Loading ...Interview And Contest With Author Rachel Vincent
Exclusive Bitten by Books
Interview with Author Rachel Vincent
A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the the great prize being offered up. The contest runs until 11:59 pm Eastern time 1/23/09. Open to readers worldwide!
NOTE: this is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 8:00 am PST. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and comments.
Interview:
Hi Rachel!
Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!
I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of Rachel’s upcoming release Pride
BBB: What do you find the most challenging aspect of writing?
RV: Getting it right. The stories themselves usually flow pretty quickly (Though when they don’t, it’s torture!), but polishing them is real work. I tend to agonize over word choice, because nuance really matters. A sentence needs to do more than simply make sense. It needs to contribute to the story, maintain the tone of the writing, and it also needs to sound good. An awkward sentence will stick out, and will interrupt the flow of the story.
BBB: What is the most rewarding aspect of writing for you?
RV: Hearing that someone enjoyed my book. A few nice words from a reader (or an agent, editor, or colleague) can make a huge difference to a writer. Most of us are pretty introverted, and not exactly swimming in self confidence, and I always find that compliments put me in the mood to work. To make the book better, and earn those future compliments.
BBB: What or who was your muse that got you started writing?
RV: Um… I don’t know that I had a muse, or even a specific inspiration. Just a character who wanted to be heard, and a story that wanted to be told. The words themselves have always been inspiration enough for me. 
BBB: What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such as Kindle
RV: I think the biggest benefit to any electronic reader is volume. You can carry many, many times as many books on a Kindle
BBB: What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?
RV: I honestly don’t know. I know that royalty rates are different for my electronic copies, but I also know that the proportion of ebooks to print books that I’ve sold is very small. And I’ve also heard from lots of readers who bought both the e-version and the print version, and that’s always nice to hear.
BBB: Do you consider your work more paranormal romance or urban fantasy?
RV: I consider my Shifters series to be urban fantasy. I know it’s sometimes shelved in romance, but since there’s no guarantee of a happily-ever-after, and since the story is driven by plot and character arcs, rather than emotional arcs, it’s hard for me to think of it as a true romance. That said, however, I’m thrilled to have caught the attention of so many romance readers, and I hope they like the story enough to forgive the sometimes non-traditional endings.
BBB: When did you become interested in the YA series that you are working on?
RV: November 3, 2007. Yes, I know the exact date. I was a couple of books ahead of my publisher and they didn’t want me to go ahead and write the next one until they’d had a chance to approve the proposal. So someone suggested I try writing a young adult. So I brainstormed several ideas, and My Soul to Take is the one I couldn’t get out of my head. And I loved writing it, as well as the sequels!
BBB: Can you tell us what your next release (s) will be? And do you have stand alone titles forthcoming? And of course we would love to know how many more books are scheduled in the Shifter series!
RV: Yes! Pride
As for the Shifter series, Faythe’s story ends in book six, and I’ve been setting that book up from the beginning. I don’t currently have any stand-alone titles in the works, but I have no objection to writing a stand-alone in the Shifters world, from another character’s perspective. If the demand for such a book exists.
BBB: How many books are you planning in the Soul Screaming series and can you tell us a bit about the premise of the books?
RV: I’m currently contracted for three books in the Soul Screamers series, and they’re all already written. I would really love to write four more, but since My Soul to Take is co-launching the new line, we’ll have to wait for the numbers to come in, to see if there’s demand for more.
As for the premise…
Kaylee Cavanaugh is a high school junior who thinks she’s losing her mind when she’s struck by the grim certainty that someone near her is going to die—and by the irresistible urge to shriek at an ear-drum-bursting pitch in response. But as it turns out, she’s not crazy, people are dying, and Kaylee has what it takes to stop the one responsible—if she’s willing to pay the price…
BBB: Would you ever consider writing books in the same world as the Shifter series from other character’s points of view besides Faythe’s?
RV: Yes. (See earlier answer…)
BBB: what made her decide to pick werecats and why are they all the same color?
RV: I picked cats because I knew I wanted to write about shapeshifters, but I didn’t have anything to add to the existing werewolf stories (other than their extinction). And I love cats. They’re affectionate, but on their own terms. They’re also stealthy, slinky, fierce when riled, territorial, and in some cases dependent upon a family group. The stories grew from there.
As for why they’re black, there’s an entire series of mysterious big black cat sightings, all over the US and in several other countries, including the UK. The mythology was already there. I simply posed my own “what if.”
Also, black fur blends into the shadows more easily. And since there aren’t actually any solid black cats (there are only melanistic leopards and jaguars), I got to make up a lot of the details, based on what works best for my world.
BBB: How do you keep track of your characters and world building?
RV: I haven’t had much trouble with the world building so far, except for keeping straight which cats belong to which Pride as the series progresses. But keeping the minor characters straight in two concurrent series that have three or more books each is getting a little tricky. I use spreadsheets that contain the characters name, age, species, physical characteristics, and distinguishing marks. I also use series-wide timelines, so I can easily reference years and events, if necessary.
BBB: What is your favorite paranormal fiction book of all time?
RV: This is probably pushing the limits of what you’d call paranormal, but my favorite would either be Swan Song
BBB: What do you like to do in between all the time you spend writing?
RV: I mostly watch movies and play Rock Band
BBB: What did you do before you became a writer? Do you write full time?
RV: I do write full time. More than full time. Between 12 and 14 hours a day, most days, if you count all the work-related stuff, like promo, reader mail, moderating my discussion group, etc…. Before that, I had a brief stint as a high school English teacher. Before that was college.
BBB: Hairy scary Werewolf or Zombie? If you HAD to become one of these creatures, which one and why?
RV: Werewolf, no doubt. I like zombie movies, but I’ve read Happy Hour of the Damned
BBB: Do you have any pearls of wisdom you would like to share with our readers here today?
RV: Ha! If I had pearls of wisdom, I’d be using them myself. Or wearing them. Whichever is more appropriate.
Seriously, though, be nice to people. That’s it. That’s as deep as I get. But I truly mean it.
Readers, learn more about Rachel Vincent here:
Read reviews of her work here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
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Questions and Contest: Now, I am going to open up the internet floor so to speak and let our readers ask Rachel some questions. Feel free to post as many questions or comments as you like. She will be popping in and out today and tomorrow to answer them.
Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do ONE or ALL of these things, and each one will give you additional entries at a chance to win. One lucky participant will win a signed copy of Pride
Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
1. Ask Rachel some questions. Ask as many questions as you like, you can also start a stimulating discussion about today’s topic.
2. SUBSCRIBE to the Bitten by Books newsletter here on the right hand side of the site. This is for new subscribers only.
3. Post the link to the interview here today (http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=3963) at another blog, website, Myspace, Ning Group, Facebook, Yahoo Group (any group where it is appropriate) and you will be given TEN additional entries for a chance to win for every link you post. BUT you MUST come back here to this interview and post those links in one response here in this thread. The more places you post the event, the more entries you get, so spread the word! NOTE: if you post multiple links here, your post will not show up right away. If you don’t see it, don’t keep posting it, we WILL approve your entry later on in the day. Good for 10 entries per place you post the link to this event.
4. Purchase copies of Rachel’s awesome books TODAY or TOMORROW and send us a copy of the receipt VIA email (sorry no faxes) for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces) for TWENTY additional entries. You get TWENTY entries for each one you purchase. Not valid on past purchases. Click these links below to buy her most recent books.
Books in this series in the order they should be read:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Or buy ANYTHING from Amazon today by using the Amazon search box to your right hand side on our site. We will know if you used the box to search and buy, so please be sure to use it or your entries won’t count. Send me a copy of the receipt VIA email (sorry no faxes) for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 20 entries per item purchased.
5. Add us as your friend on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bittenbybooks
Add us as your friend on Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614064436
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BittenbyBooks
Be sure to mention that you are friending us for this contest so we know to enter you! Good for 5 entries per place you friend us.
6. Stumble, Digg or share the post with any social networking sites. There is a button right at the end of this post that says “Share” that you can use. Good for 5 entries.
7. Twitter and ask your friends to re-tweet the URL for this event: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=3963. Good for 10 entries.
8. Add Rachel’s blog to your blog roll or links page: http://urbanfantasy.blogspot.com/ Good for 5 entries for each one you add.
9. Add Bitten by Books to your blog roll or links page: http://bittenbybooks.com if you leave our link up permanently you will always be entered into our contests automatically. Just be sure to stop by each contest we hold and leave the link to where it is so we can give you your entry! Good for 10 entries.
10. Email ALL of your friends and invite them to come by today! If your fiends come and post here and say you sent them, they get TWO entries and you get FOUR entries! They have to tell us who you are so we know who to give the entries to. You can invite as many people as you want and get all the extra entries!
11. Join the The Blood Bank the Bitten by Books Community! here: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/ then come back here and tell us your username. Be sure to post something about yourself on your blog there. Good for 10 entries
GENERAL CONTEST INFORMATION:
The contests end on 1/23/09 at 3:00 pm EST and the winner will be contacted the following week. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning.
IMPORTANT CONTEST RULES:
1. If you aren’t interested in receiving the prize, offered please do not enter the contest.
2. You have THREE days from the day the I contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to me. Failure to contact me will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re- award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. We have the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers worldwide. Please NO PO Boxes. The prize is shipped directly from the author.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry.
(7 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Hi Rachel!
Welcome to bittenbybooks.com! I don’t know about anyone else, but I think I’d love to read a stand alone from Marc’s perspective. What he did during the 5 years that Faythe was away at school!
If you were a werecat, which Pride would you want to live in?
[Reply]
OH YES! Lol, I love Rachel and have entered every contest to win Pride, but haven’t yet!:(
I posted on myspace:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=3963
blogged:
http://nicholandria.blogspot.com/
and facebooked.
I am already friends, sigh, lol
Rachel’s link and BBB link is posted perm. on blog roll on google
I would absolutely love to win! I own Stray and Rogue in print and on Kindle, but would be oh so estatic for a SIGNED copy of Prey!
I am already friends on all and have the newsletter. And I have read the reviews and commented on all! Oh double sigh, lol.
I do want to say Thank you to Rachel Vincent for being here with us today! She is such a wonderfully talented writer! I love that Faythe is strong, yet feminine. Was that a hard mix? To make a strong yet feminine main character?
And how did you come up with Marc? I think all women love a little bad boy in their men, and he comes across so well as a mix of dependable bad boy, that he is just perfect!
Do you have any other urban Fantasy in the making for those of your adult fans, once you are finished with the Shifter series?
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Questions for Rachel Vincent:
When you’re having a slow day, what do you use for inspiration?
And
When life starts to get stressful, how do you keep yourself motivated to write?
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Hey Rachel. My daughter, Kaylee, is going to be so excited to find out that the heroine in your YA series has her name! Can’t wait to read it. I would love to read Faythe’s mother’s story; maybe a Prequel to Stray.
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I have to agree with Virginia, I would love to know what Marc was up to during those five years. I would also love to see more about Faythe’s brothers… Or maybe a book from a strays point of view?
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Great interview, Rachel! Where’s your favourite place to read? Do you curl up somewhere (like a cat :-)) or sprawl out on a couch? Personally, I’m a sprawler…
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link posted on Un:Bound.
http://hagelrat.blogspot.com/2009/01/bitten-by-books-interviews-rachel.html
please enter me for the draw, I loved the first of this series and am keen to read more.
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Oh and I added Bitten by Books on Myspace.
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Would you be willing to write other were stories? The Cats are fantastic, but how about wolves, bears, horses, etc…
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I think it would be interesting to see things from a Stray’s point of view as well. I remember a part of the last book that discussed the outcomes of Stray after they are made. Faythe wondered if a Stray’s personality and impulses would be different if they were taken in by a clan and taught and helped during their time of healing. This is something that I thought about as well.
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Hey Rachel, whether I win the contest or not I’m dying to read Pride. You’ve seriously got me hooked on this series, though I’m kind of sad there will only be 6 books. You’re taking away my fix man!!!! LOL
So my question is, what was the UF book that got you hooked on this genre? Was it the first one you read or the third? Author?
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I subscribed to the e-letter for the first time!
I hope I win! I can’t wait for this book
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I think werewolf is the best choice. Zombies have got to smell nasty…
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Okay, if they groom themselves like cats (I have Stray on order, so I don’t know yet), do they get hairballs? Since they have the brains to do so, do they take steps to prevent it? Is there the occasional scatterbrain who doesn’t and how embarrassing is it?
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Great interview. Thanks for coming.
What made you decide to keep the story more urban fantasy and not include more emotional arcs? Personally I like both and am glad you didnt since there are not a lot of series that keep it that way, just wondering why.
Since I havent had the chance to start the series yet, I cant wait to after reading so much about it, I dont have any more character specific questions.
———————
2, 5, 11 - Already done.
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*snort* Hairballs! lol Ah….. I think I have entered every contest I can find in order to win this book. Either way I will be buying it right away! So I have been reading about all these authors who have playlists they listen to while writing each book. Is this something you do? What music do you listen to?
Thanks!
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I signed up with The Blood Bank. user name is Lisa.
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also, did add you on myspace and Facebook in the last contest. Forget to mention it here. will add a link for this interview and contest on my FB page,too.
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posted on myspace,too lol!
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Hi Rachel! I have been loving a lot of YA lately so I will definitely be looking your new series up. I just wondered how long you had these ideas percolating in your brain before writing the novel? Did you do the world-building come first or did that happen beside the writing of the novel?
[Reply]
Hi Rachel. Thanks so much for joining us today.
I’m very glad to hear that you have a YA series coming, as well. I mentioned this the other day when Stacey Jay was here, but I’ll mention it again. I do feel as though the paranormal genre is a great way to explore feelings of otherness and isolation that teens often have. Your series sounds a bit different than some that are out there now, and I look forward to it.
Do you have any particular YA authors that you admire?
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Hi Rachel! Great Interview and no muse huh?
Me and my BFF love your books and can’t wait to get this one!!
I can’t wait to tell her you have a new ya series coming too! The YA genre has come along way since I was looking for books to read as a teen. Big Kudo’s to the publisher’s for that.
Question: Do you have any YA authors you read?
Have you ever read the Jenna Solitare YA series?
I really love the covers for all three books in this series.
Question:
Do you get to choose or have a say in the covers now for the shifters or the new Ya series?
Thanks Bitten by Books and rachel for a great blog and Awesome contest!
Here’s what I have done to enter:
*Asked questions and read the interview. Also commented here.
*Read and commented on the Fantabulous Reviews by Bitten By Books
*Posted the contest on my MYSPACE blog
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog
*I am already a friend on all blogs, my space and blood bank.
*emailing my BFF about the contest and the news! and a few other friends!
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Hey Rachel,
Just want to say that Next Sat can not come soon enough although in my area it is very hard to get any book on release day. I thank you for already adding me as a friend on facebook. I really love that so many of the authors I love to escape with will take the time to listen to their fans. I already have the first books of the series and yes I am one of the peoples who have purchased both formats.
My question is if you lost your “muse” what would your dream job be??? And Does this reflect in the occupations in any of your characters.?
I have added the blood bank on facebook, sorry I am not sure how to add the link but I may get my son to try later and I have joined the blood bank under the name
hockeyvamiress….. Hopefully I can win a copy of the book. My hubby sure would like me to get some free books instead of using my cash for all the new releases>>>!!!!!
Thanks Shell
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I signed up for the Blood Bank and my user name is spgirls!!
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Rachel,
Great interview. I’m seeing you all over the place these days.
I know that you have no objection to writing a stand-alone in the Shifters world but would you consider writing a stand alone that had nothing to do with your previous worlds(series)?
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I just SUBSCRIBED to the Bitten by Books newsletter!!
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Hi Virginia!
A book from Marc’s perspective, huh? That would definitely be interesting, but it wouldn’t have much to offer the romance readers. He was painfully, obsessively faithful to Faythe while she was gone.
As for which Pride I’d belong to? I would only have survived in the south-central Pride. My mouth would have gotten me in big trouble anywhere else. Though if I had to pick a second choice, Vic’s Pride isn’t too bad either. We’ll see more of that on in Prey.
Hi Megan!
What do I use for inspiration and how do I keep myself motivated? Honestly, it’s the ideas that motivate me. Those moments of pure passion, or fury, or devestation that I feel compelled to create, then share. And if an idea doesn’t beg to be written, I figure I shouldn’t be writing it.
For inspiration, I often use music, or a really cool image in a movie, or an awesome picture. Inspiration can come from anywhere. Capturing it in words, though… That’s magic.
Hi Lori,
Your daughter’s named Kaylee? I certainly hope I’ve done her name justice in my books.
As for Faythe’s mother’s story… I hadn’t thought of that. That might just work!
Nicole, a book from a stray’s point of view! I like that idea too…!
Hi Zita (Great name, by the way!). I’m definitely a curler. I read the same place I write: in my recliner. Usually under a blanket, with my feet tucked up under me.
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I just posted a link here on myspace: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=265193036
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Hi Carolyn,
Would I be willing to write about other shifter species? Certainly. In fact, you’ll see one of them in Pride, and another plays prominently in the fifth book (the title is still top-secret). And frankly, I’m fascinated by them both.
Hi Tasha,
What UF book got me hooked on the genre? Um… I read all the standard setters, including the early Anita Blake books, and Scott Ciencin’s vampire books ages ago. But even before that, several movies had me hooked on what would later be termed UF. Ghost Busters, Beetleguise (Sp?)and even the original Buffy movie. And I loved Scooby Doo as a kid. Only in my world, the mosters were real.
Hi Sewicked,
I hope you like Stray! And in fact, they do groom themselves. Fortunately, they don’t spend as much time in cat form as real cats do (obviously) so fur balls aren’t much of a problem. But now I can’t rid my mind of the image of some poor guy coughing up a hairball on a first date! Thanks!
[Reply]
Hi Donna,
What made medecide to keep the story more urban fantasy and not include more emotional arcs? Um, there are actually several strong emotional arcs. They just don’t propel the plot, meaning that the romance is not the focus of the story. It’s kind of like frosting. Really yummy frosting.
And actually, that wasn’t a conscious decision. I grew up reading fantasy and horror and mysteries. And some true crime. I didn’t read much romance, so it never occured to me to make Marc and Faythe’s relationship the focus of the books. My plots have always been driven by action and character.
[Reply]
Here’s another link:
http://rachelvincent.proboards85.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=149
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Hi Natasha,
What do I listen to? My playlist inclueds Alice in Chains, Disturbed, Drowning Pool, Evanescence, The Goo Goo Dolls, Korn, Live, Marilyn Manson, Nickleback, Nine Inch Nails, Offspring, Papa Roach, Rob Zombie, Three Days Grace, Seether, Stone Temple Pilots, Seven Mary Three, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, System of a Down, and Trapt. And a bunch of individual songs from other groups that caught my ear, or seemed especially relevant to what I was writing at the moment.
Hi Zhygoatt,
How long do my ideas percolate before I write the novel? That really depends on the deadline. I have to write first the book that’s due first. And uncontracted books come last, unfortunately. But for my YAs, The time that elapsed between my initial idea and sending the completed manuscript to my agent was about five weeks. That one went fast.
Did I do the world-building first or does it happen as I write the novel? For the Shifters books, it came as I wrote the first story. For the Soul Screamers series (YA), the world building is pretty intense (more so in the 2nd and 3rd volumes), and most of it was planned during the original brainstorming session, with my white board. But new ideas always come, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have all three of my YAs written before I did edits on the first one, so I had the chance to go back and incorporate ideas from the sequels into the first novel before it goes to production. That’s been awesome!
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Hi Carol,
Do I admire any YA authors? Yes! I would never even try to write in a genre I don’t read! I’m a huge, huge fan of Scott Westerfeld, Lisa McMann, and Melissa Marr, among others.
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Chris J, thank you! And your BFF.
Question: Do you have any YA authors you read?
Have you ever read the Jenna Solitare YA series?
Yes! See the above answer.
But no, I haven’t read Jenna Solitare.
Question:
Do you get to choose or have a say in the covers now for the shifters or the new Ya series?
I do have some say, in that I get to suggest scenes, and tell the art department what the characters look like. But the decisions are ultimately up to marketing, whose job it is to know what will make people pick up the book in the store.
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Rachel, I haven’t read your books, but they sound interesting - guess I’ll have to check ‘em out! I saw that you play Rock Band - what’s your fav instrument? =)
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Hi Shell, and thank you! I love keeping in touch with readers. It’s one of the best parts of this job.
If I lost my “muse” what would my dream job be? I’d probably still want to work in publishing. Editing, maybe. But editors are some of the busiest people ever. Seriously. And they do most of their submission reading on personal time. So, I might like to work for a review publication, I guess.
Hi Shelley, and thanks! I’m kind of trying to be everywhere right now. People can’t buy a book if they don’t know its out there, right?
Would I consider writing a stand-alone that was unrelated to my series? Of course! I’d write any story that really grips me. I’m kind of a slave to the work like that.
[Reply]
I must say that I am also a reader of a few times of Swan Song and The Stand. Great books. Makes you think.
Would you write a book along those lines? massive deaths=new world type. I think there are a few different ways that one could do it.
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I loved Stray and Rogue. I can’t wait to read Pride and Prey!
Anymore of this series coming out? Or are you focusing on your YA series now?
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Hey Rachel!
No question, but just wanted to say HOW EXCITED I am that we get two Shifters books in one year! Woo hoo! Can’t wait to get back into your world! Love the series. =)
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Hi, Rachel, I really enjoyed reading the interview. It is amazing to me that you, along with other writers, talk about how the words “just flow”. Now that’s a God-given talent. Most people cannot even speak so that the words flow, much less pen it. I am in awe of your humble-ness. You are an awesome writer and I did request a friendship add. I would like to win a book or whatever, but I would rather be friens with you. You are awesome !!!!! Linda
[Reply]
great interview.
Have subscribed. Have added a link here:
http://gypsyrosecreations.blogspot.com/
Have friended you on facebook and twitter. Have added you to my blog list.
Thankyou
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Hi Rachael! I listened to Rogue on Audible.com and really liked it. I have to go back now and read Stray! I don’t usually like to do them out of order but I don’t think it will hurt with these books. Thanks for sharing today!
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I Dugg this post (http://digg.com/arts_culture/Interview_And_Contest_With_Author_Rachel_Vincent/who), added Rachel’s site to my blog roll (Bitten by Books is already there–http://jennifer-roland.blogspot.com), and signed up for the newsletter.
[Reply]
Have put up a link here:
http://morbid-romantic.net/2009/01/19/book-giveaways-0119-0125
Also gave it a Tweet here:
http://twitter.com/morbidromantic/status/1140719204
Valorie T.
morbidromantic@gmail.com
[Reply]
Hi Rachel, I was just wondering what is your favorite instrument on Rock Band? and have you ever gotten together with Dakota Cassidy to play? Also, love your books, can’t wait to read your ya series.
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Hi Rachel,
I have read Stray and just ordered Rogue a few days ago. I fell in with the first book. I was wondering if you have any plans to write any other series that include shifter or vampires or anything that goes bump in the night.
[Reply]
Hi Rachel!
I’ve posted a few comments on your blog (Okay, mostly trying to win ARC’s) in the past, but I had a few questions.
First, Do you finally have all the boxes from the move unpacked?
and Two, did that disrupt your writing process moving in the middle of writing?
Thanks for the books. They really are great!
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looking forward to prey
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Excellent selection for your playlist!!
I stopped by my bookstore on the way home…and guess what I found?!?!
http://natashasnews.vox.com/library/post/guess-what-i-just-got.html
I am digging in right now!
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Hi Rachel! I have Rogue and Stray and can’t wait to read Pride!
Question: If you had to portray any character in a UF or paranormal book, who would you be and why?
Also, I blogged about this comment here!
http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/2009/01/book-contest-win-signed-copy-of-pride.html
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No questions. Just a comment.
I enjoyed the interview and your website very much! Hope your book does well.
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I remember reading about your inner debate on “banshee” vs. “bean sidhe” on your blog–what did you end up deciding? (I’m really psyched about the YA series. I think it’s a great premise and can’t wait to read it!)
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[...] Rachel Vincent’s Pride at Bitten By Books Contest ends January [...]
BBB and Rachel Vincent’s blog are already on my blog roll or I would gladly add you both
Thank you for that grat interview–it was lots of fun to read and now I’m looking even more forward to the release of Rachel’s next books…and need to read Happy Hour of the Damned apparently
-Lucile
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Hi Rachel,
I really enjoyed reading Stray, but haven’t had a chance to read the other books. I just wanted to stop in and thank you for your work so people like me have something good to read! And Thank you to BBB for contests and author nights. You give me something to get excited about!
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I loved the interview Rachel. I myself have a kindle e-reader and although the selection of books available for purchase is fairly small, I take it everywhere with me, which includes the books Stray and Rogue that I always enjoy re-reading, but you can never beat the original paperback bound copies that you seem to never part from.
I believe the previous comments people have posted have answered any questions I might have had. XD I think a prequel-esque series involving Faythe’s mother would be an interesting read. I added BBB as a friend on facebook and registered as EXPOGENIC on the blood bank. I also added your link on my facebook page for my friends to check out. Found here: http://www.facebook.com/people/Rachel-Smith/614064436#/profile.php?id=1316732872&ref=name&pub=2915120374. And subscribed to your newsletter once I read the interview. Hope to win.
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Love this series! I actually just finished listening to Rouge today! Awesome! I *heart* me some Marc! My only question is this: is it coming out on audio soon? I listened to the first 2 so now I have the voices in my head.. I will buy the print as well but really enjoy the narrator!
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Great interview and I can’t wait for My Soul to Take to come out, my daughter loves those kinds of books!
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I added bitten by books to my bloghttp://www.luckyrosiescreations.blogspot.com/
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Hey Rachel! I first bought Stray on a whim thinking it might be ok and Loved it! With so many werewolf books out there it was refreshing to find a series about werecats.
Any chance one of the werecats might stumble across another “creature of the night”? Like another shifter species, vampires, or other magical creature. Just curious.
Love your books and please keep writing!!
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I’m utterly floored to see you mention Swan Song. McGammon is brilliant! I’ve read that book a half dozen times and can always go back to.
Have you ever caught any funny continuity errors in Faythe’s stories?
I am so looking forward to 2/1. I will be buying it print and e-book.
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i posted this interview link @ my facebook : http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=26705211&ref=profile#/profile.php?id=26705211&ref=profile&pub=2915120374
i’ve always been interested in these books… they’re on my wishlist.
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Hi!
Very glad to meet you! I very much appreciate your time to come ‘visit’ with us. One of my standard questions for authors is: What question are you asked the most often that you get the more tired of being asked?
I greatly admire anyone that has what it takes to write a book AND get it published! YEA YOU!!!
Happy Healthy 2009!
Ronda
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Just wanted to add thanks for responding to my questions earlier! Also I figured out all by myself how to add the link on my facebook so add those ballots to my entries… |Thanks
Shell
hockeyvampiress
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Hi
I just read an excerpt of Pride on Amazon, now I am anxious to read the entire book!
Thanks to both Rachels for an excellent interview.
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I added the link to this to my live journal:
http://reb1982.livejournal.com/18161.html
Added as a friend on facebook
Posted the interview link on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Rachel-Smith/614064436#/profile.php?id=526263567&ref=profile&pub=2915120374
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Rachel,
Thank you so much for this opportunity! I have noticed that alot of authors that are writing adult and YA have a crossover from their readers. I preread books before I allow my newly turned teen to read them, and have found that the YA books are as enjoyable as the adult. Do you think the reader based crossover will be the case with your books as well? And what age group is your Soul Screamer series aimed towards?
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Here’s is my question for Rachel:
I’m sure that you always get bogged down with questions about the book and what’s in store for our favorite characters… so, What is you favorite song to play in Rock Band and what instruments do you play?
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Hi Rachel! I just want to say that I really enjoyed Stray, and was particularly impressed by your writing style and the flow of the story. It’s a long book, but it didn’t feel that way at all!
I’m also looking forward to the new YA series, and I was wondering what your greatest challenge was in writing for young adults.
Thanks for the great interview!
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BTW, I twittered and facebooked this. Hee
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I’m friends with you on Facebook.
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I follow on Twitter.
user- mysticconn
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I’ve added Rachel’s blog to my blogroll.
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I have Bitten by Books on my blogroll.
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Hi Audrey,
What’s my favorite Rock Band instrument? Guitar. But I’m better on the mic, unfortunately.
Hi Jo Anne,
Would I consider writing a book along the lines of Swan Song, or The Stand? Um… I love, love, love books with post-apocolyptic settings and issues, but I’m so intimidated by the thought of tackling one myself! That would be quite an undertaking. Maybe after I have a little more experience?
Hey Cindi,
I do love my YAs, but I’m not giving up the Shifters books! After Prey, there will be two more Shifters books, and the series (or at least Faythe’s story) will end in book six. Unless something massively unexpected comes up.
Thanks, Miki and Linda!
Hi Paige,
Have I ever played Rock Band with Dakota? No! I didn’t know she played!
Carmen,
Do I plan to write any other bump-in-the dark novels? I already have.
I have another completed manuscript (hopefully the first in another series). It’s adult urban fantasy, but no shifters or vamps or witches. Lots of other stuff, though. 
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Hi SunandHeir,
Do I have all the boxes from the move unpacked? Yes! We unpacked pretty quickly, because I can’t stand clutter. I can’t concentrate on writing if there are unpacked boxes sitting around. But I haven’t hung anything on the walls yet.
Did the move disrupt my writing process? I think it totally would have, if I’d been in the middle of a rough draft. But I’d just finished my third YA novel and was in the middle of line edits for Prey. And line edits are a different kind of animal than fresh composition. Fortunately.
Hi Natasha, that’s awesome! I hope you like it.
Hi Andrea,
If I had to portray any character in a UF or paranormal book, who would I be and why? Oh, I’m not sure I have the guts to be an UF heroine! But maybe… Rachel Morgan?
Thank you, Walt!
Alana, I can’t believe you remember that! I decided on “bean sidhe,” the proper spelling. But in the book, a character explains it. Hopefully it’s clear.
Hi Janice, thank you! I hope you like the rest of them.
Hi Jan,
It should be coming out in audio, but I don’t have the date for that, unfortunately.
Hi Val, and thanks! I hope your daughter likes it!
Hi Amy, and yes! You’ll meet another Shifter species in Pride, and another one in book 5.
Hi TarotByArwen. Yes, McCammon is brilliant! I started reading him in junior high.
Have I ever caught any funny continuity errors in Faythe’s stories? Um…maybe one, but it isn’t coming to mind now. Why? Did you?
Hi Ronda,
What question do I get most tired of answering? Um… I can’t think of one at the moment. I love to talk about my work, and you guys would probably get tired of me before I get tired of the questions.
Thanks, Patricia, and I hope you like the rest of it.
Hi Nicole,
Do I think there will be any reader crossover between my adult and YA books? I hope so. I get mail regularly from teenagers who have read my Shifters books, and I’m an adult who reads YA. But I would also very much like to catch a good audience of actual young adults, who haven’t read my adult books.
And what age group is my Soul Screamer series aimed towards? Um… I’d say 14 and up. The characters range in age from 15 up (Kaylee is 16).
Hi Rebecca,
My favorite Rock Band instrument is guitar, but I score better on the mic.
I like to play Living on a Prayer, and I like to sing the Chili Peppers and No Doubt. And Man in the Box. Though I’m not very good at that one. 
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Hi Rachel!
I bet you were so excited when you received the ARCs for Prey. The cover is gorgeous! Of course, I would love a signed copy of Prey … hint hint! LOL
My question for you today is, how many books do you plan to write in your werecat series? I’m just curious, because I think I’d miss Faythe and Marc if it ended too soon.
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Hi Kimberly, and thank you! What was my greatest challenge was in writing for young adults? Capturing the voice. I’m a plotter, and I love the plots of these YA books. But re-capturing the emotions of my own youth? That was a whole new beast. It was a total rush, but also brought back all the old insecurities and fear of embarrassment, and… everything else I thought I’d left behind.
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Purrrrrrr, Rachel!
I read ROGUE and it was fantastic. Saw PRIDE at B&N today but a little bat told me not to buy it yet. Hmmm…could it be that I might be the lucky vampiressssss who wins the copy?
Do tell, do you have cats? If you could shapeshift what animal would you become?
Btw, I’ve had a few one night stands who were soul screamers. *evil grin*
D
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Hi Ruthie,
How many books will be in the werecat series? Um, Faythe’s story ends in book six. I’m not opposed to writing about another character in that world, but for Faythe, it’s all leading up to a definite conclusion.
Hi Draculissa. Yes, I have two solid black cats. One is a manx. I know, you’re all shocked.
And if I could shapeshift into an animal, it would definitely be a cat. No surprise there, huh?
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Hey Rachel
Thanks for answering my previous question!
Since you’re still answering questions I’ve got another one for you.
Rachel, you just said on your blog that you’re ironing out the synopsis for Shifters 5, because you have to start writing it on Monday.
What exactly is a synopsis?
Is this a summary of the book or of your ideas for the book before it’s wrote?
Does a synopsis have to be approved before you start writing the actual book?
If so, then I guess that means you’re just about to start the rough draft to shifters 5, right?
One more question I promise.
How far along in the process does the title of the book be decided and once it’s decided how long before you can tell your fans?
Thanks Rachel!
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I remembered it because it was really intriguing! I’ve been waiting to hear more about the series, because I’m dying for you to do a guest blog on that process of choosing between “accurate” folklore and “traditional” folklore, and how you’re incorporating that in not just the spelling but the flavor of the book.
I’m glad you came down on the bean sidhe side; it seems older and deeper, with more gravity. (And also without preconceived notions!)
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Rachel, I wanna be Catwoman! Seriously!
D
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hi rachel
wow,love the books,been with you since the start,like the twist with the uk cover(iam in the uk but cant ever wait,i get the usa version!!)
book question….what is the life span of shifters??do they age slower etc??
personal question…if you were stranded on a island(think cast-a-way)what is a must to have with you??
keep up the good work!!!!!
becca
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Okay, I think the contest is actually over, but I’m gonna go ahead and answer the rest of the questions.
Hi again, Shellie,
“What exactly is a synopsis?”
A synopsis is a plot summary of the entire book, including the ending. It should be written in the tone of the actual book.
“Does a synopsis have to be approved before you start writing the actual book?”
For me, yes, the synopsis and the first few chapters technically have to be approved before I write the book. But I usually start writing before I hear back on the synopsis, because I write fairly quickly, and hate to be bored.
“If so, then I guess that means you’re just about to start the rough draft to shifters 5, right?” Yes! I start Shifters 5 on Monday.
“How far along in the process does the title of the book be decided and once it’s decided how long before you can tell your fans?”
I have titles picked out for the final two books, though neither is written, but they have to be officially approved by my publisher before I will announce them, to avoid confusing readers by having to later change the title.
Hi Becca, and thanks! I’m glad you’re enjoying them.
In my books, Shifters have a natural lifespan comparable to that of humans. They don’t age slower. They do heal much faster when they Shift, but because of their typically violent lifestyles, they often live shorter lives than their human counterparts.
And if I were stranded on an island, I’d have to have a satellite phone. So I can be rescued.
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Rachel, enjoyable interview; thanks!
My hat goes off to you for the number of hours you put in to your work in a day. I hope you get out and stretch your legs the odd time.
I love the idea of the shapeshifting cats, which you have clearly put a lot of thought into, cat-wise. That is, it sounds like you didn’t just plunk a cat form on a human and go from there, but tried to imbue them with cat characters. This interests me a lot.
What I’m curious about is why shapeshifters in the first place? What is it about that particular “medium of magic” that draws you? If it’s some deep psychological thing I am panting with anticipation to hear just which it is!
Casey
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oopppps. Didn’t realize the contest was over. Droop.
Casey
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[...] Rachel Vincent’s Pride: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=3963 [...]
Congrats to ZhyeGoatt who won a signed copy of Pride in the contest!
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