An Interview & Signed Book Giveaway with Author Kristin Walker

I'm happy to welcome Kristin Walker, the awesome author of A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL, to my blog for an interview and signed book giveaway. Yes, that's right, I'm holding another giveaway contest where I'll be providing one lucky commenter with a signed copy of this fun and funny debut! As usual, entry details will follow the interview. But first, here's a summary of Kristin's book:

When a mandatory course forces Fiona to “try the knot” with super-jock Todd Harding, she’s convinced life couldn't get any worse. Until her crush is paired with her arch enemy (otherwise known as Todd’s obscenely hot, slightly sadistic girlfriend). But that’s nothing compared to her best friend’s fate – a year with the very goofy, very big Johnny Mercer.

A series of hilarious pranks leave Fiona wondering: is there something her “best friend” hasn’t told her? Could there be more to Johnny Mercer than an awesome music collection? And most intriguing, could Todd Harding have a heart beneath his pretty-boy exterior?



Can you sum up A Match Made in High School in one sentence?

High school seniors get paired up for a mandatory course in marriage education with disastrous and hilarious results.


What inspired you to write A Match Made in High School?

It just seemed like it could be a really funny premise. I was looking for a topic with a lot of potential for humor, and since the book was going to be the longest thing I'd written, I figured I should pick something I knew a bit about. Pretty much my whole life was raising kids, doing laundry, loading dishwashers, and being married. So I went with marriage. I didn't think too many teens would want to read about stain removal or crusty spatulas.


If you could be one character from your book for a day, which one would you be and why?

Great question! Hmm... Okay, this is totally shallow, but I'm going to say it anyway... Amanda. I've always wanted to be stunningly beautiful for a day. All I'd do is walk around being gorgeous. Isn't that dorky? Other than Amanda, I'd pick Sam because she's so alive and energized and completely genuine. Plus she has stains on her shirts, and that's pretty much me every day with my coffee.


Who would you have wanted to be paired with to "try the knot" when you were in high school?

Oh, you don't seriously think I'm going to answer that, do you? Ha! I'm sure I would've picked whomever I was dating at the time.


What has surprised you the most about the publishing industry?

Everyone knows everyone in publishing. It's a very close-knit industry. So if you're interested in getting into the publishing game, tread kindly and try not to burn any bridges.

The great part is that everyone I've encountered is super cool. For the most part, they're people I'd hang out with in real life. It's humbling to have so many brilliant, fun people discussing and putting effort into my work.


What's your best advice for aspiring writers wanting to be published?

Just keep writing! Never quit. Every word you write makes you a better writer, so just keep going. It's a long, often heartbreaking haul, but you'll get there.

Thanks so much for having me, Amy! I had a great time with your questions.


Thank YOU, Kristin, for stopping by my blog! If you'd like to learn more about Kristin and her book, please be sure to check out her WEBSITE, BLOG and GOODREADS page.


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A MATCH MADE IN HIGH SCHOOL Signed Book Giveaway Entry Details:
1) You must be a follower of my blog for a chance to win.
2) You will be entered once by reading and commenting on this post.
3) You will also receive an extra entry for each online shout-out you give about this giveaway (tweet on twitter and/or blog about it). Be sure to leave links to your shout-out(s) in the comment section of this post.

***That means you have the chance to be entered up to three times in the random drawing, increasing your odds of winning. The lucky winner will be chosen at random from the entries I receive and will be announced on Friday, July 30th. Good luck!***

Ashley will receive an automatic extra entry for her correct guess from this blurred cover image post.

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