Interview With Abby Cooper!

Today on the first day of A Week of Debuts, I am happy to present an interview with Middle Grade author Abby Cooper! Her debut book Sticks & Stones releases July 19th, and I am looking forward to it a lot! :)

Here's the summary for the book:

Ever since she was a baby, the words people use to describe Elyse have instantly appeared on her arms and legs. At first it was just "cute" and "adorable," but as she's gotten older and kids have gotten meaner, words like "loser" and "pathetic" appear, and those words bubble up and itch. And then there are words like "interesting," which she's not really sure how to feel about. Now, at age twelve, she's starting middle school, and just when her friends who used to accept and protect her are drifting away, she receives an anonymous note saying "I know who you are, and I know what you're dealing with. I want to help." As Elyse works to solve the mystery of who is sending her these notes, she also finds new ways to accept who she is and to become her best self.

And now here's the interview! :)

The bold writing is the questions I asked, the regular writing is her answers, and the bold italic writing is my comments about her answers!

1. First, Sticks & Stones looks like a very good book! What five words would you use to describe it?

Thanks! Sticks & Stones is about: self-confidence, friendship, emotions, discovery, and growth. 

2. Based on what I know of your book, words seem like they play a big part. What's your favorite word?

Sesquipedalian. It means "a big word"! Also lugubrious because it's super fun to say. Luckily for my main character, the words that show up on her arms and legs aren't quite as long as sesquipedalian or lugubrious. Words like that would take up a lot of room and make her feel really funny!

Ahh, I like these words! :)

3. Random question time! Your Twitter profile mentions desserts! What's your favorite dessert ever (And if that's too hard, top three.)? :)

Or maybe top thirty-seven? Can we do that? Kidding. Sorta. But yeah, I'm really into desserts. I could eat them for every meal, although I guess I sort of already do. I especially love cupcakes (any kind - the more frosting the better), molten chocolate lava cake, and my mom's chocolate-chip cookies. 

I'm getting hungry just reading this answer! Mmm, molten chocolate lava cake... :)

4. If you're able to talk about it, what are you working on now?

I will have a second middle grade novel published by FSG in 2017, so I'm hard at work on revisions! This one is also magical realism. It's about a twelve-year-old girl who is able to do something very unusual. I'm also revising a couple other middle grade novels and slowly writing another.

5. What books in 2016 (debut and non-debut) are you looking forward to?

I cannot WAIT for the 2016 debuts. I've gotten to read a bunch of middle grade ARCs and every single one has been out-of-this-world amazing. (Check them out here!) I'm also excited for Gail Nall's OUT OF TUNE, Jen Malone's THE SLEEPOVER, Natalie Lloyd's THE KEY TO EXTRAORDINARY, Kate DiCamillo's RAYMIE NIGHTINGALE, Varian Johnson's TO CATCH A CHEAT, Kate Messner's THE SEVENTH WISH... okay, I could do this all day long, so I should probably cut myself off now. But let's just say it's going to be a very good year for reading!

I love what books you listed! A few of them are already on my TBR list! And the ones that aren't? *goes off to look up the other books* :)

Thank you again to Ms. Cooper for letting me interview her! It was fun! :)

Photo by David Cooper

I live in St. Paul, Minnesota with my miniature poodle, Louis, and a whole bunch of books. A former teacher and school librarian, I love reading and helping others find the perfect books for them. When I'm not reading or writing, I like to eat cupcakes, go running, and watch a lot of bad reality TV.

Here are a few links:

Her Website

Her Twitter

Her Facebook

Her Goodreads Page