Looking for something new to read? Last week Sandy William’s urban fantasy debut, The Shadow Reader, was released, and it’s garnering fabulous reviews. I recently asked Sandy a few burning questions about the book and the lovely author behind it, and here’s a peek into our tête-à-tête. Hope you enjoy her answers as much as I did. Sandy is smart, funny, and sweet, and I cannot wait to dive into her book!
I’ve already got The Shadow Reader lined up on my Kindle, but if you haven’t already picked it up, here’s your chance, because I’m giving away a paperback copy to one lucky commenter. If you want in on this action, just leave a comment below; make sure you leave your email (either privately in the email field or within your comment). I’ll pick one random commenter next Wed, November 9th. Giveaway is open to international readers (any country that Book Depository delivers to — click the link for a list if you’re unsure). Spread the word!
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Jenn: First, let me just say that I love your cover! In particular, I like two things about it: the sword and the curvy butt. What could be better? My Arcadia covers are great, but I’ve lamented at length on twitter about Cady and her lack of rendered booty. Who’s your cover artist, and did you demand that the sword and the backside be featured? (If so, I’m high-fiving you right now.)
Sandy: I feel like I completely lucked out on my cover. I love everything about it! Gene Mollica designed it and, damn, his work is awesome! He captured McKenzie perfectly. But I’ll let you and your readers in on a little secret. The sword? It’s not exactly in the book. The fae have and use them, but if I’m not mistaken, McKenzie picks up a sword once during the entire story – and it’s knocked out of her hands within seconds! I can still picture her as she is on the cover, though. She might not be so great at using a sword, but she sure as hell can fake it.
Jenn: I *love* Gene Mollica. He’s done a lot of great covers. And no worries: your sword secret is safe.
Your protagonist, McKenzie Lewis, is a human student (with an intriguing talent!). A student as an urban fantasy lead sounds so refreshing and different! I mean, not all UF heroines can—or should—be cops, bounty hunters, or PIs. Did you draw from your own college experiences when writing McKenzie?
Sandy: Heh. No, my college life was much more mundane than hers!
Sydney f/Alias
I honestly can’t remember why I chose to make McKenzie a college student. Maybe it’s because I knew it would be impossible for her to keep a day job with the fae always invading her life? I think the decision was at least partially influenced by the TV show, Alias. I liked watching Sydney Bristow try to balance her studies with her work as a super secret double agent spy!
Jenn: Loved Alias, too. And I have major troubles trying to keep Cady behind the bar, so I know exactly what you mean.
Your literary agent is Joanna Stampfel-Volpe. Lucky duck! I have this image of her as being really fun to work with and super-cool. Am I right?
Sandy: She is fabulous! I still sometimes have trouble believing I hooked her. When I was querying The Shadow Reader, she was one of the agents on my Dream List, a very short list that I didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to get any requests from. I just about died when she read my partial and requested the full within twenty-four hours! She’s been absolutely awesome to work with, and her editorial insight is spot on. I couldn’t imagine doing this writing thing without her!
Jenn: Is it true that you’re raising twins to ghostwrite for you when they turn 16?
Sandy: Who told you about my evil genius plan?! Yep. I have two minions in training. They’re just over three months old now and quite the time-suck, so they’re going to totally owe me when they turn 16.
Jenn: I might want to rent out their services myself, so keep me abreast of their schedule.
You’ve professed a love of board games. I’m a HUGE sucker for board games myself, but mine are mostly boring classics like Monopoly and Clue (and the highly addictive Bananagrams). You, however, play strange and wondrous things like Settlers of Catan. What is this, and when can we play?
Color me intrigued!
Sandy: Settlers of Catan is THE board game for beginning board game geeks! It’s a strategy game that is pretty easy to learn, but once you play it, it’s a slippery slope to all the other awesome games out there. There’s this whole genre of games sometimes referred to as Eurogames (many of them are created in Germany). I had no idea they existed until I met my husband. Now, we have a whole closet full of Eurogames.
Whenever you and I happen to show up at the same conference, I’ll be sure to pack a few geeky board games. What do you say, RWA in 2012?
Jenn: Deal! Anyone attending RWA in Anaheim next year is going to find us in a hotel lobby, engaged in a mad Eurogame battle!
One of my oldest friends is a librarian. Librarians rock! Do you still moonlight as a librarian yourself? Do you dream about the Dewey Decimal system? Does your husband make you don glasses and wear your hair in a bun so that he can act out his Sexy Librarian fantasies with you?
Sandy: Librarians do rock! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to work in months because of the twins and The Big Looming Deadline. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to go back to work any time soon, but I can’t wait until the boys are old enough to go to storytime! I definitely still support my local libraries and love going there to browse the shelves, read, or camp out for a few hours of writing.
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Blurb for The Shadow Reader:
Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies.
A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden.
But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.
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