SST: Liars and Losers Like Us by Ami Allen Vath

Book Link: Goodreads

Synopsis
Keep calm and make it to prom night—without a legit panic attack.

For seventeen-year-old Bree Hughes, it’s easier said than done when gossip, grief, and the opportunity to fail at love are practically high-fiving her in the hallways of Belmont High.

When Bree’s crush, Sean Mills, gives her his phone number, she can’t even leave a voicemail without sounding like a freak. Then she’s asked to be on Prom Court because Maisey Morgan, the school outcast nominated as a joke, declined. She apologizes to Maisey, but it’s too late. After years of torment and an ugly secret shared with their class’s cruel Pageant Queen, Maisey commits suicide. Bree is left with a lot of regret…and a revealing letter with a final request.

With Sean by her side, Bree navigates through her guilt, her parents’ divorce, and all the Prom Court drama. But when a cheating-love-triangle secret hits the fan after a night of sex, drinks, and video games, she’s left with new information about Sean and the class Pageant Queen. Bree must now speak up or stay silent. If she lets fear be her guide, she’ll lose her first love, and head to prom to avenge the death of the school outcast—as a party of one.

Interview
Do you write best at night or in the daytime?
Day or night, I just strongly prefer to be alone. So, daytime if I’m at Starbucks or B&N cafe alone OR at night when my kids are asleep!

When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I’ve always loved writing but never thought I’d be a published author. As a teen and college student, I’d write but never actually finished a complete book. But about 8 years ago, I began writing a book that would later inspire me to write another. One that I finally completed! That book was Liars and Losers Like Us.

Do you write with music or in total silence?
Silence, please. However, I LOVE listening to my book’s “playlist” before and after writing.

What has the debut author experience been like?
It’s been everything. Exciting, stressful, chaotic, surprising, amazing and very humbling. I’ll never, ever forget the past two years.

This book is set around prom night, how was your prom experience?
I went to prom my junior and senior year. To be honest, my junior prom experience was pretty mediocre. I’m grateful for it because it was when I was coming out of a pretty deep depression and it did give me an escape. However, the planning and prep was still high stress! But the guy who asked me was very sweet. I was a hot mess and he still wanted to go with me.

My senior prom was more memorable. I was in love and, sure I had a ton of anxiety, but it was super fun.

In the past 5 years, what books have been your favorites?
I’ve read so many that have been insta-faves but here are a few of the books I still think about. The Fix by Natasha Sinel, Fault Line by Christa Desir, Skyscraping by Cordelia Jensen, Underneath Everything by Marcy Beller Paul, Cut Both Ways by Carrie Mesrobian, Under The Lights by Dahlia Adler, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Black Iris by Leah Raeder, American Girls by Alison Umminger, The Distance From A to Z by Natalie Blitt, The Chance You Won’t Return by Annie Cardi, Rules For Stealing Stars by Corey Ann Haydu

What has been the most surprising thing to happen since a release date was announced for Liars and Losers Like Us?
The amount of support from the writing community. From the writers I queried with, to already published authors to the book bloggers. Once again, I’m going to using the word humbling–it was totally unexpected and has been sincerely humbling.

What can we expect from you next?
Yay! Good question. I’m finishing up revisions on a book that will hopefully be ready for my agent before the world ends. (It’s taking me a long time!) Please cross your fingers that she’ll be able to sell it because this book has been a labour of blood, sweat, and more sweat. I’d hate to shelve it. ; )