'The feel of the book in your hands'

 

“If your reading habits are anything like mine, then you can remember the exact moment that certain books came into your life. You remember where you were standing and whom you were with. You remember the feel of the book in your hands and the cover, that exact cover, even if the art has changed over the years.” – Alethea Kontis

 

Born in Vermont in January of 1976, Kontis is a writer of Teen & Young Adult Books and short stories about Fantasy, Romance and Science Fiction.  Primarily known for her book Enchanted, also made into a top-grossing movie, she is a prolific writer in several genres. She has new works out as children’s books, in anthologies, and as short story collections, and has completed a new novel, The Thieftess. 

 

Although she labels herself an introvert, she makes dozens of writing and speaking appearances annually and maintains a blog.     

 

Her own favorite reads are “really dense, complicated stories with lots of layers, tons of obscure literary references, and a plethora of inside jokes.”  She also enjoys dressing up as characters – either those she is reading about or those she is writing about – for appearances at writing events.  

 

“It took me a long time to learn how to be brave enough to put myself out there and try everything, no matter how strange or silly,” she said.  “If I can impart that same wisdom to other folks - no matter what age - it would be an honor.”