The Iron Fey - Author Interview + Giveaway!

Now don't get use to all these blog posts in one week ;)  However, I have another special guest today.  Julie Kagawa author of the popular and excellent Iron Fey series!!  This is also part of my countdown to Ohio, where I will be having two signings near Dayton, Ohio with my fellow Harlequin Teen authors, Mara Purnhagen and Julie.  We will be there next Friday, April 1, and Saturday, April 2nd - please go to my appearances page for more details: http://www.mariavsnyder.com/appearances.php

Back to my guest.  Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series consists of, The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, and the recently released, The Iron Queen.  I read the first two and LOVED them - the main character, Meghan Chase is a great spunky girl and you know me....I'm all about the characters! These books are filled with wonderful characters like His Royal Iciness.  I also thought the iron fey were an unique addition to the world of fairy.  I'm reading The Iron Queen now.

And leave a comment with your email addy by next Thursday, March 31st and be entered to WIN a signed and personalized copy of the first book, The Iron King.

Take Ten with Julie Kagawa:

1.) What made you want to write the Iron Fey Series?

I’ve always loved faeries, but when I started writing The Iron Fey series, I wanted to do something a little different. In many YA faery novels, there’s always Mab and Oberon, the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, and they all mention the Fey’s aversion to iron. Well, what if there was a type of faery that not only was immune to iron, but born of it? And so the Iron Fey came into existence.

2.) Which authors inspire you?

You do! Also, Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher, Terry Brooks, and Joss Whedon. (Okay, so Joss isn’t technically an author, but his writing does inspire me.) Poison Study is one of my top tier fantasy books, mostly because of a certain dark assassin.

[Maria: I'm honored :) and I have to agree about Joss. He rocks!]

3.) Why YA fantasy? Is there something special about fantasy that draws you to write in the field?

I’ve tried to write in other genres. It just doesn’t work. I’ll start a story about a nice, normal person with a nice, normal life, but eventually elves, dragons, vampires, ect. start showing up on their doorstep, and this nice normal person would freak out and have a nervous breakdown and then somehow they’d find themselves dressed in armor and riding a unicorn. So I just resigned myself to writing fantasy. Lol, not really. I just love the genre. Growing up, all I read were novels like Dragonlance, Lord of the Rings, and The Sword of Shannara, which influenced me a great deal. I think I’ll always be drawn to it.

4.) What do you find most interesting about Meghan Chase and Prince Ash?

I’ve always been intrigued by stories of the ordinary person called to do something extraordinary. At the beginning of The Iron King, Meghan was a normal teenager struggling to fit in. At the end of The Iron Queen, she is so much more. I think her character arc is the most interesting thing about her. As for Ash, he’s a dark, broody Unseelie Prince who falls for a human girl. ‘Nuff said.

5.) What else do you enjoy doing besides writing? Interests? Hobbies?

Well, three times a week I go to Kung Fu and Kali class, which I LOVE, especially when we put on armor and hit each other with sticks. When I’m not at class, most evenings you can usually find me on the couch playing video games. (Right now I’m obsessed with Dragon Age 2 and have completely fallen in love with Fenris. Wear your geekdom proudly.) I’m a manga/anime lover, and I also enjoy drawing, painting, and of course reading.

6.) Did you have to do any special research for this book? What did you learn that you didn't know before?

I did mostly online research, read a little Brothers Grimm, and watched A Midsummer Night’s Dream for inspiration. I learned several methods for dealing with the fair folk, so if you find yourself plagued by a bogart or leprechaun, I know how to make them go away.

7.) How did you become a writer? Is this what you saw yourself growing up to be? Or did it take you by surprise?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Wait, scratch that. For awhile, I wanted to be a veterinarian, but that changed sometime before my teen years. Throughout high school, all I wanted to do was write. I would even hide notebooks behind my textbooks during class, writing when I was supposed to be taking notes. My poor teachers; I probably drove them nuts.

8.) Do you have a writing routine? Talk process for a moment, how do the words get on the page?

I start writing in the morning (After checking email, twitter, blogs, facebook, my other email account, goodreads, ect. This can take awhile.), and usually don’t stop until my hubby gets home around 5:30. Since I write full time, I consider this my job and I must put in the hours, but its nice to show up to “work” in pjs. One of the perks of being a writer. :D

9.) Office? Closet? Corner of the living room? Do you have a set place to write? A favorite?

I do have an office with a lovely desk all set up for writing, so of course I use the end of the table sitting right next to it. I wish I could be one of those authors who go to coffee shops and bookstores to write, but I’m so easily distracted by people and movement and birds hopping on the sidewalk that I have to stay home.

10.) What are you writing now? What's coming out next?

I just finished the first book in a new YA series, this one set in a post-apocalyptic world. With vampires. :)

[Ohhh....sounds scary- but I've no doubt it'll be another gripping read!]

Links:
Website: http://www.juliekagawa.com 
Blog: http://juliekagawa.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#!/profile.php?id=1025868155
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2995873.Julie_Kagawa



Comments

  1. Excellent giveaway! I've got these on my TBR list.

    rosie.chic1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fabulous giveaway! I have been wanting to read these for a while, but havent gotten around to picking them up!

    bbduck8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This series sounds very interesting. Ah, that lovely dark assassin. Happy sigh. :D I'm a huge Joss fan also, and my favorite stories are those with ordinary people (especially girls) doing extraordinary things. I am very interested in checking out series. chocoholic@colornetpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Never heard of the author till know but after looking up the book, it sounds excellent. Also enjoyed the interview with her. bonerotten@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I could totally tell that Julie was an anime fan... I imagine Ash in my head like an anime hero. I could see so many elements of inspiration in her work when I read the Iron King... it was like all my most favourite fantasy elements had been recombined in the best way! Love it! (And of course she loves Valek, who doesn't!!! <3)

    jenhamflett[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to be entered, I've heard a lot of great things about the series!

    Jen
    Lratrandom@gmail.com
    Http://lratrandom.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  7. I can't wait to read Julie Kagawa's vampire series.
    Great giveaway!

    Alexandra
    naruto_and_hinata(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this series! I've loaned my copies out so many times they are falling apart. (Just like my Poison Study books) Knowing that Julie loves Valek make me like her even more!

    amyolsen1 at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  9. this series is on my TBR list,, i read amazing reviews about it!!

    hopefully it's an international give away,, i like to win since march/31 happens to be my birthday =)

    islam.lafi@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. omg!!!!!I love her!!I would love to start reading her books!!like right now...but have to wait to order them since they don't come here to my country!!!!! it's been in my tbr lists forever!! hope to end that up soon!!!^-^

    calbizzz_152(at))hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Would love to win the book :)
    anouk_moser(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks! I would love to win a copy of The Iron King. I am going to keep me eye out for that new YA series! I *heart* post-apocalyptic novels! Great interview. seescootread[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thats just great! Yet 3 new TBR for my pile.
    Chris75_tn@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Started this series not too long ago and LOVED it! Wasn't sure if I would, but oh wow! Totally had a feel for the Labyrinth in it just a tad and I soooo loved that movie! I grew up on it! David Bowie rocks! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sounds cool

    -Richard

    (richardtvieira@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow, I read about these books some days ago, and became so enthusiastic. Now, I see it everywhere, coincidence? I hope I will be so lucky to win a signed copy!!!

    doris_moser@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. So far i have only read the first book, but i love it and cant wait to get the rest.

    mich1980611@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Super sweet giveaway! I've been wanting to read these books for a while now... if I win a copy, I'll be sure to get to it that much sooner! :)

    lissandill(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've been so curious about these books! I'm considering taking a risk and buying them, but a giveaway would be nice :P

    thriftshopgrrl@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. It's always nice to see where an author's roots start from when it comes to their first book (or books in this case). :) These look so amazing, and I'm happy to report that we're getting them at my library. This is a great giveaway, too, many thanks!

    DJL
    djlibrarian3@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for the great giveaway!
    lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. This book looks absolutely lovely! Thank you for the giveaway and the fun interview!
    liedermadchen@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. The covers for these books are so strikingly beautiful. I unfortunately haven't had a chance to start reading the series yet, so winning the first book would be great!

    b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I absolutley loved these books! They are so awesome! I can't wait for the Iron Knight...GO ASH! I am also excited to read the new series!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great interview! I really loved The Iron King and currently have The Iron Daughter on the pile on my nightstand waiting to be read. :)
    ireadtorelax@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. thanks so much!!!

    ashtreygonesmokeya@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love this series! I can't wait for the next book for me to read!

    spicedice45@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Excited for the give-away

    junebc4@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love the covers of these books. So, simple, yet so expressive.

    fionalwoods@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great interview. Really looking forward to reading these. Love good stories about the Fey

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I absolutely love this series! Thanks for the chance to win!

    ako4eggs(AT)comcast(DOT)net

    ReplyDelete
  32. I adored this series!! I thought it was very clever from the beginning. Team ASH!! I cannot wait to read the Iron Knight.

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. It's been on my to-read list on Goodreads for a while, but I guess I should get around to reading it soon..:) Too many books, too little time!

    aupairnina(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Sounds like a awesome series, can't wait to read it.
    Great giveaway.

    Rwilde1993@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. This series sounds great! I just added it to the top of my TBR list, can't wait to get to it.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I've heard such good things about this series!
    x_broken_record_x@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. great interview! i've read this series and loved it, but it'd be great to own my own copy of it :)

    aleeza876[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I would love love to be entered!!! I just finshed reading Spy Glass and I realy need something good to read!!!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I'm really enjoying the Iron Queen - Ash reminds me of Valek - Julie mentioned that there was a twitter debate about Ash vs. Valek :) a few days ago. I think Valek would give him a run for his money. Valek's immune to magic and can touch/use iron/steel - like his broadsword - or perhaps they'd see a kindred spirit and become BFFs :)

    It's Thursday and I promised to pick a random winner. And the winner is.... A.J./Alexandra!! Congrats to Alexandra!!!

    There will be more chances to win books next week. I'm going to run a special contest to celebrate the release of INSIDE OUT in Australia -so stay tuned :>

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Absinthe Earl Author Interview & Giveaway!

House Cleaning

Celebrating!