Beth Ann Bauman
This week, we’re celebrating Beth Ann Bauman’s debut! Beth Ann Bauman is the author of a short story collection for adults, Beautiful Girls, and a recipient of a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship. Beth teaches fiction writing at NYU, The West Side YMCA’s Writer’s Voice, and online at UCLA. Growing up, she spent summers on the Jersey shore, and she now lives in New York City.
Here’s a little bit about ROSIE AND SKATE (Wendy Lamb Books, Random House).
It’s off-season at the Jersey shore, when the boardwalk belongs to the locals. Rosie is 15 and her sister Skate is 16. Their dad, an amiable drunk, is spending a few weeks in jail while their cousin Angie looks after them in their falling-down Victorian on the beach. Skate and her boyfriend Perry are madly in love, inseparable—until now, when Perry goes off to Rutgers. Rosie is shyer than Skate, but she’s drawn to Nick, a boy in their Alateen group. What happens to Rosie and Skate in a few tumultuous weeks is deftly shaded, complex, and true. Readers will be caught up in each girl’s shifting feelings as the story plays out within the embrace of their warmhearted community.
ROSIE AND SKATE by Beth Ann Bauman
If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?
PG. There’s some sex and underage drinking.
What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?
I’m interested in the topic of addiction and how it affects everyone in a family. The drunk dad in the story is goodhearted but mostly useless as a parent, and the mom died when the girls were little so they’re basically raising themselves. I’m interested in how the sisters cope, how others help them along the way, and how they handle friendship, boys, love and sex.
I also wanted to set the story on the Jersey shore, a place I love. I wanted to include a boardwalk, arcade, Ferris wheel, walks on the beach in winter, surfing in a wet suit in November. And some dogs! What good is a story without some dogs, though I might be biased…
Name three examples of readers who would identify or like your book.
- Girls 12 and up interested in boy/girl relationships
- Anyone who likes sister stories
- Anyone with a loved one with an addiction
- Anyone who likes stories about unlikely families
List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.
- He went to Walgreen’s in his raincoat and slippers, and shuffled down the aisles, loading the lining of his coat with crazy stuff: a can opener, coconut tanning oil, nail clippers, panty hose, potpourri.
- Free rides tonight. We scramble into [the Ferris wheel], facing each other, and we’re lifted oh-so-gently into the night. On the next go-round we stop at the top of the ride while snow blows around us and into the car. Rosie catches some flakes in her glove.
How can your book be used in the classroom?
While the audience is for tween and teen girls, I can imagine boys liking the book too. It could provide an opportunity to talk about coping with a parent’s addiction, community resources, and patching together a family of people who care.
Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.
- Sarah Dessen books (Someone Like You, Lullaby)
- The Rules of Survival, Nancy Werlin
- Dairy Queen, Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Now whet our appetites with a teaser.
My dad’s a nice drunk. There is such a thing. I know how that sounds, but honestly he’s a good person. My sister, Skate, is going to give you a different story, but I want you to hear my side too.
Before our dad went to jail three weeks ago, one of his favorite places was the old faded couch on the sunporch, where he’d lie with sandy feet, clutching his bottle of Old Crow whiskey, gurgling to himself with a dreamy smile. If he saw me standing above him, staring down at him, he’d give me a little finger wave. “Lovely to see ya, Rosie girl.” Or sometimes he’d look at me and not see me at all, but he’d smile all the same. You see what I mean? Screwed-up, but nice.
Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?
Yes, depending on where and when.
Are you willing to speak nationally?
Yes, depending on where and when.
List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.
- How to tell a story.
- Creating characters the reader wants to spend time with.
This concludes our interview with our latest author, BETH ANN BAUMAN. We wish her much success with her debut novel ROSIE AND SKATE.
*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Beth is giving away a signed copy of ROSIE AND SKATE to two winners. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by November 3rd, 2009 11:59 PM CST.
Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.
Comments
1 Amy Baskin // Oct 27, 2009 at 11:06 am
Beth, I’m looking forward to reading your book.
Cheers,
Amy Baskin
2 Amber G // Oct 27, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Wow Beth, you are so generous! I would love to enter please!
3 Lauren // Oct 27, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I’m DYING to read this book! So, please enter me!
~ Lauren
laurenscrammedbookshelf@gmail.com
4 renee G // Oct 27, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I’d love to read this. Your list of items from the Jersey shore reminds me of my visits there.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
5 Llehn // Oct 28, 2009 at 7:00 am
I’d love to play please!
6 Alice // Oct 28, 2009 at 9:03 am
Beth Baumann is a favorite author of mine. Congratulations on this great new book.
7 Caroline Leavitt // Oct 28, 2009 at 9:22 am
Loved this interview, and really loved the book, too!
8 Mindy Lewis // Oct 28, 2009 at 9:39 am
I picked up Rosie and Skate and couldn’t put it down. Reading Beth Bauman’s interview, I’m reminded why: memorable characters in a charming setting, and the intimate drama of their stories.
9 Felicia Sullivan // Oct 28, 2009 at 10:46 am
CANNOT WAIT to read Beth’s new book, as I adored Beautiful Girls. Congrats!
10 Brian Gerber // Oct 28, 2009 at 11:28 am
The story is told very surely and with great sensitivity. I liked the girls’ changing (and contrasting) attitudes toward their father, and the way their friendships with boys grow into something deeper.
11 Marcy Dermansky // Oct 28, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Terrific interview. Love the statistically impossible phrases.
12 Ann Duddy // Oct 28, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Beth is a wonderful writer. Her stories in “Beautiful Girls” are so poignant. I’m looking forward to reading “Rosie and Skate” and the next book too! Great cover, too.
13 Dee Leitner // Oct 28, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Enjoyed reading this interview. Loved “Rosie and Skate”, can’t wait for more from Beth.
14 Anne Taylor // Oct 28, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Looks and sounds great! I’d love to win, read and pass it on!
ty
15 Jacquelyn Cannon // Oct 28, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I have teenage daughters and I think they would enjoy reading this book.
16 Richard // Oct 28, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Beth Bauman is one of the most wonderful writers around. Her book of short stories is absolutely terrific, and my daughter really loved Rosie and Skate, which I am looking forward to reading. Every library in the country should have a copy of each book.
17 Carol Thompson // Oct 29, 2009 at 12:55 am
If the giveaway is open worldwide I would love to enter.
Thank you.
Carol
18 Judith // Oct 29, 2009 at 7:18 am
I would also like to enter if the giveaway is open worldwide. I’m always on the lookout for good books for my daughter.
19 DeeAnn S // Oct 29, 2009 at 7:59 am
I remember summers down the shore. Great fun! Thanks.
20 Nancy Skinner // Oct 29, 2009 at 9:51 am
I LOVE Rosie and Skate, and am excited to give it to the teens I know for Xmas. Same meticulous, evocative, beautiful Beth Bauman prose I enjoyed in “Beautiful Girls,” and voice that rings true as bell (this time for that tough YA crowd….). Congrats, Beth!
21 Mary Brady // Oct 29, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Beth is a gem of a teacher as well as an accomplished writer. I plan on reading “Rosie and Skate” the first time for pleasure, the second time for craft.
A toast, Beth Ann, to your continued success!
22 Merilyn // Oct 30, 2009 at 4:38 am
Beth – can’t wait to read this! Congratz on your Spotlight! Obviously well deserved!
23 Mozi Esmes Mommy // Oct 30, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I’d love to read this!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
24 JAMES LYNAM // Oct 30, 2009 at 10:24 pm
I NEED TO WIN THIS!!!!!
25 john rasmussen // Oct 31, 2009 at 5:42 am
looks like an interesting read
26 Alicia // Oct 31, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Would like to win this.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
27 Irene R. // Oct 31, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Great interview and wonderful book! Thoroughly enjoyed the alternating chapters
of each sister as it really focuses on splendid
detail of each character in the given circumstance. Look forward to your future
work!
28 Debby H // Nov 1, 2009 at 9:32 am
Can’t wait to read “Rosie and Skate”. Great interview! Loved “Beautiful Girls”. So excited to see more. Brings back so many memories. Congrats!
29 Stephanie N // Nov 1, 2009 at 10:27 am
I have not read any of your books, but have picked up a copy of Beautiful Girls. Thanks for the giveaway.
30 Arlette Rodriguez // Nov 1, 2009 at 3:59 pm
this book was already on my Wish List, I would love to read it!
31 Erma H // Nov 2, 2009 at 7:35 am
This sounds interesting.
32 Lance Pearson // Nov 2, 2009 at 1:35 pm
dreamcleavers@yahoo.com
sign me up
33 shawna // Nov 2, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Sounds like a great book!
34 alejandro aguilar // Nov 2, 2009 at 2:25 pm
i would love to win this
35 Sarah // Nov 2, 2009 at 3:27 pm
enter me!
36 Jenny Gibbons // Nov 2, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Thanks for the contest. My family has had more than its share of addicts, and this book sounds very interesting.
37 Ed Nemmers // Nov 2, 2009 at 5:13 pm
The book cover is eye-catching!
38 Dolores Guarino // Nov 2, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Would love to win our book. Love the shore and would like to see your version of my life.
39 Diane Baum // Nov 2, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Interesting interview
40 Angela Winesburg // Nov 2, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I’d love to read this, thanks for the chance!
41 Mishia // Nov 3, 2009 at 3:56 am
I’m looking forward to this book. The cover draws me in!
42 Susan Smith // Nov 3, 2009 at 9:31 am
Sounds like a good book
43 Leslie // Nov 3, 2009 at 10:03 am
Would love a chance to read this.
44 \George Ferris // Nov 3, 2009 at 10:37 am
I never read this book, but the reviews make me want to.
john Ferris
guapo1317@live.com
45 Whipper // Nov 3, 2009 at 11:39 am
JERSEY-GIRL IN THE HOUSE!
Interesting…I think I can relate. Would love to read and pass on to my 4 sisters.
46 Talitha Lee // Nov 3, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the contest!
47 susan smoaks // Nov 3, 2009 at 12:27 pm
sounds like a winner, i can’t wait to read this!
48 Gloria // Nov 3, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I’d love to read this! I know a loved one with an addiction.
49 Tim Hughes // Nov 3, 2009 at 3:38 pm
This sounds like an absolutely awesome book for my 16 year old daughter. Great giveaway!
titletowntreasures(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
50 Gianna // Nov 3, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Please enter me for my daughter
51 dawn // Nov 3, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Loved this interview, and it sounds like a great new book. Thanks for the chance.
52 dorothy l // Nov 3, 2009 at 7:21 pm
sounds like a good book please enter me
con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
53 D Bates // Nov 3, 2009 at 8:10 pm
sounds like a great book! thanks for this
54 Lily Kwan // Nov 3, 2009 at 11:01 pm
This book sounds very interesting. I’ll definitely check it out!
55 Katie S. // Nov 4, 2009 at 12:42 am
This book sounds so good! I think this book would help my little sister out because our mom was addicted and so I think it would help her:)
Awesome Giveaway!
56 Pothi - Admin Assist - AuthorsNow! // Nov 4, 2009 at 10:53 am
Congratulations Nancy Skinner and Felicia Sullivan! You have won the spotlight.
57 Alder Gul // May 20, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Hi there, I could not find a way to email you, and so I really hope that you see this comment. I own a website covering ladies wetsuits, and wondered if you might like to exchange links with me. I have entered my email address in case you would like to get in touch. Thank you.
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