Interview: Shanice Williams, author of Kane Richards Must Die (debut) + Giveaway details

It's a privilege, and I am not joking when I say this, but Shanice is one of the nicest authors I've ever known. I mean talked to. She's fun and sweet, and her outgoing personality is infectious. I have a good feeling all of these good qualities will show on her book, Kane Richards Must Die, her debut novel scheduled to be released May 12th 2011.

Kane Richards Must Die
Paperback, 288 pages
Published by Lands Atlantic Publishing, LLC
PRE-ORDER: AMAZON

Want to know her some more? (And get the chance to win 1 of 10 copies of Kane Richards Must Die) Read on!

About Shanice:

Shanice Williams graduated from high school in England at the age of sixteen and went on to college where she is currently studying English literature, politics, and sociology. Playing the piano and writing are some of her hobbies. Her accomplishments have included penning a published poem and becoming a debut author when she signed her first publishing contract for Kane Richards Must Die on her eighteenth birthday. She currently resides in South London with her family.

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Can you tell us what Kane Richards Must Die is all about in 140 characters or less? (Twitter version)
Hmm... I so suck at these things :D, but I'd say it's about a teenager, Suranne, forced to move to a new country and experience a completely different lifestyle. But things and people in particular are not exactly what they seem. How will she survive?

Okay maybe that's a bit OTT... I tried :D haha

This is your debut work, how do you feel about being published?

You know, it's been over a year since I heard that Lands Atlantic had agreed to publish my book and I still don't think it has actually sunk in. I mean, it's getting all this attention and there's a give away competition being held on goodreads and I'm being asked for interviews and stuff like that and there's a part of me that's absolutely loving it, and is so excited for it's actual release, and then there's another side of me that's like... "OMG I can't believe this is happening!" *squee* *scream* /faint

And then there's like.. the more serious side of my life with college and exams... (Which I have tomorrow!.. Wish me luck :/) and y'know all the teenagey stuff that we all go through... so it's been a real roller-coaster for me.

Where did you get the inspiration to write the book? Are any of the characters based on anyone you know in real life?

It was summer here in London and I was bored 'cus all my friends were on holiday and I was like... great. What do I do now? I wonder what it would be like to have to go to America and have to experience their high school. Would I be seen as like.. a nerd? Or would I be seen as some new weird freak with an even weirder accent? Or would it push me to instant popularity, and, of course.. would I meet a guy?

Well, Suranne, my main character, answered all those questions for me in her own little.. characteristic way. I remember always thinking it weird when authors would be like.. "Well the story wrote itself" but for me.. It literally did. I never expected it to go in the direction that it went in. But I'm so happy it did. It's most definitely a story that I'm proud of.

The title of the book, Kane Richards Must Die, sounds a bit like a movie with a similar title. Can you tell us what makes Kane Richards different from any other YA novel?

Yeah, John Tucker. Thing is, I originally started posting my story online, (Wattpad) and so I knew I would need a name that would stand out. But at the same time, I didn't want people to think that my story would be predictable. So I was like... come up with a completely unique name and let it possibly be sitting there unread, or.. let it have some similarity with a film that most people are aware of, but let the chapter's themselves communicate it's uniqueness?

And I chose the latter. I suppose there are advantages and disadvantages with either decision. I mean, some will think the story is gonna be a typical teen romance with some hot stud playing hard to get with a predictable ending of kisses and cuddles. But I can honestly say, from the bottom of my heart. It's not that.

Did that kinda answer both questions? Sometimes I get carried away and yabber on for ages. :D

Give Five reasons why you think people should read Kane Richards Must Die:

1.) It will make you laugh. (I hope)
2.) It can make you cry. (I nearly did when I was writing some bits)
3.) It's unpredictable. (Don't let the name fool you.)
4.)It's realistic. (The good side of realism and the bad side.)
and
5.)..Er.. 'Cus I'll love you lots? :D Haha, I mean... I just want it to be enjoyed by everyone, so I hope I deliver.

Anything else you'd like to say to readers/fellow bloggers/authors?

If you're a reader and you wanna write? Do it. Use Wattpad to get opinions and readers and fans. They help so much, and I know my book wouldn't be anywhere without them.

If you're a blogger reading this, wishing you had authors to interview? You will. :) If your blog is recognised enough, you'll get Author's piling up on your email list, just wanting to get some recognition too! ;)

And if you're an author? Contact Kai, (I did) I think she's amazing, and she's working hard to promote stories like yours to fellow booklovers!

And, lastly. I love you all :) *waves*

THE FUN PART: Ohhh I like the funzies :D

Share 3 things that people don't usually know about you:

Hmm..
1.) I am currently working on a story that's soo weird! and so unique! and has romance in it... BUT!.. it's based on a true story ;) *blush*
2.) I play the piano. Random but true.
3.) I am so bored of college. Like seriously, get me outta here already! ¬_¬ (I'm not saying don't go to college guys. Do it. It's fun!) LOL :D

Jeans or skirt?

OMG Jeans. You will never catch me in a skirt. Ever.... Ever.

If there's only one kind of food you can eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Hmm.. Pasta... or Cheese... Oh you asked for 1 Haha... well... Pasta doesn't really mean anything without cheese. So I'll say cheese. Or... Spaghetti!... 'Cus that has pasta and cheese. Win (^_^)

What's the one book you'd read again and again?

The one book (Or series) of books I actually did read again and again was actually the Twilight saga. Before it got so much publicity and got movies released and stuff. I actually read all four books 12 times. I remember. *Megablush*

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Isn't she awesome? I've had loads of fun interviewing Shanice! And blushing too! Thank you so much for the kind words. :)

If you want to win one of 10 ARC copies of Kane Richards Must Die, click on the image below to enter!

Giveaway is until Mar 03, 2011!