| Interview with Heather Brewer |
First off, thanks so much for joining us for an up-close and personal interview for TeensReadToo.com!
My name is Jen, and I’ll be your server toda…oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for taking
time out of your writing schedule—which I’m sure is busy!—and answering a few questions for your
readers and fans.
Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you
wanted to be a writer?
I think I’ve always known on some level, but the first time I recall having said the words “I want to be a
writer” out loud was in the sixth grade, after having just finished reading Stephen King’s Carrie.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
It was long, full of potholes and big rocks, but at the end, there was a Pepsi machine, so it turned out
okay. ☺
Actually, I'd written my first book about ten years ago. But that was before I knew how to write. And I
didn't learn anything about how to get published until about four years ago. And Vlad, well he didn't pop
into my head until last year and when he did, I knew he'd get me there—agented, published. I vowed that
if he didn't, I'd give up writing—a very difficult decision for me. But then, after I had several offers of
representation, ended up picking the perfect literary agent for Vlad and I, garnered interest from multiple
publishers, and ended up with a contract for the first two books in The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series,
I realized that I never have to give up my dreams. I just have to fight for them.
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one
thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
Well, my first book, ‘Eighth Grade Bites’ is due out August 2007 from Dutton Children’s Books of Penguin
Group. It’s the first book in my new series, ‘The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod’.
Junior high school really sucks for Vlad, and not in the good slurp-up-the-blood kind of way. A gang of
bullies harasses him daily, the principal is dogging his every move, and the girl he really likes prefers his
best friend. Oh, and Vlad has to hide the fact that he's a vampire. If you thought eighth grade was
tough…try it with fangs and a fear of garlic.
When the one teacher he really connects with mysteriously vanishes, Vlad is determined to find him. But
then Vlad finds an unsettling note scribbled across his essay: “I know your secret.”
Vlad has to locate his missing teacher, dodge the principal, resist the bullies’ tempting invitations to Bite
me!, and get a date for the dance—all before he is exposed for the teen vampire he is.
If I could only tell you one thing to convince you to buy it, it would have to be what DJ MacHale (author of
the PENDRAGON series) had to say about it:
"A spooky mystery that's funny, gruesome, heartwarming, spellbinding, sad, joyous, surprising and
topped off with a tasty blend of blood and chocolate. Yum. What more could you ask for?"
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
What: I was picked on back when I was in school, so I draw from those experiences.
Who: My son, Jacob. He and Vlad share many qualities.
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
My husband is awesome! Whenever I’m having a bad writing day, he knows just what to say to make it
better. My son is my most important first reader and a chief supporter. I’m pretty sure my five-year-old
daughter thinks that mommy’s job is answering email all day (some days she’s right—shh!). And my older
sister and my niece are wonderfully supportive. I couldn’t do this without any of them.
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Don’t make me choose between chocolate and cheesecake…that’s just evil.
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Turn on computer.
Drink a Diet Pepsi (until eyes adjust to it being morning—like Vlad, I’m more of a night person)
Check email.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would
surprise me the most?
I’m ashamed to admit that I own a pastel pink shirt, which wouldn’t be so obvious, but for all the black
shirts keeping it company. What wouldn’t surprise you is that I have a coffin-shaped suitcase or that I
have stacks of books in all of those places.
Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If
you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
Black—because it represents all color or lack of all color, depending on who you ask, plus it goes great
with just about everything (and if you happen to be a vampire, it hides bloodstains best).
Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?
I don’t know that I could pick a favorite—quite possibly Danny Phantom (Butch Hartman rocks!). And I’d
say I’m a cross between Wanda from ‘Fairly Odd Parents’ and Plankton from ‘SpongeBob Squarepants’.
Wanda is very much in charge and, though she gives great advice, no one listens (to their peril)—and
Plankton is short and, like me, 1% evil and 99% hot air.
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history,
where and when would it be—and why?
I’d love to go back to the English renaissance era. For one, I have trunks full of garb that I could wear
every day, as I regularly attend renaissance faires in costume (and in character). For two, the very
thought of meeting some of the greats like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe fills me with
squeaky glee!
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while
you’re writing?
There’s a lot of music I enjoy. Lately, I’ve been really into ‘The Killers’, ‘Green Day’, and I have a serious
crush on ‘Panic! At The Disco’. I do listen to music while writing, but what depends on my mood.
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie
you saw at the theater?
I watch a lot of the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, but not much else (I'm too busy writing more
books!). One of my favorite movies that I never get sick of is 'The Princess Bride'. And that last movie I
saw in the theater was the second 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Read. Read, read, read. Books have always been a huge escape from every day problems for me, often
giving me the time I needed away from all the bullies of the world. If you can get your hands on it, read
it—especially if it’s banned.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
I just finished the second book in The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series, ‘Ninth Grade Sucks’. And I’m
also working on a horror book about a boy named Dillon who stumbles on the entrance to Wonderland
(of Alice fame), tentatively titled 'Beyond the Looking Glass'.
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
My name is Jen, and I’ll be your server toda…oh, wait, wrong job! Anyway, thanks so much for taking
time out of your writing schedule—which I’m sure is busy!—and answering a few questions for your
readers and fans.
Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you
wanted to be a writer?
I think I’ve always known on some level, but the first time I recall having said the words “I want to be a
writer” out loud was in the sixth grade, after having just finished reading Stephen King’s Carrie.
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
It was long, full of potholes and big rocks, but at the end, there was a Pepsi machine, so it turned out
okay. ☺
Actually, I'd written my first book about ten years ago. But that was before I knew how to write. And I
didn't learn anything about how to get published until about four years ago. And Vlad, well he didn't pop
into my head until last year and when he did, I knew he'd get me there—agented, published. I vowed that
if he didn't, I'd give up writing—a very difficult decision for me. But then, after I had several offers of
representation, ended up picking the perfect literary agent for Vlad and I, garnered interest from multiple
publishers, and ended up with a contract for the first two books in The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series,
I realized that I never have to give up my dreams. I just have to fight for them.
Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one
thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?
Well, my first book, ‘Eighth Grade Bites’ is due out August 2007 from Dutton Children’s Books of Penguin
Group. It’s the first book in my new series, ‘The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod’.
Junior high school really sucks for Vlad, and not in the good slurp-up-the-blood kind of way. A gang of
bullies harasses him daily, the principal is dogging his every move, and the girl he really likes prefers his
best friend. Oh, and Vlad has to hide the fact that he's a vampire. If you thought eighth grade was
tough…try it with fangs and a fear of garlic.
When the one teacher he really connects with mysteriously vanishes, Vlad is determined to find him. But
then Vlad finds an unsettling note scribbled across his essay: “I know your secret.”
Vlad has to locate his missing teacher, dodge the principal, resist the bullies’ tempting invitations to Bite
me!, and get a date for the dance—all before he is exposed for the teen vampire he is.
If I could only tell you one thing to convince you to buy it, it would have to be what DJ MacHale (author of
the PENDRAGON series) had to say about it:
"A spooky mystery that's funny, gruesome, heartwarming, spellbinding, sad, joyous, surprising and
topped off with a tasty blend of blood and chocolate. Yum. What more could you ask for?"
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
What: I was picked on back when I was in school, so I draw from those experiences.
Who: My son, Jacob. He and Vlad share many qualities.
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
My husband is awesome! Whenever I’m having a bad writing day, he knows just what to say to make it
better. My son is my most important first reader and a chief supporter. I’m pretty sure my five-year-old
daughter thinks that mommy’s job is answering email all day (some days she’s right—shh!). And my older
sister and my niece are wonderfully supportive. I couldn’t do this without any of them.
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Don’t make me choose between chocolate and cheesecake…that’s just evil.
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Turn on computer.
Drink a Diet Pepsi (until eyes adjust to it being morning—like Vlad, I’m more of a night person)
Check email.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would
surprise me the most?
I’m ashamed to admit that I own a pastel pink shirt, which wouldn’t be so obvious, but for all the black
shirts keeping it company. What wouldn’t surprise you is that I have a coffin-shaped suitcase or that I
have stacks of books in all of those places.
Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If
you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?
Black—because it represents all color or lack of all color, depending on who you ask, plus it goes great
with just about everything (and if you happen to be a vampire, it hides bloodstains best).
Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?
I don’t know that I could pick a favorite—quite possibly Danny Phantom (Butch Hartman rocks!). And I’d
say I’m a cross between Wanda from ‘Fairly Odd Parents’ and Plankton from ‘SpongeBob Squarepants’.
Wanda is very much in charge and, though she gives great advice, no one listens (to their peril)—and
Plankton is short and, like me, 1% evil and 99% hot air.
If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history,
where and when would it be—and why?
I’d love to go back to the English renaissance era. For one, I have trunks full of garb that I could wear
every day, as I regularly attend renaissance faires in costume (and in character). For two, the very
thought of meeting some of the greats like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe fills me with
squeaky glee!
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while
you’re writing?
There’s a lot of music I enjoy. Lately, I’ve been really into ‘The Killers’, ‘Green Day’, and I have a serious
crush on ‘Panic! At The Disco’. I do listen to music while writing, but what depends on my mood.
Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie
you saw at the theater?
I watch a lot of the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, but not much else (I'm too busy writing more
books!). One of my favorite movies that I never get sick of is 'The Princess Bride'. And that last movie I
saw in the theater was the second 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Read. Read, read, read. Books have always been a huge escape from every day problems for me, often
giving me the time I needed away from all the bullies of the world. If you can get your hands on it, read
it—especially if it’s banned.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
I just finished the second book in The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series, ‘Ninth Grade Sucks’. And I’m
also working on a horror book about a boy named Dillon who stumbles on the entrance to Wonderland
(of Alice fame), tentatively titled 'Beyond the Looking Glass'.
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
