Q&A Interview and Giveaway with Yasmine Galenorn

Yasmine Galenorn Interview

Hello LITERAL ADDICTS & Book Monsters! LITERAL ADDICTION and Book Monster Reviews are very pleased to welcome bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn to our sites today.

Yasmine writes two fantasy series, the OTHERWORLD (a.k.a SISTERS OF THE MOON) and INDIGO COURT series.  She has also written a paranormal mystery series called CHINTZ ‘N CHINA, a short-lived mystery series called BATH & BODY under the name India Ink, and eight metaphysical nonfiction books.

Yasmine is a shamanic witch and is considered an elder in the Pagan community, having been in the craft since February 29, 1980.  She walks an eclectic path and considers her life to be ‘a blend of teacups and tattoos’ (she’s heavily inked).  She collects teacups, teapots, Old Country Roses china (Royal Albert), antlers and skulls (of the non-human variety), daggers, crystals and books. 

She is a theatre major, a 1983 graduate of the Evergreen State College (Olympia, WA) and started college when she was 15, skipping high school. 

Yasmine married her love on Beltane of 1993 and they are still very happily married, residing in Kirkland WA with one senior kitty and three kittens.  Interesting tidbit…Yasmine and her husband, Samwise, created their last name when they got married, went to court, and made it legal.  It’s Elvish, from Lord of the Rings - Galenorn means Green Tree in Elvish (and yes, Samwise IS his real name).  J

Yasmine’s OTHERWORLD/SISTERS OF THE MOON series consists of 10 books (“Witchling”, “Changling”, “Darkling”, “Dragon Wytch”, “Night Huntress”, “Demon Mistress”, “Bone Magic”, “Harvest Hunting”, “Blood Wyne”, “Hexed” and “Courting Darkness”), with another, Book #11 - “Shaded Vision” due out on February 7^th of 2012. 

Her INDIGO COURT series has 2 books (“Night Myst” and “Night Veil”) with another, Book #3, “Night Seeker”, due out in June of 2012.

Let's take a look at the 1^st and latest releases from our guest author….

"Witchling", OTHERWORLD Book #1

Meet the D'Artigo sisters: half-human, half-faerie, they're savvy-and sexy-operatives for the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. But their mixed-blood heritage short-circuits their talents at all the wrong times. Delilah shapeshifts into a tabby cat whenever she's stressed. Menolly's a vampire who's still trying to get the hang of being undead. And Camille is a wicked-good witch, except her magic's as unpredictable as the weather, as her enemies are about to find out-the hard way.

"Courting Darkness",

OTHERWORLD Book #10

Camille D'Artigo is Priestess of the Moon Mother and wife of a dragon. But her dragon father-in-law doesn't want her in the family. Captured and swept off to the Dragon Reaches, Camille must find a way to escape before her husband's father breaks her spirit...

"Night Myst", INDIGO COURT Book #1

Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the Dark Fae in order to harness their magic, only to create a demonic enemy more powerful than they imagined. Now Myst, the Vampiric Fae Queen of the Indigo Court, has enough power to begin a long prophesied supernatural war. And Cicely Waters, a witch who can control the wind, may be the only one who can stop her-and save her beloved Fae prince from the Queen's enslavement.

"Night Veil", INDIGO COURT Book #2 

Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the Dark Fae in order to harness their magic, only to create a demonic enemy more powerful than they could have imagined. Quietly amassing their strength for centuries, the Vampiric Fae-led by the merciless Myst, Queen of the Indigo Court-are determined to enslave the world. Only one witch stands in her way...

Cicely Waters grew up believing she was simply one of the magic-born-a witch who can control the wind-but when she returned home to New Forest, Washington, she discovered she was also one of the shifting Fae. Now she must perfect her gift. For Myst, Queen of the Indigo Court, has captured Grieve, the Fae prince who holds Cicely's heart. To save both her beloved Grieve and her friend Kaylin-whose demon is waking-Cicely must journey deep into the heart of the Indigo Court. But even as Cicely gathers strength, old alliances are breaking faith.

And new allies, like the hedonistic vampire Lannan Altos, promise to take Cicely down a far darker path than she's ever travelled before.

The books sound incredible don’t they!?  Let’s get to the interview and learn some more about the amazing author behind them…

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Bright Blessings Yasmine, we’re very excited to have you with us today!  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to drop by and spend some time with us!

Yasmine: Thank you for inviting me to your site. I hope to entertain and inform!

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  We like to start out getting to know our guest authors a little bit better?

Q1):   Can you tell us 3 little known things about yourself that we can't find out easily on the internet, in your bio, etc?

Yasmine: I absolutely HATE vinegar. I’m prone to nightmares. And my favorite perfumes are Opium, Organza Indecence, Warm Vanilla Sugar, and Black Raspberry Vanilla.

2)  If you could list 3 things that never fail to make you smile, what would they be?

Yasmine: Cats—ailurophile here. Spongebob Squarepants. The sight of my husband bringing me home a latte or flowers. J

3)   Aside from your collections, do you have any special hobbies or things that you enjoy doing when you’re not writing or taking care of other author business?

Yasmine: I’m a media junkie. I love movies and TV. Love music. We get together with friends for ‘bad movie nights’ when we eat yummy food and watch really bad movies together in our own version of MST3K.

4)  Do you have a writing routine, i.e certain things you must have with you for the process to begin, etc?

Yasmine: My computer. Miss Kitty—my writing mascot. And music. My routine is pretty much: get up, turn on the computer, get dressed, grab caffeine and food, sit down and start work.

5)  What’s your favorite inspirational quote?

Yasmine: “How you spend your time is how you spend your life.”

6)  If you were to write an auto-biography, what do you think it’d be called?

Yasmine: The same name as my blog: Life on the Fringe.

7)  We know that this is a hard one, but who are some of your favorite authors and what are a few current titles on your TBR list?

Yasmine: Favorite authors of all: Ray Bradbury, JRR Tolkien, Amy Tan, Richard Adams, Daphne du Maurier. Authors/series that are on my auto-buy list: Charlaine Harris—Sookie Stackhouse Series. Diane Mott Davidson: her culinary mystery series. JA Jance: Joanna Brady Series. Rachel Caine: Morganville Vampire Series. PC Cast/Kristan Cast: House of Night Series. Patty Briggs: Mercy Thompson Series. There are a few others, plus a LOT of standalones and new-to-me authors on my TBR bookcase. I have over 200 books waiting for me to read them. My newest author/book that I love is the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. And despite what it sounds like, YA is a fraction of my reading.

8)  How does Samwise feel about your writing?

Yasmine: He is probably the most supportive spouse I could ask for. He’s proud of me, he thinks my books are wonderful and called me the “Queen of Vampire Sex Scenes” not long ago. ~laughing~ That is a compliment. He really helps out on my many deadlines, too.

9) What are some of your favorite television shows and movies?

Yasmine: I love Criminal Minds, Glee, Chopped, Next Food Network TV Star, Food Network Challenge, Spongebob Squarepants…I used to love Medium but that show’s over. I watched Bones up until this season and stopped. I liked Fringe but got lost when I missed a few episodes. I watched Law & Order: SVU up until this season. I actually like a lot of shows but most of them are now out of production.

Movies: favorite movie is Rebecca. Loved the LOTR trilogy, love Tremors and Sleepy Hollow (the Johnny Depp version), Something Wicked This Way Comes, The Thing, Alien/Aliens, Terminator/T2, 2001, Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, Lost Weekend, Fargo, American Beauty, One Hour Photo, Mystic River, Labyrinth, Event Horizon…you can see I have a wide range of interests and time periods I watch from. I also LOVE documentaries on Everest, ocean life, snakes, bears, etc. I was a major Deadliest Catch fan until Captain Phil died and then it just seemed too sad to watch. L

10)  Out of all the books that you’ve written, do you have a favorite amongst them; maybe one that has special sentimental value to you, etc?

Yasmine: Yes…Bone Magic, Darkling, Courting Darkness, Night Myst, and A Harvest of Bones. They all touch me more than the others, in magical ways and dark ways.

11)  What’s your fondest childhood memory?

Yasmine: I really don’t have a lot of happy childhood memories. If pressed, I’d have to say the times spent at the library, or in my room, reading.

12)  What’s the first thought that popped into your head this morning when you woke up?

Yasmine: “Oh fuck, it’s time to get up before the lawn care guys get here and I just want to sleep.”

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  O.K, now we'd like to ask some questions relating to the books…

13)  Can you please tell us a little about the INDIGO COURT series?  How many books do you have planned, and what can we expect as the series progresses?

Yasmine: The Indigo Court Series will end (at least right now I’m planning on this—sometimes things change as you go along) at five books. I’m contracted for all five. I’m finishing up Night Seeker—book three—right now, and the last two books will be called Night Vision, and Night’s End.

As far as what you can expect, well, I know how the series ends—but that would be a major spoiler, though you’ll see part of it unfold in Night Seeker.  You can expect to see what destiny has planned for Cicely and Rhiannon, you’ll meet Peyton’s father, you’ll learn more about the Akazzani Society, and you’ll see what happens to the Veil House—don’t be too certain that it’s totally razed in ashes.

14)  Can you please tell us some more about the OTHERWORLD series in your own words?  How many books do you ultimately have planned for this series?

Yasmine: As to how many books—I have no idea. This series will be on-going for quite awhile as long as readers still want to buy the books and my publisher wants to give me contracts. I am currently contracted through book 15 and will soon be working on book 12.

The spirit seal arc will resolve, probably before the end of the series, but there are other major story arcs opening up. The whole interaction with the Triple Threat (the Fae Queens, Earthside) is evolving. The Elder Fae are playing a more intensive part. Courting Darkness opens up the Dragon Realm to the sisters and so the dragons will be playing a bigger part.

Menolly’s involvement with Roman—and eventually, I think, Blood Wyne, opens up the vampire subculture more. She’ll have to balance that with her primary relationship with Nerissa.

And Delilah will be learning more about Haseofon and Shade’s heritage—so those aspects will be evolving. I would like to expand into Morio’s heritage, and Trillian’s, as well.  There are so many ways I can take this world, so I really can’t foresee the ‘end’ of the series yet.

15)   Was there any specific inspiration behind the creation of either of the series?

Yasmine: The Indigo Court series got its start in a dream, actually, where I was looking at a painting of a woman walking through a misty wood, with an spidery queen looming over the wood, waiting to trap her. The girl was looking for her aunt, and the scene was filled with creatures from legend and lore.

The Sisters Series evolved in my subconscious, I guess, till one night the sisters leapt in front of me, introduced themselves, and told me I had to write about them.

16)  If you could spend the day with one of the characters from any of the books you’ve written, who would you want it to be, why, and what would you want to do?

Yasmine: That is a hard question. I like most of my characters, albeit some better than others. Camille—for sure, to talk fashion and makeup and magic and what her life in Otherworld was like. Aeval—to discuss and practice deep magic. Smoky—for obvious reasons (oh, that sexy hair, and I’d love to go riding on his back, if I was strapped on without fear of falling). Morio—for fun, conversation, a picnic in the park by the water, and more. Trillian—dinner out and a night in. Lannan—to see if I could outwit him (fat chance, but hey). Cicely, to hang out in the woods with.

17)  Do you have anything else in the works outside of these two series that you can share with us?

Yasmine: I have ideas for after I wrap up the Indigo Court series, but don’t really want to talk about them yet. I am going to be putting up some of my nonfiction articles that were published over the years on my site, for free. I have a number of standalones I’d love to write but at three books a year, I really don’t have much time left to do anything else.

18)  Is there any specific message in your books that you’re hoping your readers will grasp, and if so what and which book(s)?

Yasmine: You know, I write to entertain. I don’t consciously set forth an agenda in the books, but they do evolve as the characters evolve—but I never deliberately insert an agenda/message. Messages are for essays and nonfiction. As far as social themes: one major theme of my work seems to be the necessity for tolerance of alternative lifestyles and beliefs. The dangers of hate groups. The reality that monsters are often cloaked in the visage of the boy next door. That the minority can rise to combat great evils, and that we make the best of what we were born with, banding together to defeat common enemies.

19)  What have you always wanted to be asked in an interview but have never been asked?  How would you answer that question?

Yasmine: That’s probably the hardest question here. And for the life of me, I can’t think of any at this time. I know there are questions I’ve wanted to answer, but my mind is blanking. Blame deadline hell. ;)

20)  Is there anything special you would like to say to your readers while we have you here today?

Yasmine: Here, I can elaborate. Please know that authors truly appreciate our readers—we value your support, it’s what gives us the chance to keep on writing. Without you buying the books, we wouldn’t be able to spend the time writing. At least, I wouldn’t. And I am so grateful I get to do what I love for a living. It’s never easy, in fact—it’s damned hard, but I love the work.

I would love for readers to know that we don’t set our ebook prices—we don’t set the audio prices. We don’t have say over our cover art. We don’t get to choose our distribution venues, or our release dates. There’s so much out of our hands that readers think we control, and the author is not who the publisher will listen to. If you have complaints about ebook prices, etc., write to the publisher—tell them. They will listen to the people who buy the books.

I’d like my readers to know that piracy hurts everybody. Author, publisher, and eventually readers when the contracts dry up.

I’d like you to know that we work hard to create our worlds, to find a publisher, to make these worlds ones you will hopefully love. And we really do understand that not every reader is our audience—there will always be people who dislike our books. There will always be people who read a few of our books and lose interest. It happens—it’s normal.

We understand there will be bad reviews, though we may not like them—but we appreciate it when the review is thoughtful, rather than nasty. Because we—like you—are all too human. And we truly are grateful for the good reviews, the reviews from readers who do love our work.

Because without our readers, our words are only so many whispers on the wind.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions today!  We would love to have you back in 2012 to help promote “Shaded Vision” and/or “Night Seeker” if you’d be interested!? J

Yasmine {closing comments}: I’d love to return. Thank you for hosting me, and I hope that my readers love Courting Darkness.

If you would like to learn more about Yasmine and her books, you can follow her at the following sites:

Website:  http://www.galenorn.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/NYT-Bestselling-Author-Yasmine-Galenorn-Fan-Page/237705813865?ref=ts&sk=wall

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/yasminegalenorn

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/101078.Yasmine_Galenorn

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CONTEST:  Yasmine is graciously offering up signed copies of books #1 and #2 in the INDIGO COURT series to a winner from Book Monster Reviews. 

To Enter: Make sure you are a member of the Book Monster Blog (by clicking on the “JOIN THIS SITE” button at the top left hand corner of blog page), and then post a comment on the interview and make sure you leave a valid email address. Any comments without an email address will NOT be entered into drawing. You must also be a follower of the BMR blog. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Don't forget to drop by the LITERAL ADDICTION website (http://www.literaladdiction.com/) and follow the directions and links to enter their contest for a chance to win signed copies of the first 3 books in the OTHERWORLD series to a winner from LITERAL ADDICTION.