Beachy Fun Interview with Author Stephanie J. Scott

Beachy Fun Interview with Author Stephanie J. Scott. Stephanie will join myself and Marsha Casper Cook on the podcast Thursday for a chat on Beach Reads at 4 pm EST, but you can catch the replay anytime here:
www.blogtalkradio.com/michiganavenuemedia/2022/06/09/beach-reads-new-show--it-all-about-love 

Tell us about your work

I write YA and adult romance and wrote a series of young adult books set during the summer because I love summer romances so much! I love writing stories where romance is a central focus, but friends and family are just as important.

What were some of your favorite YA beach reads as a teen?

During summers as a preteen and teenager, I looked forward to my public library's bookmobile which parked right around the corner from my house once a week. Back then, there weren't a ton of YA books. I picked through old Sweet Valley High paperbacks (I really did not like them, but there were tons of books in the series and I read fast). I picked through what the library offered and discovered LJ Smith who wrote The Vampire Diaries and Christopher Pike who did paranormal and thriller teen books. A lot of people my age moved up to adult fiction pretty quickly, so I would read a mix of things either my Mom was reading or recommended by friends. I am so glad young readers have more options now! And is probably why when I started writing, I kept creating teen girl characters and focused on writing their stories.

What are some of your favorite beach reads now?

Over the last decade,  I've become a big-time romance reader! I read a bit of historical, but I love a contemporary romcom in the summer. My June reading list includes the new Mia Sosa book The Wedding Crasher, Emily Henry's Beach Read, Set on You by debut author Amy Lea, plus a few LGBTQ romances including D'Vaughn & Kris Plan a Wedding. For YA, I'm planning to revisit The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han which is being made into a movie for Netflix releasing this month.

Favorite summer time activity?

I love going to my local farmer's market. I buy vegetables and fruit, flowers, and eat from the food trucks. Just being outside with people and buying local stuff makes me feel like I'm experiencing summer.

I got into binge watching the Outer Banks. Do you have any favorite teen summer shows (or a show that’s an equivalent of a beach read)?

Our household devoured Stranger Things 4 the weekend it came to Netflix. I love the mix of nostalgia with coming of age elements. We've watched those kids grow the past five years.

What’s next for you?

I released two YA books this year so far - Free Wheeling Summer, a roller derby secret dating romance, and All-Star Love a fake dating romance set at a tennis academy. New covers are coming for my summer series (!) and I'm working on contemporary romcoms for an adult audience. My romances are sweet and breezy so teen readers can read them too.

Fast round questions:

Ice cream trucks rolls up, so what are you ordering?

One of those strawberry shortcake popsicles

What’s a song from your teen years that reminds you of summer?

Probably anything from the Beastie Boys - who I was obsessed with - listening to them in the car and driving to the beach with friends.

Favorite place you spent time as a teen during summers?

Hanging out with friends and watching movies, taking walks, getting ice cream. Not having a set schedule besides babysitting.

Summer must have as a teen? 

Sun In! I wasn't allowed to dye my hair but I could buy that spray that lightened your hair in the sun.

What was something you associated with summer memories as a teen—both in music and clothes?

The 90s-tastic baby tees (smaller, fitted T-shirts) and mixtapes/ mix CDs

Where can we find you online?

On Instagram at @ stephscottYA and TikTok @ Stephaniejscottbooks

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

Find Stephanie's books here:

​amzn.to/3azCYOs