Crystal Kaswell | A Modern, Gender-swapped Update of the Classic Romcom Sabrina

1--What is the title of your latest release?

THE NEIGHBOR WAGER

2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?

A modern, gender-swapped update of the classic romcom Sabrina

3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?

As soon as I pitched the book, I knew it had to take place in Orange County, where I grew up. The parents in Orange County expected their kids to do great things. It was never a question of if you were going to college, but where. My parents were always supportive, but I still felt that pressure to "make something of myself." There is a real culture of worth being financial, and that really played into the themes of the book. At the same time, the county is somewhat conservative. People move there to raise kids. They expect everyone to get married and have a family. Deanna is a super smart programmer who expects herself to make the very best dating app. Even though she's done well so far, she feels immense pressure to both sell her company for millions and prove she's "match-worthy." River, the boy next door, who grew up without her immense privilege (he moved in with his successful but not rich grandma as a teen), her rival turned friend turned lover, went the opposite way, rejecting the norms of the county, moving all the way across the country, to a place as different as possible, NYC, coming back home and coming to terms with the way Orange County is in the bones. It's like my sister once said to me, after I went to the mall to take a walk on a super hot day: "you can take the girl out of Orange County, but you can't take the Orange County out of the girl."

4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?

I think Lexi, Deanna's bubbly, popular younger sister would be the most fun. I'd love to hang out with Deanna and talk shit on people who are too positive or fake or annoying. River would be interesting. He's so open minded and romantic. He'd be a great movie buddy.

5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?

Deanna: Pragmatic, protective, whip-smart

6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?

People think of tech as a very egalitarian space, but female-founded companies have a much harder time securing investments. Less than 13% of the total Venture Capital money goes to companies with a woman on the founding team. There aren't many women in the Venture Capital world, but women are actually better investors than men, statistically speaking! On average, women investors do about a point better than their male counterpoints.

7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?

I do a mix of both. I tend to revise quite a bit. My first draft is about getting the ideas out. The next is about shaping the story.

8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?

Dark chocolate

9--Describe your writing space/office!

I adore my home office! It's a beautiful, big room with high ceilings, curtains in two shades of purple, beautiful light wood doors, and Etsy art prints of Disney Princesses as tattoo pin ups. I have a sit-to-stand desk and I exclusively use my desktop computer. I have to go super ergonomic or I get RSI issues.

10--Who is an author you admire?

Emily Naussbaum

11--Is there a book that changed your life?

The His Dark Materials trilogy really helped me shape my ideas about death and religion.

12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.

With THE NEIGHBOR WAGER, the publisher initially approached me, and I pitched ideas. So there wasn't really one moment where "it happened." It was more of a process of going through ideas and seeing what worked for everyone.

13--What’s your favorite genre to read?

Non-fiction. I love learning about the world! I'm on a memoir kick at the moment.

14--What’s your favorite movie?

Casablanca

15--What is your favorite season?

Summer

16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

With a really great tea and a nice dinner somewhere.

17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I recently watched Penny Dreadful and I adored the way the creator adored Gothic literature. I really liked Beef, too. My favorite recent movies were May December and Past Lives.

18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?

Mexican

19--What do you do when you have free time?

I absolutely adore television. I studied film and TV. TV is my favorite medium and I find it relaxing because I don't work in it. I read a lot too. And I love to stay active with hiking or dancing.

20--What can readers expect from you next?

My next indie release is called A Match Made in Vegas. It's a really fun, very sexy best friend's brother accidental marriage romance. It was a little different for me in that both characters are super book-smart—I tend to write a lot of book-smart women, and men who adore their intellect. The hero still adores the heroine's intellect in this one (that's a non-negotiable for me… though I do have my heroines who are a little less booksmart, and I love them too, especially when they're impulsive, like Sienna in Dirty Secret) but the heroine adores the hero's intellect too.

THE NEIGHBOR WAGER by Crystal Kaswell

Deanna is all work, no play. She's too busy running her soon-to-be Fortune 500 tech company, currently launching the world's best dating site. For women. By women. All driven by her genius algorithm. Case in point: her kid sister and co-founder, Lexi, the company’s #1 test case. Despite Lexi's preference for casual encounters, the app found her Mr. Right. Just in time for the company to secure major investment.

Then the boy next door ruins everything.

River, their dorky neighbor who read comic books instead of going to parties, is now a hunk--not to mention charming and witty. Oh, and he’s still totally in love with beautiful, effervescent Lexi, and she’s responding to his sudden attention. No way. Deanna isn't letting anyone--much less some guy who's been MIA for years--tank their company. She's not letting River anywhere near her sister. But the only way to keep him away from Lexi is to keep him busy. With her.

Except, he's not so bad. He's kinda funny actually. And sweet. And a great kisser. Wait, why are they kissing? They really shouldn't be kissing.

Romance Comedy [Entangled: Amara, On Sale: February 20, 2024, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781649375728 / eISBN: 9781649375308]

About Crystal Kaswell

Crystal Kaswell writes scorching hot new adult romance novels.

She especially loves flawed characters who help each other heal. Her books are the perfect mix of heat, humor, and heart.

When she isn't writing, she's chain drinking tea, dancing, or debating which fictional character would be the best in bed. Originally from Southern California, she now resides in the Pacific Northwest, where she spends the rainy winters dreaming of sunny skies and balmy beaches.

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