Saturday Spotlight: Ally Carter

 

Today's Saturday Spotlight (if you didn't get it from the title) is Ally Carter!

What makes Ally Carter worthy of this Saturday Spotlight? Here are a little facts:

• She's a New York Times Best-Selling Author
• She's the author of the Gallagher Girl Series and the Heist Society Series, making her YA the author of 9 YA books (and counting)
• She's currently working on a new series called Embassy Row
• She's totally connected with her fans; she even released an E-Book crossover about the characters from her two series called Double Crossed (you can download it FOR FREE at spiesandthieves.com)
• From her tweets, she's totally down-to-earth; born and raised in Oklahoma, a farm girl at heart, and a total sucker for treats. And working out is just a struggle for her (and for me too).

I am a huge fan of the Gallagher Girls and Heist Society series (I am totally a Goode girl and a Haler), and I'm counting down the days till the release of United We Spy (the 6th and final book in the Gallagher Girls series) on September 17th; that day will mark the end of the GG era, something I'm both looking forward to and dreading at the same time. But what makes Ally today's Saturday Spotlight is not because she's an amazing author (which she is-if you read her books, you would know. If you don't, you should!), but because she's a preacher when it comes to the adaptions of YA movies.

On August 6th, Ally posted a drabble type post on Tumblr (here: http://theallycarter.tumblr.com/post/57632934424/on-hollywood-doubters-and-voting-with-your-wallet) explaining why so many YA books are optioned and yet so few are actually made. When I read it, I understood the message...yet there were still many people complaining why ___ series was being made but not ___ series...really guys?

That's what I love about her: she down-to-earth and is ready to tell it like it is. She's an amazing writer and understands why Hollywood isn't about the YA movie life. She's an author, a YA adaptations movie preacher (in my opinion), and a genuinely good person. This is why Ally Carter is today's Saturday Spotlight!

Fangirl Friday: Nathan Shaw from Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters

Since the release of the Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters Teaser Trailer, there has been A LOT of press attention going on around on the world (Perez Hilton guys, he's on the bandwagon! Can we talk about how awesome that is?!?). Director Mark Waters, lead actress Zoey Deutch, author Richelle Mead, The Vampire Academy producers on @OfficialVAMovie and actor Dominic Sherwood (*sighs dreamily*) have been answering a lot of questions and giving the world a little insight as to how awesome the movie is, how it won't be like Twilight (which it most definitely won't), and how amazing it was working with one another.

While all of that is exciting and cool, I always wanted to know to how a supporting actor of the film was reacting with all of the hype. Fortunately for me, I got a chance to talk with one of these actors in an impromptu Question and Answer. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce you to my very first Fangirl Friday interview with ..........

Nathan Shaw:

 

 

 

Pretty good looking, eh? Nathan Shaw is a talented actor, dancer and Michael Jackson fan from Wakefield, West Yorkshire. He was born October 9th, 1990, and is (in my opinion) the definition of what hard work, passion and perseverance can get you in life. His first professional job was at 15, playing a younger version of Robson Green on a TV production called 'Northern Lights', before moving to London to kick his career into overdrive. In 2011, he also got a chance to work at  prestigious 'Tokyo Disney Resort' in Japan, playing various roles for 13 months like the Mad Hatter (and even in costume, he's still good looking :D):

 

Nate as the Mad Hatter.

 





He will be playing a Dhampir in Blood Sisters, and will be attending the AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy) in the Fall! Here's my interview with Nate! Enjoy!

Thank you once again to Nathan Shaw who took time out of his busy schedule to talk to me! Follow him on twitter: @Nath_Shaw and his cousin @MarcDrye (singer songwriter).

Till next time! :)