YALLFest author spotlight: Lisi Harrison

YALLFest is one of the only book festivals focused entirely on Young Adults. It's held in Charleston, South Carolina and this year it starts November 9th. The best part is, it's mostly free! The only thing that cost money are the ticketed events- the keynote conversation and the closing YA smackdown. All signings are free!

I really wanted to go this year! This year's lineup includes 50 young adult authors, including 25 New York Times Bestsellers. That's a pretty impressive lineup! Unfortunately, I don't have the money to go this year, but am definitely planning on going in the near future. If you love to read, live in the South Carolina area (I live in Florida and would DEFINITELY make the drive!)  I absolutely recommend going to this.

Lisi Harrison is a very successful YA author. She wrote The Clique series and the Monster High books for Mattel. 

Personally I read the first few clique series books when they first came out. I eventually outgrew them and didn't keep up with the ever-growing series but I did like them when I was in middle school. 

What one thing do you need to have when you write?

A scented candle. Each book has it’s own scent.

Describe your book in 5 words

Popular freshmen’s secret journals revealed.

What is the hardest line to write- the first or the last?

First. 100%

Best writing tip you ever received?

Stop writing in the middle of a chapter instead of the end. It will be easier to start up again the next day.

What one young adult novel do you wish you had when you were a teen? Why?

Stargirl.

Tell us 5 random facts about yourself.

I can’t run.

I have a tattoo with a type-o. It’s supposed to say, “creativity” but it says, “dry.”

In college I thought it would be cool to get a tattoo written in Chinese characters.

I was supposed to be on one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center. I changed my 

reservation at the last minute. Now every time I look at a clock it says 9:11.

I can’t stand being asked about my “favorites.” I don’t have favorites. If I did I’d forget what they are 

the minute you asked and would remember them the minute you leave. It’s maddening.

I prefer to give 6 random facts. 

Where's your favorite place to write?

My office.

What are you working on now?

Pretenders #2: License To Spill.

What is your favorite genre to write in? To Read?

What did I just tell you about “favorites?”

At what point in the development of an idea do you know that it will become a full-length novel?

When I can describe it in one sentence. And do it without cringing.

If I were you I'd definitely check her out at this years YALLFest!

To catch up on other authors in this series :

Cinda Williams Chima can be found here

Lauren Oliver can be found here

CJ Lyons can be found here

Sean Williams can be found here:

Rainbow Rowell can be found here

Ransom Riggs can be found here 

Veronica Rossi can be found here

Kami Garcia can be found here
Melissa de la Cruz can be found here
Shannon Hale can be found here


Now follow your bliss,
Ember Darling