Charming Canucks: Interview and Giveaway with Jane Nickerson

Charming Canucks is a feature I’ve created that will be posted every other month or so in an effort to spotlight more Canadian YA authors and their books. 

Today, I'd like to welcome Jane Nickerson.

 

A bit about Jane (as found on Goodreads): For many years Jane Nickerson and her family lived in a big old house in Aberdeen, Mississippi, where she was also the children’s librarian. She has always loved the South, “the olden days,” gothic tales, houses, kids, writing, and interesting villains. She and her husband now make their home in Ontario, Canada. 

Strands of Bronze and Gold, your debut novel, was released on March 12 by Random House Children’s Books. Give three reasons why everyone should read it. 

First off, Strands of Bronze and Gold is a retelling of a traditional fairytale that is not at all fairy-tale-esque. Really it’s more gothic than magical, so if you’re a fan of Rebecca or Jane Eyre (but without the annoying/boring parts) this is the book for you. Second, Strands has a villain-to-die-for (literally for some), who (like the heroine, Sophie) you alternately fall for, pity, hate, and are creeped-out by. Third, Strands has a valuable modern message – that someone, against all odds, however outwardly helpless, can exercise her agency with integrity, courage, and a pure heart, in order to stand against and defeat evil. 

Strands of Bronze and Gold is a historical fiction with gothic elements based on the folktale of Bluebeard. Is there another genre you’d love to try your hand at someday? Is there a genre you could never see yourself writing? 
I really love high fantasy, and thought that the first book I had published would be full of wizards and mysticism and magic. Eventually I hope to do that. I can’t see myself ever writing contemporary realistic fiction, particularly the kind that involves a lot of brand-name dropping. There’s certainly a place for that, but I can’t get interested in it. 

What is your writing process like? Are you a pantser or a planner? 
For short stories I’m a pantser – I leap into it and just write it into a story. For long books I start out with everything neatly planned and outlined in a notebook with carefully-marked sections. It’s sort of like a skeleton to hang the flesh on. Then, as I go along, the notebook becomes crammed with bits and pieces of paper I’ve scribbled notes on, and I’m allowed to change anything I want to change as the ideas strike me and as the characters demand. 

Describe your writing space. 
My writing space is a messy desk in a study lined with bookshelves. There’s a big window next to it, so I can gaze outside now and then, and there’s space in the middle to jump up and pace when I get fidgety. I need lots of water bottles, cashews, and quiet, haunting music like “Secret Garden” to keep me going.  I also have a few “fiddling” toys (for example, a small slinky), that I fiddle with when I’m thinking hard and not typing at all. 

I know Strands of Bronze and Gold is the first book in a trilogy. Can you give a hint of what to expect in the sequel, The Mirk and the Midnight Hour? 
The Mirk and Midnight Hour (available spring 2014) isn’t really a sequel to Strands - it's more of a companion book. It takes place in the same Mississippi County during the American Civil War, and is based on the “Ballad of Tam Lin.” The knight in the old Scottish story is a captured Union soldier in my retelling, and instead of fairies my story has voodoo practitioners. It has more fantasy/magical elements than Strands.  As for “trilogy,” I’m currently about two-thirds through the first draft of the third book. It’s unsold so far, so wish me luck. A Place of Stone and Shadow (which I think might be the title of this one), returns to Wyndriven Abbey (the house that was the setting for STRANDS), but years later, during Reconstruction after the war. The story is original - not a retelling. The abbey has been turned into a girls’ boarding school, and some of the deceased inhabitants of Wyndriven do not rest easy. As I’m now well into writing it, and I’m realizing that I have lots of good material, there may well be a fourth book. What’s the name of a series of four books? Quad-something? 

Quick Questions: 

You grew up in Mississippi but eventually moved to Canada. What was the biggest adjustment for you? 
I still feel nervous every time we cross the border back and forth, which is silly, but I have this fear, What if they won’t let me get by? 

What's the best thing about living in Bradford? 
A couple minutes from our house is an absolutely glorious nature area, where I can hike several times a week. 

You go on a cross-country trip across Canada. What is the one place you have to visit? 
I’m betting you get this answer a lot – I’m dying to visit L.M. Montgomery’s world at P.E. Island because she makes it sound like a piece of heaven in her descriptions. 

What's your favourite book by a Canadian author and why? 
I love Keturah and Lord Death, by Martine Leavitt, because of her beautiful writing and because of the fascinating character of Lord Death. 

A huge thank you to Jane for taking the time to answer my questions!

Jane can be found on: [her website] [her blog] [Twitter] [Facebook] [Goodreads]

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Click here to find out more about Strands of Bronze and Gold

For this giveaway, one person will get the chance to win a copy of Strands of Bronze and Gold. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

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Charming Canucks: Interview and Giveaway with Chloe Jacobs

Charming Canucks is a feature I’ve created that will be posted every other month or so in an effort to spotlight more Canadian YA authors and their books. 

Today, I'd like to welcome Chloe Jacobs.

 

A bit about Chloe (as found on Goodreads): Chloe Jacobs is a native of nowhere and everywhere, having jumped around to practically every Province of Canada before finally settling in Ontario where she has now been living for a respectable number of years. Her husband and son are the two best people in the entire world, but they also make her wish she'd at least gotten a female cat. And although the day job keeps her busy, she carves out as much time as possible to write. Bringing new characters to life and finding out what makes them tick and how badly she can make them suffer is one of her greatest pleasures, almost better than chocolate and fuzzy pink bunny slippers. 

Greta and the Goblin King, your debut novel, was released on November 13 by Entangled Teen. Give three reasons why everyone should read it. 
Well, I think everyone should read it because Greta is totally kick ass. I also think everyone should read it because otherwise you’ll never believe a goblin could be so hot! And finally, everyone should read it because it’s a fantastic, high-action story, with themes of home and friendship and responsibility, that I’m really proud to have written :) 

Greta and the Goblin King is a fantasy. Is there another genre you’d love to try your hand at someday? Is there a genre you could never see yourself writing? 
I love writing stories in all different kinds of genres. I’d like to try some contemporary and steampunk, although I don’t think I will ever be the type to write mysteries. Even if there is some mystery in my books, if I were writing a book where the mystery was the main point I think I would always keep thinking I was ruining it. The answer would be too obvious and no one would be surprised at the end. 

What is your writing process like? Are you a pantser or a planner? 
I like to plot the main story – just the first couple of big points, and then see what I can do with the rest as it starts to unfold. Sometimes that means the book deviates from the original plan, but I think that’s ok and I’m willing to go with it most of the time. 

Describe your writing space. 
I can pretty much write anywhere as long as I have my laptop. I’m not constrained to a desk or a particular “spot” although I usually tend to write in a cushy chair in my living room, or out on the deck when the weather is nice. As long as there’s coffee somewhere, I’m good. 

I know Greta and the Goblin King is the first book in the Mylena Chronicles. Can you give a hint of what to expect in the sequel? 
I can’t say much, sorry! Except that Greta and Isaac still have much to overcome and a dangerous path to follow. I hope that readers will be excited by their journey and the reappearance of certain characters from book 1!

Quick Questions: 

Your website mentions that you’ve lived in practically every province of Canada. Growing up, where did you love living (city or province) and why? 
My family moved around a lot. When I was young in Alberta, there was a really harsh recession and my dad ended up out of work for a long while. We moved to a couple of places while my parents tried to make a better life. Finally, that meant settling in Ontario, where I’ve been ever since, although I did my fair share of moving around after I left my parents home too. 

You go on a cross-country trip across Canada. What is the one place you have to visit? 
Drumheller, Alberta. It’s called Dinosaur Valley and I think everyone has to check it out. Even if you aren’t a ten year old boy in love with all things dinosaur, the museum and badlands are amazing to see!Although … it’s hard to pick just one place in Canada. If you love nature and the outdoors, then Canada is THE place to be. I LOVE visiting Northern Ontario in the summertime, and the City of Ottawa with all its museums and the National Art Gallery of Canada. I love the Rocky Mountains, and the downtown Toronto skyline, and going to Kensington Market.There’s also Niagara Falls, and Jasper National Park, and the Bay of Fundy, and … wow I could really go on a tangent here. LOL. 

What's your favourite book by a Canadian author and why? 
I have read and loved many many books by Canadian authors so I hate to pick just one, but a classic that stuck with me when I read it a few years ago is The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence. It’s a disturbing book published more than 30 years ago, but it stands the test of time. One of Canada's most revered authors, Ms. Laurence won two Governor General's Awards for Fiction and was given more than a dozen honorary degrees in her lifetime. 

A huge thank you to Chloe for taking the time to answer my questions!

Chloe can be found on: [her website] [Twitter] [Facebook] [Goodreads]

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Click here to find out more about Greta and the Goblin King!

For this giveaway, one person will get the chance to win a copy of Greta and the Goblin King. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

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Charming Canucks: Interview and Giveaway with Jessica Martinez

Charming Canucks is a feature I’ve created that will be posted every other month in an effort to spotlight more Canadian YA authors and their books. 

Today, I'd like to welcome Jessica Martinez.

 

A bit about Jessica (as found on her website): Jessica was born and raised in Calgary, Canada. As a child she played the violin, read books and climbed trees incessantly. She went on to study English and music at Brigham Young University, and since then has been a high school English teacher, symphony violinist, elementary school teacher, violin teacher, and mother. She currently live in Orlando, Florida with her husband and two children. 

The Space Between Us, your second novel, will be released on October 16 by Simon Pulse. Give three reasons why everyone should read it.

a) It takes place in Florida and Banff – two vacations, no airfare.

b) Neither of these sisters is annoyingly perfect, and neither calls their dad “daddy.” You’re welcome. 

c) You just might find yourself falling in love alongside Amelia. I definitely did.

Both Virtuosity and The Space Between Us are contemporaries. Is there another genre you’d love to try your hand at someday? Is there a genre you could never see yourself writing?

The novel I’m working on a now (my fourth) is suspense/crime drama. I’ve never written this kind of book before, which makes it exciting, but scary too. After I finished my third novel (also contemp) I felt the need to force myself to do something totally different and this certainly fits that description.

I have a hard time imagining myself writing paranormal or sci-fi.  I don’t dislike either genre, but my mind just doesn’t work that way.  When I do read it (usually because someone has recommended a book) I find myself tuning out the paranormal and sci-fi elements to focus on the relationships and character development, so I might be missing the point …

What is your writing process like? Are you a pantser or a planner?

I’m both, but mostly a pantser. I start by pantsing it, then at about 10,000 words I freak out and realize I have no clue where I’m going. At that point I make an outline, but I almost never stick to it. Every 10 or 20 thousand words I have to stop and change my outline. My plots are so character driven that it’s really hard to know exactly what my people are going to do until I live through certain things with them. I sometimes think it would be easier if I could just be a planner, but I don’t want to change. I love how my characters evolve and take the plot with them, even if it’s a huge headache and sometimes requires massive rewrites.

Describe your writing space.

My writing space is constantly changing. On any given day I’m writing in bed, in the car, at the kitchen table, at gymnastics, at soccer practice, etc. I used to have a writing room, but now that I’m expecting my third child my official workspace is the corner between the hamper and the rocking chair. Nice, eh?  Given that option, wouldn’t you write in the car too? I envy people who have clean desks and writing playlists and physical space to think, but there’s something to be said for making the magic happen whenever, wherever. It’s the only way I can fit writing into my life.

Do you have any writing projects currently planned? If so, can you give a hint of what to expect.

As I mentioned, I’m drafting my fourth novel. My third comes out next October. It’s about best friends, a guy and a girl, who get married so one can stay in the US. It’s dual point of view, alternating chapters, and it’s the first time I’ve written from a male perspective. I loved doing it.

Quick Questions:

What’s the best thing about growing up in Calgary?

When I was eight years old I got to go to several Olympic figure skating events in my hometown.

You go on a cross-country trip across Canada. What is the one place you have to visit?

As a child I read every book L.M. Montgomery wrote, so I have to do the whole Anne of Green Gables tour on P.E.I.

What's your favourite book by a Canadian author and why?

The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje because while I was reading it I met and fell in love with my husband. 

A huge thank you to Jessica for taking the time to answer my questions!

Jessica can be found on: [her blog] [her website] [Twitter] [Facebook] [Goodreads]

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Click here to find out more about Jessica's books!

For this giveaway, one person will get the chance to win a copy of either Virtuosity or The Space Between Us. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

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Charming Canucks: Interview and Giveaway with Kathleen Peacock

Charming Canucks is a feature I’ve created that will be posted every other month in an effort to spotlight more Canadian YA authors and their books. 

Today, I'd like to welcome Kathleen Peacock.

 

A bit about Kathleen (as found on her website): Kathleen Peacock spent her teen years crushing on authors and writing short stories about vampires. She put her writing dreams on hold while attending college, but tripped over them when office life started leaving her with an allergy to cubicles.

Hemlock, your debut novel, will be released on May 8 by Katherine Tegen Books. Give three reasons why everyone should read it.

Murder. Mayhem. Kissing.

Hemlock is an urban fantasy. Is there another genre you’d love to try your hand at someday? Is there a genre you could never see yourself writing?

There are a few genres I’d love to try. At the top of the list (at least currently) are magical realism and YA contemp. I’d also love to try writing a screenplay someday. “Never” has a way of biting me in the behind, but I can’t see myself writing sci-fi. I’d love to – I’ve been a fan for most of my life—but I’m not sure my mind turns in quite the right way to actually write it.

What is your writing process like? Are you a pantser or a planner?

I like to call myself a reformed pantser. I love the freedom and surprises that come from writing without an outline, but I tend to get lost and sometimes get so caught up in characters talking to each other and being snarky that I forget most stories need beginnings, middles, and ends.

Describe your writing space.

I write in my home office. It’s got a desk, several dry erase boards, and piles of books (and, quite often, laundry). A few action figures hang out on the desk: Enid from Ghost World, Stitch from Lilo and Stitch, Sirius from Harry Potter, and Edward Scissorhands. The only things I absolutely need are headphones and hair elastics (for some reason, I can’t write unless my hair is tied back).

I know Hemlock is the beginning of a planned trilogy. Can you give a hint of what to expect in the sequel?

More on the camps, more action, and more werewolf angst.

Quick Questions:  

What’s the best thing about living in New Brunswick? 

The coastlines – especially along the Bay of Fundy and the Bay of Chaleur.

You go on a cross-country trip across Canada. What is the one place you have to visit?

Calgary so I can hang out with my kid sister. 

What's your favourite book by a Canadian author and why? 

Oh, gads. Just one? This seriously changes every few weeks. Can I pick one YA and one adult? Please? Please?

Young Adult: Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers because - like all of her books - it grabs you and shakes you about. If I could, I’d stamp “National Treasure” on her forehead. I suspect, however, that she’d object to that.

Adult: The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews because the voice and writing style is just amazing. I don’t think it got quite the attention A Complicated Kindness received which, imo, is a shame because it’s an incredible book.

A huge thank you to Kathleen for taking the time to answer my questions!

Kathleen can be found on: [her blog] [her website] [Twitter] [Facebook] [Goodreads]

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Click here to find out more about Hemlock!

For this giveaway, one person will get the chance to win a copy of Hemlock. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Charming Canucks: Interview and Giveaway with C.K. Kelly Martin

Charming Canucks is a feature I’ve created that will be posted every other month in an effort to spotlight more Canadian YA authors and their books. 

Today, I'd like to welcome C.K. Kelly Martin.

A bit about C.K. (as found on Goodreads): After graduation C.K. headed for Dublin, Ireland and spent the majority of the nineties there in forgettable jobs meeting unforgettable people and enjoying the buzz. She always thoughts she'd get around to writing in earnest eventually and began writing her first novel in a flat in Dublin and finished it in a Toronto suburb. By then she'd discovered that young adult fiction felt the freshest and most exciting to her. You have most of your life to be an adult but you only grow up once! She's currently residing near Toronto with her Dub husband, became an Irish citizen in 2001 and continues to visit Dublin often (although not as often as she'd like!) while working on teen novels.

If you had to pick one character from among all those you have created, which one would be your favourite? (I know I'm being evil ;) 
You are devilish indeed; you know we shouldn’t play favourites! Before I answer, I have to say I love being asked these questions with proper Canadian spelling. So far all my books have been published to match up with American dictionary spellings but it still doesn’t seem right to me to see words like neighbour and colour missing their U’s. Anyway, generally my favourite character is whichever one I’ve worked on most recently but overall I’m probably fondest of Finn from One Lonely Degree because she’s a lot like me right down to her introversion, fondness for music and burning desire to go to London (I’ve been six times now and am still crazy about it). 

You’re known for writing intense realistic YA contemporaries. Is there another genre you’d love to try your hand at someday? Is there a genre you could never see yourself writing? 
YA contemporary is my favourite but I enjoy variety. My upcoming YA book has some sci-fi elements and I think it could be fun to write more books with either paranormal (like My Beating Teenage Heart) or sci-fi elements sometime. Maybe even horror. I’ve also written a book with a twenty-year-old main character who is grieving for her boyfriend when she becomes physically involved with someone else (more on that later in this interview). I’m really not in traditional type mysteries so that’s something I can’t ever see myself diving into. Also, although I enjoy reading about older characters it’s difficult for me to envision writing about character over the age, say, twenty-five or so. 

What is your writing process like? Are you a pantser or a planner? 
I let the story unfold in my head in a sort of vague way first and then I usually write a chapter by chapter outline (a couple of sentences per chapter). So I usually have a pretty good idea of where the story is heading by the time I sit down to type it out, but sometimes I’m wrong and things take a different turn! 

Describe your writing space. 
The den is a mess. It’s a very small room to begin with and the bookshelf behind me is totally overcrowded. There are also notebooks and bits of paper strewn everywhere (the futon is always covered with stuff). I have a couple of Beatles posters on my wall and a Jane Austen action figure, that I can see from my computer, to inspire me. The big things I need are quiet and solitude. I’m not one of those writers who can write in a coffee shop or while listening to music (although I like to listen to music before and after writing and while working on my website and stuff). 

I know Yesterday is coming out in September 2012, but do you have any other writing projects currently planned? If so, can you give a hint of what to expect. 
I’m rewriting the first YA books I ever wrote (which were a trilogy but which will now be one book) and am also planning to release the book with the twenty-year-old main character I mentioned earlier as an e-book.

Quick Questions: 

What’s the best thing about living in Toronto? 
Often when I’m in the city (I actually live in the burbs but near enough to Toronto to take advantage of all it has to offer) it’s to go to a concert, the theatre or watch movies that don’t make it out to the suburbs so I have to say the best thing about being near Toronto is the arts scene. 

You go on a cross-country trip across Canada. What is the one place you have to visit? 

Lately I’ve been feeling really intrigued by Labrador because it seems so unspoiled, remote and breathtaking. 

What's your favourite book by a Canadian author and why? 

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson because she's amazingly perceptive about people and the complex nature of family relationships. 

A huge thank you to C.K. for taking the time to answer my questions!

C.K. can be found on: [her blog] [her website] [Twitter] [Facebook] [Goodreads]

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Click here to find out more about C.K.'s books!

For this giveaway, C.K. has generously offered to give away a signed copy of My Beating Teenage Heart to Canadian readers. If you have a Canadian mailing address and are over the age of 13, you can fill out this FORM.

In addition, one person will get the chance to win one copy of any of C.K.'s books. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Charming Canucks: Interview and Giveaway with Eileen Cook

I sometimes feel as if Canadian YA authors aren’t as well known as their American counterparts. Charming Canucks therefore is a new feature I’ve created that will be posted every other month in an effort to spotlight more Canadian YA authors and their books. I’d love it if you could leave some comments on these posts, and hope you enjoy the upcoming interviews and giveaways. 

Today, I'd like to welcome Eileen Cook, the first author to be featured as part of Charming Canucks.

A bit about Eileen (as found on Goodreads): Eileen Cook spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer. You can read more about her, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her husband and two dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.
  

Unraveling Isobel, your latest book, was released on January 3 by Simon Pulse. Give three reasons why everyone should read it.

1) It's a fun mix of creepy and funny

2) Who doesn't love a ghost story?

3) My mom says it is awesome and you wouldn't call my mom a liar would you? 

If you had to pick one character from among all those you have created, which one would be your favourite? (I know I'm being evil ;) My personal favourite is Hailey because she's so neurotic). 

Oh evil question. I'm glad you like neurotic, I think all my heroines are a bit bent in that direction (this may say a lot about me). Of course I love all my characters for different reasons, but I tend to be most in love with one that is in the book I am currently writing. I think it is because I am in her head at the time, it's like being in a really intense love relationship. At the moment I'm finishing up a book with a character named Sadie. She's a teen age con artist. I adore her.

You’re known for writing light-hearted, humorous YA contemporaries. Is there another genre you’d love to try your hand at someday? Is there a genre you could never see yourself writing?

If you saw my bookshelves you would think I must have reader ADD. I read everything, historicals, thrillers, mysteries, non-fiction, science fiction, paranormal, YA, adult... you name it and there is likely something on my shelf that fits. I would love to try writing in every genre, the problem I have is that I have a hard time not being funny. Even when I'm trying really hard to be serious, it can come out as funny so my chances of writing a very serious literary novel are slim. I'd try writing any genre, I really enjoy the storytelling process, which is a good thing because writing 300 or so pages takes a lot of time. 

What is your writing process like? Are you a pantser or a planner?

I am a panster by nature, but have developed plotting skills. I have about a zillion books about writing. I am fascinated by all the different ways writers approach their craft. I really enjoy a book called Save the Cat. It is about how to write screenplays, but is really helpful for organizing a book. Now when I start a book I use the structure in that book to lay out the key story points. However, my panster nature is still there - I leave lots of room for things to develop as the story comes along. 

Describe your writing space.

My office used to be the sun porch and it has been closed in. I have lots of windows so I can look out into the back yard (this lets me keep an eye on my dogs who are doing their best to dig as many holes as possible). I have a couple chairs in the office so I have space to sit and read (or knit ). One of my favorite things in my office is the old typewriter that used to belong to my grandfather. When I was a kid I would play writer in his office when visiting. The typewriter is from the late 1920's and weighs at least fifty pounds. I need to keep my desk fairly clean when I am writing or else I can be easily distracted. 

Do you have any writing projects currently planned? If so, can you give a hint of what to expect.

I do! Right now I'm calling the book Shady Sadie, but I'm leaving myself open to changing the title. It's the story of Sadie, a teenage con artist, who when she discovers that she looks like the age enhanced photo of a missing child, decides to pull the ultimate con … until she begins to suspect she might actually be the missing kid. 

This book is scheduled to come out in December. 

Quick Questions:

What's the best thing about living in Vancouver?

The ocean. I love being around water.

You go on a cross-country trip across Canada. What is the one place you have to visit and why?

Just one place? I want to go to Montreal, I've never been. 

What's your favourite book by a Canadian author and why?

One of the best things about being a writer is I sometimes get a sneak peek at books that aren't out yet. There are two new YA's coming in 2012 by Canadian writers that I give a big thumbs up to – The Right and the Real by Joelle Anthony and Never Enough by Denise Jaden. 

A huge thank you to Eileen for taking the time to answer my questions! 

Eileen can be found on: [her blog] [her website] [Twitter] [Facebook] [Goodreads]

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Click here to find out more about Eileen's books!

For this giveaway, one person will get the chance to win one copy of any of Eileen's YA books. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below.