Interview with Kristina Springer

Kristina Springer has a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Illinois State University and a Master of Arts in Writing from DePaul University. Her first novel, The Espressologist will be published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux in the fall of 2009. She lives in a suburb of Chicago, IL with her husband Athens and their four small children Teegan, Maya, London, and Gavin. She is also a regular contributer for Author2Author.

1. Where did you get the idea for The Espressologist?
At a coffee shop! My local Starbucks to be specific. I was sitting there having drinks with my husband and watching people come in and out and it sorta hit me that I could tell what they were going to order. Then the book idea started to come to me.
2. For those that don't know what The Espressologist is about, can you give them a brief summary? Also, What other books can we look forward to you in the future?
THE ESPRESSOLOGIST is about a 17-yr old coffee barista at a Chicago coffee shop who discovers she has this talent for matchmaking people based on their favorite coffee drinks.
And coming next fall is MY FAKE BOYFRIEND IS BETTER THAN YOURS. It's about these two 7th grade BFFs who both suspect the other's boyfriend is a fake and keep trying to one up each other with who has the better guy. It becomes competitive and hilarious.
3. You are a contributor to Author2Author. How do you think that it has helped you? What is your favorite part about being a part of the group?
We (me, Deena, Emily, Kate, and Lisa) started Author2Author almost two years ago now and I love it! We're all at different stages of the writing process and we talk a lot about what we're going through at the time and also offer lots of tips/advice/experience. It's helped me a lot personally because I'm with four super smart ladies and they're always coming up with great topics for things I haven't tried yet or haven't heard of. I'm always learning from them. My favorite part about the group? Their advice. I can e-mail them anytime with an OMG, what do I do?! situation and one or all of them will have an answer.
4. What are some of your favorite books from this last year?
Oh, there have been so many!! Let's see, Prada & Prejudice, Wings, Hate List, Being Nikki, Paper Towns, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Secrets of Truth and Beauty, Stupid Cupid, and A Match Made in High School (though that comes out in Feb 2010-- I read the arc.)
5. What is a normal writing day for you?
Fit it in whenever I can! Generally this is a couple of nights a week, maybe a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, for a couple of hours at a time.
6.What are hobbies that you like to do other then writing and reading?
My kids! Seriously, my days are jam packed with kid stuff (their activities, appts, schools, playdates etc. There are four of them between the ages of one and seven). Other than that I try to exercise everyday. And drink coffee. Is that a hobby? And visit/chat with friends and family as often as possible. Oh, and I like movies! And hanging out with my husband!
7. Is there anything else would you like to add?
Thanks for having me! :)