Free Book Day: Amy Patrick’s CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing award-winning author and two-time Golden Heart Finalist Amy Patrick.

I’ve been hanging out with her in the 2014 Golden Heart finalists online forum since the nominations were announced in March and I also met her in person at the Romance Writers of America National Conference in July. She is so nice and so much fun!

And she’s also an amazing writer.

I just finished reading her new novel CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING and I loved, loved, loved it. It’s such a pleasure to interview Amy today. Here’s the book blurb:

22-year-old Heidi Haynes is almost one year into her “real life”. She has her first reporting job, her first apartment, and a comfortable relationship with her college sweetheart. But for some reason she’s not as eager to talk about walking down the aisle as he is.

 

Heidi secretly longs for big cities, big-market breaking news, and real independence from her way-too-close-by helicopter parents. Problem is, the last time she left the security of home for new places and new people, things didn’t go so well. Disastrously, in fact, and she came running back to a local college and a “safe” boyfriend.

 

Aric Serrano is definitely not safe.

 

He’s six-feet-four-inches of missing-Hemsworth-brother-hotness and plans to stay in small-market-Southern-Hell just long enough to grab a cup of coffee and put together a kick-ass “escape tape”. He’ll serve his one-year contract, then he’s taking off for a higher rung on the TV sports ladder—alone—the way he likes it. Then he meets his new co-anchor.

 

Heidi would be so much more comfortable if she could simply ignore Aric. He’s just her type—the type she’s so careful to avoid these days. But that becomes impossible when she’s forced to work closely with him on the weekend newscast. Now the attraction between them is growing even faster than the ratings, and what happens behind the scenes is the real news.

Amy’s giving away one ebook copy of CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING to a lucky commenter on today’s post. (Didn’t I tell you she was nice?!)

Let’s pick her brain about the novel and writing in general.

Hi Amy, welcome to the blog. How long have you been writing?

I started trying to write a novel during my first year out of college, but stalled out a few chapters into it. I had no idea how to write a novel! Unfortunately, I took only Journalism courses and NO creative writing in school. I know—what was I thinking, right? I guess I just never thought a fiction writer was something I could be. But the writing bug wouldn’t leave me alone. I started several more novels over the years. Finally, after leaving my full-time TV news career, I started learning the craft of novel-writing. I finished my first novel in 2010 and started pursuing publication then. I started writing on a more-or-less full-time basis about a year ago.
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Is CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING your first book?

CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING was actually my 3^rd book, though it’s the first to be published. The first one I wrote was a Young Adult fantasy (with lots of romance). It was a finalist for the RWA Golden Heart award in 2013. My Young Adult murder mystery (with lots of romance) FOUR BULLETS, is now out on submission to publishers. It was a Golden Heart finalist this year! Since finishing CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING, I’ve also written two more books in the 20 SOMETHING series. Book 2, STILL YOURS, is Mara’s story and takes place in Providence and Newport, Rhode Island. Book 3, Kenley’s story, STILL ME, takes place in Atlanta where Kenley lands a job at the network.

When do you like to write, and where do you write?

I wish I was one of those super-focused people who can write anywhere anytime, but I’m the world’s worst multi-tasker. I can edit at home, but for first drafts, I banish myself to the library. There’s a particular chair in a particular corner—in the far back, facing a boring wall. No internet access. No temptation. I sit down and the words flow. They know they’re supposed to turn on when I get to my hidey-hole.

What made you decide to write New Adult romance?

I think it’s a fantastic time period in life to write about because SO MUCH happens during the years you’re 18-26, and the decisions you make during that time can determine the entire direction of your life (yeah, no pressure there). There’s probably no other time of life that holds more possibility or more romance than those years. My own life during that time was an exciting, crazy, wonderful mess. I did so many stupid things, but also many amazing things, and I’m sure a lot of people can say the same.

What’s one crazy fact about you that most people who meet you probably wouldn’t guess was true?

I used to be a professional singer. I’ve sung in several bands and did background vocals on a smooth jazz album. I also sang the theme song for SAS Airlines years ago. “Welcome aboard… to the skies… of S-A-S… where you’ll find… happiness.”

I love that you did the theme song for Scandinavian Airlines. Now I’ll think of you every time I use them to fly back home to Sweden. And now for the most important questions:  Biggest celebrity crush?

As you may have guessed from the story blurb for CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING, I have a little thing for Chris Hemsworth. Liam’s up there on my list, too. And I have a huge crush on Tom Hiddleston, who plays Loki in the Marvel movies.

Mmmm, you can’t go wrong with the Hemsworth brothers. That would be my answer too. Thanks for hanging out with me today!

Thank you so much for having me here today. I’m thrilled to be a guest on your blog!

Blog readers, share your biggest celebrity crush below for a chance to win a copy of CHANNEL 20 SOMETHING. I’ll draw the lucky winner on Sunday (8/17) night at 6 pm PST.  If you don’t want to wait till then, here are some links to purchase your very own copy of the novel:

Amazon– http://amzn.to/1snJjgj
NOOK/Barnes and Noble— http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/channel-20-something-amy-patrick/1120060189?ean=2940149624430
Kobo— http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/channel-20-something-a-new-adult-romance
All Romance– https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-channel20somethinganewadultromance-1588177-149.html