I'm ecstatic to have Lisa Shafer, author of Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire, on the blog today!
Lurking in the nuclei of a few rare human cells is an as-yet unstudied gene. It is a gene that makes the inheritor crave mammal blood and faint in bright sunlight. It is a gene that prevents the bearer from appearing normally in digital or mirror images.
It’s a gene that makes life heck if you’re in junior high and trying to fit in.
Eric Wright is a half-vampire with a problem. Several problems, actually. He can’t tell bloodlust from his rollercoaster adolescent hormones. The cutest girl in first period English wants him to become a vegetarian. And the assistant principal suspends him when he refuses to explain why his skin appears translucent in a school security video.
Then Eric’s non-vampire mom, who’s definitely not telling everything she knows, takes him with her on a business trip. To Scotland, where it never stays sunny for very long. The perfect hang out for a vampire. Or several. If only Eric can find one to talk to before he makes any more stupid mistakes....
Where did the idea for Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire come from?
I was teaching a lesson on reflexive pronouns (just like the teacher does in the book), and I teased a boy named Eric about how he might not show up in a mirror if he were a vampire. He had an odd sunburn due to his being a golfer and wearing just one glove, so I suggested he might be a half-vampire -- and the class LOVED it. We worked up the most basic ideas of the book right there in class. (That was 2003, so the book has changed a great deal since then.)
Who's your favourite character from the book?
Eric, of course. But I love Joseph and Patrick as well. I loathe Becca, but she's supposed to be completely loathsome.
What book do you wish you had written?
Dracula! Or Lord of the Rings.
Harry Potter or Twilight?
I am a super Harry Potter fan. I've read and re-read the books. I have read all four Twilight books, but and I find the story to be an okay beach-read.
Describe your book in ten words.
A half-vampire searches for help and finds it within himself.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Stop trying to write the best seller or prize winner; just write what you love and enjoy your creativity. Self-publishing's not for everyone, but once I stopped trying to please agents and publishers and went with self-publishing, I really started to enjoy writing even more. I love doing my own thing!
Thus, to new writers, I'd say, "If you're so busy trying to please everyone that you're no longer having fun, you're killing your own creativity."
A signed copy of Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire
A "Just Another Average Half-Vampire" T-Shirt (Sizes: S/M/L/XL)
Some awesome bookmarks!
This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL! So, no matter what corner of the earth you live on, you can enter!
NOTE: This book is NOT a vampire romance, it is a humour!
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
Sam :)
I haven't heard of the book before, I must admit, but I've always preferred vampire books with a twist, books that show a slightly different take on vampires, and a half-vampire, living between two worlds, certainly qualifies for that. So, I'd definitely like to read this novel!
ReplyDeleteHadn't heard of this book before, but it sounds interesting. Eric can't tell his bloodlust from his hormones. Sounds pretty amusing to me. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI've been following Lisa for a while, so it was good to find out more about her. Nice interview, and I love her advice to writers!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to read this book because I want to get back into vampire literature. When Twilight came out, there was a boom in vampire books, but I don't feel like there are that many around anymore and I'd love to get back into it!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire. The excerpt had me cracking up. I can imagine the rest of the book will be just as humorous.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this before but the synopsis makes it sounds pretty funny, and definitely a different take on your average vampire story.
ReplyDeleteThis book is new to me but the concept sounds cute. Thanks for sharing it
ReplyDeleteI like vampire stories and when it deals with a half-vampire things can get interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt's just because I Love Vampire... Bones from Jeniene Frost book is My fave Vampire.. xD
ReplyDeleteThank's so Much for this Great Giveaway... I love the T-Shirt.. :D
Its sounds really good plus its about vampire.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read this book, it sounds super interesting! (:
ReplyDeleteI really want to read it. It is about vampireas and I love them and it it a story about vampire in school! This is so cool))) I think it will be so much fun!
ReplyDeleteYes!! :) It sounds so interesting and I love vampire stories :)
ReplyDeletePauliina Oksanen
It sounds really cool. So yes!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very original vampire book! I already like the main character, and his life seems interesting and looks like there are lots of secrets!
ReplyDeleteOf course I'd love to read it, thanks so much:)
I've never heard of this one before and it sounds different and also looks like a fun read with summer coming up.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to win this because I love reading. Duhh! :P
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an interesting book, something different from the standard romantic vampire fantasy books (that are, the Twilight series) but I've read your review and it sounds really good, but slightly different from that cliched genre!
~Hannah xx
I read the excerpt and I really want to read this book. It sounds different from the usual vampire stories which makes me want to read it even more.
ReplyDeletei'd love to read Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire because i love vampire stories and this book is awesome
ReplyDeleteThis actually sounds like a fun vampire read. I would like to see if it actually is.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway! I think that this would be a great vampire read. It sounds different from others in the genre - something fresh is always good!
ReplyDeleteWell yes. It sounds really good! And I LOVE vampire books - They were generally what made me interested in reading(I read before off course. Just not that much, with such a big interest in it). Thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteyes, i like stories that involve vampires. even half vampires. ;) Eric sounds interesting. Lookin forward to reading what he did in Scotland :)) Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeletealdelei89 @ deLai~Lah
I have to write a college essay on that gene! I found it all very fasinating, but felt bad for those who had the gene. :( Anyway i think i would enjoy this book!
ReplyDeleteI admit that I am not really into vampire stories but I like the story line in this one. Like it looks normal than other vampire stories.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a fun story. The idea of a half-Vampire in High School trying to work out all those things at once is just very appealing. The shirt looks excellent too. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI do want to read it. Interesting idea behind it!
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely love to read your book and win this giveaway. I love anything to do with vampires. Thanks Gale
ReplyDeletepgan427@yahoo.com
This books sounds very interesting! Love the idea! Totally on my tbr pile!
ReplyDeleteOf course I want to read it. It sounds like an interesting story, a differnt take on the norm.
ReplyDeleteFor once, I luved how the idea for the book come out to the author, and the the choice of names, yes, I pay attention to that and loved them 2, and she even has a character that she loathes and created to be like that - not only I love that, but I did that in the book I've been writing ^^
ReplyDeleteAnd Lisa is an HP fan, and would like to have written Dracula, well... if these are no reasons enough to deadly wish this book, lol, the story seems captivating, poor Eric! And I luved it also that it is something in the genes. fawesome! Me wants it! Me needs it! Me wants a T-shirt if I don't get to win the book, no problem, for I certainly would buy it then -v v-
xoxo
Ana
Heck yes, I want to read this book. It sounds awesome. I love the idea that it's a normal teenager going through school thing with a twist.And I love how she came up with the idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the amazing giveaway ! I really want to read this book because im still freakingly obsessed with vampires lol :P
ReplyDeleteYes, I want to read this book, because it's been a while since I've read a vampire book.
ReplyDeleteHadn't heard of this book before, but it sounds really interesting, I love anything to do with vampires!
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway
Definitely!
ReplyDeleteVampires (not all mind you) are my thing.
Haven't read a good one in a while so hopefully I can read this one.
Thanks.
I do because I have had quite a few bad experiences with vamp books. I'm hoping this one will change my veiw of them.
ReplyDeleteI love vampire books:)) lol :)
ReplyDelete-JennyC
Yes, it sounds really good! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteYes very much so! The Half Vampire thing grabbed me! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDelete<3
Yes! It's cool that the idea of the book originated from a classroom.
ReplyDeleteAnd it's funny, because I own all four Twilight books, too, but I love Harry Potter :) (Twilight is okay...)
Hi
ReplyDeleteBecause from the blurb it sounds like a very interesting read. And I'm always looking for new vamp reads too.
Thanks for the chance!
Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire sounds like a fun read, & I'd like to check it out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the amazing giveaway!
Elizabeth
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
Yes I really want to read it because I am really into vimpire books right now :D
ReplyDeleteamymccarty at hotmail dot com
Yes, I'd love to read it because it sounds fun
ReplyDeleteYes because I love a good vampire story.
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by the cover and want to read it. I love vampire stories.
ReplyDeleteI want to read Confessions of an Average Half-Vampire because....well....who can resist an vampire book? ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the international giveaway!!
Rafflecopter name - Rosemarie D
It sounds different from all the vampire books I've read so far. Thank you for bringing it to my attention and for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteKristia Miltiadou
off course i want read this book coz i love a vampir story,,
ReplyDeletethanks for making this international giveaway..
icha09@gmail.com
Yes, I want to read this book! It sounds so original and fun- something different than the other vampires books. Thanks for this giveaway and I would love to win!
ReplyDeletei really2 want to read because i love vampire romance so much !!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, It's got me hooked already.
ReplyDeleteyes! sounds interesting..
ReplyDeleteYes! Vampires <3 need i say more? ;)
ReplyDeletedefinitely yes, i love reading vampire story : an immortal, strong and protective creature :)
ReplyDeleteeli_y83@yahoo.com
I would love to win this book to read. I love a good vampire story! susand1408 at googlemail dot com
ReplyDeleteyes i'd love to read it! i love reading pretty much anything that includes vampires : )
ReplyDeleteI am very curious about this book so I would definitely like to read it. There are so many different types of vampire books out there. I love some of them and others are not my taste. I like that this one is not a romance. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
~Jess
http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/
I've never read books with vampires, and this book would be a great start :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book! I love vampires, so it's a must-read for me!
ReplyDeleteOh...so exciting. I'm going to download this book tonight so no need to put me in the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteYes, because I read it once in 8th grade and I wouldn't mind seeing it in all its published glory :)
ReplyDeleteOh, fine. And now I get to sit and wonder which former student typed this!
DeleteBah! I didn't mean to do this anonymously, silly me. And now I'm too late! :P
DeleteThis is Annie :)
Well, it's a book on teenage male half-vampire, with humour! It sounds pretty interesting, and different from the other vampire novels.
ReplyDeleteI like vampire books plus it sounds interesting :D
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard about this book, but the excerpt was so humorous, that I can't wait to read it :)
ReplyDeleteThis giveaway looks so cool!
ReplyDeleteYes to self-publishing! And I will read your book as soon as my own comes out in e-format. I'd love to win anything. The t-shirt is especially cool.
ReplyDeleteVamp-tastic! :D Can't wait to read it. Cool swag, too. (bow)
ReplyDeleteThanks to the author and to you, Sam! :)