Welcome Kay!
Q&A:
How did you think up such an awesome twist on Cinderella?
LOL. I'm so glad you think it's awesome! :-) It actually came from an article I read several years ago on high school sororities. I'd never heard of that before. I started thinking about what I would've wanted it to be like and decided a girl power society dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world (on a global scale!) would've been seriously cool.
It's one of my favorite reads!
What's up next for Jess (and how many books do you envision in the series)?
The series is open-ended. Right now I'm working on the sequel to The Cinderella Society, titled Cindy on a Mission. It follows the further adventures of Jess and the Sisters as the Wickeds launch an offensive that threatens everything the Cindys hold dear. Cindy on a Mission will be on shelves in Spring 2011.
I seriously can't wait for more!
What is it like being a debut author and did you do something special to celebrate?
It is completely amazing. I celebrated on release day by having lunch with a friend (cupcakes for dessert, of course!) and enjoying the gorgeous day we had. We also popped into a local bookstore and I got to see the book on the shelves. Really and truly on the shelves! This just blew my mind. The gal was super sweet about having me sign them, so it was fun all around. And then I settled in for a 7-hour Twitter launch party that Team Cindy planned for me! It was completely exhausting in the most wonderful way possible.
Cupcakes! Of course :) and the Twitter party was great fun
Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." by Mahatma Gandhi. It inspires me every day and is the reason I founded Living Your FiveTM in 2009.
Awesome quote - I love it!
What's the last book you read that you've been recommending to everyone?
There are so many! I love Christina Diaz Gonzalez's The Red Umbrella (on shelves next month) and I'm rereading Graceling by Kristin Cashore right now. I almost never read books twice, so that's a big deal for me. :-) I'm also counting the days (like everyone else is) until Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins hits shelves.
I can't WAIT for MockingJay and Red Umbrella is going in my TBR pile once it hits. I LOVED Graceling.
I had the extreme good fortune to read this book early.
Here's my Review:
Jess hates her school and desperately needs to find friends to keep her off of the mean girls' radar. On the final day of the school year (after two humiliating events), she finds an envelope in her bag inviting her to a secret society. At first, she thinks it's just another prank, but then she realizes that it's for real. Jess has no idea why they want her, but she's willing to find out why.
The Cindys recruit girls with special powers of kindness, leadership, and generosity, and the group includes some of the most popular girls in school. There's a long-standing tradition of The Cindys nationwide - battling the Wickeds, their evil counterpart. This year, the Wickeds have doubled in size, proving that something's afoot. It's a lot of information for Jess to take in, but she's super-excited about the makeover given to all of The Cindys upon their initiation. Soon, she's picking out her own signature style and having her hair and makeup professionally done. So far, everything about the group has been great, but there's a lot of work ahead of her.
In the midst of the battle for good and evil, Jess snagged the boy she's been crushing on since she moved to town. The Cindys have given Jess a mission to uncover information, but once Jess has it, she can't let go. Will she go against The Cindys and their ways to battle her nemesis?
THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY is the first book in a new series. I LOVED this book for several reasons, including the title (love stories about Princesses), the cover (which is awesome), and the story just rocks. There are makeovers, secret societies, romance, and snarky showdowns
Jess hates her school and desperately needs to find friends to keep her off of the mean girls' radar. On the final day of the school year (after two humiliating events), she finds an envelope in her bag inviting her to a secret society. At first, she thinks it's just another prank, but then she realizes that it's for real. Jess has no idea why they want her, but she's willing to find out why.
The Cindys recruit girls with special powers of kindness, leadership, and generosity, and the group includes some of the most popular girls in school. There's a long-standing tradition of The Cindys nationwide - battling the Wickeds, their evil counterpart. This year, the Wickeds have doubled in size, proving that something's afoot. It's a lot of information for Jess to take in, but she's super-excited about the makeover given to all of The Cindys upon their initiation. Soon, she's picking out her own signature style and having her hair and makeup professionally done. So far, everything about the group has been great, but there's a lot of work ahead of her.
In the midst of the battle for good and evil, Jess snagged the boy she's been crushing on since she moved to town. The Cindys have given Jess a mission to uncover information, but once Jess has it, she can't let go. Will she go against The Cindys and their ways to battle her nemesis?
THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY is the first book in a new series. I LOVED this book for several reasons, including the title (love stories about Princesses), the cover (which is awesome), and the story just rocks. There are makeovers, secret societies, romance, and snarky showdowns
And the book trailer I created:
Here's a little bit of info about Kay:
Kay Cassidy is the author of teen fiction she wishes was based on her real life. She is the founder of the national Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTM reading program for kids and teens and the host of the inspirational Living Your FiveTM web project. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, movies, music, and reading. Lots and lots of reading. She hopes her debut YA novel, THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY (April 13, 2010 - Egmont), will help girls embrace their inner Cindy.
Kay Cassidy is the author of teen fiction she wishes was based on her real life. She is the founder of the national Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTM reading program for kids and teens and the host of the inspirational Living Your FiveTM web project. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, movies, music, and reading. Lots and lots of reading. She hopes her debut YA novel, THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY (April 13, 2010 - Egmont), will help girls embrace their inner Cindy.
OFFICIAL BOOK BLURB:
What a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn't want to wear it anymore?
Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider. So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it's like something out of a fairy tale. Swept up by the Cindys' magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she's finally found her chance to fit in.
Then the Wickeds--led by Jess's arch-enemy--begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there's more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside. She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.
Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her. Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn't want to be seen with her in public? And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters?
Curious? Here's a sneak peek!
BOOK TEASER:
I opened the card, my hands trembling in dread and the faint remnants of what I used to call hope, as a tiny silver high-heel pin bounced into my hand.
I juggled the pin for a second, barely managing to keep it from falling, and flipped open the note with my other hand. The words inside were not a message but an invitation that sent shivers down my spine:
I opened the card, my hands trembling in dread and the faint remnants of what I used to call hope, as a tiny silver high-heel pin bounced into my hand.
I juggled the pin for a second, barely managing to keep it from falling, and flipped open the note with my other hand. The words inside were not a message but an invitation that sent shivers down my spine:
Your presence is requested at The Grind.
Tonight, 7 p.m.
Wear the pin.
Discretion MANDATORY.
Thanks for chatting with us Kay. I ran out the minute I could to purchase a copy (but there's always the library too). It's a fabulous read, DON’T miss it!!
Awww... thanks so much, Jennifer! And YAY on reposting your AWESOME book trailer!!! Did I tell you I went on iTunes and bought the song as soon as you first showed me the trailer. Love. It. :-)
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