Author Interview & Signed “Hellforged” Giveaway w/ Nancy Holzner!

Hey Everyone!

Another Tuesday and I have the pleasure to welcome here another one of my favorite Author!

Nancy Holzner, author of the Deadtown series, answered a few questions and is giving away a Signed Copy of her new book. Details are at the bottom of the post!

Enjoy!

 

When did you first start writing?

I wrote a lot as a child and a teenager, but in college I decided I wanted to go to graduate school and become an English professor. So I switched my focus to research, teaching, and academic writing. Then my daughter was born, and between being a mom and building my career I didn't have time for creative writing. I picked that up again seriously when my daughter was in high school.

Have you always enjoyed Fantasy?

I was a medievalist, so I've always loved legends and stories from the Middle Ages, which provide a touchstone to much contemporary fantasy. But I enjoy all kinds of literature, from the classics and literary fiction to mysteries, romance, and fantasy.

Why write Urban Fantasy?

Years ago, a friend from grad school recommended Guilty Pleasures, the first book in Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series. It was fun, and I started looking for other, similar books, reading authors such as Kim Harrison, Jim Butcher, and Patricia Briggs. Urban fantasy seemed like such a fun, energetic, and imaginative genre that I wanted to play, too. Even though the genre is much more crowded now, I think it's still remarkably inventive and fun.

Were there any Books, Movies or Writers that have inspired you?

It's hard to zero in on one or two. When you write, inspiration comes from just about everything. But I'd say writers inspired me most of all, ever since I started reading picture books.

What is your favorite subject in the Urban Fantasy Realm?

I'll always love any urban fantasy story that has high stakes, lots of action, a touch of romance, and a touch of humor.

Favorites:

Favorite Paranormal themed Movie?

I guess it's fantasy more than paranormal, but one of the movies I enjoyed most in the past year was Inception. Other paranormal movies I've enjoyed (including some pretty cheesy ones) are the two versions of Dracula that starred Frank Langella and Gary Oldman, An American Werewolf in London, The Company of Wolves, Shaun of the Dead, and Zombieland.

Favorite Paranormal themed TV Show?

I don't watch much TV because I spend just about all my spare time writing.

Favorite Paranormal themed Book?

If Cathy's ghost makes it paranormal, that would be Wuthering Heights. Whenever I read that novel, it never fails to astonish me.

Favorite Author?

You're asking a former English professor to choose a single favorite author? *Head explodes.*

Favorite Urban Fantasy Author?

Ilona Andrews. An awesome writing team and really nice people.

Favorite Genre that is NOT your own?

I read a lot of mysteries. I also like historicals (both mystery and romance), especially if they have a Gothic feel.

Favorite one of your Books?

My favorite book is always the one I'm working on now. It has to be that way to keep moving forward.

Who is your favorite of your own characters?

Vicky is my favorite character, but Tina is probably the most fun to write.

Which was the hardest to write?

I spent the most time revising Hellforged, so in some ways that made it the hardest. My final draft was too long, and I had to cut 15,000 words. That's difficult to do after you thought the book was finished. But it turned out to be a good exercise in tightening the story, and the book ended up better because of it.

What would you be if not a writer?

I'd probably go back to teaching (I've taught all levels from high school through graduate school and I've even done some corporate training). Teaching is hard work, but it can be very rewarding. There's nothing like the give-and-take of a great class discussion.

If you Could be a Paranormal Being, Who would you be?

I'd be a shapeshifter like Vicky. I like the idea of being able to choose the kind of creature you change into. I guess that's why I wanted to write about her.

If you could meet ay Urban Fantasy Character out there, Who would you like to meet?

Vicky Vaughn! Then I could just take dictation and the books would be so much easier to write. :) OK, seriously, I'd want to meet Jane True from Nicole Peeler's Tempest series. She's a New Englander (like I am), she's half-selkie (how cool is that?), and I love the way her character is growing.

Quickies:

Vampires or Werewolves? I like both, so it honestly depends on my mood: whether I'm feeling sophisticated or ready for a walk on the wild side. :)

Zombies or Shifters? Shifters, definitely. Deadtown's zombies are fun, but I wouldn't want to be one.

Reading or Writing? I can't pick one of these over the other. It's kind of like asking "air or food?". I need both.

Print or eBook? I sometimes read books on my phone, but I still prefer paper.

Hardback or Paperback? Paperback, preferably mass market. Hardcovers are too bulky to read comfortably in bed, which is my preferred spot for reading.

Pepsi or Coke Diet Coke. Interestingly, my husband prefers Diet Pepsi--and yet our household is harmonious. :)

Mc D's or Burger King? Burger King--I love their onion rings.

YA novels or Adult novels? Adult.

Library or Bookstore? I'm a big supporter of libraries, but I'm a hardcore book buyer. I buy all the books I can afford. I never know which ones I'll want to read again.

Summer or Winter? Even with all the snow we've had in my area this year, I'm going to say winter. (And I realize I'm probably the only person in the entire northeastern U.S. willing to say that at this point.) But I wilt in hot weather. And I get a sunburn after about five minutes in the sun.

The Movie or The Book? Always the book.

PNR or UF? Both are fun, but I really love straight-up UF.

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

I like the second draft. I sometimes have a hard time facing the proverbial blank page, which makes the first draft difficult at times. Once I've got the story sketched out, I love rolling up my sleeves and shaping it into a novel. I like having something to work with.

What is your least favorite part?

I just met a big deadline, so I'll say deadlines. A deadline is a necessity, of course, and it ensures that I finish instead of endlessly tinkering with the text. But it also puts a lot of pressure on a writer.

The Deadtown Series in your own words?

In an alternative Boston segregated between paranormals and humans, shapeshifter Vicky Vaughn kills other people's personal demons for a living--and deals with bigger demons from her own past.

Any plans for more Books in the series?

Bloodstone, the next novel in the series, will be out in the fall. And I'm starting to work on Deadtown #4. Those two books are under contract; I've got ideas for continuing the series, but we'll see how books 1-4 do.

What is coming up next for you?

Well, as I mentioned, Bloodstone will be out later this year. I've got ideas for some short stories set in Deadtown's world, and there's a dark historical fantasy that keeps calling to me that I'd love to find time to write. But between the day job and my current commitments, I don't know how much time I'll have left over for other projects.

What are you working on right now?

I'm working on the first draft of the fourth Deadtown novel. I've got it plotted out, and I'm starting to write some scenes.

Do you have any advice or tip to those like me that want to become a published Author someday?

Write every day. Read in your genre and also beyond it. Find trusted readers who can offer good critiques, and listen to their input. Critique other people's work to develop your own critical eye. And finish things--don't go chasing after the siren song of the next project until you're finished with the current one. Don't give up; keep refining your craft and sending your work out into the world. It's the only way you'll find readers.

Anything you would like to say to your fans out there?

Thanks for reading my books!

Thank you so much for being here!

Thank you for inviting me, Larissa! You ask great questions. :)

 

Find Nancy Holzner Online:

Website | Goodreads

Twitter | Facebook

 

Buy Nancy’s Books:

Amazon US | Barnes & Noble

Book Depository

 

Check Out My Review of “Deadtown”!

 

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