Interview with Maurissa Guibord, author of Revel (and Giveaway)!

Hello! Recognize that beauty up there? That is Revel, a standalone novel written by the fabulous Maurissa Guibord, also the author Warped, another standalone novel (not associated with Revel). 

Revel came out on February 12, 2013, and I recently have had the pleasure of reviewing Revel and interviewing Mrs. Guibord. Stick around, because at the end there is a giveaway for a signed copy of Revel!

Check out my review of Revel HERE.

The Interview:

Alyssa: Hi, Ms. Guibord! Thank you so much for doing this interview with me! I am so excited to pick apart your brain! I absolutely adored Warped, and when I saw that you had another book hitting the shelves, I was beyond crazy excited! So, How does it feel to be a published author AGAIN?!

It’s wonderful and intimidating too, I really hope that readers will like this story as much as they did Warped!
(trust me, we did! Or, we will!)

How was the publication process different, the second time around?

Well this book was with my same wonderful editor, Michelle Poploff from Random House so I knew a bit more of what to expect with the process of editing and how she works. The level of work, rewriting and anxiety was just the same though. With each new story I have a feeling of jumping off the high dive board- in a skimpy bathing suit- in front of a crowd…

What was something different about writing Revel, in comparison to Warped?

It is different to write a book on a deadline, with a contract. Not bad by any means! Just different. It becomes a commitment to the publisher and the readers to get the job done. It some ways it’s a very good thing- it makes a girl step away from the Netflix queue and get cracking. It also means that someone likes your work and wants more- always a good thing!

Both Warped and Revel have paranormal aspects. Why paranormal?

I always liked the feeling when I was younger, of reading a story and thinking “Yes, that could happen to me!” No matter how strange the events. In fact, the stranger the better! As long as the author helped me to enter that world and believe in it. That’s great story telling and that’s what I aim for.

Do you ever read reviews of your books?

Honestly I try not to read any. I may read a sentence or two to get the gist- then I stop. The good or the bad- both make me uncomfortable. I love to hear that someone enjoyed my book- but to have it analyzed is just painful. Although I have to say- I did read a few criticisms of the first book and realized there were things I could do better. Hopefully that shows in Revel. I want to please readers and to entertain them.

Alyssa: Is there an author (or authors!) that has greatly influenced you and your writing?

Yes, I love the crisp plotting and story telling of Agatha Christie- I’m always amazed by her ability to surprise.

Alyssa: I know that Maine is absolutely beautiful, year-round! The nature there is still much more intact than here in Maryland. What do you do (or would like to do) when you are not writing or editing?

I really enjoy spending time walking along the beach, picking up shells and sea glass and looking out at the water. Especially on a cool, windy day- there is nothing like it to wash away my worries and get my imagination churning.

Alyssa: What’s your least favorite part of the publication process?

That would be the waiting. I was amazed to learn how long it takes to go from a finished, edited manuscript and the book actually appearing. For some folks it can be a year, two years, even longer!

Alyssa: As of right now, are both Revel and Warped standalone novels? 

Yes, both are standalones.

What are you currently writing? 

It involves a girl travelling to the underworld, to Tartarus, and trying to solve a mystery. Like my other books it takes a story from mythology and twists it around a bit. Unlike my other books though- it is very much a mystery- a case of whodunit .There’s also a hint of romance and humor- because you know, I can’t live without those!

A few non-book-related questions…

Alyssa: What’s one of the most embarrassing things you've done in college?

Going to a Halloween party dressed as an atom. Yes. Black leotard. Yellow styrofoam electrons swinging from yarn. I think it was a Chlorine atom but I can’t remember why it should have been chlorine. I had to spin around for the full orbit effect, of course. I didn’t have a car so I traveled to the party on the city bus. Oy.

Yes, I was a nerd girl.

If you decided to stop writing, and could get paid to do whatever you wanted, what would you do?

I would be involved in the theater, maybe backstage creating sets or helping with makeup or costumes. I love the energy and friendship of theater people.

Alyssa: What is your favorite thing about living in Maine!

Lobster rolls!

Alyssa: Thank you so much for being here! And good luck with your current projects :)

Maurissa's Site | Maurissa's Goodreads | Maurissa's Twitter

Revel on Goodreads | Revel on Amazon | Revel on B&N

Warped on Goodreads | Warped on Amazon | Warped on B&N

The Giveaway:

Maurissa is all sorts of awesome, and has sent me a SIGNED copy of Revel to give away! Here are the rules:

- US ONLY (sorry to all the international folks!)

- There will be ONE winner

- You must be 18 years old or older, or at least 13 years old with a parent or guardian's permission (I didn't know this, and it makes sense, but it's illegal to take addresses from minors under the age of 13 years old)

- Winner must respond to the email within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in me choosing another winner

- Please enter via the Rafflecopter widget below

- DO NOT CHEAT!

Good luck! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway