, Mindy-flavored.

I'm posting the answers for 10 Questions about my WIP, which is the sequel to NOT A DROP TO DRINK, currently titled A HANDFUL OF DUST. I'm in edit mode at the moment, so excuse the sawdust on the floor.

What is the working title of your book?

Right now it's titled A HANDFUL OF DUST, a nice little poetry shout out to go along with NOT A DROP TO DRINK.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

My head.

What genre does your book fall under?

Twisted stuff from Mindy's head.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I would play all the characters myself, obviously.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Polio sucks.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

It's already sold to Harper Collins / Katherine Tegen, sold by my agent Adriann Ranta of Wolf Literary.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

About six months.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Maybe BLOOD RED ROAD by Moira Young. I haven't read it, but it seems like they'd be good shelf mates. Also I've always loved the name Moira, so I think it's fate and she should blurb me.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

Adriann, when she said, "You know, DRINK doesn't have to be a stand alone..."

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I had to do a lot of research about various illnesses, sucking wounds, and how to care for horse hooves.