YABC is thrilled to be hosting a spot on the WELCOME TO DWEEB CLUB by Betsy Uhrig Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out our post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Title: WELCOME TO DWEEB CLUB
Author: Betsy Uhrig
Pub. Date: September 28, 2021
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 272
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org
What if a school club changed your life forever?
In the second week of seventh grade, Jason Sloan signs up for the brand-new HAIR Club. He and his friends have no idea what it’s about, but since they’re the first to sign up they figure they’ll be in charge in no time. The club turns out to be super weird: using fancy new equipment donated by a mysterious benefactor, the members are supposed to monitor school security footage. Their first assignment: find out what is stealing the cafeteria’s croutons.
Instead of the expected dark cafeteria, the computers show the club members something else entirely: actual footage of themselves as high school seniors, five years in the future! What on earth could be happening? Is it some kind of time warp, or alternate reality? Or is it just an un-funny prank? As they scramble to solve the mystery, they can’t help but notice something else—none of them like what they see five years from now. Is there any way to change the future—and their fates?
- What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
This book actually rose from the ashes of a manuscript I had given up on. I was partway into a time-travel adventure set in the same (fictional) school and featuring a character from Welcome to Dweeb Club, when I gave up on it because the time-travel contradictions were getting out of hand. Then I accidentally deleted the manuscript. Permanently. I started over with the time element curtailed so I could get a grip on it, and Welcome to Dweeb Club was off and running!
- Who is your favorite character in the book?
I think Vincent, the main character’s best friend, is my favorite. He’s a great and loyal friend, and he always has something perfectly odd to add to any conversation. He’s also getting really good at crocheting.
- Which came first, the title or the novel?
Definitely the novel! The title changed multiple times as it was rewritten, and the final title wasn’t settled on until after it had been edited. In fact, the final title wound up changing the ending a bit.
- What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
I think the scene where Jason and three other club members have to elude security guards at a high-tech company and wind up in a ridiculous low-speed golf cart chase is my favorite. It seems to bring out something fun in all of the characters. Except the security guards – they just get more and more annoyed.
- Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
I’ve learned to write the kind of books I like to read – which meant going back to my original favorite, middle grade. Now I basically write adventures that I think my younger self would have enjoyed, and I have fun doing it.
- What do you like most about the cover of the book?
The cover is fantastic! I love that each kid is so carefully drawn and personalized. And I also think the shadows behind them, which echo the older selves they see onscreen, are subtle and perfect as an indication of what happens in the book. Plus that skunk has attitude to spare!
- What new release book are you looking most forward to in 2021?
That one is tough! But I’ll settle on the new Jonathan Stroud: The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne. It sounds amazing, and I am a huge fan of everything he writes.
- What was your favorite book in 2020?
I’m going to cheat and nominate two. I loved Amy Timberlake’s Skunk and Badger (MG) and TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea (adult). Both are quirky and heartwarming, which was exactly what I needed in 2020.
- What’s up next for you?
I am cooking up a new MG right now, about three-quarters of the way through the first draft. I’m going out of my comfort zone on this one, but I hope it works!
- Is there anything that you would like to add?
I think we’ve covered a lot of ground here! I will add that my books are meant to make kids laugh. If they learn any lessons or think about things in new ways while reading them, that’s on them and totally unintended!
- Which was the most difficult or emotional scene to narrate?
I write humor, so there aren’t many hugely emotional scenes. I find scenes in which there’s a lot of chaotic action going on at once harder to write, because you have to keep your eye on all the balls you have in the air and make sure nothing happens that accidentally defies the laws of physics or human anatomy.
- Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
Lara gave me a bit of trouble because I wanted her to come out of her shell gradually, and since she doesn’t say much, I needed to indicate that that was happening mostly with subtle body language – she stands up straighter, she tucks her long hair behind her ears instead of hiding behind it. I didn’t want her to go from shy to assertive in one hard-to-believe leap. I hope the evolution comes across in the book!
- Which part of the writing process do you enjoy more: Drafting or Revising?
I like to revise, especially toward the end, when it’s a matter of polishing and punching things up rather than building or cutting. Finishing touches are fun because most of the real work is done.
- What would you say is your superpower?
I have very neat handwriting. Not that it gets much use these days.
- Is there an organization or cause that is close to your heart?
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya does amazing work rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants. You can “adopt” an orphan, and they will update you about its progress. Check it out!
About Betsy Uhrig:
Betsy Uhrig was born and raised in Greater Boston, where she lives with her family and way more books than you are picturing. She graduated from Smith College with a degree in English and has worked in publishing ever since. She writes books for children instead of doing things that aren’t as fun. Betsy is the author of Double the Danger and Zero Zucchini and Welcome to Dweeb Club. Visit her at BetsyUhrig.com for more information about her books and her cats.
Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon
Giveaway Details:
3 winners will win a finished copy of WELCOME TO DWEEB CLUB, US Only.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
9/13/2021 |
Excerpt |
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9/14/2021 |
Review |
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9/15/2021 |
Guest Post |
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9/16/2021 |
Excerpt |
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9/17/2021 |
Review |
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9/18/2021 |
Review |
Week Two:
9/19/2021 |
Review |
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9/20/2021 |
Review |
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9/21/2021 |
Review |
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9/22/2021 |
Review |
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9/23/2021 |
Review |
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9/24/2021 |
Review |
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9/25/2021 |
Review |
Week Three:
9/26/2021 |
Review |
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9/27/2021 |
Review |
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9/28/2021 |
Interview |
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9/29/2021 |
Review |
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9/30/2021 |
Interview |
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10/1/2021 |
Review |
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10/2/2021 |
Review/IG Spotlight |
Week Four:
10/3/2021 |
Guest Post |
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10/4/2021 |
Review |
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10/5/2021 |
Review |
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10/6/2021 |
Excerpt |
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10/7/2021 |
Review |
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10/8/2021 |
Review |
Book looks great, look froward to reading it!
Love the title!!:D
I love the cover. This book sounds fun and exciting.