Blog Tour Interview & Giveaway: If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann

If It Makes You Happy
Claire Kann
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: June 4th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult

High school finally behind her, Winnie is all set to attend college in the fall. But first she’s spending her summer days working at her granny’s diner and begins spending her midnights with Dallas—the boy she loves to hate and hates that she likes. Winnie lives in Misty Haven, a small town where secrets are impossible to keep—like when Winnie allegedly snaps on Dr. Skinner, which results in everyone feeling compelled to give her weight loss advice for her own good. Because they care that’s she’s “too fat.”

Winnie dreams of someday inheriting the diner—but it’ll go away if they can’t make money, and fast. Winnie has a solution—win a televised cooking competition and make bank. But Granny doesn’t want her to enter—so Winnie has to find a way around her formidable grandmother. Can she come out on top?

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1. What was the last book you had a book hangover from?

It’s been awhile since I had one of those. I don’t remember!

2. Who are your insta-buy authors?

This is tricky to answer because I’m willing to read just about anything. I’ve very lucky because my local library has an excellent ebook and audiobook selection. Whatever I want to read is usually there, and if it’s not I request it. However, after borrowing them, I always end up buying physical copies of books by Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant, Holly Black, and Lily Anderson.

3. What is your favorite underappreciated novel?

Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson

4. If you could have any dream job, besides author, what would you do?

I’d be a singer. Don’t even have to think about—singer will always be my answer. It’s my greatest regret in life that I never learned how to sing.

I’d also like to make movies but I’m pretty sure I’m going to do that at some point. Stay tuned…

5. Was there anything edited out of If It Makes You Happy that you miss or wish you could have kept? And if yes, can you share?

Winnie and Dallas spent many-a-midnight together in the diner just hanging out and getting to know each other. I had to cut a lot of those scenes for pacing reasons.

6. What was your hardest scene to write?

7. Are your characters based on people you know or yourself?

I try not to base my characters on people I know because my friends read my books and I don’t want to make them uncomfortable. However. Winston in IIMYH is 200% based on an idealized version of my younger brother when he was that age. My brother wasn’t nearly as driven as Winston, but other than that, they’re the same. There are even things that Winston says in the book that I stole verbatim from my childhood.

8. Have you ever wanted to go on a cooking or any other kind of reality show?

Nope! Reality TV fascinates me but not in the way most people would think it does.

9. What's your favorite thing about interacting with your readers?

Meeting them in person! I’m very awkward online and social media sends my anxiety rocketing into the next stratosphere, so getting to spend time with readers IRL is very special to me.

Also getting emails from readers all over the world will never stop being amazing.

10. Can you talk about what you are working on next?

I’m currently trying to teach myself how to write short stories. If I’m satisfied with the way the final versions turn out, I post them to my Wattpad account.

On a more traditional front, I’m working on my next YA book with my publisher that will hopefully be released next year.

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Author Bio:

Claire Kann is the author of LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE and an award-winning online storyteller. In her other life, she works for a nonprofit that you may have heard of where she daydreams like she’s paid to do it. Find out more by visiting her website: www.clairekann.com (and while you’re there, tell her about your cats. She loves cats. A lot.)

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