Simone: I tried writing adult romances, but it just didn’t fit my voice. Once I started writing for teens the words flew out of me and I knew I was meant to be a young adult author. I love writing for teens and teen fans are the BEST! Romance novels are my favorite books to read. I write books that I would have loved to read as a teen.
Kayla: Which series that you have written would you consider your favorite?
Simone: That is the hardest question! It’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. If you MAKE me pick, I will say that Perfect Chemistry will always hold a special place in my heart. I always knew that it was a special book. It’s so weird that they’re like real people to me.
Kayla: Have you ever thought about writing a fourth book in the Perfect Chemistry series?
Simone: A lot of my fans have asked me the same question. I loved writing about the Fuentes family and I would love to continue their story, but for now I’m so excited to be working on a new series about high school football players and the loves of their lives. The first book in the series will be out in October.
Kayla: What do you think makes your books so intriguing?
Simone: I am flattered by the question, so thank you! I fell deeply in love as a teen and the feeling was so magical. It changed everything I did and thought and said. I try to recreate that magic with my books and characters.
Kayla: Could you tell us about a current project you are working on?
Simone: The first book in my new series about high school football players is going to be out in the states in October. Don’t worry, the book is still a romance and you don’t have to know anything about football to enjoy it! I’m not allowed to release too many details about it yet, but I hope to be doing a cover reveal on my Facebook Fan Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Simone-Elkeles-Fan-Page/101698336559632) soon!
Kayla: What book do you recommend everyone to read?
Simone: For younger readers, Flipped is a great pre-teen book. I actually read it and it taught me how to write in alternating point of view chapters. For teen readers, there are SO many. I’d suggest Katie McGarry’s Pushing the Limits! For adult readers, you can’t go wrong with any of the Chicago Stars books by Susan Elizabeth Phillips!
Kayla: Where do you draw your inspiration to write?
Simone: I get inspiration from anywhere and everywhere: movies, books, tv shows, the news. I have a t-shirt that reads WARNING! WHAT YOU DO MAY APPEAR IN MY NEXT BOOK! It’s true, haha. Sometimes my best ideas come to me while I'm in the shower. I guess it’s because there’s nothing else to do while you’re in the shower except think!
Kayla: If you could give your readers one piece of advice or information what would it be?
Simone: Never give up on your dreams! Whether you are hoping to find the love of your life or write a bestselling novel, whatever it is, go for it! I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for two things: 1- I never stopped believing in myself and 2 – I have the most AMAZING fans and I’m forever grateful to all of them! If I had to give one piece of advice to writers, write like you talk and be conversational with your readers. Read your dialogue out loud. If it sounds natural, you’re doing a great job!
Kayla: Simone, I thank you so much for visiting and answering these questions. I am so excited to have you here. Your book Perfect Chemistry is one of my favorites!
Simone Elkeles is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels for teens. Simone’s books have won many awards including being YALSA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, being named to the YALSA Popular Paperbacks and Teens Top Ten lists, and added to the Illinois “Read for a Lifetime” Reading List. Simone also won the coveted RITA award from the Romance Writers of America for her book Perfect Chemistry. Simone is especially proud of the fact that the Illinois Association of Teachers of English named her Author of the Year.
Simone was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, where she still lives today. Simone went to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and received her Bachelor’s of Science there in Psychology in 1992. She continued her education at Loyola University-Chicago where she received her Master’s of Science degree in Industrial Relations while working for a manufacturing company creating diversity programs for their employees.
She loves animals (she has two dogs – a labradoodle and a German Shepherd), kids (she also has two of those) and her family. In her spare time she’s the Hockey Mom for her kids hockey teams and is an active Girl Scout leader specially trained in outdoor education. She also spends time mentoring other teen and adult authors. (She also loves sushi, which you can probably tell by reading her books.) Simone writes about teens because she was a teen in the 80’s (when spiked hair and blue eye shadow were “rad”) and she loves writing about those exciting teen relationships and romances.
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