[Interview] Author Linda Joy Singleton

Please welcome the vastly-published novelist Linda Joy Singleton to the blog today! I was introduced to a wide array of her books when I began my internship at Flux in early September. It's a pleasure to have her join me, as I love the books that I have read.

The LJS rundown:

Blog / Website #1 / Website #2 / Twitter

Hi Linda! Thanks for taking time to answer a few questions for me. Can you tell us about the books you've published so far (of which there are many!)?

I've published over 35 books, my most recent with Llewellyn/Flux:

THE SEER series (YA - A psychic teen deals with school, premonitions and ghosts.)
1. Don't Die Dragonfly 2. Last Dance 3. Witch Ball 4. Sword Play 5. Fatal Charm 6. coming 2010

DEAD GIRL series (YA - Amber's near-death experiences leads to body-switches, danger and romance.)
1. DEAD GIRL WALKING 2. DEAD GIRL DANCING 3. DEAD GIRL IN LOVE

STRANGE ENCOUNTERS series (MG - Mermaids, magic and aliens. Based on true happenings.)
1. OH, NO! UFO 2. SHAMROCKED 3. SEA SWITCH

Wow, that's a lot of books--and I know that you've been published by Berkeley before too. All over the place! On that note, and considering that you do write a fair variety of books, can you tell us from from which sources you draw your inspiration?

From a wild imagination that's the result of daydreams and a lifetime of reading wonderful books. I used to get in trouble for daydreaming, now I get paid for it (g).

*laughs* I'll tell ya that I am absolutely jealous. What was the process to your Flux debut?

My first sale to Flux happened because a Llewellyn author and writer friend, Dotti Enderle, suggested I submit a series. I'd already published 3 series with other publishers and was excited to sell paranormal series to Llewellyn/Flux. I didn't have an agent at the time and queried directly to the acquisitions editor. She liked my query -- YAY! I was so happy, and I'm still happy to be with Llewellyn/Flux.

It's a great place. (I can now say that from experience.) What plans do you have for future projects?

Aside from the 6th THE SEER plus spin-off mystery featuring SEER's Goth Girl Thorn, I have a science-fiction YA I'm hoping sells soon. If readers enjoy Thorn as a heroine, I may write more mysteries with her. Also, I have an idea of a paranormal book featuring 3 teens connected by a strange event. For middle-grade, INTO THE MIRROR comes out from Blooming Tree Press in 2010. There's an apocalyptic mid-grade I've started and would enjoy writing. Lots of ideas -- but which one sells first will decide what I write next.

You have a much more far-reaching plan than I do--it'd be nice to score an agent. *smile* On a different note, what is the largest lesson your characters have taught you?

The more I explore paranormal possibililties like psychics and ghosts, the more I believe that mpossible things are more possible than the small piece of reality we exist in.

That's really interesting and insightful--a benefit of transcending reality, I guess. Why do you choose to write for young adults? Was it natural for you to convey their perspectives?

I love the flexibility, creativity and tight writing of YA books. I enjoy midgrade a lot, too. Juvenile books offer intriguing character, surprising plots and a sense of hope. As much as I appreciate and respect my readers, to be honest I'm writing for the young reader inside of me. Or maybe it's just because I love a great story and so many are teen lit.

That makes sense to me. That brings me to my next question: Who are your favorite authors and what are your favorite books?

Suzanne Collins, Eva Ibbotson, Scott Westerfeld, J.K. Rowling, Ingrid Law, Angie Sage, Jeanne DuPrau, Charles DeLint, Margaret Sutton and many more! (See my Goodreads.com account for fave books.)

A fantastic collection--just one author I haven't read (Eva Ibbotson). Do you keep to a writing schedule of any sort?

I write almost every morning for 4-5 hours, although I spend too much time on email and blogs. When I have a contracted book to write, I get serious and add pages regularly. I need to do this now with my THORN mystery (20 pages down--200 to go!).

*snaps fingers* Oh, darn. This interview must have kept you from your work then. ;) As the second-to-last question, can you tell us: What is the most interesting thing about you as a writer and you as a person?

I'm not that interesting, unless you want to talk YA books and then I get excited and can talk forever! Probably the most unique thing I've done is co-write a book with my childhood favorite author (Judy Bolton mysteries) Margaret Sutton. When I was 13, I wrote MS a fan letter which led to many letters and visits. Over a decade later, we collaborated on "one more Judy Bolton mystery" just for fans. It's called THE TALKING SNOWMAN and is in its second printing, available only from me.

That must have indeed been a unique and special journey. What about advice for aspiring authors, as the final note for today?

It's simple but important: Read, read, read. Write, write, write. Repeat. No big secret, just a lot of hard work and sprinkle of luck. Good luck!

Thank you, Linda!

When Linda Joy Singleton is not writing, she enjoys life in the country with a barnyard of animals including horses, cats, dogs and pigs. She especially loves to hear from readers and speaking at schools and libraries. She collects vintage series books like Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden and Judy Bolton. Some of her current favorite authors are Jeanne DuPrau, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Eva Ibbottson, Bruce Coville, Gordon Korman, Peg Kehret, Nancy Werlin, Joan Bauer, Kathryn Reiss and Nancy Farmer. She says: "More info at my website including a Young Writer Tip page plus link to DEAD GIRL and DON'T DIE DRAGONFLY book trailers: www.LindaJoySIngleton.com."

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Be sure to check out Linda's wide collection of books. Also, if you would like to be interviewed here--or know someone who would make a good fit--please don't hesitate to send me an email.

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