This week, we’re celebrating Inara’s debut! Inara Scott grew up in the winter wonderland of Buffalo, NY. Consequently, she spent much of her childhood complaining about being cold. To spare the world her whining, she fled the cold climate and eventually wound up in the Pacific NW, where the old Doug Fir trees and thick ferns make you think you’ve wandered into a fairy tale. Inara loves to hike, canoe, and play outside. She is addicted to yoga. Despite being a writer, Inara fears deep, intellectual books, loves romance and fantasies, and listens to cheesy, happy music.

Here’s a little bit about DELCROIX ACADEMY: THE CANDIDATES (Disney – Hyperion Books for Children).

Dancia Lewis is far from popular. And that’s not just because of her average grades or her less-than-glamorous wardrobe. In fact, Dancia’s mediocrity is a welcome cover for her secret: whenever she sees a person threatening someone she cares about, things just … happen. Cars skid. Structures collapse. Usually someone gets hurt. So Dancia does everything possible to avoid getting close to people, believing this way she can suppress her powers and keep them hidden.

When recruiters from the prestigious Delcroix Academy offer her a full scholarship, Dancia fears her days of living under the radar may be over. But Delcroix is a school for diplomats’ kids and child geniuses — why are they treating Dancia like she’s special? Even the hottest guy on campus seems to be going out of his way to make her feel welcome. And then there’s her mysterious new friend Jack, who can’t stay out of trouble. He suspects something dangerous is going on at the academy, and he wants Dancia to help him figure out what…But neither Jack or Dancia could have imagined what’s really going on behind the gates of Delcroix Academy.

If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?

PG; small amount of profanity, some violent themes.

What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?

This is a book about the gray areas of life; the times when you can’t tell the good from the bad and have to choose anyway. As an avid reader of fantasy, I was struck by the fact that most fantasy novels present choices in black and white. I wanted to write about something more like real life, where things are never that easy. I was certainly influenced by international events and the hard choices our nation had to make recently with regard to preemptive action, violence against individuals, and war. I also wanted to depict a strong, resilient heroine I could be proud of — one that I would want my own daughter to emulate. And finally, because I’m an incurable romantic, I had to have some really cute boys involved!

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

Any teen who enjoys paranormal or urban fantasy. Any girl who’s had to choose between two boys. Anyone who want to see a girl take charge and kick butt.

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.

At that moment, all I could think of was those cartoons where Goofy gets stuck in front of a snowball rolling down a hill, and the snowball hits him and he’s smushed into the side of it and you can see him, spread-eagled on the snowball as it keeps rolling down the hill. Because that’s exactly what I felt like.

Keep the bad guys out, or us in?

How can your book be used in the classroom?

There are a number of themes and issues in the book that a class might want to explore:

• In the beginning of the book, Dancia has made the decision to do everything she can to avoid using her paranormal gift because of the potential it has to hurt people. A class might draw parallels between Dancia’s gift and scientific discoveries that have the potential to both help and harm. What are the ethical dilemmas scientists face? How does Dancia’s decision evolve through the course of the book?
• Dancia’s ethic’s class considers the question of whether you can tell if an act is right or wrong based on the number of people affected. They complete an activity that puts this question into human terms: is killing one person justified if hundreds of other people might live as a result? When has this question been posed historically, and how have countries or individuals answered?
• The end of the book raises a question about preemptive action. Can action against an individual or a group be justified based on the threat they pose? The class might discuss the Bush Doctrine and the invasion of Iraq to consider this question.

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

• Students who enjoy tough, independent heroines like Dancia might like THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins, or GRACELING by Kristin Cashore.
• Students who enjoy urban fantasy or paranormal stories might like RAMPANT by Diana Peterfreund or BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
• Students who enjoy a little romance with their fantasy might like SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater or WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

He had greasy, shoulder-length hair and a stained white t-shirt stretched tightly across his full, round belly. As he approached the nurses’ station near one end of the crowded waiting area, the odor of rotting fruit preceded him. Something about the wildness in his eyes and the trembling of his chin made me nervous. I looked over at Grandma, but she was engrossed in conversation with a man almost as old and blind as she was.

“You killed her. You all killed her.” The man’s voice started low, nervous, and then grew in strength. He opened a grimy backpack and pulled out a gun.

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.

• Character and Plot (K-8)
• Where to Start: Building Your Story from the Ground Up (grades 6-12)

This concludes our interview with our latest author, INARA SCOTT. We wish her much success with her debut novel DELCROIX ACADEMY: THE CANDIDATES. To see what Inara is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.inarascott.net.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Inara is giving away a signed copy of DELCROIX ACADEMY: THE CANDIDATES to two winners. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by August 31st, 2010 11:59 PM CST. (U.S. and Canadian residents only, please.)

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.

About The Author

Inara Scott grew up in winter wonderland of Buffalo, NY. Consequently, she spent much of her childhood complaining about being cold. To spare the world her whining, she fled the cold climate and eventually wound up in the Pacific NW, where the old Douglas Fir trees and thick ferns make you think you’ve wandered into a fairy tale. Inara loves to hike, canoe, and play outside. She is addicted to yoga. Despite being a writer, Inara fears deep, intellectual books, loves romance and fantasy, and listens to cheesy, happy music.  Read more about Inara Scott.

Related posts:

1. DELCROIX ACADEMY: THE CANDIDATES by Inara Scott
2. Author Spotlight: R.J. Anderson, FAERY REBELS: SPELL HUNTER (Giveaway Alert: Now – 05/21/09)
3. Author Spotlight: Cindy Pon, SILVER PHOENIX : BEYOND THE KINGDOM OF XIA (Giveaway Alert: Now – 05/08/09)
4. Author Spotlight: Jennifer Jabaley, LIPSTICK APOLOGY (Giveaway Alert Now – 08/31/09)
5. Author Spotlight: Deva Fagan, FORTUNE’S FOLLY (Giveaway Alert Now – 04/23/09)