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Author Spotlight: J.A. Yang, EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE (Giveaway Alert Now – 11/17/09)

Posted on November 10th, 2009 by J.A. Yang · Email post Email post · Print Print

J.A. Yang

J.A. Yang

This week, we’re celebrating J.A. Yang’s debut! J.A. Yang has slummed it in the valley with the Wakefield twins; slumber partied with Huey, Dewey and Louie; joined Krakow in stalking Angela; and climbed every mountain with the Von Trapps. Originally from San Diego, he’s lived and traveled the world (okay, not all of it) in pursuit of that most elusive of targets — inspiration. He’s authored and published a book, written for online and offline publications, and maintained a variety of popular blogs on subjects ranging from movies and technology to personal stories and amateur musings. He’s just wrapped up his second book, a fiction novel for teens, and is hard at work on his third one.

Here’s a little bit about EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE (Speak).

Chloe-Grace can’t help it—she’s spectacular. How could she not be with celebrity parents who have been the queen and king of Hollywood for years? And Chloe is a celebrity all unto herself as well— she’s the first celebrity-adopted kid in Hollywood. But now Chloe’s sixteen, and she is tired of every undesired moment of the world’s attention. She wonders what it would be like to be a “normal” kid in a regular school. To really understand it, though, she would need to go undercover. So after getting a “make-under” at the hands of her mother’s fabulous stylist, she enters the “real” world. But she soon finds out that there is just as much drama there as there is in Hollywood….

EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE by J.A. Yang

EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE by J.A. Yang

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

EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE is rated PG, with a few scenes of kissing, a mention or two of drinking, but nothing outrageous and the main character herself doesn’t do anything any teen (or tween) shouldn’t do. She’s grown up with everything a girl could want but emerged with a good head on her shoulders.

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

The driving issues behind EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE is the nature of celebrity and the intense spotlight that generates, and being adopted and the desire to find your birth parents. Chloe-Grace is troubled that her every action is watched by the world and can’t wait to escape to a normal life, while also searching for her Chinese parents.

I was intrigued by what would happen to the kids of all these celebrity adoptions (Brad and Angelina, Madonna, etc.) and wanted to explore how someone might react to growing up literally on magazine covers and having their every move followed by paparazzi.

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

  • Girls 10-14 who are entranced by celebrity culture, fashion, and reality shows.
  • Anyone who’s dealt with divorce in their family.
  • Teens looking for an escape from one world to another through disguise and going undercover.

EC is a fun, frothy, light read yet has significant depth as Chloe-Grace struggles with finding her parents, dealing with her adoption, and escaping the scrutiny of the public.

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.

  • “Gummy penguins—have you had them? They’re peach flavored and to die for…”
  • “Miss you! Hurry to our corner!”
  • “Friends don’t let friends be ugly.”

How can your book be used in the classroom?

To engage reluctant readers who might be looking for something that already captures their interest (ie. celebrities, fashion) and then possibly segway into some deeper themes revolving around finding family, the impact of divorcing parents, and how to not let celebrity get to your head.

Also, it’s got a pretty cover featuring glitter!

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

  • AIRHEAD by Meg Cabot
  • VIOLET ON THE RUNWAY by Melissa Walker
  • GIRL OF THE MOMENT by Lizabeth Zindel
  • SECRETS OF MY HOLLYWOOD LIFE series by Jen Calonita

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

“Chloe-Grace!”

I stopped walking and automatically turned around. It’s a reflex from a lifetime spent on red carpets. Even when surprised, I’ve been conditioned to turn around glamorously, which means with slight hesitation and a tilt of the head, before throwing my face up and out.

I smoothed my long black hair out of my face and smiled.

“Oh my god, it IS you. I knew it!” My smile quickly faded as I turned around and saw two middle-aged women staring at me. Crap. I’d been spotted.

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

Definitely, I love school visits and am always excited to interact with readers of all ages.

Are you willing to speak nationally?

I am already packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

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

  • Blogging 101: Setting Your Blog Up for Success
  • Read, Write, and Revise: How to make your story shine
  • Keeping it Asian(-American): Focus on Asian American authors and main characters in young adult literature

This concludes our interview with our latest author, J.A. YANG. We wish him much success with his debut novel EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE. To see what J.A. is up to these days, visit his website at http://www.jonyang.org.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* J.A. is giving away a signed copy of EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by November 17th, 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.

Related posts:

  1. EXCLUSIVELY CHLOE by J.A. Yang
  2. AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: LISA MANTCHEV, EYES LIKE STARS (GIVEAWAY ALERT NOW – 11/24/09)
  3. AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Megan Crewe, GIVE UP THE GHOST (GIVEAWAY ALERT NOW – 12/15/09)
  4. AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Pam Bachorz, CANDOR (GIVEAWAY ALERT NOW – 12/22/09)
  5. AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Debbie Rigaud, PERFECT SHOT (GIVEAWAY ALERT NOW – 12/15/09)

Categories: Author Spotlight · Contests

Comments

  • 1 bunnyb // Nov 10, 2009 at 8:03 am

    Sounds like a fun book! I would love to read it! Thanks so much!

  • 2 Linda Peters // Nov 10, 2009 at 12:18 pm

    would love to read this, thanks

  • 3 Ann F // Nov 10, 2009 at 2:32 pm

    I think my daughter would enjoy this book.

  • 4 Erica // Nov 10, 2009 at 3:20 pm

    I would love to be entered!

  • 5 Amber G // Nov 10, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    I’d love to read this!

  • 6 susan varney // Nov 10, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    sounds like a great book to read
    mverno@roadrunner.com

  • 7 angie // Nov 11, 2009 at 1:14 am

    This sounds like a good read.

  • 8 Judith // Nov 11, 2009 at 7:00 am

    I’m intrigued: a male writing from a female’s point of view. Please sign me up for the giveaway – if it’s open to worldwide entrants.

  • 9 mindy // Nov 11, 2009 at 7:18 am

    sounds like a great read thanks

  • 10 david basile // Nov 11, 2009 at 7:32 am

    thanks for the chance

  • 11 C. Lee McKenzie // Nov 11, 2009 at 11:34 am

    My niece is over the moon about Exclusively Chloe and I can’t tell you how many points I got for knowing Jon! I don’t have to give her another gift until he writes his next book. :D

  • 12 The Children's Book Reporter // Nov 11, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    I’d love to read this!

  • 13 Karen Gonyea // Nov 11, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    Count me in :)

    ktgonyea at gmail.com

  • 14 Allison // Nov 11, 2009 at 6:29 pm

    I’m looking forward to reading this!

  • 15 Diane Baum // Nov 12, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Sounds interesting, looking forward to reading tis.
    Diane Baum
    esldiane@gmail.com

  • 16 JAMES LYNAM // Nov 12, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    MY TURN TO WIN?????

  • 17 Stacie // Nov 14, 2009 at 7:10 am

    Please count me in.

  • 18 Mary Ward // Nov 14, 2009 at 12:21 pm

    It’s sounds like a fun read. I love the line Friends don’t let friends be ugly.

  • 19 Stephanie N // Nov 14, 2009 at 5:55 pm

    This sounds like a great read. I’m curious to know what happens.

  • 20 Mary Casper // Nov 14, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    thanks for the chance

  • 21 Jill // Nov 15, 2009 at 9:12 am

    Sounds like a book my 7th grade girls would enjoy. Enter me please :)

  • 22 momznite // Nov 15, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    I know the perfect reader for this book!

  • 23 Tammy // Nov 15, 2009 at 3:01 pm

    THis would be great for my step daughter

  • 24 Anna // Nov 15, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    It’s an interesting spin on the whole “celebrity gets tired of glam life and wants to know what it’s like to be an average kid” storyline using the perspective of an adopted celebrity child. I’m intrigued; can’t wait to check it out.

  • 25 Karrie // Nov 15, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    sounds great

  • 26 Carmen Alexis // Nov 15, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    Sounds like an awesome book. I’d love to use it with the Grade 6 class I student-teach at this year. :)

  • 27 Llehn // Nov 15, 2009 at 11:04 pm

    I’d love to play please!

  • 28 Jason // Nov 16, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    I know someone who would love this book

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  • 29 shawna // Nov 16, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    Sounds like a good book!

  • 30 Hannah // Nov 16, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    I would love to be entered! I have a cousin who teaches and would benefit greatly from this book. Thanks!!

  • 31 river // Nov 16, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    sounds like a great read

  • 32 jill klein // Nov 16, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    My daughter is 13..But she acts 20. and wants to be a model. I think she would like this book!

  • 33 Ed Nemmers // Nov 16, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    This book would be great for my Father’s caretaker’s daughter!

  • 34 Angela Winesburg // Nov 16, 2009 at 6:08 pm

    I would love to win this, thanks for the chance!

  • 35 Sharon A // Nov 16, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    The author sounds well traveled and interesting. I am looking forward to reading this book.

  • 36 Darcie K // Nov 16, 2009 at 8:00 pm

    Sounds like a great read. Thanks!
    dmkayes@gmail.com

  • 37 Alexa // Nov 16, 2009 at 8:56 pm

    This book sounds really good and I love the cover!

  • 38 Lance Pearson // Nov 16, 2009 at 9:16 pm

    dreamcleavers@yahoo.com
    sign me up

  • 39 Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug) // Nov 17, 2009 at 12:50 am

    I’d love to read this :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!

  • 40 David Patterson // Nov 17, 2009 at 3:11 am

    THis would be great for my step daughte

  • 41 Daniel B. // Nov 17, 2009 at 11:31 am

    sounds like a great book, thanks

  • 42 George Ferris // Nov 17, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    Sounds very interesting to me.

  • 43 Chrysa // Nov 17, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    This looks very good!

  • 44 Gianna // Nov 17, 2009 at 11:05 pm

    Sounds like an interesting read :)

  • 45 Heather // Nov 17, 2009 at 11:25 pm

    I would love to read this book! :)

  • 46 Veronica Garrett // Nov 17, 2009 at 11:41 pm

    I would love to win. It sounds like a great book.

  • 47 Pothi - Admin Assist - AuthorsNow! // Nov 18, 2009 at 7:27 pm

    Congratulations Allison! You’ve won the Spotlight.

  • 48 Allison // Nov 18, 2009 at 7:44 pm

    Thanks so much! :)

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