Interview with Meredith Zeitlin, Author of "Sophomore Year is Greek to Me"

Sophomore Year is Greek to Me releases this month! 

What inspired Sophomore Year? I had a friend who mentioned that when she was a kid she used to live in Greece with her extended family for months at a time, during the school year. I thought that was such an interesting idea, to be IN school but not at YOUR school. Since the friend was Greek, I figured I’d make my my character Greek, too - especially because, with all the recent economic issues in that Greece in the last few years, there would be plenty for my character to discover and explore on her journey. I also wanted to continue writing the world I created for my first book (Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters) but through the eyes of a new main character. 

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I think of a mentor as someone you actually know who gives you advice, and I don't know anyone like that. But there are many, many writers that I admire. If I had to choose one, it would have to be Audrey Niffenegger. I think that The TIme-Traveler's Wife is the most beautifully, perfectly crafted novel I've ever read.
Oh - and JK Rowling. Because who has an imagination like that!?!?

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Actually doing it! I am the world's worst procrastinator, and I have to force myself sit down to write... I'm not successful that often. Once I get into a groove I can get a lot done, but there are just so many distractions everywhere. Not a very good example for other writers, I know!

While you were writing, do you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?

Absolutely! To research the book I went to Greece and traveled for three weeks - meeting people, exploring, visiting all kinds of places, taking notes... so Zona's journey reflects the experiences I had while I was there. It was so fun recreating my adventures to fit in with her storyline and the characters in her world.

What are you currently reading?

I'm usually reading a few books at a time. Yesterday I finished "Beautiful Garbage" by Jill Di Donato, which is a dark story set in the NYC art world of the 80s. Now I'm reading "Girl on a Train" by Paula Hawkins. Everyone keeps mentioning how great it is, so I finally gave in and bought a copy. Only about 40 pages in, but totally intrigued. And I've been reading "Pigeon in a Crosswalk" by Jack Gray before bed - it's a hilarious series of essays about his experiences moving to New York and working for Anderson Cooper. I'd recommend all three!

"SOPHOMORE YEAR IS GREEK TO ME" by Meredith Zeitlin - Book Trailer!!! from Meredith Zeitlin on Vimeo.

Promo for "Sophomore Year is Greek to Me" by Meredith Zeitlin

*Stay tuned, review and interview to come closer to the release date*

Meet Zona Lowell. She’s fifteen. She lives in New York City.
And just like that... her life is being turned upside-down.

 What would YOU do?

High school sophomore Zona Lowell has lived in NYC her whole life, happily hanging out with her two best friends and planning to follow in the footsteps of her renowned-journalist father, David. But when he announces they’re moving to Athens for the remainder of the school year so he can work on an important new story, she’s devastated— he must have an ulterior motive. See, when Zona’s mother married an American, her huge Greek family cut off contact. But Zona never knew her mom, and now she’s supposed to uproot her entire life and meet possibly hostile relatives on their turf? Thanks... but no thanks.

Author Meredith Zeitlin is ecstatic to announce the upcoming release of her second young adult novel, SOPHOMORE YEAR IS GREEK TO ME, a follow-up to 2012’s Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters. Coming April 2015 and published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, SOPHOMORE YEAR follows a girl on an adventure she doesn’t want to take... that ends up changing her life in ways she never imagined. You can watch the glorious book trailer for SOPHOMORE YEAR IS GREEK TO ME here: https://vimeo.com/118188167.

There’s also a shiny new website with oodles of info: www.mzwrites.com.

SOPHOMORE YEAR IS GREEK TO ME

Coming April 2014 from G.P. Putnam’s Sons

SOPHOMORE YEAR Links:

Book Website: http://www.mzwrites.com/

Book Trailer: https://vimeo.com/118188167

Amazon Listing: http://mzwrit.es/1789mlj

Barnes and Noble Listing: http://mzwrit.es/1BpHB0J

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MZeitlinAuthor

Twitter: @zeitlingeist