Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit Tour - Debbie Rigaud
I'm super excited about this week's Girlfriend Cyber Circuit guest, Debbie Rigaud, for a couple of reasons.1) It's her first novel! Go Debbie!
2) It's a Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy, which I love (full disclosure here: Pulse is one of my publishers, but the pure fact is, I love rom coms and am eternally grateful that someone is publishing them). They also publish Jennifer Echols, one of my favorite authors and a recent Blogtober-guest.
Debbie's novel Perfect Shot was just released yesterday. Here's what it's about:
Perfect Shot
London Abram’s first love is volleyball, so why does she enter an online modeling competition? Answer: superhottie Brent St. John. London spots Brent signing in contestants at a store, and she gets in line simply to say hi. But she never dreams she’ll make it into the competition!
London’s now up against fourteen hungry fashionistas willing to do whatever it takes to win. All she wants to win is Brent’s heart…but the money prize couldn’t hurt. If London plays this right, she can win the contest, the boy, and the cash. GAME ON!
A few more notable facts about Perfect Shot:
• First book in the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies series to feature an African-American protagonist
• First book in the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies series to be written by an African-American
• Features a multicultural cast of characters in a contemporary setting
And now, my sometimes silly questions for Debbie:
1. If you could inhabit the life of any of your characters, enter their world and deal with it as that person, which one would you choose?
London, the main character in PERFECT SHOT. She approaches life with a courage and determination that I admire. These are traits that were largely shaped on the volleyball court. I believe that a lot of athletes are go-getters. Being sporty encourages London to act on her instincts and be unafraid of confrontation or competition. To me, that's very cool.
2. On the flip side, which of your characters would you most like to bring to life in our world (as a friend or a little bit more ;-) ?
London's best friend Pam. I would be a devotee of Pam?s style blog. Lord knows I could a personal stylist.
4. Let's say there's a TV show, movie, or recording artist that has a cult of you. Which is it? (i.e., what do you like that no one else you know likes)?
"Ghost Whisperer." That show gets on my nerves, yet I still watch it. I vowed to stop watching after Melinda's (Jennifer Love Hewitt) husband was killed off. The show truly jumped the shark at that point, yet there I remain in front of the tube when it comes on.
5. What's your earliest memory?
I was in a moving truck with my mother and godmother, traveling from our home in Brooklyn to our new house in East Orange, NJ. I was around two years old.
6. Do you have any phobias?
As far as a quirky phobia, I?d say it?s fear of falling. I took a crazy spill on sidewalk ice one winter and that freaked me out. At least my cousin, who was with me at the time, made sure I was okay before he started cracking up.
Author BioDebbie Rigaud began her writing career covering news and entertainment for magazines. She’s interviewed celebs, politicians, social figures and “real” girls. Her wide-ranging articles have appeared in YSB, Entertainment Weekly, Seventeen, The Source, Trace, Twist, Essence, J-14, Heart & Soul, Inside TV, CosmoGIRL!, and Vibe Vixen.
Her first work of YA fiction, a novella titled “Double Act,” was featured in the anthology HALLWAY DIARIES/Kimani Tru. PERFECT SHOT/Simon & Schuster, her first standalone book, was released December 1, 2009.
Debbie’s extensive experience with young readers has led her to staff editor positions at Seventeen and Twist and to freelance editing/writing work for seventeen.com, CosmoGIRL!, American Eagle Outfitters and publishing company Just Us Books. She’s written advice columns, inspiring real-life stories, entertainment reports and countless personality quizzes for this audience.
Beyond YA, Debbie recently became a finalist in Bermuda Dramatist Society’s annual playwright contest. “All in the Same Boat,” her short play, was selected by professional New York playwrights and produced on stage in Bermuda.
Debbie's Website
Debbie's Blog
Congrats again to Debbie on the release of her first novel!
2 Comments:
Posted by:
Debbie Rigaud at 12/07/2009 2:55 PM
Posted by:
Jeri at 12/08/2009 10:41 AM
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