YAPC would like to welcome Naomi Rabinowitz! Today she will be sharing about her book Revenge of A Band Geek Gone Bad. If this seems like something you would enjoy use the buy links at the bottom of the post to pick up a copy!

YAPC: Try to describe your book in one sentence:

Naomi: BAND GEEK follows the story of shy 15-year-old flute player Melinda as she learns to stand up for herself, comes out of her shell, falls in love — and learns what it means to make adult decisions.

YAPC: State a random fact about yourself that would surprise your readers.

Naomi: I’m obsessed with singing along with the radio. Turn a radio on and I won’t shut up!

YAPC: ave you always wanted to be a writer?

Naomi: Yes! From the time I was a kid I loved making up stories — and I just never stopped.

YAPC: What are your favorite hobbies?

Naomi: I love to travel and have literally been all over the world. My goal is to visit all seven continents; right now, I’m missing South American andAntarctica. I design and sell wire wrapped and enamel jewelry, and run two jewelry businesses. But it feels more like a hobby than work! I also collect Russian nesting dolls. My collection started when I visitedRussia as a teen, but it’s grown because people give me dolls as gifts.

YAPC: What’s your favorite part of writing a book?

Naomi: Seeing my characters come to life. Josh and Melinda were in my head for a long time and I loved watching them become “real.”

YAPC: What as your favorite scene?

Naomi: In BAND GEEK, I love the scene where Josh encourages Mel to get up on stage and play an impromptu jazz flute solo. I feel like she really comes out of her shell at this point and begins to mature as a person.

YAPC: How did you come up with the premise for your book?

Naomi: I’ve played flute for 30 years and many of my best musical memories took place in high school band. I wanted to write a story that focused on the competitiveness between musicians, but also showed how passionate kids can be about the arts.

YAPC: Which genres do you prefer to read?

Naomi: I enjoy YA, but am also a fan of chick lit, horror and dystopian fiction. Lately, I’ve been getting into memoirs, too.

YAPC: Are there any particular books/authors that have inspired you and continue to do so?

Naomi: Judy Blume. To me, she’s the queen of YA literature. Her stories are timeless and it was her books that made me want to become a writer.

YAPC: Do you prefer Twitter or Facebook?

Naomi: I prefer Facebook; you can say more and it doesn’t move quite as fast — it’s easier to keep up. But if readers really want to know about me, they should check out my blog naomirabinowitzauthor.blogspot.com 

YAPC:  Vampires or werewolves?

Naomi: Vampires, no question! Werewolves are too hairy and it’s painful to watch them change into wolf form. Vampires are sexy, especially ones who’ve been around for a long time and have experienced history. I had a huge crush on Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. I like my vamps to be bad; Edward Cullen’s a little too nice for me.

YAPC: What is in the works for you next?

Naomi: I’m writing my second novel, which is currently in the outline stage. It’s going to feature a friendship between a straight woman and a gay guy. I’m also outlining a sequel to BAND GEEK told from Josh’s point of view.

 Where to Find Naomi

Blog * Facebook Fanpage * Twitter * Goodreads

About The Author: Naomi Rabinowitz has always loved being creative. Raised in Nesconset, NY — a suburb on Long Island — she was introduced to the arts at an early age. Her mother, Joyce, is a pianist; her father, Melvin, plays piano and guitar; her grandmother, Esther, was a talented knitter; her late grandfather, Morris, was a violinist; her late great uncle, Sid Robin, was a well-known jazz musician, who penned the lyrics to the popular big band hit, “Undecided.”

Naomi’s parents, who were both teachers, frequently took her to museums and concerts. During their summers off, her family traveled. By the time she was 15, Naomi had been to several European countries, as well as China, Japan, Israel, Egypt, Russia and Mexico.

Naomi’s love for writing emerged when she was in the second grade and her poem, “The Four Seasons,” won first prize in a local literary competition. She became interested in journalism in junior high when her English class was selected to write for Newsday’s “Kidsday” column.

She had as much passion for music. Though she began playing piano when she was three, she switched to her “true” instrument, the flute, when she was nine and eventually added tenor sax and clarinet to her list so that she could play in jazz band. She performed in almost every musical group from wind ensemble to orchestra (but never marching band!). In 2008, she released her jazz album FLUTE PATH.

Naomi received a B.A. in English from Binghamton University and an M.A. in magazine journalism from Syracuse University. From 1998-2012, she worked as a reporter/editor for national TV magazine Soap Opera Digest.

These days, Naomi writes, plays jazz flute and designs jewelry for her businesses Naomi’s Designs and MayaGirl Creations. She lives in Queens, NY with her husband, Jonathan, and their cat, Maya.

Where to Buy

On Amazon

REVENGE OF A BAND GEEK GONE BAD  

Shy, overweight Melinda is picked on by her classmates, mocked by her own mother and spends most of her weekends holed up in her room painting. She believes that she has only one thing going for her: she’s first chair flute in band. But when she botches an audition, she loses her seat to her longtime rival, popular mean girl Kathy. 

Mel is ready to accept her fate as a loser, but things look up when she’s approached by Josh, the cute trumpet player who just loves to cause trouble. Josh hates Kathy, too, and suggests that Mel join him. Figuring that she has nothing to lose, Mel agrees. 

As they work together to plot against Kathy, Mel and Josh become friends and eventually fall in love. 

But when Josh’s scheming gets to be too much, Melinda questions whether she’s really cut out to be the bad girl. Just how far is she willing to go to get what she wants — and is keeping Josh worth it?