BIO: Kim Harrington is the author of the Clarityseries for teens and the Sleuth or Dare series for kids. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and son. When not writing, she’s most likely reading, watching one of her favorite TV shows, or fantasizing about her next vacation. Her first book, Clarity, received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, was a 2012 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, sold to nine countries, and was optioned for television by Warner Brothers.
Follow Kim: Facebook, Twitter, and her Blog
Description: A haunted house, a buried mystery, and a very angry ghost make this one unforgettable thriller.
Jade loves the house she’s just moved into with her family. She doesn’t even mind being the new girl at the high school: It’s a fresh start, and there’s that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade’s little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade’s jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn’t.
Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who’s seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade’s school — until her untimely death last year. It’s up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?
– My computer and silence. That’s all I really need. I could never write in a coffee shop or anything like that—too many distractions.
The dreaded writer’s block; Ever have it? If so, what do you do to get through it?
– Oh yeah, I get it. What I’ve found that helps is to do a mundane task. Go for a walk (no iPod), clean the house, drive down the highway. It allows your mind to wander a bit.
What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?
– I write at home during the day when everyone else is at work/school. I don’t set a particular daily goal because some days I’m plotting big picture and some days I’m editing yesterday’s chapter, etc. So the day’s work is not consistent. As long as I make some progress, I’m happy.
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
– Question: Would you like one million dollars?
What inspired you to write your first book?
– I’ve always written, ever since I was little. I wrote twisted little picture books of horror, then graduated to short stories, then eventually tried my hand at a novel when I hit my twenties. So writing was always a part of me. I think everyone needs a creative outlet to stay sane. It could be art, dance, gardening, cooking—something that speaks to us. Writing is mine.
What was your inspiration for The Dead and Buried?
– I first got the idea years ago when I read an article in the real estate section of the news about “stigmatized properties,” which are a nice way of saying murder houses, and how they can be a bargain for people looking to trade up to their dream home in a nice town. And I thought hmm…
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
– I really want to say thank you. I appreciate my readers so much. I wish I could hug everyone who told a friend about my books or posted about them online. Word of mouth means everything to a midlist author like me. And I love getting your emails! So, thanks. 🙂
Thanks for the awesome giveaway. No, I haven't ever been in a Haunted House.
Thanks for the giveaway. Don't think I've ever been in a haunted house, hope not, yikes! Then again I fall in to bed so tired every night that I would probably never notice 😀
BookishTrish @ Between the Lines
Thanks for the great post and giveaway! I haven't been in a haunted house, but then again, I don't believe in ghosts in real life so maybe I didn't even notice 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway. No I have never been in a haunted house.
No, never been in a haunted house. But I believe I've seen a apparition once. Thank you for the giveaway =)
Yes! I lived in a house once that I was sure was haunted.
yes, I too lived in a confirmed haunted house
yes… my memaw used to claim it was "just momma coming to check on me" and I was so glad when we sold it! It was never confirmed haunted, but it definitely was one of those places where you could feel it in the air. Thank you for this amazing giveaway!
I have only bee inthe Haunted house set up my Chuch activity area then at the amusement park's haunted house.