Hey everyone! You may not have Darcy Woods on your radar yet, but you definitely need to! Her debut, Summer of Supernovas is coming out in May, 2016! I read this one on the way to ALAMW and I couldn’t put it down! I absolutely loved the writing and the story and the characters, but you’ll hear all about that when you read my full review closer to release!
Here are the details:
Summer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods (Website, Twitter, Goodreads)Also by this author: Summer of Supernovas
Published by Random House Children's Books on May 10th 2016
Genres: Family, Love & Romance, Music, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Fans of Jennifer E. Smith and Jenny Han will fall in love with this heartfelt and humor-laced debut following one girl’s race to find the guy of her cosmic dreams. When zodiac-obsessed teen Wilamena Carlisle discovers a planetary alignment that won’t repeat for a decade, she’s forced to tackle her greatest astrological fear: The Fifth House—relationships and love. But when Wil falls for a sensitive guitar player hailing from the wrong side of the astrology chart, she must decide whether a cosmically doomed love is worth rejecting her dead mother’s legacy and the very system she’s faithfully followed through a lifetime of unfailing belief.From the Hardcover edition.
We had the chance to ask Darcy a few questions and boy… I wish I would have snuck a few more in there for her! I’m so excited for this release you guys!
Describe Summer of Supernovas in 5 words.
DW: Astrology. Swoon. Humor. Heartbreak. Revelations.
How did Summer of Supernovas come about? What made you think you had to write this story?
DW: On one especially starry night (yep, my book about stars began with stars) I was sitting on my screen porch, and the image of this quirky girl in a 40s dress and cateye glasses popped into my head. Wilamena Carlisle was simply a FORCE from the moment I saw her. She had a story to tell. And since Wil was so earnest and charming and um, unrelenting, I buckled up and prepared for the ride. J
What was the hardest scene for you to write in Summer of Supernovas and why?
DW: Oh gosh, good question, Jaime. I’m not sure I can answer without being spoilery, but it’s a very black moment when all hope is lost. When the most precious thing in Wil’s life is threatened. I wrote that scene and wondered if I’d ever see the sun again.
Were there any scenes that had to be cut that you wish would have stayed in?
DW: Happily, no! But I did add a scene with Wil and her bestie Irina having a duel of Most Terrible Outfits in a vintage store. #PimpFTW
There is a love triangle and a lot of readers seem to shy away from these… Did you ever second guess that part of this story and if not, why did you feel Wil’s story needed to be told this way?
DW: Never. Not even for a nanosecond. Because this love triangle is SO intrinsic to the character arc in this story. It’s the catalyst for her growth. Wil must consciously CHOOSE between what is in her heart, and a lifelong belief that connects her to her deceased mother. I honestly couldn’t think of a more heart wrenching conflict than that!
Seth and Grant are super swoony and I honestly wouldn’t mind personally ending up with either of them… Did you always know how Wil’s story was going to end and with who?
DW: I did. I just didn’t know how Wil was going to get there. But peel back the swoony bits, the funny bits, the repartee, and at the big, thumping heart of this story is a girl reckoning the loss of her mother. Who she ends up with is very reflective of that inner journey.
Relationships are a huge part of this story and I loved the portrayals of those between Wil and her Grandmother and Wil and her best friend Irina. While they aren’t the main focus of the story here, they are a big part, was that always the plan or did they just evolve into what they became?
DW: Jaime, you make me legit swoon with this question! My answer? Yes…and no. I knew this was going to be a story that didn’t just examine romantic love, but also familial love and friendship love. And where there is love—in any form—there is bound to be baggage! As I explored the backstories of both Gram and Irina, their significance in the book definitely grew.
Are you an astrology enthusiast or is this something you learned about as you researched?
DW: When it comes to astrology, I probably know just enough to be dangerous, but not enough to be helpful. Astrology is EXCEEDINGLY complex, so I had to walk that precarious line of making it authentic (I hope!) while still being accessible. PS: That is a super hard thing to do.
What upcoming 2016 release (besides your own) are you most excited to read and fangirl over?
DW: I’ve had the enormous pleasure of getting an early read of so many incredible books that will be coming out this year! But a book I haven’t read yet that I’m especially squirmy for is THE STAR TOUCHED QUEEN by Roshani Chokshi. Stars! Indian myth! Romance! Just take my money now.
Do you have any strange writing habits?
DW: I write sitting on a yoga ball. Sometimes I roll backward and stick my feet in the air. I think I’m subconsciously convinced all the answers to my story conundrums hang out in my feet.
Can you share (without spoilers) a line or section of Summer of Supernovas that was your favorite?
DW: “…if time were really measured in grains of sand, I would take this grain and flatten it. Stretch it as far as physics allowed, let myself bask in this feeling. Forever and ever and ever.”
What are you currently reading?
DW: HOW IT ENDS by Catherine Lo!
Any advice for aspiring writers?
DW: Pretty much every writer will tell you never give up. And it’s so true! I can say this with authority as someone who’s been cumulatively rejected over 200 times. So, I’m going to tell you something else… There is only one YOU. Harness that. Let it bleed out messily on the page. Then lovingly clean it up—but not too much! That’s your contribution to the literary world. Because every story has been told one thousand times over. Except, it hasn’t been told by YOU. Your unique lens. Your glorious voice.
What’s next for you? Are you working on anything right now that you can tell us about?
DW: Ha! I always feel rather cloak and dagger answering this one, but I *might* be working on a certain companion novel that follows the boy who didn’t get the girl. 😉
Favorites
Favorite Song (right now): From Afar by Vance Joy
Favorite Book (right now): UNDERWATER by Marisa Reichardt
Favorite TV Show/Movie: Bridget Jones Diary (a perennial fave)
Favorite Word: Kerfuffle
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Curse Word: WTFery (an alarming amount of situations call for this phrase)
I want to thank Darcy for indulging me with answering my very nosy questions and also say I’ve read The Star Touched Queen and it’s amazing! – Seriously thank you for stopping by and sharing some insight into Summer of Supernovas and I can’t wait for all the things you have coming next!
While everyone waits for the chance to buy this (It’s out May 10th, 2016. Pre-order links below!) we have a pretty amazing giveaway for you! One winner will win an ARC of SUMMER OF SUPERNOVAS by Darcy and some pretty awesome swag!
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / IndieBound / Powell’s
Giveaway is International
Please make sure you follow the rules on our Giveaway Page!
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