Introducing 2011: Keri Mikulski

Keri Mikulski teaches writing and resides at the Jersey Shore with her family, where she plays a ton of pick-up basketball and worships Derek Jeter from afar. A three-sport athlete, Keri took enormous pride in her lucky game day scrunchies and half-top Nike Air Jordans.

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Keri's debut novel, HEAD GAMES, will be published by Razorbill/Penguin in January 2011!

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1. What was the inspiration for Head Games?

Everything pretty much inspires me – places, people, music, dreams, and even simple words or phrases.

However, specifically with Head Games, the story began with a ‘what if’ – ‘What if a super tall, super nice, and super talented freshman basketball player would only consider guys who were taller than her? What if she was ferocious on the court, but a total people pleaser off? Then I let my crazy imagination run wild, added embellished details from my own high school experiences, and ended with Taylor Thomas’s story.

2. Have you used any parts other than the setting of the first two Pretty Tough books for your part of the series?

Since it’s set a few years later than the first two series books (which were originally written by the fabulous Liz Tigelaar and published in 2007), Beachwood Academy and the general setting (Southern California) and one character, Martie are the same, but the entire cast of characters (besides Martie) and story lines are different. Also, instead of third person, the new books will be written in first person.

3. Which character do you relate to more- Taylor (the athlete) or Hannah (the fashionista)?

Definitely Taylor the athlete…fashion and I only go as far as handbags and even that is limited. The fashion part of the book was definitely the most difficult for me to write.

4. What plans do you have for future novels in the series?

So far Book 4 will follow the mean girl in HEAD GAMES, Kylie Collins. I’m in the process of revising her side of the story right now and having a blast. As far as the rest of the books, I have a couple of ideas I can’t wait to tackle.

5. Did you have to do any research on basketball or modeling before writing?

Yes.. A ton… Basketball wasn’t too tough since I played since I was seven. But I still relied heavily on a college coach and WNBA journalist to make sure every detail is correct. However, fashion was another story. I Ti-voed as many episodes as I could of America’s Next Top Model, read every Teen Vogue I could get my hands on, and researched fashion trends. Thank God for my fashion savy editors. J

Thanks for having me, Kelsey!! Happy Summer!

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Thanks so much, Keri!

Click here to visit her website.