I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for METALTOWN by Kristen Simmons! I have an interview with Kristen to share with you today! And make sure to enter the awesome giveaway for a finished copy of the book!!
Haven't heard of METALTOWN? Check it out!
Author: Kristen Simmons
Pub. Date: September 20, 2016
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 384
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Metaltown, where factories rule, food is scarce, and hope is in short supply.
The rules of Metaltown are simple: Work hard, keep your head down, and watch your back. You look out for number one, and no one knows that better than Ty. She’s been surviving on the factory line as long as she can remember. But now Ty has Colin. She’s no longer alone; it’s the two of them against the world. That’s something even a town this brutal can’t take away from her. Until it does.
Lena’s future depends on her family’s factory, a beast that demands a ruthless master, and Lena is prepared to be as ruthless as it takes if it means finally proving herself to her father. But when a chance encounter with Colin, a dreamer despite his circumstances, exposes Lena to the consequences of her actions, she’ll risk everything to do what’s right.
In Lena, Ty sees an heiress with a chip on her shoulder. Colin sees something more. In a world of disease and war, tragedy and betrayal, allies and enemies, all three of them must learn that challenging what they thought was true can change all the rules.
An enthralling story of friendship and rebellion, Metaltown will have you believing in the power of hope.
Now on to the interview!
Hi Kristen! First I want to say welcome to Two Chicks on Books! METALTOWN
sounds absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to read it! And am so happy that
you could stop by for a visit!
Thank YOU for having me! So excited to be on your blog! It’s lovely, you know. J
For the readers: can you tell us a little bit about METALTOWN and the characters?
Metaltown is first of all about friendship and the things that bind us as family. For me, it will always be a story about love—not just romantic love, but how far we will go for the people we care about. The plot follows three characters, Colin, the dreamer from across the beltway who still believes there’s a better world somewhere; Ty, a Metaltown girl through and through who is tough as nails and not afraid to tell you what she thinks; and Lena, the heiress to the factory where the other two work.
For more, here is the synopsis:
The rules of Metaltown are simple: Work hard, keep your head down, and watch your back. You look out for number one, and no one knows that better than Ty. She’s been surviving on the factory line as long as she can remember. But now Ty has Colin. She’s no longer alone; it’s the two of them against the world. That’s something even a town this brutal can’t take away from her. Until it does.
Lena’s future depends on her family’s factory, a beast that demands a ruthless master, and Lena is prepared to be as ruthless as it takes if it means finally proving herself to her father. But when a chance encounter with Colin, a dreamer despite his circumstances, exposes Lena to the consequences of her actions, she’ll risk everything to do what’s right.
In Lena, Ty sees an heiress with a chip on her shoulder. Colin sees something more. In a world of disease and war, tragedy and betrayal, allies and enemies, all three of them must learn that challenging what they thought was true can change all the rules.
An enthralling story of friendship and rebellion, Metaltown will have you believing in the power of hope.
Is this a
standalone or a series? And if it’s a series do you have a title for book 2
yet? And if it’s a standalone what are you working on next?
It is a standalone! I loved these characters and this world so much, but my part in their story is over. (I already miss them though!) I’m currently editing my next standalone novel, BLOOD AND TAR, which comes out in 2017. It’s more of an eco-fiction take on the future. The polar ice caps have melted, trash blankets the world.
There are pirates. And shenanigans.
Were any of the characters in the book inspired by people from your real life?
No, but much inspiration came from Les Mis, a musical that really spoke to me after I first saw it as a teenager. I understood Eponine so much—how much she wants to be seen by Marius, but how she will always be only just a friend in his eyes. Also, the idea of a small group fighting against this huge, insurmountable force for their own rights was so beautifully depicted in Les Mis. I wanted to capture that feeling.
Who was your favorite character to write? What about your least favorite?
Ty was my favorite. She will always be a little of me and a little of Eponine from Les Mis. My least favorite was probably Lena’s brother. Such a creeper.
What is your favorite passage/scene in METALTOWN?
One of my favorite scenes in METALTOWN is when Colin takes off Lena’s gloves for the first time. It’s such an innocent thing…but it’s also pretty hot. (If I do say so myself!)
What kind of research did you have to do for the story?
This story actually evolved one day through a conversation with my husband, who was lecturing at University of Louisville on Nike. He was discussing the ethics of buying from a company that has been cited multiple times for the overseas exploitation of unsafe and unfair labor practices involving minors. The owner has supported this model because of the avoidance of American labor laws and decreased production costs. Abuses in these overseas companies were rampant. Minimum wage laws, break time, and benefits were non-existent. The owner knew what was going on, but he didn’t stop it, because he had no reason to: the American people would/will never stop buying his product, and the costs of production would simply be too high to move those companies back to the US.
Further research into this issue showed many more prominent US companies utilizing the same overseas labor model. This, combined with my own work with war veterans, helped to frame Hampton Industries, the company in Metaltown in charge of producing weapons to fund a war. I wanted to write a story where the children in those sweat shops overseas found their voice and struck back. I looked into events like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in NYC in 1911 when 145 people (mostly immigrant women, all of which made only $15 a week despite 12-15 hour days) died because they had been locked inside the building by their boss. The consequent protest was attended by 80,000 people and a labor union was formed to create fair and safe labor laws. I wanted to write something that not just highlighted these issues, but captured how powerful the creation of a labor union could be.
Who is your ultimate book boyfriend?
I love Colin, but if I were to choose outside METALTOWN it would totally be Gansey. I’m a Gansey girl through and through.
What inspired you to write YA?
A love of reading it! I’m always drawn to stories where every emotion is fresh and sharp and new, and YA as a whole captures that so well.
Lightening Round Questions
What are you
reading right now? Or what do you have on your TBR that you’re dying to read?
Currently beta reading a future story for my friend, Katie McGarry (Thunder Road Series). It’s amazing.
What Hogwarts House would the Sorting Hat place you in?
Ravenclaw. I always object to this though. I can’t even use a comma correctly most of the time. I think the actual Ravenclaws would kick me out.
Twitter or Facebook?
Favorite Superhero?
Captain America. Preferably without his shirt on.
Favorite TV show?
I just started Vikings! I love it!
Sweet or Salty?
Sweet. Always.
Any Phobias?
Book release time. It petrifies me.
Song you can’t get enough of right now?
I love Take Your Time by Sam Hunt. Every time it comes on I have to stop everything and listen.
Winter Movie you’re most looking forward to?
The new Star Wars Movie! Rogue One!
Thanks so much Kristen for answering my questions! I can’t wait for
everyone to read METALTOWN!
ABOUT KRISTEN SIMMONS:
Kristen Simmons is the author of the ARTICLE 5 series, THE GLASS ARROW,
and the upcoming METALTOWN (Tor Teen). She loves her family, Jazzercise, and
chocolate cupcakes. She currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
For more updates on Kristen and her writing, visithttp://www.kristensimmonsbooks.com
For more updates on Kristen and her writing, visithttp://www.kristensimmonsbooks.com
Giveaway Details:
3 Finished Copies of METALTOWN (US Only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
Thanks for the post and interview. I've read her Article 5 trilogy and liked that, and this sounds even better. Thanks!
ReplyDelete"Captain America. Preferably without his shirt one" LOL I love Kristen.
ReplyDeleteMetaltown was amazing! Thanks for sharing this awesome interview ^_^
Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles
Yes, you've left me with a smile on my face after the mental image of Captain America without his shirt. I love the characters in this book already and can't wait to read about them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing us to Metaltown. It looks like a great book. I like the premise!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this. And yeah, Captain America sans shirt take my money now
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for this book and my eyes sort of glazed over thinking about Captain America without his shirt on
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for this book and my eyes sort of glazed over thinking about Captain America without his shirt on
ReplyDelete