Finalist #6

Our sixth finalist is Alicia Gregoire


 Tell us about your book:
A fifteen-year-old's too awesome past skyrockets her into a reluctant high school celebrity until the truth of where she's been is revealed.

Why do you want to attend Backspace?
After hearing nothing but fantastic stories about Backspace, I can't think of a better place to learn and network.

Are you afraid to eat lunch with a Shark?
No I'm not. Unless it's Mega Shark.

West Side Story: Jets or Sharks?
Sharks. Not only did their dance numbers have more flair, but I loved Anita's pluck.

If you could save the life of any one fictional character who would it be and why?
Nick Andros from THE STAND. Had he survived the explosion, the story would've continued on the same way.

Is there a book that makes you think "If I could write one thing like that, I’d die happy."
There's two! For voice, SLOPPY FIRSTS by Megan McCafferty. For worldbuilding, the DARK TOWER series by Stephen King.

What's the most terrifying thing you've lived through?
Touching eyeballs. I was convinced mine would be next in the bowl of them. They immediately pulled me from the third grade haunted house shrieking.

When you're published, what will you do to Pay It Forward?
I'd mentor the next generation of writers by working with local libraries to create free novel writing programs for teens.