Interview: Aimee Carter

Aimée Carter is the author of the debut novel The Goddess Test. The Goddess Test is now available in bookstores and online.

Questions on The Goddess Test:

Tainted Poet: First off, could you give us a brief summery of The Goddess Test?

Aimée Carter: The Goddess Test is a sort of sequel to the myth of Hades and Persephone, in the sense that it takes place eons after the original myth occurred. How would I describe it in one sentence? What happens when Hades must replace Persephone, and someone is killing off the candidates.

However, I really can't do a better job describing it than the copy on the back of the book:

Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride and a goddess.

If she fails...

TP: I love how you incorporated the Greek Myth about Hades and Persephone into your novel. Is it your favorite myth?

Aimée: Thank you! It is definitely one of my favorite myths. I love many of them for several different reasons, but the myth of Persephone has always stayed with me, even from a young age. In the story, I was forced to tinker with the myth to make Hades a more compassionate character, but I did my best to stay true to the idea of a girl who is forced to marry a god she didn't love. I love Persephone's strength despite her circumstances, but I very much wanted to explore what that sort of relationship would do to Hades as well. Which is where much of Henry's character comes from.

TP: James was one of my favorite characters in The Goddess Test. Do you have a favorite?

Aimée: It's so difficult to pick a favorite. I would have to say, if I had to choose...no, still couldn't choose. It would be a three-way tie between Henry, James, and Ava. All simply because of how much fun they are to write. They each bring something unique to a scene, and as a writer, I couldn't be happier with getting the opportunity to 'work with them', so to say.

TP: If you could describe Henry in three words, what would they be? How about Kate?

Aimée: Tough question. Henry would be... lonely, loyal, and guarded. Kate would be desperate, selfless, and uncertain. Or trusting. We can pretend that's only three. :)

TP: What do you think separates The Goddess Test from other YA novels being released this year?

Aimée: Oh, wow. I really don't know. That's for the reader to decide! There is a stunning selection of YA novels being released this year, and I'm in complete awe of every single YA author out there. I don't feel like one of them. I honestly don't know if I ever will. They're all so stunning and talented, and I can't possibly see myself measuring up. I feel like a very little fish in a huge pond, and it continues to baffle me that anyone's ever heard of this little book I wrote the summer I couldn't work because the dentist broke my jaw in two places. (True story.)

TP: There are going to be three books in this series. Could you tell us a little something about the sequel, Goddess Interrupted?

Aimée: Goddess Interrupted was released on January 2012, and I am SO excited for everyone to get the chance to read it! It's much more action-packed than The Goddess Test, though there are still plenty of twists and turns along the way. I can't reveal much about the plot, especially since the first book hasn't been released yet, but I will say that earlier this week, I saw a sample of what the cover will look like, and it is gorgeous.

Other Questions:

TP: Since The Goddess Test is set in Michigan, how do you think being from Michigan inspired your writing?

Aimée: The Goddess Test takes place in the upper peninsula, and while I've been to the UP several times as a kid, my connection to Michigan had nothing to do with why I set it here. I considered a host of isolated places, including Maine and upstate New York, but I chose Michigan for one reason: it has a Paradise and a Hell. Eden is supposed to be around the same place as Paradise, if you know where that happens to be, and that was definitely deliberate.

TP: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Aimée: I've been writing since I was eleven, but it didn't occur to me that I could do it as a living until several years later. I never really had one thing I wanted to do. I was a bit lost as a kid and went through the usual rounds - I wanted to be a veterinarian, a horse breeder, an actress, everything. But writing, especially when I was in my tween and teenage years, was the one thing I consistently loved to do.

TP: Are there any foods or drinks you like to eat or drink while writing?

Aimée: I usually get some sort of drink, though that goes through cycles. I don't drink coffee, but sometimes I get hot chocolate, if I'm at a place where I like their hot chocolate. Sometimes, if they have it, I'll get chocolate milk (sensing a pattern yet?). Right now I'm drinking water mixed with those little individual flavor packets, which works out well.

TP: Which of the characters from The Goddess Test is most like you?

Aimée: I share a trait or two with all of them just by virtue of having created them, really. Personality-wise, there isn't really a character in the book that is me (though if I had to choose, I think I might say I'm most like James - then again, that isn't saying much). But Kate does go through a lot of things, especially taking care of her mother and facing the possibility that she's going to lose the only family she has, which I wound up going through after the book was accepted for publication, oddly enough. My father was hospitalized on and off for several months, and he had major heart surgery, a very bad infection, and a host of problems while I was doing edits for the book. So I certainly empathize with her in that way, though her personality is very different from mine.

TP: What is one question you wish people would ask you?

Aimée: "How would you like to star opposite Ben Barnes in a blockbuster action/romance film?"

Oh, wait, not what you're talking about? Hmm...

Honestly, I've been hoping for a chance to explain why the book is set in Michigan, so it seem you've already asked it! As for something else, I'm at a loss for anything meaningful, so let's go with "What's your hidden talent?" And that would be solving a Rubik's Cube in under three minutes. Most of the time. And that's without peeling the stickers off.

TP: Thank you for the interview! Any last comments?

Aimée: Thank you so much for having me on your fantastic blog!

END

Check out Aimée's website and learn more about The Goddess Test at www.aimeecarter.com!

Check out my review for The Goddess Test!

Blog Tour: Hourglass by Claudia Gray

Welcome to Day One of Claudia Gray's Blog Tour! We'll be kicking off this tour with a interview with Claudia Gray on her newest Evernight book, Hourglass!

Synopsis:

Hourglass (March 2009) After escaping from Evernight Academy, the vampire boarding school where they met, Bianca and Lucas seek refuge with Black Cross, an elite group of vampire hunters. Bianca must hide her supernatural heritage or risk certain death at their hands. But when Black Cross captures her friend--the vampire Balthazar--all her secrets threaten to come out.

Soon, Bianca and Lucas have orchestrated Balthazar's escape and are on the run, pursued not only by Black Cross, but by the powerful leaders of Evernight. Yet no matter how far they run, Bianca can't escape her destiny.

Bianca has always believed their love could survive anything--but can it survive what's to come?

Order Hourglass at Amazon.com!

Get a sneak peek at the Hourglass prologue and chapter one!

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Interview with Claudia Gray:

Tainted Poet: What should readers expect in HOURGLASS, the third installment of the EVERNIGHT series?

Claudia Gray: As you will remember, STARGAZER ended with Bianca and Lucas running away from Evernight Academy together – into the clutches of the vampire hunters of Black Cross. A few readers believed that Bianca had willingly joined Black Cross, which isn’t the case at all; she and Lucas are stuck with them while the group is in “lockdown” after the attack on Evernight but intend to get away, on their own, as soon as possible. But that’s not as soon as they had hoped; Lucas discovers that quitting Black Cross isn’t as easy as giving notice. Bianca has to disguise her true nature, because if any of the hunters realize she’s a born vampire, they’ll turn on her in a second. And then Black Cross captures Balthazar, which creates a crisis that’s going to test them all. Bianca’s very close to discovering her true destiny, and at the end, I would say that she and Lucas are facing their ultimate challenge.

I should warn you now: HOURGLASS ends on a cliffhanger, for which I sincerely apologize. When I was plotting the series out, the books were scheduled to come out once every six months. Six months didn’t seem too long to leave readers in the lurch, particularly since not everyone reads a book in its first couple of weeks of release. But then the publishing schedule was changed to once a year – and by then, I’d written too much to change my outlines. So I am sorry to leave you guys in suspense! Please trust me when I say that AFTERLIFE is not going to leave you hanging.

TP: What inspired you to start writing the EVERNIGHT series? What brought about writing a vampire series?

CG: I was trying to think outside the box, to come up with the most unusual school possible as a setting for a YA story. A vampire boarding school seemed to fit the bill. (Of course, EVERNIGHT sold right around the same time as the VAMPIRE ACADEMY series. Richelle Mead and I talked and were very, very relieved to discover we had two totally different takes on the idea!) After that, I came up with the idea of Bianca, in her uniform and with her telescope, and I tried to figure out who she was and who she needed to have in her life.

And, of course, I have always been fascinated by vampires. Even when I was a little kid, I would find the creepiest vampire books in the library and read them all. So I think writing about them someday was inevitable!

TP: Who would you say is your favorite character in HOURGLASS and why? Any favorite quotes?

CG: I honestly don’t have a single favorite character; the one I like best on any given day is the one who’s saying the most interesting things and giving me the most to work with while I’m writing. I think some characters who ended up having very strong scenes in HOURGLASS included Lucas, Mrs. Bethany, Balthazar, Raquel, Dana and, of all people, Ranulf.

This is a quote I really like, but I warn you that it’s not going to make any sense out of context. At one point, Ranulf says, “It is useful.” When you get to that part of the story (near the end), you’ll understand why I like it so much!

TP: Do you like reading about vampires?

CG: I love reading about vampires, but ever since I started work on the EVERNIGHT series, I’ve abstained from almost all vampire media – right now, honestly, it’s a little too much like work! I’ve made a few exceptions, though, namely Francesca Lia Block’s novel PRETTY DEAD and the TV shows “The Vampire Diaries” and “True Blood.” But as soon as I finish Balthazar’s novel, I hope to dive into all the amazing vampire book series and movies I’ve been missing out on. There’s going to be this whole treasure trove waiting for me.

TP: Can you tell us anything about AFTERLIFE, the fourth book in the series? (We love hints/clues!)

CG: Hmmm, I’ll have to be very careful here. I’ll give you five cryptic clues:

• Bianca will confront the wraiths in new ways, and in so doing, discovers amazing powers she could never have anticipated.
• Balthazar will ask Bianca to share something with him that she’s only shared with Lucas before.
• Lucas will be horribly betrayed by someone he loves dearly.
• Patrice returns – and proves to have a few tricks up her stylish sleeves.
• Mrs. Bethany will finally reveal why she used the human students to lure the wraiths to Evernight – and the answer to that question has the power to rock Bianca and Lucas’s worlds forever.

END

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Other great Claudia Gray links:

-Claudia Gray's Tour dates
-Claudia Gray's Website
-Claudia Gray's Journal

Interview: Megan Crewe

Megan Crewe is the author of Give Up The Ghost, her YA debut title. Give Up The Ghost is now available for purchase on Amazon and in bookstores near you.

Questions on Give Up The Ghost:

Tainted Poet: First off, could you please give us a brief summery of Give Up The Ghost?
Megan Crewe: An outcast at her high school, Cass uses the dirt her ghostly friends dig up to expose the crimes of her fellow students. But when the popular student council vice president comes to her for supernatural help, she realizes that the living might deserve another chance.

TP: If you had to label you book in three words, what would they be?
MC: Ghosts, revenge, friendship.

TP: Was the title Give Up The Ghost your novel's original title? Or did you have something else in mind?
MC: The original title was IN MEMORY OF (like you see in grave stones--"in loving memory of so'n'so"). But my agent felt that was too vague (and she was right) so we changed it before it went on submission. I love the current title because it works on a couple different levels. It's a metaphor for death, which is a major part of the story. But you could also see it as referring to Cass having to decide whether to give up her dependency on her ghostly friends, give up her hurt feelings over what happened in the past.

TP: Will there be a companion novel to Give Up The Ghost?
MC: There is not one currently written, but I am a firm believer in "never say never." :)

TP: While reading Give Up The Ghost, the characters felt so real to me. Did you put any of yourself in them?
MC: Definitely! Cass's sarcastic humor is much like mine, just turned up a few notches, and in some ways her personality is mine taken to its most cynical extreme (I'm actually an optimist--but even optimists have cynical thoughts!). I also dealt with depression when I was younger, and I'm sure that helped as I was writing Tim.

TP: In the novel, Cass had been hugely betrayed by her best friend. Has anything like this ever happen to you?
MC: Thankfully, no! But I saw it happen to other people--not as extreme as in Cass's case, but mocking behind people's backs, spreading rumors, that sort of thing. And I did have a somewhat close friend who suddenly decided to stop being my friend in my first year of high school. She didn't do anything mean to me, but she wouldn't talk to me at all, and I was pretty hurt and confused.

TP: Any ghost stories to share?
MC: One time, when I was in my teens, one of my family's cats started acting really scared in my bedroom. When I picked him up he freaked out and scratched me so hard I dropped him (very unusual), and then ran into the hall and sat there staring at the space under my bed for a couple hours. He used to love hiding under the bed, but after that he always avoided it. The best explanation I could come up with was that he'd seen a ghost under there! But who knows...

Other Questions:

TP: Have you always wanted to write Young Adult, or did it just turn out that way?
MC: I started writing seriously in my teens, and then I wrote for teens because that was the age group I knew. But when I got into my twenties I found I still enjoyed writing about teenagers, and for teenagers, more than adults, so I stuck with it! The teen years are such a turbulent and emotional time for most people, and it's exciting writing about characters in the process of figuring out who they are and who they want to be. And I also think there are no greater fans of books than teens. :)

TP: Are there any particular foods or drinks you like to eat or drink while you write?
MC: I don't usually eat or drink when I'm writing because I need both my hands to type! LOL. And also I'm afraid of spilling stuff on my laptop.

TP: Music or no music while writing?
MC: No music when writing unless I'm trying to drown out some other noise, in which case I use instrumental. But I listen to a lot of music when I'm brainstorming and outlining and have playlists for all my books. The soundtrack for GIVE UP THE GHOST is up on my website (http://www.megancrewe.com/gutg/soundtrack.html ).

TP: What is your favorite book? And what is one book everyone should read before they die?
MC: You expect me to have just one!? :) My favorite book when I was growing up was THE CHANGELING by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, which I still love. One book everyone should read... Mine! Heh. Speaking seriously, I'd say TUCK EVERLASTING by Natalie Babbitt, because it is a wonderful book, beautifully written and emotionally resonant--and if any book's going to make you feel okay about the fact that you are going to die some day, it's probably that one.

TP: Do you have any projects you are working on right now?
MC: I'm always working on something! I'm taking a break for a few weeks to focus on GHOST's release, but I have books waiting for me to revise them afterward.

TP: What is one question you wish readers would ask, but never gets asked?
MC: You know, so far readers have asked some really great questions. I'm stumped trying to think of anything important that hasn't gotten covered!

TP: Any last statements?
MC: I hope you will all come visit me at my website (http://www.megancrewe.com ) and blog (http://www.megancrewe.com/blog )--I always welcome comments and e-mails from readers!

END
Thank you Megan for the interview! My review for Give Up The Ghost is also available if you are curious to learn more about Megan Crewe'c book. Click: HERE.

Interview: Kiera Cass

Kiera Cass is the author of the YA novel The Siren. The Siren is now available for purchase on: Amazon.

Questions about The Siren:

Tainted Poet: First off, could you give us a brief summery of The Siren?
Kiera Cass: The Siren is an update on the Greek mythology of sirens, who were beautiful bird-women that sang to sailors and made them crash their boats into rocks and sink. In my version, they're just regular girls who end up living as servants to the Ocean. The hero of our story, Kahlen, has a hard time adjusting to the lifestyle, particularly when she meets a human boy, Akinli, and falls in love with him. It's hard because she can't even tell him anything about herself; her voice would make him want to drown! So it's about her trying to make it work and what happens when she starts breaking the Ocean's very strict rules.


TP: Was there anything in particular that inspired you to write this book?
KC: I woke up from a nap. I must have been dreaming about water or mermaids or something, because the idea of sirens came into my head. I thought "That would be fun to write about if they had some sort of purpose." I just didn't think there was any point to their world; why would they exist? And then, like a bolt of lightening, I got it. The Ocean eats people! I jumped up and wrote down four tiny paragraphs that were the beginning of the story, though I didn't know where it would go at the time. And I think only one line from that seed ended up in the final version. Yay editing!

TP: The characters in The Siren had a lot of personality. Did you put anything of yourself in any of them?
KC: I think most writers put themselves somewhere in there, whether they mean to or not. Kahlen wears a lot of my worries about life and death and what's best for others, and, of course, my undying love for cake. And it's pretty common knowledge that Elizabeth is an extreme version of my best friend Liz. There are bits of my husband and other friends stuck in there as well, but it's not so obvious.

TP: A story about a Siren is such a breath of fresh air. What is your favorite mythical creature?
KC: The chupacabra! Mostly because it's fun to say. Chupacabra!

TP: Your names are very unique-- How did you come up with Kahlen and Akinli?
KC: Kahlen and Akinli were both names I wanted to use for my kids, but my hubby vetoed them! Kahlen I heard for the first time on America's Next Top Model years ago. And Akinli was a surname on a mailbox here in Blacksburg that I just adored. I have pictures of both the inspirations on my website, kieracass.com

TP: Will you ever write a companion novel to The Siren?
KC: I've certainly thought about it, and I know absolutely how and why Kahlen would go back to that world. If you're a really analytical reader, you may catch the open door I left for her. But I'm not sure it would be as satisfying for the fans. Most of the love story has developed, and it would be more of a life story than a love story, though I can say from experience that so much of what love is really happens after you're married.

Other Questions:

TP: Was there a point in your life when you decided you were going to be a writer?
KC: No. But I've always loved writing, and now it seems stupid that I haven't been doing it all along. I did major in History in college, and I would say that that is a much better major for writers than English. All you do is listen to stories. No wonder I was so happy.


TP: Are there any particular foods or drinks that you like to eat or drink while writing?
KC: Ohhh! That's a good question. Umm, in pretty much every circumstance, I like to have sugar around. The summer I wrote The Siren, I would sit at a cookie store called Crumb and Get It. It smelled good and the cookies were great and it wasn't very busy, so it was easy to write. But they ended up closing down, so I write at home or at Bollo's, a local coffee shop, usually. I prefer local businesses.

TP: Could you share one interesting fact about yourself?
KC: I wrecked a car when I was four. I pulled it out of park and backed my baby brother and myself into a tree. I remember trying to crawl out the open window because I was sure I was going to die, but it wasn't a big enough gap. At the time, all I had seen were cars hitting things and blowing up on TV, so it was pretty scary.


TP: What is your favorite book? And what is one book you think people should read before they die?
KC: I guess I'll always love The Little Prince by Antione de Saint-Exupery. It's a children's book, but it's full of good things no matter how old you are. And, currently, I think everyone needs to read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. DO IT!

TP: Do you have any projects you are working on right now?
KC: Absolutely! I have a rough draft of what I guess will be my next project done, as well as several half-finished drafts of other things. As soon as I get some time, there have been requests for me to rewrite the last three chapters of The Siren from a different perspective, and I'd like to be able to present something, since it was pretty much impossible to do in the actual story.


TP: What is one question you wish readers would ask, but they never do?
KC: I've had so much fun with people asking things like "What movie were Kahlen and Akinli watching?" and "What song was playing here?" Those little details are fun for me. The one that I'm surprised no one has asked (and have been dreading) is about how Ifama ended up as a siren. And, the thing is, I totally know and can't tell. In the original version, her whole story was in there, but as I reworked it over and over, I heard her saying "Please don't tell that to everyone." She's a very proud person, and her secret is one I'll keep. Which stinks, because I hate keeping secrets.

TP: Any last statements?
KC: I just hope people enjoy the book! And if you do, please spread the word. You can talk about The Siren, contact me, and keep up with upcoming projects at kieracass.com!

END

Thank you so much Kiera for the interview!! I greatly enjoyed your book The Siren and I hope to read more from you in the future!

Interview: Michelle Zink

Michelle Zink is the Author of the up coming release Prophecy of The Sisters, which hits bookstores August 1st, 2009. Besides being a Deb, Michelle is a part of The Word Ninjas, Ink. A fantastic group of authors and bloggers working together to promote excellent books!

For more information, click: Here

Questions on Prophecy of The Sisters:

Tainted Poet: First off, could you give us a brief summery of Prophecy of the Sisters?
Michelle Zink: Prophecy of the Sisters is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Lia who discovers she's part of an ancient prophecy that puts her in direct opposition to her twin sisters, Alice, and that could have apocalyptic consequences for mankind.

TP: What was your biggest inspiration while writing Prophecy of the Sisters?
MZ: I love reading about ancient myths and legends, and I was incredibly intrigued by the biblical tale of the Watchers, the angels who were sent to watch over mankind but instead fell in love with mortal women and fell from grace. Their offspring were called the Nephilim, and Prophecy asks the question, "What if the descendants of the angel/woman union continued to pay the price for their ancestor's mistakes? And what if only one were pre-destined to end it for the generations to come?"

TP: What made you choose the time period in which you set this book?
MZ: I love the Victorian era and everything Gothic! It's such a dark, sensuous era, and I thought it would set the tone nicely for the very dark atmosphere of the story.

TP: Do you ever wish to live in the 1800s? If so, when exactly?
MZ: Sometimes! It was such a graceful era in terms of fashion and manners, and those seem to be things we're losing touch with by the day. In the other hand, I'm happy to have indoor plumbing!

TP: How long did it take you to plan and write this novel?
MZ: I probably thought about the book for a couple of months before I started writing. The first draft took me three months to write, but it took me another 10 months to revise! Sounds crazy, I know! But I don't write with an outline of any kind, and I've come to accept that this style of writing means a lot of back-end revising in order for everything to work. I'd love to be able to write with a detailed outline so that everything comes together nicely the first time, but I tried it once, and it just killed the creativity and atmosphere that I love about writing "my" way!

TP: Which character, would you say, is most like you?
MZ: Honestly, I'm probably a mix between Madame Berrier and Aunt Virginia - motherly but unconventional! I also have a bit of Luisa in me, I think. I hate for other people to think I'm vulnerable, so I've become pretty good at playing tough.

TP: Will there be a sequel? If so, how many books do you have planned?
MZ: Prophecy is a three-book series. The second book is tentatively titled Guardian of the Gate and will be released in August 2010 with the third book being released in August 2011.

TP: Do you have a favorite character?
MZ: I can't choose a favorite! It's like being asked to pick a favorite child - impossible! They're all fairly complex people, and I love them each for their own failings, attributes, and complexities.

TP: I absolutely loved James. Can I marry him? x)
MZ: Well, because of what happens at the end of Prophecy, you MIGHT say that he's available, but when you read Book Two, you'll realize it's not quite so simple... ;)

Other Questions:

TP: Do you have any particular favorite foods or drinks that you like to eat and drink while writing?
MZ: Dark chocolate and tea!

TP: Do you listen to music while you write? And if so, what do you listen to?
MZ: I listen to film scores while I write. Music with words makes it hard to find my own, and I've found that by choosing a film score or two from a movie that matches the tone of the book I'm writing, I can more easily find the atmospheric tone that I try to put into my work. Plus, it helps me drown out the sounds of four kids/teens plus friends plus music being played and amps blasting in my basement!

TP: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
MZ: Yes! But I forgot who I was for awhile back when I was trying to earn a living and provide medical benefits for my children. It took me awhile to remember that there are more important things than money - and being spiritually fulfilled is at the top of that list. And you know what? I think it's good for kids to know that, too, even if it means they have to sacrifice a little. Mine did, uncomplainingly, because they knew how much my writing meant to me and they, too, believed that I should follow me passion. Great kids, huh?!

TP: How does it feel to be having your book come out?
MZ: It feels... surreal. The publication of any book takes a long time, but mine took longer than most - two whole years! Now, I see it on the shelf and my face hurts from smiling! But it's also scary, because I don't want to disappoint anyone and this is where I have to stand back and say, "I did my best. It is what it is. I hope you like it." It's harder than it sounds!

TP: Do you think being a part of Word Ninjas has made your launch more enjoyable?
MZ: Totally! The friendships I've formed with the other authors have been key to my sanity. Lisa Mantchev, author of the amazing book, Eyes Like Stars, has pretty much been the key to my sanity more than once! And then there are the bloggers like you! You've made it such a fun journey, and I love talking and laughing with you guys on Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace. You're such an amazingly talented group of people. Getting to know you all and work with you on various launches has been a highlight of my year. <3>

TP: Describe Word Ninjas, Ink in 3 words:
MZ: Promoting great books!

TP: What is one question you wish people would ask you?
MZ: What do we need more of in YA literature today?

TP: Any last statements?
MZ: Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Eli! I love watching your progress and have so enjoyed getting to know you. I hope your readers enjoy Prophecy of the Sisters - and I hope it makes them ask themselves, even a little, "What if?"

--END--

Isn't Michelle Fabulous? Make sure to check your bookstores for Prophecy of the Sisters in stores (officially) August 1st, 2009!

Interview: Tera Lynn Childs

Tera Lynn Childs is the author of Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp. Goddess Boot Camp hit stores June 2009.

Find out more by going to her: Webpage

Questions on Oh. My. Gods.:

Tainted Poet: First off, could you please give us a brief summary of Oh. My. Gods.?
Tera Lynn Childs: Oh. My. Gods. is about a cross-country-running California girl whose mom remarries a Greek guy and moves her halfway around the world right before her senior year. Then, when they get there, she learns that everyone else at her new school is a descendant of a Greek god and has superpowers.

TP: What inspired you to write about Greek Gods?
TLC: Two things. First, I've always loved mythology and ancient cultures (Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Mayan). Second, I came up with a really cool working title (Growing Up Godly) and thought that a girl going to a school for the descendants of the gods would fit that title.

TP: Have you ever been to Greece?
TLC: Sadly, no.

TP: Troy was cute, but Griffin was just Wow. What's your opinion on this matter? ;)
TLC: Well, don't tell the boys, but when I started writing the story Phoebe was supposed to end up with Troy. I mean, he's the nice one, right? But I have a serious weakness for bad boys--especially ones with dark curly hair and icy blue eyes--and apparently so does Phoebe.

TP: Should we expect to find out which God/Goddess Nicole is a decedent from anytime soon?
TLC: Not in Goddess Boot Camp, sadly. (That little sneak didn't even *tell* me until after I'd finished that book!) But, if I get to write a third book in the series--which means everyone has to rock the shelves and tell all their friends and librarians to buy the first two so my publisher wants more--then Nicole's ancestor will play a huge role in that story.

TP: Which character is most like you, would you say?
TLC: Oh, Phoebe, definitely. She's a lot like I was in high school: athletic, average popularity, straight brown hair. I never had her luck with boys, though.

TP: Any particular favorite characters and why?
TLC: I have a soft spot for Nicole, of course, because she's the cool chick I'll never be. I also like writing my bad girls, Stella and Adara, because there's always more beneath the surface than just a bad attitude.

TP: Is there a particular message you want to get across with this book?
TLC: You mean theme? *shudders* Okay, okay, repressing bad English class memories. I would have to say that the message in Oh. My. Gods. is about finding your inner strength, about Phoebe finding the ability within herself to triumph despite being up against classmates with superpowers.

TP: The sequel, Goddess Boot Camp, was just released this month. Should we expect any more books for this series?
TLC: As I said above, I have at least one more story to tell, but it will depend on my publisher. And, since publishers like money, it will depend on the sales for the first two books.

Other Questions:

TP: What would you say your biggest literary inspiration is?
TLC: Uh, inspiration? I don't know that I have any specific inspirations, because I think each writer and her voice are unique, but I do have some favorite authors. Those include Jaclyn Moriarty, Emily Lockhart, and Meg Cabot.

TP: Do you have any particular foods or drinks you like to eat or drink while writing?
TLC: Since I write in coffee shops, it's usually something caffeinated. Some days it's a caramel frappuccino, others it's a hazelnut latte. If I'm being very good, it's an iced green tea lemonade.

TP: Do you listen to music while you write? And if so, what do you listen to?
TLC: Always! Again, since I'm writing in public, if I don't have tunes in my ears then I can't focus at all. My taste in music is very eclectic. Here are some highlights from my current playlist:

-Glory of by Peter Cetera, Just Dance by Lady Gaga, I'm Yours by Jason Mraz, Love Story by Taylor Swift, Single Ladies by Beyonce, Mercy by Duffy, and Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi.

TP: If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
TLC: If I were just looking for somewhere to relax, I'd head to south Florida. If I were looking for an exciting travel destination, I'd go to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

TP: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
TLC: No. For the longest time I hated anything to do with English, reading, grammar, etc. I was going to be a teacher, veterinarian, doctor, biologist, astronaut, lawyer, architect... You name it and I bet I wanted to become it at some point in my life. I get very obsessive, and writing is the only thing that I've stayed obsessed with for more than six months (we're going on six years now). So I think this one's a keeper.

TP: What is one question you wish people would ask you?
TLC: What color is my hair today? (It changes frequently.) Today it's my natural blah brown with some pale blonde highlights.

TP: Any last statements?
TLC: Um, stay in school? No wait, it's summer. How about this quote from my mom: Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a promise, so make the best out of today.

END

Tera Lynn Childs was great and I hope to talk with her again in the future! Check out her books Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp, Both fun and easy summer reads!

Interview: Lisa Mantchev

Lisa Mantchev is the Author of the upcoming release Eyes Like Stars which hits book shelves July 7, 2009.

Find out more information by clicking: The Théâtre Illuminata

Questions on Eyes Like Stars:

Tainted Poet: First off, could you please give us a brief summery of Eyes Like Stars?
Lisa Mantchev: ELS is the story of Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, who lives at the Théâtre Illuminata with all the characters from every play ever written. It's a moving story of self-discovery. With glitter. And cupcakes. And great costuming.

TP: How much of yourself would you say you put into your main character Bertie?
LM: She has my love of the theater and coffee. I didn't start dying my hair until I hit college, though, and never blue.

TP: Are you a fan of Shakespeare? Or was there another reason for all the Shakespearean references and characters?
LM: Whenever I read one of his plays, I get an awed feeling at the idea of writing iambic pentameter with a quill pen... especially when I stop to think about how often I use the "delete" key in my word processor! I really enjoy pieces that riff on his work, too. "The Shakespeare Code" is one of my very favorite episodes of Doctor Who, for example, and I love movies like "10 Things I Hate About You" that use his storylines in a modern setting.

TP: Who would you say is your favorite character and why?
LM: It started with Bertie, so I'll stick with her.

TP: Peaseblossom is my favorite. Which Fairy are you most fond of?
LM: It's funny... I think of them as "Pease and The Boys." I can't pick a favorite, any more than a mom would tell you which of her kids she likes best... mostly because they would shove jelly beans up my nose while I'm sleeping if I said otherwise.

TP: What inspired you to write about the Theatre?
LM: I started performing in community theater when I was seven, then majored in Drama in college, so it's something with which I was familiar (that old adage of "Write what you know.") I've always felt that theaters are magical, and hoped readers might feel the same way I do.

TP: Is there a particular message you want readers to take away from ELS?
LM: "Go to the theater. See a play."

TP: Eyes Like Stars is the first of a Trilogy. When is the next one expected to be released?
LM: PERCHANCE TO DREAM will be released in the Fall of 2010, and the third book in the Théâtre Illuminata series in 2011.

Other Questions:

TP: What is your biggest literary inspiration?
LM: Probably the Shoes books by Noel Streatfeild (particularly Ballet Shoes.)

TP: Do you have any particular foods or drinks you like to eat or drink when you're writing?
LM: Coffee, coffee, and more coffee. I also love having nibbles nearby (small candies, like Reece's Pieces, Skittles, or jelly beans) that I can nom as I think.

TP: Music or no music while writing? If so, what do you listen to?
LM: If I listen to music, which isn't often, because I get distracted easily, it's instrumental... like the "Assassin's Tango" from the Mr. & Mrs. Smith soundtrack. I listened to that on repeat while choreographing the tango scene.

TP: Are there any particular authors that inspire you?
LM: I just finished Frank Beddor's Looking Glass Wars, which was super-shiny. I also love Patricia McKillip's sensory details and Neil Gaiman's sense-of-wonder. Terry Pratchett's books really gave me permission to let out my inner smart-arse.

TP: Why did you decided to write Young Adult?
LM: I didn't, actually. Before tackling the novel, I was writing short, speculative fiction, and "YA" isn't really a separate genre in that field. While writing it, I just thought of is as "this neat thing I'm working on." Then I sold to a YA imprint, and realized the majority of my reading material comes from the YA/teen section of the bookstore. I had a moment of glorious realization that I'd finally found my place, my writing "home."

TP: How much time do you usually spend writing daily?
LM: It's a full time job for me now, but I work it in around parenting and laundry and vacuuming up the dog-hair tumbleweeds. And "writing" isn't just putting down first draft material... it might also mean revising, which I've been doing nonstop for about nine months, or copyediting, or reading page proofs. It's also blogging and networking and organizational stuff. The hours certainly add up!

TP: What is a question no one ever asks, but you wish that they would?
LM: Nobody ever asks me the meaning of life, which means I have to randomly shout "Forty-two!" at people on the street.

END

I am personally very excited for this release! Lisa was great to work with and I would just like to give her a round of applause for the wonderful book she has written for us! Brava!

Stay around to have a chance to win an ARC of Eyes Like Stars!

Interview: Darren Shan

Darren Shan is the International best selling author of The Saga of Darren Shan/Cirque Du Freak and The Demonata. He has two upcoming releases: Dark Calling book 9 of The Demonata for the USA and Hell's Heroes book 10 of The Demonata for the UK and Ireland. Both are expected to be released October 1st, 2009. Also, The manga based off his hit series Cirque Du Freak is on shelves... NOW!

Find him on his Website: Darrenshan.com.

The Interview:

Tainted Poet: How does writing The Demonata differ from when you were writing The Saga of Darren Shan?
Darren Shan: It was much more complicated, because there are three narrators and the storyline jumped backwards and forwards in time during the first half of the series. I think The Saga was a "warmer" series, in that you got closer to the characters. The Demonata works on a different level, and makes more demands of readers -- you have to be prepared to go with the flow of the story and accept the fact that things are going to tie together as it progresses. The Saga was more fun to write, but The Demonata was more challenging.

TP: How does it feel having Hell's Heroes coming out this year in the UK and Ireland?
DS: Nice!! When you start a big project like this (it took over eight years from start to finish!!), there are so many things that can go wrong -- injuries, writer's block, cancellation of series by publishers, DEATH!!!! There's no guarantee you're going to make it to the end -- in fact, the odds are very much against it!! So to have overcome all those obstacles and made it intact (well... almost!!) to the finishing line is sweet!!!

TP: If you had to choose a favorite character from The Demonata, who would it be?
DS: Grubbs. He's the most intriguing of the characters for me, and goes on the longest, strangest story arc of any of my characters ever -- just wait until you see where he ends up in book 10!!!!

TP: Dark Calling hits American bookshelves around the same time as Hell's Heroes hits UK bookstores (in October). Would you have preferred the books coming out simultaneously in the UK and USA rather then separated the way they are?
DS: Yes -- it would make my life a lot simpler!! But that's just the way these things go. Because I live in Ireland, the country where I first sold my books was the UK, which is why they're ahead of everywhere else. My American publishers have done all they can to catch up (they started to release The Demonata before The Saga finished), but to get totally level, they would have to release a glut of titles over a very short time period, and no publisher enjoys doing that! I'm happy with the way things stand -- and it also allows me to tour both territories with the same book at different times, which is good!!

TP: Music or no music when you write?
DS: Music, definitely -- I feel very isolated and lonely if I write in silence!!

TP: Do you have any foods or drinks that you like to eat or drink while writing?
DS: No. I try not to nibble when I'm working.

TP: What is your favorite Horror movie?
DS: One of them is Salem's Lot. It had a HUGE impact on me when I was it as a young child!!

TP: Did any particular authors inspire you to write?
DS: Stephen King has been my biggerst role model. I love his books, obviously, but also the fact that he's pushed himself so hard throughout his career. I think writers should challenge themselves to be as productive as they can be, and King is one who had.

TP: Do you want to say anything to American readers that are still waiting for Dark Calling to be released?
DS: Enjoy the wait!! Once the series is finished, you'll have no more demon books by me to look forward to!!!!

TP: Any last words?
DS: The Demonata is by no means the end for Darren Shan! I will be sticking to my two books per year schedule until 2012 at least (hopefully even longer than that). I have a one-off fantasy book coming up next, and then a four book series about... well, that will be revealed in the middle of August!!!

END.Darren Shan has been my favorite author (and my brothers!) for years. He had me on Chapter one of Cirque Du Freak and now I'll forever be a Shanster. It was an amazing experience to be able to interview him. Thanks Darren for the interview!
2009/2010 is an exciting time frame for us Shansters! The manga of Cirque Du Freak released this month, Dark Calling in October (as well as Hell's Heroes for UK Shansters) and the Cirque Du Freak movie early next year! For more on Darren Shan, check out his website which is listed above and check out my book reviews on:
-Wolf Island
-Cirque Du Freak

Interview: Cyn Balog

Cyn Balog is the Author of the upcoming release Fairy Tale, which hits bookshelves June 23rd, 2009.

Questions on Fairy Tale:

Tainted Poet: First off, Could you please give us a brief summery of Fairy Tale?
Cyn Balog: Fairy Tale is about a girl who discovers that her boyfriend is Fairy King, due to leave her forever and join the fairy world on his 16th birthday. Because she can't bear to lose him, she plots to keep him human.

TP: Did any particular personal experiences influence Fairy Tale?
CB: Well, I can't say I know any fairies. But when I was 16 I thought I knew exactly what I would be doing for the rest of my life, and who I would be doing it with. And none of the plans I'd made then actually ended up coming into reality... even the ones that I was SO sure about.

TP: A few authors have said that they put a bit of themselves in their characters. Is this the case with you?
CB: Morgan is probably who I would be if I had the nerve. She has a psychic power, which makes her confident in herself. Maybe if I had that same power I would be a little more outspoken and self-assured, but I'm generally pretty shy and goofy.

TP: If you had to choose a character in Fairy Tale that is most like you, who would it be?
CB: Probably Pip; he's like, a stranger in this world, and sometimes that's how I feel... like everything I do is weird! That's probably why I write for YAs-- I feel like I haven't been around this world long enough to write like an adult. Maybe when I am 100 I will graduate into that.

TP: Is there a sequel or any sort of companion novel planned for Fairy Tale?
CB: Nope. Not unless someone bangs down my door demanding it. Which is why I am not telling anyone where I live.

TP: I had heard the original title for Fairy Tale was Fairy Lust. What was the cause for the change?
CB: I loved the title Fairy Lust, and had it even before I wrote the book. But there was concern about a book with "lust" in the title being in the YA section. I know Fairy Tale is not as catchy, but I'm hoping it's for the best!

TP: Knowing why it was changed, would you still keep the name Fairy Lust if you could?
CB: Well, since I still call it Fairy Lust, it would probably be easier on my brain. Whenever I hear Fairy Tale, I don't think it's my book they're talking about. It's kind of generic.

TP: Any favorite characters?
CB: I may be the only one, but I kind of love the dad in Fairy Tale, who lives for General Hospital and is otherwise clueless about his daughter's life. It's really sad when you amuse yourself and nobody else, so I hope someone else out there likes him, too.

TP: Why did you decide on a paranormal/fairy theme?
CB: I wrote a YA novel before that had a sci-fi theme and found it just wrote itself. High concept novels just write themselves, so I wanted to try something in the paranormal vein. Fairies weren't huge when I started, but I liked them. My only intro to fairies at the time had been Disney fairies. I got a kick of imagining a big, macho football player trying to explain to his friends that he was a fairy.

TP: Is there message or theme that you really want expressed with Fairy Tale?
CB: Just that nothing is ever set in stone. And sometimes, things happen because they are really for the best, even though we may not be able to see it at the time.

Other Questions:

TP: What is the main source of your literary inspiration?
CB: Ice Cream.

TP: Are you working on or planning anything right now?
CB: I have a book called Sleepless, which is due out in 2010. It's about a Sandman who falls in love with a mortal girl whose sleep he controls.

TP: How much time a week do you devote to writing and its different processes?
CB: Not very much. I had a full-time job, a toddler, and am expecting another baby, so I would sometimes only get a few minutes on my lunch hour. However, I was recently laid off from my job and am hoping to find more time in the future (though I will probably have less money for ice cream).

TP: What YA novel are you most looking forward to in 09/10?
CB: I am just about to get my hands on an arc of CATCHING FIRE, which I can't wait for. That and THE DEAD TOSSED WAVES by Carrie Ryan, since I loved THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH. Plus, my critique partner, Mandy Hubbard, has a new book out this month, PRADA AND PREJUDICE, and I can't wait to see how much it has changed since I first read it!

TP: Are there any particular authors that inspire you?
CB: Judy Blume and Stephen King were my initial inspiration. Now I am in a group of 60 debut authors, www.feastofawesome.com, and every day they inspire me.

TP: Any particular foods or drinks you like to have when you are writing or planning?
CB: Ice Cream and Twix Bars. I just ate... um, a few too many of them.

TP: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you listen to?
CB: Nope, I like complete silence!

TP: Where can we find your website?
CB: www.cynbalog.com

TP: Do you have a favorite Fairy Tale?
CB: Cinderella-- because that was my nickname growing up. I watched that Disney movie about a gazillion times when I was a kid.

TP: What is a question that no one ever asks, but you wish would be asked?
CB: What is your favorite cereal? Banana Nut Crunch. I eat it every morning or else I'll have a bad day.

TP: Any last last words?
CB: Rosebud.

END.

Don't forget to get a copy of Fairy Tales this month when it hits bookstores!
Thank you Cyn for answering my questions. It really was a joy interviewing you!