Lara Zielin
This week, we’re celebrating Lara Zielin’s debut! Lara Zielin lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan, with her husband Rob, her ever-loving dog, Amos, and her personality-challenged kitty, Pancake. DONUT DAYS is her first novel.
Here’s a little bit about DONUT DAYS (Putnam).
Emma has a lot going on. Her best friend’s not speaking to her, a boy she’s known all her life is suddenly smokin’ hot and in love with her, and oh yes, her evangelical minister parents may lose their church, especially if her mother keeps giving sermons saying Adam was a hermaphrodite.
But this weekend Emma’s only focused on Crispy Dream, a hot new donut franchise opening in town, where Harley bikers and Frodo wannabes camp out waiting to be the first ones served. Writing the best feature story on the camp for the local paper might just win Emma a scholarship to attend a non- Christian college. But soon enough Emma finds the donut camp isn’t quite the perfect escape from all her troubles at Living Word Redeemer.
DONUT DAYS by Lara Zielin
If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?
PG. Definitely. Emma is both a church-goer and a Minnesotan so it’s really hard for her to do anything without feeling that good old Midwestern guilt. So, sex and swearing aren’t exactly front and center, thought there may be some juicy make-out scenes with a cute boy. I’m just saying.
What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?
Emma struggles with her faith, which I think is true for a lot of teens out there. Many go to a church, or a temple, or a mosque, but internally they’re thinking, “Why?” and “What’s all this about?” Emma’s in the same boat, except that her parents are the pastors of her church, so it’s not like church ever fades into the background—it’s always there.
I was an evangelical Christian for most of my teen years, but I never thought this was remotely interesting until I met my husband, Rob. He was like, dude, you have to put all this into a story. The more I thought about it, the more I realized he was right. Even though it was pretty hard to relive aspects of those days, Rob really encouraged my journey in that respect. It took me a long time to figure out—with his help—how to write the story honestly and find the right voice. When I started out, I approached it pretty medicinally, without much heart. (Translation: my writing sucked!) Rob was there the whole time, letting me know it was okay to just bring it real.
Name three examples of readers who would identify or like your book.
- Anyone who loves donuts or pastries, who knows that the first Friday in June is always National Donut Day, and who uses the expression “time to make the donuts” liberally and often.
- Anyone who has struggled with feeling accepted in their place of worship, or in their local community.
- Midwesterners who know that Babe is the ox and Paul is the lumberjack; that tater-tot hotdish is its own food group; and that 50 degrees is really, really warm.
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.
- Horn broken, watch for finger.
- It was weird watching a three-hundred-pound tattooed man cry.
- “Biblical Tourette’s.”
How can your book be used in the classroom?
DONUT DAYS would be a good jumping-off point for anyone who wanted to investigate how the interpretation of documents changes over time, and to generate discussion about how literally to read said documents. From the Bible to the Constitution, what (if anything) should be taken at face value and what should be interpreted as metaphor?
Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.
Fans of EVOLUTION, ME, AND OTHER FREAKS OF NATURE by Robin Brande, fans of GODLESS by Pete Hautman, and fans of GOY CRAZY by Melissa Schorr should all check out DONUT DAYS. The themes running through all are tolerance, acceptance, and cute boys.
Now whet our appetites with a teaser.
I’m no Biblical scholar, but I’m pretty sure Adam–as in the guy who named all the animals in the Garden of Eden–wasn’t a hermaphrodite.
Turns out my mom had a different opinion.
If I’d known my mom was going to give Adam a sex change in front of the entire Living Word Redeemer congregation, I would have stayed away from her Friday night service.
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.
I do a “teen ink” workshop where I talk to kids about how to get started publishing their short stories, poems, and other works. And I talk about what I’ve learned on my long road to becoming published, encouraging them to write, write, write and never quit.
This concludes our interview with our latest author, LARA ZIELIN. We wish her much success with her debut novel DONUT DAYS. To see what Lara is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.larawrites.com.
*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Lara is giving away a $10 gift card to Dunkin Donuts. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by November 10th, 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:
- DONUT DAYS by Lara Zielin
- Author Spotlight: Mark Fink, STEPPING UP (Giveaway Alert: Now – 04/08/09)
- Author Spotlight: Kristina Springer, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST (Giveaway Alert Now – 10/09/09)
- Author Spotlight: David A. Kelly, BABE RUTH AND THE BASEBALL CURSE (Giveaway Alert: Now – 03/11/09)
- AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Amy Brecount White, FORGET-HER-NOTS (GIVEAWAY ALERT NOW – 03/09/10)
Comments
1 Jessica Kennedy // Nov 3, 2009 at 8:47 am
Author seems super cute!
Great interview!
Loved the teaser! Goodness!
2 Carol // Nov 3, 2009 at 10:15 am
Sounds like a fun read, and one of my dearest friends is a Midwesterner, and I laughed at some of the things I read. Thanks for the giveaway.
3 Martha Flynn // Nov 3, 2009 at 10:21 am
How is National Donut Day not showing up in my calender’s preset holidays? Travesty! Sound like a really cute book!
4 Amber G // Nov 3, 2009 at 10:30 am
I think your book looks great and it’s wonderful that you speak at schools around the country to inspire future writers!
5 Sandra K321 // Nov 3, 2009 at 11:13 am
I hadn’t heard of your book before but it sounds like a fun book to read. This reminds me of when the first Crispy Cream donut shop opened in our state. It was crazy.
6 adrienne Gordon // Nov 3, 2009 at 12:50 pm
looks like a good read.
7 Margaret Smith // Nov 3, 2009 at 1:33 pm
What an entertaining interview. Thanks so much.
8 Rebecca Graham // Nov 3, 2009 at 1:50 pm
This sounds like a book I need to add to my reading list. I need to go buy doughnuts today too!!
9 Ann F // Nov 3, 2009 at 2:50 pm
This sounds like a good book that I’d like to read.
10 Aline // Nov 3, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Good luck with your new book. It’s a big achievement to write a book and get it published. Give yourself a big pat on the back.
11 amanda h // Nov 3, 2009 at 4:16 pm
such a cute cover!!
12 Gina // Nov 3, 2009 at 4:29 pm
this book sounds really interesting!!
13 MJ // Nov 3, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I’d love to read Emma’s story!
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
14 susan varney // Nov 3, 2009 at 4:43 pm
this was interesting to read mverno@roadrunner.com
15 Mami2jcn // Nov 3, 2009 at 4:47 pm
What a fun title and graphic!
16 Kathleen // Nov 3, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I would like to read Emma’s Story
17 Nadine L // Nov 3, 2009 at 6:37 pm
mmmmm, Donuts and a good book, what better combination could there be.
iheartsweeping@aol.com
18 Krista // Nov 3, 2009 at 7:43 pm
This sounds like a good read. I am always seeking new books!
19 Pat // Nov 3, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Good luck with this great book. Sounds like a
best seller to me.
20 Cindy Merrill // Nov 3, 2009 at 8:21 pm
You should meet Sandra Oliver, author of Saltwater Foodways- you two have one big thing in common- Donuts!!
21 \George Ferris // Nov 3, 2009 at 8:24 pm
You are an inspiration to all.
22 Justin Akers // Nov 3, 2009 at 8:33 pm
This sounds like a good book that I’d like to read.
23 Leslie Price // Nov 3, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Donuts? I’m in! This sounds like a cute book.
24 Kimberly R // Nov 3, 2009 at 11:55 pm
This sounds original and funny, two things that I look for in a book. Plus, I love donuts. Especially custard-filled ones with chocolate on top. Mmmm…
25 alice h // Nov 4, 2009 at 12:20 am
the book sounds like a good read,do you send one with the donut giveaway?
26 Mike C // Nov 4, 2009 at 12:47 am
Great giveaway. I love Dunkins.
27 Katie S. // Nov 4, 2009 at 12:49 am
This books sounds amazingly awesome and oh ya i love love love doughnuts! lol
28 PatZ // Nov 4, 2009 at 7:24 am
I love donuts and I think I would love this book.
29 Sherrah // Nov 4, 2009 at 8:21 am
Sounds like a great read! I’d love to read it!
30 Rose // Nov 4, 2009 at 8:45 am
Sounds like a fun and interesting novel. Good luck promoting it.
31 Heather S // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:20 am
It sounds like a fun read. Good luck!
32 Cheryl // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:28 am
Sounds like a good book. Thanks!
33 Monique Rizzo // Nov 4, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Havent heard of the book, but would like to read it. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
34 Mary M // Nov 4, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Sounds like a fun book. I’m going to send off a link to some of my “tween” and teen friends.
(and, ahm, it’s Krispy Kreme)
35 Kristen Olson // Nov 4, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Sounds like a great book! I will watch for it at my library!
36 BRANDI // Nov 4, 2009 at 2:04 pm
sounds yummy lol
37 Angela J // Nov 4, 2009 at 2:06 pm
This sounds like a good read
38 Linda Lansford // Nov 4, 2009 at 4:38 pm
The book sounds good
39 amy Deeter // Nov 4, 2009 at 5:30 pm
book sounds very interesting
40 Darlene // Nov 4, 2009 at 8:38 pm
sounds like a good book
41 Janna Johnson // Nov 5, 2009 at 1:07 am
I am excited to read this!!!
Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!
Janna Johnson
janna@FeedYourPigBlog.com
jannajanna@hotmail.com
http://www.FeedYourPigBlog.com
42 Cynthia C // Nov 5, 2009 at 10:49 am
Congratulations on your first novel. Sounds like a fun read!
43 Sheila P // Nov 5, 2009 at 5:32 pm
It sounds like an interesting book! I’ve never heard of it before but would love to win it so I can read it!
44 Kelly Ann T. // Nov 5, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I would love to be able to make this book available to the young people at my church.
45 GirlwiththeBraids // Nov 6, 2009 at 8:28 am
This book looks awesome! And I’m really glad you rated it PG because I wanted my little sister to read it too.
Good luck on this book and future releases, Ms. Zielin!
46 Holly W. // Nov 6, 2009 at 10:51 am
I think you have set an example for all and I would love to read your book!
47 John Urbigkeit // Nov 6, 2009 at 10:20 pm
I will check out the books.. Look really good..
48 amy Deeter // Nov 7, 2009 at 9:55 am
love the cover.great example for people.thanks
49 Debra F // Nov 7, 2009 at 10:03 am
Your book sounds like a winner!
50 roseh2o19 // Nov 7, 2009 at 2:51 pm
win!
51 Cujo // Nov 7, 2009 at 10:53 pm
National Donut Day. I had no idea.
52 Renski // Nov 7, 2009 at 10:55 pm
hmmm….donuts. Thanks and it’s a great book.
53 Djp // Nov 7, 2009 at 11:15 pm
sign me up
54 Bryan Nagel // Nov 8, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Doughnuts make the world go round
55 momznite // Nov 8, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I enjoy books that incorporate humor.
56 Christie // Nov 8, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Congratulations! A published book is a great accomplishment. I hope it serves the readers well and makes them think a bit.
57 Julie Moe // Nov 8, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Congratulations! Great interview.
58 christopher h // Nov 8, 2009 at 8:18 pm
sounds really interesting
59 Derk Thomas // Nov 8, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Congratulations on publishing. Some people never get published. Donuts as a theme makes me hungry.
60 Rosey // Nov 9, 2009 at 8:22 am
Your enthusiasm for encouraging others to write is contagious.
61 Lia // Nov 9, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Anthing’ donuts is just Grand for sure!
62 Sarah // Nov 9, 2009 at 3:08 pm
enter me!
63 Diane Baum // Nov 9, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Sounds like a fun read-How many calories in the book???????
64 Angela G // Nov 9, 2009 at 4:52 pm
It sounds like it would be fun to read!
65 Cameron // Nov 9, 2009 at 5:42 pm
That interview was soooo worth the loading time….Great entertainment….Good Luck on your book!
66 Jake // Nov 9, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Would love to enter; it’s time to make the doughnuts!
67 Lisa // Nov 9, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Sounds like an intersting book. Thanks for the giveaway!
68 Anne // Nov 9, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Sounds like a great book! Congrats!
69 Beth // Nov 10, 2009 at 12:03 am
This sounds like a book I would enjoy. I’ll definitely be looking for it.
70 Bridget Michelle Combs // Nov 10, 2009 at 1:01 am
Sounds like a super good book! Best of luck!
71 Hailey M // Nov 10, 2009 at 2:25 am
This sounds like an awesome book! I will keep my eye out for it. Thanks for entering me!!!
72 Erica C. // Nov 10, 2009 at 2:51 am
I love the random phrases that you’re unlikely to find in another book…funny!
73 Beverly M // Nov 10, 2009 at 5:29 am
i’m going to be on the lookout for this book
74 Leslie Davis // Nov 10, 2009 at 8:18 am
Sounds like a good read.
Thanks for the giveaway.
75 Erin Cook // Nov 10, 2009 at 11:01 am
Sounds like a fun book. I love Dunkin Donuts and I am too a struggling writer.
76 Happi Shopr // Nov 10, 2009 at 3:00 pm
what a great interview! would love to meet the author and chat – she seems like so much fun.
77 Pamela S // Nov 10, 2009 at 3:36 pm
After reading the teaser and improbably phrases, I HAVE to read this book. Sounds quirky and I love quirky!! Thanks.
78 Lindsay // Nov 10, 2009 at 5:00 pm
What a fun book! I really enjoy reading things that make me smile and take me away from everyday life.
79 chastidy // Nov 10, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Looks like a very cute book. Anything involving donuts I love, my hubby is a cop. LOL
80 Stephanie Adkins // Nov 10, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I think the book cover is really cute.
81 Joanne Schultz // Nov 10, 2009 at 6:32 pm
This book sounds great!!
Thanks for the giveaway!
82 barbara wright // Nov 10, 2009 at 7:18 pm
This book sounds like something I’d like – and I could use funny these days!!
83 susan smoaks // Nov 10, 2009 at 7:22 pm
sounds great, thanks for the chance to win!
84 Annemarie // Nov 10, 2009 at 7:36 pm
The book and contest sound great!!
85 Kate // Nov 10, 2009 at 8:02 pm
This book sounds like a lot of fun! I’ll try to pick it up sometime.
86 Charity S. // Nov 10, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I will have to check this book out. Thanks
87 Gloria // Nov 10, 2009 at 8:43 pm
What a cool book! I’m interested in reading it!
88 Tatum // Nov 10, 2009 at 9:20 pm
This book actually sounds very interesting. Thanks for the giveaway..
tatum810@yahoo.com
89 DanV // Nov 10, 2009 at 9:32 pm
The book sounds great
90 Chrysa // Nov 10, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Looks like a fun book!
91 Alexandra // Nov 10, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Mmm.. The title makes me hungry!
92 Nancy S. // Nov 10, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I love donuts and your book sounds cute.
93 Jessica // Nov 10, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Donut Days sounds so funny, Her quote Biblical Tourette’s is so on point. I love that.
94 Cody // Nov 10, 2009 at 11:33 pm
i love donuts just the thought makes me hungary
95 Gianna // Nov 10, 2009 at 11:34 pm
What’s your favorite donut?
96 Veronica Garrett // Nov 10, 2009 at 11:41 pm
It sounds like a fun book. I can’t wait to read it.
97 Jennifer Jozwiak // Nov 10, 2009 at 11:46 pm
I love to read and love boston cream donuts!
98 Lily Kwan // Nov 10, 2009 at 11:48 pm
This book sounds very interesting. I’ll definitely check it out!
99 Lara Zielin // Nov 11, 2009 at 10:40 am
Thanks so much to everyone who commented and let their stomachs growl a little at the thought of winning Dunkin’ Donuts!
I was so thrilled at all the comments that I drew not one but THREE winners! You will all get a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card AND a copy of the book. Thanks so much for participating, and the winners are Sherrah, Jannah Johnson, and Pamela S. I’ll be in touch to get your mailing addresses so I can send out the prizes. Yay! 
100 Pothi - Admin Assist - AuthorsNow! // Nov 11, 2009 at 11:08 am
Congrats Lindsay! You’ve won this Spotlight!
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