Monday 12 May 2014

An Interview with Rachel Aukes + Giveaway

I'm very happy to welcome Rachel Aukes to my blog today. She's the author of the awesome Deadland Saga. The first book, 100 Days in Deadland was my favorite zombie read of 2013, and the second book, Deadland's Harvest is just as awesome!

Rachel kindly agreed to an interview, and she'll be giving away a print copy of Deadland's Harvest to one reader of my blog!


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

I’m Rachel Aukes (pronounced “ah-kiss”), and yes, that’s my real name. I’m a writer of the bestselling Deadland Saga. I love animals, Guinness, anything sci-fi, and flying. I live in the Midwest United States, which makes it pretty easy to get out and fly my small airplane whenever I want.

What can you tell us about your books?
I write speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror). Right now, I’m working on the third book in the three-part Deadland Saga, and there will be several short stories to go along with it. Next on deck will be a bio-thriller, which will be a fun project I’m cowriting with an author I highly respect. I’ve also written romance (in the science fiction and paranormal side) under the pen name Berinn Rae.

Have you ever used people you know as characters in your books?
Yes. :-)

Where can you be found when you’re not at your desk writing?
I still have a desk job in the corporate world, which keeps me at another kind of desk. So, when I can get away from desks, I head to the airport and take the Champ out for a sunset flight.


What did you do to celebrate the release of your first book?
I bought a pair of badass boots I’d been wanting for a long time. They’re black and full of buckles. I still wear them to conventions whenever I’m in the mood to kick zombie butt.

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 haven’t had a chance to read nearly as much as I’d like lately, but I still manage to fit in a book every now and then. A couple great books I’ve read recently are Slow Burn by Bobby Adair and Until the End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming. As for influences, Douglas Adams, Stephen King, and Sherrilyn Kenyon without a doubt have greatly impacted my writing style. Each are geniuses in their own way.

Are there pigs in any of your books or will there be any in future books?
There were some pigs in Deadland’s Harvest, though they were only mentioned briefly. Since I grew up on a hog farm, you can bet there will be pigs in future books!

Ah, yes... I remember them...
I will look forward to more pigs in your future books :-)
Thanks for dropping by!


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About Rachel
Rachel Aukes is the international bestselling author of 100 Days in Deadland, which was named one of the best books of 2013 by Suspense Magazine and one of the best zombie books by the Huffington Post. She also writes romantic science fiction and fantasy under the pen name Berinn Rae, which includes the RWA award-winning short story "Stealing Fate," a USA Today recommended read. Rachel lives in Iowa with her husband and an incredibly spoiled sixty-pound lap dog. When not writing, she can be found flying old airplanes and trying (not so successfully) to prepare for the zombie apocalypse.

Rachel is a member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) and Romance Writers of America (RWA).

Born: Manchester, Iowa, USA
Current location: Des Moines, Iowa, area
Schools: MPA, Drake University; BA, University of Northern Iowa

Website: www.RachelAukes.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rachel.aukes
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rachelaukes


About Deadland's Harvest:
The seven deadly sins with a shambling twist.

The critically acclaimed DEADLAND SAGA:
Book 1: 100 Days in Deadland
Book 2: Deadland’s Harvest
Book 3: Deadland Rising

It has been one hundred days since the zombies claimed the world. Cash, along with forty-two survivors, have found safety in the secluded and well-guarded Fox National Park. The leaves are changing colors, a beautiful, brutal reminder that winter is coming. As the survivors prepare for freezing months without electricity and not enough food, they learn of massive zombie herds several hundred miles north…and headed their way.

To save the park, Cash must find a place for the survivors to hide from the migrating herds. If Cash and her small band of volunteers don’t succeed by winter, the Fox survivors just may become Deadland’s Harvest.

(Deadland’s Harvest is a journey through Dante Alighieri's classic tale on the seven deadly sins… zombie apocalypse style!)


Find buy links to 100 Days in Deadland and Deadland's Harvest here

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Giveaway

Rachel has kindly offered a print copy of Deadland's Harvest to one reader of my blog.

giveaway closed - winner: Enbrethiliel


6 comments:

Debby said...

Great interview!I have not read a lot of speculative fiction, but would love to read this one.
Debra

karin said...

this book sounds interesting! I definitely love zombies!

Unknown said...

Really enjoyed 100 Days in Deadland and am looking forward to Deadland's Harvest. Hope to see you at ICON in October!

erin said...

Congrats Rachel on the new release!!! This sounds awesome :) Thanks for sharing!

Aurian said...

Thanks for the fun interview ladies, but don't enter me, I am not a zombie fan like Sullivan is.

Enbrethiliel said...

+JMJ+

I'm not a huge zombie fan, but I'm interested! =) And if I win, I'll be happy to buy the first book in the series so that I can start the story properly!