Interview with Anita Hughes!

Joining us today at The Book Vault is Anita Hughes, author of Monarch Beach!

Hi, Anita! Why don’t you tell us a bit about your debut novel, Monarch Beach?
MONARCH BEACH is about a young San Francisco heiress who discovers her French chef husband wrapped around his (female) sous chef. She accepts her widowed mother’s invitation to spend the summer in the Presidential Suite of the St. Regis, Monarch Beach. There she tries to overcome her grief and plot a new path for her future.

Where did you get your inspiration for Monarch Beach?
I actually live (with my family) in a villa on the grounds of the St. Regis, Monarch Beach! It is so beautiful here, I thought: if you are really unhappy does being in a gorgeous place make you feel better, or do you carry your grief wherever you go?

What is your writing process like? Do you outline everything or just write and see where the story goes?
With MONARCH BEACH, I knew the final scene and some key scenes in the middle. In my next two novels (both coming out next year) I worked from an outline but the stories definitely veered off in new directions. Once you start writing, your characters do things and take you places you don’t expect.

What was your favorite scene to write?
One of my favorite scenes is when Amanda attends the Monarch Butterfly Release. The St. Regis holds this event every Saturday during the summer. They release dozens of butterflies and everyone makes a wish. It is the first time Amanda feels hopeful about her future.

Do you have a favorite place to write?
My favorite place to write is on the loveseat in my bedroom. It has a beautiful view of the garden and the golf course. It is very peaceful and I can watch the baby bunnies in our garden.

Any advice for aspiring authors?
Write the story you want to write, the story that excites you. If you do that, chances are your readers will love it too.

And since it’s summer, I’ll throw in a few summer-y question:

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Well, I am a huge frozen yoghurt fan! My favorite frozen yoghurt flavors are cake batter and chocolate malt.

Some beach reads you’d recommend for this summer?
I loved OVERSEAS by Beatriz Williams – it is the perfect romantic beach read. And I just finished WIFE 22 which will keep you laughing.

Thank you so much for taking the time out to do an interview with The Book Vault, Anita! I'm a huge fan of froyo too!! Definitely a yummy treat I love to enjoy, along with a good book!

Be sure to visit Anita's website or checkout Monarch Beach on goodreads! Happy reading!

Interview with Alexandra Adornetto!

I recently got the opportunity to interview Alexandra Adornetto, the author of Halo, which hits book stores today! I really enjoyed reading Halo; my review is posted here!

ALEXANDRA ADORNETTO was fourteen when she published her first book,The Shadow Thief, in Australia. The daughter of two English teachers, she admits to being a compulsive book buyer who has run out of shelf space, and now stacks her reading “in wobbly piles on my bedroom floor.” Alex lives in Melbourne, Australia; Halo marks her U.S. debut.

---------------------------------

Where did you get your inspiration for Halo?

I get inspiration from all over the place. With Halo the idea was born some time ago when I was studying religion in high-school. There were only 5 kids in the class and everybody hated it, except me! I thought it was fascinating, especially the idea of the power of faith. So that, combined with my longstanding interest in the paranormal is what inspired Halo.

What was your favorite part to write about in Halo?

I enjoyed writing about Beth and Xavier’s relationship and letting it unfold. It was interesting to combine their deep connection with Gabriel’s disapproval and Molly’s jealousy. The best part was when they made the transition from occasional flirting and accidental touches to accepting their feelings for one another. I enjoyed the action scene in the graveyard as well!

If you could spend the day as any one of your characters, who would you like to be and why?

Bethany, so I could live out the real-life romance with Xavier! It’s gotta be better than sitting at a computer writing about it!

What is your writing process like?

I do chapter breakdowns so I know vaguely what’s going to happen in each one. I’m not a big planner; I’m usually too impatient to start writing. All I need to know is the basic outline of what’s going to happen and the story tends to write itself. I always do two edits (one big one and one touch-up) before sending a manuscript off to my publishers. They usually have a few edits as well, so the book goes through a fair bit before it hits shelves.

Halo’s cover is just breathtaking! Was this the original cover, or were there other versions during the publication process?

It definitely took us a while to get the cover right. We played with a lot of different ideas, like having an iconic cover (just a single feather) or a photograph of a girl with wings. But once we saw that design, we all fell in love with it. Xavier was originally a little bit different, but I wrote to the designer and explained how he should look and he absolutely nailed it!

What books are in your “To Read” pile right now?

Angelology by Danielle Trussoni

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Dead until Dark by Charlaine Harris

When will Hades hit bookstores?

Early 2011. I will post the final release date on my Facebook page as soon as it’s finalized.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

It’s a tough industry, but don’t be put off. I believe if you want something badly enough and you’re willing to work at it, then you’ll succeed. The important thing is to take all criticism on board and incorporate suggestions into your work so that when you pitch it to publishers, it’s the best it can be.

And one just for fun: What is your favorite word and why?

Huckleberry. It’s has pretty sound and fun to say.

Thank you for taking the time out to answer my questions, Alexandra!

I definitely recommend checking out Halo!

---------------------------------

Alexandra will be touring the US this fall! Check here to see if she stops near you!

And if you're interested, check out the first two chapters of Halo on Macmaillan's website!

Alexandra's bio courtesy of Macmillian

Interview with Jennifer Banash, Take 2!

I recently got the chance to interview the lovely Jennifer Banash, author of The Elite series, again! The most recent book in her series, In Too Deep, has already hit bookstores, so go grab a copy if you haven't already! Fans of the first book will not be disappointed!!

Check out my review for In Too Deep here, as well as my review for The Elite and my first interview with Ms. Banash!
And keep you eyes open for a giveaway of In Too Deep soon!!

**warning: there is a spoiler for In Too Deep in this interview; nothing that'll ruin the plot for you, but you've been warned!

--------------------------

1) Which moment/scene has been the most fun to write so far?
Definitely the scene where Drew discovers his dad is having an affair. That was just so fun and exciting to write. I loved the fact that Drew finally had some drama if his own, above and beyond the whole Casey/Madison dilemma.

2) Which is your favorite cover out of the three fabulous ones for your series so far?
The cover for SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE. Even though it’s a bit different than the previous two covers, I just think it’s both eye catching, and beautiful. If I was a reader perusing bookstore shelves, I’d pick in out in a heartbeat.

2) Going back to a question from our last interview, if you had to be any character from your series for the events in In Too Deep for a day, would you still want to be Madison? Or someone else?
She has in pretty rough in IN TOO DEEP—but so do all of the characters! I’d definitely still want to be Madison—she’s my alter-ego in many ways.

3) If you had to spend a day as a character from any book, who would you like to be?
Alaska in John Green’s LOOKING FOR ALASKA.

4) Your favorite designer?
Marc Jacobs.

5) Your one, must-have accessory?
A fabulous handbag, or pair of stilettos.
6) Describe yourself in three words?
Intense. Driven. Emotional.

8) How would Madison describe herself in three words?
Fabulous. Bitchy. Elegant.

9) Casey?
Shy. Unsure. Intelligent.

10) When will Simply Irresistible hit bookstores? (I can’t wait for it!! :D)
July! So you won’t have to wait TOO long to find out what the girls are up to :)

An interview with Coert Voorhees!

Recently, I got a chance to interview the awesome Coert Voorhees, author of The Brothers Torres! Check out my review of The Brothers Torres here! If you still haven't read The Brothers Torres yet, grab a copy some time! It's a fantastic and honest coming-of-age novel about Frankie Towers, younger brother to local soccer star, Steve, as he steps out of his brother's shadow!



1) Where did you get the inspiration for The Brothers Torres?
I wrote a short story a while back in which two kids play with fireworks in the back yard, and because it was a short story, I had to end it. Unfortunately, it ended poorly for the characters, and they were no longer friends at the end. A few years later, I picked the story up again and decided that I didn’t like the fact that the characters weren’t friends. So I imagined a world in which that ending never happened. What if they stayed best friends up through high school? What would their world be like? How would they have changed? And The Brothers Torres pretty much came from that starting point. There’s still a bit of that original short story in chapter two of the book, actually.

2) Were any characters based on any one you knew? Any part of the book on events that happened in your own life?
Most of the “true” things in the book are related to the setting, or to descriptions of people, of the food, etc. I went to soccer camp once with a kid who had only one eye, though. He used to take it out all the time, put it in people’s soup, wash it off in his mouth. That’s where Zach’s eye tricks came from.

3) Will there be a sequel to The Brothers Torres?
That’s a good question. I’ve always thought it would be fun to write a sequel, but tell it from Zach’s point of view. That way we could learn more about him at the same time that we pick up on the next part of Frankie’s story.

4) Do you have a favorite New Mexican dish? (Is it the same as Frankie’s, by any chance?)
Indeed, Frankie and I share a weakness for the stuffed sopaipilla. I’ve actually gotten pretty good at making them, although I don’t have a deep fryer with a temperature gauge, so my sopaipillas aren’t as light and fluffy as I’d like.

5) Favorite Shakespeare play?
I’m a big fan of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I played Oberon in college—shaved my head, wore leather, had tattoos drawn all over me, and decorated my head and face with 22 different piercings—so I’m partial to that one.
6) Do you have a favorite place to write? Favorite place to read?
I generally alternate between my house, a bubble tea place, and a coffee shop. When I find myself getting too comfortable in any of those places, I know it’s time for a change.

7) Do you listen to music while writing?
I listen to music, but I can’t just listen to any music. Generally, I listen to house or electronica concerts/podcasts I’ve downloaded. They’re two hours long, have few words to distract me, and have a continuous beat that keeps me going.

8) Favorite YA books & authors?
I like Pete Hautman’s Godless a whole lot. I just read E. Lockhart’s The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, which I enjoyed tremendously, and not just because the protagonist is named Frankie.

9) Favorite things/hobbies you like to do in your spare time?
I like to ski and scuba dive, but it’s been a while. I’m a fan of the Denver Broncos and the Universidad de Chile soccer team, but I’ll pretty much go to any live sporting event. I try to get on my bicycle for a long ride as often as possible.

10) Do you have a favorite word?
I like the word “Defenestrate,” both for how it sounds and for its meaning: to throw someone or something out of a window. In Spanish, I like the word “espectacular,” which tends to roll off the tongue.

11) Any advice for aspiring authors?
My only advice is this: if you write, you’re a writer. We tend to want validation from other people before we take ourselves seriously as writers, but if you’re serious about it, then it doesn’t matter what other people think. Put your butt in the seat, do your work, and have confidence in yourself.

12) Is there any specific question you would have liked to answer?
Nope. Thanks a lot!

A few This or That questions just for fun!

Cooking or eating out?
Cooking, mostly. At least I try.

Coffee or tea?
Decaf or Half-caf coffee.

Movies or TV?
Definitely used to me movies, but since my son arrived, it’s TV shows on DVD.

Hot dog or hamburger?
Burger, for sure, preferably from my wife’s restaurant, Becks Prime

Coke or Pepsi?
Coke

Vanilla or chocolate?
Vanilla ice cream. Chocolate pudding.

Cake or pie?
Yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

Ice cream or sherbet?
Rainbow sherbet whenever possible. My wife makes fun, but I love it.

City or country?
City close to mountains. Otherwise, country.

Winter, Spring, Fall, or Summer?
Late spring.


My thanks to Coert for a great interview! Now I definitely have to try a stuffed sopaipilla!

Keep you eyes open for a Brothers Torres-related contest soon!

An interview with Katie Finn!

Check out my interview with Katie Finn, author of Top 8, which I just reviewed recently! A big fan of Facebook or other social networking sites? This might be the book for you!

Onto the interview:


1. What inspired you to write Top 8?
Well, at some point a while back I realized that I was completely addicted to my social networking sites. And I noticed that it was changing the way my friends and I were communicating. So I started thinking about how a story could be told using the framework of one of those sites – and then the story just came from there!

2. Did you base any events or characters from Top 8 on events that happened in your own life/people you actually know?
Not in any big ways -- I just used some small details. For example, I based the two towns in the novel, Stanwich and Putnam, on my hometown of Greenwich , Connecticut . And Madison shares my taste in books and theater. Also, I have a friend who is obsessed with all things French, so the character of Lisa was a little nod to her. The thing that was probably the most directly taken from real life was the Jimmy and Liz stuff. Two of my friends went through an ugly breakup and were constantly changing their MySpace names to insulting, revealing things, like Jimmy and Liz do in the novel. I remember at the time thinking, “I'll have to use this someday…” J

3. What's your favorite part about being an author?
I have LOVED getting feedback from readers! It’s just the best thing ever. I’ve gotten lots of comments, and it’s just so amazing to hear from people who’ve read your work.

4. Any least favorite parts of being an author?
I have to say, I really like most of it so far! But there are definitely days where the writing is a struggle and I sit in front of the computer for hours with no success. That's not any fun, and too many of those days in a row can start to feel discouraging. But it's all part of the process.

5. Any favorite YA books?
Sooo many! This is going to have to be a very abbreviated list; otherwise it would run on for pages. But I LOVE Sarah Dessen, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, and Shannon Hale. I also love the books Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe and King Dork by Frank Portman, and I just finished Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway, and really liked it. I also love David Levithan and Rachel Cohn.

6. Who was your favorite character to write about in Top 8?
It came as a surprise to me, but I really enjoyed writing Kittson. I had really not been expecting that. I think her character definitely became more prominent because I had such fun writing her.

7. What kind of computer do you use when you write? (is it bright pink like Madison 's?)
I wish! You can actually get your computer painted pink, and I really thought about it a few years ago. I guess putting it in the novel was my way of trying that out. I write on a Mac PowerBook that’s currently on its last legs. I desperately need a new one. Maybe I’ll get that one painted pink… J

8. Are you working on any other YA novels at the moment?
I am! I’m about 1/3 of the way through my new novel. It’s a little darker than Top 8, and with a main character who isn't quite as confident as Madison – she’s a little more like Schuyler, come to think of it. I don’t really want to go into specifics yet, but I’m having a lot of fun with it right now.

9. Any advice for aspiring authors?
Read and write as much as you can. I think there’s no better way to learn. Also, plot is important. I have an unfinished, 500-page novel in a drawer, because I realized at some point that it was just my characters talking to each other and wasn’t actually going anywhere. Now, I like to know my beginning, middle and end before I start writing. But mostly, the best advice I can give is to just sit down and write! Writing is like anything else -- you only get better with practice.

Brief BIO:
Katie Finn grew up in Manhattan and Greenwich , Connecticut . She now lives in Brooklyn and only checks her MySpace and Facebook three—okay eight—times a day. Friend-request her at www.myspace.com/katiefinnwrites or write on her Facebook wall!


Thanks to Ms. Finn for taking the time out to do this interview! I hope you get the a new computer of whichever color you'd like! :)

& Stay tuned for a chance to win a copy of Top 8!

Susan McBride interview!

Susan McBride, author of The Debs, has kindly agreed to give an interview! I can't wait for Love, Lies, and Texas Dips, the sequel to The Debs, and for those of you who haven't read The Debs yet, I highly recommend it! For my review, go here, and for a chance to win a signed copy of The Debs, check out my Birthday Contest!

Thank you, Ms. McBride for this fantastic interview!

~*~*~*~*~*~

What inspired you to write The Debs?

A few years ago, while I was busy writing my Debutante Dropout Mysteries for HarperCollins, my agent had lunch with an editor at Random House who asked if she had any authors who could write about debutantes in the South for a YA series. Of course, my agent replied, "I have the perfect person," and she called me that day to ask if I'd be interested. It sounded great to me, as I'd lived in Texas for 20 years and knew plenty of debs. So I wrote a proposal for THE DEBS that featured four prep school seniors in Houston, Texas, and my editor at Random House loved it. It's been a lot of fun getting to know Laura, Ginger, Mac, and Jo Lynn, and it's a blast to write from each girl's point of view. There's so much to explore in their lives as they go through their senior year and juggle school, love, disappointments, cliques, family, and their deb duties. I don't think any of us ever forgets what it feels like to be seventeen, so I'm conjuring up a lot of emotions from my high school years (and even some real-life experiences) and using it all in these books.

Did you ever debut like the girls from The Debs will?

No, I never debuted, but I had friends who did, both in high school and college. I was invited to deb balls and assigned escorts, the whole drill. And since my five Debutante Dropout Mysteries have been out, I've heard lots of stories from debutantes all over the South. So I have loads to draw from when I'm writing about these girls and their debutante season. I'm always open to hearing new deb stories, too, if any of your readers have tales to tell!

When will the next installment of the series hit bookstores? Can you give us a little summary?

The second book in the series is LOVE, LIES, AND TEXAS DIPS, and it'll be out in June of 2009. The cover art is done already, and it's up on my web site if anyone wants to take a peek. Whereas THE DEBS introduces you to Laura, Ginger, Mac, Jo Lynn and their friends, families, and guys, LOVE, LIES, AND TEXAS DIPS moves everyone forward, increasing the tension and the drama. I hate to spill any of the storylines, as I'd like for it all to be a surprise. But I will let on that Queen Bee Jo Lynn still hates Laura's guts and desperately wants to take her down for good. Mac finally finds out what it's like to fall in love, only things might not work out quite the way she plans. Ginger has yet another encounter with a guy who may or may not be appropriate for her. And rumors fly, possibly terminating one deb's chances of making it to the Rosebud Ball.

Who was your favorite character to write about in The Debs?

It's so weird, because I initially thought Mac would be the lead character, and it turned out that Laura kind of took over. She's got such a big personality, and she doesn't fit the mold of what a Glass Slipper Club debutante should be. I loved that she was determined to fulfill her deb dreams anyway. She's very gutsy, and she doesn't care too much about what other people think. I have to confess that, evil as she is, I love Jo Lynn. Growing up in Texas with plenty of beauty pageant girls, I totally know where she's coming from and what made her the kind of person she is. So I'm looking forward to seeing her get a couple hard knocks and maybe grow throughout the series. Or perhaps she'll just get more evil. We shall see!

Do you have a favorite fashion designer?

I really love comfortable clothes that look good (and pack well when I travel). I'm pretty partial to Gap jeans and T-shirts. I used to go crazy at Arden B so I have a lot of cute jackets from there. But mostly I'm shoe-crazy. I have a favorite pair of Kenneth Cole that are hot pink with a little orange (I know that sounds gross, but they look great). They match perfectly with one of my Arden B jackets. In high school and college, I was all about Ralph Lauren. Now it's more whatever feels good on. I wear a lot of flip-flops in the summer!

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Read as much as you can and try to figure out what makes the books you love work. Is it the characters? Is it the setting or the plot? Is it the writing style or voice? Don't try to emulate anyone else. Just be yourself and tell your own story in your unique fashion. Write whenever you can, even if it's jotting down your feelings in a journal every night before you go to bed. I think exercising your "writing muscles" is the only way to get better and better. Experiment with your prose and don't be afraid to take risks. If you're a girl and want to use a guy's point of view for your story, do it! I know people say "write what you know," but I find it's more like "write from your gut and your imagination." You can always research what you don't know. And hang in there! If you want to become a published novelist with a long career, it's a hard road (well, unless your dad runs a publishing company or you're a celebrity!). Stick with it and believe in yourself. If I hadn't believed in myself from the get-go, I wouldn't have lasted the ten years post-college that it took to get published in the first place. Good luck! Sometimes luck and being in the right place at the right time counts more than talent. If anyone has a question they'd like to ask, please feel free to email me through my web site at SusanMcBride.com. I read and answer all my emails, and I love hearing from young writers.

An interview with Kevin Krohn!

I got the opportunity to interview Kevin Krohn, author of a new, thrilling novel, Severed Ties! Check out my review for Severed Ties here, and don't forget to enter my Birthday Contest if you're interested in trying to win a copy of Severed Ties, Volume I!

1) What inspired you to write Severed Ties?

My storyline was inspired by my love for Kung-Fu revenge flicks. I wanted to take the concept and put it in a current setting with normal, everyday people.

2) Who was your favorite character to write about in Severed Ties?

My favorite character has to be the one the story revolves around, Nyne Harper. Female assassins are so fascinating to me, and to have one going through things we all can relate to like a first date, arguing with parents, and college made it really fun to write.

3) If you had to be one of your characters from Severed Ties for a day, who would you want to be least?

Well, besides the people who don’t make it all the way through the story, I would have to say Jason. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say he has to deal with some physical pain that I wouldn’t be able to make it through.

4) What do you think are the most important elements that make a book suspenseful and capable of keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout the entire book?

It’s hard to keep a book suspenseful because each reader has a different level of what they would deem “suspense”. What some people consider a tense moment others may seem as tame. But to keep a reader engaged the suspense has to have a purpose in the storyline. You can’t throw in a twist just for the sake of a twist; it has to add value to the overall arc.

I like to think the suspense in Severed Ties remains constant because I don’t bog the reader down with a bunch of unnecessary information. I take a pretty basic approach to keep the action moving. I may tell you the character is standing next to a tree, but I am not going to give a few paragraphs to talk about what type of tree it is or the history of said tree. Yes, there’s a tree there…let’s move on.

5) When will Volume II of Severed Ties hit bookstores? Can you give us a sneak peek or little synopsis of Volume II?

I am looking to have Severed Ties: Volume II out by the end of October. Volume II will start up right where Volume I left off. Nyne will be looking to set things right in her life, and we will be meeting a few new characters.


6) Do you have a favorite place to write?

As cliché as it might sound, I like to sit and write at Starbuck’s. The opportunity to people-watch while I am there has gotten me out of some writing ruts.

7) Do you like listening to music while you write?

I love listening to music, but just can’t do it while I write. I can’t concentrate and my mind starts to wander if I have music on. But I am sure music is playing while I write at Starbuck’s, right? I haven’t noticed…maybe I can do it!

8) What are your favorite genres to read?

My favorite genres are suspense and true crime. Sometimes the craziest stories of fiction pale in comparison to that of true crime.

9) Any favorite YA books?

Max: The Dog that Refused to Die. I read this when I was a child and it seemed so profound to me at the time. Don’t know if it would still have the same impact now, but I loved that book. Who can’t appreciate a dog named Max that refused to die? I mean, c’mon…the title says it all! Go read this book! (Right after you read Severed Ties).

10) Your favorite spy/suspenseful movie of all time?

The two movies that come to mind are The Usual Suspects and Memento. They kept me guessing the entire time. The movie that had the biggest influence on me writing Severed Ties would be a Korean film called Oldboy.

11) Any advice to aspiring authors?

My only advice for aspiring authors is to write. Just write it. There are probably a lot of people that would want me to change some of the choices I made as far as the Severed Ties storyline. There are probably even parts that could be rewritten and reworked, but why? I take the original thought and go with it.

12) And a random question to top it off (since the games of the 29th Olympiad are going on!): Do you watch the Olympics, and if yes, what is your favorite sport to watch?

My favorite Olympic sport to watch is basketball. I am a big NBA fan, so watching the stars compete against the world is exciting. I am actually surprised at how into the Olympics I have gotten this year, Last night I watched the gymnastics and swimming, which I would usually have no interest in, but it was great.

Far World winner & Interview with J. Scott Savage!

First off, thanks to everyone who entered the Far World: Water Keep giveaway!
Without further ado, I present the winner, Kayla!





Sorry about the hat picking & photo-taking quality for this contest; I was away for most of the weekend, so time was limited since I wanted to have the winner up asap!
But anyway, Kayla, please email me your address (bookvault@yahoo.com) so I can have your prize sent out! Congrats!
And my Francey giveaway has started for anyone interested! You're all more than welcome to enter! :D

And now onto my fun interview with the wonderful J. Scott Savage!

1) Where did you get your inspiration to create Earth’s sister world, Far World, and all the new creatures and characters that live there?
I’ve always loved the concept of “sister worlds” as you so aptly describe them. What is the relationship between these two worlds? Why the link? You get some hints but you don’t really know too much. As far as the creatures, I don’t have a problem with fantasy novels that feature the “typical” elves, dwarves, fairies, etc. But I wanted enough unique creatures that you feel like you are exploring an unknown world, not just a “fantasy” world. I was somewhat limited by page count in Water Keep, so I couldn’t really explore the world as much as I can in future books.

2) Who was your favorite character to write about?
It’s funny that most people focus on Marcus, and I like him a lot. But I think there’s some real depth to Kyja that we have to explore in future books.

3) How’d you come up with the name “Kyja?” Did you just make her name up at the top of you head or is there some etymology or symbolism behind her name?
Actually my wife came up with Kyja. It just sounded right. I told her that I was looking for a name that was not a common Earth name, but that wouldn’t be too hard to pronounce since she will be mentioned so much. Lot ’s of other names in the books have symbolism or deeper meaning, but I just liked the sound of Marcus and Kyja.

4) Which character would you least want to be, if you had to spend a day as any of your characters?
Probably Riph Raph. I like him. He has attitude and gets kind of snarky at times, which is cool. But I just don’t see myself as him. I’d like to be Cascade for a day to see the world through his eyes.

5) Would you rather live on Far World or on Earth?
I think one reason people write and read fantasy is because we want to explore new worlds. Unfortunately most of Earth has been explored. So I have to say Farworld.

6) How many books will there be in your Far World series and when does the next one come out (I’m already dying to read it!)?
Five books total. At this point it looks like they will all be fall releases. I’m so excited about book two. It has some incredible stuff in it. The feel reminds me a lot of Harry Potter book four, which was my favorite.

7) If you could visit any place that was real, where would you like to go and why? Which fantasy/non-existent place?
I really want to go visit some South American ruins. You know the whole Indiana Jones, rain forest kind of thing. I’ve only been in one rain forest and I loved it! New Zealand would be fun too. As far as fantasy, it would be a toss up between Hogwarts and the Shire.

8) What where some of your favorite books and genres from your childhood?
I was (and still am) a real bookcoholic. I used to cut school to go to the library. Weird kid huh? But I read everything. Fantasy, horror, non-fiction. Everything from Peter Straub to Judy Blume. I used to pick books at random just so I could read them without having any idea what I was getting into.

9) Where is your favorite place to write?
I love writing in the library. It feels like I’m soaking up all the story ideas.

10) Do you listen to music when you write?
I do when I am editing. Lots of 70s and 80s classic rock. But when I am writing I really need to get lost in my story. Occasionally I’ll play some theme music. My bad guy music was AC/DC. Kyja and Marcus got a lot of Aerosmith and Led Zepplin.

11) How’s the pond (and your fish) doing?
It wasn’t a good year for the fish in the pond. We had some fatalities.

And now onto the “3” questions!
1) 3 must have books if you were stranded on a deserted island?
LOTR (it comes in one book right?)
Bag of Bones by Stephen King (Just because I love the writing in that book.)
And probably something like “How to Survive on a Deserted Island For Dummies”

2) Which three words would you use to describe yourself?
(My ten-year-old suggested stupid. Grr.) My wife offered eclectic.)
How about lucky, quirky, and happy.

3) 3 favorite ice cream flavors?
Mint chocolate chip, rocky road, and Berry Berry .

4) 3 favorite books of all time?
So as not to confuse the island question, let’s go with:

The Talisman
Lord Foul’s Bane
Ender’s Game

(Does it make me a total loser that I didn’t choose anything classical?)

Back to normal questions!:
1) Any advice to aspiring writers?
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t get published.

2) Any advice for life in general?
If you want anything bad enough there is almost always a way to accomplish it.

And a random one to round it all off:
Hamburger or hot dog? Ohhh, that may be the toughest of all questions. I’m going to have to go with a New York hot dog, covered with onions, mustard, celery salt, and a big slice of dill pickle.

My thanks to Mr. Savage! Don't forget to keep an eye out for Far World: Water Keep when it hits book stores in September!!

Interview with Diana Zimmerman

I was lucky enough to get a chance to interview the author of Kandide and the Secret of the Mists, the first book in the Calabiyau Chronicles, Ms. Diana Zimmerman! Kandide and the Secret of the Mists is a fantastic book for young fantasty lovers that will leave readers excited for more of Kandide's adventures! A magical adventure that will appeal to many young readers and even some YA readers as well! Check out my review for Kandide here, and stay tuned for a chance to win your own copy of Kandide and the Secret of the Mists and related goodies in August!

1) Which faery clan would you like to be part of if you lived in Kandide’s world?
The Forest Clan. I love nothing more that walking in the woods and enjoying the closeness to nature it enables.

2) If you had to be one character from your novel, who would it be?
That is a really tough question, as I have a little of each of the characters in me. I adore Selena’s passion and empathy for all creatures, and yet I also love Teren’s zest for everything magical and adventuresome. Jake is another interesting character, with his intrinsic leadership qualities. Certainly, Egan, with his innocent sense of fairness is a part of my feelings about life. Who would not want to be Tara with her tomboy nature and ability to heal forest animals? Then there is Kandide, who is a strong powerful individual and yet she is vulnerable. I guess it would be easier to tell you that I really would not want to be the vicious and cruel Lady Aron, even though she is quite magical. All of the artwork is on www.kandide.com.

3) Can you tell us anything about the second book in the Calabiyau Chronicles, The Lady’s Revenge? (a little summary? returning character? a new hero/heroine?)
“Kandide and The Lady’s Revenge” pits the all-powerful magic and cunning of Lady Aron against Kandide, her family, and the Imperfects who live in the Vail. Lady Aron is determined to eliminate Kandide and gain control of the Gift, by kidnapping Tara so she can assume control of Calabiyau. A great new and powerful character named Cyndara is also introduced. She is a half-breed Banshee who must save her own kingdom from her nasty brothers. Throughout Book 2, we don’t know if Cyndara is a friend of Lady Aron or Kandide. It is full of magic, mystery, and cunning. There is an excerpt of the book at www.kandide.com

4) Who was your favorite character to write about?
Lady Aron—villains are always sooooo much fun—especially if they are as multi-facetted and magically powerful as this one. She is evil yet vulnerable, powerful and yet there is a certain pathos about her.

5) What were your favorite fairytales as a child?
I loved the Wizard of Oz series of books. I also loved the story of the “Twelve Dancing Princesses.” Like Kandide, it has a nice moral.

6) Do you like listening to music while writing?
I actually prefer to listen to the news or talk radio. I know that may seem a bit strange, but it keeps my mind alert.

7) If you could visit any place, fictional or real, where would you like to go most?
Great question. I have been very lucky in my life to have traveled all over the world. So, I would have to say that I would like to visit another dimension—certainly Avalon, then probably Calabiyau. Since I created Calabiyau, it holds a very special place in my heart. The Meadows, with its pomegranates trees and waterfalls, seems like such a great place to relax.

8) Do you have a favorite place to write? To read?
I have a small laptop and so do a lot of writing on planes—since I am always on one going somewhere. My normal writing is at my computer in my home office.
I like to read on planes as well.

9) Any favorite authors or illustrators?
Maxine Gadd, who did the illustrations for “Kandide and the Secret of the Mists,” is my all-time favorite contemporary fairy artist. That is why I commissioned her to do the artwork for Kandide. It is also why I refused to let my publisher print the nine full-color illustrations that are contained within Book One in black and white.

Of the contemporary fantasy artists, I also love Kiniko Craft, Brian Froud, and the amazing art of Shelia Wok. My favorite vintage fairy artists are Harold Gage, John Anster Fitzgerald, and a sculpture named August Moreau. I have over 2,000 pieces in my faery art collection, some of which date back to the 1700s, so my favorites, often change with which one I am admiring at the time.

Marion Zimmer Bradly’s “Mists of Avalon” and “The Da Vinchy Code” by Dan Brown are my favorite novels, and J. J. Tolkien (“The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings”) is my favorite author.

10) Any advice for aspiring writers?
Never, ever give up. No matter what anyone—especially the “experts” tell you—do not give up. Believe in yourself. Donny Duetch says, “Why not me?” Why not you? Why not any of us? If J. K. Rowlings had given up—and she got plenty of rejections—we would not have Harry Potter. If Alex Haley had given up, we would not have “Roots.” If Edison had given up, we would not have the light bulb. Remember, “No” simply means “Not Yet.” Be disciplined. Write EVERY day. “Round to its” don’t get results. Only results get results. Then, when you think your book is as good as it can be, hire a professional copy editor to help you make it even better.

Interview with Ms. Jennifer Banash!

My thanks to the lovely Jennifer Banash, author of The Elite series (the first book hits book stores June 3rd!!) for this wonderful and hilarious interview! Thanks for taking the time out for this interview, Ms. Banash!




Don't forget to buy The Elite in June! And for all you Elite fans out there, book two, In Too Deep, will be in book stores in January 09!





And stay tuned for your chance to win a copy of The Elite!


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) Where did you get your inspiration for The Elite?
I went to high school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, so that’s really where the inspiration for THE ELITE came from. My writing teachers always told me to write what I knew, so when I got the opportunity to create my own series, it just seemed natural for me to set it in that world.


2) If you had to pick one, which character would you like to spend a day as from The Elite?
Definitely Madison Macallister—it’s like playing the villain in a movie—being the bitch is always more fun! But, that being said, in many ways, Madison has the toughest life of any of the other characters—the pressure she’s under to conform to that Upper East Side idea of teen perfection is absolutely tremendous. I always like to write Madison’s chapters when I’m having a bad day—the sense of righteous indignation her character often feels is really cathartic if you’re in the right mood . . .


3) I understand that you attended high school in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, like Casey. Did you enjoy that experience?
I did enjoy that experience. My school was really small—my graduating class was less than ten people, and there were less than a hundred kids enrolled total, so it was a VERY small world—everyone knew who was dating who, and if you told someone a secret, by lunchtime everyone would know. It was like going to school in a very expensive fishbowl filled with piranhas . . ..


4) Are you a fashion fan like Madison?
I have been known to wear stilettos to bed, and would probably take out the trash in a ball gown and tiara if given half a chance, so I think it’s safe to say that I’m more than a little obsessed with fashion! I don’t really believe in dressing down unless I’m on my way to the gym. My students always try and figure out how many pairs of shoes I own, but I’ll never tell . . .


5) Do you have a favorite place to write?
I either write at my kitchen table, or at a café just down the street from my house. If I’m feeling REALLY lazy, sometimes I’ll write propped up in bed on a pile of pillows. I try not to do it too much because, more often than not, I end up falling asleep!


6) What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about writing?
My favorite thing about writing is that moment when the scene begins to come alive and catches fire, then practically starts writing itself. It’s moments like this where I really feel like someone else is controlling things, and I’m just the vessel for the story. My least favorite thing about writing is when I find myself blocked, when I sit for hour staring at a blank, white screen with nothing to say. Of course, the best cure for this is just to actually start writing, to write anything, no matter how boring or insipid. But sometimes it’s just really hard for me to get started—especially when I’m on a deadline—I’m quite the excellent procrastinator when I put my mind to it . . .


7) Do you like listening to music while you write? (if yes, could we please have a little peek at your playlist?)
I HAVE to listen to music while I write—preferably the same playlist over and over until it just fades into the background and becomes like wallpaper in the narrative. And because you asked, I’ll share my most recent playlist with you! So, here’s what I’ve been listening to while finishing the third book in THE ELITE series, JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH:

That’s Not My Name: The Ting Ting’s
Mercy: Duffy
The Song That We Sing: Charlotte Gainsbourg
What Will Give: The Radio Department
Starlet Johannson: The Teenagers
Sour Cherry: The Kills
My Sister: Juliana Hatfield
Run: Air
Incredible: Madonna
It’s Never Over: Kate Walsh
One Time Too Many: Phoenix
A&E: Goldfrapp
2 Hookers and a Mexican: Mickey Avalon
Age of Consent: New Order
Thirteen: Elliot Smith
Nolita Fairytale: Vanessa Carlton
Don’t Bother Me: The Blakes
Phantom: Justice
Jealous Girls: The Gossip
Face To Face: Daft Punk
Chocolate, Raspberry, Lemon & Lime: Muscles
Crushed: Cocteau Twins
Sleep: Azure Ray


8) What city would you most like to visit?
Paris is my favorite city of all time. I try to spend as many summers there as I can. It’s my dream to be able to live there for at least a year at a time. Maybe someday . . .


9) Can you give us a little blurb about the second book in The Elite series: In too Deep?
The Bramford's newest resident and small-town transplant Casey McCloy is adapting to life in the Big Apple and loving it. She's finally got the look, the attitude, and a delish new boyfriend, Drew Van Allen. But even with everything she has going for her now, she's starting to have second thoughts as to whether the "New York" Casey is the real Casey. And she's not so sure she likes herself much anymore.

She’s not the only one…

Madison Macallister has always had her Manolo Blahniks firmly planted on the top rung of the social ladder—until that corn-fed cow Casey stole Drew away from her and made her look the fool. So what if Madison wasn’t exactly dating Drew at the time? She wanted him. And everyone knows that Madison gets what she wants, like Drew—and a little revenge…


10) How many books will be in The Elite series?
I’m currently contracted to write three, but if you guys like the series and want more, I’d be happy to continue! I really love writing THE ELITE books and would be thrilled if the series continued.


11) Are you working on any other YA novels?
I am currently hard at work on my next Young Adult series, BITTEN, which is about two identical twin sisters whose parents buy Dracula’s castle in the midst of a mid-life crisis, then promptly relocate the family from Manhattan all the way to Romania! Here’s a little blurb to wet your appetite:

Love is definitely a pain in the neck . . .

Mina Vanderbilt has just moved with her family to a dilapidated, musty, stone castle in Romania that once belonged to Dracula himself. Her parents, successful Manhattan real estate moguls, are clearly in the throes of a major midlife crisis, and, as a result, have decided to “rearrange their priorities” by selling the Vanderbilt’s fabulous penthouse apartment, and moving Mina and her identical twin sister Lucy to Eastern Europe after bidding an astounding $137.5 million dollars at ultra-exclusive auction at Sothebys. But before both girls begin attendance at a posh boarding school in Geneva, Switzerland, they’ll spend the summer at their new home sweet home—a castle situated in the heart of Romania, just off of Highway 73—better known as the intersection of creepy and get-me-the-hell-out-of-here—worlds away from their sophisticated Manhattan lifestyle where they’re used to getting whatever they want, whenever they want. With Prada bags slug firmly over their shoulders, they’ll learn to navigate the endless corridors and wings of the drafty pile of bricks (OK, their mother, Amanda, began a massive redecorating and demolition project immediately on their arrival, but come ON—there are SKULLS in the cellar for God’s sake!) which may or not be haunted by the spirit of a certain cape-wearing, blood-sucking legend . . .

Upon their arrival, Mina quickly falls in with Jonathan Marlowe—the town’s resident hottie, who’s left London to visit his grandfather for the summer and spends his days attempting to pen the next great British novel at the towns lone café. But after Lucy suffers a “bite” from a mysterious apparition one evening while trolling the grounds of the castle, her love life will never be the same again. Expressions like “can I have a bite of that?” take on a WHOLE new meaning, and suddenly, the most notorious identical, inseparable twins in all of Manhattan have never been quite so different . . .

12) I believe you are one of the co founders of Impetus Press—could you tell us a little bit about that? What inspired you to found your own publishing house? What kind of books does Impetus Press publish?

In 2005 I co-founded Impetus Press, a small, independent publishing house that takes pop culture as its muse. Basically, Impetus publishes serious literary fiction with a pop or urban edge, that falls in-between the experimental and the commercial. There are so many writers out there whose work is too commercial for the experimental presses, and too experimental for the mainstream. Publishing in general is getting so completely polarized, that the result is that many amazing authors are getting left by the wayside, simply because their work can’t be neatly pigeonholed. These are the writers that Impetus looks for and champions. We’ve published five titles so far, and hope to do at least two titles a year from now on. In the fall, we’re publishing Nick Antosca’s novel MIDNIGHT PICNIC, and in the spring we’ll release Gina Frangello’s second novel LONDON CALLING, and a collection of very nasty little short stories by Paula Bomer entitled BABY.

13) Any advice to aspiring authors?

Try to write every day—even if you end up deleting most of it. Writing is largely about discipline, and if you cultivate a disciplined work ethic, it can help power you through times you may feel hopelessly blocked.

14) Do you have any favorite YA books?

When I was growing up I was kind of obsessed with the SWEET VALLEY HIGH series—it was a guilty pleasure back then for me, and I still try and collect paperbacks with the original covers if I find them at garage sales or thrift stores . . . I was a fan of GOSSIP GIRL when the series first came out because I really appreciated how the writing broke new ground. The thing I dislike about many YA titles is that I feel they often talk down to or pander to young adults way too much. I despised that kind of thing when I was a kid, and I despise it even more now that I write YA myself. YA titles I particularly admire are Jay Asher’s THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, RA Nelson’s TEACH ME, and BREATHE MY NAME, Barry Lyga’s BOY TOY, and Ned Vizzini’s IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY.

15) A random fact that not many people know about you?

That I love reality TV. I’m so sad that Rock of Love is over that I can barely
accessorize. Where’s Daisy? I’m not sure I can live without watching her train wreck of a life on a weekly basis . . . I’m also a sucker for historical dramas—I’m currently obsessed with THE TUDORS now, as a result. It’s like Henry VIII got filtered through Melrose Place, and I’m loving every bloody beheading and bodice-ripping moment of it.

Author Interview! Martin Dubow

An interview with Martin Dubow, author of the intriguing adventurous and mysterious YA novel, Francey. My thanks to Martin for taking the time out to answer a few questions for us readers!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. What inspired you to write Francey?
I’ve always had a fascination for the subject of reincarnation due to unexplainable childhood experiences. Somehow I knew of things I shouldn’t have, and had memories which didn’t seem to belong to me. This fascination grew steadily over the years until recently it took me by the throat, insisting I do something—anything—to set my mind at ease. And since I hadn’t been able to figure out what my own deal was back then, I decided to hand a similar situation over to someone who had a fighting chance of figuring out what was going on. And, voila, Francey sprang to life. The thing I truly wished to accomplish with her was a story written in such a way that it wouldn’t even occur to the reader that what she held in her hands was a fantasy. And though that’s how it’s being billed, I no longer think of it as such.

2. Who was your favorite character to write about from Francey?
It’s funny you should ask me that. It‘s a question I’ve waited for, and yet, you‘re the first person to pose it. Lizzie, without question, is my favorite character. I mean, I love them all, but there’s something so special about her. And even though she‘s my creation, still I find it difficult to put into words exactly how special she is. To me, the story is just as much hers as it is Francey’s, and I tried to convey how I felt, not by description—for no amount could do her justice—but by action. I dearly hope I succeeded.

3. If you could go back in time to explore any time period, which time period would you like to visit?
The time period I’d wish to visit has more to do with whom I’d like to meet, rather than with the actual historical period itself. Hands down, with nothing even in second place—France, toward the end of the Hundred Years War. Allow me to explain:
Joan of Arc, as far as I‘m concerned, was the most incredible being to ever grace the surface of this planet; and it wouldn’t take much nudging to get me to turn this into a treatise on the sainted ‘Maid of Orleans.’ I’m desperate to fight by her side; and if I’m unable to prevent her capture, I’ll attempt a daring rescue, snatching her from the flames as they begin to lick at her ankles. And if I fail, at least I’ll have met her, spoken with her, and maybe even have touched her hem. And just incidentally, there’s a story about her—a work of fiction—brewing deep within the dark recesses of my mind, just itching to be put on paper.
For anyone interested in why I feel thus, I recently wrote a short essay about her; it’s posted it on my blog and can be accessed here. I beg you to read it. It’ll take but a moment and will open your eyes to the limitless power of the human spirit.

4. Do you believe in an afterlife or reincarnation?
I was pretty open to the idea of reincarnation before; but after writing Francey, and having so rational an explanation handed me by Uncle Jules, well . . . why don’t we just say that I’m more open than ever to the possibility of having lived before?

5. Are you working on any new YA novels at the moment?
I had originally intended on immediately writing a sequel to Francey, as I’m anxious to spend more time with my newfound friends. But something else has pushed it aside, if only temporarily. I’m reticent to say too much at this point, except that it will be a tale of suspense, bordering on horror. Though not the kind of horror that will play havoc with your mind, spooking you for days and weeks hence. I don’t know how else to describe it without going into the plot, so we’ll all just have to wait until it hits the stands.

6. Are Rembrandt and Monet favorite artists of yours? Or does another artists hold the spot of favorite artist?
Yes, regarding Rembrandt and Monet. And for those of you who have yet to read the book, this question pertains to the fact that Rembrandt and Monet play a fairly significant role in the story. Rembrandt, most especially.
I don’t pretend to be an art connoisseur; just a lover. I grew up in New York City—which will be obvious to anyone after reading Francey— and one of my favorite hangouts was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Upon entering that mighty stone building, I’d immediately make a beeline for either the Rembrandt Room or the Monet Room, and simply get lost in their artwork. That museum, and Carnegie Hall, are the two things I miss most about New York. (I currently live in the Los Angeles area.)

7. Do you have any favorite books?
If nobody minds, I’d like to take the liberty of quoting myself from an interview I gave a few weeks ago wherein I was asked the question: ‘What authors have influenced you in your writing?’ And I’ll name my favorite books in the final paragraph.
Just like every other kid in school, the classics were thrust upon me; and being an immature young schoolboy, I wasn’t much impressed. When done with school, the thought of cracking open one of those books again, this time for pleasure, didn’t enter my mind. At least, not for quite awhile. Why I decided to give them another chance is a story in itself; one which we’ll save for another time.
One reviewer said, in reference to Francey, that my writing 'echoes of 19th century literature, but is much simpler.' To me, this is a great compliment because it's exactly the atmosphere that I'm trying to create. I love the classical writing style, but I also love simplicity. Combining the two was a daunting task, because, almost by definition, the classics are anything but simple; but there are some, at least, who think I've managed it quite successfully.
The authors who’ve most influenced me are from a bygone era. They are those whose names are mentioned in Francey: Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens. Whenever I'm feeling uninspired, or lazy, or distracted, I'll open up a copy of, well... Jane Eyre, for instance... and read through some of my favorite passages. And just like that, I've perked up, and am ready, once more, to keep on trucking. I swear to God, if Charlotte Brontë were alive today, I’d seek her out and ask her to marry me.
And to answer the question posed to me here, my favorite books, if I had to narrow down the field, are Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, and David Copperfield. I actually get teary-eyed just thinking about them.

8. Any advice for aspiring writers?
I’ve read so many articles and interviews of authors spouting advice on this subject that I’m not sure I can add anything new to the mix. But I will tell you what I keep uppermost in my mind when I’m putting pen to paper: Writing is evolutionary. In other words, it ain’t gonna happen overnight. Not for me. Not for you. Not for anybody. And when I’m stuck on a phrase, or a paragraph, or even just one word, I’ll leave it to stew in its own juices for awhile, letting it simmer until it’s fully cooked. And when I come back to it, a day, or a week, or a month later, it will be sitting on the stove, ready to be ladled onto the page. The given here, of course, is that the person doing the writing has read enough of decent literature to know what good writing is, thereby enabling him to be objective about his own.