Interview with Anne Osterlund, Author of Academy 7

I was fortunate enough to interview Anne Osterlund, author of Aurelia and the just-released Academy 7 which came out in stores in the US on May 14th...

First off, what is Academy 7 about?

It is the story of a girl, Aerin, who is fleeing a dangerous planet and trying to find a better life. And Dane, a young man fresh out of prison, who is determined to want absolutely nothing because that is what he has been trained to expect. And together they become the top new students at the most prestigious school in the universe. Think Star Wars meets The Outsiders.

Can you describe Dane in three words?

Guts, self-destructive, trouble

How about Aerin?

Defensive, kick-ass, brilliant

How would you describe your writing style?

It is whatever the characters insist it should be. Generally swift YA with romance to taste and enough danger and death to keep the action going, even when stirred under a ream of— sometimes annoying—perfectionism.

Growing up, what sort of books did you read?

Tons! Especially young adult fantasy and historical fiction. Tamora Pierce, Ann Rinaldi, Richard Peck’s Blossom Culp books, Sally Watson, L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa May Alcott, Walter Farley, Mark Twain, and, yes, I admit umpteen thousand Sweet Valley Twins and Babysitter’s Club books.

Who is your favorite character you've created?

A very loaded question. (They create themselves). I love Aurelia. She is very opinionated and stubborn, but her strength, passion, and agility within an argument are terrific fun. Dane is a blast! He is always tearing up everyone’s expectations, including mine; and there is really no getting around him because he is far too interesting to ignore. That said, I would go crazy trying to live in Aurelia’s or Dane’s heads all the time. There is definitely something to be said for Robert and Aerin and a wee bit of perspective, LOL. The truth is I love all my main characters, and if I didn’t I couldn’t do them justice.

What can we look forward to from you in the future?

Time shall tell. I have submitted a couple projects and am waiting to hear what my publisher is the most interested in. Personally, Robert, Aurelia, and I are currently confronting Lord Lester on his estate in the middle of the Asyan Forest in Exile, which is the second book in a trilogy; however, Penguin (much to Aurelia’s ire) says they would like another book but that they don’t think there is enough interest in a sequel. So…I can tell you there is a thief called The Cat, a boy who would rather not be everyone else’s salvation, a slave girl who breaks things, a pioneer girl who prefers to go by Alex, and—Oh yes!—a snake. You’ll probably meet one of them sooner and the rest ultimately.


You can find out more about Anne and her books at
anneosterlund.com

Interview with Aussie Charlotte McConaghy (Part 3)

It's Charlotte McConaghy week over at the Aussie YA Alliance so Adele, Allie and myself conducted somewhat of a SUPER interview with Charlotte. So super that it had to be divided up into parts or else you would be scrolling downwards forever. I got the lovely part 3, so if you want to read what comes before this, and to continue reading all the way to part four, the links are at the bottom of the post...

Your debut book is Arrival. Is it just Australian distribution at this point?

Yes, at the moment, but Black Dog Publishers also do international publishing and translations into other languages, so I guess if it does well, we might be looking at other countries...

Is Arrival going to be the first part of a trilogy?

That's what it has always been in my mind. Although I guess now that it's called a series, it could be opened up to the possibility of more.

So you haven't planned out how it's all going to end then?

I do have an ending, actually. I've written it. But things can always get changed. I tend to write and rewrite a lot.

As I get older, my style changes subtly.

I find myself wanting to explore different things.

What kind of music were you listening to while writing Arrival? Is there a playlist?

There was definitely music involved, I love listening while I write, it helps with the mood, but it was so many years ago now that I can't really remember what I was into at the time! Sorry.

Where did the Anna/cancer plot come from?

Umm... I was just thinking about all the kids who have serious stuff going on in their lives like illness, and I wanted to include something like that to bring a bit of realism to the story. Perhaps so that people can relate to it, where everything else is so fantastical?

If Arrival was made into a movie, who would you cast as the leads?

That is the hardest possible question in the world!!! They all have to be young, just teenagers.

What authors do you really enjoy reading?

I love Isobelle Carmody, Melina Marchetta, Guy Gavriel Kay

Of course... Stephanie Meyer, lol, but who doesn't? I just love Edward!

Back to Melina Marchetta... I LOVE on the Jellicoe Road. And the new Finnikin book.

Were you consulted with the look of the book?

No, actually, but I love it. The original cover was very different, it was a drawing of Jane and Fern, but this cover is far more striking and mysterious I think.

Want to put all of this in context? Then you should check out the rest of it...

Part 1 - Aussie YA Alliance

Part 2 - Just Listen Book Reviews

Part 3 - Look At That Book (You're here already!!)

Part 4 - Persnickety Snark

Interested in Arrival? You can buy it online here at Dymocks.

An Interview With Tracy Madison, Author of A Taste of Magic

Today's author interview is with Tracy Madison author of the novel, A Taste of Magic which is released this March. Tracy lives in Northwestern Ohio with her husband, four children, a bear-sized dog, a snobby cat, and a loud-mouthed bird. Her house is often hectic, noisy, and filled to the brim with laugh-out-loud moments. Many of these incidents fire up her imagination to create the interesting, realistic, and intrinsically funny characters that live in her stories...

1. To begin with, can you tell us a bit about your new book, A Taste of Magic?

A Taste of Magic is the fun story of what happens when one woman receives the family's gypsy magic on her birthday. Here's the back cover copy:

Elizabeth Stevens is one bite away from happiness.
Today is Elizabeth Stevens’s birthday, and not only is it the one-year anniversary of her husband leaving her, it’s also the day her bakery is required to make a cake—for her ex’s next wedding. If there’s a bitter taste in her mouth, no one can blame her.

But today, Liz is about to receive a gift. Her Grandma Verda isn’t just wacky; she’s a little witchy. An ancient gypsy magic has been passed through her family bloodline for generations, and it’s Liz’s turn to be empowered. Henceforth, everything she bakes will have a dash of delight and a pinch of wishes-can-come-true. From her hunky policeman neighbor, to her gorgeous personal trainer, to her bum of an ex-husband, everyone Liz knows is going to taste her power. Revenge is sweet…and it’s only the first dish to be served.

2. Have you always wanted to be an author?

I've always enjoyed writing, but didn't give serious thought about trying to become published until my mid-twenties. Even then, it took me a while to get to the point I was ready to submit. With marriage, several moves across the country, and four children, I was more than a little busy! I continued to write, though, and was thrilled when my long-awaited dream of publication came true.

3. What was the road to publication for A Taste of Magic like?

I'd been submitting the book to agents for a while, and at the same time, it was at Dorchester Publishing. After about 8 months there, I received a phone call from the editor with an offer. It was amazing! I didn't have an agent yet, so I took a few days to contact those that still had the novel, and ended up with two offers of representation. While it was a tough choice, I decided to go with Michelle Grajkowski from 3 Seas Literay, and couldn't be happier!
4. Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?

This is a tough question to answer, because almost anything can inspire me. A dream. An article in the paper. A news story on the TV. Normally, though, my inspiration comes in the form of a question that I just have to answer, so I write a book to answer it!

5. What do you think makes a good story?

Hmm, I'm going to answer this question as a reader, not a writer. Even with that, my answer will likely vary from any other reader you asked, because we all have different tastes. For me, what makes a story work is far more about the characters than the plot. Obviously, there has to be a plot, there has to be conflict of some sort to keep me intrigued, but my heart will follow a poorly plotted novel if I love the characters. On the other hand, if I don't love the characters, the greatest plot in the world won't keep me turning the pages.

6. Do you listen to music when you write?

Nope, I find it too distracting. But I do like to listen to music before I start writing, and sometimes I'll take a break from a scene to listen to a few of my favorites. Unfortunately, as much as I've tried, I cannot focus on the writing if I have music playing.

7. Who is your favorite character you've created?

I love all of my heroes and heroines, naturally, but I also have a special love for wacky older lady -- Grandma Verda. She's funny, has great instincts, and wow, I just LOVE writing her.

8. And finally, what can we look forward to from you in the future?

My second novel, A Stroke of Magic, will hit the shelves on June 30, 2009. This time, we get to see what happens to Elizabeth's sister, Alice, when she receives her gift of magic. It's a great story and I can't wait for others to be able to read it!

Thank you for having me here today! I really appreciate it. :)

An Interview With Allison van Diepen, Author of Raven!

Today's author interview is with Allison van Diepen, the talented writer of Snitch, Street Pharm and the her newly released book, Raven. Allison, who is a full-time high school teacher, stopped by to talk about being an author and to fill us in about Raven...

To begin with, can you tell us a bit about your latest book, Raven?

Sure. Raven is the story of Nicole, a teen who works underage at a New York City dance club. Nicole is madly in love with Zin, the head of her breakdancing crew, a gorgeous guy with a mysterious past. Nicole believes that she and Zin are like magnet and metal -- destined to be together. But Zin has a very good reason for keeping his distance...

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I've wanted to be an author since I was about twelve -- that's when I fell in love with reading. Writing my own stories was a natural extention of that. A couple of years later, I finished my first manuscript, and I was officially hooked on writing. I promised myself that I would hold on to my goal of becoming a published author, and I did.

Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?

Anywhere and everywhere. Sometimes a character or a premise just pops into my head while I'm listening to music. Other times a story idea comes from the day-to-day issues I'm concerned with; I'm a high school teacher, so I see a lot of real-life teen drama on a regular basis.

What do you think makes a good story?

It's all about believable, real characters. When I read a book, I don't need it to be artfully written, but I do need to care about the characters and what happens to them.

Raven by Allison van Diepen

Do you listen to music when you write?

Oh yes. Music is essential to get me in the mood of a certain scene. For Raven, I listened to dance music for the club scenes, and ballads for the romantic scenes.

Who is your favorite character you've created?

That's incredibly tough, so I'll have to go with my latest love, Zin from Raven. He's got this charisma, this something about him that draws Nicole. And I've already heard from readers that they're falling in love with him.

What other great things can we look forward to from you in the future?

I have two novels coming out in 2010 from Harlequin's new teen line. And I have a great idea for another paranormal and another gritty urban book -- all I need is the time to write them!

Thanks Allison!
Raven by Allison van Diepen is out now! Check it out here on amazon :)
You can also find out more about Allison on her website, http://www.allisonvandiepen.com/

An Interview With Laura Whitcomb, Author of The Fetch!

Today's author interview is with Laura Whitcomb, author of the YA novels A Certain Slant of Light and The Fetch. I just posted my review of The Fetch which you can read here. Laura was kind enough to talk about her new supernatural romance, The Fetch...

To begin with, can you tell us a little about your new book, The Fetch?

THE FETCH is a supernatural romance about Calder, who is a death escort or Fetch. He breaks his vows and leaves heaven to come to earth. He falls in love, but his leaving his post has caused an imbalance in heaven, on earth, and in the Land of Lost Souls (where the ghosts dwell.) Calder has to make things right.

The Fetch by Laura Whitcomb

What inspired you to write this story?

I was walking my Min Pin puppy in the park one day when the idea came to me that there were three very interesting characters in history that were all part of one chain of dramatic true events: Rasputin, the controversial holy man who was confidant to Russian Emperor Nicholas II and his family; Anastasia, youngest daughter of Nicholas and famed for the rumor that she survived after her family was executed; and her brother Alexis, heir to the throne and a victim of hemophilia. I love writing the paranormal understory of a slice of history or a piece of well-known literature, so I decided to write a story about these three real people and offer the supernatural "what if . . . " version of their adventure.

Have you always been interested in Russian history/the Romanov family?

I've always been intrigued by the Romanovs and Rasputin, but I hadn't done much reading on the subject.

The Romanov Family

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book?

Yes. I read several books, watched three films and read parts of many other books. And I spent hours on the Internet finding little facts that were not in the other sources. I even emailed a history professor to ask a couple of tricky questions.

The Fetch had a very well developed plot line - how long did it take you to write?

I thought about the plot and took notes for a few months before I started really writing. The first draft of the novel took about 7 months. And rewriting went on for over a year with the help of my editor. (A not so well-kept secret about novelists -- most of the time we spend writing is rewriting.)

Did exploring death and the afterlife through The Fetch cause you to evaluate your own beliefs (or even consider your own mortality)?

I've thought about life and death and heaven and hell and God for decades. I've loved reading various authors like C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Madeleine L'Engle, and others, on the subject of the afterlife. It's not a frightening concept to me. I've known many people who are on the other side now. My gut instinct is that there is great good and much love in that place we try to, but can never truly, imagine.

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

And finally, what can we look forward to from you in the future?

I am just starting now to work on a sequel to my first novel, A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT. I hope to write more about Calder and to continue creating supernatural understories about historical events or pieces of literature. And I imagine most of them will include romances. I so enjoy writing love stories.

Thanks so much Laura! You can read my review of The Fetch here! :)

Interview With Laurie Faria Stolarz!

Our interview today is with Laurie Faria Stolarz who has written A LOT of YA books. Laurie's latest book is Deadly Little Secrets. You can find out more at Laurie's website : http://www.lauriestolarz.com/

To begin with, can you tell us a bit about your latest book, Deadly Little Secrets?

Up until three months ago, everything about sixteen-year-old Camelia's life had been fairly ordinary: decent grades; an okay relationship with her parents; and a pretty cool part-time job at an art studio downtown. But when Ben, the mysterious new guy, starts junior year at her high school, her life becomes far from ordinary.
Rumored to be somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend's accidental death, Ben is immediately ostracized by everyone on campus. Except for Camelia. She's reluctant to believe he's trouble, even when her friends try to convince her otherwise. Instead she's inexplicably drawn to him, and to his touch. But soon, Camelia is receiving eerie phone calls and strange packages with threatening notes. Ben insists she’s in danger, and that he can help, but she’s not so sure she can trust him. She knows he's hiding something, and he's not the only one with a secret.

To view the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzMpVMy2fQ
To listen to a recording of me reading the first chapter: http://www.supload.com/music/Deadly-Little-Secret-download-NX6I68QENRQ2.html

When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

As a child, I was making up stories before I could even write them down. I’d tell them to whomever was willing to listen, often passing them off as truth to elicit more of a dramatic effect. Then, when I could write, I’d create scripts for my dolls and make them act out the storylines. Telling stories – and then later writing them down – has always been a part of who I am.

What do you think makes a good story?

I think a story has the potential to be a good if it has the ability to make the reader feel something, whether that be anger, hatred, love, grief, joy, or something else.

How long does it take you to write each book?

About a year, from initial idea to final draft.

Who is your favourite character you've created?

Stacey Brown from my Blue is for Nightmares Series. She’s been with me the longest and so now, five books later, I feel a special bond with her. Plus, I love how she’s so relatable. There are extraordinary circumstances going on all around her – trying to save her friends from the likes of stalkers – and yet she still experiences the same things that teens go through every day, i.e. heartbreak, problems with parents, drama with friends, academics at school, etc., etc.
Camelia Hammond from my current Touch Series would have to be a close second favorite. I love how we get to see her extrasensory powers develop. With Stacey those powers are already pretty strong from the very first book. But for Camelia we get to see them unfold over time.

What book are you currently reading?

As Simple as Snow by Gregory Galloway.

Do you hear from your readers much?

Yes, I get approximately 75 – 100 emails from readers per week. They all want to know when the next Touch Series or the next Blue is for Nightmares Series book is coming out. They also ask me for advice about writing.

And finally, what other great things can we look forward to from you in the future?

Deadly Little Lies, the second book in the Touch Series, will be out in December. Also, Black is for Beginnings, the fifth book in my bestselling Blue is for Nightmares series, will be out in the fall.

Thankyou so much Laurie for agreeing to be interviewed on Look At That Book! You can find all of Laurie Faria Stolarz's books here on amazon!

Interview with YA Author, Zoe Marriott

Today's author interview is with Zoe Marriott, pictured on the right with her cocker spaniel, Finbar! Zoe is the author of the YA Fantasy novels The Swan Kingdom (2007) and Daughter of the Flames (2008). You can find Zoe online at http://www.zoemarriott.com/

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Yep. Well, as soon as I knew what an author was, anyway. I know most little girls want to be ballerinas or a pop stars, and I did too - but I always wanted to be a ballerina who was also a writer. I can remember looking in the copyright page of of all my Roald Dahl books and writing down the addresses of the publishers...at about nine years old.

Where do you find your inspiration for your stories?

From pretty much everything that happens to me. Mostly my own feelings. I think that's what makes a writer - there's an extra bit in the back of my head that's always working no matter what else is going on, filing things away, running images and ideas like a sort of constant show reel. It's a little tiring sometimes, and I wish I could switch it off, but without it there would be no stories. I can remember being in floods of tears over something - I mean really upset - and that little extra bit was going 'Ah, so this is what terrible grief feels like. Maybe we can use this in the next book'. It was sort of horrible, but those feelings did end up in Daughter of the Flames...

What was the road to publication for The Swan Kingdom like?

Wow, that is a great question. It actually began way before I started writing The Swan Kingdom. The first young adult book that I ever finished (when I was twenty) was called Blood Magic and it was rejected by every publisher in the UK. And two in Australia, just to finish off. But one of the publishers in the UK (Walker Books) had really liked it and the editor who eventually phoned me to tell me that they weren't going to offer me a contract for Blood Magic made a point of saying 'Please, please send me the next thing you write'. He kept in touch with me through email for the next year while I was writing The Swan Kingdom, just asking me 'How's it going?' every now and again. Finally, when the book was finished, I emailed it to him, and within a day he came back to me and said 'This is very, very good'. But it didn't end there! At that time the idea of fantasy aimed at girls was not really well-known in the UK, so the editor's boss wasn't sure about the book. They invited me to go to London and talk to them, and what they wanted was for me to put The Swan Kingdom aside and look at their guidelines for chapter books and write something else for them. Well, the editor had warned me this might happen, and so before I went I had prepared a speech, and when the Boss Lady said this to me, I said, 'Okay, but just let me tell you about the market for this book first...' And I talked to her for forty minutes about the US market and Tamora Pierce and Meg Cabot and Shannon Hale and Robin McKinley and how these authors were writing fantasy for girls and were bestsellers. And at the end of that time, she offered me a development fee to go away and do revisions on The Swan Kingdom. That was in November - I finished the revisions before Christmas - and I was offered a contract in February. But because they hadn't expected to offer me a contract, they had no space in their schedule to publish the book, and so I had to wait for two and a half years for The Swan Kingdom to be published. It felt like forever.

What do you think makes a good story?

That's one of the questions that I don't think anyone can answer completely. It's an emotional connection, I suppose - whether the characters reach out to the reader and make them care about them. Without that, the plot could be amazing but no one would care. The other day I was re-watching The Matrix and I thought to myself, 'I should be making notes here; this stuff is genius'. I don't mean the story itself, or the ideas, but the way that the reader is led into the character's world and the way the tension is ratcheted up and up until you're practically biting your nails and desperate not to lose anyone. That's what makes a good story. Just having to know what happens next because the characters seem so real to you.

Do you listen to music when you write?

Always. I usually make a playlist for each book that I write: for instance, the playlist for Daughter of the Flames was made up of songs from both Gladiator soundtracks, some music from Lord of the Rings, some from Master and Commander, and a bunch of songs I found on iTunes in the world music section. I also have other playlists to help with specific kinds of scenes. I have one called 'Fight' which has songs from Evanescence and Within Temptation and My Chemical Romance on it. The number one song I listen to when I need to feel sad is 'Memories' by Within Temptation. It's a perfect song to bring tears to my eyes.

Who is your favorite character you've created?

Oddly, it's never my principle characters! I love them, but because I live inside them for so long they kind of feel like parts of me. I love the cottars, Olwyn and Will, in The Swan Kingdom. They were incidental characters who I made up on the spur of the moment, and they feel completely real. But probably my real favourite is King Abheron in Daughter of the Flames. He's the villain, he's a monster, he's killed so many people...but to me he's the saddest character in the book. I don't want to give out spoilers, but a lot of people who have read the book have said they ended up crying for him.

What book are you currently reading?

Well, I've just finished Graceling by Kristin Cashore. It came out the other weekend here in the UK. It was great, and I read it straight through in about three hours. I book I have next to me now is 'The Writer's Journey' by Christopher Vogler. It's non-fiction, and it talks about how stories are put together, the Hero's Journey and the Hero with a Thousand faces. Honestly, it's kind of blowing my mind, and I'm only two chapters in!

What's your all time favorite book?

If I gave you the name of one book, it would probably be a lie, because it changes from day to day. I can give a list. I love the Abhorsen Books by Garth Nix and have re-read them about twenty times. I love The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold and re-read that at least once a year. I love Pride and Prejudice and still find something new in it each time I read it, although I read it for the first time when I was fourteen. I love Night Watch by Terry Pratchett and cry at the ending every time. The books I love are ones that you can keep forever.

What other great things can we look forward to from you in the future?

Well, the book I'm writing now is going to be pretty good, I think. I pitched it to my publisher as Cinderella meets The Count of Monte Cristo meets Memoirs of a Geisha. It's rich and dark and full of daring new things I haven't tried before. After that I'm going to write an indirect sequel to Daughter of the Flames, in which we go back to the country of Ruan about five years after the book finishes and see how the nation is rebuilding itself and how the Ruan and Sedorne are learning to live together. It will be my first story told from the POV of a male character, so I expect it to be very challenging.

And finally, any parting words of wisdom?

Oh, heck. Er... 'Life is not a gamble, it's a certainty.' There. Is that wise enough?


Thankyou so much Zoe for agreeing to do an interview with Look At That Book! Both The Swan Kingdom and Daughter of the Flames are available now so you can head down to your local bookshop and pick one up :)

Interview With Storyheart, Author of Across The Pond

Today's author interview is with the author of Across The Pond, Storyheart. He is currently promoting Across The Pond on a virtual blog tour and has stopped by to tell us about his latest book as well as his own experiences of going 'across the pond'...

• To begin with, can you tell us a bit about your latest book, Across The Pond?

They say write about what you know, and having moved myself across the pond in 2000, I was well able to relate too much of the book. Across the pond is a book of romance, humor, adventure and even a little sport.

Fred Squire is almost 15 and when his parents win a trip for two to Australia, he finds himself shipped “across the pond” to stay with family friends in America. To make matters worse he is given a school project to carry out while away, noting all differences between the English and American language. His worries are increased knowing that the people he will be staying with have a daughter about his own age.

Once he meets Brittany or Brit as she is better known as, it is soon obvious that there is a spark between Brit and her Brit. This grows as the story develops until they become what her parents call “an item”

Not counting the issues with the language that Fred runs into, Fred soon discovers that a local bully called Steve Harris has a hold on both Brit and her Friends. Taking on the role of the girls white knight it is soon obvious that Fred and Harris will eventually have a coming together.

A crazy family BBQ, a chase through a Boston Mall and a baseball worth thousands of dollars all add the Fred’s American adventure. With the blossoming love of Fred and Brit soon to end when Fred has to return to England, a final confrontation with Harris and several twists in the tail, all add to the enjoyment of Across the Pond.

While written for young adult readers it is being read and enjoyed by people of all ages from 10 to 80.


• When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

Who can ever say they want to be an Author?
From an early age I used to write poems and tell stores, this developed into song writing and even creating a couple of short musicals for schools. Then about 2o years ago I started writing short romance stories on line, short enough to read over a cup of tea or coffee. In face some people even call them “bathroom stories” as that might be the only time you get five minutes peace and quiet to read.

Then I resided to try and write a novel. After my short stories it was really a case of learning to write all over again, building characters and events rather than a quick thirty minute dash down of a story.

However even now I don’t really count myself a writer. I’m no literary genius, I tell a story, try and paint a picture with words and make the reader feel part of the story, more of a story teller.


• Can you tell us a little about your experience going 'across the pond'?

Coming across the pond myself, I am well able to relate to what Fred has to go though, even now some eight years later I run into either language or actions that are so different.
Like Fred I well remember how I felt the first time I went through a red light turning right, or went to pay a price shown for a pack of soda only to find the added cost of tax and tin return was added onto the price you see.

Bernard Shaw, I think, once said America and England are two countries divided by a single language and they certainly are.


• Who is your favourite character you've created?

I would love to come out with some profound statement about a minor character that the whole story revolves around, but I can’t. So it has to be Fred. Many parts of me go to make up Fred from experience to actual events. Many readers and reviewers have stated that that the characters are believable and they find themselves cheering for Fred and Brit in their adventures. So saying that I guess I have succeeded in making Fred my hero.


• What can we look forward to from you in the future?

Many of the now around fifty reviews that have been written in the few months since the book was produced have asked that same question. Several have noticed that here are two, even possibly a third theme that can be followed up on. The truth is I have daubed the first words onto the creative canvas that is the next book. It will be called “across the pond and back again” (now where did that idea come from *grin*) and carried on straight from where the previous book ends.


• Any parting words of wisdom?

When you start writing, listen and learn. There are so many helpful people and groups out there on the web, where people are only too willing to help.
Finally, be proud of what you produce, if it’s good or bad, it’s still your work, and as such you should be proud of it. Allow people to help without thinking they are trying to make the book what it is not. Above all enjoy the ride that your book will take you along… have fun!


Check back tomorrow for my review of Across The Pond :)

Interview with R J Anderson, Author of Knife!

Today's author interview is with R J (Rebecca) Anderson, author of newly released Knife or soon-to-be released Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter (depending on where you live). Born in Uganda, but raised in Ontario, R J Anderson tells us all about her debut YA novel Knife, the reason behind the different names and what it's like to be a writer...

To begin with, can you tell us a bit about your latest book, Knife?

KNIFE is the story of a fierce young faery who fights to save her dying people while concealing her forbidden friendship with a human. The faeries of the Oak have lost their magic, so they live in constant fear of predators and the dangers of the modern world. Knife is the only one with the skill and the courage to go out and try to find what's gone wrong with the Oakenfolk and what the world Outside is really like... but when she meets Paul McCormick, she discovers a lot more about humans, faeries, and her people's past than she ever bargained for.

What's the reason behind the two different names for the book (Knife/Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter)?

KNIFE was my original title, and my UK publisher was happy to go with that. But my US publisher wanted to market the book in a different way, and also emphasize that it was part of a series. So in North America the series is FAERY REBELS, and this particular book is SPELL HUNTER.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I started writing and illustrating my own stories when I was eight years old. By the time I was twelve I had definite, very strong ambitions of being a published author one day, and had even started writing my first fantasy novel. So yes, writing has always been a huge part of my life.

"...it ticked me off that in all the books I'd read the disabled guy never got to be the romantic lead."

What was the road to publication for Knife like?

Long and bumpy. I wrote the book in 1993-94, but it took me more than ten years to get it into really marketable shape. It wasn't until 2002, when an editor friend stepped in to give me some very specific critical advice about how to *rewrite* the book instead of just polishing and tweaking little bits here and there, that I began to understand what Knife's story really needed in order to shine. Once I'd done two significant revisions under her direction, I was finally able to capture the interest of an agent with it, and shortly after that, the book finally sold.

Where did you get your inspiration for the story? Why faeries?

Every time I think about this question I come up with a different answer. So many things go into an idea! But basically, if you took the Flower Faeries and PETER PAN (oh, all right, it was really Steven Spielberg's HOOK, so sue me) and put them in a blender with Madeleine L'Engle's A SWIFTLY TILTING PLANET and Frank Miller's ELEKTRA: ASSASSIN, you would have something like the primordial soup from which Knife arose in my teenaged brain. I loved the idea of small, humanoid faeries but I didn't want anything sparkly or twee, and I'd always felt a bit sorry for Tinkerbell being in love with Peter but clearly never having a chance, and it ticked me off that in all the books I'd read the disabled guy never got to be the romantic lead. So I let all those thoughts tumble around in my brain and polish each other for about five years until I was ready to put them all into a story.

Do you listen to music when you write?

I used to as a teen, but I find it too distracting now, unless I'm listening to something that I've heard so many times I don't even register it any more. Though sometimes when I'm feeling really uptight about the words instead of relaxing into the story, familiar music can help to soothe the savage critic in my brain.

Who is your favourite character you've created?

I do love Knife a lot, but I have an enormous soft spot for Thorn. She's so grouchy and cynical and sharp-tongued, but with hidden depths -- kind of the Dr. House of the Oakenwyld, now that I think about it. I wish I could write a whole book from her point of view, but I doubt that'll happen since she's too old to be the protagonist of a YA novel. Maybe I'll write a short story for her one day.

What else can we look forward to from you in the future?

I'm currently working on the sequel to KNIFE, which will be published in 2010. In my spare time I'm also writing a paranormal YA thriller about a girl with cross-wired senses (a.k.a. synesthesia), which my agent and I are really excited about.

And finally, any parting words of wisdom?

If you really want to be a writer, don't let discouragement and rejection keep you down. Keep writing, keep submitting, and use feedback and criticism from others to make your work better. If you start to get personalized rejections from agents and editors that actually give you advice on how to improve the book, that's fantastic progress! Take those comments to heart and put them to use, and you WILL eventually get published. Even if it takes fifteen years, like it did with me. :)


A huge thankyou to R J Anderson for the interview! You can find her online at her website http://www.rj-anderson.com or follow her blog at livejournal http://rj-anderson.livejournal.com/

If you live in the UK Knife is out now! Go buy it! It will be available in Aus/NZ from March.
While Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter will be out late April for everyone in the USA!

Make sure you check back tomorrow for my review of Knife! :)

Interview with Jennifer Banash, Author of The Elite Series!

Today's author interview is with Jennifer Banash, author of the popular Elite series. When Jennifer was growing up she attended school on the Upper East Side in Manhattan and now lives with her beagle, Sigmund and her designer shoe collection (cool!). Check out her site http://www.theelitebooks.com/

When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?
When I was around 2, my father gave me a typewriter as a birthday present. I don't think I realized that I was going to be a writer right then and there (umm . . . I could barely drink from a sippy cup without making a mess), but I think the seed was definitely planted.

What inspired you to write the Elite books?

My own high school experience. I went to high school with a lot of wealthy kid that were supposed to have it all--but were actually deeply troubled, and had less than perfect home lives. While I've always been attracted to glamor, and really wanted to write an escapist series for teens, also wanted to temper it with a bit of reality in terms of the characters home lives.

What do you think makes a good story?
I think drama, romance, and intrigue make a good story! Writing what you know doesn't hurt either :)

How long did it take you to write each book?

I wrote all three books in about 9 months. Yes, I was tired afterwards!

Do you hear from your readers much? What kind of things do they say?

I'm kind of Facebook obsessed, so I hear from readers a good deal. Mostly they just tell me that they love the books, or ask for tips on getting published themselves. I love hearing from readers--it's the best part of the job!

Who is your favourite character you've created?

My favorite character I've created is Madison Macallister. Yes, she's a drama queen, diva-bitch, but she's just so much FUN to write! I literally giggle in my chair like a maniac when I'm writing her story arc.

What book are you currently reading?

I'm currently reading I KNOW IT'S OVER, by CK Kelly Martin. It's fantastic.

What's your all time favourite book?

Arrrrgh . . . I hate this question! I'm indecisive and could never choose just ONE. Some of my favorites are: A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, LESS THAN ZERO, TO THE LIGHTHOUSE, and I love anything that Carole Maso writes--not many people read her--but they should. As far as strictly YA goes, SISTERS OF MISERY by Megan Kelley Hall is the best book I've read in a LONG time--hands down.

Thankyou so much for the interview, Jennifer! The first two books in the Elite series, The Elite and In Too Deep are out now. The third book, Simply Irresistible is out in July!