Interview With Author Amy Zinn
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I began writing in 2001 before the birth of my first son. I’m now the author of about a dozen novels for young adults, all contemporary with a magical edge, and served with a side of love, mystery, and humor. I received my MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2012, before the birth of my fourth son. And today I live, and write, in southern California with my husband, four boys, and dog.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Stella-Barone-McGillivray is the sixteen-year-old girl who dreams so deeply that she can’t be sure which side of wakefulness is reality. I will often wake from a dream and need a minute to convince myself it’s not real. That’s what inspired this novel. The mystery of who is taking Stella’s friends on both sides of wakefulness, and her having to solve a murder in her sleep, is just straight up creative license.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I first start writing a novel, it’s always an idea that I’m working with. I usually take a pen and pad of paper and write down bits of dialogue, snippets of what I know to be true about the protagonist and his or her romantic exploits. Some of this, some of that. It’s chaotic, but it works for me to put it all out there so that I can get to the heart of the story. Once I know how the book will end, I restart with the right focus.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always loved Shannon Hale’s books. They’re as creative as they are beautifully written. Also Julie Berry, Gary Schmidt, Gabrielle Zevin and Liane Moriarty (who writes for adults, but her characterization is second to none).
What are you working on now?
I’m re-envisioning what was my creative thesis back in graduate school. And narrating my own audiobooks which has been a blast. Currently I’m working through my YA, “The Death of Pluto”, which is more of a paranormal, on podcast.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon KDP select has been fairly successful, along with Goodreads Giveaways. They’ve both been great at bringing in reviews. And I’ll be jumping on the Booktok bandwagon here pretty soon.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Give yourself permission to be inadequate. You can’t be good at something unless you’re willing to be really bad at it first. You’ll write a lot of terrible things before you get to the place where you and your work will shine. All it takes is a massive amount of practice 😉
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s a quote from “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles: “For what matters in life is not whether we receive a round of applause; what matters is whether we have the courage to venture forth despite the uncertainty of acclaim.”
What are you reading now?
I just started “They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera. The title alone hooked me.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keeping on. There’s a steep learning curve to becoming a good writer, and I’m not sure you ever really see the end of that road. One can always improve. So I’ll keep on writing, keep on reading, keep on doing my best to be my best.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“The Wednesday Wars” by Gary Schmidt because it makes me feel good, “Eleanor and Park” by Rainbow Rowell because it makes me swoon, “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt because it makes me think, and my own current work in progress, whatever it happens to be.
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