Celebrating Debutantes 2016: Don’t Get Caught by Kurt Dinan (Author Interview + Giveaway)

Look who’s on the blog today! Kurt Dinan author of Don’t Get Caught! This is no prank guys! Kurt is really here today to answers few questions about his debut novel. If you haven’t heard about Don’t Get Caught yet here’s your chance to discover a fun and exciting read. Promise, you won’t get bored reading Max Cobb’s story. It’s either you are laughing or busy guessing what will happen next. Don’t Get Caught is one book you need to read this year to lessen the drama and seriousness around you.

I hope you guys enjoy the interview. And be sure and check the rest of the post for more information about Kurt and his debut novel Don’t Get Caught, as well as the giveaway for a chance to win an eBook copy and swags!

Interview with Kurt Dinan

Don’t Get Caught is your debut novel, what push you to pursue writing as a career? How did you know what story you want to write about?

I came to writing late in life for most, in my early thirties, and started with short stories. Eventually, I decided what I really wanted to do was write something longer, and made a list of what I would want to read in a novel. I think it’s vital that you write the book you want to read, not the book you hope others want to read. I’ve always loved heists and capers, as well as ensemble casts, and that’s ultimately what I wrote.

Many readers who had the chance to read Don’t Get Caught in advance praises you for delivering a smart and funny novel, how does it feel? How much fun did you have writing Max’s story?

When I wrote the book, my goal was to deliver something fast and fun. I think YA needs more fun novels because while life as a teenager can be stressful and trying, it can also be filled with good times, too. So hearing people say how funny they found the book is a great feeling. Writing about Max and his friends is the best time I’ve ever had writing anything. They gave me the opportunity to have them do the stupid things I wished I had done when I was a teenager.

If Max could turn the tables on you and write a story based on your teenage years, what do you think will be title and tagline of that book?

Why Can’t I Get a Girlfriend?: The Sad, Pathetic Tale of Kurt Dinan

Lets say, Max asked you to join team with him and create an elaborate prank, who will be the target and what prank the two of you will scheme?

I think the best pranks are creative, basically harmless, and can be enjoyed by (most) everyone. With that in mind, I’d love to pull a media-based prank, get a news story circulating that isn’t true–like that I’ve created an honest-to-goodness hoverboard, or uncovered a Bigfoot skeleton in the woods, or that I have a toaster that mysteriously burns messages from the future onto pieces of bread. Weird things like that that get people talking and debating, but it’s all in good fun.

Have you tried pulling pranks before? If yes, please tell us more about it. Or if not, then tell us one scheme you wish you had pulled?

I recently read about students in Minnesota who used the tunnel connecting two of their high school buildings to create a non-stop flow of students on the crosswalk outside. It’s such a simple and creative prank that I wished I’d thought of it. Oh, and there’s even an awesome video of it here

I am a fan of young adult fictions. As an author, what draws you to the YA genre?

I teach high school so I’m around teenagers all day. I love their energy and honesty, and I sort of have a secret “in” into their world. I especially like the fact that teenagers can get away with irresponsibility that adults can’t. I mean, if any of adults tried to pull the pranks in Don’t Get Caught, they’d end up in prison. Teenagers though, they have more of a chance of getting away with it.

Do you have any plans on writing books for non-YA audience? What genre do you think you’ll focus on and why?

At the moment I have no plans to write any non-YA books. Like I said, there’s a freedom in YA I could see myself having trouble writing in a more adult book. Plus, let’s be honest, I’m not the most mature person in the world. My brain defaults to adolescent thinking for some reason, so it’s a more comfortable place for me to write.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Just a massive thank you. Here’s the thing about writing–I write not actually thinking anyone will ever read it. So knowing now that people out there are reading the book and enjoying it, and maybe telling others to read it to, or even getting a kid who doesn’t like to read suddenly realize it’s not so bad, just makes me really happy. So thank you, everyone!

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Thank you so much Kurt for stopping by today and for taking the time to answer all my questions above. Looking forward to the released of your book, Don’t Get Caught.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kurt Dinan teaches high school English in Cincinnati where he lives with his wife and four kids. While he’s never pulled any of the pranks detailed in DON’T GET CAUGHT, he was almost arrested in college for blizzarding the campus with flyers for a fake concert. This is his first novel.

Find Kurt

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Book Details:

Title: Don’t Get Caught
Author: Kurt Dinan
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: April 1, 2016
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback, eBook

10:00 tonight at the water tower. Tell no one. -Chaos Club

When Max receives a mysterious invite from the untraceable, epic prank-pulling Chaos Club, he has to ask: why him? After all, he’s Mr. 2.5 GPA, Mr. No Social Life. He’s Just Max. And his favorite heist movies have taught him this situation calls for Rule #4: Be suspicious. But it’s also his one shot to leave Just Max in the dust…

Yeah, not so much. Max and four fellow students-who also received invites-are standing on the newly defaced water tower when campus security “catches” them. Definitely a setup. And this time, Max has had enough. It’s time for Rule #7: Always get payback.

Let the prank war begin.

Book Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | Goodreads

 

Giveaway:

What’s up for Grab?

• one eBook copy of Don’t Get Caught + Swags (bookmarks & postcard)
• Update: Kurt is giving a hardcover copy of Don’t Get Caught instead of eBook + Swags (bookmarks & postcard)

the physical copy of the book from the photo above is just the representation for the eBook

The Rules:

• Open to US addresses only
• There will be one (1) winner
• Winner will be chosen and announced by rafflecopter
• Winner will be contacted thru email & should response within 48 hours
• Ends March 31, 2016
• Prizes will be sent by the author

To enter fill out the rafflecopter form

Good Luck!!!

Treat yourself to a complete #CelebratingDebutantes2016 experience. Click the image below for the full list of schedule and links to each feature post!