Interview with Susan Dennard + Swag Giveaway

Before we start, please excuse my excessive fandom. *Runs around counter, screaming like an idiot* I'm just so excited! I get to interview Susan Dennard! Yay! I am totally spazzing right now. Seriously. How could I not be? Did you see my decidedly fan-girlish review of Something Strange and Deadly? Really? Well, you can read it here, if you'd like to.

Title: Something Strange and Deadly

Author: Susan Dennard

Series: Yes--and I seriously can't wait!

Pages: 388

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: July 24, 2012

My final Rating: 4 Beautiful, shiny stars. :)

A little bit of author info:


I am a writer, reader, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. I used to be a marine biologist, but now I write novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (I really like swoon-worthy rogues).

I live in Germany with my French husband and Irish setter, and you can learn more about my crazy thoughts and crippling cookie-addiction on my blog or twitter.

*The Interview*

Q: Ok, first question. You're another author with some seriously pretty covers. How do you feel about them?

A: I love them, of course! I'm especially thrilled with the cover for A Darkness Strange and Lovely. It really evokes the sinister vibe in book 2, as well as the Parisian flare!

Q: Have you always known that you were going to be an author, even when you were a marine biologist?

A: I always wanted to be a writer, and I always wrote for fun--even when I was doing marine science. I never really thought I had what it took, though, to get published. It wasn't until I was suddenly unemployed and dealing with a lot of time on my hands that I started to look at my writing as a viable profession. So, I went from hobby writing to actually studying craft and working 9-5 (usually longer, though!) at it every single day.

Q: M&M's or Skittles?

A: Skittles, for sure. I'm a sucker for fruit-flavored candy.

Q: I know that I totally dug the steampunk feel, but was it your intention to add steampunk elements, or did they just kind of root themselves into the story?

A: It was sort of planned--I love the aesthetic of steampunk, and once I had settled on Victorian times, I wanted to add a bit of that vibe to my story. But I also wanted the book to be very historically accurate while also being heavy on the magical/necromancy aspects. I decided that rather than go full-on steampunk, I'd just paint in a few aspects.

Q: As an author, how do you feel that you could better yourself?

A: I read a lot--not just books in YA. In fact, I have stopped reading a lot of YA because I find my writing improves more when I read things completely different: nonfiction essays, adult romance, 19th century mysteries, etc. I also think reading about craft and writing things that scare me--stories that seem too big or too hard to write--are great for honing my skills as a storyteller.

Q: Facebook or Twitter?

A: Twitter! I'm not very good at Facebook, and it keeps changing so I can never figure it out... Sigh. I sound like an old lady, I know.

Q: The zombies--what made you want to write about them? (Do you have an underlying obsession with zombie books too??)

A: I knew I wanted a dark, twisted element to my story. What I couldn't decide on was what element to add. I literally went through my shelves looking at book spines for the stories that scared me most. Pretty much any book with walking dead or hauntings was a guaranteed FREAK OUT. I figured if I was scared, I could transfer that fear onto the page!

Q: Are you one of those authors who needs absolute silence when you write, or do you listen to music? (If you have a playlist, we'd love to hear it!)

A: I don't need absolute silence, but it can't be noise that's related to me. Like, if my dog is whining or my husband is talking--that'll drive me CRAZY. Coffee house noises, though, or a playlist are fine. :)

As for playlists, pretty much the entire movie score to Pirates of the Caribbean is what I listen to when I write this series!

Q: Did you know how Something Strange and Deadly was going to end when you began writing it?

A: No! I never intended for it to be a trilogy, but as I wrote it, it became clear that I would need a second book to wrap things up. As I planned out that book, I realized I'd actually need a third book to really do the story justice. And of course, now that I'm writing book 3, I'm really wishing I could make it 4 books. ;) Luckily, I was able to do a novella (due out June 4th, 2013!) to help fill in some of the backstory I couldn't squeeze in the trilogy.

Q: Ok, last question. Is there anything that just makes your day as an author?

A: Meeting readers! Oh goodness, nothing is more wonderful than meeting people who have read and enjoyed Something Strange and Deadly. It warms my heart so much, and I love going to events for that very reason. My very, VERY favorite is book club visits--really discussing the story with fans is just amazing.

Okay guys, the author has generously offered to give away some swag to y'all. You gotta be from the US of A to win, but if you qualify, enter away, my peeps! ;)

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