Giveaway & Author Interview: Untethered by Katie Hayoz

Untethered
by Katie Hayoz
 
Genre: YA Paranormal
Number of pages: 350
Cover Artist: Nathalia Suellen
 

Our Interview with Katie Hayoz:
Welcome, Katie. We're thrilled to have you share a little bit about yourself today. Can we begin with where you're from, and from where/who did your love for writing come? 
KH: Although I live in Switzerland now, I’m originally from Wisconsin, USA. I’m not sure where my love of writing came from, but my love of reading came from my mom. Raising six kids must have been crazy, so for her, a book was a fabulous escape. I wanted to be the kind of person who could create that kind of escape for others.

PR: Can you say that your journey to publication was difficult? If so, what were the hardest moments to get through?
KH: I think for most writers the journey is difficult. I had no problem finding an agent who loved Untethered. However, 35 publishers all came back with the response that paranormal novels were “dead” and that while they enjoyed the book, they didn’t feel they could sell it. That was devastating. And even after it took 2nd
showed interest. So, I self-published. Being an indie author is both extremely rewarding and extremely difficult. I’m glad for the control I have, but it isn’t easy to make a name for myself among thousands of other authors.

PR: How do you overcome i-suck-at-this, that little voice in your head that tells you your writing 
isn’t good enough?
KH: I have an honest critiquing group. When something sucks, they tell me. But they also tell me when something is good, even if I sometimes having a hard time believing it. They’ve saved me from myself many times.

PR: What is your dream vacation?
KH: Oh, man, this is so lame, but my dream vacation would be one where I am in a fabulous chalet all by myself and I write a novel in a week. In the evenings I’d have popcorn and read. 

PR: Describe your writing style in five words.
KH: Complete and utter chaos. (Okay, that’s four words)

PR: What movies are you currently excited to see?
KH: In Switzerland, the Mortal Instruments just came out. I can’t wait to see that.

PR: What are you currently reading?
KH: As of writing this, Someone Different by Kate Hanney. I love it.

PR: If you weren’t a writer, what other careers would you pursue?
KH: My dream job would be to be a Flamenco dancer. 

PR: If you could create a holiday of your own, what would it be called?
KH: Everybody Clean Up Their Own Damn Mess Day. (Sorry, a mom thing.)

PR: For people who haven’t read your novel, how would you summarize the plot?
KH: Unofficial blurb: Sylvie thinks she knows what she wants and how to get it. But she gets a hell 
of a surprise.

PR: What are two of your pet-peeves?
KH: Wrong usage of apostrophes. The sound of a knife on a ceramic plate -- just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.

PR: What makes a good story?
KH: Honesty. I think it is evident when a story comes from the writer’s gut versus when it’s just something shot off without depth. 

PR: What usually turns you off about a story?
KH: I hate when misogynistic or overly controlling men are seen as heroes.

PR: If you could collaborate with any author, who would you choose, and why?
KH: Right now, I’d love to pick Laini Taylor’s brains. She’s got such a unique and bold take on the worlds she creates. I adore her bravery.

PR: What is on your night stand? 
KH: A clock. A Dictaphone. Red pen and small spiral notebook. Pack of Kleenex. Lots of dust.

PR: What is your favorite book?
KH: My all time favorite is The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.

Thank you so much for spending some time with us today, Katie. Good luck and great sales with Untethered.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 
Five ebook copies of Untethered by Katie Hayoz

One paperback Untethered by Katie Hayoz (US Shipping)

One pendant (US Shipping)

One charm (US Shipping)  

About the Book:
Sixteen-year-old Sylvie isn’t comfortable in her own skin.  In fact, there are times she can’t even manage to stay inside it.  But if there is one thing she’s sure of, it’s her love for Kevin Phillips. She’s willing to stake everything on it –her family, her friends, and possibly her soul.
Sylvie has been best friends with Cassie forever.  But everything is turned around when the boy Sylvie’s loved since fifth grade falls for Cassie. Devastated, Sylvie intends to get Kevin by any means possible, even if it involves treachery, deceit, and the dark side of astral projection. She is positive her plans will give her what she wants, but she doesn’t count on it all spiraling out of control.
Finalist in the Mslexia novel competition, Untethered by Katie Hayoz explores the intoxicating and dangerous world of jealousy and obsession when coupled with paranormal ability. It is a touching, sometimes funny, sometimes heart-breaking novel that speaks to the self-doubt lurking in us all. 

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About the Author:

Katie Hayoz was born in Racine, WI, the youngest of six kids. Originally, she wanted to become pope (for the awesome hat and fancy robes), but quickly realized reading was her true religion. Writing was always a hobby, but she decided to go at it seriously when she ended up in Geneva, Switzerland. Now she's constantly at her laptop in the small apartment she shares with her husband, two daughters, and two fuzzy cats. She devours YA novels like she does popcorn and black licorice: quickly and in large quantities.
 
Author Contacts:
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