Hi! Welcome to the Sia Book Blitz hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Make sure to scroll down to read the interview provided by the host of this blitz as well as to check out the giveaway for an eBook of Sia! :D
Title: Sia
Author: Josh Grayson
Publication date: November 20th 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Blitz organized by: Xpresso Book Tours
~ Synopsis ~
When seventeen-year-old Sia wakes up on a park bench, she has no idea who or where she is. Yet after a week of being homeless, she's reunited with her family. At school, she's powerful and popular. At home, she's wealthy beyond her dreams. But she quickly realizes her perfect life is a lie. Her family is falling apart and her friends are snobby, cruel, and plastic. Worse yet, she discovers she was the cruelest one. Mortified by her past, she embarks on a journey of redemption and falls for Kyle, the "geek" she once tormented. Yet all the time she wonders if, when her memories return, she'll become the bully she was before...and if she'll lose Kyle.
~ Meet the Author: Josh Grayson! ~
Josh Grayson was born in Mexico, raised in Massachusetts, and now lives in Martinsville, Virginia. It was his move to the South that stirred his imagination and gave him the courage to start writing. During his free time, Josh enjoys reading, jogging, swimming, and watching YouTube videos.
Josh currently works as a medical driver, shuttling people all over Virginia and North Carolina. He has also worked as a machinist, film sales rep, administrative assistant, and telemarketer (he apologizes if he called you).
Sia is his debut YA novel.
~ Social Links ~
Q & A
If you could fly anywhere in the world to do research on an upcoming book, where would you most likely want to go?
Italy, simply because it's always ranked as having the best food in the world. Its beaches are nice too. I've Googled it.
What is your favorite genre to read/write?
Young adult (YA), because those stories carry universal themes we can all relate to, a peek into the lives of characters who are more intriguing, real, and raw.
What is one silly fact about you?
I can mimic Enrique Iglesias's voice pretty well. I sang "Hero" at a friend's birthday party once and received an enthusiastic response. Some applauded, others laughed. Overall, though, I felt good about my performance.
What got you started on your writing journey?
My move from Massachusetts (where I'd lived most of my life) to Virginia. The first year here was difficult. I was alone, depressed, and in completely new surroundings. But it was here in the South that I began seeing all these stories in my head, and that my "writing gene" got activated. So it seems the old saying is true, everything does happen for a reason.
Why do you choose to write clean/sweet romance?
I didn't choose, per se. I just write whatever I see in my head. And so far, all the romantic parts have been sweet and clean, which is fine with me.
What other things do you have planned with your writing for the rest of the year 2013?
I'm working on another YA novel that Sia fans should enjoy as well. If things go according to plan, I'll publish that in the summer of 2014.
What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
Being able to partake in the wildest adventures imaginable, all without ever leaving your house.
Do you have a favorite comment or question from a reader?
One reviewer said, "It, without a doubt, inspired me to find ways to help others in need. I'm looking into charity work." I loved hearing that, because that's exactly what I wanted Sia to do: to motivate others to become their best self, to make positive changes in the world, wherever they are.
Where do your ideas come from?
I find muses everywhere! In books, magazines, poems, movies, YouTube videos, and so much more. I always try to be receptive. You never know what might trigger your next story.
What inspired you to write Sia?
Initially? Oprah. (laughs). I saw an interview she did on a man with fugue amnesia that impacted me. Fugue amnesia occurs when someone, usually in response to excessive stress, takes off on some unexpected travel. And during the travels, that person assumes either a partial or complete new identity. I found it both fascinating and frightening to think that stress alone can cause the human brain to demand a reset like that. I often wonder why I haven't gotten fugue amnesia yet!
Is it true you wrote the screenplay adaptation as well?
Yes! I wrote it as soon as the book was finished. I'm about to hire a seasoned Hollywood screenwriter to polish it. When it is up to industry standards, we'll submit it to film companies and cross our fingers. I think Sia would translate wonderfully to film.
If you could sum your main character into five words, what would they be?
Determined. Compassionate. Humble. Kind. Brave.
Use no more than two sentences. Why should we read your book?
Because I believe it will leave you touched, encouraged, and - of course - entertained.
~ Giveaway ~
I'm reading this right now. With Sia, Josh takes the story of amnesia in an interesting direction, asking yourself what if and how you'd overcome this.
ReplyDeleteI'll be reading this one really soon, and I'm so excited to start it. I know what he's talking about in his interview - I studied the fugue state while getting my degree in psychology. It's really interesting and freaky at the same time. From what I understand in the classes I took, this usually occurs often after a trauma, such as rape or abuse. I'm wondering what triggered it in the person on Oprah's show.
DeleteI do like to mix things up with sweet YA. I can't imagine losing my memory. How different would we be with a clean slate? Sounds like a cool book. It's neat to read the driving force behind a book. I think it was on Jaclyn's blog where the author's pets died one after the other and from such terrible loss she created this amazing fantasy series. I hope you're not working too hard on that house of yours and you get some fun in (probably that new horror movie I keep muting when the preview comes on).
ReplyDeleteYou know what I was thinking about while reading the interview? That movie 50 First Dates with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. I cry at the end every time I see that movie. Every day she wakes up and has to watch a video first thing to remember being married and having a child? It was so sad Adam's character had to do that for her and touching to me that he thought of that solution. I couldn't imagine losing my memory. It's a scary thought.
DeleteOh my gosh, I didn't know that about the author's pets! I bet that was a really difficult time for him! One after the other like that...not fair at all.
Are you talking about Insidious 2?? I just saw it yesterday, and it was scary!! :D
Oh, no. I didn't write that clearly. It was a different author, but I would be completely wrecked. I cry at the end of 50 first dates too! The thought of her missing all that time with her kid, I just bawl my eyes out. There was this one guy on my school bus who told me he lost his entire memory after a head injury. His family, friends, past, gone. I have to tell you he was the most depressing person to talk to. I was in a very peppy/chipper stage and I had no idea how to talk to him.
DeleteHa! I was talking about Insidious 2! Freaking scary previews!
Insidious 2 was scary, haha! O.O
DeleteI had a friend who had a benign brain tumor, and it changed his entire personality. He was very friendly and fun to hang out with before, but then after he didn't want to hang out with us anymore and wasn't nice. It's amazing how the brain works. Or doesn't work.
Sia sounds sooo good, Jennifer. And this interview is awesome. I liked getting to know how Mr. Grayson started his writing journey. And that he wants to inspire through his writing. That's admirable. After reading the interview, I'm even more interested in reading Sia. Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI loved this interview, too. I think Giselle comes up with the best questions. :) I can't wait to read this book! The author sent us all a copy for review, and I already happened to have one from Netgalley, lol. I don't think there could be a better reason for writing - to inspire others. :) You're welcome, Brandee!!! :D
Delete