Posted by Kristin under Fantasy, Young Adult

I’m so excited to have Lauren Oliver on the blog today! Lauren is the author of the YA novels Before I Fall, and Delirium. She’s also generously providing a signed copy of Delirium for giveaway to one lucky winner (please see giveaway details at the bottom of the post.)

It says in your bio that you grew up in a family of writers. Who in your family influenced you most as a child?

Everyone in my family was an influence! My mother, father, and older sister are all immensely intelligent, creative, thoughtful people. My sister and I used to make up long and epic games together, and at night she would tell me stories; my mother, too, was an incredible story-teller, and she narrated to us made-up adventures of a fictional girl named Rosemary and her magical stuffed animal horse, which transformed into a real horse every night. My father is a writer and used to read or recite poetry at the dinner table. The lines between real and imaginary life were never very clearly drawn for me, and I think that helped me develop a vibrant fantasy life.

After college, you worked as what you described as “the world’s worst editorial assistant”. It couldn’t have been that bad, could it?

I was pretty bad. I mean, I was a great reader and an avid and enthusiastic member of the editorial team. But the list of things I refused to do, or just did poorly—such as copying, mailing, note-taking, and filing—made me pretty unsuitable as an assistant. In the end, my boss actually promoted me so that he could get a new assistant!

Can you tell us a little bit more about your love of ketchup?

Did you know that Heinz tomato ketchup is the ONLY food in the world that contains all five flavors (salty; sweet; sour; bitter; umami) the tongue can detect? That makes it a perfect food! I’ve loved ketchup since I was a kid. My favorite food used to be pasta with ketchup. At this point in my life, I’ll eat ketchup on pretty much anything, including toast.


I’d love to hear more about Cupid Day at your high school!

Cupid Day at my high school is pretty much identical to the one described in Before I Fall, except that the Cupids delivered carnations and not roses. I remember it just being a really stressful holiday. Every time the cupids interrupted class, you’d just be praying and praying that they would call your name and hand over a flower.

What’s something that makes you laugh out loud?

My friends are always making me laugh out loud. We make it a goal to laugh as often and as loudly as possible. The Lonely Island videos usually make me laugh out loud, too.

What’s one of the most daring things you’ve ever done?

I launched my own literary development company, Paper Lantern Lit, in 2010, despite having no experience as a business owner.

Do you like to travel? If so, and you could go anywhere, where would you go?

I love to travel! I travel about seventy percent of the year. Right now, some of the places that are on top of the wish list are: Greece, Vietnam, and the Seychelles.

Is there any news of upcoming projects and events you’d like to share with us?

There’s a gorgeous special edition of DELIRIUM coming out this August, and it includes the first chapter of Pandemonium and an exclusive Q & A. My first middle-grade, Liesl & Po, comes out this October, as does the paperback of Before I Fall. So lots of stuff to look forward to!

Visit Lauren at her website
Lauren’s Blog
Read my review of Delirium





GIVEAWAY DETAILS
*Giveaway is for a *Signed* copy of Delirium to one winner!
*Please leave a comment with your email address to enter!
*Open INTERNATIONALLY
*Must be at least 13 yrs old to enter
*Giveaway Ends July 10th, 2011
 
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Written by Kristin

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121 Comments

Melissa (My World...in words and pages)

Another wonderful interview! :) And it would be so wild to grow up in a family so creative. Thank you for the interview and sharing with us. :)

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Birgit

Thanks so much for the lovely interview and the great chance to win a signed book *happy dance*!

danaan at gmx dot at

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Melissa (My World...in words and pages)

Oops, forgot my email sorry.

MyWorldinwordsandpages{at}gmail{dot}com

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stephlikesbooks

Delirium sounds amazing! :)
stephbarkerdrew(at)hotmail(dot)com
GFC: Stephanie

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Ana Lucia

thank for the giveaway, great interview. I've been dying to read this book for a while.

luarroyave(at)hotmail(dot)com

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SarahSparrow

Thanks for the giveaway! I'd love a chance to read this!

captainsarahsparrow at hotmail dot com

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Amanda from Novel Addiction

I've been wanting to read this book!! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

ohmorningglow AT aol DOT com

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Rusted

I loved Before I Fall and would love the chance to read Delirium. Thanks for making this international!

rusted ivory (at) hotmail (dot) com

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TheReadingOwl

WHAT?! Are you serious? This is INTERNATIONAL?! Thanks for the giveaway and thanks so much to Lauren for signing Delirium! That is AWESOME!

readingowling AT gmail DOT com

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Seesen

Such a great prizes! Thank you for the giveaway.
seesen9[at]gmail[dot]com

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~evening-green~

thank you for the chance to win!

eveningreen AT gmail DOT com

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Jennifer A

Oh, I would LOVE a signed copy of Delirium! She's so awesome! :)

I'm totally laughing at ketchup being the perfect food. LOL!

Great interview!

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Jennifer A

I'm sorry. I'm the lame person who forgets their email *sigh*

littleshelf AT gmail DOT com

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N S

Thank you for a great giveaway. Please count me in! =)
Cambonified(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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Miss Page-Turner

YAY, that's awesome. Pls enter me:)

goldie-mail(AT)web(DOT)de

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Alicia

Thank you for the giveaway & the great interview!
Please enter me:
smith_p43[at]sky[dot]com

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yavampirebooks

I'd love to be entered! I have heard so much fantastic stuff about Oliver's books!

yavampire(at)hotmail.com

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Jessica ( frellathon )

Signed and international, well you sure know how to put a smile on your readers faces :) Thanks

frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com

Reply
M.A.D.

Mary D
zenrei57 (at) hotmail dot com

Lauren Oliver is one of my favorite YA authors! Before I Fall was the best book I've read all year, so heck yeah!!! Would be thrilled to win a signed copy of Delirium :D

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Kara_Malinczak

That's funny! Vietnam is at the top of my traveling list also! Great interview!

Kara
Survivorluvr33ATgmailDOTcom

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FallenVamp

Gosh I've been wanting to read this!! Awesome Giveaway!

wbbusby(at)gmail(dot)com

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Tiffany Drew

I loved Delirium! And I just finished Before I Fall yesterday and I think I loved it even more than Delirium, which I didn't think was possible. Awesome giveaway, I'd love to win this. Thanks for the chance :)

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

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Lieder Madchen

Delirium was amazing! Probably the best book I have read this year! Thank you! Great interview! :)

liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com

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Ivana

Thanks so much for the lovely interview and a giveaway.
ivaondrejkova(at)gmail(dot)com

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Ricki

I loved Before I Fall so I know I will like Delirium.
rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

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Sakira

Great interview. I love Lauren Oliver's writing and enjoyed learning more about her :)

Thanks for the giveaway!!

Kris
elfdrop at gmail dot com

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kai (amaterasu)

Great interview! We tried being "cupids" on Valentines Day in the company I work for and it's really stressful. Being cupid and delivering flowers all day isn't as easy as it looks. :)

Thanks for the giveaway! I'd love to win Delirium!

amaterasureads AT gmail DOT com

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Offbeat Vagabond

Incredible interview hon, I found myself laughing. The ketchup bit is definitely new to me, but that is a very interesting fact. Man you are lucky. Your boss promoted just so he can get someone new. See you obviously weren't all that bad LOL! I love the Lonely Island too. The Creep video does me in everytime. Just genius! Really great interview again guys and thank you so much for the giveaway :)

drharleyquinn87 (at) gmail (dot) com

Reply
.Ambur.

Thanks for the chance to win a signed copy of Delirium! :D

Ambur
ambiepie_6(at)hotmail(dot)com

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krystal-larson

I would love to win this novel! I know the author is fun and talented (Good Reads) already. Thanky you! GFC Krystal Larson edysicecreamlover18ATgmailDOTcom

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christined22

Thank you for the interview and giveaway! :)

ceeenndee at gmail dot com

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marybelle

I enjoyed the interview thank you. Great giveaway.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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KaylaBeck

That was a really fun and quirky interview to read! <3

pherlaithiel at gmail dot com

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Meredith

I love that she was such an awful assistant that she earned a promotion!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

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Katie

I still haven't read this because i haven't had the time but I can't wait to get to it…
Thanks for the giveaway!

katie_tp(at)yahoo(dot)com

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Kaitlin

Thanks fot the awesome giveaway!! :o)

Kaitlin
Fairytalebooklover at hotmail dot com

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TheGirlOnFire

This is so epic! I would love to have a signed copy! Pick me!!!

thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

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nat_ethereal

Love the interview, thanks for the great opportunity!!!

nat_isabel(at)hotmail(dot)com

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Krazzyme(Young Readers)

I'm <3 ing MFT!!!
Thanks for organizing such an amazing event!

youngreadersathomeATgmailDOTcom

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mariexd

Thanks for the giveaway, I would love to win this.

jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com

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Maidenveil

Thanks for the giveaway! Lauren Oliver's writing is just awesome! :)

maidenveil(at)gmail(dot)com

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Julie

I want to read this book so bad! Thanks for the great giveaway :) And a great interview, too!

jwitt33 at live dot com

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paradisified

I would love to win Delirium! Thanks for the opportunity(:

Felicia
paradisified(at)gmail(dot)com

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Ria

This is a truly awesome giveaway! Count me in, please!

jazriyah(at)gmail(dot)com

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pandasrule

I've wanted to read this book for a while!

ajiehuang1997 (at) gmail (dot) com

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Melissa (Books and Things)

I have been so curious about this book!
books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com

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Gabbie

Your family sound so awesome! Wish mine were even a little like that. Looking forward to Delirium!

Gabbie-ethela AT hotmail DOT com

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Maria

Ooh, I loved Delirium, too bad the one I read was a a library copy. I'd love my own copy.

tirachii(at)yahoo(dot)com

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michellesheavenlyreviews

the book looks really interesting!
thanks:)

starlightgirl678 at aol dot com

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ioana97

Thanks for the giveaway. Count me in:D

balmezandrada at yahoo dot com

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Natasha Areena

Thank you for this, Delirium has been in my wishlist for a long time!

thebookish96(at)gmail.com

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Miss Lauren

Thanks so much for the giveaway and the review! :)

Miss Lauren
misslaurenwilk at gmail dot com

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The Library Page

Really like Before I Fall so far. Would love a copy of Delirium. Thanks for the giveaway!

Clara
thewannabeknight at gmail dot com

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Krazzyme(Young Readers)

OMG WANT!!!!
THANK YOU FOR THE GIVEAWAYS!

youngreadersathomeATgmailDOTcom

Reply
Enbrethiliel

+JMJ+

I had to look up "umami" after reading this interview. What a word! I think I'll try dropping it into every extended conversation I get into this month! LOL!

Thanks for making the giveaway international. =)

altaemoeniaRomae
[at]
Gmail
[dot]
com

And if you'd like to visit me, here is a quick link to my blog: Shredded Cheddar! =)

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TheJay2xA

Been wanting to have a copy of this one! thanks for the awesome giveaway!

fallendream03 AT gmail DOT com

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candice

Great interview! Ketchup also holds a special place in my gastronomical heart!

Thanks for the giveaway.

candicerjames [at] gmail [dot] com

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Tasnim

Thanks so much for the great giveaway and for making it international!!

tasnim-sheikh(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

Tasnim xx

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Chen Yan Chang

What an awesome giveaway! I really want to read Delirium!

jadedlittlegirlx [at] gmail [dot] com

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Mandroid

Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

Leslie
workingforthemandroid at gmail dot com

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Aylee

Huh, I did not know that about ketchup! Thanks for the giveaway :)

ayleejaine(at)gmail(dot)com

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Tara

A signed copy would be gorgeous on my shelf! I would love to win!

TaraTagli at gmail dot com

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My Life With Books - Jennifer K Jovus

Still haven't read this. Thanks for the giveaway. :)
Jennifer K Jovus
kjovus at gmail dot com

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BookGeek

I love that she loves HEINZ ketchup! Proud to be a Pittsburgher! This was such a wonderful interview.

speduzzi496(at)gmail(dot)com

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Krispy

Thanks for the interview and the giveaway! I quite liked Delirium.

Email: nudging.along[at]gmail.com

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Mare/TommyGirl

I've been wanting to read this!

Mare
tommygirl828 (at) gmail (dot) com

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Christinabean

Hi there, great interview! I would love to win this. Please enter me!

clderwee at gmail dot com

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Sophia the Writer

Of course we're all dying to win this :)

sophiathewriter at gmail

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Patricia's Particularity

Amazing Giveaway! I am dying to read this book!! Thank you so much!!

PelicanJL[at]hotmail[dot]com

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Jaedia

Ketchup on toast? Well now I think I've heard just about everything :p
Thank you for the giveaway! I've been wanting to read this book for months now.

jaedia(at)live(dot)co(dot)uk

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Evie

Thank you so much for this giveaway. Delirium has long been on my wish list and I would love to read it! I've read quite a few interviews with Lauren and she is always so nice and cheerful! I <3 her! :D

evieseo(at)gmail(dot)com

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Aydrea

I have been dying to read Delirium, it sounds awesome!

Thanks for the giveaway!
danceislove27(at)gmail(dot)com

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Carolsue

Fantastical imterview! I want to win after reading it!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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hedgerhousehold

Thanks for the giveaway. Have been wanting to read this book
jenhedger at hotmail dot com

Reply

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