When is your next book coming out?

Going Too Far will be published by MTV Books on March 17, 2009.

I heard it was called something else.

It was. My editor changed the title. It's very common for editors to change the titles of novels. My original title for Major Crush was Queen Geek, but there was another book coming out with that title. A chick named Elke who worked for my publisher came up with the name Major Crush, which I actually like much better. As a thank-you, I changed a character's name to Elke. You can find Elke on page 58 of Major Crush. I thought it would be funny to give her a boyfriend named Gator.

Are you writing sequels to Major Crush and The Boys Next Door?

My editor has asked me to write a proposal for the sequel to The Boys Next Door. No guarantees. I have to think of something really good. In the meantime, I'm writing a new romantic comedy called The Ex-Games, which will be published by Simon Pulse in October 2009.

Are you making your novels into movies?

I am not in the movie business, but maybe someone else will make my books into movies someday. I've explained how this works on the Pulse Ro-Com Blog in case you're interested.

Do you wakeboard like Lori in The Boys Next Door?

No. I did grow up on a lake in Alabama like Lori, and I learned to waterski when I was five. Wakeboarding wasn’t invented yet.

Is bryozoa real?

Oh yes.

Did someone really smear it on you?

Yes. This sort of trauma makes the most compelling fiction.

Were you a beauty queen like Virginia in Major Crush?

That's so sweet! Look closer.

Were you in marching band like Virginia?

Yes! I was the first female drum major of my high school marching band. I also played saxophone (well), drums (a little), trumpet (badly), and oboe (very badly). I wanted to be a high school band director myself, so my first major in college was music education. Then I switched to English and got serious about writing.

Did you star in The Notebook?

No, that’s a different Jennifer Echols.

Do you have a secretary?

You’re funny. First I’d get a personal chef.

How can I get my novel published?

The best book I’ve read on the subject is Pat Walsh's 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might. For more info, see my tips for writers.

Did you design your own website?

Isn't that like asking me if I cut my own hair?