Interview with Reader K8

Hi! My name is Kate, spelled K8. I am the assistant to SR Johannes (Untraceable) and marketing associate for BiblioCrunch. I am also former assistant to Heather Brewer (Vladimir Tod) and do freelance work as well. I am a college student attending a military college as a civilian in hopes of pursuing a career in the literary world permanently.

Deirdra: What are your favorite kind of books to read and why?

K8: I enjoy books that take me out of the world I live in. I read to escape from reality and go on wonderful adventures we cannot yet take. This means I tend to lean towards fiction -  paranormal, syfy, supernatural, fantasy. I grew up loving super heroes and still do today. Occasionally I’ll read contemporary fiction if it is catching but the realm of true fiction is where you will often find me.

Deirdra: How many books on average would you say you read a year?

K8: Not enough! I keep a list of all the books I read and have noticed as school and work grew in difficulty my reading has slowed down. So I have made it my mission this year to increase my reading (and that’s why I have started to review on my blog).

Deirdra: What is the most recent book you read? Can you tell us a little about it?

K8:  One of the last book I read was Crossed by Ally Condie. Absolutely fantastic! Check out my review to find out why - http://froze8.blogspot.com/2012/07/crossed-by-ally-condie-review.html I also have recently finished and reviewed Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer, another of my absolute favorites. http://froze8.blogspot.com/2012/08/bloodrose-by-andrea-cremer-review.html

Deirdra: How do you feel about e-books?

K8: I absolutely love e-books! BUT I also love paper copies. I firmly believe both e-books and traditional books have their good sides and bad, just like traditional publication and self-publishing. E-books are great for traveling, storing, and are easy for authors to send to reviewers. Paper books look great on the shelf, can be personally signed by the author, and offer the reading experience. I am very thankful to be alive in an age where e-books are growing but traditional books are still valued. It is a blessing.

Deirdra: If you could give a message to authors what would it be?

K8: Authors save lives. My freshman paper in college was all about the important of young adult literature and how it has changed my life for the better. http://froze8.blogspot.com/2012/01/importance-of-ya-literature.html

Deirdra:  What authors do you admire, and why?
K8: I have many authors that I love but I do have a list of authors who have personally impacted my life. On this list you will find Heather Brewer, Andrea Cremer, Marie Lu, S.R. Johannes, Nancy Holder, Jessica Spotswood, and that is only a few. I have been very blessed in my life to have met these authors and grown to know them more as people and not just as the author.

Deirdra: Have you ever thought about writing a book?

K8: Only in passing. I have met many authors and heard so many great stories about writing…but becoming a published author is a job and requires a lot of work. My passion has always been with books, but in reading the stories and promoting authors rather than becoming an author myself. But who knows, maybe these author friends of mine will convince me finally sit down and write J. (And I won’t lie, it IS on my bucket list, just in case.)

Deirdra: What other talents and hobbies to you have?

K8: I grew up as an artsy girl and with my love of reading came my first job as NYT’s best-selling author Heather Brewer’s personal assistant. Since the start of my career I have grown in my marketing skills and now you could call me a marketing associate, community manager, or personal assistant. Basically I work to promote authors and other literary community. (But beyond that I do have a fondness for movie/tv watching, aquarium visits, and eating frozen yogurt.)

Deirdra:  What are your goals for the next three years?
K8: I hope that in the next three years I will have my college degree and either be going of to Korea or Japan to work or be moving into a publishing company as a full-time employee. My dream is to work for Penguin or one of its imprints.

Deirdra: Where is your favorite place to read?

K8: Curled up in my bed with lots of blankets and pillows. But I can and do read everywhere (including loud places, I have mastered the skill of tuning out noise ;) ).

Deirdra: What books have made you cry?

K8: Lucas by Kevin Brooks is one novel that I remember for making me cry, it actually may have been the first. Still to this day I remember when I finished the book (and it has been over five years now).

Deirdra: What books have made you laugh?

K8: Recently Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer has made me laugh quite often. The story in itself is not meant to be a funny one but because I grew to know the characters so well I did end up laughing quite a bit J.

Deirdra: What kind of books are you looking to read next? What is on your reading list?

K8: I am very excited to be reading a chunk of fantasy novels for review. Currently I am reading Seeds of Discovery by Breeana Puttroff (and will be reading the next book in her series Roots of Insight for the blog tour this month). I am also very excited to read The Sounds & The Echoes by Dew Pellucid and The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.

Deirdra: Is there any other message you would like to give the literary community?

K8: The literary community is absolutely incredible. I have never found such a giving and loving community. Granted there are many other lovely communities…but for me the literary community has and always will be home. Never forget how blessed we all are to be a part of something so amazing.



K8 is also helping authors promote their books through a birthday bash!!!!

For more information please visit http://froze8.blogspot.com/p/author-birthday-bash.html