Author Chat With Lorna Schultz Nicholson (Behind the Label), Plus Giveaway! ~ US/CAN Only!

Today we are very excited to share an interview with author Lorna Schultz Nicholson (Behind the Label)!

Read on to learn more about her, her book, and a giveaway!

Meet the Author: Lorna Schultz Nicholson

Lorna Schultz Nicholson has published children’s picture books, middle grade fiction, YA fiction and non-fiction sports books. Her books have been nominated and won awards in Canada. Many have also been chosen as Best Books for Kids and Teens with the Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Lorna believes in story and that stories belong in books. Lorna does author presentations in schools all across Canada and is a lively presenter who loves instilling her love of reading and writing to any grade. She also speaks at writing conferences, writing workshops, and does keynote addresses.

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About the Book: Behind the Label

Gloria, an impulsive, naïve and likeable teen with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), tries to keep her family together while their mother’s addictions threaten a move to foster care. Willa, an older teen with a learning disability (LD), wants to play in a rock band where her gifts truly shine, but her mother’s controlling and perfectionistic personality — and Willa’s increasingly abusive boyfriend — cause her unhappiness. When Gloria and Willa are partnered in a school club, they soon come to appreciate and depend on each other in a world that at times seems counter to their dreams.

This is the fifth book in Lorna Schultz Nicholson’s One-2-One series about a diverse group of fictional teens connected through a Best Buddies high-school program.

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~Author Chat~

YABC:  What gave you the inspiration to write this book?

This is the fifth book in my One-2-One series about the Best Buddies Club, which is a real club that was started by the Shriver family. The Club pair kids with intellectual challenges together with those who may not have those challenges and they develop a friendship. The inspiration came from seeing the logo on a t-shirt, and many questions later about what the club was all about, there was a book outline. I did a lot of research by attending different Best Buddies Clubs at different schools. The friendships I witnessed were so beautiful and heartwarming that I knew I had to write about this. Each book in the series is a stand alone (no need to read in any order) and are written in two different voices.

YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?

I don’t have a favorite character because I love both Gloria and Willa, and admire how they handle their challenges. I also love the friendship that develops between them.

YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

There is one scene in the book where Willa is sitting down in an empty hallway and she’s upset that she didn’t do well on a test. Gloria sees her and plunks herself down beside her. The conversation the girls have in that moment is one of my favorite scenes because they realize that perhaps they aren’t really all that different.

YABC:  What came first, the concept, landscape, characters, or something else?

This series is very character driven, so with this book the characters came first. For the first book in the series however, (FRAGILE BONES), it was the concept of the Best Buddies Club that came first. I thought it was a wonderful club to have in high schools and universities, and I loved the concept of writing from two different perspectives; how two people can be in the same situation but view it so differently.

YABC:   How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?

This is such a good question. Often books about children/teens are written about them but not written in their language or in their thought process. I think it’s important to listen to kids talk, and also try and think about who they are, and how they think. How would they react in the situation, instead of how you would react. Remove your own wisdom from your writing, and go deep inside their thoughts, knowing they don’t have all the answers yet. I listened to a Judy Blume podcast and that is something that she said about her writing, that she is always in her character’s voice. I think she is a master at creating the “kid” voice. You have to strip away your own views, and be that child. They don’t know everything yet, as they are children. So…what are they thinking? How would they deal with this situation? What do they want to get out of the situation?

YABC:   What can readers expect to find in your books?

Good characters, fast paced and easy reading chapters, and lots to think about by the end of the book.

 YABC: What is your favorite snack when writing?

What a question. I have so many. Sometimes it’s chocolate, like chocolate chips or M&M’s. Always chocolate M&M’s because the peanuts get stuck in my teeth and then I need to get up from my desk. Sometimes, it’s candy, like licorice. But then…there are days when I want chips but they make my computer keys greasy so I don’t snack on those unless I’m having a huge salt craving, and am doing more reading over what I’ve already written instead of being in the writing zone.

YABC:   What’s up next for you?

I’m writing a middle grade novel for Scholastic Canada and I have a fun picture book coming out with Sleeping Bear Press…and…I’m thinking about another book in this series. But that is still in the thinking stage.

YABC: What is your favorite holiday or tradition and why?

Christmas is definitely my favorite time of year. I love the entire month of December from decorating the tree, to baking, to holiday get togethers. For me it’s all about family and friends and board games and food. And laughter. Lots of laughter.

YABC:   Is there anything that you would like to add?

Enjoy the book!!!  Enjoy the series!  And, please, send comments or questions my way about the book. I love to hear from readers.

Title:  Behind the Label

Author: Lorna Schultz Nicholson

Release Date:  September 15 in Canada, October 25 in the US

Publisher: Red Deer Press

ISBN-10: 978-0889951495

ISBN-13: 978-0889956476

Genre: Young Adult

Age Range: 12 and up

~ Giveaway Details ~

Three (3) winners will receive a signed copy of Behind the Label (Lorna Schultz Nicholson) ~US/CAN ONLY

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