October 15, 2014
Spark Life interview and various other recent KD/KDA links
So YA etc. author Kathryn Williams interviewed me about King Dork Approximately for Sparknotes as part of their "Teen Read Week" and the result can be read here. I reveal my most-hated childhood nickname, which of my characters I most "relate" to, how uncomfortable it was to write about Tom Henderson making out etc. in the Slut Heaven Rec Center girl's restroom with the broken lock (answer: not very), and what my favorite toothpaste is.
Also they have posted a "sneak peek" excerpt.
Other recent links I've maybe noted elsewhere but not here:
-- YA authority and aficionado Professor Steven Bickmore includes King Dork on his list of ten adult novels that have stayed with you. Thanks, Steve!
-- Emily Maas and Popcrush list ten YA books they wish were required reading and include King Dork on it. I've always been a fan of the idea of making the consumption of my product mandatory, so this feels like a step in the right direction. Well done, Emily.
-- Tiffany of Beneath the Jacket reviews the cover of King Dork Approximately and pronounces it "pretty cute". Design success!
-- Our own Nathan Pensky pushes back against complaints about the creeping "likability" standard in American letters. Fair enough, but in my defense, I'm really more of a curmudgeon and pedant than a snob.
-- Mahnaz Dar's review of King Dork Approximately in The School Library Journal (scroll down) is very kind. Excerpt:
...Portman has crafted a perceptive protagonist, whose brilliantly wry observations will keep readers laughing and whose voice is infused with an all-too-believable mix of innocence and cynicism...Well, shucks that's kind of exactly what I was going for so that's nice to hear. Also kind of a relief...
-- another very nice review by Miriam from the Bookpeople Teen Press Corps:
...My favorite character is Roberta (the female robot) because she’s really quirky and random. Her personality helps tie the book together...No writing I've ever done has been as much fun as coming up with the Robot's various notes...
More to come, at least, let's hope so.
Posted by Dr. Frank at October 15, 2014 08:23 PM