Today is the release of Jennifer Bosworth's YA novel Struck. A post-apocalyptic novel set in Los Angeles after a massive earthquake devastates the city, and through in a teenage lighting addict you have an epic read. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy! Check out my interview with the author and please leave a nice comment for the author below :)
Can you tell me a little about yourself and how you got into writing.
I was born wanting to be a writer. I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to write books. I grew up in a small town in the desert of eastern Utah, and there really wasn’t much to do besides read. Luckily, that suited me just fine, since that was all I really wanted to do, that and make up stories. I remember a point, though, when I was close to graduating from high school and I was still determined to be a novelist. My parents started suggesting other, more practical careers with this look of worry in their eyes, like they thought they were going to end up with me living at home with them forever, typing away in the basement.
Can you tell us about your new YA release Struck?
Struck is a post-apocalyptic YA novel set in earthquake-ravaged Los Angeles. My protagonist is a seventeen-year-old girl named Mia Price, who is not only a human lightning rod, but also a lightning addict. Even though being struck by lightning does terrible things to Mia, while she’s actually connected to the energy in storms, she feels great. Unfortunately, Mia can’t control her addiction, so her family relocates to Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes. But soon after she arrives, a massive earthquake devastates the city. In the aftermath, two doomsday cults rise to power in L.A., one bent on destroying the world, and the other determined to save it. And both cults believe Mia is the key to their doomsday prophecies.
Where did you get the idea for Struck?
I’m about to pun you. The idea for Struck struck when I was reading about lightning phenomena. Being struck by lightning has unpredictable effects on people. Sometimes it kills, or maims, or rewires the body’s electrical system, but it has also healed people of diseases. And there really are human lightning rods out there. The man who held the world record for number of lightning strikes survived used to drive around with a bucket of water at all times in case he was struck and caught fire, and needed to put himself out. As far as inspiration goes, lightning has plenty to offer.
The cover of Struck is amazing. Who designed it and did you have much say in the designing process?
The cover designer’s name is Andrew Arnold. I didn’t need much say in the cover because he did such an amazing job. My agent and I made a few nitpicks, but that’s about it. I love the cover to death. Thanks, Andrew!!
Struck is the first book in a series. How many will be in the series?
Oh. Um. Er. It’s actually a standalone at this point, but I’d love to write a couple of sequels. My publisher has to buy off on the idea first, though, so if you read Struck and want more, write to FSG/Macmillan and let them know you’re not satisfied with one book. Demand that the Struckiverse go on!
Why should we read Struck in one sentence?
It’s like experiencing a blockbuster movie within the pages of a book.
Stalk Jennifer:
@jennbosworth
