Notice for Review Requests

I receive review requests weekly. However, my personal schedule is hectic and I no longer review actively. (I also manage another blog called The Toronto Cafe and Food Blog). I do read every request sent but I apologize in advance that I do not reply to them all.

If I do take on a request, I will forewarn that it may take some time before I can review it. I am now looking to review adult fiction and self-help books instead of young adult fiction because I have grown out of it. If you are to request a review for either adult fiction or self-help, I will more likely to give it a shot.

In the meantime, Stop, Drop, and Read! serves as an archive book review blog. When I have the time, I may post a review. Thank you for understanding.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Author Interview: Lori Culwell + 5 COPIES GIVEAWAY

Hey guys! Today I grace you with another author interview! This time, introducing the awesome Lori Culwell!

Lori wrote the ultra fabulous Hollywood Car Wash! And she graciously agreed to do an interview after I told her I became a new and happy fan on her blog! If you would like to learn more about the novel, check it out here: http://www.hollywoodcarwash.com/. Or communicate with Lori through her blog here: http://www.funnystrange.net/. SCROLL DOWN FOR GOODIES!

You are not a full-time fiction author. Can you please tell us what you do?

In "real life" I am a writer and creative director for websites. Actually, I have another book that also just came out, on that subject: Million Dollar Website (http://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Website-Compete-BusinessBudget/dp/0735204411/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241494281&sr=1-2).

What was it like to take up the project?

It was daunting, just in the amount of work necessary to make the story come together. I had to put myself on a schedule and stick to it!

What was the most difficult part of writing it? And what was the easiest part?

It's always easy to write funny scenes--- just like telling someone a good story at a dinner party. It's the putting them into a compelling story that's hard. So, definitely stringing the elements of the story together. And rewriting! Oh my gosh-- rewriting is really hard. You have to really push yourself.

With so many celebrities and TV references, did those require research or are you just naturally an entertainment addict?

My husband is in the entertainment industry and I grew up near Los Angeles, and we have a lot of friends who are on shows or involved with them. Not only do I read the magazines and go to the websites, but I also hear a lot of real-life crazy stories-- after awhile, these stories started to be so funny and bizarre that I had to put them into a book.

Are you going to continue writing fiction?

Absolutely! I really enjoy creating a story that can make people laugh, keep them company on a sick day, or help pass a plane flight. There's nothing better than getting lost in a book!

Do you have any current projects you are working on at the moment?

I have a Young Adult fiction project in the works, and a couple of other things. :)

Are there any ideas in mind for stories that you hope to become reality?

Well, I have one about a food-phobic newspaper intern that I did for National Novel Writing Month (http://www.nanowrimo.org) -- that's going to need a lot of editing, but there's a good concept in there!

Lastly, give us an interesting fact about yourself that not many people know of!

I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go. Sometimes when I'm driving in my car or out walking my dog, I have to stop and write a bunch of stuff down. Sometimes I feel like there's a river of words in my mind, and I have to catch them!

~~~

Now isn't Lori just fab? I am really eager to find out about her new YA novel! (She is all hush-hush about it). But I'm sure you are all waiting for this: She is donating five SIGNED (lucky ducks!) copies of Hollywood Car Wash and YOU can win one of them! (Yay, my first-ever contest! Be proud of me fellas!). And you can only win one copy! Sorry, gotta be fair!

Please do this all in a separate post (and I trust that you guys will not lie). And leave a link so I see that you are telling the truth for certain entries!:

1+ = comment in this post here
1+ = comment on my review of Hollywood Car Wash
2+ = if you are already a follower either through blog roll, Google Reader, or both (sorry, chances won't double if you do both but you will get lots of love!)
1+ = if you just became a follower either through blog roll, Google Reader, or both (sorry, chances won't double if you do both but you will get lots of love!)
1+ = post this contest on your blog or whatnot (sidebar is fine)

Contest ends on June 1, 2009! (May be extended) And I apologize, US mailing addresses only! International readers: Sorry, I know how ya feel! You will have your chance for other book giveaways soon, I promise!

post signature

61 comments:

ilonga said...

enter me!

ilonga said...

+1 for commenting in your review

ilonga said...

+2 for already being a follower

ilonga said...

+1 for linking in my sidebar:
http://ilonga-literaturajuvenil.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Enter me!
jfgirl@hughes.net

lorides said...

I need a new book , this looks great
harborlad@optonline.net

The Book Resort said...

My link...

http://thebookresort.blogspot.com/2009/05/stop-drop-and-read-to-win-contest-time.html

The Book Resort said...

I follow

The Book Resort said...

I made a comment! lol.

Emilie said...

I'd love to read this--thanks for the chance!

emvark at gmail dot com

(I tried to become a follower, but can't find where to do it...it's usually at the side somewhere and I don't see it!! :( !!!)

jemscout425 said...

love to add this to my summer reading list
pksanddancer@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Sounds great! :)

cstironkat said...

Please enter me in your giveaway. I would love to read something besides textbooks.

sue14625 said...

enter me please i enjoy new books and different genres

Shoshna said...

+ 1: for commenting here
+ 1: for commenting on review (https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=9063958180909209953&postID=7343112204217907755&page=1)
+ 2: Following on Google Reader

For a total of...
4 points.

It's an awesome book- one of my new favorites! :)

Erica said...

Great contest!!!


:) Erica
thebookcellar@wi.rr.com

Erica said...

I just become a follower +1

Erica said...

Also I put your contest in my sidebar!!
www.thebookcellarx.blogspot.com

scottsgal said...

please enter me!Sounds like a great book

msboatgal at aol.com

wdebo said...

Sounds like a great read please enter me!! (+1)

+1 Commented on review

2+ Already a follower

+1 Added to sidebar

http://www.theelectricalbookcafe.blogspot.com/

Wdebo :)

electricalbookcafe@yahoo.com

Valerie said...

looks good
KawaiiNeko2008 at aol dot com

A Reader said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

kathy55439 said...

Thank you for the Giveaway

Liviania said...

Congrats on your first contest!

I like that she carries a notebook around - I try to, but I'm too forgetful.

(I follow.)

susan said...

Enjoyed the interview.

susan said...

I read and commented to your review.

Sir Thrift-A-Lot said...

Consider me entered! I'd love the read. : )

Mishia said...

Enter me please!

Nicole D. said...

Please enter me! Thanks for the giveaway!

Gaby317 said...

I saw this on Book Divas,
please count me in!

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Gaby317 said...

I've just become a follower

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Gaby317 said...

I've posted a link to this contest on my blog's sideroll.

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/

Gaby317 said...

+1 I've commented on your review

thanks

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Heather S said...

Ooh I'd love to win!! Thanks

hmahan_0529 @yahoo dot com

D Q said...

Please add my name to the drawing.

Nicole said...

Please enter me. mybookviews[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Please enter me!

Marie said...

I would love to read this!

marielay@gmail.com

Sarah Z said...

First ever giveaway and its a great prize!
Thanks
Sarah
believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

wendy wallach said...

sounds interesting...

madamerkf at aol dot com

purplegengar said...

Thanx for the contest

Unknown said...

I would love a new book.

hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Unknown said...

new follower :)

hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Chioma said...

I would love to enter.

I am already a follower!!!

mshersheyskiss408@yahoo.com

Alicia said...

Sounds like a good read.

Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

Lady Roxi said...

Love to have this.

Thanks,

darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com

Ellie Wright said...

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me.
eswright18 at gmail dot com

L said...

enter me please!

lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com

L said...

I follow.

lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com

addicted reader said...

Enter me please!!!

+1 for commenting
+1 for commenting on your review
+2 for already being a follower
+1 for linking this to my sidebar at reviewabook123.blogspot.com!

Thanks!
--reviewabook123@yahoo.com

Jennifer said...

This sounds like a great book, thanks for the giveaway!

mattandjen[at]gmail.com

Pamela S said...

Sounds like a great book and thanks for the giveaway! (comment1)
pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

Pamela S said...

I enjoyed your review and congrats on your first giveaway!!!
pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

Ashley said...

Please enter me, thanks!
booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com

Ashley said...

+1 I became a follower!

Ashley said...

+1 I commented on your review.

Paradox said...

Enter me please!

I commented on the review.

And I'm already a follower.

paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Count me in.

towerofbooks(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I already follow you via Google Reader.

Anonymous said...

I linked this on my sidebar. ;)

Dominique said...

congrats for your first contest! :D

please count me in--this sounds like a good book! :)

oh, and I commented on your review as well!

thanks,
Dominique
bookvault(at)yahoo.com