Fresh New Voice of YA- Interview with Kay Cassidy

1) The Cinderella Society idea started because you saw that a high school had a sorority and went with that. Were you ever involved in a sorority, and if so, did any of your experiences go into the story? If you weren’t involved in a sorority, did you do any research to properly portray a sorority?

I was in a college sorority which was why the idea of a high school sorority intrigued me. I couldn't figure out how the college version would translate to the high school setting because so much of the experience—at least for me—was about figuring out who you wanted to become separate from your family. The Cinderella Society isn't based on my sorority or any other, but it's definitely a nod to the female empowerment aspects of Sisterhood that was my experience in college.


2) What are you working on now? Can you tell us anything about it?

Right now I'm working on the sequel to The Cinderella Society, titled Cindy on a Mission. It follows the further adventures of Jess and the Sisters as the Wickeds launch an offensive that threatens everything the Cindys hold dear. Cindy on a Mission will be on shelves in Spring 2011.


3) What's your favorite Jelly Belly jelly bean flavor?

Gosh, I haven't had Jelly Bellies in years! But I was always partial to the watermelon ones. Mmm.


4) What book(s) have you been reading, or are about to read?

I'm rereading Graceling right now which is a really big deal for me. I almost never reread books, even the ones on my keeper shelf. (Which begs the question, "Then why do you keep them, Kay?" This is because seeing them makes me happy. It just does.) :-) After that, I'm going to read Fire which I keep putting off because the length seems daunting to me. But I want to revisit the world Kristin so vividly created.


5) What was The Call like? Tell us all about it!!

For me, The Call came the day after an editor I had always hoped to work with passed on the book. She had been championing The Cinderella Society for two months in-house but it was finally passed over during acquisitions. I was so disappointed and, since that left only two houses who had it, I was certain it was never going to sell. If she couldn't buy it after trying for two months, what were the odds anyone would be able to? The very next morning, I got The Call from one of the two remaining houses. Three days later, the last remaining house offered as well. It was completely mind-boggling to me (in the most wonderful way)! :-)