As promised, we’ll be showcasing a few of our amazing featured authors on this summer’s Camplified tour. Check out the latest Q&A from young adult author, Jen Calonita. This is Jen’s second year participating in Camplified, and we adore having her on board!
Did you attend summer camp when you were younger?
No, but I was a CIT at a summer camp on Long Island. I wanted to work there so desperately that I took the only position they had available — computer counselor. Needless to say, I didn’t get to be outside much.
If so, what was your most memorable experience from camp?
Meeting new people — meeting new guys — I just loved that I could be myself at camp with no expectations. No one knew how I tripped over the word spaghetti in first grade or about the mouth of metal I sported in seventh or eighth or the horrible crush I had on the senior that ignored me — I was just Jen Calonita and I could be anyone I wanted to be at camp.
If you were to attend summer camp right now, what three items would you not leave home without?
My iPhone — games, email, my link to the outside world! A huge stack of books and my camera. I never leave home without that! I’m a huge scrapbooker.
What is your favorite aspect of the Camplified Tour experience?
The campers are incredible. They’re always so thankful we’ve visiting, meanwhile, I’m just thankful they let me! I love talking to campers about what is going on in their world — especially since I write books about sleepaway camp.
How would you describe CAMPLIFIED in five words or less?
Electric, mesmerizing, exuberant, spectacular and one-of-a-kind (does that count as one word???)
What advice do you have for aspiring young adult authors?
Read and write as much as you can. And keep journals and store them somewhere safe! I so wish I still had mine to look back at for inspiration.
Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita — BUY NOW. Find Jen at JenCalonitaOnline.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
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