| Interview with Alex Richards |
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 started writing YA novels when I was about twelve, so I guess I’ve known since then. However, I didn’t
actually finish one until I was 24! I wrote Back Talk because I’d been working at a daytime talk show, and after
it was canceled I had a difficult time finding work in the biz. I had a dozen interviews, but I am so incredibly
shy! In interviews I’d say “I’m a great people person!” but my face would turn red and my voice would shake—
who’d hire that?! So I decided to incorporate my interests: the television industry, fashion, gossip,
friendship... and writing. Voila!
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
I showed my first draft to a friend at the Lowenstein Yost Agency. They were immediately supportive and
paired me with a young agent who gave me several ideas on how to improve the book. I made a lot of
fundamental changes (i.e. the girls went from 19 to 16 years old so the book could more easily fit into the YA
genre). When I’d finally finished the revisions, my agent shopped the book around for about 6 months. As
with most writers (I hope I wasn’t the only one!) I had a few rejections, but when my agent showed the
manuscript to Flux, they were interested! Of course, they had several edit ideas, but I sold it!
I think I’ve edited Back Talk about 3000 times. Give or take.
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?
The behind-the-scenes drama in Back Talk is so juicy you could make popsicles!
Back Talk is a very fun book that gives you an inside look at not only talk shows, but internships in general. I
think that is really important/exciting for teens. And there’s plenty of glam when the workday ends to get keep
‘em turning the pages! Here’s the back of the book blurb:
Goodbye small town hell . . . hello Big Apple!
Sixteen-year-old Gemma Winters couldn’t be more ecstatic—and terrified—about scoring a summer
internship at one of the hippest daytime TV talk shows, Back Talk with Kate Morgan. To top it off, she’s
staying in a palatial brownstone in Manhattan with celebutante Dana Cox (a virtual E! True Hollywood Story in
the making) and world-weary millionheiress America Vanderbilt. Gemma’s corn-fed naiveté melts away as she
gets a taste of designer clothes, underage clubbing . . . and a cute Jonathan Rhys-Meyers look-a-like.
The glamour fades by nine a.m. when Gemma becomes slave labor for harried producers. Not even her
borrowed Manolo Blahniks can shield her from an office romance turned ugly and backstabbing fellow
interns. When someone is unfairly fired and a show is at risk, Gemma goes out of her way to prove this small-
town girl is more than just a “photocopy bitch.”
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
For Back Talk, I was inspired by all my amazing coworkers. The book is not a tell-all, but my experiences in
talk-tv lend themselves to a lot of fun storylines, characters and behind-the-scenes fodder.
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
Oh yes, they are all mega excited for me! Writing is definitely in my blood. Both my parents are novelists (fun
fact: my mother’s first novel, Bare Essence, was a mini series in the early 80’s). The ‘rents live in Santa Fe,
NM and my dad (also a movie reviewer and cartoonist) has become my west coast publicist, booking me
interviews and signings around town. What a sweetie. My older sister, India, is also a writer (and my best
friend), and my boyfriend (a cosmic ray PhD physicist) is definitely one of my biggest fans. I couldn’t ask for a
better, more helpful support system.
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Mac & Cheese—is there another one?
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Brush my teeth.
Kiss my boyfriend.
Go to the gym.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me
the most?
Are you surprised by messiness? Because that’s what you’ll find. Though you might be surprised by my
fabulous sense of style. Or that someone as disorganized as me actually has a “gift stash.” I buy movies,
candles, picture frames—just in case I’m running late for a holiday or birthday party and didn’t have time to
pick up a present.
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?
If you check out my website the answer will smack you in the face. It’s pink. I hate to admit it, but I am one of
those girls who adores the color pink. It’s pretty and boisterous, but it can be so punk rock. (I’m getting
married in June and my wedding colors are pink and black. I think it shows that I am not to be taken too
seriously. I like to have fun!)
Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?
Jem/Jerrica from Jem & The Holograms. She is a savvy, beautiful, tenacious woman with outrageous style!
She has it tough, looking out for the impressionable young girls at The Starlight Foundation, while being
thwarted at every turn by the evil Pizazz & her cronies, but she does it all—with the help of Synergy and her
magic earrings!
As far as “which cartoon character is most like me”... who’s that really neurotic comic strip girl? Cathy?
Probably her.
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?
What an awesome question! Ever since the Lord of the Rings movies I’ve wanted to go to New Zealand. But
don’t beam me up to Middle Earth or anything! I don’t want to be a hobbit (hairy toes, yuck), I just want to
roam the countryside and maybe do something adventurous like skydive (gulp!).
My other choice would be 1940’s LA. I would kill to wear those classic, stylish outfits and live in a film noir
movie. So sexy.
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while you’re
writing?
Uh oh. You don’t want to ask me that because I’ll just keep talking, and talking, and talking. I love music and I
have five hundred favorite bands, from The Beatles, to The Shins, The Cure, Nirvana, Spoon, Johnny Cash,
Fiona Apple...
I have a special “Background Music” file that I delve into when I’m working. It has a lot of low-key stuff like Air
(one of my all time fave bands), The Album Leaf, Damien Rice, Elbow, Royksopp, Antarctica, Stereolab,
Electralane, Milieu...
I could seriously talk about music forever, and I’m always open to recommendations.
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 love Veronica Mars. It has possibly the best dialogue EVER! Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Beverly Hills
90210, Buffy...
Movies I watch over and over again: Heathers, Bottle Rocket, Kicking & Screaming (by Noah Baumach, not
the Will Farrell version). I could recite the dialogue in those movies from start to finish (well, maybe not...).
Last movie I saw in the theater: Blades of Glory! Everyone must see this movie. I laughed so hard my throat
got scratchy.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Have fun! There is so much pressure in high school to prepare for the next step. Exams, SATs, extra
curricular activities... Those things are important, but don’t forget to be creative, energetic, inquisitive—
before the stress of being a grown up kicks in. Find a healthy balance, and create memories that you can
keep for life.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
Right now I’m almost done with another book. It’s got all the good stuff: a snarky heroine with big dreams and
goals, evil parents, hot guys, bitchy girls... The main character is so kick ass, I wish I’d been her in high
school!
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
No more Q’s? That was so much fun! Great questions, btw.
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 started writing YA novels when I was about twelve, so I guess I’ve known since then. However, I didn’t
actually finish one until I was 24! I wrote Back Talk because I’d been working at a daytime talk show, and after
it was canceled I had a difficult time finding work in the biz. I had a dozen interviews, but I am so incredibly
shy! In interviews I’d say “I’m a great people person!” but my face would turn red and my voice would shake—
who’d hire that?! So I decided to incorporate my interests: the television industry, fashion, gossip,
friendship... and writing. Voila!
Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?
I showed my first draft to a friend at the Lowenstein Yost Agency. They were immediately supportive and
paired me with a young agent who gave me several ideas on how to improve the book. I made a lot of
fundamental changes (i.e. the girls went from 19 to 16 years old so the book could more easily fit into the YA
genre). When I’d finally finished the revisions, my agent shopped the book around for about 6 months. As
with most writers (I hope I wasn’t the only one!) I had a few rejections, but when my agent showed the
manuscript to Flux, they were interested! Of course, they had several edit ideas, but I sold it!
I think I’ve edited Back Talk about 3000 times. Give or take.
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?
The behind-the-scenes drama in Back Talk is so juicy you could make popsicles!
Back Talk is a very fun book that gives you an inside look at not only talk shows, but internships in general. I
think that is really important/exciting for teens. And there’s plenty of glam when the workday ends to get keep
‘em turning the pages! Here’s the back of the book blurb:
Goodbye small town hell . . . hello Big Apple!
Sixteen-year-old Gemma Winters couldn’t be more ecstatic—and terrified—about scoring a summer
internship at one of the hippest daytime TV talk shows, Back Talk with Kate Morgan. To top it off, she’s
staying in a palatial brownstone in Manhattan with celebutante Dana Cox (a virtual E! True Hollywood Story in
the making) and world-weary millionheiress America Vanderbilt. Gemma’s corn-fed naiveté melts away as she
gets a taste of designer clothes, underage clubbing . . . and a cute Jonathan Rhys-Meyers look-a-like.
The glamour fades by nine a.m. when Gemma becomes slave labor for harried producers. Not even her
borrowed Manolo Blahniks can shield her from an office romance turned ugly and backstabbing fellow
interns. When someone is unfairly fired and a show is at risk, Gemma goes out of her way to prove this small-
town girl is more than just a “photocopy bitch.”
What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?
For Back Talk, I was inspired by all my amazing coworkers. The book is not a tell-all, but my experiences in
talk-tv lend themselves to a lot of fun storylines, characters and behind-the-scenes fodder.
Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!
Oh yes, they are all mega excited for me! Writing is definitely in my blood. Both my parents are novelists (fun
fact: my mother’s first novel, Bare Essence, was a mini series in the early 80’s). The ‘rents live in Santa Fe,
NM and my dad (also a movie reviewer and cartoonist) has become my west coast publicist, booking me
interviews and signings around town. What a sweetie. My older sister, India, is also a writer (and my best
friend), and my boyfriend (a cosmic ray PhD physicist) is definitely one of my biggest fans. I couldn’t ask for a
better, more helpful support system.
Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?
Mac & Cheese—is there another one?
What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?
Brush my teeth.
Kiss my boyfriend.
Go to the gym.
If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me
the most?
Are you surprised by messiness? Because that’s what you’ll find. Though you might be surprised by my
fabulous sense of style. Or that someone as disorganized as me actually has a “gift stash.” I buy movies,
candles, picture frames—just in case I’m running late for a holiday or birthday party and didn’t have time to
pick up a present.
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?
If you check out my website the answer will smack you in the face. It’s pink. I hate to admit it, but I am one of
those girls who adores the color pink. It’s pretty and boisterous, but it can be so punk rock. (I’m getting
married in June and my wedding colors are pink and black. I think it shows that I am not to be taken too
seriously. I like to have fun!)
Who is your favorite cartoon character? Which cartoon character is most like you?
Jem/Jerrica from Jem & The Holograms. She is a savvy, beautiful, tenacious woman with outrageous style!
She has it tough, looking out for the impressionable young girls at The Starlight Foundation, while being
thwarted at every turn by the evil Pizazz & her cronies, but she does it all—with the help of Synergy and her
magic earrings!
As far as “which cartoon character is most like me”... who’s that really neurotic comic strip girl? Cathy?
Probably her.
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?
What an awesome question! Ever since the Lord of the Rings movies I’ve wanted to go to New Zealand. But
don’t beam me up to Middle Earth or anything! I don’t want to be a hobbit (hairy toes, yuck), I just want to
roam the countryside and maybe do something adventurous like skydive (gulp!).
My other choice would be 1940’s LA. I would kill to wear those classic, stylish outfits and live in a film noir
movie. So sexy.
So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while you’re
writing?
Uh oh. You don’t want to ask me that because I’ll just keep talking, and talking, and talking. I love music and I
have five hundred favorite bands, from The Beatles, to The Shins, The Cure, Nirvana, Spoon, Johnny Cash,
Fiona Apple...
I have a special “Background Music” file that I delve into when I’m working. It has a lot of low-key stuff like Air
(one of my all time fave bands), The Album Leaf, Damien Rice, Elbow, Royksopp, Antarctica, Stereolab,
Electralane, Milieu...
I could seriously talk about music forever, and I’m always open to recommendations.
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 love Veronica Mars. It has possibly the best dialogue EVER! Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Beverly Hills
90210, Buffy...
Movies I watch over and over again: Heathers, Bottle Rocket, Kicking & Screaming (by Noah Baumach, not
the Will Farrell version). I could recite the dialogue in those movies from start to finish (well, maybe not...).
Last movie I saw in the theater: Blades of Glory! Everyone must see this movie. I laughed so hard my throat
got scratchy.
You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?
Have fun! There is so much pressure in high school to prepare for the next step. Exams, SATs, extra
curricular activities... Those things are important, but don’t forget to be creative, energetic, inquisitive—
before the stress of being a grown up kicks in. Find a healthy balance, and create memories that you can
keep for life.
One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?
Right now I’m almost done with another book. It’s got all the good stuff: a snarky heroine with big dreams and
goals, evil parents, hot guys, bitchy girls... The main character is so kick ass, I wish I’d been her in high
school!
Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!
No more Q’s? That was so much fun! Great questions, btw.
