July 3rd was the official release day for The Summer That Melted Everything, the paperback edition! I'm so glad Tiffany approached me about celebrating her paperback release, because this book sounds amazinggg. So, I have an author interview and a pretty cool giveaway to celebrate. Let's start!
Tiffany McDaniel is an Ohio native whose writing is inspired by the rolling hills and buckeye woods of the land she knows. Also a poet and artist, she is the winner of The Guardian's 2016 "Not-the-Booker Prize" and the winner of Ohioana Library Readers' Choice Award for her debut novel, The Summer that Melted Everything. The novel was also a Goodreads Choice Award double nominee in both fiction and debut categories, is a current nominee for the Lillian Smith Book Award, and a finalist for the Women's Fiction Writers Association Star Award for Outstanding Debut.
(First) Publication Date: July 26th 2016 | July 3rd 2017
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 320
Series: (Currently) Standalone
Genre: Magical Realism, Contemporary, Adult, YA
Fielding Bliss has never forgotten the summer of 1984: the year a heat wave scorched Breathed, Ohio. The year he became friends with the devil.
Sal seems to appear out of nowhere - a bruised and tattered thirteen-year-old boy claiming to be the devil himself answering an invitation. Fielding Bliss, the son of a local prosecutor, brings him home where he's welcomed into the Bliss family, assuming he's a runaway from a nearby farm town.
When word spreads that the devil has come to Breathed, not everyone is happy to welcome this self-proclaimed fallen angel. Murmurs follow him and tensions rise, along with the temperature as an unbearable heat wave rolls into town right along with him. As strange accidents start to occur, riled by the feverish heat, some in the town start to believe that Sal is exactly who he claims to be. While the Bliss family wrestle with their own personal demons, a fanatic drives the town to the brink of a catastrophe that will change this sleepy Ohio backwater forever.
Doesn't this book sound so good?! I'm definitely intrigued myself. But, without further ado, here's the author interview:
ANNA: Hello Tiffany! Welcome to annaish. Can you give a short introduction on yourself?
TIFFANY: I'm an Ohio poet and novelist who loves to garden and spend time with all the animals in my life. The Summer that Melted Everything is my first published novel.
A: What inspired you to write The Summer that Melted Everything?
T: The novel started first as a title. It was one of those hot Ohio summers that I felt like I was melting. Out of true heat, the title was born. I always say what inspires me are the characters. They inspire me to write their truths to the best of my ability.
A: I love the cover for The Summer that Melted Everything! What's the backstory behind the colorful cover?
T: I’m so happy you like the cover. As a debut author, I don’t have cover approval. The cover is created by the publisher and design team. I did think that the US hardcover cover was a little too bright for the story itself. But I think the US paperback cover, which released July 3rd, with the silhouette of the running boys, gives the story some fresh legs.
A: Can you describe your writing process?
T: I don’t outline or plan the story ahead of time. I think a lot of creative energy is put into outlining, energy that would be better put into the actual writing of the story. For me, the story evolves with each new word and page that I write. I think if you plan a story too much, it can domesticate the story and I like to preserve the story’s wild soul. This is just my process though, and some authors find it beneficial to outline and plan ahead. That’s what makes writing so great. It’s a process unique to everyone.
A: As a child, what books or authors influenced you to write?
T: I’ve been writing since I was a kid. There was an innate desire to write down what was in my head. I’d write poetry, short stories, and make little books out of notebook paper and cardboard. I’ve always written more than I’ve read. Toward the end of my 20s, when I came across who I consider to be my favorite authors today, I already had a few novels written. I can’t say that they influenced me to write, but some of my favorite authors thus far are Ray Bradbury, Shirley Jackson, Agatha Christie, and the poet James Wright, who is a poet from my land of Ohio.
A: Lastly, do you have any current writing projects?
T: I do. I have eight completed novels. I should say that while The Summer that Melted Everything is my first published novel, it’s actually my fifth or sixth novel written. I wrote my first novel when I was eighteen, and wouldn’t get a publishing contract until I was twenty-nine for The Summer that Melted Everything. It was a long eleven-year journey to publication, full of rejection and perseverance. My writing is dark, and I was often told I was risky to publish, which is something I think female writers often encounter in contrast to their male counterparts. The novel I’m hoping to follow The Summer that Melted Everything up with is The Chaos We’ve Come From. It’s inspired by my mother’s coming-of-age in southern Ohio from the 1950s to the death of her father in the early 1970s. It feels like a good time to return to this story and to these characters.
Amazing answers, Tiffany! Thank you for sharing. Congrats on The Summer That Melted Everything paperback release and best of luck with your other stories! Now, who's ready for a giveaway?
ANNA: Hello Tiffany! Welcome to annaish. Can you give a short introduction on yourself?
TIFFANY: I'm an Ohio poet and novelist who loves to garden and spend time with all the animals in my life. The Summer that Melted Everything is my first published novel.
A: What inspired you to write The Summer that Melted Everything?
T: The novel started first as a title. It was one of those hot Ohio summers that I felt like I was melting. Out of true heat, the title was born. I always say what inspires me are the characters. They inspire me to write their truths to the best of my ability.
A: I love the cover for The Summer that Melted Everything! What's the backstory behind the colorful cover?
T: I’m so happy you like the cover. As a debut author, I don’t have cover approval. The cover is created by the publisher and design team. I did think that the US hardcover cover was a little too bright for the story itself. But I think the US paperback cover, which released July 3rd, with the silhouette of the running boys, gives the story some fresh legs.
A: Can you describe your writing process?
T: I don’t outline or plan the story ahead of time. I think a lot of creative energy is put into outlining, energy that would be better put into the actual writing of the story. For me, the story evolves with each new word and page that I write. I think if you plan a story too much, it can domesticate the story and I like to preserve the story’s wild soul. This is just my process though, and some authors find it beneficial to outline and plan ahead. That’s what makes writing so great. It’s a process unique to everyone.
A: As a child, what books or authors influenced you to write?
T: I’ve been writing since I was a kid. There was an innate desire to write down what was in my head. I’d write poetry, short stories, and make little books out of notebook paper and cardboard. I’ve always written more than I’ve read. Toward the end of my 20s, when I came across who I consider to be my favorite authors today, I already had a few novels written. I can’t say that they influenced me to write, but some of my favorite authors thus far are Ray Bradbury, Shirley Jackson, Agatha Christie, and the poet James Wright, who is a poet from my land of Ohio.
A: Lastly, do you have any current writing projects?
T: I do. I have eight completed novels. I should say that while The Summer that Melted Everything is my first published novel, it’s actually my fifth or sixth novel written. I wrote my first novel when I was eighteen, and wouldn’t get a publishing contract until I was twenty-nine for The Summer that Melted Everything. It was a long eleven-year journey to publication, full of rejection and perseverance. My writing is dark, and I was often told I was risky to publish, which is something I think female writers often encounter in contrast to their male counterparts. The novel I’m hoping to follow The Summer that Melted Everything up with is The Chaos We’ve Come From. It’s inspired by my mother’s coming-of-age in southern Ohio from the 1950s to the death of her father in the early 1970s. It feels like a good time to return to this story and to these characters.
Amazing answers, Tiffany! Thank you for sharing. Congrats on The Summer That Melted Everything paperback release and best of luck with your other stories! Now, who's ready for a giveaway?
GUIDELINES: To win a signed and dated paperback copy of The Summer That Melted Everything, you must + be a US resident (apologies to my international readers). + Applicants under 18 must have permission from a parent. + To enter, you must click "free entry" and then click "okay". Following me on Twitter and tweeting the giveaway are extra entries. + The giveaway starts July 18th at 12:00AM CST and will end July 25th at 12:00AM CST. + Rafflecopter (the giveaway site) will randomly choose a winner. The winner will be contacted and must respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be chosen.
Anddd I think that's everything! If I missed anything, ask me in the comments!
Have fun with the giveaway bookaholics! And enjoy your Tuesday. <3 Shoutout (again) to Tiffany for sharing 'The Summer That Melted Everything' with me.
Ahh, this book sounds super interesting! I'm definitely adding it to my tbr. Loved the Q&A Anna, and thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletexx a || not gary cooper
I know right?! Thank you! <3
DeleteFabulous interview, Anna! <3 I've actually recently heard about this book but more I am intrigued to get my hands on it. :) I really love Tiffany's titles!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!
xx Mackenzie
Yayyy! Thank you :D
DeleteYou too!
This sounds so cool!
ReplyDeleteNabila | Hot Town Cool Girl
:D
DeleteOooh, an author interview! That's such an exciting opportunity, Anna! I always think it is so sad that authors don't get cover approval, but congrats to Tiffany for her first published novel! It sounds like such a long and difficult process, and I'm impressed. I really like what she said about writing processes, about putting energy into writing instead of planning. That's a fantastic philosophy. Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! I was thrilled. I agree!
Delete