Interview with Ruby Preston

Welcome! Today, as part of a virtual book tour, I have Ruby Preston on the blog for an interview!
Please help me make Ruby feel welcome! Comments are encouraged!

Hi Ruby, and thanks for hanging out with me today.



Tell me about yourself, and your writing.

My job as a Broadway producer gives me exclusive behind the scenes access into show business.  Before I started writing, I’d often meet up with friends for drinks at Sardi’s (just like Scarlett in the book) and I’d regale them with showbiz stories about my crazy theatrical experiences. They finally encouraged me to put them into a book. I decided on fiction so I could include some of the more juicy characters without running into trouble.

I love how my fictional world allows me to process and respond to what’s happening in my real life. It’s very empowering. It can be easy to get overwhelmed or discouraged when disappointing things happen in this competitive business. Now when I encounter any of the mean and nasty people that I sometimes have to deal with over the course of my job, I know that I can come home and “deal with” them in a Scarlett Savoy book.

How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?

I've been writing “officially” for two years. My debut Broadway novel, SHOWBIZ, came out in 2012. My second book, STAGED, comes out March 12th. These are both part of my Broadway Trilogy. The third book is due out next year – I better start writing it!



Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?

My first two books are fiction and could be considered chicklit. I wouldn't say I write toward a genre, but  I do write toward a subject matter niche. My publisher, Dress Circle Publishing, specifically publishes theater-themed books written by industry insiders like me. I definitely plan to stick with them but I may try my hand at a Broadway young adult series someday. We'll see. I have to finish this series first!



Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?

I always have a solid plot planned out ahead of time. However, it's not unusual to get half way through a book and be so deeply inside my character's heads that they end make different choices than I had in mind. It keeps it interesting and fortunately, my characters always know best!



What is a typical writing day like for you?

I tend to write very fast. Once I get in the groove it's best for me to just power through until I have an entire draft down on paper. To make room for this, I'll plan out a four to six week period well in advance so I can ensure that I have intensive writing time every day. Luckily, I can plan these writing periods around my Broadway producing activities.



Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?

Right now I'm completely obsessed with Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. His use of language and plot is massively inspiring to me. Other books/authors I love are Amor Towles' Rules of Civility, Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus and Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.



What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?

I'd like to get the third book in the Broadway Trilogy written!



If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?

Magic in general. Is that cheating?



If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?

I wouldn't mind having my own little daemon pets, like in The Golden Compass books.



Tell us a little about your latest release.

The pages of “STAGED” are filled with glamorous Broadway galas, back-room business deals, and show stopping romance set against the twinkling backdrop of 42nd Street. In Preston’s second installment readers will meet new players in the behind-the-scenes drama, as well as delight to see their favorite characters from “SHOWBIZ” reprise their roles. Once again Preston has masterfully rendered the backstage life of Broadway, penning a novel that is guaranteed to entertain theater-loving readers both old and new!

In “STAGED” aspiring Broadway producer Scarlett Savoy has almost everything she needs to make her first musical a huge success- millions in financial backing, a talented (not to mention gorgeous) young director, and a big-name Hollywood starlet as her female lead. But with none of the theater owners in town willing to back a novice, she’s missing the final piece of the puzzle: a Broadway theater. Just when Scarlett thinks her show might never see the footlights of day, an unexpected meeting with a handsome, eligible son of the Stewart theatrical empire changes her Broadway prospects forever.


What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)

Musical theater.



Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?

Absolutely! Since Jess Walter is my favorite right now, I'd have to say him!



If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?



What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?

I'm fortunate that my hobby and my career and my passion are all the same thing: theater!



If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?

I would have loved to be on the set for the upcoming film, The Great Gatsby.



What is a talent you wish you had, but don't?

A good memory.



Favorite color?

Scarlett



Weather: Hot or cold?

Cold



Favorite place to read?

In the bathtub.



Favorite meal

Anything at a fancy restaurant



Favorite non-alcoholic drink.

Coffee



If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?

Around the world with lots of stops along the way!

BLURB:

Aspiring Broadway producer Scarlett Savoy has almost everything she needs to make her first musical a huge success- millions in financial backing, a talented (not to mention handsome) young director, and a big-name Hollywood starlet as her female lead. But with none of the theater owners in town willing to back a novice, she’s missing one final piece of the puzzle: a Broadway theater. Just when Scarlett thinks her show might never see the footlights of day, an unexpected meeting with the young, eligible son in the Stewart theatrical empire changes Scarlett’s Broadway prospects forever.
Staged is the much anticipated follow up to Ruby Preston’s juicy Broadway novel, Showbiz.

Review rating: 4.5 LIGHTNING BOLTS

Review: Awhile ago, I read Ms. Preston's Showbiz for review and enjoyed it...Well, when the 

chance came up to read the next novel, Staged, I jumped on that chance.  

Staged continues with Showbiz's heroine, Scarlett. I enjoyed her character once again. The drama

is juicy, the story is engaging and I devoured every bit of it!  Scarlett is still struggling to make her career as a producer. Her struggles are only the beginning. While she has quite a bit going for her to be able to produce her first Broadway show, it's still not going to be easy.

The trials and tribulations are stacking high, but Scarlett is a fighter, and she'll do whatever it takes to win. 

I love stories like this- featuring up and coming people, I love how they have to work hard for what they want, but the end result is amazing.  If you're looking for a great fiction novel that will suck you in to the pages, you've got to try Ms Preston's Staged, and also check out the first book, Show Biz

Author Bio:


Author Ruby Preston is an award-winning Broadway producer who has helped to bring many
musicals to the stage. Her first novel “SHOWBIZ,” described as “The Devil Wears Prada” meets
NBC’s Smash, received widespread praise. Now a promising talent in the literary as well as the theater world, Preston’s newest release is the second book in her Broadway Trilogy. For more information on Ruby Preston and her novels visit www.rubypreston.com or www.dresscirclepublishing.com.
Follow Ruby on twitter: @BroadwayRuby