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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Megan Crewe, GIVE UP THE GHOST (GIVEAWAY ALERT NOW – 12/15/09)

Posted on December 8th, 2009 by Megan Crewe · Email post Email post · Print Print

This week, we’re celebrating Megan Crewe’s debut! Megan Crewe lives in Toronto, Canada, where she tutors children and teens with special needs. She has yet to make friends with a ghost, though she welcomes the opportunity. GIVE UP THE GHOST is her first novel.

Here’s a little bit about GIVE UP THE GHOST (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers).

Cass McKenna much prefers the company of ghosts over “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody… and Cass loves dirt. She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life, she’s surprised to realize he’s not so bad–and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to give the living another chance…

GIVE UP THE GHOST by Megan Crewe

GIVE UP THE GHOST by Megan Crewe

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

PG-13 for mature themes.

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

GIVE UP THE GHOST deals with death, grief, friendship, revenge and forgiveness, bullying, depression, and suicide. I wanted to write about what might happen to a character who’s pushed to the margins of the reining social structure, to explore the different ways people deal with a death of someone close to them, and to show how perceptions can change and connections can happen between people you’d never expect.

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

  • Anyone who’s experienced the death of someone close to them.
  • Girls who’ve had to deal with social bullying.
  • Teens who love new and thoughtful twists on supernatural ideas.

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.

  • Death had left Paige’s fashion sense intact, but it screwed majorly with her memory.
  • Like always, there were too many breathers in the halls, jostling and snickering and getting kissy-kissy in the corners.
  • I have friends, I wanted to say. You just wouldn’t believe they exist.

How can your book be used in the classroom?

GIVE UP THE GHOST could be used in discussions about social bullying in junior high and high school and its affects on both perpetrators and victims, or about what to do if you suspect a friend is depressed or suicidal. It could also be used for thematic discussions, about topics like whether revenge is ever justified, or doing the right thing even if you know it’ll make someone you care about angry. The paranormal elements of the story and the main character’s sense of humor make these serious themes accessible to most readers.

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

  • SHADOWED SUMMER by Saundra Mitchell
  • A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT by Laura Whitcomb
  • FLYING IN PLACE by Susan Palwick

Now whet our appetites with a teaser.

You would think it’d be easy to get along with a person after she’s dead. Not Paige. She took her big sister duties very seriously. It’d been four years since she drowned, and she still got on my case.

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.

  • Teen Writing Workshop
  • GIVE UP THE GHOST: From idea to book
  • The Life of a Working Writer

This concludes our interview with our latest author, MEGAN. We wish her much success with her debut novel GIVE UP THE GHOST. To see what Megan  is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.megancrewe.com or her blog at http://www.megancrewe.com/blog/.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Megan is giving away a signed copy of GIVE UP THE GHOST. 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.

Categories: Author Spotlight · Contests

About The Author

Megan Crewe
Like many fiction authors, Megan Crewe finds writing about herself much more difficult than making things up. A few definite facts: she lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband and two cats (and does on occasion say "eh"), she tutors children and teens with special needs, and she has yet to make friends with a ghost, though she welcomes the opportunity.  Read more about Megan Crewe.

Related posts:

  1. GIVE UP THE GHOST by Megan Crewe
  2. Contest Alert: The Great Ghost Giveaway (06/05/09 – 06/12/09)
  3. Contest Alert: Share the GHOST Love Giveaway! (Now – 10/15/09)
  4. Contest Alert: GHOST Scent Giveaway (09/12/09)
  5. Author Spotlight: Susan Fine, INITIATION (Giveaway Alert Now – 11/03/09)

Comments

  • 1 Breiab // Dec 8, 2009 at 7:08 am

    Great author spotlight.I am always looking for books that would interest myself and my children, yours sounds like one to watch for.

  • 2 Wendy // Dec 8, 2009 at 7:14 am

    Hi, Megan! Give Up the Ghost sounds like such a fun book so I can’t wait to read it! :)

  • 3 Jessica Kennedy // Dec 8, 2009 at 8:38 am

    I’ve had my eye on this book! I’d love a chance to win a copy!

  • 4 Leslie // Dec 8, 2009 at 9:38 am

    I love the cover. I can’t wait to read it.

  • 5 Caitlin Usignol // Dec 8, 2009 at 10:50 am

    I can’t wait to read Megan’s book

  • 6 Wanda // Dec 8, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    I would love to read this!

  • 7 Jessy // Dec 8, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    I really enjoyed reading this! I would love to own my very own copy, please enter me.

  • 8 Donna S // Dec 8, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    Great spotlight. I have been wanting to read Give up the Ghost for a while now. Thanks for the chance!

  • 9 Valerie Furr // Dec 8, 2009 at 5:34 pm

    Oh my gosh this book sounds awesome. I know I would enjoy reading her work. I have never read any of her books but his one really sounds intresting. Thanks

  • 10 Natalie Aguirre // Dec 8, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    I’ve been wanting to read your book for awhile. I read your author interviews on other blogs and immediately put your book on my list of books to read. I’d love to win a copy.

  • 11 mindy // Dec 8, 2009 at 6:53 pm

    looks like a great read thanks

  • 12 Cherie J // Dec 8, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    I would love to read Give Up the Ghost. I love the unusual plot.

  • 13 Elie N // Dec 8, 2009 at 9:09 pm

    I would love to review this book. Thanks for the chance.

  • 14 Cheryl Bradley // Dec 8, 2009 at 10:19 pm

    Great spotlight! Looks like it will be a great read!

  • 15 Holly // Dec 8, 2009 at 11:33 pm

    I would love the chance to win a copy of this book. Thank you :)

  • 16 RKCharron // Dec 9, 2009 at 1:40 am

    Hi :)
    Thank you for having Megan here & thanks to Megan for sharing. It was a fun interview to read.
    Also thank you for the opportunity to win a *signed* copy of GIVE UP THE GHOST.
    Happy Holidays,
    RKCharron

  • 17 bunnyb // Dec 9, 2009 at 4:49 am

    I’ve read so many reviews that rave about this book, and I want to read it and jump on the bandwagon! :) Thanks for the chance!

  • 18 Carol Thompson // Dec 9, 2009 at 5:06 am

    The book sounds quite interesting.

    A good interview as well !

    Please enter me in the drawing if it is open worldwide.

    Thanks

  • 19 Deedles // Dec 9, 2009 at 8:11 am

    Thank you for the interview. Give Up The Ghost sounds like a great read.

  • 20 Shari D // Dec 9, 2009 at 8:51 am

    This book looks like a great read.

  • 21 david basile // Dec 9, 2009 at 9:54 am

    looks like a good read

  • 22 Judith // Dec 9, 2009 at 10:29 am

    I’d love to read GIVE UP THE GHOST. Please enter my name into the giveaway – if international readers can participate.

  • 23 JAMES LYNAM // Dec 9, 2009 at 5:27 pm

    GOOD BOOK TO WIN, MY TURN???????????

  • 24 Andrea // Dec 9, 2009 at 6:42 pm

    This book is on my WL…please enter me!

  • 25 Natalie Aguirre // Dec 9, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    Thanks for the great interview. I’ve been wanting to read your book and would love to win a copy.

  • 26 Margay // Dec 9, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    I’m very excited about this book. I can’t wait to read it.
    Margay

  • 27 Li // Dec 9, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    Enter me please~!

  • 28 Sharon H // Dec 10, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    I would love to own a copy! Megan Crewe’s Tor blog is my favorite for finding new books!

  • 29 dorothy l // Dec 10, 2009 at 6:31 pm

    sounds like a exciting read

  • 30 Lindsey // Dec 10, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    Hello! I am very excited to read your book! It looks wonderful!

  • 31 Syed Ahsun Zafar // Dec 11, 2009 at 9:38 am

    Oooo looks really interesting, I reallly wanna check it out.

  • 32 she // Dec 11, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    i LOVE paranormal books like this! please count me in to win!

  • 33 Jill // Dec 12, 2009 at 10:56 pm

    I’ve seen a lot of good things about this book!

  • 34 Brodie // Dec 13, 2009 at 2:30 am

    Great interview! I’ve been wanting to read Give Up The Ghost for a while now. I would love to be entered if this is open internationally!

    Thanks! :)

  • 35 Stephanie N // Dec 13, 2009 at 11:40 am

    This book has been on my list of to-reads for a while now. Thanks for the opportunity.

  • 36 Cara F. // Dec 14, 2009 at 8:43 am

    Give Up The Ghost sounds like a great read!!!

  • 37 Eli // Dec 14, 2009 at 10:44 am

    Lol I want to read this book.It will be quite interesting.Thanks for the interview.I love young adult books……… :)

  • 38 Erma // Dec 14, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    This looks like a great read.

  • 39 Briana (The Book Pixie) // Dec 14, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    Terrific giveaway! Definitely count me in. :D

    ~Briana

  • 40 J. Lee // Dec 14, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    Great giveaway :D

  • 41 Taschima Cullen // Dec 14, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    I want in!

  • 42 shawna // Dec 14, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    sounds like a great read!

  • 43 Alexa // Dec 14, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    enter me please!

  • 44 Ed Nemmers // Dec 14, 2009 at 6:43 pm

    This seems like an intelligent young adult read!

  • 45 Elaine G // Dec 14, 2009 at 7:42 pm

    Great Interview.This book is on my TBR pile
    please enter me for the giveaway

  • 46 Sherri B. // Dec 14, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Congrats on your first book! Sounds like a really interesting read! I really admire your everyday work as well!

    sherri419 at gmail dot com

  • 47 Jessica Secret // Dec 14, 2009 at 9:45 pm

    Please enter me! I’ve been wanting to read this forever, and the interview made me want to read it even more!

  • 48 Angela Winesburg // Dec 14, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    I’d love to read this, thanks for the chance!

  • 49 Gloria // Dec 15, 2009 at 10:38 am

    Thanks for entering me in this giveaway! I love the cover and want to read it!!

  • 50 John Ferris // Dec 15, 2009 at 2:34 pm

    I would like to read this.

  • 51 Maja Meza // Dec 15, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    sounds great

  • 52 Tim Hughes // Dec 15, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    Sounds like a book my daughter would love because she normally reads romantic/comedy style books but ever since she got her hands on the Twilight series of books, she has been reading those as well.

  • 53 Robyn Hawk // Dec 15, 2009 at 11:20 pm

    This sounds fabulous – I would treasure an autographed copy!

    Robyn

  • 54 Gianna // Dec 15, 2009 at 11:50 pm

    Please enter me :)

  • 55 Pothi - Admin Assist - AuthorsNow! // Dec 16, 2009 at 11:22 am

    Congratulations Briana! You’ve won this Spotlight!

  • 56 Bookmac // Dec 18, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    Hi Megan, not only does your book sound AWESOME but the cover is amazing! I can’t wait to read it, best of luck!

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