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Author Spotlight: Deborah Lytton, JANE IN BLOOM (Giveaway Now – 03/26/09)

Posted on March 19th, 2009 by Deborah Lytton · Email post Email post · Print Print

Deborah Lytton Author

Deborah Lytton, Author of JANE IN BLOOM

This week, we’re celebrating Deborah Lytton’s debut JANE IN BLOOM.  Deborah grew up in front of the camera as an actress and singer, beginning her career at the age of six. Her screen credits include five years on the hit daytime soap opera Days of our Lives, supporting roles in made for television movies Haywire, The Mae West Story, and The Man in the Santa Claus Suit and guest appearances on The Mod Squad, Family, The Waltons, and The Incredible Hulk. She has also sung on the soundtracks for numerous films, released a self-titled album, and performed background vocals for a number of artists, including Belinda Carlisle, Lou Rawls, and Frank Sinatra.  Deborah now works as a writer and attorney. Her articles have appeared in magazines including Fit Pregnancy, Pregnancy and Mothering online. And after a childhood in front of the camera, Deborah has become a photography buff herself, both as a hobbyist and as a freelancer. She lives in Los Angeles, California with her daughters and their miniature poodle, Tinkerbell.

A little bit about JANE  IN BLOOM.

JANE IN BLOOM by Deborah Lytton

JANE IN BLOOM by Deborah Lytton

In the shadow of loss, a wallflower blossoms

Jane’s big sister Lizzie has always been the center of attention. No one ever pays attention to boring, plain Jane. But when Jane’s twelfth birthday marks the beginning of Lizzie’s final descent into a fatal eating disorder, Jane discovers that the only thing harder than living in her big sister’s shadow, is living without her. In the wake of tragedy, Jane learns to look through her camera lens and frame life differently, embracing her broken family and understanding that every girl has her season to blossom.

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?
I would give Jane in Bloom a PG rating because the content of the book involves death of a sibling and the grief that results. The book is middle grade, but has been designated for 10 and up. I encourage parents to talk to their middle graders about the subject matter in Jane in Bloom.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?
Jane in Bloom is about an invisible sister, lost in a family centered around her older sister who has an eating disorder. The themes are grief, recovery, self-esteem and the bond between sisters. I wanted to write a story about invisible siblings and the depth of the bond between sisters. I also wanted to address eating disorders because they are so prevalent in our world. Mostly, I wanted to explore the journey to finding yourself. My life has taken me on a journey I didn’t expect, and I find myself now at the exact place I always needed to be. So much of acceptance of your journey comes from believing in yourself. I wanted to encourage children to accept their journeys and to believe in themselves.

Name three examples of readers who would identify or like your book.

  • A 12 year old girl who has lost a sister.
  • Anyone who has had to deal with a sibling with an eating disorder.
  • Anyone who has ever felt invisible.

List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book.

  • “The slope of a pale lavender petal, the curve of a silky closed bud, the hopefulness of an open bloom reaching up to the sun mesmerize me.”
  • “One of the animals has a crooked neck. Its head is bent over to the side.”

How can your book be used in the classroom?

I think teachers could use my book as a starting place to discuss losing a loved one. It would allow them to talk about death—and grief. I also think Jane in Bloom is about learning to accept yourself, and finding your own place in a family. Teachers could discuss sibling relationships and how each student carves out something that they do best, which is unique to them.

Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.

  • SKIN by Adrienne Maria Vrettos (a boy dealing with his sister’s anorexia)
  • BULL RIDER by Suzanne Morgan Williams (a boy dealing with the grief of his brother’s injuries in Iraq)
  • MODELS DON’T EAT CHOCOLATE COOKIES by Erin Dionne (about teen self image and dieting).

Now whet our appetites with a teaser. Please provide the first few lines or opening paragraph of your book.

I open my eyes.
And I realize. Today is the day. Today is my twelfth birthday.
Today I am finally old enough to get my ears pierced.
I jump out of my soft lavender bed and stand in front of the mirror barefoot in my blue pajamas with little white puffy clouds all over the legs. I turn this way and that way. To be truthful, I’m a little disappointed. I don’t look older at all. I’m still the same me.

Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?

Absolutely!

Are you willing to speak nationally?
Would love to.

List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.

  • “Learning to Believe in Yourself” is about self-esteem and empowerment.
  • “The Power of Color” focuses on using colors to enhance your writing.
  • “Improv” is a program designed to show the students how acting improvisation can lead to better writing.

All three programs are designed to be interactive and encourage student participation.

This concludes our interview with our latest author, DEBORAH LYTTON. We wish her much success with her debut novel JANE IN BLOOM. To see what DEBORAH is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.deborahlytton.com/ or her blog at http://deborahlytton.livejournal.com.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT*  Deborah is giving away TWO signed copies of JANE IN BLOOM. Tell your friends and  leave a comment for the author!  Enter by March 26th, 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.

Categories: Author Spotlight · Contests

About The Author

Deborah Lytton
Deborah Lytton is a writer and actress who grew up in front of the camera, beginning her career at age six when she was discovered by a Hollywood agent. Her acting credits include five years on the hit daytime soap opera Days of our Lives as “Melissa Anderson” and numerous television roles on shows such as Mod Squad, Family, The Waltons, The Incredible Hulk, Stone, Next Step Beyond and Streets of San Francisco. Debby signed her first record deal with Curb Records at the age of twelve. She went on to sing songs on the soundtracks for numerous films including Hot Lead and Cold Feet, Mac and Me and Let It Be Me. She sang “Time” which appeared in the feature film Ballistic Ecks vs. Sever and was also on the film soundtrack. In addition, she was one of the cast of the animated musical Rudolph the Movie for Good Times Entertainment. Debby is educated as an attorney, having graduated cum laude from both U.C.L.A., where she received a B.A. and from Pepperdine University School of Law, where she received a J.D. Debby then went on to pass the Bar Exam in two states, California and Tennessee. She resides in Los Angeles, California with her young daughters, Ava and Caroline, and their miniature poodle, Tinkerbell. Jane in Bloom is her first novel.  Read more about Deborah Lytton.

Related posts:

  1. JANE IN BLOOM by Deborah Lytton
  2. The Class of 2K9 Early Bird ARC Giveaway (01/08/09-01/24/09)
  3. Author Spotlight: Michael Sussman, OTTO GROWS DOWN (Giveaway now-2/13/09!)
  4. Author Spotlight: David A. Kelly, BABE RUTH AND THE BASEBALL CURSE (Giveaway Alert: Now – 03/11/09)
  5. Author Spotlight: J.E. MacLeod, WAITING TO SCORE (Giveaway Now-03/04/09)

Comments

  • 1 Jessica Kennedy // Mar 19, 2009 at 7:46 am

    Hello Deborah!
    Your book sounds very interesting. It makes me think about my preteen era. How sad does Jane sound! But I’m interested in hearing her story. It kind of reminds me Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones, only with a different topic but still heart pulling.

    I’d love to win this and then review it on my blog. I have quite a few YA readers who frequent my blog that would pick up this book in a heartbeat.

  • 2 GirlwiththeBraids // Mar 19, 2009 at 7:54 am

    Jane in Bloom has a very unique plot line, I see. I really appreciate the fact that you would rate it PG. There are a lot of books out there that are ruined by one little thing but this one sounds great! Jane sounds like a nice character and the problem she copes with seems more than real.

    Good luck, Ms. Lytton, on any future releases and have fun taking photos! May your days be filled with smiles and good books. :)

  • 3 BookBegger // Mar 19, 2009 at 10:16 am

    Jane in Bloom sounds great. I defintaly agree with GirlwiththeBraids! :)

    Please enter me!

  • 4 MJ // Mar 19, 2009 at 2:30 pm

    As an invisible sister, I’d love to read this.

  • 5 Popin // Mar 19, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    This sounds fantastic and I can already relate to Jane about living in your older siblings shadow. Please enter me in this giveaway.

    ~ Popin

  • 6 Debbie // Mar 19, 2009 at 6:42 pm

    Wow – what a great review. Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    Debbie

  • 7 Lesley // Mar 19, 2009 at 8:14 pm

    I was just looking for a book with such a theme for research!! Will definitely be looking out for it in the bookshelves!!

    Lesley

  • 8 Billy // Mar 20, 2009 at 12:05 am

    Great interview!

  • 9 Deborah Lytton // Mar 20, 2009 at 11:08 am

    Thank you everyone for reading my interview and for your thoughtful comments! I really appreciate your support. I hope you all like the book!

    Best,
    Deborah

  • 10 Beatlechci // Mar 20, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    I am sure this book will be helpful to many young girls with this problem. I commend you for writing this book.

  • 11 SANDY // Mar 20, 2009 at 9:28 pm

    looks great please include me

  • 12 Christina G. // Mar 21, 2009 at 4:18 am

    Hi Jane, I’m not familiar with your books, so I’d love to get started. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • 13 Amber G // Mar 21, 2009 at 5:38 am

    Please enter me – as someone with a very personal connection to eating disorders, I find this story fascinating.

  • 14 Charlotte // Mar 21, 2009 at 6:36 am

    This sounds great–please enter me! Thanks!

  • 15 susan varney // Mar 21, 2009 at 9:02 am

    impressive glad to be part of this draw

  • 16 mindy // Mar 21, 2009 at 10:11 am

    fabulous interview and a wonderful giveaway thanks

  • 17 Angela J // Mar 21, 2009 at 10:53 am

    This sounds interesting.

  • 18 Gina Stratos // Mar 21, 2009 at 11:17 am

    I love the synopsis
    gkstratos@yahoo.com

  • 19 Susan Smith // Mar 21, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    I would love to read your book

  • 20 jayne // Mar 21, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    Great interview on a really great book! I would love to enter!

  • 21 Renee C. // Mar 21, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    Can kinda of relate to Jane, love to see folks “blossom” and evolve. Would love to read!

  • 22 Djp // Mar 21, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    i travel a lot and i can always use a new book

  • 23 Vicky Boackle // Mar 21, 2009 at 7:40 pm

    the interview is very inspiring.

  • 24 Lauren // Mar 21, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    Hey Deborah!

    Jane In Bloom sounds great. I can’t wait to read it. :)

  • 25 Anne // Mar 21, 2009 at 9:16 pm

    I feel I’ve been invisible my entire life. I’ve dealt with eating disorders since I was 15; I’m now 45. I would love to read this and then pass it down to my daughter’s, both of whom had a mom who suffered through many things and exposed them to most of it!

    Thanks

  • 26 Bev // Mar 21, 2009 at 10:09 pm

    This sounds like a great read and one I would like to share with my girls. Thanks so much.

  • 27 Robert A. Piacquad // Mar 22, 2009 at 12:57 am

    I hope I win the Book.

  • 28 Gabriel J. // Mar 22, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    Sounds like a great book. Great contest.

  • 29 Nicole C. // Mar 22, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    This sounds like such a good book!!

  • 30 Jennifer Elliott // Mar 22, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    Thanks for the chance, the reviews look amazing!

  • 31 Sue // Mar 23, 2009 at 10:43 am

    I have a twelve year old who loves to read and can’t wait for a new good book.

  • 32 Jason // Mar 23, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    I know someone who could really relate to this book.

  • 33 Patty // Mar 23, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Wonderful voice and insight

  • 34 Lynn // Mar 23, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    Thank you for the give away; I look forward to reading this book either way.

  • 35 Rebecca // Mar 23, 2009 at 11:34 pm

    You’ve hooked me. I’m ready to read ‘Jane in Bloom.’ I like the sounds of your workshops also.

  • 36 Karen Gonyea // Mar 24, 2009 at 6:28 pm

    Sounds great :)

  • 37 Kathy Scott // Mar 24, 2009 at 6:53 pm

    I love to read and this looks like a good one.

  • 38 Nicole // Mar 25, 2009 at 2:02 am

    sounds like a great book!! great way to raise awareness!

  • 39 Erma // Mar 25, 2009 at 6:29 am

    I would love the chance to win, thanks.

  • 40 Sarah // Mar 25, 2009 at 9:08 am

    enter me! i’m always looking for a good book!

  • 41 Marie // Mar 25, 2009 at 9:55 am

    I really enjoyed the review and the opportunity to get to know an author who is new to me!

  • 42 Melanie // Mar 25, 2009 at 10:24 am

    This book sounds wonderful, in a haunting sort of way. I would love to read this. Everyone always talks about the sufferer of an eating disorder, disease, addiction, or tramuatic event, but many fail to give you the perspective of the sibling.

  • 43 Ed Nemmers // Mar 25, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    Great cover color and picture!

  • 44 Jennifer Hedden // Mar 25, 2009 at 4:40 pm

    enter me

  • 45 wanda flanagan // Mar 25, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    my girls would love this

  • 46 Hesper F // Mar 25, 2009 at 7:06 pm

    Sounds like a fantastic read!

  • 47 Ronda // Mar 25, 2009 at 8:43 pm

    Sounds like a good book to aid discussion with my preteen daughter.

  • 48 Chrysa // Mar 25, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    This sounds really intriguing. I would like to read it.

  • 49 Jeana R // Mar 25, 2009 at 10:58 pm

    Sounds wonderful!

  • 50 Pamela S // Mar 25, 2009 at 11:08 pm

    I have a teenage daughter and this sounds like a very timely book for her to read. Thanks for the giveaway!!

  • 51 quiltingreader // Mar 26, 2009 at 10:34 am

    The book cover is beautiful!

  • 52 Sara Gillman // Mar 26, 2009 at 1:15 pm

    way excited!!!

  • 53 desiree kelley // Mar 26, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    I would like to read your book

  • 54 dorothy l // Mar 26, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    great interview would love to win the book

  • 55 Shirley // Mar 26, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    I’ve never read on Deborah’s books but this sounds like a good read! Hope I win

  • 56 Lily Kwan // Mar 26, 2009 at 11:54 pm

    This book sounds very interesting and informative. Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

  • 57 Deborah Lytton // Mar 27, 2009 at 6:36 pm

    Bev and GirlwiththeBraids are the winners of the contest! Winners have already been contacted to receive their prizes.

    Thank you to everyone for participating and for your comments! Best regards to all of you!

  • 58 Patty // Mar 27, 2009 at 11:43 pm

    The book is wonderful, your writing is beautiful.

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