Debbie Rigaud
This week, we’re celebrating Debbie Rigaud’s debut! Debbie Rigaud began her writing career covering news and entertainment for commercial magazines. She’s interviewed celebs, politicians, social figures and inspiring “real” girls. Her articles have appeared in Seventeen, CosmoGIRL!, Twist and J-14; her novella “Double Act,” is featured in the anthology HALLWAY DIARIES (Kimani Tru /September 2007). PERFECT SHOT (Simon Pulse) is her debut novel.
Here’s a little bit about PERFECT SHOT (Simon Pulse).
Fifteen-year-old London Abrams is all about spiking volleyballs, not wearing spike heels. But in one crush-tasic moment, she signs up for a modeling contest as an excuse to meet the cute photography intern collecting applications. Instead of getting a call from her crush, London gets a call back from contest judges. Now London’s in a competition against 14 fierce fashionistas–and she’s so not ready for her close up.
PERFECT SHOT by Debbie Rigaud
If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?
Rated PG, for sure. If PERFECT SHOT were a movie, you could watch it with your parents in the room, and not worry that a steamy scene may pop up. That’s always awkward.
What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?
It deals with ambition, jealousy, betrayal, family obligations; it’s about being true to yourself. Plus, I love to watch what happens when people step out of their comfort zones. London is super confident on the volleyball court, but on the fashion runway, she stumbles emotionally and physically. This may make for a cringe-worthy experience, but it ultimately leads to growth.
Name three examples of readers who would identify or like your book.
- Girl athletes (especially volleyball players)!
- Teens who can relate to the pressures of parental expectations.
- Anyone who’s ever struggled with feeling out of place.
- Teens and adults who enjoy romantic comedies.
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.
- Puberty granted her more beauty wishes than a fairy godmother.
- Offering his seat is not synonymous with offering his heart. Some guys.actually do it because they want to, not because they want you.
- A tiny dancer in clown-face makeup must’ve been krumpin’ on my nerve endings because they felt all out of whack.
How can your book be used in the classroom?
In a discussion about contemporary multicultural stories.
Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.
- MAJOR CRUSH by Jennifer Echols
- VIOLET ON THE RUNWAY by Melissa Walker.
Now whet our appetites with a teaser.
“Heads up!” was my only warning before it was launched over the aisle toward me. Even though I was on one knee, stocking shelves with acrylic paint tubes, my reflexes were on their feet. My long forearms met the ball of rubber bands with a force that sent it hurling back toward where it came from.
“Ouch!” Pam, my coworker-slash-best-friend, yelped.
Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?
Yes.
Are you willing to speak nationally?
Yes.
List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.
- Talk/Presentation: “How To Get Published”
- Workshop: “Putting Fact into Fiction” (i.e., using research to inform creative writing)
This concludes our interview with our latest author, DEBBIE. We wish her much success with her debut novel PERFECT SHOT. To see what Debbie is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.debbierigaud.com or her blog at http://debbierigaud.com/blog.
*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Debbie is giving away a signed copy of PERFECT SHOT to two winners. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by December 15th, 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 Leslie // Dec 8, 2009 at 9:38 am
Cute!
2 Wanda // Dec 8, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Looks wonderful! Please enter me.
3 Jessy // Dec 8, 2009 at 2:11 pm
looks like it would be a cute read!
4 mindy // Dec 8, 2009 at 6:52 pm
looks great thanks
5 Cherie J // Dec 8, 2009 at 6:58 pm
This sounds so good. Would love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
6 Jacquelyn Cannon // Dec 8, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I would love to read it!
7 Cheryl Bradley // Dec 8, 2009 at 10:17 pm
It looks wonderful! I would love to win it!
8 Debbie Rigaud // Dec 8, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Just popping in to thank you guys for entering to win a copy of PERFECT SHOT. Hope you enjoy it!
9 Holly // Dec 8, 2009 at 11:32 pm
I would love a copy of Perfect Shot
10 Judith // Dec 9, 2009 at 10:26 am
I would love to read Perfect Shot. Please enter my name into the giveaway – if international readers can participate.
11 JAMES LYNAM // Dec 9, 2009 at 5:26 pm
MY TURN TO WIN??????????????????
12 Lauren // Dec 9, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Perfect Shot looks like such a cute book!
13 Dovile // Dec 10, 2009 at 12:44 am
Please enter me too, if it’s open for readers worldwide.
14 Syed Ahsun Zafar // Dec 11, 2009 at 9:37 am
Looks really interesting.. grabbed my attention. Thanks for the chance.
15 Stephanie N // Dec 13, 2009 at 11:37 am
Please enter me. This looks like an interesting read.
16 susan // Dec 13, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Would love to win this. And I’d like to feature the author at Color Online.
17 Rhonda Struthers // Dec 14, 2009 at 9:11 am
I need a new book to read and this sounds great
rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca
18 Erma H // Dec 14, 2009 at 1:33 pm
This looks like a good read.
19 Briana (The Book Pixie) // Dec 14, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I love the Simon Romantic Comedies. Plus I love photography and the fact that this book has a camera on the cover really draws me in even if it is animated. lol.
~Briana
20 shawna // Dec 14, 2009 at 4:41 pm
would love to read this book!
21 Alexa // Dec 14, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Perfect Shot sounds really good!
22 Ed Nemmers // Dec 14, 2009 at 6:42 pm
This sounds like a nice young adult read!
23 Angela Winesburg // Dec 14, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I’d love to read this, thanks for the chance!
24 Gloria // Dec 15, 2009 at 11:46 am
I would love to read Perfect Shot.
25 John Ferris // Dec 15, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I would enjoy reading this.
26 Maja Meza // Dec 15, 2009 at 4:38 pm
i would like it
27 Tim Hughes // Dec 15, 2009 at 6:48 pm
This sounds like a spectacular book for my 16 year old daughter Alexis to read. She’s all about Romantic/Comedy style books.
28 Gianna // Dec 15, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Please enter me
29 Pothi - Admin Assist - AuthorsNow! // Dec 16, 2009 at 11:15 am
Congrulations Susan and Jessy! You’ve won this Spotlight!
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