Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Post-apocalyptic chat and giveaway! Dissidence by Jamie Canosa


Hey all, 

Welcome to another post-apocalyptic chat! I don't know about you, but I'm loving being introduced to all sorts of different futuristic worlds. From plagues to zombies to controlling governments - the future looks, well, pretty darn bleak. No need to wear shades! 

Today we've got nuclear war on the menu with Jamie Canosa's Dissidence. Here's a little summary of the book, followed by an interview I did with Jamie. Keep reading till the end - we're going to get away a copy of the book as well! 

About Dissidence

In dystopian America, sixteen-year-old Kaleigh finds out quickly what having a big mouth and not enough brains to keep it shut can earn you. A one-way ticket to the work camps that no one even knows exists.

Nuclear war has ravished the nation, and a century later, the survivors are living in an entirely new world. In a society where everything is decided for you, from where you work to who you marry, dissidence is not taken lightly.

But, even inside the camps, Kaleigh’s fiery spirit refuses to be extinguished. In a single moment of defiance, she manages to spark a riot that ignites into a full-blown rebellion.

With growing numbers counting on her, not just for their freedom, but for their very lives, two different boys vying for her heart, and trouble brewing from within the camp itself, can Kaleigh find a way to step up and become the leader everyone is counting on her to be, or will even the most carefully laid plans come crashing down around her?


So Jamie, what made you decide to write about a post-nuclear war America?

I wanted to write about an imaginary world that is far from impossible. For readers to image this potential future and experience it right alongside Kaleigh, Connor, and Peter. To ask themselves, “What if this really happened?” “What would I do?”

Why do you think post-apocalyptic stories are so appealing to teens? 

The future will always be a mystery. No one knows what will happen in fifty years, five years, or even tomorrow. I think post-apocalyptic stories are so popular because they have a combination of adventure and just the right amount of possibility to be a tiny bit scary.

Or maybe a little more than a tiny bit! Which brings me to my next question: if you were stuck in a post-apocalyptic world, who would be one person you'd want at your side? 

The hubs might be insulted if I don’t choose him, but does Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead count?

No, because he's already agreed to hang with me. Sorry! And speaking of ... ahem ... threesomes, you've got a love triangle in your book! Which boy do readers seem to be rooting for most? And do you have a personal favorite? 

You know what? This actually surprised me. Big time. I really expected a bigger fan base for Peter, but it seems most people I talk to are Team Connor! I absolutely love them both. They’re so different and yet so perfect in their own way, it’s difficult for me to choose. Either way, I couldn’t be happy with the amount of love fans have shown to both of them J

You also write in other genres. Do you have a favorite and why? 

I do. The Heart and Soul novella mini-series are paranormal romance, and my newest novel, Fight or Flight, (coming in March) is a contemporary romance. I even have a horror novella, Our Own Worst Enemies, published about zombies. In the future, I plan to dive into other genres, as well. I like to mix it up to keep things interesting. I don’t only read one genre, so why only write one? I do, however, stick to YA. Although, Fight or Flight strays into the New Adult category due to particular mature issues it touches on.

It’s hard to choose a favorite. I like them all for different reasons and when I’m in different moods, but if I had to pick just one it would probably be dystopian. There’s so much you can do when the entire world if yours for the making. And I love the kinds of strong characters those worlds can create.

As someone who also dabbles in multiple genres I can definitely relate! So what can readers expect from you next? 

Next month I will be releasing my second novel, Fight or Flight. It’s a contemporary romance that follows Em and Jay, two teens who have suffered terrible abuses. After reaching her limit, Em runs away from home and quickly finds herself in over her head on the dangerous city streets. Jay’s called those streets home for the past two years and he knows Em will be nothing but trouble from the moment he lays eyes on her. It would be just plain stupid to get mixed up with a girl like that. Too bad his heart doesn’t seem to agree.

Beyond that, I will be publishing the third installment of the Heart and Soul series in April, a spin off to Fight or Flight over the summer, AND the sequel to Dissidence, which is scheduled for release in June, so keep your eyes open!!!


We definitely will! Thanks for stopping by and good luck with all the projects! (Besides the getting Darryl Dixon to help you with the apocalypse--not gonna happen!) 

Now onto the good stuff. Buy links and contest time! 

Buy Dissidence: 


Start Reading Dissidence for free

Hang with Jamie: 


Win a copy of Dissidence! 

1 comment:

J Lenni Dorner said...

Thanks for the contest! :)
j.lennidorner@facebook.com