The Story is About   +  novel

Author Interview: Kay Cassidy

Kay Cassidy

Books:

  • The Cinderella Society


Website/Blog

See my review of The Cinderella Society



What a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn't want to wear it anymore?

Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider. So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it's like something out of a fairy tale. Swept up by the Cindys' magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she's finally found her chance to fit in.

Then the Wickeds--led by Jess's arch-enemy--begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there's more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside. She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.

Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her. Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn't want to be seen with her in public? And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters?


Book Teaser:

I opened the card, my hands trembling in dread and the faint remnants of what I used to call hope, as a tiny silver high-heel pin bounced into my hand.

I juggled the pin for a second, barely managing to keep it from falling, and flipped open the note with my other hand. The words inside were not a message but an invitation that sent shivers down my spine:

Your presence is requested at The Grind.
Tonight, 7 p.m.
Wear the pin.
Discretion MANDATORY.


Your debut novel The Cinderella Society recently hit shelves on April 13th. Was getting your first novel published how you imagined it would be?

Honestly? It was nothing like what I thought! LOL I knew going in that this was a business and that, as a business, there was more to having a writing career than just writing. But I really didn't understand the scope of all the other duties and responsibilities and requests that would be presented. One of the biggest learning curves for me over the last year and a half since selling was figuring out how to balance my time. Writing has to be the priority, but it's easy to let other things take up the majority of your time.

What are you hoping that teens will learn from The Cinderella Society?

The Cinderella Society is about an outsider who gets tapped to join a secret society of good populars dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. It's about girl empowerment: getting comfortable in your own skin and being true to who you are. It also deals with the effects of girl bullies and what unconditional friendship really means. If it helps teens realize that who they are is perfectly okay—regardless of what the media or other people might say—that's a huge win.

You're the mastermind behind The Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTM and Living Your FiveTM, where does your passion for these two issues stem from?

Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTM reading program for kids and teens just celebrated its one-year anniversary in April, so it's been an exciting spring for the Hunt! I created the program because I wanted to give back—to librarians who work so hard to engage kids in reading and to kids and teens who are bombarded with 100 things they could be doing other than reading. I'm a big believer in paying it forward, and that's what the Hunt is for me. It's my way of giving back and encouraging kids and teens to become lifelong readers.

Living Your FiveTM was a way for me to share something I learned the hard way: that you need to stay focused on your true priorities even when life gets chaotic. By choosing the five ways you want to make a difference in the world—your Five—it's amazing how opportunities to do those things will magically present themselves to you. The opportunities were there before, but knowing that's what's important to you puts it on your radar and helps you hone in on the stuff that matters rather than getting bombarded by stuff that's doesn't (as often happens). Alyson Noel, Tera Lynn Childs and I blog about our progress on our Fives and we're always welcoming new Honorary Fivers who want to join us!

Describe your writing in three words.

Positive – Energizing – Humorous

Cindy on a Mission is the sequel to The Cinderella Society, can you tell us anything about it?!

Sure! Cindy on a Mission follows the further adventures of Jess and the Sisters as the Wickeds launch an offensive that threatens everything the Cindys hold dear. There will be more with Jess, Ryan, Lexy, Heather, Sarah Jane… and some new characters who will become key in Jess's life. (You might even learn the scoop about Jess's mom.) Cindy on a Mission will be on shelves in Spring 2011.


Thanks so much Kay for stopping by!

And as an extra special goodie for having Kay stop by, I'll also be hosting a giveaway for a miniature glass slipper!

Official Contest information:

  • to enter, please fill out the form below
  • entrants must be 13 years of age or older
  • contest deadline is June 1, 2010
  • contest open to residents of US & Canada
  • check out my Contest Policy/Privacy Policy