2013 Debut Author Bash : Jennifer McGowan
The 2013 Debut Authors Bash is hosted by YA Reads.
Hi guys!
I'm excited to have Jennifer McGowan, debut author of Maid of Secrets, a book that I completely adored, on the blog today to answer a few questions in order to celebrate the release of her debut novel.
Summary (from Goodreads) Title : Maid of Secrets (Maids of Honor #1)
Author : Jennifer McGowan
Publication Date : May 7th 2013
Publisher : Simon & Schuster for Young Readers
Goodreads - The Book Depository
Seventeen-year-old Meg Fellowes is a wry, resourceful thief forced to join an elite group of female spies in Queen Elizabeth’s Court. There she must solve a murder, save the Crown, and resist the one thing that will become her greatest freedom–and her deadliest peril.
For Meg and her fellow spies are not alone in their pursuit of the murderer who stalks Windsor Castle.
A young, mysterious Spanish courtier, Count Rafe de Martine, appears at every turn in the dark and scandal-filled corridors of the Queen’s summer palace. And though secrets and danger are Meg’s stock-in-trade, she’s never bargained on falling in love…
Author Interview
Hi Jennifer! I'm so excited to have you on Nick's Book Blog! I absolutely adored Maid of Secrets! Let's get started with the interview questions.
1. How does it feel to have your book finally "out in the world"?
Nick, hello! First—thank you so much for hosting me on your blog. I’m thrilled you enjoyed Maid of Secrets—I don’t think there’s any feeling in the world quite like having someone connect with your story. Thank you!!
As to having Maid of Secrets out in the world, it’s honestly a strange combination of feelings. For one, I’m excited to have the book available for readers—I love Meg and the adventures she has with her fellow spies, and it’s great to be able to talk about the book! On the other hand, it’s a bit nerve-wracking, hoping that readers will find and enjoy your book. I especially am happy to hear readers’ comments. It’s been a wonderful part of being a published author.
2. Who is your celebrity cast for the Maids of Honor and a certain Spaniard? ;)
Ha! Well, I’m terrible at choosing actors, but I’m always up for casting sexy Spaniards!
Perhaps Juan Pablo Di Pace (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1591620/) for Rafe or maybe Aiden Turner if he looked like he does here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2636108/resumephotos?v=me701013178 (albeit with slightly less HAIR, lol) or as a youngerish Luke from The Mortal Instruments movie? And, for Meg, I nominate Emma Stone (though she’d have to rock dark hair again). Mainly because yes, I think Emma Stone is amazing, and her attitude is perfect for Meg.
I welcome anyone’s suggestions for the answer to this question!
3. I read your author biography and I found out that you sold love poems for $5 in Junior High! How did that even start and if you still remember a couple, any chance you could share them with us?
That started like most writing efforts—I did it for free. I was in love with romance even before I hit my teen years, and would jot down love sonnets and poems starring my friends and their current boyfriends. The poems were a hit, and people wanted more. I complained that I didn’t have time to keep up… which led to people paying me. Then summer came, all of my classmates grew a bit older and decided to write their own love notes, and my career as a romantic-for-hire was nipped in the bud… at least until I sold my first romance novel.
And no. Even if I still had some of those poems left, for the sake of all of your readers, I would refrain from sharing them. They were VERY melodramatic, ala “You… a whisper, a song, a moment, a memory. The magic of your touch. The mystery of your smile. I will love, forever and always, only… You.”
Seriously. They were bad.
4. While writing Maid of Secrets you must have had to undergo a lot of research work. While researching, did you come across any figure from that time period that you thought was fascinating?
Honestly, the biggest surprise was Sir Francis Walsingham, the Queen’s spymaster. He was devoted to the Queen, even when she nearly bankrupted him later in his career. That fact completely captured my attention. How could a man who was known for his brilliant mind, strategic skills, and resourcefulness allow the Queen to destroy his life? My suggested answer will be hinted in later works of the Maids of Honor… particularly Jane’s!
5. Out of Meg, Beatrice, Anna, Sophia and Jane, which character do you have a soft spot for?
I first fell in love with Meg, of course—so resourceful and quick thinking! She was my hero. I didn’t much care for Beatrice until I wrote her story, and then I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much as when I wrote her book. I just wanted a story that was worthy of someone who had lived such a life of deception and intrigue… but who had very good reasons for being as, well, mean as she was. Anna and Sophia are currently emerging as very cool characters that I think will really surprise readers—and I can’t wait to tell their tales.
But if I had to pick one of the Maids, I would have to say Jane has claimed my heart. She comes to the Maids of Honor with such a horrific story of her own, and she is so fierce and strong and stoic, that you just know she is hiding both deep emotion and deep vulnerability. And, truth be told, she can do pretty amazing things with a knife. So there’s that.
6. What can fans expect in the consequent books in the Maids of Honor series?
Each of the books will tell a new story from the perspective of one of the Maids. MAID OF DECEPTION, Book 2, will be told from Beatrice’s point of view—readers can expect more court politics, backstabbing, dangerous alliances… and a much bigger romance that is completely NOT in Beatrice’s plan. You’ll also see Beatrice square off against Queen Elizabeth. While Meg and the Queen were friendly… Beatrice and the Queen pretty much hate each other. It makes for a very dangerous relationship!
I’m also THRILLED to announce here that Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers has recently bought Book 3, MAID OF WONDER. Book 3 is Sophia’s tale, and readers will learn the truth behind the blossoming psychic abilities of the Queen’s youngest spy. It’s a dark and twisting story that allows Sophia to come into her own power—and she’ll meet a mercurial magician who is never exactly as he seems.
Then, if the stars align and readers want the series to continue, the final two books will be Anna’s and Jane’s. MAID OF MYSTERY will feature the genius Anna solving a string of grisly murders in London right before Christmas (think an Elizabethan-era CSI). Then, the series will conclude with MAID OF SHADOWS, a high-suspense thriller pitting Jane against a devious killer determined to take out the Queen. I look forward to diving into both stories!
7. To end this interview, why should readers who haven't read your book yet read Maid of Secrets?
Because it’s awesome. Okay, seriously: MAID OF SECRETS is the story of a young woman beating the odds to save the people she loves—and along the way learning who she really is. It’s a historical spy story, yes, but I think it has a basic theme of empowerment that works in any time period—especially today.
Promotional Side Note!
If readers would like a sneak peak to learn more about Meg and her unique take on life, love and thievery, I invite you to check out the e-novella A THIEF BEFORE CHRISTMAS this December – it’s an adventure that takes place a few months before Meg becomes a spy, and features characters who are also in MAID OF SECRETS. It’s available for pre-order here (http://www.amazon.com/Thief-Before-Christmas-Maids-ebook/dp/B00EWWLKRE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378739066&sr=8-1&keywords=A+thief+before+christmas), but more details will be coming!
Thanks so much for being here, Jennifer! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series!
Thank you!!
Giveaway
Prizes :
- 2 Signed Copies of Maid of Secrets
- Swag
Prizes :
- 2 Signed Copies of Maid of Secrets
- Swag
a Rafflecopter giveaway
What did you think of it and of Jennifer's writing style?
Be sure to let me know in the comments below!
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