Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Happy Birthday Escape Publishing: Interview with Jenny Brigalow & Giveaway



To kick off the Happy Birthday Escape Publishing celebrations, I have author Jenny Brigalow on the blog today to chat about her latest release with Escape Publishing, The Children of the Mist.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Jenny Brigalow!
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Welcome Jenny and thanks for agreeing to chat with me today as part of Escape Publishing's 1 year celebrations. I'm looking forward to talking to you about your recent release The Children of the Mist.

Let's get started, shall we?

For those of us out there that haven't had a chance to read The Children of the Mist yet, what can we expect?
COTM puts a whole new spin on what it is to be a werewolf and a vampyre today. History, legend and myth coalesce to bring you paranormal that is extreme, romantic and just a bit sexy too. COTM pushes the boundaries of paranormal. Just like its heroine and hero.

The Children of the Mist centers around sixteen year old Morven. Describe Morven in one sentence.
Morven Smith is an unconventional girl. She's the girl we'd all like to be. (Oops - that's two sentences.)

That's alright Jenny, we'll forgive you ;) The Children of the Mist is your first foray into the world of YA fiction. What do you feel is the biggest difference between writing YA fiction and Adult fiction?
I wrote COTM after a chat with my paranormal obsessed daughter. I asked her how she would feel if she woke up on her 16th birthday to discover she'd morphed into a vampyre. And Morven Smith was born in my imagination. I guess the great thing about YA is that the audience is incredibly receptive. I drew on the unforgettable ecstasy, angst and agony that is youth. That incredible intensity of emotion is a fantastic to work with. I love YA!

Part of The Children of the Mist takes place in Scotland. Of all the exotic places you could have based the story, what made you want to set the book there?
When I was a young woman I holidayed at my stepfather's cottage not far from Oban , beside the Crinan Canal. I loved Argyll then, and I still do. It is a mystical and magical landscape. I returned in August this year. It is still breathtaking.

Talk us through your writing process? What goes into a typical writing session for you?
Small ritual first. I play cards on the computer. Usually patience. When I win then I begin! I have a sticky keyboard from cake and chocolate feasts. I have to write a minimum of 1000 words which translates to roughly an hour. Three hours is my limit. When I finish I try to end midway through a chapter so I can pick up the thread more easily next time.

Have you always wanted to write?
No. I have always wanted to be a heroine. When I was 44 I hurt my back and was laid up for a long time. I was bored and did a correspondence course in Romance writing. I was very surprized and deliriously happy when I wrote my first story. I've never stopped.

What's been your most memorable experience working with and being a part of Escape Publishing?
When I got an email from Kate Cuthbert to say she'd like to publish COTM. A dream come true.

With The Children of the Mist now out in the world, what can we expect from you next? Is there a sequel in the works?
Yes. I've just finished the first draught of another YA Paranormal with close connections to COTM.

6 Quick Questions:

1. Vampires or Werewolves? Unkind question. That's like having to choose between M&M's and mint aero.
2. Christmas or Easter? Christmas.
3. Ebook or Physical Book? Physical.
4. Favourite Food? Cake
5. Favourite Colour? Blue
6. Lucky Number? 13

I just wanted to thank you again for agreeing to be interviewed Jenny. I wish you all the luck with whatever you do next!
Thank you for inviting me.

 
 
Born in Britain, I arrived in Australia as a young woman in 1985 for an impromptu holiday and never left. I fell in love with the Australian bush, its unique flora and fauna and the colourful personalities that inhabit the country. I live on a small acreage close to Toowoomba with my family, dogs, cats and ponies.
 
I love to write. I write rural romance, young adult and, more recently, literary fiction. When I'm not writing, I'm reading, walking or riding my Connemara pony, Romeo. Rural romance is a natural extension of my passion for all things country. I believe that romance is the universal language of love. And besides, I'm a sucker for a happy ending.

Visit Jenny:


An original paranormal YA about an unconventional girl, an unconventional boy, their extraordinary transformations, and the secrets of the Scottish Highlands.

When skater girl Morven Smith turns sixteen, she develops boobs, acute appendicitis...and a pair of pointy teeth. While she is stunned by her metamorphosis into vampire, her best mate, the enigmatic Zest, is not. For the young werewolf, Morven’s transformation is an answer to his lonely prayers.

But they are unable to celebrate their mutual paranormalcy for long — there are too many dangers, too much suspicion, and too many questions. It’s only in Scotland that Morven can learn the truth about her past. But she discovers more than she bargained for when she meets her birth family — an ancient feud between vampires and werewolves. They may both be Children of the Mist, but only one species can survive.



Purchase:
 
YA Bundle:
 
Details:
For your chance to win a YA bundle featuring The Children of the Mist by Jenny Brigalow as well as four other fabulous stories, be sure to comment with a way to contact you!
 
Sharing isn't necessary, but always appreciated :)
 
Open internationally!
 
**Stop back Saturday--I have an excerpt from The Virginity Mission to share with you and of course another giveaway!**
 

7 comments:

  1. Thanks for the giveaway! My email is dmguzzardi@yahoo.com

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  2. Awesome giveaway! Thank you so much.
    say_yap@ymail.com

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    1. Hi there, its great to be here with you and the lovely Rachel.

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  3. I loved the interview. It's so encouraging to find an author who didn't start writing at 5; I've wanted to write forever and have some experience, but life intervened. I love the premise of COTM and look forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing with us. michelle_willms(at)yahoo(com)

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    1. Hello Michelle. I'm so delighted that you feel like you could write that book! All that life experience will filter into everything that you write. I have a feeling you will put pen to paper very soon. Try to write even a few words every day. It's amazing how it adds up over a year!

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  4. Thanks for the giveaway.. my email is: celesc23@gmail.com

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Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for leaving a comment at The Rest Is Still Unwritten! I read each and every comment, even if I don't reply to them all and appreciate your interest in my blog.

Hope you have a great day and Happy Reading!
~Rachel
xoxo