Author Interview With Amy Parks

I hope you are just as excited as I am to be introducing the lovely Ms. Amy Parks! Amy is the author of the new YA novel; The Quantum Weirdness of the Almost-Kiss. Before we jump right into it, here is a bit about her newest book!

(Synopsis from goodreads)

Seventeen-year-old Evie Beckham has never been interested in dating. She’s been fully occupied by her love of mathematics and her frequent battles with anxiety (and besides, she’s always found the idea of kissing to be a little bit icky). But with the help of her best friend and her therapist, Evie’s feeling braver. Maybe even brave enough to enter a prestigious physics competition and to say yes to the new boy who’s been flirting with her.

Caleb Covic knows Evie isn’t ready for romance but assumes that when she is, she will choose him. So Caleb is horrified when he is forced to witness Evie’s meet cute with a floppy-haired, mathematically gifted transfer student. Because Caleb knows the girl never falls for the funny best friend when there’s a mysterious stranger around, he decides to use an online forum to capture Evie’s interest. Now, he’s got Evie wondering if it’s possible to fall in love with a boy she’s never met.

Without further ado, here is the interview!

1. Was there anything that inspired the making of The Quantum Weirdness of the Almost-Kiss? If so, what inspired it?

Amy: I was feeling sad after the 2016 election and I wanted to write something happy. I’ve always loved physics and mathematics, so the idea of writing a love story that drew on themes from these disciplines was pretty appealing. Plus, Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe are one of my favorite love stories of all time, so I was really excited to create a story about two friends where the boy has been in love with the girl forever, while she remains oblivious.

Saniya: That is so cool! I love how math was incorporated in the book as well!

2. If you could give your past writer self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Amy: Honestly, I feel like I could use some advice of my own right now! Seeing your work go out into the world is so hard. I guess I’d tell myself to really enjoy that time when my work was just my own. In the moment, you’re in such a hurry to rush through that part, but really there was something joyful about living in that private world.

Saniya: That sounds lovely!

3. Did you always want to be a writer Ms. Parks? Or did you have something else in mind?

Amy: Well, I am an associate professor of education, so yes, I have something else in mind. I prepare elementary school teachers to teach mathematics, and I do truly love that job. Writing–for all the trials of publishing–still feels very much like something I do for fun.

Saniya: That sounds like a very interesting job, I’m glad you enjoy it!

4.  The Quantum Weirdness of the Almost-Kiss has by far the most beautiful cover ever! I absolutely adore it! What inspired the cover? 

Amy: I love it too. Andi Poretta was the artist who drew Evie and Caleb and I really feel like she captured not just the look of the characters, but their relationship with each other and the mood of the book. Hana Anouk Nakamura was the designer and it was her idea to do those three different versions of Evie and Caleb–which plays into the idea of quantum weirdness nicely, I think.

Saniya: Yes, totally! All the elements play out very nicely!

5. Do you have a specific writing routine? Is there a certain time of day that you write the most?

Amy: Before the pandemic, I would stop at a coffee shop on the way to work and write for an hour or so. Now that we’re all at home, it’s harder. I try to grab an hour or two here and there when everyone is occupied, but it’s much less of a routine now.

Saniya: I hope you find more time in the future to write more amazing books!

6. What is the main message you would like your readers to take away from The Quantum Weirdness of the Almost-Kiss? 

Amy: Hmm…I don’t think there is a message, exactly. But I think the idea behind the love story is that you want to choose someone who makes you the best version of yourself. I met my husband at 18, and I know I’ve been braver in the world because of my relationship with him. 

Saniya: That is so beautiful, thank you for sharing!

Thank you once again Ms. Parks for taking the time out of your day to answer some of my questions, and thank you all for reading! Before we conclude the interview, here is some information about the author and their books…

• Add The Quantum Theory Of The Almost-Kiss to goodreads here!
• You can find and buy The Quantum Theory Of The Almost-Kiss from an Indie Book Store near you here!
• Be sure you’re on the lookout for the author’s upcoming middle grade novel ‘Summer Of Brave’ which will be releasing on March 1st 2021! You can add it to goodreads here!
• Ms. Parks’ Twitter