Thursday 12 September 2013

An Interview with Nancy Holzner + Giveaway



Today Nancy Holzner is my guest. She's the author of the really cool Deadtown series of which book 5, Hellhound, wil release next month.


Welcome to Pearls Cast Before A McPig, Nancy.
Could you tell a bit about yourself for those people who don’t know you yet?


I'm the author of the Deadtown urban fantasy series, which features Vicky Vaughn, a Boston shapeshifter who kills other people's personal demons for a living (while wrestling with bigger, badder demons of her own). I write both fiction and nonfiction, and I before I became a writer I was an academic, teaching English with a specialty in medieval literature. I grew up in western Massachusetts but now live in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

How many books will there be in the Deadtown series?

There will be six books. Hellhound, coming out in October, is book #5, and I'm working on the final book in the series now. It's going to end things with a bang, I can tell you that! But even though #6 will be the final book in the series, I may do some smaller projects set in Deadtown's world. I'd like to write a prequel about the zombie plague, for example, and some stories that focus on secondary characters, such as Tina, Mab, and Juliet. Maria, too.

Any chance Tina will get her own book?

See above. :) She's so much fun to write, I doubt she'll stay out of my head for very long, even after the series is officially "done." She's pushy that way.

Have you ever used people you know as characters in your books?

Not really. Certain character traits may come from people I know, but I see each character as a unique individual. For example, Tina gets some of her tendencies from high school students I've taught, but her personality is all her own. I've named a character or two after friends, but only with their permission. Even in that case, only the name and perhaps one trait comes from the real-life person. From that starting point, the character develops entirely on his or her own.


Are there any other projects you’re working on or thinking about starting in the near future?

Earlier this year I started laying some groundwork for a dark historical fantasy, developing some characters and wallowing in research. (As a "recovering academic," I'm a research junkie!) I've also done some work on a neogothic ghost story with a more romantic flavor than what I usually write. Right now, my focus is on making Deadtown 6 the best story that I can. After that, though, I do look forward to exploring some new settings and characters beyond Deadtown's world. I love writing urban fantasy, but I'd like to try some other genres, too, such as dark fantasy/horror and paranormal romance.

Where can you be found when you’re not at your desk writing?

For the past several months, the answer is in a hospital, unfortunately. My husband has faced some serious health challenges this year and of course I've been there to support him. In less stressful times, though, my favorite places to be when I'm not working are walking through my neighborhood and going to Friday happy hour with writer friends at a local wine bar.

What did you do to celebrate the release of your first book?

My husband took me out to dinner at our favorite restaurant. We did that twice, in fact—when I got the offer for the first two books and then again when Deadtown came out. Champagne flowed!

What is the best thing about being a published author?

There's a lot I enjoy about being published, including the thrill of seeing my books in stores, being on panels at conventions, and getting paid to do work I love. But without question the best thing is hearing from readers who enjoy my books. It's such a thrill to know that my characters and stories have entertained or touched someone.

What authors have been an influence to you? And have you read any books lately that you want to share with us or have you been too busy with writing to read?

I've always been a voracious reader, and I feel like I learn something from every book I read. I think there's a rhythm to good prose that you absorb through reading. So in a sense I'm constantly being influenced by everything I read. Lately I've been seeking out horror and dark fantasy by women writers, and two of my favorite authors have been Sarah Langan (Audrey's Door, The Keeper) and Caitlin R. Kiernan (The Red Tree, The Drowning Girl). Their books are wonderfully creepy, and psychological as much as supernatural. Great reads!

Thanks for dropping by. I'll keep an eye out for news about Tina's book ;)


About Hellhound:

They call it Deadtown: the city’s quarantined section for its inhuman and undead residents. Most humans stay far from its borders—but Victory Vaughn, Boston’s only professional demon slayer, isn’t exactly human…

Boston’s zombies have suddenly become inexplicably violent—horror movie-style—resulting in a catastrophic all-out battle against humans. More troubling to Vicky is that she’s had dreams and visions of herself fighting alongside the demons. At least, she hopes they’re just visions—otherwise, that puts her on the front lines of the wrong side of the war.

Vicky’s not surprised to discover that Pryce, her demi-demon cousin and loathed adversary, is behind the outbreak of the zombie plague, having formed an unholy pact with the Old Ones. Now, as the violence escalates and alliances shift, Vicky knows she’s the only one who can stop the plague. Unless the pack of hellhounds on her trail finds her first.



preorder here:
Buy This Book from Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

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Giveaway:

Nancy has kindly offered a really awesome prize to one commenter of my blog:
A Boston Gift Bag, containing a Boston tote bag, a signed Deadtown book (winner's choice) and some more goodies.

The winner is Angie.
First winner didn't respond, so I had to draw a new winner: Aurian!


A winner will be picked at random on October 3rd 2013.
Open internationally to everyone who's legally allowed to enter this giveaway.

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Don't forget to leave a comment:
I decided to have an event wide giveaway on my blog for commenters.

At the end of this event I'll pick one commenter on any author post of this event at random and that person will win a book of his/her choice as long as bookdepository ships to where you live, you're legally allowed to enter, and the book costs no more than 10$

And drop by Between Dreams and Reality as well for more great author posts.

29 comments:

Melliane said...

6 books? Wow it will be so saaad! I love this series, already preordered book 5! I'm soooo impatient! But I'm glad you'll write books about the others. Mainly Tina, like Carien I love her! Well I love all your characters so it's easy to make me really happy. Thank you so much for the wonderful interview!

Katie Dalton said...

Nancy!! Yay, you're playing with pigs now too!!!

Sheep and pigs are best of buddies, did you know? :)

Awesome interview today and we love your books too!


Baaaaa oink oink

bellachic04 said...

These books sound very interesting, I think I will look them up and check them out! Thank You!

NoraA said...

Nancy I love your books and own a couple of them already. I'd love to win again and add that bag to my collection.

Stef said...

This is still one of my favorite series available in the genre! Looking forward to Hellhound.

Unknown said...

I love the series and I'm so happy Tina will be getting a story. It would be awesome to get more stories stein such an interesting and intriguing world.
Congrats on the upcoming releases.

Deborah Blake said...

I love this series--can't wait for the next one to come out!

Inessa said...

All these books sound very intriguing. I must add them to my TBR list! Thanks for the wonderful interview!

Anonymous said...

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and saying hello, whether you're already a reader of the series or interested i nstarting it. It's been such a fun series to write, and I do hope I'll be able to keep telling more stories set in its world, even after book 6 comes out.

Barbara E. said...

I have most of the series on my TBR shelf, but haven't had a chance to read them yet. I'm definitely looking forward to getting started soon and I look forward to seeing what new work Nancy comes out with once the series is done.

Unknown said...

Nice

Janice said...

Love this series! Will be sad when it ends, but happy it may continue on with novellas.

miki said...

in a way i'm glad it won't be a long series buit i do hope for a HEA ^^, happy end.

getting some stories about secondary chracter does sounds good^^ ( nopw i just have to read more quickly because i'm a little behind^^)

erin said...

thanks for the fun post and congrats to Nancy on the new release! I love this series :)

Mirjam said...

This reminds me that I really need to order book 2. I love the cover of Hellhound by the way! :)

Aurian said...

Time for me to start the series, I am very curious now. I do have the first books on my shelves already.
How fun to be starting new things. As long as they are not too creepy, I will read them.

Blodeuedd said...

I have read the first 2 but have yet to get book 3, and some cool stuff sure happened in book 2

Denise Z said...

Thank you so much for sharing with us today! I love the Deadtown series and can never get enough.

Unknown said...

Love the series am anxiously awaiting the next book.

Mary Preston said...

I haven't begun this series yet, but it does look amazing. LOVE the covers.

Aleksandra said...

Great interview, and I agree, the last book should be the best :)

Also, I'm definitely going to check out Sarah Langan and Caitlin R. Kiernan's books, they sound like books for me, so thanks for the recommendations :)

keizerfire said...

Can't wait to start this series, but on the downside, I feel so sad for Ms. Holzner, regarding the death of her husband. Happy memories and best wishes in the times ahead. It's not getting past, it's just surviving, I know.

Gaele said...

What a neat series - first I've heard of it - but now it's on my list.
Forner "near Boston" resident here

Thank you for the opportunity

Shared to FB -

Coccinelle said...

Looks good ! :D

Thank you for the giveaway !

catslady said...

You are a new to me author but sounds like a really fascinating series and thanks for a chance!!

Unknown said...

Love the interview and the giveaway. This author was recommended by Mandy Roth, so I decided to check her out and now will have to get one of her books. Lol I am hooked

Unknown said...

Sounds awesome,great interview
cookiesmasher5(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mel said...

I love this series! Deadtown is a great series and I love all adventures...it will be so sad to see it end!

LadyVampire2u said...

I love this series so I am kind of sad to see it only has two more releases to go before the series ends. But I am really looking forward to reading both books and any other books you release in the future. Your such a great author and one of my favorites. :)