I’m so excited to have Emma Carlson Berne on the blog today! Still Waters sounds fantastic and it’s great to get to learn more about it.
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Describe Still Waters in four words.
Mysterious, dark, haunting, lonely
Can you tell us a little about Hannah?
Hannah is very much myself in high school—smart, but also awkward and fairly shy. Just like me, she
often tries to hide her self-consciousness. Unfortunately, I never had a beautiful, sweet boy pick me out of the crowd, the way Colin does to Hannah, but it was fun to imagine how it would feel if that had happened.
The cover for Still Waters is absolutely gorgeous. What are some of your favorite covers?
Well, actually, one of my favorites is my edition of The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson. I
don’t now if this is still the current edition, but mine had an illustration of a girl with a huge bubble gum
bubble in front of her face, so all you could see was her straggly, short blond hair. It used to drive me
crazy that I couldn’t see the girl’s face, but in a good way. And since I’m thinking of Katherine Paterson,
the other one I like was the cover of my copy of Jacob Have I Loved, which had a girl in a ruffly white
sundress walking on a beach. I kind of craved that dress, and since I was extremely skinny in middle
school and basically built like a stick, I also wanted a figure like that girl too.
What is the best book you read in 2011?
I tend to read my favorite books over and over—for instance, I have to read Jane Eyre at least once
a year, and the same with Lolita, but my favorite new book I’ve read this year would have to be The
Memory Palace by Mira Bartok, which is a memoir about growing up with a schizophrenic mother. Since
I had a very stable, pretty ordinary childhood, this was like a glimpse into an entirely different world.
If you could have dinner with any 3 authors (dead or alive) who would they be?
Well, probably Jane Smiley would be the first. I have a lot of questions to ask her about why she hasn’t
written anything more that resembles A Thousand Acres, the novel that won the Pulitzer Prize. And
also Roald Dahl. I actually read that he was not a very nice person, sort of mean and biting, but very
entertaining. I’d like to eat with him in a group so I could just listen to him but not actually have to talk
to him, in case he was mean to me. And the third would be Louisa May Alcott. Little Women is one
of my favorite books, but she had a really interesting life, being raised by Bronson Alcott who knew
Emerson and Thoreau and the other Transcendentalists, and then being an army nurse during the Civil
War, and writing sensation stories for the newspaper, just like Jo did in the book.
What are you working on next?
I’m excited for my next thriller, CLOSER (which may soon have a new title), to come out in Fall 2012. I’ve heard I may get a look at the cover after the holidays. This is a story about a twisted love triangle and is somewhat creepier and more violent than STILL WATERS. And I’m generating ideas right now for my next book after that. Any suggestions?
Oooo A twisted love triangle sounds very intriguing! If you want to learn more about Emma Carlson Berne and Still Waters visit her at her website: emmacarlsonberne.com
Still Waters was released yesterday! You can order it here. But if you would like to try your luck at winning a signed copy look no further!
Thanks for the interview and giveaway! I think Hannah sounds a bit like me so I look forward to reading!
sarabara081
Ooh, I like the words she used to describe Still Waters. The whole novel sounds really intriguing. I also really like the authors she picked. I heard the same about Roald Dahl but he definitely seems like he would be entertaining.
Thanks for the interview and giveaway! I really want to read Still Waters – I don't read enough mysteries!
Wow – that is one amazing cover. I really want to read this one. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
I agree! I love that cover! It fits the title so well! Thanks for the interview and giveaway! And happy holidays!
Thanks so much for the giveaway…I love the cover!
Thank you for doign this giveaway and happy holidays!
thanks for the giveaway Lori!!! Happy Holidays
Great interview. Love the four word description, its got me hooked.
This book has been on my to-read list for a while. The cover is perfectly described by those 4 words. Can't wait to read the book, if it's anything like that!
thanks you for this great giveaway
all the best
happy holidays
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kate
OHH! Ive been wanting to read this!
Thanks for a great interview and giveaway!
Happy Holidays
Great interview! I'd want to meet Loisa May Alcott, too!
I can't wait to read her book!
Dying to read this and I just love the cover! Awesome giveaway!
The cover is definitely gorgeous. That is what initially drew me to Still Waters. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I've been wanting to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway
"Mysterious, dark, haunting, lonely" sounds like my kind of book! Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway!!
~Christina Madison
I actually have a copy of Still Waters on its way. Can't wait to read it. And the upcoming novel sounds AMAZING!!! I will be biting my figners till it comes out. Awesome interview! I think I'd be a little scared of Ronald Dahl too!
The author is new to me. Thank you for the chance to try it.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Things I already LOVE about Still Waters:
THE COVER! So gorgeous; one of my faves!
THE SUMMARY! Luscious words!
THE PROTAGONIST! While I only know a little, she sounds like me in high school too!
Thanks for the giveaway!
-Elisquared
Hannah sounds just like me too. Smart but geeky. Thanks for making international.
Thank you so much for this giveaway. I am dying to read this book – it has been on my TBR list for a while now. The cover is gorgeous, the synopsis sounds amazing, and I love the way Hannah's character sounds!! Thank you so much.
Thanks so much! ^_^
I love the cover for this. It reminds me of Ophelia..gorgeous.
This book sounds fantastic! The cover is so pretty.
I've heard this book being compared to The Shining and that's endorsment enough for me
Plus the cover is gorgeous! Thenk you for this giveaway!
Jacob Have I Loved was one of my favorite books growing up, and the cover is beautiful!
I've seen this one around and always wanted to read it!
great giveaway
follow via gfc- samantha35
drakebdog@gmail.com
Awesome interview and great interview! I'm so excited!
Thanks for the great giveaway and interview! I've been waiting to read this for a while now!
Anna
The Bursting Bookshelf
Thanks so much for the wonderful interview and giveaway! I'm really excited for this book. It sounds amazing! And thanks again for making the giveaway international! That's so kind.
WOW that sounds amazing! Thanks for the giveaway and the fantastic interview!
Great interview! I never knew these things about Roald Dahl or Louisa May Alcott, so interesting! Thanks for sharing, and for the giveaway.
And thank YOU, everyone, for all the great comments – I love reading these! I can't wait to hear what you all think of the book when you read it.
this looks like such a fascinating book! That's an amazing cover!
Sweet giveaway! The book sounds great.
Thanksfor this awesome giveaway. It sounds really great.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway and for opening it to worldwide entries.
I wish you a very happy and relaxing Christmas season and hope 2012 is a good year for you.
Thanks.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
The cover is stunning. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
thanks for this great giveaway, it sounds like a really nice read.
I'd like to read this book. Thanks for giveaway and happy holidays!
Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
That cover is really gorgeous!
Thanks a lot for the giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I'd like to read this book!
STILL WATERS looks amazing. A great 4 WORDS.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
Little Women is also one of my favorite books. I'd love to dine with Louisa May Alcott too
I LOVE the Still Waters cover and plot. Can't wait to read it!
Great Interview:) The book sounds good, I would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!! Love the Cover:)
Loved the interview! I'm a shy person myself but I wish I had a beautiful boy come and sweet me out of the crowd. As for Jane Eyre, my friend absolutely adores that book. She is still trying to get me to read it, but, we'll see if I cave in. I'm really excited to read Still Waters. I miss reading books, they were (and still are) my lifeline.
Thank you so much for the Giveaway of yet another book that has piqued my interest to read. Merry Christmas!
~Christina Bodden
Thanks for the giveaway and interview. I am very excited that Still Waters has been released. I love the cover you can definitely tell it's mysterious and haunting. Hannah is a very relatable character and I am like her. Being shy and awkward, yep that's me. I can't wait to read this book.
What a beautiful cover! I'd love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
This book sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.
Awesome interview! The cover of this book is so mysterious and intriguing, I HAVE to read it!! Thanks for the giveaway:)
Thank you so much for this awesome giveaway. This book sounds amazing!
- Beckie
ChiKittie(at)gmail(dot)com
This book sounds amazing! I cannot wait to read it!!!
samjam@earthlink.net
Haha, I love the "lonely" description. Now I'm even more interested. Yes, a dinner would Roald Dahl would be awesome!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Love the cover. Haunting and beautiful.
This looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
This book looks great. I love the cover. Thanks for the giveaway!
thanks so much for the giveaway. I have heard some pretty good things about this book, i would love to check it out
the book is on my wishlist and sounds great. Thanks for the great interview!
Great interview and cover! THANKS for the giveaway!
taffy(dot)lovell@gmail.com
LOVE Jane Eyre
and wow…did not know that about Roald Dahl. Great Interview 
Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
I really want to read this, thanks so much for the giveaway & Happy Holidays!
Hi! thanks for the giveaway!
Jamad Artan
Beautiful cover!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Great interview! I've been wanting to read this for ages, so thank so much for the awesome giveaway.
I loved this book, & would love to share it with my friends.
Not to mention, who doesn't want that gorgeous cover on their shelf??
Great interview! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Still Waters, so thanks for the opportunity to win! I hope the cover of Closer (or however will be the name) will be just as amazing as this one
Happy Holidays!
This cover is to die for! *-* Gods, i wanna read this book so bad!
thanks for the chance!
kah_cherub at hotmail dot com
i would love to read this book
The books sounds amazing!
I would love to win a copy, so thanks so much for the opportunity to win this book!
Happy holidays!
Thanks for the giveaway! This has been on my wishlist for awhile ever since I saw the very pretty cover!
Thank you so much for the chance of a copy of this awesome book!! And for international entries!
Thanks for the interview and giveaway
Thanks for the giveaway! Your interview was great!
suzebomb(at)gmail.com
Thanks for giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway!
There are so many great comments here – I hope you all tell me what you think of the book – tweet me @emmacberne or write to me on my blog at emmacarlsonberne.com. Let's talk!
Thank you for this giveaway! I've been wanting to read this! Sounds like it'll be a good read
MaryAnn
Chapter by Chapter
Thank you so much for the great giveaway!!!
thanks for the awesome giveaway! Happy New years!