Danielle Joseph
This week, we’re celebrating Danielle Joseph’s debut! Danielle Joseph was a college DJ for five years on the Gyroscope, a world music show. She also interned at several top Boston radio stations while earning her BFA in Creative Writing and MA in Marketing Communications and Advertising from Emerson College. She has taught Creative Writing to middle school students and English to adults.
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Danielle now lives in Miami, Florida with her husband and children. Her debut YA novel, SHRINKING VIOLET, will be published by MTV/Pocket Books on May, 5 2009 and her second novel, Indigo Blues will be released Fall 2010 from Flux. In the meantime, Danielle is hard at work on her next novel, Graveyard Shift. And when she’s not writing, you can find her cruising around with the tunes blaring and her internal DJ hard at work.
Here’s a little bit about SHRINKING VIOLET (MTV).
High school senior Teresa Adams is so painfully shy that she dreads speaking to anyone in the hallways or getting called on in class. But in the privacy of her bedroom with her iPod in hand, she rocks out — doing mock broadcasts for Miami’s hottest FM radio station, which happens to be owned by her stepfather. When a slot opens up at The SLAM, Tere surprises herself by blossoming behind the mike into confident, sexy Sweet T — and to everyone’s shock, she’s a hit! Even Gavin, the only guy in school who she dares to talk to, raves about the mysterious DJ’s awesome taste in music. But when The SLAM announces a songwriting contest — and a prom date with Sweet T is the grand prize — Sweet T’s dream could turn into Tere’s worst nightmare….
SHRINKING VIOLET by Danielle Joseph
If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?
I would rate my book PG because it is truly a book for everyone. Tere is still discovering who she is and because of her extreme shyness she has held back from a lot of “teen experiences” like many of her peers may have indulged in.
What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?
My book address shyness, self-esteem, bullies and fulfilling your dream. All of these topics fascinate me and I have always been interested in the underdog. I love to see people succeed that give it their all and are not swayed by what others want them to do.
Name three examples of readers who would identify or like your book.
Some of the people who may be interested in my book are: all young adult aspiring djs, anyone, regardless of age, that is a music lover and most importantly the teen out there that is struggling to find his/her voice.
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.
- Okay, my brain froze when she said perform.
- “Dorkstag. Geekstag. Freaktag”
- Kayla looks up from her planning neurosis sheets.
How can your book be used in the classroom?
One great thing about my book is that it already comes with a reader guide, reader tips and an author interview, which would be great in the classroom. In addition, it would be a great tool in dealing with issues of self worth.
Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.
Teens who like SHRINKING VIOLET might enjoy Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, Debbie Reed Fischer’s Braless in Wonderland and Gaby Triana’s Riding the Universe.
Now whet our appetites with a teaser.
You’re listening to Sweet T on 92.7 WEMD SLAM FM. It’s after dark now, so don’t change that dial because here’s where killer tunes explode through the speakers, leaving you wanting more. I’ll take you through the night and feed your soul.
Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations? Are you willing to speak nationally? List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.
I really enjoy doing author visits and am willing to speak nationally to teens and adults. I was a teacher for over seven years so I have a lot of experience with small and large groups. I am open to presenting all types of talks, tailored to the audience. Some examples are: Getting in Touch With Your Teen Self, Writing What You Know and Dressing Your Characters Up, Layer by Layer.
This concludes our interview with our latest author, DANIELLE JOSEPH. We wish her much success with her debut novel SHRINKING VIOLET. To see what Danielle is up to these days, visit her website at www.daniellejoseph.com or her blog at http://daniellejoseph.livejournal.com.
*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Danielle is giving away a signed copy of SHRINKING VIOLET to two winners. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by October 20th, 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 Bidisha // Oct 13, 2009 at 10:34 am
I can relate to the plot of Shrinking Violet. It’s easier to be yourself anonymously. I must confess I’m more at ease in the virtual world than I’m in real.
I would really like to read your book.
2 Amber G // Oct 13, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I love your cover and think this will be a really interesting story!
3 Renee C // Oct 13, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I think my teenage sister-in-law would like this. Would love to win it for her!
4 Chelsea S // Oct 13, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I would love to read this book. I have had social anxiety problems that have plagued me in the past and I think I could related wonderfully with this book.
5 Leslie Price // Oct 13, 2009 at 6:16 pm
This book sounds like something to which I can definitely relate. Thanks for the entry!
6 Judith // Oct 14, 2009 at 7:09 am
I love books about shy teenagers.
7 AmandaK // Oct 14, 2009 at 9:31 am
I used to be a shy teenager, and I think I could relate very well!!
8 Sherrah // Oct 14, 2009 at 9:33 am
Sounds like a great book. I’d love to read it!!
9 Shari D // Oct 14, 2009 at 12:07 pm
This would be a great book for my painfully shy niece.
10 Angela J // Oct 14, 2009 at 12:17 pm
This sounds like me, I would like to read this.
11 bunnyb // Oct 14, 2009 at 2:56 pm
A shy teenager was definitely what I used to be!!
12 Jason // Oct 15, 2009 at 10:39 am
I think my niece would love this book. It sounds right up her alley
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
13 Stephanie N // Oct 17, 2009 at 8:36 am
This sounds like a very interesting book. Thanks for the giveaway.
14 Lauren // Oct 17, 2009 at 11:09 am
I would love to enter!
Shrinking Violet sounds great!
15 Carol G // Oct 17, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I will tell my daughter about this–I suspect she might enjoy it.
16 Jennifer Barr // Oct 18, 2009 at 9:19 am
I think my daughter would love to read this book
17 Kim H. // Oct 18, 2009 at 5:15 pm
From what I’ve read this is a great teen book. I know my girl would love to read it as well as a few of my neices. It definately is easier to be ‘yourself’ anonymously, but I also think you have to understand the consequences (you’ll be “known”)
Thanks so much for this giveaway! I love finding new books/authors!
18 Sheree Warner // Oct 19, 2009 at 5:32 am
This book sounds so delightful! I also believe it is a book that my daughter and I both will enjoy!
19 Ed Nemmers // Oct 19, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I like the violet color on the book cover!
20 SHARON C // Oct 19, 2009 at 6:22 pm
SOUNDS GREAT, I WOULD GIVE MY COPY TO NIECES, AGES 17 AND 13.
21 Karrie // Oct 19, 2009 at 7:02 pm
sounds like a wonderful read, would be perfect for my daughter
22 Sherri B. // Oct 19, 2009 at 7:26 pm
My teenager would love this book. She is a bit of a shrinking violet herself. I wish she could see how great she is and if she would open up more, others would see it to. Thanks!
sherri419 at gmail dot com
23 Melanie // Oct 19, 2009 at 9:21 pm
This sounds awesome!
Even short little quotes from the book made me want to read it!
24 renee G // Oct 19, 2009 at 10:35 pm
This sounds great – I would love to share this with my niece.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
25 Brenda Park // Oct 20, 2009 at 12:15 am
‘Shrinking Violet’ sounds like a great read, thanks so much for giving us all a chance to win an autographed copy.
26 dorothy l // Oct 20, 2009 at 11:07 am
please enter me in the book giveaway
27 Susan Smith // Oct 20, 2009 at 11:23 am
Looks like a good book
28 Diane Baum // Oct 20, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Sounds like an interesting read.
29 Gloria // Oct 20, 2009 at 6:41 pm
I’d like to share this with my daughter. She’s pretty shy.
30 Bridget Combs // Oct 20, 2009 at 7:17 pm
This sounds great and I would love to give this to my 17 yr old daughter
31 Leslie // Oct 20, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Sounds like a really great read.
32 Gianna // Oct 20, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Sounds like an interesting read
33 kathy pease // Oct 20, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in
34 Buddy Garrett // Oct 20, 2009 at 10:16 pm
This sounds like an interesting book. My daughter would love it.
35 Lily Kwan // Oct 20, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I’ll definitely check this book out. Thanks for the great contest!
36 Heather // Oct 20, 2009 at 10:21 pm
This sounds like a really good book! I love the cover of the book!
37 Charlene Kuser // Oct 20, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I can relate to Violet,I was always more
comfortable by myself than around other
people who could judge me and belittle
more.I had very few friends and learned
how to enjoy myself
38 janet // Oct 20, 2009 at 10:47 pm
please accept my entry in the book giveaway
39 Donna K // Oct 20, 2009 at 10:59 pm
My daughter would love it.
40 Llehn // Oct 21, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I’d love to play please!
41 Pothi - Admin Assist - AuthorsNow! // Oct 22, 2009 at 10:30 am
Congrats Leslie Price, you’ve won this spotlight!
42 Pothi - Admin Assist - AuthorsNow! // Oct 22, 2009 at 10:33 am
Congrats Renee, you’ve won this spotlight as well!
Leave a Comment