Interview & Contest with Cover Model Scott Nova

Scott Nova Interview Intro:

TGIF everyone!  LITERAL ADDICTION and Book Monster Reviews are very happy to welcome cover model and actor Scott Nova to our sites today!  

Scott is a firefighter/EMT who also has background in Information Technology and a passion for fitness and martial arts.  He’s represented by The View Talent Group and The Talent Group of Pittsburgh and does freelance cover and physique modeling. 

In addition to his modeling career and impressive credits therein, Scott also works in theatre.  He’s had leading roles as Danny Zuko in GREASE, Ichabod Crane in SLEEPY HOLLOW, and Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and has also worked as Theatre Director.  

Scott’s been featured on the covers of Cindy Holby’s “Quicksilver” and Nikki Duncan’s “Criminal Promises”, has played Tristan in Angela Knight’s trailer for “Master of Shadows” and is appearing everywhere on promotional goodies as Dante for C.L Parker’s “Nexus”, just for starters.  

Some other ‘current event’ notable mentions… Scott did an awesome bodybuilding shoot for Fifth Element recently, placed 2^nd in his very first men’s physique competition just this past April (yeah, we’re not surprised either. LOL), and is in the top 8 for RomCon’s Legendary Heroes Contest. 

We’re sure you’ve seen him around on our Facebook pages, but make sure to check him out some more at Model Mayhem, on his Website, friend him on his own Facebook fan page, and follow him on Twitter.

For right now though, let’s see how Scott handled our battery of questions for our Q&A…

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Hey Scott!  Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us.  We’re excited to have you here today and thank you for everything you contribute to the Romance community. J

SCOTT:Hey thanks for having me…I’m having an absolute blast discovering the cover model industry. 2yr’s ago I didn’t even know this genre of modeling existed. I have a special place in my heart for Cindy Walker & jo Carol for getting me to the 2011 RT-LA and starting my career.

Q1): Can you tell us 3 random things about yourself that we couldn't find out easily on the Internet?

SCOTT: I absolutely love Modern Marvels.lol its got so much great information. I’m a huge geek for the Alien franchise. I’ve seen directors cuts of EVERY movie, read the books, graphic novels, and eagerly anticipating the release of Prometheus. I’m also a avid lover of all things Dungeons N Dragons. Paladins are my favorite characters to portray. 

Q2):  What are 2 things that always make you smile, and 2 things that never fail to piss you off?

SCOTT: My son ALWAYS makes me smile…to watch him grow and discover the world. Just the other day he squatted down by a bug and said “hi bug, whatsup?!” I had nothing to say but laugh my butt off. The other thing to always make me smile…Tim Hortons TIM BITS! J

Piss me off….man…being a very aware individual makes things hard to swallow sometimes. I’d have to say that incompetence never fails to piss me off royally. And laziness.

Q3):  What are some of your favorite TV Shows and movies?

SCOTT: Well I kinda answered the movies one up above with the Alien franchise…but my all-time favorite movie is The Crow with Brandon Lee. Bruce and Brandon Lee were always hero’s of mine. I come from a very martial arts heavy family, and so before I die, I want to visit Bruce & Brandon’s grave’s in Seattle. And I love Big Bang Theory…bazzinga!  


Q4):  Outside of the gym (since we’re considering that part of ‘work’ even if you do love it. J), what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

SCOTT: Go get chocolate milk with Jacob is always a blast. Starbucks Chocolate Milk of course. I’m always working on nutrition and different ways to train/workout. But I enjoy working in the yard and keeping my vehicles looking clean and detailed. I enjoy a great restaurant after a hard days work.

Q5):  Do you generally read the books that you do shoots for (if time allows), do you prefer different genres, or aren’t you much of a reader personally?

SCOTT: I try to at least familiarize myself with the characters. I do wish I had the time to read the books, but with a full-time job, all my time spent in the gym and kitchen to backup the bodybuilding along with volunteering as a firefighter/EMT until I’m hired on, I just tend to run out of time. But I do like to know the mannerisms, and traits of the hero I’m depicting.

Q6):  You’ve done some really interesting shoots (like your Ohio State Reformatory gig), has there been one that stands out in your mind as being your favorite to date?  Why?

SCOTT: Well the OSR shoot was probably the coolest when in regards to location. Just being in that sort of setting, and seeing the same room that reads “RED was here” in the movie, was just flat out cool. But as a model I’ve gotten to shoot with Marie Claire at RT-LA in 2011 and shoot in so many states and locations. I enjoy each shoot though. I also greatly enjoy the shoots here in my home town with my regular photographers. They are friends as well, and I appreciate them greatly because without them, I’d just be in the gym lifting weights.

Q7):  What are the best and worst parts about modeling for you?

SCOTT: I already touched upon this a bit in previous questions, but the best part is the people I’ve met and the places I’ve gotten to shoot at. The best parts is getting treated so nicely at events that I go to in the romance industry and making friends that I will have the rest of my life.

Q8):  What is a typical shoot day like for you?  Do you have a routine that you follow?  Are there specific things that you have to have with you to get the right frame of mind, etc?

SCOTT: I’m not a superstitious kinda guy…so I’m not the type to make sure I have to have the same socks on or something J

But I do have a routine. I normally pack whatever clothes/items I need for the shoot the night before. I do a LOT of (most actually) with my shirt off so I’m always looking to be clean shaven on the my chest etc. So I will shave the night before (if the shoot calls for it) and drink LOTS of water. I’m always keeping my skin in great shape. The morning of a shoot I make sure I eat a very high protein breakfast but not heavy. So that I don’t have a bloated stomach. I’ll drink some amino acids for energy, and also helps to make me vascular and pump the muscles. After a shoot..I normally gorge myself on some “not so great food” lol

Q9):  If you could spend the day with anyone – alive, dead, fictional, etc – who would you want to spend it with, and what would you want to do?

SCOTT: I’d want to spend that day with Bruce Lee and my father. My father is still alive, but my father was always my hero. My father brought martial arts into my life at the age of 9. And if I could have just ONE training session with Sensei Lee, and my original Sensei, my father, would be something to truly remember and honor.

Q10):  Can you walk us through how and when you got started in modeling and acting?

SCOTT: Acting…hell that’s an easy one. I was a senior in high school..I tried out for a part in Little Shop of Horrors cause it sounded cool. Figured I’d get a walk-on or something LOL and then the director comes back with the casting and here I am, casted as Seymour. So now I not only have to act in front of my peers, but sing in front of them. “YIKES”

Modeling was more off the wall…I had always been told my facial features could lead to something..but I was always so skinny. I didn’t get serious until around ’08 when I started to put on some muscle. It’s truly taken a solid 3yr’s of bodybuilding to start to make a stand-out physique. Started shooting with great photographers such as Ken Tilley, and Renee Needham and that just helped my portfolio to take off.

Q11):  If you were to give us the top 5 items on your ‘Things to Do/Goals to Achieve’ list, what would they be right now?

SCOTT: #1 is to just continue to be a good dad. To be there when my son wants to simply toss a football, or work on his pedal bike. #2 is to become a firefighter that OTHER firefighters can look up to. #3 I want to trek through the grand canyon and camp. Really experience it. #4 To be a good husband that I know I can be. Protective & caring! #5….well that one I’ll keep to myself. J

Q12):  What’s your guilty pleasure?

SCOTT: pancakes & French toast! Hahaha no serious…they are so bad for you, that when I can splurge and eat something like that…I eat until I’m sick. ALL the sugary syrup you can find baby!

Q13):  Do you cook?  If so, what’s your favorite meal to make?

SCOTT: I do cook…you can’t build a strong, lean body without cooking some on your own. I do make some MEAN scrambled eggs…but probably my favorite meal is to get an 18ounce T-bone steak, put a dry rub on it of Old Bay seasoning, pepper, and Garlic along with maple sauce brazed shrimp skewers and a sweet potato.

Q14):  Is there something you really wish you could do, or have the talent for, but just can’t for whatever reason?

SCOTT: I absolutely love and have a passion for drag racing and muscle cars. Most everyone knows I have a street/strip 1970 Chevy Nova and I’ve done my fair share of racing. On and off the street. So the thing I really wish I could do, and I feel, to my core, that I’d be good at it is professional drag racing with the big dogs.

Q15):  We know you’ve been asked what your idea of the perfect date is a million times so we’re going to switch it up a bit.  What would be your idea of the absolute worst date?

SCOTT: Well I don’t date anymore…but I would have to say that a terrible one would have to be if the conversation fell to pieces after a half hour. No amount of sexual attraction can make up for a terrible mind and/or lack of conversation. But when you got the sexual attraction chemistry with sparks that make a fourth of july look bad, AND conversation and minds to go with it, then..my friend, you got something special! And you better hold on to it!

Q16):  You’re a simple guy who enjoys the country.  Is there a “perfect place” (U.S or International) that you would absolutely love to settle down someday?

SCOTT: I do think I’d absolutely love to live in the northwest. Montana, Dakota’s, or maybe Wyoming or something. Those places aren’t hugely populated…they are absolutely gorgeous from what I’ve seen. I haven’t been there though…so ask me in another 10yr’s or so and I’ll let ya know.

Q17):  The discipline required to do what you do (stay in shape, take care of your skin, etc) is astounding.  How do you keep yourself on track?

SCOTT: I am lucky…in the fact that my body is naturally lean…so if I do have a day or two of  really falling off the horse in regards to diet/nutrition I can recover quickly. I took about 5months of from shooting/modeling in 2011 to EAT EAT EAT and put some size on in the gym. I had a little trouble dropping back to shooting condition. But that was 5months of eating what I wanted when I wanted. To stay on track is fairly easy because my girl is a bikini competitor so we eat clean together. And she’s a HELL of a cook so she helps me out greatly and I steal A LOT of her recipes *grin* And also the support from my fans (MAN that sounds funny to say or type) but it’s true. The comments and constant communication with my fan base keeps me on it. Some of the readers/authors that have supported me from the VERY first image I put up would be let down if I decided to let myself go. NO…I’m only getting started!

Q18):  What are some of biggest challenges about being in the business you’re in?

SCOTT: The challenge is not really ever having a down time. At any point I can get a call from an author to shoot this or that! Or a call from my agent to do this gig or that. And sometimes you’ve literally got just days to prepare. That’s normally just enough time to drop some water. The traveling is tough too…I’ve got almost 7 events this year to go to…and along with a full-time job, a family, volunteering at fire houses and gym time, finding time for traveling is tough.

Q19):  What has been the proudest moment in your career thus far?

SCOTT: I’d have to say that it was when I saw the cover of Nikki Duncan’s ‘Criminal Promises’ on a shelf in B&N and it was my first print book. Thanks to Ken Tilley, who owns Fotoimages by Ken for a Fantastic shot that everyone has fallen in love with. Thanks Ken!

Q20):  Anything special you’d like to say to your fans while we have you here today?

SCOTT: Yes…don’t EVER be afraid to stop me and ask me for a photo or simply stand and chat. I am astounded by how down to earth, and humble most everyone is within the romance industry. I have worked hard to build a body that your average joe doesn’t have, BUT I am a VERY average guy when it comes to chatting. I love to simply sit on a tailgate of a truck in a cornfield and relax…so chatting with friends/fans is great fun as well.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Scott, thank you so much again for being with us today.  We’re very happy to help you get the word out and really hope that some of our authors get in contact with you for their next big release! J

SCOTT: Thanks to you guys…and thanks for the support you gave me for RT this year…and I truly think your readers will LOVE the item’s I”ve sent you to give away.

"Special thanks to Fotoimages by Ken, Renee Needham, Kim Killion of Hot Damn Designs and the other amazing unknown artists/photographers who graced us with these images. We sincerely apologize for not being able to name each of you respectively within the widget!  Please accept our apologies.

NOTICE:  All images are the property of Scott & the photographer/artists. We are simply borrowing them for today's Event. Please do not copy or distribute without the express permission of Scott and the photographer/artist!"

In celebration of Scott’s visit with us, we’re giving away random goodies he brough us back from the RT Convention to a winner from  Book Monster Reviews and another winner over at LITERAL ADDICTION.  

Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter

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