Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Erin Kellison-Interview/Giveaway

Ok, so I saw this cover on the interwebs for a book called Shadowman, I fell in love so I did some research and stumbled upon the author, Erin Kellison, and the incredible world she'd built. I've even read some readers call her writing poetic, and extremely hard to put down, I'd have to say I agree. Also Shadow Bound has dual POV, and I'll admit I'm a sucker for that. Also on my Goodreads friends list everyone gave these books 4 if not 5 stars, that I'd say is promising. Today I have Erin Kellison herself, she answered some questions about her series, and her writing, and as a bonus gave us a blurb of her upcoming novella Shadow Touch. She also nicely agreed to giveaway the first two books in her series Shadow Bound and Shadow Fall. Below are the pictures of those two books, and her two upcoming releases Shadowman and Shadow Touch her novella. 
If you want a chance to win the first two books in her series fill out this FORM. I know sometimes forms are super annoying, but its just easier for me to keep track of the entries. I try not to make you jump through too many hoops. Have fun reading the interview, I thought it was pretty cool myself, let us know what you think. & a big thanks to Erin for taking the time to speak with us, and to offer up two of her books :]

Shadow Bound Shadow Fall
       

& Erin's Upcoming Releases 
 

Interview, Erin Kellison


1. How did you come up with the idea for such a complex world? 

Banging my head on my desk? No, really…The Shadow world started with a banshee, and then grew from there. The heroine of Shadow Bound, book one in the series, is on the edge of two worlds—the contemporary world, and Twilight, a place of magic between life and death. Her father, Shadowman, the hero of book three, is none other than Death, aka the Grim Reaper, a fae lord of that realm. His duty is to courier souls across the fae divide to the Hereafter. Once I had discovered that structure, the rest presented itself: Twilight is the place of inspiration, seduction, and nightmare. It is the place where dreams, myths, and fairy tales are all true. And yet, for all the magic that the fae have, their existence is circumscribed by Twilight—they can’t change, and therefore are jealous of humankind. Only Shadowman has the power to cross into the mortal world, and then for the sole purpose of taking a soul, which he has done for millennia upon millennia. When he prematurely crosses to love a mortal woman, magic pours into the world. There you have it—the complex world, in a nutshell.

2. Is it hard to write Adam he seems like he has a lot going on in his life? 

I had Adam pretty well developed in my mind when I set out to write Shadow Bound. He is obsessed with one goal—to find a way to kill his brother, who has become a wraith. The tension between the brothers, as well as the sense of duty on Adam’s part, really interested me. He’s a man with the world on his shoulders, slowly losing his humanity in a very different way than his brother. His good friend, Custo (the hero of book two, Shadow Fall), stands by Adam as a true brother would, keeping him as sane as possible in the situation. When Adam discovers Talia, finally there is a hope of a resolution, though it is very hard to come by.

3. Is it hard to get in the mood when writing, the story seems dark and gritty, how do you do it?

Actually, it’s not so hard to get into the dark and gritty tone—the character’s POV takes me to their place in the story—but sometimes it’s hard to shake it off, if that makes sense. I’m prone to nightmares regardless, and I have more when I am writing the black moments. Oh, and every once and a while, I scare the bejeezus out of myself doing research. I remember researching devils for Shadowman, and had to call my husband at work because I was suddenly terrified in my own house, during daylight hours.  I wish I could say that was an isolated incident, but…


4. Do any actors come to mind when you think of Talia, Adam or any of the other characters?

Hmmm… difficult one because I have my own pictures in my head for each of the characters. I like the intensity of Christian Bale for Adam, and for Talia maybe Kristen Bell or Amanda Seyfried. In Shadow Fall, I can see a wolverine-ish Hugh Jackman for Custo, and for Annabella, I was thinking of Mila Kunis. Shadowman is the toughie… My husband suggests CGI.

5. Is Shadowman the last installment of the series? 

No! I’m working on book four now (insert maniacal laughter), which takes the Shadow world in a new direction, and am contracted for a fifth. No idea what that book will be about.

6. Can you tell us any secrets about the series, if not any news you'd like to share? 

Secrets… secrets… well, I used have an epilogue at the end of Shadow Fall, which foreshadowed Shadomwan’s quest. My editor suggested cutting it because it changed the tone at the end of the book, and I agreed with her. The lost epilogue will be making an appearance on my website soon.

Also, I have a novella coming out this June set in the Shadow world, titled Shadow Touch. Here is a mini blurb:
 It’s about a woman, Eleanor Russo, who has a problem she hopes Segue can solve--her shadow has a mind of its own. Sure, it's connected on a primal level, but beyond that it roams, seductive, willful, shameless. Dr. Cameron Kalamos wants to study Shadow (capital S magic), not shadow, the thing everyone has. But the more he learns about Ellie and her dark half, the more he's intrigued. When the shadow starts to take on solidity, Segue is alarmed. The shadow can kiss, touch...kill. Ellie must master her dark half, or be mastered herself.  

7. Does the series have a playlist of songs that inspire you?

Not really. I get the most ideas when I am working out (I hate working out, so getting story ideas is a major motivation). And none of my workout songs are sappy-happy.  When I’m able to sit down, I’ve got to have quiet so I can think. Maybe that’s because my kidlings are always making a racket. Case in point, my five-year-old just galloped by my door pretending to be a horse. Very realistic interpretation, if you ask me.

8. How did you decide you wanted to be a writer, and that you'd write stories about fey and death?

I tried to write my first book in the fourth grade, so I guess you could say I’ve wanted to be a writer most (all?) of my life. I don’t know when it began, but I never really gave it a good try until I had my first kid. Or maybe that’s when insanity set in. And I had no idea that I would be writing such dark stuff! I loved the idea of writing about a banshee, and the rest flowed from there.

9.Before I started this interview, I looked up some reviews, and I couldn't find a bad one, what is it about the series that you think so many readers love?

I’m laughing here, because there are definitely some bad ones out there. By in large, however, they were generally positive, which makes me so happy that it resonated with readers. When readers send me comments, usually they highlight the world building, sense of dark fantasy, and, well, the heroes.

10. Lastly that Shadowman cover, so beautiful right? RIGHT? 

I love the Shadowman cover! Kensington’s art department did a fantastic job, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I had no idea what direction they would go. I think they captured perfectly the story’s sense of fantasy, foreboding, and passion. I’ve had a great response so far, and I hope (pray) that readers love it too. Crossing fingers, and toes, and eyes.

If you want to learn more about Erin and the Shadow series, visit www.erinkellison.com

19 comments:

Unknown said...

I love both of Erin Kellisons books and can't wait to read Shadow Touch and Shadowman :) I am definitely a fan for life

mare said...

I was searching for a new book to read in the fantasy romance section of the bookstore. I already have a list of reads but was just browsing. I liked the cover of Shadow Bound and read the back. I bought the first 2. I must say they are wonderful! I have since purchased more to give some friends within a book club. Such a talented writer and imaginative. Thrilling books! Cannot wait for Shadowman and Shadow Touch!

Anonymous said...

Terrific Books and great Interview

Tes Hilaire said...

Awesome books, awesome world and as a friend of Erin, I have to slap her here as her idea of a "bad" review is anything less than perfect. Guess that happens when you are a perfectionist at heart...and all you need to do to convince yourself that she is, is to pick up one of her books and read it!!! ;-) btw, katy, I love her new Shadowman cover too! If I haven't told you before, Erin, it's perfect :-D

Erin Kellison said...

Awww, thank you so much everyone.

@shroudedheart I'm a fan of yours too. :) Check out her etsy shop!

@mare Am so glad you found me and are passing me along. Thank you. BTW, I'm happy to send bookmarks, etc to your bookclub, if you like. Shoot me an email at ekellison@gmail.com.

@anon Thank you!

@Tes LOL Not so perfectionist here, but thank you. And thanks for the cover love. Just wait until you get yours!!! New author here, folks!

Anonymous said...

Great interview and looks like a brilliant series of books to get started on. :-)

Anonymous said...

Never heard of this series but I have no idea why. By looking at this interview, I really should have done. these books are now on my need to read list.
Great interview.

Unknown said...

Another FOE (Friend of Erin's) here! Love, love, love Erin's work. There's more to come in the shadow world... and you're all in for some awesome reading ahead!

Anonymous said...

Loved the interview. Can't wait for the new book and novella! And I'll be watching your site for that lost epilogue-how cool!

throuthehaze said...

Great interview! This series sounds very interesting...definitely something I would enjoy.

Erin Kellison said...

@seraphina I hope you enjoy them! I'm so glad you came by.

@Nora aka Chi-chi. Thanks for your amazing support, as always.

@anon 103 I'll make sure to post, tweet, and FB when the lost epilogue goes up... Hope you'll like the new stuff too!

@throuthehaze I hope you get a chance to read them. Thanks so much for taking time to comment. Means a lot.

ArtemisG said...

Books sounds interesting!!!
I haven't hear about that before and I really want to read it now.

Thanks for the giveaway!!!

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

Great interview! I've had this series on my WANT list for a little while now. I've been trying to watch the spending lately, but I love the sounds of these. :) Thank you for the insight into the stories some. :)

Erin Kellison said...

@Diana You're welcome! I hope you get a chance to read them.

@Melissa I had fun with the interview. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I understand spending... buying books is my guilty pleasure, but now I can at least call it "work."

KC said...

Oh my goodness what a great interview. Awesome questions.It is cool to get a peek inside an author's head, even if it is a bit dark. I've read Erin's books and I'm totally amazed at the world building and her ability to plot. WOW totally plot jealous here! She makes coming up with original ideas seem so easy. Can't wait to read the next one!

buddyt said...

Erin is a new author to me but from the interview and the blurb it sounds as if she writes the type of book I enjoy.

If the giveaway is open worldwide, please enter me. (I filled out the form)

Thanks.

Carol T

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

donnas said...

Great interview. I have really been wanting to read her books but havent had the chance yet.

Eric Rogers said...

Great interview! Also, thanks for the giveaway and I thought I'd let you know that I prefer a simple form to posting comments for a giveaway. Thanks for keeping it simple. :)

Meghan @ Books and a Cup of Tea said...

Whoa these books sound good! I'm surprised I have not heard of them yet. Totally adding to my TBR list. Great interview and great giveaway! Thank you :)

I also prefer forms, as they seem more orderly than comments :P.