Howdy folks, and Happy Friday! Today we bring you a very special author spotlight on The Book Smugglers – none other than the lovely and incredibly talented Seanan McGuire!
Seanan is the author of the awesome October Daye series (an Urban Fantasy series, so far composed of three books: Rosemary and Rue, A Local Habitation, and An Artificial Night). She also happens to be Mira Grant – author of the truly awesome Feed (book 1 in the Newsflesh trilogy, a post-zombie-apocalypse series). Check out the synopsis for her latest (and strongest!) book in the October Daye series:
October “Toby” Daye is a changeling-half human and half fae-and the only one who has earned knighthood. Now she must take on a nightmarish new challenge. Someone is stealing the children of the fae as well as mortal children, and all signs point to Blind Michael. Toby has no choice but to track the villain down-even when there are only three magical roads by which to reach Blind Michael’s realm, home of the Wild Hunt-and no road may be taken more than once. If Toby cannot escape with the children, she will fall prey to the Wild Hunt and Blind Michael’s inescapable power.
In celebration of the release of An Artificial Night, we have invited Seanan over for an interactive Q&A session! Here’s how it works: Seanan will be popping in all day long to answer YOUR burning questions about her Toby Daye books. But wait, it gets even cooler! We are giving away ONE copy of ONE of Seanan’s books to a lucky winner – it’s winner’s choice (you can select from Rosemary and Rue, A Local Habitation, An Artificial Night, or Feed)!
Entry is easy and simple – just leave a comment here asking Seanan a question (about her current series’, her writing process, her favorite authors, music, movies, fairy tales, whatever). The contest is open to all, and will run until Saturday, September 11th at 11:59PM (PST). Good luck, and let the questions begin!
About the Author:
Seanan McGuire was born in Martinez, California, and raised in a wide variety of locations, most of which boasted some sort of dangerous native wildlife. Despite her almost magnetic attraction to anything venomous, she somehow managed to survive long enough to acquire a typewriter, a reasonable grasp of the English language, and the desire to combine the two. The fact that she wasn’t killed for using her typewriter at three o’clock in the morning is probably more impressive than her lack of death by spider-bite. Her upbringing has left her with a love of rattlesnakes and a deep fear of weather, which really explains a lot.
For more information about Seanan, check out her website HERE (Mira Grant site HERE) and her blog HERE.
95 Comments
Mezzowriter
September 10, 2010 at 12:17 amI’d love to know what your inspiration was for “Feed.” How do you manage to create a unique line without falling into the rut that everyone else is in?
🙂
Lisa
September 10, 2010 at 3:45 amFae and zombies are two pretty separate subjects, both also very popular. What attracted you to these in particular?
Ginny
September 10, 2010 at 4:23 amFirst I have to say I love your books with a passion & now anything you write has become an auto-buy for me. I also loved the ending of Feed which completely shocked me for “going there” (it also made me cry, baby that I am, lol)
My question is if zombies did start roaming the Earth which person would you stick by no matter what?
scooper
September 10, 2010 at 4:40 amAre the Cat King and Toby ever gonna get together? http://thebooksmugglers.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif
Wait, I don’t think you’ll answer that one so I’ll settle to know how many books you have been contracted to write.
Amanda Isabel
September 10, 2010 at 5:31 amHey and thanks for particpating!
I was jjust wondering how you thought up a world with half faes and such? In terms of urban fantasies, it’s not a deeply popular subject (cue the vampires and werewolves) and I think it’s an excellent change up for books, but I have to wonder what made you think of it.
Thanks 🙂
Julia
September 10, 2010 at 5:35 amHi! I was curious if it was a difficult decision chosing to publish your two series under two different names. Did you do so under the advice of your agent? Was it just “a pen name you always wanted to use”?
Thanks for answering our questions, I’m very excited to read the new October Daye book.
Sandy G
September 10, 2010 at 6:21 amHi.
Do you know how many more October Daye books you’r going to write?
Sumeria
September 10, 2010 at 6:36 amJust read –and loved!– An Artificial Night; but it left me with a slew of questions which I suspect you would refuse to answer on the grounds of horrific spoilers.
That said… how did Solomon develop the opinion that October is a hussy, and what has he been telling his son?
Lisa B.
September 10, 2010 at 7:52 amSeanan (or Mira which ever you prefer to go by),
I love that you write under different names. I also love that you wrote FEED. I heart zombies. Ok, so I’m a sucker for music. Do you listen to music while writing or editing or do you prefer to work in silence? Do you make playlists or think of a scene/character when a certain song comes on the radio?
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 9:09 amHi, Mezzowriter!
Um, wow. I hate to start a Q&A with “I don’t know,” but…I don’t know. Feed came from a whole bunch of different sources, many of which were probably the same sources that are inspiring everybody else that’s currently working in zombies. They just came together differently for me.
Sorry about that.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 9:13 amHi, Lisa!
Amusingly enough, when I started working on the Toby books, everybody told me they’d never sell because fae were so unpopular. So I guess I rode the trend all the way back to the beginning, huh?
I’ve always been fascinated by the fae; I majored in Folklore at UCB for just that reason. It was always sort of inevitable that I’d wind up writing about them. As for zombies…that love was born with Night of the Comet, and just grew from there. They’re an odd mix, but they’re the sweet-and-savory of my world.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 9:14 amHi, Ginny!
If zombies started roaming the earth, I’d stick by whomever had the most guns and was willing to point them at the zombies, rather than at me. I am a simple blonde.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 9:16 amHi, Scooper!
You’re right on my not answering your first question, because what would be the fun in that? But I promise things will be getting clearer rapidly from here.
I am currently contracted for five books in the Toby Daye series, and three books in the Newsflesh trilogy. I’m hoping to continue Toby beyond that.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 9:18 amHi, Amanda!
I knew I wanted to write about the fae, and I knew I wanted someone who was a little bit “outside” their structure, who could comment on it without finding it odd. Traditionally, changelings are stolen human children. I didn’t want to go that route, because I also wanted my protagonist to be somewhat isolated from humanity. Hey, presto: what if changelings were mixtures of humanity and the fae, and that’s where the “stolen child” line comes from?
It all fell together from there.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 9:20 amHi, Julia!
It wasn’t a difficult decision at all, because the books are so different. I really didn’t want someone picking up one expecting something like the other, because that would predispose them not to enjoy the book as much as they otherwise might.
I say it’s a lot like when Disney opened Touchstone. Everyone knew it was Disney, but they could finally release R-rated movies. Mira Grant is my Touchstone.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 9:21 amHi, Sandy G!
I’m hoping I get to write a lot more: I have outlines at least through book nine. My contract currently goes through book five, so I guess I’ll just hope my sales are good, and pray for an extension.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 9:27 amHi, Sumeria!
Toby keeps coming around the Court of Cats, messing everything up, getting everyone all fired up, and running Tybalt all over the Bay Area. Clearly, she’s a hussy, and Sol’s been telling Raj to avoid her, lest she try her hussy ways on him.
Dummy. Never tell a cat, or a teenager, to do anything.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 9:29 amHi, Lisa B.!
My iTunes is never silent. I have playlists for specific books and characters, and “assign” songs to characters and scenes. When I’m not really focused down on “must…write…this,” I tend to let things run on shuffle all day.
My favorite band: Counting Crows. The last three albums I bought: Blistering Sun, Rachael Sage; Teenage Dream, Katy Perry; The Reason Why, Little Big Town. I’m eclectic!
Jocelyn C.
September 10, 2010 at 9:49 amI’m curious about the use of a pseudonym for “Feed”. Was that your idea, or was it suggested by your agent, your editor, or someone else? Was your decision made for business reasons, or artistic reasons?
jmspettoli
September 10, 2010 at 9:53 amOMG I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! *cue fangirl squeel*
Anyway putting that aside, what was your inspiration for the world in your Toby Daye series?
tymcon
September 10, 2010 at 10:15 amWhat was the worst line you ever wrote? Or best?XD
Jeanne
September 10, 2010 at 10:15 amHeh, posted in the wrong section. Anyway, love the series, finished bk 3 almost a week ago.
So far Tybalt has been a (minor) character with not much screen time. Is that to keep him more mysterious? Can you tell us if he’s going to be more visible in the next few books? Thanks!
Marie
September 10, 2010 at 10:25 amHi Seanan. I read your OD books and I was wondering if you see her as a ‘catalyst’ of sorts. Things seem to happen when she’s around…
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 10:42 amHi, Jocelyn!
As I said above, I use a pseudonym for my science fiction/horror because I don’t want people to pick up Toby thinking she’s just like Georgia, or vice-versa. I’ll be writing more urban fantasy under my own name, and possibly more science fiction under the Grant name.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 10:44 amHi, jmspettoli!
Toby’s world was inspired by old British folk ballads, fairy tales, and the impossibility of finding parking in San Francisco.
No, seriously.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 10:45 amHi, tymcon!
I honestly have no idea. Most of the truly heinous lines have been blessedly deleted, and my opinion on the best lines changes from day to day. I do have favorites, but they’re so weird, they’re probably outliers.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 10:47 amHi, Jeanne!
Tybalt has had relatively little screen time largely because that’s how much screen time he’s had, if that makes sense? I tend to approach the books in a very organic manner, and if someone isn’t supposed to be in a scene, I don’t force it.
There’s quite a bit of Tybalt in book four, and I think you’ll like book five.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 10:47 amHi, Marie!
Oh, definitely. And there are very good reasons for that…
Bea
September 10, 2010 at 10:59 amI enjoy both of your series, but I really love the Toby Day books. I’m glad to see the fae getting more print time. I’m fascinated by them and they make a nice change of pace from other UF.
I was wondering if we’ll see more of Toby’s daughter. I’d love to see more of her and interaction between her and her mother. Also, won’t she too have to make The Choice?
Thanks 🙂
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 11:02 amHi, Bea!
As a quarter-blood, Gillian won’t necessarily have to make the Changeling’s Choice — remember, Toby’s bet with Devin was predicated on the idea that Gillian might not be forced to Choose. Since she’s already in her late teens, it’s entirely possible that she could grow to adulthood and never become aware that she’s part fae.
Mainly, we haven’t seen more of Gilly because a) it’s been very, very little time since Toby came back, and Gilly told her to go die in a fire, and b) there hasn’t been a place for it. Trying to bring her into an unrelated story would take everything off the rails. If and when she shows up more, it’s probably going to be because something has gone very, very wrong.
Mel S
September 10, 2010 at 11:03 amHi Seanan,
I love the combination of the Fae world and San Francisco. Excluding SF, which city in the world do think would have the most supernatural creatures in? 🙂
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 11:08 amHi, Mel!
I can only speak for cities I’ve visited, and supernatural creatures I’m deeply familiar with. But I’d bet you that London is just crawling with the supernatural, in any self-respecting magical universe.
Mel S
September 10, 2010 at 11:22 amAs that’s where I live I have to say I agree with you! There are definitely some people who aren’t human on public transport… 🙂
KMont
September 10, 2010 at 11:30 amI’m not entering. Read the book. LOVED the book. HUGGED the book. All I want to say is…
An Artificial Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Did I mention I loved it?
Donna S
September 10, 2010 at 11:33 amWhat is the one thing you wish someone had told you before you tried to be a published writer?
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 11:38 amHi, Donna S.!
I wish someone had told me to get an accountant. I have one now. I love her so.
Van P.
September 10, 2010 at 11:40 amHi Mrs. McGuire!
First i just wanted to tell you i LOVEE your books, currently waiting for my copy of AAN to come home :D.
What are you currently working on and will you be having any book signings coming up…preferably in southern california haha (SF is a far drive from L.A.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 11:51 amHi, Van P.!
Sadly, I have already done my SoCal jaunt for the year, over 4th of July weekend. My upcoming signings are in San Francisco, Columbus, New York, and Atlanta.
I’m currently working on the fifth Toby book.
draconismoi
September 10, 2010 at 11:59 amAre you saying Toby might not exist if you were a public-transit kind of woman? Because that puts a whole new spin on Bay Area traffic…..
Steph
September 10, 2010 at 12:00 pmHi Seanan,
I love your Toby Daye books and An Artificial Night was defiantly my favourite. I can’t wait for the next one. I’d say that you need to write faster but I have seen your LJ so I guess it’s the publishing world that needs to catch up with you. 😛
So assuming the sparks of romance catch are you going to write a sex scene or just fade to black like the first time with Devin?
Will Julie ever forgive October?
Will we see more of Raj?
Do we ever get to see the other half of the Cait Sidhe Court, the one on the other side of the shadows?
Which fae race is your favourite/least favourite?
At the beginning of book 2 what had Tybalt been up to that needed a human disguise?
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 12:03 pmHi, draconismoi!
Actually, I am a public transit girl. I don’t know how to drive. I just have to watch all my friends trying to park.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 12:07 pmHi, Steph!
1) The thing about the Toby books is that they’re first person, and Toby is pretty private in some ways. So the odds are good that we’ll have a fade to black, just because she doesn’t want people in her bedroom.
2) Maybe.
3) Absolutely.
4) Yes!
5) I love writing for the Cait Sidhe, who are flexible and fun and snarky. I like my Selkie characters, but I actually don’t like my Selkies very much, for reasons that will become clear later.
6) You’ll find out soon enough.
Rachel
September 10, 2010 at 12:28 pmAs a writer of urban fantasy, do you read extensively in the genre? If so, what are some of your favorite books/authors?
Pamk
September 10, 2010 at 1:03 pmsounds like a great series that I’d love to read. Was just curious though are these classified as YA. I have a 14 yr old son that loves to read these types of books and the fae are his favorites right up there with zombies. I try to watch what he reads and if they are not YA i’d definitely have to read them first. He hates that and bugs me to read faster. I am very fast reader he just’s faster lol.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 1:04 pmHi, Rachel!
I do! I love Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld, the Bordertown series, Jeri Smith-Ready’s WVMP, Pamela Dean’s Tam Lin, Lili Saintcrow’s Strange Angels, and Lucy Snyder’s awesome shotgun sorcery best of all. Oh, and Tanya Huff.
Scott
September 10, 2010 at 1:28 pmI recently finished “Feed,” and I have to say, bravo. I haven’t read any of your other books, but I plan to cure myself of that ailment. “Feed” was as refreshing to me as “World War Z” was, although they are two completely different books.
In “Feed,” you gave a lot of detail to the world in which the Masons live. Your readers very much appreciate that, as it seems to not be as important with most modern fiction (which is just depressing). I was able to see everything that was going on, understand the tech (blood tests), etc. However, I do have something to ask you that goes along with that, and before I ask it, I have a confession to make: the shocker ending wasn’t shocker to me. It was written extremely well, don’t get me wrong, but I could see it coming. I may be in the minority on this, but the hints were all there from the get-go, even on the back of the book cover (which is pretty snazzy, by the way).
In being a writer and trying to get my fiction off the ground, I’m always eager in learning more about the craft, and what other established writers think about the “rules.” My question to you is this; what are your personal rules on writing foreshadowing in fiction?
I apologize for the long buildup to the seemingly short question. 🙂 Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer all of our questions.
Cerulean
September 10, 2010 at 1:34 pmI’m not sure if I have a question, but I definitely wanted to say how much I love the Toby Daye series. I’ve just finished An Artificial Night and I love so many spoilerific things about it! I wish I could say what they all are, but I don’t want to ruin the wonderful reading experience for others. This was the best type of book – it was wonderfully satisfying, yet simultaneously had me jonesing for more!
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 2:26 pmHi, Scott!
I am a big, big fan of foreshadowing, because sometimes, it’s the only way to avoid “cheating.” There are hints in the first Toby book about things that are going to happen in book eight. Because, well. That’s how it works.
Foreshadowing is very personal, and it’s not the same as telegraphing. I think it’s just something you have to do carefully, cautiously, and with all your heart.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 2:26 pmHi, Cerulean!
Thank you so so so much.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 2:28 pmHi, Pamk!
Sorry I missed you before. No, my series aren’t classified as YA, although the Toby books are definitely no worse or more graphic than a lot of things I was reading at his age. I have a good friend who’s a high school librarian, and she recommends them for her students.
Mervi
September 10, 2010 at 2:46 pmHi Seanan! I love the fae so your books sound great.
What are you favorite fairy tales and how long did it take to write the first Tony Daye book?
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 2:56 pmHi, Mervi!
My favorite fairy tales are legion, but they include “Snow White and Rose Red,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Little Red Riding Hood.”
The first Toby book took ten years to write, from first draft to draft that was worth showing to other human beings.
SGS
September 10, 2010 at 3:52 pmIf you could still use a typewriter, would you?
Robin K
September 10, 2010 at 4:04 pmI would love to know how to go from a few paragraphs to an entire book?
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 4:40 pmHi, SGS!
I still do use a typewriter, sometimes. But I find the transcription into computer is tedious.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 4:41 pmHi, Robin K.!
Writing a book is largely a matter of not giving up, no matter how much you think it sucks. First drafts are for sucking. Everything after is for becoming an actual book.
Jasmine A S
September 10, 2010 at 6:19 pmGreetings, Seanan!
First I must confess that I’ve been bribing myself to get through horrible hard books with yours, so I haven’t actually read them. Therefore it’s quite possible that these are daft questions. But barrelling ahead, I have two queries, both involving travel. In the books, you mentioned that toby’s most likely going to travel further afield as the books progress. By that do you mean- say- New Mexico, or -say- the black forest or Japan?
Also, did you get to actually observe/experience poison and flame down under, or was it all clever people and tiaras?
OH OH OH and bonus question. Her daughter- isn’t she rather a changeling, as well? Is she INVOLVED? Which would probably be terrible things, actually.
Doreen R
September 10, 2010 at 6:20 pmI always find it interesting to know what an author’s favorite fairy tale is but also what kind of books did you like to read, as a child.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 6:30 pmHi, Jasmine!
Currently, the furthest afield Toby is slated to travel is Toronto, Canada, but who knows?
Gilly is quarter-blooded, which puts her on the fence. She could be a changeling, or she could be a merlin (a human with some fae blood, but not enough to be truly fae). If she’s going to be involved, it hasn’t happened yet.
Tina
September 10, 2010 at 6:39 pmWhich fairytales/folklores are your favorites? It’s really common for myths to resurface in some way in modern literature and sometimes we see different variations of the same stories that are successful because they have a new and unique spin on them. Do you have any heroes or heroines from those myths that you connect with or use stem your own characters off of?
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 6:49 pmHi, Doreen!
My favorite fairy tales are pretty diverse, as listed above. My favorite books as a kid were the Oz books (of course), Watership Down, and anything by Piers Anthony or Robert Aspirin.
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 6:50 pmHi, Tina!
Yes, I do. But that means I can’t tell you which ones they are, because it would give way too much away about upcoming events in the Toby series. Sorry!
Llehn
September 10, 2010 at 7:52 pmWhat is your writing mantra is 15 words or less?
Victoria Zumbrum
September 10, 2010 at 9:39 pmI am a follower. How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
Maggie
September 10, 2010 at 9:47 pmDear Seanan,
Thanks so much for participating in this comment-conversation thing! My question is, how do you have time for all the writing you do? Phrased another way, what’s your typical writing routine like?
Thanks!
Misha Mathew
September 10, 2010 at 10:08 pmHi
What are the 5 books you can’t live without?
Misha
mishamary@gmail.com
Follower via GFC
Seanan McGuire
September 10, 2010 at 11:50 pmHi, Llehn!
Kill your darlings.
Adelina
September 10, 2010 at 11:53 pmHi Seanan! I can’t wait to read your books!
Do you listen to music when you write or do you prefer silence? If you listen to music while writing what do you like to listen to?
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 12:00 amHi, Victoria!
I knew I wanted to be a writer because writers got to tell stories, and I wanted to tell stories, and also to play with my typewriter whenever I wanted to.
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 12:02 amHi, Maggie!
5AM, get up.
5:30-7AM, commute. Sleep.
7AM, start work.
Between 7AM and 4PM, work, while pondering revisions.
4-5:30PM, commute. Write using Netbook during commute.
5:30-8:30PM, write.
8:30-10PM, watch television to settle down.
10PM, sleep.
5AM, begin all over again…
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 12:03 amHi, Misha!
IT
The Stand
On Writing
Fire and Hemlock
Tam Lin
Adelina
September 11, 2010 at 12:04 amOops I just saw that this quesion was already asked and answered. Sorry. Actually, it looks like all my other questions have already been answered too, hmph. Well, anyways, I’m really looking forward to reading your books. 😉
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 12:04 amHi, Adelina!
I listen to my iTunes basically constantly, on shuffle most of the time. I like showtunes, pop, country, filk, just about anything, really. I don’t do silence very well, or very often.
Adelina
September 11, 2010 at 12:09 amWow, 5a.m. huh. I used to have a job where I had to get up at that time and I looked like a total zombie, felt like one too, lol. But then again I’m sooo not a early bird. Hey a Netbook. Cool. How do you like it?
Eva SB
September 11, 2010 at 12:10 amDo you actually feel that you are a different personality when you write under different names or is it just a tool to help your readers differentiate between the genres?
Jade
September 11, 2010 at 7:44 amI wanted to ask… Did you ever have a serious writer’s block that you could have given up? If so, how’d you overcome any to write so many awesome books?
I’m really hoping for advice 🙂
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 10:08 amAdelina;
Without it, I think I would actually die. I need the extra reading time too badly.
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 10:08 amHi, Eva!
It’s just a tool, thankfully. “Mira” is a warning label to put on books that are science fiction or horror, instead of fantasy.
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 10:09 amHi, Jade!
I did. So I put that book down for a little while (six months, actually, which sucked), and worked on something else. Once I’d managed to write something entirely different, writing the original thing became easy.
Lexi
September 11, 2010 at 10:49 amDo the two different pen names ever get confusing at book signings? I know I would be confused (:
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 11:15 amHi, Lexi!
That’s why “Mira Grant” has the same big letters as my real last name (McGuire). My originally proposed pseudonym, Samantha Grant, would also have had two of my normal big letters. That helps to keep it from being confusing.
Audra Holtwick
September 11, 2010 at 12:00 pmDo you have a favorite book series? I can’t wait to read your books.
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 12:20 pmHi, Audra!
Depending on the day of the week, either Pratchett’s Discworld, or Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld.
Moridin
September 11, 2010 at 1:34 pmWhat do you think of yourself as a writer?
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 2:32 pmHi, Moridin!
I think I’ve improved a lot from when I first started writing, and that as long as I can keep improving, I’ll be doing something right.
cories
September 11, 2010 at 6:24 pmI love Terry Pratchett, too!
Aside from being a writer, what job have you held do you like best?
meaghan
September 11, 2010 at 6:27 pmi’ve heard nothing but good things about your books but havent had a chance to read one yet. it is always interesting to me when authors use a pen name for some or all of their books. what made you decide to do so?
Ruby
September 11, 2010 at 7:08 pmI’m wondering, is there a book or book series that I might have read that would suggest to you that I might like the Toby Daye series?
SaraC
September 11, 2010 at 7:18 pmI love your October Daye books! How did you choose October’s name? It’s so unusual…
JB
September 11, 2010 at 8:06 pmFirst let me say that I absolutely adore the October Daye books. They’re jockying for position at the top of my favorite series list.
You do a wonderful job describing the characters to the point where I can actually picture them without little detail (like eye color) slipping in my mind as I read. The only thing I can’t pin down about the characters are voices, oddly enough.
So. If you were to pick actors for your characters based solely on voice (say for a radio play or something) who would be your top picks?
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 10:25 pmHi, Cories!
I think my favorite job, other than being a writer, was being an academic secretary.
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 10:28 pmHi, Meaghan!
My work as Seanan and my work as Mira is very different. I really didn’t want someone picking up one expecting something like the other, because that would predispose them not to enjoy the book as much as they otherwise might.
I say it’s a lot like when Disney opened Touchstone. Everyone knew it was Disney, but they could finally release R-rated movies. Mira Grant is my Touchstone.
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 10:29 pmHi, Ruby!
I don’t know, really. Bordertown? War for the Oaks? Maybe something like American Gods, or any of the Fables trades.
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 10:29 pmHi, Sara C.!
I went to school with a girl named October. Everyone called her “Toby.” I stole her name.
Seanan McGuire
September 11, 2010 at 10:31 pmHi, JB!
Depends on the characters. For Toby, Kristen Bell, and for Tybalt, Andrew Lee Potts. For the Luidaeg, Zooey Deschanel.