Blog Tour: Amy Reed Interview

1. Your covers are very bold and eye catching, yet, in a way, simple. What were your thoughts on seeing them for the first time? Were they what you had expected?

I loved both covers when I first saw them. My experience with the Beautiful cover was most dramatic because that’s the first time I saw the exciting concepts that both books share--the use of white negative space and the handwritten titles. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I think my biggest fear was that the covers wouldn’t stand out, that they wouldn’t be special. Luckily, my fears were totally unfounded. The covers are striking and haunting and they really embody the characters’ internal states. I love how the model on the cover of CLEAN is basically in a box, which is a perfect metaphor for addiction.

2. What is the biggest thing you hope readers of CLEAN take away with them?

A lot of things. I hope they might think a little about the consequences of certain actions and decisions, that some ideas that may seem exciting in the moment have long-term effects that look very different. For kids who maybe aren’t doing the kinds of things the characters in CLEAN are doing, I hope they find some compassion for the kids who are, some understanding of how deep down we’re all the same even though we have different experiences and different tools for dealing with them. Mostly--and I think this applies to anyone, no matter how much they do or don’t relate to the kids in CLEAN--I hope readers realize that we’re all capable of great change and transformation. There is always hope, no matter what.

3. If you could give teenagers one piece of advice, what would it be?

Follow your heart. Listen to that little voice inside that knows what’s right and wrong for you. Choose right even if no one else does. This is the most revolutionary kind of rebellion.

4. What is one place in the world you would love to travel to? What has been your favorite travel destination so far?

I want to go everywhere, the wilder the better! My perfect vacation would be a combination hiking, camping, kayaking adventure in the jungle and/or ocean, followed by a few days in a secluded cabin on a tropical beach with a couple scuba diving trips thrown in. So far, my favorite vacations have been a road trip through Baja, exploring the rainforest and Mayan ruins in Belize, and scuba diving the islands of Thailand.

5. What's next for you writing wise?

I just finished my third book with Simon Pulse, CRAZY, which will probably come out next summer. This is how my editor recently described it on Twitter: “A raw, unforgettable book about a boy falling in love…with a girl who’s falling over the edge.” It’s a love story told in letters written between the two main characters. I’m currently working on something new that I’m really excited about, but I’m afraid I have to keep it a secret for now ;)

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Thanks so much, Amy, for stopping by! Be sure to visit her website for more info, as well as the Clean tour page for links to the rest of the stops!