Interview & Giveaway: Lee Nichols, author of Deception

Today I'm featuring an interview with Lee Nichols, author of several books! Her debut young adult novel, Deception: A Haunting Emma Novel, hits bookstores on June 8th. Lee's here to give us the scoop about her latest and, thanks to Lee's gracious publisher, there's a copy up for grabs as well!

You've previously published five adult novels. Why did you decide to write for the young adult audience?

When I started working on Deception, I thought it would be an adult novel, but I kept making the character younger and younger, until I realized I really wanted it to be a YA.

Was your experience writing Deception different in any way to the way you approach adult books?

Not really. It's still all about getting the characters, settings, scenes and emotions right. The characters are just younger.

Deception is a private school tale and a ghost story. Were there any personal experiences that inspired you to write such a book?

I did move from California to Massachusetts for college. So that experience Emma has (even though it's high school instead of college) is based on my own. And I wanted this eerie, cold New England setting, so I created Echo Point in Massachusetts. But in my mind, I was always describing Marblehead, where I was born. It's this gorgeous, perfect little New England village, with old houses that you can imagine ghosts living in.

What is your favorite thing about Deception?

Emma. I really like her.

In your opinion, what sets Deception apart from the multitudes of paranormal young adult novels?

I think I've imagined ghosts in a new way. Emma has a sense of humor, she's very snarky and funny. It's an unusual mix of the paranormal and real life.

List 3-5 characters in Deception and do word associations for them.

I've talked about Emma, so I'll do other characters.
Bennett -- enigma
Coby -- true
Natalie --wildcard
Harry -- joker
Sara -- vulnerable

Since Deception is the first in a trilogy, is there anything that you can tell us about the next two books?

In Betrayal, Emma really gets control of her powers and let's loose. She's really strong and tough. And in Possession, ghosts start possessing kids at her school.

Thanks so much for answering my questions Lee!

Thanks for having me. This was fun!

Be sure to visit Lee's site for more info on her, Deception and her other novels. And don't forget that it comes out June 8th!

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